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Surveying the crowd, Deputy Director Shi said in a deep voice, “Our next item for discussion is the election for Mayor of Xinli City. This time we have two candidates. The first is our Deputy Secretary and interim Mayor Zhou Chen. Since he took office in Xinli, Zhou Chen has achieved dazzling success in economic development and construction, repeatedly attracting renowned enterprises to settle in Xinli. I believe that under Zhou Chen’s leadership, Xinli will undoubtedly achieve even more noticeable results.”

After a pause, Deputy Director Shi continued, “Our other candidate is our current Deputy Mayor Bekri. Bekri has served as Deputy Mayor for many years, shouldering his responsibilities diligently. I believe that Bekri is very capable. I hope that our city’s representatives will follow their hearts and elect a leader of development for Xinli.”

Bekri’s face darkened. From Deputy Director Shi’s introduction, it emanated the fact that he was just a runner-up, and his role was akin to that of a ‘tuition partner’ for the Crown Prince.

This was evident from Deputy Director Shi’s introduction. His presentation of Zhou Chen was extremely detailed, filled with adulation and praise. When it came to himself, it was merely a cursory mention. The prioritisation was clear to all. Such language was also a hint to the representatives present.

If it weren’t for his own participation, which according to procedure required a second candidate to stand for a fair election, this election would have become a one-man show for Zhou Chen.

At this moment, after Deputy Director Shi finished speaking, Chairman Tieli gave a signal to Liu Wenqing, who responded with a nod of understanding. Tieli’s intent was clear to Liu Wenqing, which was to garner support before the election, using his authority and position as party secretary to show the delegates of Xinli City People’s Congress the determination and intent of the higher-ups. Although it would be most appropriate for Nie Zhenbang to take the lead, it was clear that Nie Zhenbang would not cooperate. And it would be too presumptuous for Tieli, as chairman of an autonomous region and a senior official, to meddle in the election of a deputy department-level city. This would make him a laughingstock if the news spread. As such, it was most fitting for Liu Wenqing to step forward.

As he rhythmically tapped his fingers on the table, Nie Zhenbang frowned upon seeing it. Liu Wenqing was clearly trying to rally support for Zhou Chen.

Indeed, Liu Wenqing then announced loud and clear, “The party committees and governments of the autonomous region and Bazhou City Party Committee and Municipal Government are paying close attention to the mayoral election. As the first deputy department-level city in Xibei Autonomous Region and a reform experiment zone of the State Council, the mayor of Xinli not only relates to the city’s future but its development as well. I hope the representatives of the Xinli City People’s Congress choose a mayor who fits the needs of Xinli’s development, based on what they believe to be right.”

As his words fell, Nie Zhenbang chuckled, “Let me also say a few words. Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty once quoted a phrase from ‘Xunzi • Duke’, ‘The ruler is the boat, the common people are the water, the water can carry the boat, but it can also capsize it.’

At the outset, Nie Zhenbang cited this story. On one hand, it showcased Nie Zhenbang’s extensive knowledge, and on the other hand, it subtly reminded all the delegates that the decisive power was in their hands.

His statement was effective. Nie Zhenbang looked around at everyone and continued, “The economic construction and development of Xinli relate to our city’s future. As a reform experiment zone for the central government’s sustainable development strategy, the road we have taken in Xinli is uncharted. Our approach to reform and development is different from other areas of the country. In the mayoral election, my stance is to uphold the will of the people, respect the results of the election, and support political transparency and openness. I believe that the delegates of Xinli City People’s Congress and the 300,000 residents of Xinli will definitely choose a suitable leader.”

Nie Zhenbang’s words upset Chairman Tieli. Nie Zhenbang was really too tactless. To put it harshly, Nie Zhenbang was openly challenging the authority of the higher-ups. This was an act of disobedience to the leadership.

Moreover, everyone could understand the meaning of his words. Generally, if he agreed with the higher-ups, Nie Zhenbang should have prefaced his statement with, “I agree with so-and-so secretary’s words.” However, Nie Zhenbang hadn’t done so, indicating his views differed from Liu Wenqing’s.

More importantly, the phrase cited by Nie Zhenbang, ‘Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it’ could be interpreted as a subtle reminder to respect the will of the people.

Nie Zhenbang looked at Tieli without fear. At this moment, Nie Zhenbang had made up his mind. The fact that Li Guohua had placed Zhou Chen under his administration was clearly not just about dividing the credit. Nie Zhenbang would not have minded if it were another faction. But Li Guohua? Nie Zhenbang sneered. It was clear this man saw him as his biggest enemy.

Despite Zhou Chen’s current low-key demeanor and efforts to attract investment, he affirmed that once Zhou Chen secured this position, he would surely create obstacles for him.

Xinli City is a reform experiment zone, and the sustainable development strategy of Xinli City, which Secretary General Yuan and Premier Yun are concerned about, could potentially impact economic development and reform. In other words, it’s an experimental field. If done right, it may even be promoted nationwide. For this reason alone, Nie Zhenbang wouldn’t allow Zhou Chen to be elected and cause a disturbance for him.

Subverting the instructions and intentions of the superiors is a grave sin in the world of officialdom. Nie Zhenbang was not ignorant of this, nor was it a momentary impulse. What’s done is done. Nie Zhenbang has never regretted his actions. Moreover, since you, Li Guohua, can remotely command so many people, would I, Nie Zhenbang, capitulate here, out of fear? As the saying goes, even the strongest dragon cannot suppress a local snake. Presently, he is the local snake in Xibei, and Li Guohua, at most, is a dragon crossing the river. There was even less reason to retreat when he let a snake in.

With Nie Zhenbang’s words echoing, the People’s Congress election formally began. On the side, the prepared staff distributed the ballots to the representatives of the People’s Congress one by one.

In front of the podium, there was a delicate ballot box. After a few minutes of careful consideration and selection, Nie Zhenbang himself was the first to stand up and cast his sacred vote into the ballot box.

The ballot used an anonymous voting method, so the People’s Congress representatives below could vote more freely. Tieli looked pale watching people cast ballots.

Tieli was very confident and believed that under his leadership, the People’s Congress representatives of Xinli City could see the situation clearly.

However, at this moment, Tieli’s phone suddenly rang. After Tieli’s secretary picked up the phone, he whispered to Tieli from behind, “Chairman, it’s Secretary Jiang on the line.”

As soon as he answered the phone, Jiang Zhenquan’s voice came over, “Hehe, Comrade Tieli, I heard that you’ve gone to Xinli City.”

Tieli was also stunned at the moment. Jiang Zhenquan’s call didn’t seem to be a casual one. To call at such a crucial moment, what did he mean? Although puzzled, Tieli responded with a smile, “Secretary Jiang, I am in Xinli City at the moment. As China’s first reform experimental zone and our Autonomous Region’s first National Economic and Technological Development Zone, Xinli City is highly valued by the nation. As such, I am here to supervise.”

On hearing Tieli’s reply, Jiang Zhenquan gave a cold laugh. It was no secret in the Xibei Autonomous Region that Li family backed Tieli. He, on the other hand, was from the Yang family faction. Consequently, Jiang Zhenquan said with a smile, “Chairman Tieli, just before your call, I received a call from Vice Premier Zhao of the State Council. The State Council and the National People’s Congress attach great importance to this election in Xinli City. It’s a new attempt at reform that requires us to fully respect the public opinion and the choices of the people. In addition, Comrade Gu Weiguo, the Vice Chairman of the National People’s Congress, is preparing to fly to Xibei. Comrade Tieli, my suggestion is that you hurry back to receive him together.”

Tieli was shocked. He knew from his mentor that Vice Premier Zhao and Jiang Zhenquan were from the same faction. However, this implied that the Yang family was endorsing Nie Zhenbang. Could Nie Zhenbang be a member of the Yang family’s faction? But Gu Weiguo was part of Dong family’s faction. How had they also become involved? Despite his doubts, Tieli didn’t dare to delay. He stood up and said, “Comrade Wenqing, I just got a message that I need to rush back to Urumqi immediately. I’ll leave Xinli City’s matters to you.”

Watching Tieli leave, Liu Wenqing was shocked. Evidently, Nie Zhenbang was the one orchestrating things, as he confidently watched from the side. Observing Nie Zhenbang, who looked as firm as a mountain, Liu Wenqing feared he had made the wrong choice.

Although many people saw Tieli’s departure, they simply thought Chairman Tieli had to go and attend to some business. They didn’t know that Tieli was going back to Urumqi.

Half an hour later, the voting was over. Now came time for counting and calling the votes. Under the supervision of the vote counters and overseers selected for the Standing Committee of the Xili City People’s Congress, the ballot box was opened in front of all the People’s Congress representatives and city leaders. With the oversight of the supervisors, the vote calling began.

Looking at the vote counts for the two candidates on the blackboard, Liu Wenqing could tell that Zhou Chen had lost completely. Only two hundred ballots had been called, but Bekri had received one hundred and sixty votes, whereas Zhou Chen had miserably received only forty. The outcome of the election was no longer a mystery.