Chapter 1273: Chapter 1228 Power Transfer Chapter 1273: Chapter 1228 Power Transfer The day after the close of the sessions, the Longxi Province Delegation returned to Longxi, and at Qinyang Airport, local leaders of Longxi Province all went to the airport to receive them.

This time, they did not use the airport’s inner passage. All the delegates, including Nie Zhenbang, used the public passage of the airport.

At the entrance, media reporters from Longxi Province Station, the provincial newspaper, and people from all walks of life were waiting here to welcome the delegation back home.

At the airport exit, many delegates were interviewed by the reporters. Nie Zhenbang and other Provincial Committee leaders did not stay long but got directly onto the coach bus.

Once on the bus, Nie Zhenbang said directly, “Let’s head straight to the Provincial Committee. Everyone is there. We’ll have a preliminary meeting first as there are some matters I need to announce.”

In the small meeting room of the Provincial Committee office building, everyone was seated here, and it was already past eleven o’clock. Yet, nobody had any objections.

Everyone knew that after Secretary Nie was elected as Deputy Premier at this session, there would inevitably be a handover of power in Longxi Province.

Nie Zhenbang sat in his seat, looked around at everyone, and slowly began, “Comrades, the main purpose of convening this preliminary meeting is to discuss the reception issue of Minister Wang Suzhou tomorrow.”

With that, Nie Zhenbang added in a deep voice, “Ancient City must take practical action, and so must the Provincial Committee organs and various ministries and commissions. They must thoroughly clean and sanitize, eliminating all sanitary dead ends, to ensure the cityscape of Ancient City is at its best. In addition, aspects such as public security and fire safety must be thoroughly implemented to present our Longxi in the best possible light to Minister Suzhou.”

The preliminary meeting wasn’t lengthy. For the standing members of the Provincial Committee present, greeting and sending off was nothing out of the ordinary. They were not like young people new to the system who did not know and had not experienced anything.

Once you enter this circle, inevitable events of greeting and sending off follow, and by now, it was something they’ve known all their lives. In this regard, they are quite experienced. In fact, even without this meeting, they all knew what to do. The routines of the past were many.

It was just a matter of formality.

After Nie Zhenbang announced the end of the meeting and stepped out of the office, he said to Zhang Fangwen, Li Hongying, Liu Xiaomin, and Luo Qiuliang beside him, “Comrades Fangwen, Hongying, as well as Qiuliang and Secretary-General, please come to my office.”

In Nie Zhenbang’s office, the four people sat down in the reception area. At this moment, Nie Zhenbang personally poured them a cup of hot tea before sitting down as well.

Looking around at the four people, Nie Zhenbang smiled and said, “I believe you all have an idea by now.”

Zhang Fangwen also replied with a smile, “Secretary, congratulations. From now on, we’ll have to address you as Deputy Premier Nie.”

At this, Li Hongying also spoke up, “Secretary, has a decision been made at the higher levels regarding the arrangements for Longxi Province?”

Liu Xiaomin didn’t speak but looked over. Without needing to say anything, it was clear that Liu Xiaomin was also paying attention to this matter.

After pondering for a while, Nie Zhenbang didn’t deny it and, originally calling the four together to discuss this matter, he nodded and said, “I believe that even without me saying it, you all know that I am to be transferred to work at the State Council. Regarding the selection for the Secretary of Longxi Provincial Committee, I have recommended Comrade Liu Zhentao.”

At this, the four of them were quite calm and did not speak. Liu Zhentao’s appointment as the top leader was something they could have guessed.

Nie Zhenbang continued, “For the position of Governor, I recommended Comrade Wang Benchang.”

Explaining further, Nie Zhenbang said, “As for what kind of person Wang Benchang is, let’s not evaluate him for now. However, relatively speaking, his chances of being promoted are greater than any of the four of you, a fact that is undeniable. Additionally, having him serve as Governor would also provide some checks and threats to Liu Zhentao. This way, even if I leave Longxi, Liu Zhentao will have to consider you.

Furthermore, I have proposed that Comrade Qiuliang take on the position of Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Committee, at least temporarily along with Comrade Fangwen. That way, in terms of organizational personnel work throughout the province, you would still hold considerable influence. Both Liu Zhentao and Wang Benchang would inevitably treat you with respect.

Having said this, Nie Zhenbang’s eyes turned to Zhang Fangwen, Li Hongying, and Liu Xiaomin. The three of them seemed to be the ones without gain from this situation, standing still in their positions. However, their expressions were calm, showing no dissatisfaction or unease. Nie Zhenbang was pleased with this attitude. It showed that the three had good composure.

In the future, even though I will no longer be in Longxi, my scope will have expanded to the national level. I will have plans for the three of you. When a suitable opportunity arises, I will naturally promote you.

…

It was a little past seven in the morning.

Xia Gang had already arrived at the Provincial Committee Office. Today, Minister Wang Suzhou was visiting Longxi, expected to arrive at the airport around nine in the morning. Hence, this time he had set out was just perfect.

Having served in the secretary role for so long, Xia Gang hand an exceptionally clear understanding of the key points to his job. This time, as the leadership was advancing, Xia Gang too was following them to the capital, which filled him with immense excitement. He was still very young. Being by the leader’s side was much better than being sent to the grassroots level.

The main reason for this was that his own foundation was too shallow. Having only served as a secretary for just over a year, he hadn’t established any significant connections within the province. People showed him respect now, but that was because of the person he supported. If Secretary Nie Zhenbang were to be transferred and he was sent down to the local level, he was certain that no one in the province would take much notice of him.

Being able to accompany the leader now was undoubtedly a great opportunity.

Therefore, Xia Gang was more diligent and devoted in his work than ever. For instance, the current arrangement had been made after careful consideration and planning by Xia Gang.

It took approximately an hour and twenty minutes to get to the airport from the Provincial Committee. It was now half-past seven; they would be able to arrive around eight fifty.

Today, in welcoming Minister Suzhou, they had not gathered at the Provincial Committee first as usual, before proceeding to the welcome. Instead, they had opted for separate actions. In such a scenario, consideration of the timing became crucial.

Arriving too early would not do; having someone about to become the Deputy Prime Minister get there before everyone else, waiting, would be quite out of place.

Being late wasn’t an option either. If they timed it too closely, even if Minister Wang Suzhou did not express it, he would likely have some dissatisfaction in his heart. That would be causing troubles for the leader. Therefore, arriving about ten minutes early would ensure following the arrival of other leaders, which was the most appropriate.

Of course, in this regard, there was no need to mention it to others. Every leader participating in the welcome knew the drill. They all had their own sense of what their status was and when they should arrive.

No sooner had Nie Zhenbang stepped out of the Provincial Committee’s entrance than Xia Gang approached him, “Secretary, the car is ready. Over there, Governor Zhen Tao has already set off.”

Nie Zhenbang understood what was implied; it wasn’t that he should hurry because Liu Zhentao had left, but rather that Liu Zhentao had already departed, and it was perfectly timed for him to be the final one to arrive on the scene.

He nodded and said, “Good, let’s set off.”

…

At ten thirty in the morning, the Provincial Committee auditorium was packed and bustling, with the leadership of the provincial capital at the level of regular official and above, and the main leaders of the municipal committees and governments from various cities, all present. The auditorium, which could accommodate over two thousand people, was filled to capacity.

As several large buses gradually stopped at the entrance of the Provincial Committee auditorium, and the doors opened, Nie Zhenbang and Wang Suzhou stepped out one after the other.

Walking side by side, followed by several main leaders of the Provincial Committee, and Ancient City municipal secretary Luo Qiuliang, they made their way into the auditorium.

A banner was already hanging above the stage. The cadre meeting was chaired by Liu Xiaomin, the Secretary-General of the Provincial Committee.

First and foremost, the agenda was to announce a series of central personnel appointment and removal decisions.

Amid the enthusiastic applause of the audience, Wang Suzhou slowly stood up, his expression grave and solemn. He spoke in a deep voice, “By the central government’s decision, Nie Zhenbang is relieved of his duties as the Secretary, Standing Committee member, and Committee member of the Longxi Provincial Committee, and will be appointed to another position. Liu Zhentao is appointed as a member of the Longxi Provincial Committee, Standing Committee, and Committee Secretary, and it is proposed to the Longxi Provincial People’s Congress that Liu Zhentao be relieved from his position as Governor of Longxi Province. Wang Benchang is appointed as Deputy Governor and Acting Governor of Longxi Province. Luo Qiuliang is relieved from his positions as Ancient City municipal secretary, Standing Committee member, and Committee member; Luo Qiuliang is appointed Deputy Secretary of the Longxi Provincial Committee. Liu Xiaomin is relieved of her duties as Secretary-General of the Provincial Committee and is appointed as a member of the Standing Committee and Committee Secretary of the Ancient City Municipal Committee.”

Despite being part of the decision-making process, even Nie Zhenbang was somewhat shocked by the sweep of appointments. The transfer of power was completed at that moment. As for the prior appointments and removals, Nie Zhenbang was prepared, having recommended them himself to the central government. That his suggestions were fully considered and agreed upon by the central government was normal. As someone about to enter the highest echelons of power, he had that level of qualification and face-saving measure that the higher-ups would inevitably provide.

However, what Nie Zhenbang had not anticipated was that not only had the central government fully adopted his recommendations, but it also executed them even more appropriately by making arrangements for Liu Xiaomin as well.

The occurrence of a female party and government leader isn’t unheard of in the country. It was entirely plausible, and more importantly, it extracted Liu Xiaomin from her role as the Provincial Committee Secretary-General. This way, Liu Zhentao could be at ease, and Liu Xiaomin would avoid embarrassment. The central government’s maneuver was truly considerate.

Wang Suzhou did not pause there. He highly commended Nie Zhenbang’s work in Longxi and affirmed his achievements. After finishing his speech, he looked at Nie Zhenbang beside him and said, “Comrade Zhenbang, why don’t you say a few words?” (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote with recommendations and monthly tickets at . Your support is my greatest motivation.)