Chapter 565: Chapter 522: Be Down-to-Earth_1
 

In the meeting room at the top floor of the Party and Government Office Buildings of Siping District. Although it’s a warm and flower-filled March, the meeting room is kept cool with air conditioning. For the government officials, it’s quite suitable.

Officials within the system have to pay attention to their own image and quality. Regardless of whether it’s March or the hot summer, you can always see them wearing jackets or suits. Naturally, air conditioning is indispensable in this case.

Otherwise, wearing a suit in the hot summer and not being heat-stroked would be a wonder. A group of people entered the meeting room, Nie Zhenbang naturally seated himself in the middle. The oval conference table was arranged in the order as it should be, after the city’s leadership occupied the front half of the positions, the officials of Siping District could only sit at the end of the table. Even officers who ranked lower in the standing committees had to bring their own stools to attend the meeting.

Nie Zhenbang scanned the crowd without showing any emotion, and calmly stated: “Secretary Huang, I came here to listen and observe. The main actors here are your district committee. The economic work of Siping District has achieved remarkable results. After the Eastern Sea Group incident, you were able to withstand pressure and meet it head on. The working attitude and achievements are commendable. Now, I think you can start reporting.”

Nie’s straightforward approach has now become famous in Wanghai City. Huang Shaobo nodded his head, then opened his notebook on the desk and began: “Respected Mayor Nie, leaders. Our Siping District experienced a significant impact after the smuggling case of Eastern Sea Group, the economy of the district also stalled for a while. During this process, our district committee and district government attached great importance. We analyzed seriously, and increased the rectification of the investment environment in our district. In terms of development directions, Siping District has targeted the tourism industry of Wanghai City, vigorously promoting the development of our district’s hotel and entertainment industries… We have introduced two four-star hotels and five three-star hotels…”

If Nie Zhenbang had not received some news from An Guoyu, he might very well have been fooled by these people from Siping District at this report.

Targeting tourism projects, introducing the hotel and entertainment industries and making Siping District into Wanghai City’s entertainment district. Making every tourist in Wanghai think of Siping District’s entertainment and services along with the famous tourist destinations, the idea is surprisingly consistent with Nie’s own vision for developing the tourism industry in Wanghai.

At this moment, Huang Shaobo was also a bit nervous. He’s not a young official. With years of experience, climbing to his current position at nearly fifty years old, Huang is part of the elite. A deputy department level official is rare amongst the vast population. Despite this, Mayor Nie’s expression has made Huang somewhat nervous. It’s hard to guess his intentions with a non-emotional and non-celebrating look.

“Mayor Nie, is indeed not to be underestimated. He’s not old, but this kind of mentality, this kind of self-cultivation has even the likes of an old, greasy bureaucrat like me somewhat shocked.” Huang Shaobo thought to himself.

Nie Zhenbang suddenly said: “As the proverb says, one has to see to believe. I think, we should conduct a site investigation. The direction of the economic development of Siping District and the planning of the municipal party committee and government coincide. What do you think, Secretary Shaobo?”

Nie Zhenbang’s words, although appeared to be asking for advice, all those present knew that they implied an attitude that refused to be rebuffed.

However, Huang Shaobo was straightforward and immediately nodded: “Of course, having the mayor guide us is reflective of the importance attached to Siping District, and it’s also a push. It will also bring us closer to the development direction of the city party committee and government.”

The motorcade drove out of the Party and Government Office Buildings of Siping District. At this moment, a few more cars had been added, and there was also a lead car from the Siping District Public Security Bureau in front.

As for these, Nie Zhenbang didn’t pay much heed for now. At present, the focus is still on the Siping District government, and the rest can be dealt with later.

At the present, the Secretary of Siping District, Huang Shaobo, was in the car with the District Mayor, Yang Siqing. Seeing Nie Zhenbang, Yang Siqing, frowned and whispered: “Old Huang, from the looks of it, Mayor Nie is not here for good reasons. Our district matters, we are clearly aware, speaking about the investment of tens of millions, but in fact, it’s just about adding a few entertainment venues. This inspection…”

Before the Eastern Sea Group smuggling case broke out, the position of Siping District seemed very awkward. Because Siping District is the only district in Wanghai City that is not coastal. Located in Wanghai’s inland area, during the development process, Siping District had the least investment from the Eastern Sea Group.

Starting from last year, Siping District began to expand their horizons. After extensive research and consideration, Siping District positioned itself as the red-light district of Wanghai City. The district is filled with many salons and guest houses, high-end nightclubs, and bath centers are everywhere too. Here, more than 80% of the special service industry in Wanghai concentrates.

As for these industries, the approach in Siping District was laissez-faire. Under the guidance of the Siping District Committee and the District Government, the public security departments also adopted lenient policies towards them.

The collapse of the Eastern Sea Group affected other districts significantly, but at that moment, Siping District was thriving independently. This caught Nie Zhenbang’s attention.

Huang Shaobo was also somewhat nervous at this moment. Siping District appeared brilliant on the surface, with abundant investments and substantial tax revenue. It was like a glaring light bulb in Wanghai City, shining brightly and inevitably attracting attention. However, at this moment, Huang Shaobo understood something.

He sighed after a moment of pondering, “The nail that stands up is hammered down. The taller the tree, the easier it is to be destroyed by wind. We should have prepared when we were asked to report the economic data for the first quarter and April at the city level. We initially thought our achievements were rank low in the city, but now, we put ourselves in an awkward position.”

We are well aware of our situation. Mayor Nie wants to see our achievements, but Siping District indeed doesn’t have any remarkable accomplishments to showcase. Talk about four-star hotels, all of those are merely pretentious, nothing more than facades. Who would be willing to invest in Siping District? At present, other districts of the city have more advantages than Siping District.

Should I lead Mayor Nie in an inspection of nightclubs, bars, KTVs, bathhouses? If that happened, my days as District Committee Secretary would likely be numbered.

“Old Yang, this time, if things go wrong, both of us might face disciplinary actions.” Huang Shaobo spoke slowly.

Huang Shaobo’s words caused Yang Siqing’s face to turn pale. He understood what Huang Shaobo meant. The operations in Siping District were not acceptable and even explicitly prohibited by the government. The support for such industries by the Party Committee and the Government could potentially tarnish the reputation of the Party and the Government. The best-case scenario was that it would be deemed severe misconduct, which could result in disciplinary action.

Regardless of whether it’s a reprimand or a serious demerit, these disciplinary actions will be recorded and stain one’s career. In the worst case, this stain could end any political aspirations completely. As the District Chief, he was responsible for all these operations. The responsibility he had to bear would certainly be greater; he might even face demotion. At the thought of this, Yang Siqing whispered, “Secretary, what should we do about this…?”

“Let’s go for a tour first. Then head over to the construction site at Huijiang Hotel.” Huang Shaobo concluded his decision after a moment of thought.

At this moment, on Nie Zhenbang’s private vehicle, the Secretary General of the Municipal Government, An Guoyu, sat beside him. The atmosphere in the vehicle became somewhat heavy as Nie Zhenbang remained silent. Even though the air conditioner was on, it still felt stifling.

After a while, An Guoyu spoke in a low voice, “Mayor, what do you think?”

An Guoyu didn’t complete his statement when Nie Zhenbang waved his hand to cut him off, saying, “Old An, I understand what you mean. Siping District probably won’t have any commendable achievements. The inspection this time will only put Siping District in a bad spot.”

An Guoyu nodded. It’s a generally accepted sarcasm in the officialdom that higher-ups pressurize the lower ranks until they finally succeed; the lower ranks deceive the higher ups until their lies become the truth. The couplet is undoubtedly satirical but it’s undeniable that such form-over-substance behavior, regardless of the dynasty, is quite common. Siping District wouldn’t be able to present anything worth seeing this time. Mayor Nie is keenly interested to inspect, but there would be nothing to be seen, which implies the consequences.

“Mayor, what is your intention towards Siping District’s team? Mayor, my suggestion is, we should refrain from making rash decisions.” An Guoyu added.

In response to An Guoyu’s words, Nie Zhenbang smiled, appreciating his loyalty and consideration. After the Eastern Sea smuggling case, his public image was set. If he now decided to overhaul Siping District, he would likely not get approval from the provincial committee. This was a fact, and An Guoyu suggested this while considering his best interests.

Subsequently, Nie Zhenbang also responded with a smile, “I won’t be making any replacements for now. Although the Siping District’s team is somewhat off track, their thought process is still workable. This time, it’s more of a warning that they need to keep their feet on the ground. I believe that after this incident, Huang Shaobo and Yang Siqing would neither dare nor be able to play any underhand tricks.”(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please vote and support at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)