NOVPUBChapter 959: Chapter 915 Going to Ren Hongjiang
Chapter 959 -915 Going to Ren Hongjiang
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Seven days passed in a hurry. After the public announcement of the proposed appointment, suddenly, as if Hongjiang Province had lost its voice, the previously chaotic situation came to an abrupt halt.
For Nie Zhenbang, this was not surprising. The issues in Hongjiang Province actually concentrated on the matter of positions. Ultimately, it was all about positions. Now that there was nothing left to contest, a temporary peace was certainly guaranteed, but Nie Zhenbang did not take it lightly. The current calm could very well be the precursor to a more severe outburst. This was entirely possible.
Because his appointment might become the focal point of hostility from both sides, after all, who asked you to take the position others had dreamt of?
November 11th.
This was a so-called holiday, which Nie Zhenbang didn’t know much about. He had heard of it from Dong Zhiping’s mouth and was somewhat astonished; what are the children of today learning? To know about Singles’ Day at the age of seven or eight.
At eight o’clock in the morning, in the compound of the Organization Department, the newly appointed Minister Wang Suzhou stood out in a long woollen overcoat. His well-proportioned figure, coupled with his extraordinary demeanor, made him extremely eye-catching. Nie Zhenbang stood half a step behind Wang Suzhou, a detail he insisted on maintaining.
In the Organization Department, it was necessary for the newly appointed Wang Suzhou to establish his authority, and this authority had to come from such details, reflected in these minor aspects.
The two men traveled in the same car, with no police car clearing the way, and no temporary traffic control. Their vehicle, just like any ordinary civilian car, drove towards Jingcheng City Airport amidst the rolling traffic of Jingcheng.
Fortunately, there was no severe congestion. Once they got on the airport expressway, the road conditions improved significantly, and they sped up. At 9:10, Minister Wang Suzhou and his entourage boarded the plane, personally escorting Nie Zhenbang to his appointment in Hongjiang.
…
Within the tarmac of Red Sky International Airport in Hongcheng City, Hongjiang Province.
At this moment, the leaders of Hongjiang Provincial Committee’s team, anyone who was at home, rushed over. No one dared to slack off at such times. Comrade Zhang Tianyue, the old Secretary, had already been transferred to Jingcheng City Military Headquarters Hospital for recuperation. He had officially relinquished his duties in Hongjiang Province. Today, with Minister Wang Suzhou personally escorting the new head to take office, anyone who failed to show up would be disrespecting their own position.
The tarmac was lined with a dozen official cars, parked side by side, all dominating SUVs, creating a somewhat shocking sight. At both ends of the line stood police cars, their lights flashing. In the middle was a Coaster business vehicle.
This arrangement was basically standard. Everyone’s attendance showed utmost respect, and the large fleet was a display of grandeur, a good gesture towards Minister Wang Suzhou and the new Secretary.
Next to the fleet, a group of officials, without need for arrangement, stood in their respective places. In the system, there may be instances where a layman leads experts, and not all leaders are well-versed in every aspect — some understand economics, some have a deep mastery of industry. But this very matter, everyone was very clear about, with no need for instructions and each could easily find their own spot.
If someone couldn’t find their place, it was a sign that they were not far from stepping back.
Surrounding the leaders, the airport and provincial public security officers were on high alert. This was, after all, a central leader and the future head of the Provincial Committee, and no one dared to take it lightly.
In front of the leaders stood two rows of primary school students, dressed in warm school uniforms, their faces rosy and red, holding fresh flowers, all in an eager posture.
At the forefront, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Committee and Governor Liu Yong stood alone. Born in ’43, he was exactly 65 years old this year.
This age was not considered old, but according to the regulations for the appointment of leadership cadres, the retirement age for provincial and ministerial levels was precisely within this threshold. Liu Yong lacked the ability to advance further, nor did he have good luck. If, like Comrade Zhang Tianyue, he was a couple of years younger, Old Fang would have surely let him work for another term. Alas, fate was playing tricks on him.
Liu Yong, being about 1.70 meters tall, was not considered short among Southern people. He was slightly overweight, with neatly combed grey hair arranged in a slick back. His entire bearing conveyed an impression of dullness, seriousness, and a no-nonsense approach. 𝓷ℴ𝓿𝓹𝓾𝒷.𝓬𝓸𝓂
At this moment, Liu Yong’s emotions were quite complex. Hongjiang had turned into a mess, and he was conspicuously linked to the cause, especially since this turmoil emerged after Comrade Zhang Tianyue’s illness. Therefore, it was normal that he was not consulted when the Central Committee was making the new Secretary’s appointment.
Looking toward the sky with a calm expression, Nie Zhenbang, the 40-year-old leading official of ministerial level, was truly a man of boundless prospects.
At that time, the Secretary-General of the Provincial Committee, Xu Hongzhuan, approached from the side and whispered in Liu Yong’s ear, “Governor, I just got in touch with the comrade from the Central Office. Minister Suzhou’s plane took off from Jingcheng City Airport at 9:20. It’s almost two hours away, so everyone…”
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Before Xu Hongzhuan could finish speaking, Liu Yong directly said, “Everyone, go back to the cars to rest for a bit. Comrade Hongzhuan, you arrange and coordinate the children’s rest. Also, prepare some snacks and water for them.”
At ten fifty in the morning.
The flight was already circling, preparing to land. According to the civil aviation timetable, it takes about two hours and ten minutes to come from Jingcheng.
But this time, Nie Zhenbang and Wang Suzhou were taking a special plane. A small plane, a Gulfstream model. It belonged to the service aircraft category, omitting the tedious boarding time, and naturally, the plane landed far from the terminal building here, and its speed was naturally much faster.
At eleven o’clock sharp, the plane slowly came to a stop, drawing close to the motorcade. This kind of plane did not need a stair car; when the cabin door opened, it naturally formed a set of stairs. The first to come down was naturally Wang Suzhou, followed by Nie Zhenbang who also came down behind him, then Wang Suzhou’s secretaries, bodyguards, and other staff members followed.
As soon as they got off the plane, two children at the front of the elementary school students’ group stepped forward to greet them, each saluting with a Young Pioneers salute before respectfully presenting flowers to Wang Suzhou and Nie Zhenbang.
At this moment, Liu Yong, who had kept a stern face, also showed a smile, extending his hands very warmly and excitedly, “Minister Suzhou, welcome, welcome.”
If Liu Yong ranked lower, he could have added thanks for the senior leaders’ care for the work in Hongjiang Province and sending such an outstanding cadre to us. However, Nie Zhenbang ranked higher than him and was there to take charge. Saying such words would definitely be inappropriate.
Wang Suzhou also smiled and said, “Governor Liu. You are too polite. Let me introduce you to the person beside me, this is Comrade Nie Zhenbang.”
Liu Yong was a bit surprised. Wang Suzhou’s words were very decent. There were rumors that Nie Zhenbang was highly regarded by the top leader, and it was indeed not without foundation. The standard and grade of his appointment were different—Minister Suzhou personally escorted him and gave him so much support.
Then, Liu Yong also smiled and said, “Comrade Zhenbang, hello, hello. I am Liu Yong.”
For someone over sixty years old and older than his own father to address him so respectfully, this felt rather odd to Nie Zhenbang. Liu Yong was known to be a dominant force in Hongjiang River, always strong-willed; it made no sense for him to be so low-key.
While considering this in his heart, Nie Zhenbang also extended his hand, shaking it firmly and saying, “Governor Liu, you are too courteous. You are my senior, and I dare not accept such an address. Let’s do this, from now on you can just call me Comrade Zhenbang.”
Next, Liu Yong introduced each of the members of the Hongjiang Provincial Committee’s standing committee to Nie Zhenbang and Wang Suzhou. Nie Zhenbang scanned the crowd and exchanged a glance with Chen Le.
There were a total of thirteen members of the Hongjiang Provincial Committee’s standing committee. Besides Nie Zhenbang, all twelve were present: Governor Liu Yong, Deputy Secretary Wen Baogui, Executive Deputy Governor He Yusheng, Secretary of the Commission for Disciplinary Inspection Gong Zheng, Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee Chen Le, Organization Department Head Qin Guanghan, Propaganda Department Head Li Wei, Hongjiang Military District Commander Chen Dongliang, Vice Governor Zhou Chuanjia, Secretary-General Xu Hongzhuan, Hongcheng City Party Secretary Yao Dingguo; and last was United Front Work Department Head Li Yihong, the only female in the Hongjiang Provincial Committee’s standing committee.
After a brief introduction, Wang Suzhou spoke up without waiting for Liu Yong to say anything, “Governor Liu, I think we should go to the Provincial Committee auditorium first—it’s getting late. We should try to complete the procedures in the morning.”
As he spoke, Wang Suzhou’s gaze shifted to a nearby police car. Noticing this, Wang Suzhou paused, then said, “Governor Liu, there’s no need for the police car to clear the way. The leader has repeatedly emphasized that when officials travel, they should practice austerity and refrain from ostentation. As leading cadres, we naturally should lead by example. It’s better to provide a good precedence for grassroots comrades and just follow behind the motorcade.”
These words caused Liu Yong’s brow to furrow, and by this time, Wang Suzhou and Nie Zhenbang had already boarded the Coaster business vehicle.
Next to him, Chen Le watched Liu Yong, anticipating this outcome. Back when he was with Secretary Nie, Secretary Nie always stressed simplicity in official travel, avoiding any reception or send-off ceremonies.
“Governor Liu, what do you think about this…?” Chen Le’s demeanor was spot-on, his expression of indecision was perfectly conveyed.
Liu Yong waved his hand and said in a deep voice, “Comply with the leadership’s directive spirit.”
As he spoke, Liu Yong turned and got into his own car. Minister Suzhou did not invite him, and after this encounter that was neither too big nor too small, Liu Yong wouldn’t take the initiative to go to the business vehicle.
The motorcade quietly left the airport, and as the scenery flew backward past the car windows, Nie Zhenbang chuckled, “Minister Suzhou, it seems that Comrade Liu Yong’s state of mind still hasn’t been properly adjusted.”
Wang Suzhou nodded in agreement, considering the recent infamous scandal in Hongjiang Province as national knowledge. The two big bosses, due to their mentality problems, led to a worrying internal situation in the province—an immense irony. After a brief silence, Wang Suzhou furrowed his brows and said, “Zhenbang, the more I think about it, the more concerned I am for you.”
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