Chapter 357 - 857: 813: The New Secretary Takes Office

The grand auditorium of the Bashu Provincial Party Committee and Government was packed to capacity, holding over a thousand people. Leaders with the requisite status from various cities and counties in the province, from provincial government agencies, and the capital’s various districts were all seated inside. Today was the day the new Secretary took office.

The appointment of the head of the Party Committee is different from that of the head of the government. The latter requires a process through the People’s Congress, whereas the appointment of the Party Committee is announced directly. There is no possibility of being voted out in this scenario.

Under these circumstances, officials across the province naturally wanted to foster good relations with the new Secretary. Regardless, it was necessary to make a lasting impression.

Seated on the stage was Minister Shi Jiandong from the Organization Department. To Minister Jiandong’s left sat a middle-aged man around fifty-four or fifty-five, wearing glasses and appearing cultured and refined. His hair was meticulously styled, and he wore a dark suit with a red striped tie, exuding a scholarly air.

To the right was Nie Zhenbang, who was sitting upright, his expression stern and calm. With an impassive face, it was impossible to discern Nie Zhenbang’s mentality from his outward appearance.

From the corner of his eye, past the intermediary Shi Jiandong, Nie Zhenbang’s gaze settled on the middle-aged man, the newly appointed Secretary. An official of scholarly disposition, he boasted dual doctoral degrees, having graduated from the Department of Philosophy at Huaqing University with a PhD in philosophy and another in administrative management.

This was a scholar-official. In Nie Zhenbang’s mind, he preliminarily categorized the man in this manner. It would be wrong to assume that all scholar-officials are bookish and idealistic. At this level, no one could afford to be a fool. To underestimate him would be a definitive mistake.

After a pause, Nie Zhenbang tapped the microphone on the table, a gesture reminiscent of the style found in grassroots meetings among township officials.

Through the speakers, the tapping sound on the microphone reverberated across the hall. Nie Zhenbang spoke up, “Next, let’s welcome Minister Jiandong to read the central government’s appointment and removal decision. A round of applause, please.”

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang naturally assumed the role of the host. As he spoke, deafening applause filled the venue, while Nie Zhenbang’s gaze swept to the side, landing on Long Genghua.

Vice Secretary Long had made the trip to Jingcheng for this position, but in the end, all his efforts were for naught. The disappointment and sense of loss were indescribable. At this moment, the embarrassment was written all over Long Genghua’s face, and his look towards the new Secretary was incredibly complex.

By now, Shi Jiandong had stood up. Raising both hands, he gestured for calm. The presence of Minister Jiandong was naturally incomparable to others. As the leading authority in the national organizational work, he effectively held the lifeblood of China’s officials. His aura emerged naturally.

After a moment’s pause, Shi Jiandong spoke gently, “Comrades, entrusted by the central leadership and Director Shen, I have come to Bashu Province once again. First off, I propose that we observe three minutes of silence for Comrades Zeng Taiping and Lu Qingyu.”

Three minutes later, Shi Jiandong continued, “As decided by the central government, Comrade Su Xuan is appointed as a member, standing committee member, and Secretary of the Bashu Provincial Party Committee.”

“Comrade Su Xuan has successively held positions as assistant lecturer, lecturer, and Secretary of the Youth League Committee of the Department of Philosophy at Huaqing University…”

The subsequent narration naturally pertained to the newly appointed Secretary Su Xuan’s credentials. Nie Zhenbang listened closely but furrowed his eyebrows. It would be a mistake to underestimate this Su Xuan. Having experience with Youth League work and coming from the same academic background as Director Shen, the similarities were striking.

To suggest that there was nothing between Su Xuan and Director Shen would be something even Nie Zhenbang couldn’t convince himself of. Moreover, Su Xuan’s latter political career was quite distinctive. While he could be categorized as a scholar-official, this wasn’t entirely accurate. As early as his time as a departmental-level official, Su Xuan had already been assigned to external posts, and his tenure in Ludong Province clearly indicated that he was an extraordinarily capable civil servant.

Following Shi Jiandong’s introduction, he scanned the audience and swept his gaze over the standing committee members before speaking in a deep voice, “Comrade Su Xuan is an enlightened and capable new-type civil servant. The organization has carefully considered and weighed the decision to appoint Comrade Su Xuan to succeed Comrade Taiping. I believe Comrade Su Xuan will do an excellent job as the team leader, upholding Comrade Taiping’s philosophy and legacy to make Bashu even more beautiful. Now, please welcome Comrade Su Xuan to speak.”

At this juncture, everyone in the auditorium involuntarily shifted in their seats. If Shi Jiandong’s earlier remarks were a mere formality, then Su Xuan’s inaugural speech was the true measure of a leader’s capabilities.

Especially since Zeng Taiping’s sudden incident, the cadre he left behind seemed overnight like orphans without parents. Now, with Su Xuan taking office, this was an opportunity for both sides.

For Su Xuan, even though he was the new leading figure in the Provincial Committee, as an individual without strong backing, he certainly couldn’t achieve much. As the saying goes, a palanquin needs bearers to be carried; no matter how high your official rank, if no one under you listens, it’s futile. Su Xuan needed to find a breakthrough in his work in Bashu Province. Some officials urgently needed to find a new source of support, which coincided with his own needs.

Now, Su Xuan’s inaugural speech was the first direct opportunity to understand and observe whether he was a reliable person.

Su Xuan’s demeanor was very composed. Following the end of Shi Jiandong’s speech, he immediately stood up, his hand casually adjusting the glasses on the bridge of his nose. The gold-rimmed glasses at this moment seemed to gleam.

First, Su Xuan deeply bowed. This gesture was rather normal, signaling a lowering of one’s stance. Arriving in a new place, unfamiliar with life here, it was quite normal to do so.

Then, as he began to speak, Nie Zhenbang felt Su Xuan’s distinctiveness. Su Xuan’s inaugural speech was profound and tactful, not resorting to mere superficial praise. Instead, he gave a substantial appraisal of the current economic development, natural resources, cultural resources, transport, and other aspects of Bashu Province. While seemingly offering compliments, Su Xuan in fact put forward his own opinions, which were very pertinent.

Naturally, as soon as Su Xuan’s speech concluded, the hall erupted with deafening applause. For Nie Zhenbang, this moment brought mixed feelings. On one hand, Su Xuan seemed quite capable in terms of economic construction, which was good. However, on the other hand, the better he was, the more he could potentially interfere with Nie Zhenbang’s plans.

Glancing at Sun Jialuo next to him, they could both see shock and concern in each other’s eyes. Regaining his composure, Nie Zhenbang gave Sun Jialuo a steadying look before he stood up and announced that the meeting was adjourned.

Nie Zhenbang approached Shi Jiandong and Su Xuan, smiling, and said, “Minister Jiandong, welcome once again to Bashu. Secretary Su, welcome to your new post. With Secretary Zeng Taiping’s sudden departure, Bashu Province was like a leaderless dragon. Now with Secretary Su’s arrival, Bashu has found its backbone.”

Pausing for a moment, he continued, “Minister Jiandong, Secretary Su. The provincial government has prepared a banquet, on the one hand, to thank the Central Government for its attention, to express our gratitude to Minister Jiandong for his support for the work in Bashu Province, and also to welcome Secretary Su.”

Before Shi Jiandong could respond, Su Xuan smiled and said, “Governor Zhenbang, you are too kind. I am grateful for the enthusiasm and praise from all comrades. Your reputation precedes you, Governor Zhenbang. With you here, Bashu will not descend into chaos.”

Turning to Shi Jiandong, Su Xuan added, “Minister Jiandong, a humble drink, a small token of appreciation. I hope you will grace us with your presence.”

Shi Jiandong laughed heartily and said, “Among all the provinces in the country, I am most at ease at a Bashu Province’s banquet. Comrade Zhenbang is the pioneer of the ‘Three Public’ expenses regulation, please, Secretary Su.”

“Governor, Su Xuan is no simple character. With just a few words, he effortlessly turned the tables from guest to host. It seems that Su Xuan isn’t as easy to talk to as his appearance suggests,” said Sun Jialuo as he and Pan Jianzhang approached Nie Zhenbang, watching Su Xuan leading Shi Jiandong out first.

Nie Zhenbang too was deep in thought. The sharpness displayed by Su Xuan was quite out of the ordinary. The remark about with Nie Zhenbang around, chaos was averted—was that an admonition, a reminder, or a genuine compliment? The underlying meaning was worth pondering and savoring.

Additionally, the exchange between Su Xuan and Shi Jiandong in just a few sentences had shifted him from a guest being received to the master of Bashu. This tactic had also left Nie Zhenbang somewhat shaken. This man was extraordinarily shrewd.

After a moment of silence, Nie Zhenbang said softly, “Let’s watch and see how things unfold.”

Such a high-level banquet, compared to those for department or county officials, lacked a lot of the vulgarities of the marketplace. When it came to toasting, it was all moderate sipping. After all, this was just a lunch banquet, and everyone had to work in the afternoon. Being drunk would harm one’s image.

The meal proceeded with Su Xuan’s witty conversation, refreshing the members of the Standing Committee. The luncheon naturally concluded with both hosts and guests in high spirits.

In the afternoon, Shi Jiandong drove off to the airport to leave Bashu, and a group of people, after seeing Shi Jiandong onto his plane, returned to their offices.

This time, Su Xuan’s arrival had made a significant impact on Nie Zhenbang. Rather than saying that Nie Zhenbang was evaluating Su Xuan, it would be more accurate to say that he was deliberating over Director Shen’s intentions. By arranging Su Xuan’s appointment and leaving the position of Provincial Party Secretary vacant, the organization had clearly shown its support, leaving the choice to Su Xuan, bringing temptation with this opportunity. In hand, Su Xuan appeared to have a good fishing rod and bait. (