117: Chapter 117 'Tao'

Sun Ning's remarks regarding "enriching the people" were somewhat bold.

Nowadays, governments everywhere are racking their brains trying to secure funding and favorable policies.

Any money they manage to save up is usually earmarked for infrastructure projects.

Building roads, expanding the city, or even constructing parks, plazas, and the like.

Aren't these tangible achievements once they're completed?

Yet Mishui Township distributed the money they obtained directly to the common people, and even openly declared their intent to "enrich the people."

This runs counter to the governing policies of many other places.

But Sun Ning wasn't afraid; he believed that if one wants to make progress within the system, they must have their own style.

"Enriching the people" is the governing style he has always practiced and adhered to.

This is the 'Way' for someone working within the system.

He is not a politician who creates self-serving achievements just to climb the ladder; that is merely 'technique.'

Such people have degenerated into machines, and Sun Ning felt pity for them from the bottom of his heart.

Furthermore, having one's own governing style—that is, a 'Way'—is the only way to gather like-minded people together.

This is how factions are formed.

Sun Ning never viewed the word "faction" as a derogatory term.

A group of people coming together for a noble goal, working together to build a beautiful motherland.

These are all positive examples.

Secretary Zheng did not respond to Sun Ning's words, instead signaling for him to continue.

Sun Ning then briefly recounted the situation in Mishui Township.

Then, there was a knock at the door, and Director Diao Bin said softly: "Party Secretary, it's time for you to leave."

Secretary Zheng subconsciously raised his hand to check the time.

By this time, the three from Sun Ning's group had finished their report, and seeing the situation, they quickly took their leave.

Upon leaving the Standing Committee building, Secretary Wang Shengli let out a long breath to calm his nerves.

"Sun Ning, how should we handle that Government Service Hall!"

He knew that Secretary Zheng valued this matter the most.

Therefore, he had to treat this as a major priority.

"Party Secretary, first we need to select a site and build the facility, and the counters should be modeled after bank counters. But right now, the most important thing is to host the inspection team from the provincial level."

"I'll head back with our Party Secretary to make the preparations."

"I suggest you make the site selection large enough to be convenient for the general public."

Secretary Wang Shengli also knew that the most important task right now was selecting the site and constructing the building.

But for a county, isn't selecting a site and putting up a building a significant undertaking?

Never underestimate the government's determination when they get serious.

When they truly want to get something done, the speed is astonishing.

However, Secretary Wang Shengli also knew that Sun Ning's most important task at the moment was hosting the inspection team.

Especially the interview by the provincial television station.

That would mean appearing in front of the common people across the entire province.

And the footage regarding the Government Service Hall might even make it onto CCTV-1.

Sun Ning guessed that the possibility was very high.

He didn't even need to ask Zhao Xue for help.

The bigwigs at the provincial level would ensure that this footage made it onto CCTV.

This was also the reason why Sun Ning told Secretary Zheng that things had happened too suddenly and that there wasn't a new office building available yet.

Secretary Wang Shengli left in his own car.

Sun Ning saw Secretary Xue Hongtao into his car: "Party Secretary, you head back first. I have some personal business to attend to, but I won't miss the afternoon meeting."

Although Secretary Xue Hongtao hadn't mentioned a meeting.

Both of them knew that there would inevitably be a meeting in the afternoon.

The reason Sun Ning stayed in Zhongzhou was to take advantage of the time before noon to meet with Gao Feng.

He needed to give Gao Feng a brief report so that Gao Feng wouldn't be in the dark about the situation.

The most important thing was that he didn't want to be transferred to the county level.

Just now, Secretary Zheng hadn't given a direct answer to his question, and he was uneasy.

He had no choice but to ask Gao Feng to mediate.

"Senior Brother, I'm in Zhongzhou. Shall we have lunch at home?"

"Sun Ning, I was just about to call you. The Municipal Party Committee Office just issued a temporary notice for a Standing Committee meeting this afternoon for the comrades who are in town. The agenda is about you."

Sun Ning's heart skipped a beat; it was coming after all.

He had no personal relationship with Secretary Zheng, so Secretary Zheng would certainly act in the interest of Zhongzhou, not him.

If Secretary Zheng was determined to make him a Deputy County Magistrate, Gao Feng certainly wouldn't be able to stop it.

"I'm leaving from the Provincial Party Committee now. Let's meet at home."

Sun Ning didn't say anything more, hung up the phone, and hailed a taxi to the Municipal Government residential compound.

The old man opened the door as always, and Sun Ning felt that the old man's days of being cooped up were numbered.

After Gao Feng became Mayor, more people visited their home, disturbing the old man's peace.

The old man and his generation couldn't stand these things, so he kept insisting on returning to his hometown.

Naturally, Gao Feng wouldn't allow that.

The old man didn't know why he had been brought here, but Gao Feng knew.

What, the old man leaves just as you've become Mayor?

And then you conveniently dismantle the surveillance cameras?

How could such a coincidence exist in the world?

Although everyone knew that Gao Feng installed the surveillance cameras for the old man's own good.

But the fact that Gao Feng installed surveillance cameras in his home is still criticized by some.

Therefore, Gao Feng begged the old man to stay for a while longer.

And now, it was almost time for the old man to leave.

By then, Gao Feng would surely dismantle the surveillance cameras with great fanfare.

"Why did you bring more things over, you rascal."

"I heard you were going back, so I brought you some specialties from Heyang to share with your old friends."

Whenever the old man was there, Sun Ning never came empty-handed.

Not coming empty-handed when visiting elders is the most basic etiquette.

The two chatted for a while, and then Gao Feng came home from work.

"I'm going to cook some noodles."

Seeing that Gao Feng was back, the old man went into the kitchen to cook noodles, leaving the space for the two brothers.

Sun Ning coming over in the middle of the day—the old man wouldn't believe it if he said there was nothing going on!

Unlike Sun Ning's slightly serious expression, Gao Feng was actually quite happy.

"Sun Ning, congratulations! You've achieved such results in Mishui Township that it's even reached the provincial level!"

"Senior Brother, I didn't intend for it to happen this way. I thought it would be amazing if just one or two leaders noticed it, but who knew it would be brought up at the Party Secretary's office meeting."

"Isn't this a good thing? Why do you look so preoccupied?"

"Secretary Zheng summoned me this morning and promised me a position as Deputy County Magistrate in charge of the Government Service Hall."

Then Sun Ning recounted everything about his meeting with Secretary Zheng this morning.

He tried his best to describe Secretary Zheng's tone and demeanor so that Gao Feng wouldn't misjudge the situation.

"Mayor, look at this mess. If I'm a Deputy County Magistrate in charge of the Government Service Hall, what will I be able to do once the Government Service Hall is up and running?"

Hearing Sun Ning say this, Gao Feng also turned serious.

In fact, Sun Ning had discussed his plans with Gao Feng.

To advance to Party Secretary of Mishui Township—once the seniority and achievements were there—he could naturally be appointed to the Standing Committee, and then serve a term as head of the County Organization Department.

Now, the power of this report was too great.

It was highly likely that Sun Ning would be promoted ahead of schedule again.

Just as he said himself, what about after that?

Would he be in charge of science, education, culture, and health, or agriculture?

In any case, it was impossible for them to let him take charge of the economy and urban construction. How would the Standing Committee members and the Executive Deputy County Magistrate view that?

And how could he produce results then?

Without results, he could only muddle through three years as a Deputy County Magistrate, then advance to a Standing Committee member/Deputy County Magistrate, and only then become the Executive Deputy.

One step slow, every step slow!

Sun Ning was young now, so the advantages and disadvantages of his age weren't yet apparent.

But by the time he reached the position of a regional governor, it would be crucial.

Let alone three or five years, even half a year could be the deciding factor in whether one advances to the next level or has to serve another term.