Chapter 1258: Chapter 1213: The Guests Have Not Left, But the Tea Has Gone Cold Chapter 1258: Chapter 1213: The Guests Have Not Left, But the Tea Has Gone Cold Nie Zhenbang returned to Longxi on the afternoon of the seventh day of the first lunar month. On the fifth day, he had a small gathering with economic cadres like Yang Anbang, and on the sixth, he was still on the side of the Wang Dynasty, where he t with the political cadres. Affairs within the system are complex and ever-changing. Sotis, victory doesn’t necessarily require one’s own advancent; as in the current situation of Nie Zhenbang, preventing others from advancing can also be a form of victory. Since operations in this area were needed, having detailed communication with the political cadres was necessary.
For this return, Nie Zhenbang did not inform people like Xia Gang nor did he tell Liu Xiaomin, coming back alone with the intent to rest during the last half-day of the holiday. This year, Nie Zhenbang had been busy from New Year’s Eve on, spending the entire lunar month visiting and networking. As work was starting tomorrow, resting for half a day was like stealing a fleeting mont of leisure from life.
At the exit of the QinZhou Airport terminal, a line of taxis was always waiting to pick up passengers. Nie Zhenbang hailed one and gave the driver the address before reclining in his seat and closing his eyes to rest.
The cabbie was quite talkative; looking in the rearview mirror, he said with a smile, “Boss, from the looks of you, you must be an official.”
Hearing this, Nie Zhenbang was taken aback; today, he was dressed sowhat extravagantly. Wearing a mink coat and sporting sunglasses, even though he often appeared on Longxi news, ordinary people wouldn’t recognize him as Nie Zhenbang without a close look.
Then Nie Zhenbang also said with a smile, “Oh? Is there so trick to it? Can you really tell whether soone is an official or not?”
“Of course, it doesn’t matter what I do, even if I just drive a car, I watch all kinds of people co and go every day. I always like to observe and ponder. I wanted to be a policeman when I was young. I learned how to investigate,” the cabbie said with a laugh and continued, “If you were a boss, those in business usually get picked up and dropped off by cars. They call for high-end taxis, not the likes of mine. You walk with an upright posture, with a certain presence. That’s the kind of presence only officials have. I’m not wrong, am I?”
Nie Zhenbang chuckled and said, “Master, you’re impressive, you guessed right. I work at the Longxi Provincial Committee.”
“That’s amazing! At your age, to have made it into the Provincial Committee. Our Secretary Nie Zhenbang of the Longxi Provincial Committee is really young too. I think you have the makings of a future Secretary Nie,” the cabbie said with a laugh.
At this mont, Nie Zhenbang had used a little trick. He had given the provincial committee’s guesthouse as his destination. It was better to simply admit he worked at the provincial committee—no ordinary person would guess that the committee secretary would take a taxi.
“Master, how’s your inco nowadays?” Nie Zhenbang asked casually.
Nie Zhenbang rarely conducted secret investigations, but, given the coincidence today and the cabbie’s talkative nature, he felt an interest in chatting. From the QinZhou Airport to the provincial committee’s guesthouse, it took no less than two hours, which was ample ti.
When it ca to inco, the cabbie said with a smile, “Not bad, I can make five or six thousand yuan a month, but what’s more important is that I feel it’s going to get better and better. However, I’m afraid I won’t be driving a taxi for much longer?”
This contradiction between optimism and ceasing to drive a taxi confused Nie Zhenbang, who said with a laugh, “What do you an? Isn’t that a contradiction?”
The cabbie chuckled and said, “Boss, you must have co to work in Longxi recently, haven’t you? Let put it this way, ever since Secretary Nie took office, the changes in Longxi Province have been earth-shattering, changing every day. Not to ntion the three major projects like Auto City, Oil City, and the Yellow River Basin environntal shelter belt, which benefit the whole province. Just take our Ancient City here. The complete renovation of the old city and the enhancent of the city’s image will only lead to better developnt of the Ancient City in the future. My kid, who is twenty this year, is working in the city and makes almost as much as I do each month. Our family is also within the area to be demolished for redevelopnt. We were allocated an apartnt, and his mother and I are considering renting a small storefront to open a breakfast shop or the like. On one hand, I’m getting older, and I can’t keep up the energy to drive. Besides, from my taxi driving, I’ve seen more and more people taking taxis. The number of private cars is also increasing. What does that tell you? It shows that our common folk have money now. With money in our pockets, we can make a living doing anything.”
Listening to the cabbie’s words, Nie Zhenbang was also smiling, yet he was very pleased inside. The changes in the lives of ordinary people were the best affirmation of the work of the Party and the governnt. No matter how well you construct your city or how much investnt you attract, it’s empty talk if the common people have no money in their pockets and can’t feel or enjoy the opportunities and changes brought about by developnt.
Real developnt is based on the broad masses of the people. The most important asure of whether a place has developed is whether common folk have money in their pockets.
Unconsciously, the car slowly pulled up to the entrance of the provincial committee’s guesthouse. After Nie Zhenbang paid the fare, he took off his sunglasses and said with a smile, “Master, thank you. Thank you for your affirmation of our work.”
At that mont, as Nie Zhenbang took off his glasses, the cabbie was stunned. After a mont of surprise, the cabbie beca a bit flustered and excited, “Nie… Secretary Nie. I… I can’t accept the fare. You’ve done so many great things for Longxi. I can’t take your money. If it got out, I would be criticized.”
Nie Zhenbang smiled and said, “Nonsense, driving to make a living is your profession. It makes no sense not to collect a fare. You must take the money. Look, I didn’t overpay, did I? I’m even asking for the last few coins of change. This was a fair and just transaction. If soone says anything, you tell .”
Speaking of which, Nie Zhenbang was sincere as he said, “Master, in fact, I should thank you for holding us in such high regard. Let wish your breakfast diner a speedy opening in advance. When the ti cos, have your son leave a ssage on my Weibo. I’ll co to try the breakfast.”
The story of the Secretary of the Provincial Committee taking a taxi beca big news in the taxi industry of Ancient City. This taxi driver even attracted interviews from reporters. Of course, that is a story for another ti and not to be ntioned here.
Nie Zhenbang entered from the Provincial Committee’s guesthouse. He walked around to the VIP building used for summoning guests located at the back, and soon after he entered, there ca a knock at the door.
As soon as the door was opened, Xia Gang walked in, “Secretary, I’d like to offer you my belated New Year’s greetings.”
Returning to Longxi today had already been decided so ti ago. As his personal assistant, Xiaoxia was naturally aware of it.
Smiling, he said, “Xiaoxia, happy New Year to you too. There haven’t been any issues in the province during this period, have there?”
At this, Xia Gang’s expression turned sowhat awkward. Seeing Xia Gang’s hesitant appearance, Nie Zhenbang spoke with so difficulty, “Secretary, there are so things, I’m not sure how to put them.”
Seeing Xia Gang like this, Nie Zhenbang’s deanor darkened as he said, “What’s so difficult about speaking your mind? After following for such a long ti, don’t you know my character yet? There is no harm in speaking openly about anything. There is nothing that needs to be hidden.”
At the sight of Nie Zhenbang’s deanor, Xia Gang bit his lip, and then nodded, “Secretary, during the ti you were in Jingcheng, a lot of rumors have spread within the province. It’s said that you might be transferred out of Longxi this ti. Your trip to Jingcheng was for making arrangents. Here in the province, Governor Liu Zhentao is very likely to take over your position. During this ti, there are so people in the province who are feeling restless. Quite a few comrades have been visiting Governor Zhentao and Vice Secretary Wang.”
Hearing this, Nie Zhenbang was montarily stunned, but then he chuckled to himself. The rumors were really flying fast. A matter not even confird was already causing a stir below.
“Additionally, I heard that Governor Zhentao plans to visit Jingcheng in a few days,” Xia Gang added.
At that mont, Longxi Province gave Nie Zhenbang the impression that his tea was getting cold even though he had not yet departed. These people were indeed adept at taking sides.
However, taking sides was normal, if he were to be transferred. The power and influence in Longxi Province would inevitably need to be reshuffled, including all the standing committeen who would also have to reconsider their strategies at the standing committee etings. This was an unavoidable issue.
Nie Zhenbang could very well understand all of this; it was just like his visit to Shen Guoquan, wasn’t he also preparing for the future? Who wouldn’t leave a way out for themselves? They weren’t bonded servants, after all.
Still, he was sowhat surprised to hear about Liu Zhentao’s trip to Jingcheng. Liu Zhentao had nothing to do with the competition for Jiuding. So, what was he going to Jingcheng for? Perhaps it involved the sa issue of choosing sides. This was worth considering.
After pondering for a mont, Nie Zhenbang smiled and said, “During the transition period of personnel, it’s very normal for there to be changes within the province, you shouldn’t be too surprised. Concentrate on your duties, focus on your work. That’s better than anything else. For the first day back at work tomorrow, is my speech prepared?”
According to protocol, on the first day back at work, the Provincial Committee was to convene a standing committee eting, or even an extended eting. The long holiday was over. Everyone needed to refocus and imrse themselves in work once more. At the eting, Nie Zhenbang was also obliged to deliver a speech.
“It’s written. Please review it, Secretary,” Xia Gang took out the speech that had already been prepared from his briefcase.
Nie Zhenbang took it and after glancing through roughly, imdiately said, “Overall, there are no issues. There are a few details that need to be modified and supplented. Emphasize the key points. Don’t let any ssy incidents affect us. All the officials in the province should collect their thoughts and devote themselves seriously to their duties.”
Hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Xia Gang felt a surge of relief. It seed Secretary Nie was about to send a warning to those officials in the province who were busy taking sides. (
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