Chapter 1277: Chapter 1232: Return to WangHai Chapter 1277: Chapter 1232: Return to WangHai “`
I remember when I used to head the work group, I had given Nie Zhenbang a hard time. But now, as times and circumstances have changed, I find myself having to align with him. Such is the vicissitude of life, and a characteristic of the system. Previously, the sole purpose of making things difficult for Nie Zhenbang was to slow his pace and speed up mine. Now, getting close to Nie Zhenbang serves the same purpose. Of course, I can no longer delay him; I can only keep up by staying close.

Immediately after, he nodded and said, “Yes, Chief, rest assured, I will handle it strictly according to your instructions.”

Nie Zhenbang also said with a smile, “Old Chen, I am still confident in the way you handle things; there’s no need to stress it again.”

…

Inside the courtyard of the Provincial Committee of Minnan Province.

At this moment, the Minnan Province Committee is convening an urgent standing committee meeting. The Party Secretary of the Province, Chen Zaorong, is seated in his chair, with Provincial Party Deputy Secretary Li Chaoyang and Governor Wang Jianhua beside him. These two are from Wanghai City.

In addition, among the standing committee members of the provincial committee, there are Wanghai City’s own: the Provincial Party’s Propaganda Department Head Zhou Zihui and Executive Deputy Governor Yi Chang, as well as Wanghaishi Municipal Party Committee Secretary Liu Yafu.

For a provincial party leadership, having five key positions occupied by officials from the same city is miraculous, even on a national level.

The primary reason is the outstanding achievements of Wanghai City. Today’s Wanghai is a world-renowned IT city, on par with Silicon Valley. It’s home to several domestic internet backbone stations. Every day, dozens of IT businesses are born and perish in Wanghai City, and numerous IT companies skyrocket to success. Here, hundreds of thousands of IT talents are gathered. With such achievements, it wouldn’t be surprising even if the whole Wanghai Municipal Party Committee moved to the provincial committee.

Looking around at everyone, Chen Zaorong pondered for a moment. As an outsider and parachuted leader, his position in Minnan Province was somewhat awkward. This time might present an opportunity for himself.

He then began slowly, “Comrades, today we’ve gathered everyone for one single topic, to discuss the preparations for welcoming the visit of Vice Premier Nie Zhenbang from the State Council.”

As his words fell, everyone, with the exception of Governor Wang Jianhua, including Li Chaoyang, was somewhat shocked. The news was abrupt. Everyone present knew who Nie Zhenbang was, especially those officials coming from Wanghai City – the Vice Premier was their undeniable former leader.

Here, Wang Jianhua spoke steadily, “Comrades, quiet down, the visit of Vice Premier Nie Zhenbang to Minnan and Wanghai City, and choosing Wanghai as his first stop after taking office, is an honor for Minnan Province. It’s an honor for us, the old subordinates of Wanghai City. Preparing for the inspection of our old leader and presenting the best face for his visit are our most crucial tasks at hand.”

Wang Jianhua’s words calmed the atmosphere, while a shadow and embarrassment crossed Chen Zaorong’s face. This is the current state of affairs in Minnan Province; the number two and three leaders of the province, along with the head of the propaganda department and the executive deputy governor, also tightly linked with the head of the organization department, share a close bond with the Political and Legal Affairs Committee Secretary Yang Jinke. As the top leader, he felt stifled and awkward.

But Chen Zaorong still had to persevere and strategize. The central government’s decision to send him to Minnan Province showed their expectations and regard for him. If he could not manage these matters well, how could he face the higher-ups or progress in his career? These were issues he couldn’t ignore.

Looking at Wang Jianhua’s words, calling him “Vice Premier Nie Zhenbang” seemed boastful and intimidating, a reminder that Vice Premier Nie was their old leader. Through this, it reminded the other members of the standing committee that the leading figure of the Wanghai – or rather, the Nie faction – was coming.

After a moment of contemplation, Chen Zaorong slowly said, “Comrade Wang Jianhua is right. The inspection by Vice Premier Nie is very important. According to the notification from Director Chen of the State Council’s General Office, Vice Premier Nie will make a brief stop in Minzhou to listen to the work reports from the Provincial Committee of Minnan Province and the Minzhou Municipal Party Committee. Then, he will go directly to Wanghai City, stay there overnight, and proceed to Hongjiang Province the next afternoon. My opinion is, even though Vice Premier Nie won’t be resting in Minzhou, we should still be fully prepared. The urban appearance and orderliness, as well as public security and fire control, must all be done properly. We cannot have any issues during Vice Premier Nie’s inspection. In line with Vice Premier Nie’s request for simplicity and no fuss, I think it would be best if I, along with Comrade Wang Jianhua and Comrade Chaoyang, personally receive him at the airport. On the way there, we won’t block roads or clear the way, and we won’t do anything special.”

In Chen Zaorong’s words, there was an underlying message – the work report of the Provincial Committee of Minnan Province was unarguably reminding Wang Jianhua that he was still the foremost leader of the province.

Wang Jianhua, unconcerned about the subtext in Chen Zaorong’s words, exchanged glances with Li Chaoyang and they shared a knowing smile.

Chen Zaorong was not familiar with Nie Zhenbang; they were clear on this. Chen Zaorong’s thoughts were well understood by them, but convincing Nie Zhenbang would not be an easy task.

Then, Wang Jianhua also spoke, “Since Secretary Chen has said so, let’s go with that. The responsible comrades from Minnan City and Wanghai City should return and immediately start preparing to welcome the arrival of our old leader.”

…

“`
Two days later, at Yuechang Airport in Minnan City, two Toyota Coaster medium-sized business vehicles were parked on the tarmac–one was modified, and the other was a standard 25-seater. Parked in front of them was a brand-new domineering off-road vehicle with armed police license plates. It was Old Chen’s official car, purchased the year before last.

The plane landed on time, and as soon as it came to a stop, the stairs vehicle had followed it up, the cabin door opened, and Nie Zhenbang was the first to descend, followed by Comrade Zhou Minghui from the Ministry of Agriculture, Comrade Han Liyang from the Environmental Protection Agency, Comrade Guo Kui from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and Comrade Yao Weizheng, the Executive Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Education.

On this side, Old Chen quickened his pace to meet them, while Wang Jianhua and Li Chaoyang were half a step behind.

Even from a distance, Old Chen called out, “Vice Premier Nie, welcome, welcome.”

Nie Zhenbang glanced around and his eyes fell on the off-road vehicle. Smiling, he said, “Secretary Chen Zaorong, the off-roader looks very new. Whose vehicle is this?”

Old Chen was taken aback and very embarrassed, but with a forced smile he said, “Reporting to Vice Premier Nie, it doesn’t belong to anyone in particular. The Provincial Committee office purchased it the year before last. It was a forfeited vehicle from the court, it seemed like a bargain, so it was bought over. It serves as an official car. Sometimes the leaders of the Provincial Committee need to make field inspections in the countryside, and without a reliable vehicle, it’s not very convenient. Essentially, whoever needs it, uses it.”

Wang Jianhua and Li Chaoyang both secretly laughed at this; Old Chen was indeed cunning. If he had admitted the car was his, the old leader might not have spoken so kindly.

Nie Zhenbang was momentarily stunned, but then calmly said, “Comrade Zaorong, whether it’s a court-confiscated or customs-confiscated vehicle, the Central Government and the Office for the Regulation of Official Expenditure have both issued strict guidelines. In the future, you should not be tempted by such small conveniences. Leave those benefits to the common people. Party and government agencies must pay attention to their image and influence.”

Having said this, Nie Zhenbang already stepped past Old Chen. On this side, Wang Jianhua had already extended his hand to greet him, “Old leader, welcome back to Minnan.”

Li Chaoyang also approached, “Old leader, upon hearing of your inspection, officials in WangHai City have had restless nights.”

Nie Zhenbang shook hands with each of them, appearing quite cordial. This starkly different treatment immediately made Old Chen feel rather awkward. Nie Zhenbang then laughed and replied, “Chaoyang, from what you’re saying, it seems our comrades in WangHai are worried about my visit. They can’t even sleep peacefully?”

Li Chaoyang also laughed and said, “Old leader, I would like to apologize to you, it was a slip of the tongue. We’re so excited that we can’t sleep, all looking forward to you coming back to see our work report.”

Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “Secretary Zaorong, I think we should first go to the Provincial Committee. Meet with everyone and listen to the reports from the Provincial Committee and Minzhou Municipal Party Committee. Then I will head to WangHai. There’s no need for too many people from the Provincial Committee to accompany me. It’s sufficient for Comrade Jianhua to accompany me. We shouldn’t interfere with everyone’s normal work.”

Nie Zhenbang’s words left Old Chen feeling somewhat helpless, but Nie Zhenbang spoke so righteously that there was simply no ground to argue. Old Chen had no choice but to grudgingly accept it.

In the system, that’s how it is: ranking one level higher means overwhelming authority. Throughout this journey, Nie Zhenbang first took a swipe at his face and then said such words, rendering Old Chen completely deflated.

At the Provincial Committee of Minnan Province, after ritually listening to the work reports from the Provincial Committee and Minzhou Municipal Party Committee, Nie Zhenbang’s group did not linger and took a car to Wanghai City.

As the vehicle traveled on the highway, Nie Zhenbang and Wang Jianhua sat facing each other. Looking at the scenery flying by outside the car window, Nie Zhenbang smiled and said, “Jianhua, I’ve heard that the pressure you’ve put on Comrade Chen Zaorong is quite intense.”

A touch of embarrassment appeared on Wang Jianhua’s face, yet in front of the old leader, Wang Jianhua felt quite relaxed. He nodded slightly and replied, “Old leader, I won’t hide it from you, there indeed has been some pressure. Comrade Zaorong is competent in various aspects, but he tends to pursue grandiose but impractical goals. Additionally, there is some lack in his personal lifestyle. Actually, the comrades in the Provincial Committee leadership don’t have anything personal against him. The issue is more about the substance than the person.”

Watching Wang Jianhua, Nie Zhenbang smiled and said, “The domineering off-roader today–it’s Chen Zaorong’s company car, isn’t it?”

Wang Jianhua blinked but nodded and said, “I knew I couldn’t hide it from you, old leader. In fact, it’s in these details where we slightly differ from Comrade Zaorong. It’s not about being directly opposed, but rest assured, old leader. In the future, we will certainly maintain unity within the committee.”

In the front, Wang Jian, who was sitting in the passenger seat, had turned around and whispered, “Leader, we are almost at Wanghai City.” (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets on . Your support is my greatest motivation.)