113: Chapter 113 Casual Chat

When Sun Ning saw it was a call from Secretary Wang Shengli, he assumed he was asking about the Heyang Daily matter.

He replied cheerfully, "Party Secretary, have you heard? It's hard to explain in a sentence or two over the phone. I'll go to the County Government later to report to you."

Secretary Wang Shengli on the other end of the line was almost amused to the point of anger, "I don't know a damn thing. I don't know anything at all."

"What earth-shattering thing have you done?"

"Do you know? You've poked a hole in the sky. Municipal Party Committee Secretary Zheng wants you to set off immediately to report on your work, and you're to go to the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee building."

"It's related to today's Heyang Daily report."

Sun Ning's heart stirred; this effect was even better than he had anticipated.

Secretary Wang Shengli specifically named him to go to the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee building to see him, and it was an emergency summons.

It was obvious that Zheng Zhanzhong had received the news at the Provincial Party Committee.

Sun Ning was excited. He suppressed his inner agitation and said calmly, "Party Secretary, Party Secretary Xue and I will set off immediately. We'll see you at the Provincial Party Committee."

Taking the expressway from Gongfan County to Zhongzhou City is the fastest route.

And starting from Mishui Township and taking Provincial Highway 314 is the fastest.

Although Gongfan County is a bit further away, the time to reach the destination is about the same.

Therefore, there was no need for Sun Ning to wait for the leadership in Mishui Township; that would only waste more time.

After hanging up the phone, Sun Ning went out to Secretary Xue Hongtao's office.

And Secretary Xue Hongtao happened to be coming out of his office as well.

The two of them exchanged a look and, with mutual understanding, walked out of the office building together.

"Is it because of the Daily Newspaper matter?"

Hearing that Municipal Party Committee Secretary Zheng had summoned them, Secretary Xue Hongtao's first reaction was also that it was about the Daily Newspaper.

It was just that nothing major had happened in Mishui Township recently!

"Yes, it is about the Daily Newspaper!"

"Sun Ning, you've really launched a big satellite this time."

"Party Secretary, I should say that it's our Mishui Township that has launched a big satellite."

The two walked to the car, and Sun Ning opened the door, inviting Secretary Xue Hongtao to get in first.

To be honest, Sun Ning preferred to sit in the passenger seat of a Santana.

He was so tall that sitting in the back made his knees hurt.

But there were some things he needed to discuss with Secretary Xue Hongtao today.

So he sat in the passenger seat.

"Xiao Wang, go to the Provincial Party Committee compound, as fast as you can."

"Party Secretary, I apologize. I didn't expect to cause such a big stir. I expect I've troubled you to have to make this trip."

After instructing the driver, Xiao Wang, to drive faster, Sun Ning apologized to Secretary Xue Hongtao.

This was also the explanation he had been thinking about for a long time.

He couldn't be vague or insincere with Secretary Xue Hongtao; doing so would only damage their friendship.

Being straightforward actually prevented Secretary Xue Hongtao from having any resentment.

The current situation was already very clear.

Mishui Township had launched a big satellite, and the Provincial Party Committee leadership had taken notice.

The Municipal Party Committee Secretary had even summoned them to the Standing Committee building in the Provincial Party Committee compound, not the Zhongzhou Municipal Committee compound.

Then it was easy to imagine that this matter had taken place at the Provincial Party Committee.

Would there be rewards for merit after this?

Sun Ning's promotion to a full section-level position last year was already an exceptional promotion, so now he could only be given a more important role.

The positions in Gongfan County that could be considered important roles were either the Party Secretary of Mishui Township.

Or a series of positions like Director of the County Development and Reform Commission, Director of the Government Office, or Executive Deputy Minister of the County Organization Department.

However, this place, Mishui Township, had already been noted by the three-person group of the Provincial Party Committee.

The city leaders would certainly have to consider the subsequent development of Mishui Township, right?

Mishui Township had just gotten off to a good start, and the foundation wasn't solid yet.

Wouldn't transferring Sun Ning away right now be bad for the future of Mishui Township?

The most likely scenario was that Sun Ning would be appointed as the Party Secretary of Mishui Township.

Then what about Secretary Xue Hongtao?

"Hey, that Mishui Township could reach where it is today is something I never dared to imagine before. I'm content, and I can spend my later years in peace."

"Party Secretary, you are in your prime and at a time to accomplish great things. You could still work in Gongfan County for another two or three years and mentor us young people."

"I'm old, I can't handle the hustle anymore, and I don't want to. I'll go to Zhongzhou City and look after my grandchildren."

"Party Secretary, there's no need to hustle. I think Secretary Wang Shengli would have to invite you over."

Sun Ning wasn't joking when he said this.

Of course, it wasn't that Secretary Wang Shengli would personally invite Secretary Xue Hongtao into the county; he didn't have enough influence to affect the Municipal Organization Department.

With such a great achievement, if Sun Ning were promoted, would they force Secretary Xue Hongtao into early retirement?

How would the leaders handle themselves if they did that?

You don't have a position in Gongfan County?

It doesn't matter, Zhongzhou City has them.

With so many bureaus and committees, where couldn't they arrange for a Deputy Director position?

If Zhongzhou City couldn't arrange it, then they could arrange it at the provincial level.

When has our country ever mistreated those who have made contributions?

Secretary Xue Hongtao didn't intend to dwell on this matter, but his mood felt somewhat heavy.

"Sun Ning, Mishui Township is the place where I have always struggled. I truly hope Mishui Township does well."

"You came from the ministry, giving me hope, and giving the fifty thousand people of Mishui Township hope."

"Now we have finally seen results."

"Sun Ning, in the system, we must always guard against arrogance and rashness, and always put the interests of the people first."

"With you in Mishui Township, I am very reassured, but you cannot stay in Mishui Township forever."

"Cultivating and managing cadres has become your most important work for the future."

"I hope that when I retire in two years and return to Mishui Township, it will truly have become what you planned."

Secretary Xue Hongtao's words completely cast aside their official positions.

He was educating Sun Ning as if he were his own nephew.

And Sun Ning remained a listener.

Sometimes listening is the greatest form of respect.

When Secretary Xue Hongtao finished speaking, Sun Ning said sincerely, "Thank you for your teachings, Party Secretary. I will always keep them in my heart."

"Haha, Sun Ning, you're being too serious. It's just the two of us chatting."

The atmosphere became much more relaxed after that.

Sun Ning also started chatting with Secretary Xue Hongtao about family matters.

It was rare for the two of them to have so much time together.

Secretary Xue Hongtao gossiped about Sun Ning's marriage prospects.

Sun Ning also learned about his family situation.

Secretary Xue Hongtao had two children, a son and a daughter; the country only established the basic national policy of family planning after he had finished having his two children.

Now both children were married and were working and living in Zhongzhou City.

His eldest son worked at the Yellow River Conservancy Commission Research Institute.

His second daughter was a doctor at the Provincial People's Hospital.

Secretary Xue Hongtao's wife was looking after the children for their eldest son's family.

The whole family was happy and fulfilled.

"You are very blessed, Party Secretary!"

"Haha..."

Secretary Xue Hongtao was proudest of his two children, and he accepted Sun Ning's praise completely.

Just during this laughter, Sun Ning's phone rang.

"Our Great Township Head Sun, you've caused such a big stir in Mishui Township, yet the County Party Committee and County Government haven't received a shred of news!"

"You didn't even inform the Propaganda Department."

"It has put our County Party Committee and County Government in a very passive position."

As soon as the call connected, Secretary Wang Shengli's complaining voice filled his ears.

Sun Ning waited for Secretary Wang Shengli to finish venting and smiled, "Party Secretary, we didn't know if it would be reported, so we didn't dare to disturb the leadership."

This statement was, more or less, nonsense.

But it was also a good way to back down, and Secretary Wang Shengli took the opportunity to climb down.

"Fortunately, it's not a bad thing. Have you set off? Have you brought all the materials for Mishui Township?"