Chapter 591 - 547: An Anonymous Letter (Third update, asking for votes) _1

The gaze of Nie Zhenbang irritated and confused Jiang Ruoxuan. Everyone said that Mayor Nie was an ideal cadre, but now it seemed that he was no different from those nasty men, leering lustfully at women.

Jiang Ruoxuan grumbled to herself, but lifted her microphone back up and again said, “Mayor Nie, could we hear your opinion?”

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang came to his senses. He had no particular thoughts about this Wanghai TV Station reporter. The departure of Li Lixue had been a big blow to Nie Zhenbang, who had always been very cautious in this respect.

If he wanted, in New Li City, he could’ve easily had Yan Fengjiao under those circumstances. In Liangxi City, he had even established a reputation for not being a womanizer.

And now, Nie Zhenbang had no such intentions. He was merely curious and appreciative of Jiang Ruoxuan.

In her twenties, and already holding such an important position at Wanghai TV Station, he had seen many places, whether it was the propaganda department or the TV station, the arranged staff were all aces, all elite. Jiang Ruoxuan either had a deep background, or a solid competence.

“Well, the official launch of the Wangtian Highway is of great significance to our Wanghai City,” Nie Zhenbang mused for a moment and began in such manner.

“The Wangtian Highway starts in Wanghai and extends to the Tianfu, passing through Red River, Chunan, Qianzhou, and Yuzhou. It crosses six cities, spanning 2211 kilometers. Known in Bashu, Yuzhou, Qianzhou and other provinces for opening up a sea port to the land. Wanghai, coincidentally, is one of the top ten domestic ports, with a thriving sea transport industry, and the construction of Wanghai New Port is also ongoing enthusiastically. The Wangtian Highway will make Wanghai City the main export corridor for these six cities. This improves the last shortcoming in our transportation infrastructure and powers Wanghai City’s economic construction and development like a car fitted with a rocket engine. This means a lot to Wanghai City’s future,” Nie Zhenbang spoke unhurriedly and with clear-cut determination in his tone.

Jiang Ruoxuan was somewhat dazzled by Nie Zhenbang’s masculinity and authority, which were not attributes just any person could possess.

In general, within the system, those who command authority are usually older, while the masculine ones are the young. They aren’t intertwined.

But Nie Zhenbang was an anomaly, combining these two qualities, a personality that was indeed attractive.

Jiang Ruoxuan, who was truly only twenty-three that year, was in the prime age for women. Although she had shed her childishness, she still embraced fantasies.

While Jiang Ruoxuan was in a trance, Nie Zhenbang strode forward toward the Municipal Party Committee and City Government’s car fleet.

From the side, the camera guy patted Jiang Ruoxuan and teased, “Ruoxuan, what’s the matter? Have you taken a shine to Mayor Nie?”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

His words turned Jiang Ruoxuan’s face red, and she glared at him, “Brother Wen, what are you talking about? I didn’t. Brother Wen, what if I propose to the station an idea for an exclusive interview with Mayor Nie?”

Hearing this, Brother Wen laughed in his heart, this stubborn girl. But he said, “Ruoxuan, that might be tough. The station can’t make that decision. This might have to be approved by Director Lin.”

Hearing this, Jiang Ruoxuan’s face showed a helpless and disappointed expression. It seemed that she understood that interviewing Nie Zhenbang isn’t an easy task.

Watching the car fleet start up, Jiang Ruoxuan followed and got on the nearby bus, tightly clenched her fist, “Hmph, I must have an exclusive interview.”

Inside the Coaster business car

This vehicle was specially used by the Wanghai City Municipal Party Committee and City Government for leader pickups. Inside, after some modifications, it removed the unnecessary seats and left only eight. The seating style was changed to be similar to those in first-class airplanes, allowing them to recline proportionally and rotate. Behind the driver’s seat, the middle seats were the main ones. Like on a train, the seats were arranged in pairs, facing each other, with a foldable table in between.

Inside the car, the audio-visual entertainment system was also very smooth. This type of car, seen from the outside, is far less eye-catching than an Audi A6. However, in terms of comfort, off-road capability, and safety, it is superior to the Audi A6. This is the main reason why national leaders prefer this type of car.

At the front of the line was the number one vehicle of the Wanghai City Public Security Bureau—the traffic guidance vehicle, which led the way. The roads from Wanghai City to the city’s municipal party committee and the city government were full of traffic police. As the motorcade passed, traffic restrictions were put in place along the way to ensure the smooth passage of the motorcade.

Nie Zhenbang was actually most opposed to this kind of thing. It was not a people-friendly action and inadvertently set up an invisible barrier between cadres within the system and the masses. Admittedly, the feeling of awe towards officials was a traditional sentiment since ancient times, as the old saying goes, “civilians should never contend with officials.” However, it has also to do with many leaders distancing themselves from the masses and adopting a superior attitude.

Even though Nie Zhenbang was averse to this phenomenon, there was no way around it. During the early years of the founding of the nation, and prior to liberation, leaders in the liberated areas, who wore straw sandals and visited the streets and alleys, were no longer seen. With the progress of time and society, this has become a natural trend that cannot be changed.

As the motorcade left the highway and approached the central urban area of Wangxia District, surprisingly, there were quite a few people gathered on the non-motorized lanes on both sides of the road.

Banners and slogans were hung on the fences on both sides, congratulating the official contract signing for the Wangtian Highway. They included efficient and high-quality ground-breaking work on the Wangtian Highway to boost the economic development of Wanghai City, among similar slogans.

Many civilians were waving small national flags on both sides. The scene was as lively as New Year’s or a festival.

Upon seeing this, Nie Zhenbang’s eyebrows furrowed. Despite the pompous reception, police cars paving the way, exhibiting some privileges were all tolerable. After all, it was a day of great joy, and it wasn’t appropriate to say anything about it under such circumstances. After all, the unity of the team was still the priority.

Nevertheless, the mass mobilization of civilians to participate in the welcome seemed somewhat excessive. Looking up, Nie Zhenbang caught Li Taishi’s eye.

At this moment, Li Taishi, with a casual smile, said, “Zhenbang, you can’t possibly think we orchestrated this, could you?”

Seeing Nie Zhenbang confirming with a nod, Li Taishi also began laughing. Becoming serious, he said, “Zhenbang, we’ve been working together for several months now. I believe you understand my personal and professional conduct. Do you think I’d do such a deceptive thing?”

By his side, the secretary-general of the municipal party committee, Yi Chang, had already come over and reported, “Secretary, mayor, I just called Ding Jianhui from the Wangxia District. These people weren’t summoned by them. According to an investigation, these civilians were former employees of the Eastern Sea Group. This time, they voluntarily came to welcome Mayor Nie’s triumphant return.”

Hearing Yi Chang’s words, Li Taishi smiled, “It used to be said that a successful official brings prosperity to his region. In ancient times, it was also referred to as a ‘communal umbrella.’ It is commonly known that when Comrade Kong Fansen passed away, he was seen off by thousands of people. I didn’t think that at this moment in WangHai, I would be witnessing a grand scene of thousands welcoming. The people’s opinion is very useful, Zhenbang.”

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang could feel the sincerity in Li Taishi’s words without any trace of jealousy or dissatisfaction. They were very earnest. Subsequently, he nodded and said, “Secretary Li, you are flattering me. The situation in Wanghai is hard-won, it’s not my achievement alone but the collective contribution of the city’s party committee. This honor should not belong solely to me. It belongs to the collective.”

The motorcade entered the courtyard of the municipal party committee and city government, stopping directly outside the city committee hall. At this time, Li Taishi affectionately took Nie Zhenbang’s arm and walked side by side into the hall. The meeting hall erupted with deafening applause.

At the meeting, Nie Zhenbang conveyed the spirit of the provincial party committee and the provincial government’s instructions and provided detailed information about the Wangtian Highway project. He asked all city cadres to implement the spirit of the municipal party committee and government and treat the Wangtian Highway as the top priority. They had to properly handle the demolition and compensation arrangements along the Wangtian Highway, provide appropriate services to the traffic department’s experts, and properly handle the bidding for the Wangtian Highway Wanghai Section.

Later, the municipal party committee secretary Li Taishi also gave a speech, emphasizing the importance of the Wangtian Highway. He called on all city cadres and citizens to take action and contribute to the construction and development of Wanghai City’s economy.

Next, the group went to the Wanghai City Hotel, where the city party committee and city government had prepared a banquet to celebrate and welcome Nie Zhenbang.

“Mayor, please wait a moment, I have a letter here, which was forwarded from the city’s letters and calls bureau. Since you and Secretary An were not in the office, the letter was transferred to me. Please take a look.” After the dinner ended, Yi Chang went to Nie Zhenbang and handed him a kraft paper envelope.

Looking at the envelope in front of him, Nie Zhenbang’s brow furrowed. In the recipient’s address column, it read, “People’s Government of Wanghai City,” and beneath it were the large characters “Nie Zhenbang.” In the sender’s name and address section, only a rough address was written. It turned out to be an anonymous letter. (