Chapter 1259: Chapter 1214: It’s Time for a Warning Chapter 1259: Chapter 1214: It’s Time for a Warning January 8th marked the first official workday after the Spring Festival holiday, and throughout Ancient City, every establishment was filled with festive cheer. Especially at 8 a.m. sharp. Firecracker blasts could be heard from many businesses, government agencies, and state-owned enterprises. It was considered a way to court good fortune.

Inside the courtyard of the Longxi Provincial Committee and Provincial Government, although firecrackers were not set off in celebration, the atmosphere was equally jubilant. The decision not to set off firecrackers was a deliberate consideration. Ancient City had issued a fireworks ban. Although firecrackers are festive, they are not exactly ideal. On one hand, their use generates a massive amount of smoke, causing serious air pollution. Moreover, the noise created by firecrackers is a form of pollution itself. Thirdly, the remnants from firecrackers constitute another form of pollution. Fourth, firecrackers are essentially explosives, and even though their production has become especially safe nowadays, there is still a certain degree of danger involved in their transportation, manufacturing, and use. Every year during the festive season, there are numerous injuries, and even cases of disability, caused by firecracker incidents.

Given all these drawbacks, Ancient City had issued its ban on firecrackers two years prior. The permission to set off firecrackers within the city was a sign of respect for Huaxia’s traditional culture. However, the administ
However, even though it’s permitted, the Longxi Provincial Committee and Provincial Government, as the highest governing body in the province, cannot set this precedent. It’s fine for lower levels to set off firecrackers, but if the Provincial Committee itself did so, it would undoubtedly mislead other municipal departments and the ordinary people. If even the Provincial Committee and Provincial Government did this, then others would think they should do the same.

So, even though today marked the first day back at work, the Provincial Committee kept things quiet and uneventful, with no festivities planned. Next to the sentry post at the entrance of the compound hung a notice board with a piece of red paper, flamboyantly stating, “During the New Year period, dragon dances and flower boats are prohibited from entering.”

Nevertheless, even without the celebrations, the atmosphere inside the Provincial Committee and Government building was not lacking. Everyone was busily going about their tasks in an orderly fashion.

After an eight-day break, offices needed to be tidied up. Additionally, colleagues greeted each other with smiles, offering congratulations and good wishes.

Located opposite Nie Zhenbang’s office on the top floor of the office building was the Provincial Committee’s small conference room. At this moment, all the Standing Committee members were seated in their places.

At exactly nine in the morning, the meeting officially started, with Nie Zhenbang entering the room on schedule, just as the clock struck nine. He took his seat at that precise moment.

Looking around at everyone, Nie Zhenbang wore a very serious expression. He cleared his throat and said, “Let’s start the meeting. Before we begin, I’d like to wish everyone a belated Happy New Year. I see that comrades have good spirits and complexions. It seems that everyone has had a rather comfortable and joyous New Year.”

“However, as we start work now, we must refocus our minds on our job duties. Using the students’ words, after such a long holiday, it’s time to gather our thoughts.” With Nie Zhenbang’s ‘however’, his tone became more severe, and the atmosphere in the meeting room grew much more solemn. Many involuntarily shifted in their seats, adjusting their postures.

Those seated were all experienced players in the bureaucracy. Speaking the right words in the presence of others and expressing the appropriate emotions in any given situation were things they would never get wrong.

“This year is a big election year and also a particularly key and critical year for economic development in Longxi Province. Last year, projects such as the Auto City and Oil City were launched. The efforts to attract investment in Liangzhou and Shian were in full swing. The Environmental Protection Forest Project also officially signed an agreement, preparing for the exploration, location selection, and planning of the first phase of the 800,000-mu fast-growing forest for environmental protection. This year, for us, is a year of reaping. The first batch of enterprises in both Auto City and Oil City will start operations. The Environmental Protection Forest Project will also have all its saplings planted by April. It can be foreseen that by summer, the original bleak and barren landscapes will gradually be replaced by lush greenery. Therefore, comrades, the burden on us this year is very significant. The key to a day’s work lies in the morning, and the key to a year’s plans is in spring. Today’s meeting is not only to refocus after the holiday but also to lay out the economic strategy for the entire province.”

Having said this, Nie Zhenbang paused and turned to Liu Zhentao, “Comrade Zhentao, as the governor, the economy falls within your purview. Would you like to share a few words?”

Today’s meeting, initiated by Nie Zhenbang, instantly imbued Liu Zhentao with a sense of an extraordinary atmosphere. As a leadership cadre, you could be insensitive to anything and slow to react to anything, but never in politics. If one’s political instincts were not sharp, it indicated that one’s political career was nearing its end.

Upon hearing Nie Zhenbang’s recent words at first, they sounded quite ordinary. Yet Liu Zhentao sensed an unusual flavor in them.

The “mind-consolidation” meeting–whose allegiance is it meant to secure? It is certain that Secretary Nie must have heard some rumors. In fact, the matter can’t be concealed. During the New Year period, there were plenty of rumors amongst the provincial standing committee, not to mention those further down. It’s an election year, after all. It’s entirely normal for people’s minds to waver. It seems Secretary Nie is quite dissatisfied with these trends within the province.

Moreover, about deploying economic work. In Longxi Province, ever since Nie Zhenbang took office, he had frequently been involved in economic matters. Liu Zhentao had long since gotten used to this. Liu was responsible for the specifics, but the overarching policies and directions were largely determined through consultations with Nie Zhenbang, if not decided outright by him.

Today, Nie Zhenbang had asked him to coordinate this year’s economic work meeting. This could also be seen as a form of warning.

After pondering for a moment, Liu Zhentao slowly said, “Comrades, Secretary Nie’s speech was clear and profound, striking a chord. It can be said to be of great significance. This year is exceptionally important for our Longxi Province. Here, since Secretary Nie has given instructions, I will muster the courage to share my thoughts.”

“The economic outlook for this year is very promising, but we must not become complacent. Economic development is like sailing against the current, you either forge ahead or fall behind. On this front, economic development is an endless pursuit. In the Western Region, Longxi Province is one of the forerunners. But objectively speaking, we still lag behind the Xibei Autonomous Region and Bashu Province. We have not surpassed these two provinces, let alone the economically developed coastal provinces in the east. To borrow a phrase from the Father of the Nation, ‘The revolution is not yet successful; comrades must continue to strive.'” Liu Zhentao began to speak.

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang’s expression was inscrutable. He could roughly guess Liu Zhentao’s thoughts. This was a man with aspirations. Clearly, Liu Zhentao’s actions were a form of veiled submission. Could it be that he really didn’t have any other intentions?

Following Liu Zhentao’s speech, Nie Zhenbang also spoke, “Governor Zhentao’s remarks were very good. However, I feel that it is necessary to add a few points. I will skip the platitudes, as I believe everyone is clear on those. I’ll talk about some detailed issues instead.”

With that, Nie Zhenbang raised three fingers and said, “First, the issue of the investment environment. Dismissals for those who idle away in posts they’re unsuited for, demand bribes, or twist the law for personal gain. Second, the issue of attracting investment, its reliability, feasibility, and most importantly, its suitability. Currently, our leaders often decide based on whims, rashly bringing in some enterprises. When clearly an agricultural county or city, they insist on developing industry, as if to showcase the locale’s development. This is nonsense, this is chaos. We must adhere to a scientific development approach and the principle of sustainable development. Only what suits us can last. Third, the issue of environmental protection. We should not introduce ventures that have not passed environmental assessments, are on the environmental protection blacklist, or are irrelevant to the local industries.”

Nie Zhenbang’s words were straightforward and simple. No bureaucratic jargon, but rather addressing some real issues and confusions that had arisen, or were even currently unfolding, in economic development. The reason he raised these points was to avoid any actions that would harm the people and waste resources.

Having said this, Nie Zhenbang continued, “Next, let’s talk about the matter of reining in hearts and minds. I’ve heard that quite a few comrades have entanglements and wandering thoughts, and have been too merry over the New Year period. What is this about? Humility and diligence, each and every performance, each and every political achievement, will be seen by the organization. Forming cliques? Engaging in factionalism? Do you still want to do something else? I suggest that for such negative tendencies, the Provincial Committee must take a firm stance. For some particular individuals, we need to conduct stern talks and issue warnings as a deterrent.”

With the conversation reaching this point, all the standing committee members grew silent. Secretary Nie was sounding the alarm for the province’s leaders, and also reminding the other standing committee members. The election had not even begun. In Longxi Province, it was still Nie Zhenbang who was in charge.

After a period of silence, the Minister of Propaganda of the Provincial Committee, Li Hongying, slowly said, “I think Secretary Nie’s speech is very profound and much needed. I agree with Secretary Nie’s opinions. I think we can utilize the media to launch a learning campaign throughout the province.”

As her words concluded, what surprised those present was that Zhang Fangwen did not stand up to speak; instead, Vice Secretary of the Provincial Committee Wang Benchang said, “I agree with Secretary Nie’s opinions.”

Wang Benchang’s thoughts weren’t hard to discern–he had been quiet in Longxi Province long enough. Now, by doing this, he was undoubtedly showing his stance to Nie Zhenbang.

Inwardly sneering, Liu Zhentao thought that Wang Benchang was playing a shrewd game. For him, with the upcoming two meetings, whether Nie Zhenbang was transferred or not, there would be no downside. Following this, Liu Zhentao also slowly nodded and said, “I also believe it’s extremely necessary to conduct such an ideological education campaign.”(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (wuxiaworld.site) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly passes; your support is my greatest motivation.)