Chapter 445: 419 Huaxia’s Number One Village_1

“Mayor, ahead, the leaders of Yanling City are already waiting by the road. What do you see?” Nie Zhenbang’s official car was speeding along the Liangyan First-Class Highway. Looking at the group of people waiting at the border between Yanling City and Xishan District, Huang Xuyang turned his head to report to Nie Zhenbang.

“Oh, the comrades from Yanling City are here, Qing Shan, pull over.” Nie Zhenbang instructed.

After being criticized by the Provincial Committee, how would things continue as they were? Shen Yanshuo couldn’t harm his own career. On one hand, this matter was an overall decision of the Standing Committee and a collective decision. Although he was the one who proposed it, it could have been rejected at the Standing Committee. If it was approved, it was a collective decision. Punishment couldn’t be focused on one person only, it’s the rule.

Moreover, Nie Zhenbang was clear about Shen Yanshuo’s intentions. It was nothing more than expanding on a topic and seizing this chance to target him.

Nie Zhenbang had long thought of visiting Yanling City. However, due to certain unavoidable circumstances, the pre-arranged trip was postponed.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The car pulled over, and Nie Zhenbang got out without waiting for Huang Xuyang to open the door for him. This was one of his habits. Some leaders cared about ceremony and wouldn’t get out of the car unless someone opened the door for them, but Nie Zhenbang was different. He cared about what needed to be cared about, and when it wasn’t necessary, he didn’t bother overdoing it.

Whenever the Mayor goes on a trip, Yi Jun, the Secretary-General of the Municipal Government, is certain to follow him. Others accompanying them included Zhao Xintian and Shi Hongbo.

At this moment, Yi Jun walked beside Nie Zhenbang and pointed to a man in his fifties introducing him, “Mayor, this is Comrade Wu Kaichu, the Secretary of Yanling City’s Municipal Committee.”

Nie Zhenbang was also sizing up Wu Kaichu. At the age of fifty-one or fifty-two, it was normal amongst senior officials at the county level. His stature was not tall, merely around five feet, and he looked very lean overall. The most distinctive feature was Wu Kaichu’s dark skin which made him appear much older. Most officials in their fifties looked like they were in their forties. Yet, Wu Kaichu, with his wrinkled skin, looked like an old man.

At this moment, Wu Kaichu stepped forward with his hands outstretched with enthusiasm, “Mayor Nie, we have been looking forward to your visit. You are an economic expert, and now, the economic development of our Yanling City is eagerly awaiting your guidance.”

The attitude of Wu Kaichu surprised Nie Zhenbang. This old man from Yanling City held significant power. Any achievements that Yanling City could claim were pretty much orchestrated by this old man. From village official to township official, and finally to his current position, the old man had considerable prestige in Yanling City.

Nie Zhenbang didn’t quite believe these words of flattery. In his opinion, expectations for his visit were nothing more than pleasantries. The truth was that Yanling City wasn’t far from Liangxi City; just a forty-minute drive. If they truly intended, they could have gone to the city to seek knowledge.

However, since his appointment as the Mayor, he hadn’t seen Wu Kaichu even once. Only Wu himself knew how sincere he was in his words.

Nie Zhenbang responded with a smile, “Secretary Wu, you flatter me. I have been wanting to visit Yanling City for a while now but haven’t been able to because of various duties in the city. The development of Yanling City’s rural economy is well-known across the nation. I’m glad I finally made it.”

After being introduced by Wu Kaichu and shaking hands with Wu Guoqiu, the Mayor of Yanling City, as well as other city leaders, Nie Zhenbang gently smiled and said, “Everyone, let’s not stand around here. Let’s head to the Yanling Municipal Committee.”

At this time, Nie Zhenbang didn’t make any extra moves, like inviting someone into his car.

The convoy started moving again. The leading car from Yanling City Public Security Bureau was in the front, followed by Nie Zhenbang’s car, and after that, the official cars of Zhao Xintian and Shi Hongbo.

Behind them were the cars of the Yanling City Municipal Committee. At this moment, in Wu Kaichu’s car, Wu Kaichu and Mayor Wu Guoqiu were sitting together, watching the convoy speed ahead. Wu Guoqiu also spoke, “Secretary, don’t you think Mayor Nie has some other motives for this visit?”

A look of slight contempt appeared on Wu Kaichu’s face, he spoke in a deep voice, “What other motives could there be? It’s nothing more than a routine visit. Yanling City has a good reputation. As a city leader, who wouldn’t want to come, get a share of the limelight? Haven’t numerous leaders visited Yanling City over the years?”

Wu Kaichu’s words revealed a sense of arrogance. This was no surprise since Yanling City’s economic construction was among the best in Liangxi City. As the Secretary of the Municipal Committee, Wu Kaichu had several titles: National Model Worker, May First Labor Medal recipient, and National Outstanding Grassroots Party Secretary. He was recognized as a leader in economic construction. At the same time, Wu Kaichu was also a delegate to the National People’s Congress. He left a deep impression on central leaders, including Secretary-General President Yuan and Premier Yun.

Such a person might only officially be the Secretary of the Municipal Committee of a county-level city, but any attempts to pressure him with authority wouldn’t work on Wu Kaichu.

Wu Guoqiu nodded in complete agreement. Indeed, Yanling City was a big cake, and the leaders who were after their political achievements wanted to dig pieces of it. However, these achievements were not that easy to dig up, and whether they could be dug up or not depended on one’s capabilities.

“Secretary, do you think Mayor Nie may have come for the business reception regulations this time?” Wu Guoqiu once again threw out an idea.

Hearing this guess, Wu Kaichu fell into deep thought, pondering, “On that front, it’s indeed possible. The business reception regulations are initiated by Mayor Nie, it’s inevitable that there will be some factors. I think, we should strictly implement the reception according to the business reception standards during lunchtime.”

For an old hand like Wu Kaichu, knowing to say just the right things to different people had become second nature. Nie Zhenbang is the founder of the Business Reception Regulations. Wu Kaichu didn’t have to think twice about adhering strictly to these standards.

The motorcade arrived swiftly. In less than ten minutes, the cars had already entered Yanling City District and went straight into the office building of the Yanling Municipal Government and Committee.

The entire building is fan-shaped, with a perennial green lawn and a fountain right in front. Flanking the fountain are two city sculptures, representing the spirit of Yanling City.

The group directly entered the Municipal Committee’s meeting room, with Nie Zhenbang naturally sitting in the main seat. To his left was Zhao Xintian, the Standing Committee and Deputy Mayor, and Shi Hongbo to the right. Beside Zhao Xintian was Wu Kaichu, with Yi Jun, Secretary General of the Municipal Government, next to Shi Hongbo.

Once settled, in front of everyone was a small bottle of mineral water produced in Yanling City. His gaze sweeping across everyone, Nie Zhenbang spoke with a smile, “It’s my first visit to Yanling City, and I must say I’m impressed. Amazing to think we’re in a metropolis. This time, I am here to observe and listen. Now, I’d like Secretary Kaichu and Mayor Guoqiu to brief me on the situation in Yanling City.”

Then, without any hesitation, Wu Guoqiu elaborated on the situation in Yanling City. Afterward, in the Banquet Hall of Yanling Hotel, a feast was held to welcome Nie Zhenbang and his delegation.

In the afternoon, the group drove to the most famous West Village of Yanling City. This place was both Wu Kaichu’s base and hometown, approximately seventeen kilometers from Yanling City District.

As the car entered the boundaries of West Village, straight cement roads ran through, crisscrossed with modern factory buildings and small villas on both sides. There were no traces of a rural area here. While Nie Zhenbang had seen pictures of the village in his previous life, witnessing it in person was still quite a shock.

On the road stood an archway with the words “Welcome to West Village, China’s Number One Village” emblazoned across it. The grandeur was indeed unmatched.

While in West Village, they visited village-run enterprises and factories, village library, and various places where cultural activities were held.

Inside the village committee office building in West Village, the meeting room was full to the brim. Wu Kaichu too was expectant, it appeared that Nie Zhenbang was about to speak. From his heart, Wu Kaichu had little respect for Nie Zhenbang, the economic expert. Despite a primary school education, didn’t he successfully develop West Village into a national model too?

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang was also mulling something over. The people of West Village were proud, and the officials of Yanling City were even more so. From today’s visit, he had sensed it. Pride could be a good thing or a bad thing, but it wasn’t something easy to control. Thus, Nie Zhenbang needed to reflect on this.

“Today’s visit has indeed given me quite a shock. West Village has realized Elder Nan’s grand ambitions—every household with lights and telephones, concrete roads instead of muddy paths, and cars for transport. This is good. At the start, many comrades have shared their views with me, saying that the area of West Village is too small and hoping that the Municipal Government will support expanding the boundaries of West Village. However, I have a different opinion on this matter.” Nie Zhenbang’s words made the officials of West Village immediately disappointed, their faces saying it was as they expected.

Seeing their despondent faces, Nie Zhenbang remained composed, continuing, “Now, after merging with the surrounding nine administrative villages, West Village’s area is larger than that of a town. Further expansion, I feel, would be inappropriate. The enterprises in West Village are doing well, but that’s not enough. The mindset of the village officials is rather rigid.”

As soon as his words came out, a wave of discussions erupted. How could a municipal mayor and bureau-level official’s statement stir up such a commotion, just like in a marketplace? Only in a place like West Village was this possible.

From the side, an official from West Village couldn’t help but stand up, “Mayor Nie, we disagree with what you said. If our thinking process was rigid, how could we have grown our enterprise so heavily? Mayor Nie, you’re just being an armchair critic. If you say that we’re being rigid, then why don’t you guide us?”

As soon as his words fell, the entire room became quiet. Zhao Xintian’s expression subtly changed as he looked towards Wu Kaichu, who, at this moment, was still calm and unperturbed. Was this questioning born out of Wu Kaichu’s instructions? (To be continued. If you like this novel, please vote and give your support on , your support would be my greatest motivation.)