Chapter 134 - 134 The Ceremony is Very Shocking (Seeking Monthly Tickets)_1

Chapter 134: The Ceremony is Very Shocking (Seeking Monthly Tickets)_1

Translator: 549690339

They set off in the morning. It would take about seven hours from the provincial capital to Bazhou. With traffic police escorts from various cities along the way, the speed could be even faster, allowing them to arrive at Bazhou around two in the afternoon. Now, it was already noon. From here, it would take almost an hour to reach the outskirts of Bazhou City, perfect timing.

The group was in high spirits as they rushed to the border of Bazhou City. Netted by four police cars in the front and back, more than a dozen vehicles headed out in a column.

At the border of Bazhou City, the Bazhou City Police had already made arrangements a few days before, choosing a spot of open terrain. After the cars stopped, Liu Wenqing and Ding Aiguo got out, followed by everyone else.

In the winter of Xibei, the chilling wind was dreadful. Everyone shuddered, and looking at his watch, Liu Wenqing estimated that there was still about an hour left. He then signaled, “Everyone, back into your cars, please. Have a patrol car guard the point two kilometers ahead.”

About an hour later, police lights flashed in the distance. Three black Mercedes-Benz cars, escorted by several police vehicles, drove towards them. By then, Liu Wenqing and the others were standing by the roadside.

The cars slowed to a halt in front of the crowd. At this moment, the glass of the back seat of the lead car gradually lowered, revealing the figure of Jiang Zhenquan, Secretary of the Xibei Autonomous Region Party Committee.

Jiang Zhenquan, 62 years old—63 come next year—had his hair combed neatly back, revealing some greying strands. Slightly overweight, he looked at Liu Wenqing and the others. With a laugh, he said, “You guys are far too formal. Comrades Wenqing and Aiguo, please get in. The rest of you, get in your cars. Standing outside in this freezing cold is pointless. We won’t stop in Bazhou, we’ll go directly to Li County.”

At this moment, Jiang Zhenquan’s secretary tactfully exited and took a seat in Liu Wenqing’s car. Ding Aiguo could only sit in the front passenger seat now.

Seeing this, Jiang Zhenquan laughed. Clearly, Secretary Jiang was in a good mood today. He continued, “This time, you’ve given the Party Committee and the government of the autonomous region a big surprise. Your achievements are commendable. If your strategy in Li County proves successful, I believe it could be adopted throughout the entire Northwest. Land, except for the desert, is this part of the country’s most abundant resource. As the nation is committed to economic development, we in the Northwest ought to be bold. I’ve heard that this movement was initiated by a newly appointed young comrade in Li County?”

Upon hearing that even Jiang Zhenquan knew about this, Liu Wenqing and Ding Aiguo were both very surprised. This time, Nie Zhenbang had certainly made an impression. If he could leave a good impression on Jiang Zhenquan, his career in the Northwest would likely be smooth sailing.

Still, since Jiang Zhenquan asked, they couldn’t avoid answering. Liu Wenqing hesitated slightly before responding, “Secretary Jiang, you are very well informed. Indeed, we owe our thanks to you and the Party Committee of the Autonomous Region for your concern and care for Bazhou’s economic development, and for sending us such excellent cadres.”

Liu Wenqing’s words were somewhat reserved, not specifying what role Nie Zhenbang played in everything.

After all, there was no connection between Nie Zhenbang and Liu Wenqing, so Liu would naturally not sing too many praises for Nie.

At this point, Ding Aiguo turned his head and added, “Secretary Jiang, this time, the ‘farmer-company-base’ model in Li County was first proposed by Comrade Nie Zhenbang. A preliminary investment of twenty million has been made by General Liu from Jingcheng. We estimate that, based on development and the existing livestock in Li County, there will be a doubling or more in three years.”

Upon hearing Ding Aiguo’s words, Jiang Zhenquan paused for a moment, then laughed, “Hmm, I looked at this idea, and it’s indeed very good. I would like to meet this young comrade.”

As the cars entered the outskirts of Li County City, by now, many local people had already gathered along the roadside.

The road had been barricaded by armed police and local police from Bazhou City supporting Li County. The cars drove directly to the site of the Farmer Welfare Company’s foundation-laying ceremony in the suburbs of Li County.

At this moment, the entire ceremony site was decorated fabulously. A large area of accumulated snow had been cleared on an open flat field, and a large stage had also been erected. In front of the stage was a foundation stone.

Upon the arrival of the leaders, Liu Kun and Qian Jin greeted them together. Seeing Jiang Zhenquan walking in front, Qian Jin naturally went up to greet him, “Secretary Jiang, welcome to the foundation laying ceremony of the Farmer Welfare Company. We appreciate the support of the Xibei Autonomous Region Party Committee for our company.”

Upon seeing Qian Jin, Jiang Zhenquan was taken aback for a moment, but moved on, responding with a smile, “Manager Qian, you are too courteous. As the first agricultural industrial investment of Xibei in business promotion and capital introduction, how could I not come?”

At that moment, Liu Kun also shook hands with Vice-Minister of Agriculture Xie Laixi. Liu Kun, this lad, had already slipped over, whispering in Xie Laixi’s ear, “Uncle Xie, thanks a lot.”

Xie Laixi also chuckled. As the son-in-law of the old Li family, in certain positions, the attitude of the old Li family is his attitude. Usually, sons-in-law like him are generally affiliates and peripherals of the wife’s family clan. Unless they are particularly outstanding, they would gradually transition from being a son-in-law to their own family.

The central position was naturally occupied by Jiang Zhenquan. As a central leader, Xie Laixi, although holding the same deputy ministerial level as Niu Yunchang, sat on the left. On the right was Niu Yunchang, the vice chairman of the Autonomous Region. Liu Wenqing and Ding Aiguo were respectively leaning on Xie Laixi and Niu Yunchang from the left and the right. This was the art of ranking in the officialdom.

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang had already reached the host seat next to the main stage. As the protagonist of this groundbreaking ceremony, Nie Zhenbang naturally took the initiative to stand in the host’s position.

After scanning the surroundings, and after the first item of the national anthem was played by everyone standing, Nie Zhenbang again said: “Next, let’s welcome Secretary of the Party Committee of the Autonomous Region, Jiang, to make a speech. Let’s welcome him.”

As soon as his words ended, Jiang Zhenquan stood up, smiling and said: “Fathers and fellow villagers of Li County, I am Jiang Zhenquan. Here, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year.”

As soon as Jiang Zhenquan opened his mouth, it immediately provoked waves of cheers from the crowd around. After all, given Jiang Zhenquan’s status, the hearts of the people are easily satisfied. The grand His Excellency wishing a Happy New Year to a commoner would naturally excite them.

After the sound gradually subsided, Jiang Zhenquan continued: “The experience of the coastal regions in reform and opening up and economic development is to develop the second and third industries, which currently seem to work quite well. Nowadays, in our inland, in our Xibei, many cities are also developing. However, many complain. They believe that without regional advantages, without economic advantages, it seems, development becomes difficult. It seems that without these, it’s natural to think that the development of our Xibei Region should lag a bit behind, that we can’t compare with the eastern coast, and that should be the case. However, I am gratified that not all cadres are numb. In Bazhou, in our Li County, I saw the dawn of Xibei’s economic development… The spirit of innovation is worth advocating. The spirit of daring to fight and daring to venture is also worth learning from for our Xibei cadres. Finally, I wish the Farmer Welfare Company’s development in Xibei to open up new prospects and enjoy a bright future. I wish the people of Li County would get richer and truly rush towards a better living standard.”

After his words, Vice Minister of Agriculture Xie Laixi also made a passionate speech. It was then that Nie Zhenbang announced the start of the groundbreaking ceremony.

With Jiang Zhenquan leading, all the leaders, holding carefully prepared shovels, followed Jiang Zhenquan in shoveling the first mound of earth.

The Farmer Welfare Company already had fireworks and firecrackers prepared, which began to go off. Large-scale fireworks purchased and transported from Chunan Province also soared into the sky.

At this time, Liu Kun, seizing the opportunity, came prepared with pen and ink, paper and inkstone. Qian Jin also opportunistically approached, “Secretary Jiang, would you like to leave a couplet for our Farmer Welfare Company?”

Jiang Zhenquan seemed particularly happy at this moment. After he personally heard about the development plan of the Farmer Welfare Company from Liu Kun and Qian Jin, as well as the cooperation conditions with Li County, Jiang Zhenquan seemed to have found a good development path. What Xibei didn’t lack the most was land. If there could be several more investors like this, then the entire situation of Xibei would be invigorated.

Soon, Jiang Zhenquan also laughed, “Hehe, since Manager Liu and Manager Qian have warmly invited, then I would not refrain from showing my ugliness.” With a big stroke of the pen, Jiang Zhenquan left eight characters on the rice paper, “Farmer Welfare Company, Benefiting the Country and the People.” As long as Jiang Zhenquan is still in Xibei, even if he retires later, at least within these ten years, the Farmer Welfare Company doesn’t need to worry about its future.

…

At Li County Hotel

As the place where Jiang Zhenquan stayed, at this moment at the entrance of the No.1 courtyard of Li County Hotel, several department-level leaders from Bazhou City were waiting.

At this moment, Liu Wenqing had already been inside for nearly an hour. The fact that Jiang Zhenquan could come to Li County was also a rare opportunity for the leaders of Bazhou’s City Committee. Regardless, they still needed to report their work superficially. Otherwise, in case Jiang Zhenquan had any objections, they would surely be in a difficult position.

Just at that moment, the living room’s door was opened, and Jiang Zhenquan’s secretary walked out from inside, looking at the leaders waiting in the reception room. The secretary smiled and said: “May I ask, which one of you is comrade Nie Zhenbang? Secretary Jiang has specifically asked to see him.”

PS: At present, we have 429 votes. Thanks to all of my brothers and sisters. The difference is being reduced, currently, at 111 votes. Brothers, we don’t compare with others anymore. Let’s challenge ourselves. We are falling short by only 41 votes to reach 470 votes. So close. It looks like a breakout tomorrow is inevitable.