Chapter 500: Chapter 459: The Situation is Awkward (Triggering the 4th explosion, begging for monthly tickets)_1
 

Upon careful analysis, it seems that the underlying message is primarily a warning. Apparently, my deeds in Liangxi have become too well-known. I’ve just arrived in Minan and the bigwigs at the provincial government are already reminding me. Given Jia Minfu’s position and experience, he isn’t blind to Qiao Yiren’s intentions.

I’m fully aware that my arrival pertains to the complex situation in Wanghai. Complexity implies inevitable disputes. If I were to replicate my actions in Liangxi City, it would certainly give the bigwigs at the Minnan Province Committee a headache. If Nie Zhenbang wasn’t aware of the situation in Wanghai, he probably wouldn’t suspect a thing. However, at this moment, he shot an insinuative look at Jia Minfu. It seems that Governor Jia has also caught wind of the events at Wanghai. His subtle hint likely held another meaning – that it’s not yet time to claim victory and I mustn’t act rashly.

In addition, this was an indirect way of telling me that the situation in Wanghai is no simple task and needs to be handled gradually. Having understood this connection, Nie Zhenbang promptly nodded and said, “Governor, rest assured, I will keep myself in stringent check, avoiding arrogance and rashness. After taking office, I will certainly work on strengthening and stabilizing the team, humbly learning from other comrades, and fulfilling the heavy responsibilities assigned by the organization.”

These words contained some veiled messages portraying Nie Zhenbang’s thoughts. At this moment, Jia Minfu remained expressionless and simply nodded in approval, “Hmm, it’s good that you have such an awareness. Work hard. I have high hopes for you.”

In the evening, at a restaurant outside the Minnan Province Committee Guesthouse in Minzhou City, Nie Zhenbang specially hosted a dinner for Xia Jian. Regardless of why Xia Jian was being so kind to him after his arrival, Nie Zhenbang believed that having someone close to the leadership to give him advice was a good thing.

During their first meal together, both parties seemed a bit reserved. They didn’t discuss much during their conversations, and it seemed more like a process of getting to know each other.

…

Early the next morning, Nie Zhenbang was up before 5 o’clock. After completing a set of Shape-Intent Fist exercises, he took a refreshing shower. By 7 o’clock, he went downstairs to have breakfast at the guest house restaurant. He arrived at the Organization Department of Minnan Province Committee just in time at 7:40.

At this moment, Sun Yuzhou walked out of his office. Just as Nie Zhenbang was slightly surprised to see him, Sun Yuzhou smiled and said, “Comrade Zhenbang, you’re here. I was just about to send someone to the guesthouse to get you. The journey from Minzhou to Wanghai is not short, it spans a few hundred kilometers. The earlier we set off, the sooner we can reach Wanghai City by noon.”

At this time, the highways in various provinces and cities were still in their initial stages of construction. The only operational highway in the entire Minnan Province was the Quanwang Expressway. The Minquan Expressway section from Minzhou City to Haiquan City was now under intense construction. The journey overland from Minzhou to Wanghai via Haiquan City was mostly along a national highway. Without an early departure, reaching Wanghai is indeed not feasible.

The journey was rather dull. Apart from discussing some matters from the Minan government circles during the first hour, Sun Yuzhou lost much interest thereafter and lay back on his seat, taking a nap.

At this time, Nie Zhenbang naturally wouldn’t disturb Minister Sun. He occasionally glanced at the scenery outside the window, but after a while, he too rested.

Around 10 o’clock, they passed through Haiquan City and entered the entrance of the Quanwang Expressway. The national highway from Minzhou City to Haiquan City stretches approximately 210 kilometers, a journey of over two hours. This was considered fast. If it hadn’t been for the police car leading the way, the journey would likely have taken more than twice as long.

Upon entering the border of Wanghai City, with less than thirty kilometers left until reaching the city, Sun Yuzhou woke up. Looking at the fleeting scenery outside the window, his expression subtly changed, but he remained silent and once again closed his eyes to rest.

However, Nie Zhenbang noticed this and a sense of heaviness filled his heart. It seemed that he was dealt a blow right at the start.

According to the system’s unwritten rules, when a new leader comes into power, especially when it’s the number five leader in the standing committee of the municipal party committee being escorted by the minister of the Organization Department of Minnan Province Committee, Wanghai City should have sent a welcoming party. Despite the practice being seen as an old custom, it’s considered mandatory within the system as it relates to a leader’s prestige and face-saving.

However, there were no representatives from Wanghai City at the border crossing. Not to mention the leaders of the four major groups, even the deputy positions from the Municipal Party Committee and city government of Wanghai City were absent. It seems that Shi Yiwu made this omission deliberately.

Twenty minutes later, Sun Yuzhou’s official car, guided by a car from Haiquan City’s Public Security Bureau, exited the expressway. The car from Haiquan City swung around and returned after seeing them off.

At this time, the driver Xiao Ren turned back and said, “Minister, the vehicle convoy from Wanghai City is coming.”

Following where Xiaoren was looking, an armada of police cars led a convoy of brand-new Audi A6s, their double-yellow warning lights flashing, towards their location at the Quanwang Expressway exit, approximately 500 meters away.

The convoy halted by the roadside, a man in his fifties, partial bald, got out of the car with license plate marked “SouthD-00002”. He sprinted towards them.

Seeing the man, Sun Yuzhou turned to Nie Zhenbang and introduced, “Zhenbang, this is Comrade Wang Yaguang, the Mayor of Wanghai City. He is very diplomatic and good at uniting his comrades.”

But there was irony in Sun Yuzhou’s words. Describing someone as “diplomatic” could imply a lack of decisiveness. Likewise, praising someone’s ability to “unite comrades” could mean they are a pushover.

“Let’s get out of the car together, Comrade Zhenbang. Mayor Wang will be your boss in the future. It’s good for you to meet him first,” Sun Yuzhou stated indifferently.

Even though Sun Yuzhou was extremely unsatisfied with the arrogant, inconsiderate actions of Wanghai City, there was no suitable platform for him to vent his frustration. He could show his displeasure or hurl curses, but in doing so, he would be seen as obsessed with appearances and liking to put on a show.

Meanwhile, the prime leaders in Wanghai City shared the same rank as him, vice-ministerial cadres. Although the Organization Department of Minnan Province Committee had the power to recommend and supervise, the final appointments needed to be approved by the central government. Because of that, the leading figures of Wanghai were unlikely to care much.

“Minister Sun, we are honored by your rare visit. We deeply appreciate you personally escorting such an excellent cadre to take up his post in Wanghai City. We had a standing committee meeting earlier, so it was hard to break away. Sorry to have kept you waiting,” said Wang Yaguang, warmly shaking his hand and piling on the flattery.

As the saying goes, it is hard to slap a smiling face. Now that Wang Yaguang was acting in this manner, it wasn’t easy for Sun Yuzhou to lash out. He responded with a faint smile, “Mayor Wang, you are too polite. Choosing officials for the party and the state is our basic duty at the Organization Department. We don’t deserve credit for that. Rather, it’s my fault for making you come out and greet us while you are so busy with the thriving economy of Wanghai City and the expanding port.”

Sun Yuzhou spoke with an indistinct tone, subtly expressing his dissatisfaction. He implied that the leaders of Wanghai City were very busy and it was not necessary for them to greet him.

Then, Sun Yuzhou introduced Nie Zhenbang to everyone. After shaking hands with Wang Yaguang and some other city leaders, they got back in the car and, led by the police, headed straight to the office of the Wanghai City Municipal Party Committee and City Government.

Nie Zhenbang began to understand Wang Yaguang, a typical kind official who would avoid issues and avoid offending others.

In less than five minutes, they had reached the compound of the Wanghai City Municipal Party Committee and City Government. The main building, an irregular concave shape, stood ten stories tall. On both sides, there were two subsidiary buildings, one serving as the Municipal Party Committee Hall and the other used for administrative purposes. The party school of the Municipal Party Committee was located just next to it.

At that moment, the car convoy parked in front of the building, and a group of leaders standing at the top of the steps came down to greet them.

In front, there was a round-faced man, about 55 years old and not very tall, probably 1.65 meters. His face was broad, his body a little overweight, with thick eyebrows and sharp eyes.

Seeing Sun Yuzhou getting off the car, he welcomed him with a hearty laugh, “Minister Yuzhou, you have worked hard!”

The man’s greeting made Sun Yuzhou feel awkward. Shi Yiwu held the title of Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Committee, but it was clear to everyone that he was more of a standing committee member of the Provincial Committee than a main leader.

Just as Sun Yuzhou was about to respond, Shi Yiwu continued, “Minister Yuzhou, we’ve been expecting you. The top two leaders from all counties, cities, and districts in Wanghai City, as well as senior officials at or above the division level, are all waiting in the Municipal Party Committee Hall. I propose we go through the procedures first before we talk about anything else. What do you think?”

Shi Yiwu’s suggestion made the situation even more awkward. Sun Yuzhou’s face darkened. This was blatant disrespect towards the Provincial Committee. It seemed as if the leaders of Wanghai City were not taking them seriously. Generally, as the incumbent Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, it would be customary to extend a greeting, but they neglected this basic courtesy.