YM778.TV Chapter 111 - 111 High-level Reception 1
The vehicle’s excellent performance was fully demonstrated on the road. Setting off in the morning, it reached the border of Qianzhou by ten in the afternoon.
At this moment, on the edge of the national road, on the Qianzhou side, under the sign that read “Welcome to Qianzhou”, four or five cars had already stopped, their police lights flashing. A large crowd was waiting by the side.
Seeing this scene, the driver slowed down the car and edged to a stop. He turned to Nie Zhenbang and Zheng Gensheng and said, “Leaders, the people from Qianzhou Province are here to welcome us.”
At this time, the car carrying Yu Shengli and Zhang Min had already stopped. People likes Cao Guangchun and Yu Shengli had gotten out of the car. Seeing this, Nie Zhenbang turned to Zheng Gensheng and said, “Old Zheng, let’s get out of the car too. We don’t want to give the people from Qianzhou Province the wrong impression, making us seem high and mighty.”
As soon as they got out of the car, Yu Shengli and Cao Guangchun led several leaders towards them. Cao Guangchun’s voice could be heard before he even arrived, “Chief Nie, allow me to introduce you. This is Mayor Huang, member of the Bozhou Municipal Party Committee, Deputy Secretary of Bozhou Municipal Party Committee, and of the Bozhou City People’s Government in Qianzhou Province. Next to Mayor Huang is the Deputy Secretary of Qianzhou Province Youth League Committee, Comrade Li Xiangdong.”
Hearing Cao Guangchun’s introduction, Nie Zhenbang also became solemn. Having already experienced the grand welcome in Tianfu Province, Qianzhou’s welcome was not surprising. Even though he knew that Qianzhou would put on a show, Nie Zhenbang had not expected Qianzhou Province to provide such a high-profile reception.
It is worth noting that there’s only half a rank difference between Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and the Mayor of Bozhou City, with the former being a deputy department-level official and the latter being a department-level official. But everyone understands the difference between a Youth League official and local Party and government leaders.
Seeing Mayor Huang, who was around fifty years old, Nie Zhenbang did not dare to neglect him and immediately approached to greet him. Extending both of his hands he said, “Mayor Huang, I didn’t expect to disturb you. I’m really flattered.
Mayor Huang, who was about 1.65m tall and slightly chubby, emanated a certain presence. Seeing Nie Zhenbang’s attitude, Mayor Huang also said with a smile, “Chief Nie, you’re overstating it. You are a leader of the Central
Committee of the Youth League. Before Secretary Gu served as Secretary for
Qianzhou Province, he served in the Central Committee of the Youth League.
Us Qianzhou people have strong feelings for the Youth League.”
Next to them, Deputy Secretary of Qianzhou Province Youth League Committee
Li Xiangdong also came over and said with a smile, “Chief Nie, on behalf of the Qianzhou Province Youth League Committee and our Secretary Yan, I warmly welcome you to your visit to Qianzhou.”
After shaking hands with the set of Qianzhou Province leaders, Nie Zhenbang also turned back to Cao Guangchun of Tianfu Province and said, “Director Cao, since our comrades from Qianzhou have come over to welcome us, you may go back. As the saying goes, ‘A thousand-mile escort ends with a parting. Please convey my gratitude to Secretary Guo and Deputy Secretary Zeng on my behalf. Thank you for the warm hospitality of Tianfu Province Committee of the Youth League. The youth civilization program in Tianfu Province is going very well. After returning, I will definitely give Director Wei a detailed report. From now on, the work of Tianfu Province’s youth civilization program will depend on you, Director Cao.”
Listening to Nie Zhenbang’s words, especially when hearing that Nie Zhenbang was going to report good news to Wei Bin, a smile spread across Cao Guangchun’s face. These comments implied that Nie Zhenbang would not reveal the bribery incident that happened in Tianfu Province. And more importantly, it was certain that Nie Zhenbang would only report good news and not the bad. This was a great opportunity to get in front of the Central Committee.
Afterward, Cao Guangchun nodded and said with a smile, “Chief Nie, thank you for your attention to Tianfu Province. I won’t accompany you any further. Have a safe journey, everyone.”
Then, with Nie Zhenbang and Mayor Huang of Bozhou City boarding the car together, Zheng Gensheng also got into the second car accompanied by Li Xiangdong. The police cars on standby also made a U-turn and led the way, their lights flashing, and sirens howling, they sped towards the downtown area of Bozhou.
Around seven-thirty in the evening.
The convoy neared downtown Bozhou.
Nie Zhenbang was surprised to find that at the entrance of Bozhou city, the traffic police guide car of Bozhou had already been parked to the side, and the entire road had been temporarily controlled. Along the route, a traffic policeman was positioned every thirty meters, standing erect as the convoy passed quickly, each of them saluting.
Seeing this scene, gazing at Mayor Huang beside him, Nie Zhenbang said,
“Mayor Huang, this… I really can’t accept it. This level of protocol is too high.”
If this were different times, say in the future when network consultations were elaborate and big leaders were all using business vehicles, Nie Zhenbang would never accept such over-the-top arrangements. But right now, Nie Zhenbang couldn’t embarrass Mayor Huang by refusing the local government’s goodwill.
After all, if he rejected it, it may make him appear too proud and antisocial. The last thing officials want is to be isolated because that means there is no future for them in the bureaucracy.
Mayor Huang was delighted by Nie Zhenbang’s words, appreciating his respectful demeanor. Unlike some officials who behaved arrogantly under all circumstances simply because they came from above, this young central leader knew how to behave properly. If any leader behaved arrogantly, Mayor Huang wouldn’t tolerate it.
“Chief Nie, you’re a leader from the central government. We cannot do less than this. We have to show our six million citizens of Bozhou City that they welcome their leaders with open arms. It’s completely appropriate, ” said Mayor Huang. Afterward, he added: “Chief Nie, please rest at our Bozhou Hotel tonight. Our Secretary Lin has reserved rooms for you and your team. He is waiting for you at the banquet hall of the Bozhou Hotel.”
Given that Mayor Huang had referred to him respectfully, it was clear that this Secretary Lin was likely the Secretary of the Bozhou City Committee.
Seeing the scale of preparations, Nie Zhenbang had little choice but to play along. “Mayor Huang,” he began, representing the evaluation team. “We appreciate Bozhou’s hospitable reception. Now that we’re here in Qianzhou, there’s no need to rush to the provincial capital. It makes sense to start our journey south from Bozhou City, which will save us a lot of time.”
Once they arrived, Nie Zhenbang discussed his plans with Li Xiangdong, the Vice Secretary of the Qianzhou Province Youth League Committee. Li wouldn’t have any objections, of course. This was something for the evaluation team to decide. Nie Zhenbang’s efforts to seek his opinion simply demonstrated his respect for the Qianzhou Province Youth League Committee. As expected, Li Xiangdong didn’t object.
Bozhou is known as the birthplace of Maotai, a famous Chinese liquor, and the second-largest industrial city of Qianzhou Province. The party gathered in room 888 of Bozhou Hotel’s banquet hall.
Nie Zhenbang was seated in the middle, with Secretary Lin from the Bozhou City Committee on his left and Mayor Huang on his right. Li Xiangdong sat next to Secretary Lin and Zheng Gensheng sat next to Mayor Huang. The rest of the guests were members of the Bozhou City Committee.
Secretary Lin, who was in his sixties with graying hair, was soon expecting retirement. This likely explained his eagerness to impress during the evaluation of the Youth Civilization honors. If Bozhou won a national Youth Civilization honor, it would be a highlight in his administration, demonstrating his outstanding management of youth education in Bozhou and his dedication to training future leaders.
Secretary Lin stood up and said with a smile, “Here in Qianzhou, our local cuisine is not particularly unique. In the Southwest Three Provinces, Tianfu cuisine is nationally renowned, so I would like to use it to treat our distinguished guests this time.”
The table was full of typical Tianfu dishes such as Mapo Tofu, Fuqi Feipian
(slices of beef and offal), Yu Xiang Rou Si (shredded pork in garlic sauce), Dongpo cuttlefish, Maoxuewang (a spicy hotpot dish), and Shuizhu Roupian (boiled meat slices).
The wine was, of course, Maotai, a special product of Bozhou. As home to Maotai, the leaders of Bozhou were naturally well catered for in this respect. There were bottles of Feitian Maotai, aged for thirty years, on the table.
As soon as Secretary Lin finished speaking, a waiter came to pour everyone a full glass of Baijiu. The dense aroma of soy sauce-type Baijiu immediately filled the room as soon as the bottles were opened.
Nie Zhenbang had drunk a fair amount of Maotai before. Both he and Nie
Jiamin had stolen bottles from their grandfather’s special collection at home. Their grandfather even had a bottle of Maotai wine from before the founding of the nation, stored in a pottery jar. This particular bottle was a rare artifact that their grandfather had preserved since the Long March.
Nie Zhenbang wasn’t surprised by the thirty-year-old Feitian Maotai. If
Bozhou leaders couldn’t get their hands on it in the hometown of Maotai. they’d be pretty inept.
Nie Zhenbang stood up, raising his glass as he looked around the room. “On behalf of the evaluation team, I want to thank the Qianzhou Province Youth League Committee, Secretary Lin, Mayor Huang, and the Bozhou City Committee for your warm reception. Let me return your kindness. To everyone,” he announced. He then addressed Secretary Lin and the others, “Secretary Lin, Mayor Huang, Secretary Li, and all the leaders, I’ll drink first. Please, feel free to follow.”
Nie Zhenbang had been humble throughout the get-together, which won him many points. It’s not them who were valued, but what they represented. Nie Zhenbang understood this and made the occasion enjoyable for everyone present.
After the banquet, Nie Zhenbang had helped himself to two bottles of Maotai and was feeling a bit tipsy. They were accommodated in the VIP room of the Bozhou Hotel.
Just as Nie Zhenbang sat down, Zheng Gensheng walked in, carrying a pile of documents. He said wryly, “Zhenbang, it has indeed become more troublesome this time. Even here in Bozhou, three candidate units have been arranged for us.”(..)