21: Chapter 21 County Head and County Party Secretary

The mutual flattery between the two also carried a sense of mutual probing.

Secretary Wang Shengli wanted to see what this young man, who seemed to have a significant background, was truly like and whether he could be utilized.

Primarily, the credentials of Sun Ning as a graduate student in economics from Peking University were simply too tempting for him.

Furthermore, he also had over a year of work experience at the Development and Reform Commission.

These attributes were far superior to those of the local 'mud-legged' faction in Gongfan County.

Although the economic development of Gongfan County was good and the momentum was quite strong,

it relied more on mineral resources and geographical location.

He knew that this honor was only relative to the central provinces; compared to the economically powerful provinces in the southeast, it was far behind.

And in terms of talent reserves, the difference was like heaven and earth.

When Sun Ning's resume appeared before him, he decided to make use of him.

However, he was also afraid that Sun Ning was just like those spoiled rich kids—gold on the outside, but rotten on the inside.

After some pleasantries, the two finally got to the point.

"Officer Xiao Sun, how do you plan to develop Mishui Township?"

"County Magistrate, without investigation, there is no right to speak. I currently do not have an intuitive understanding of Mishui Township."

"I plan to spend about a month walking around Mishui Township."

"Based on the specific conditions of Mishui Township, I will develop its economy according to local circumstances."

"When the time comes, I will write a report and personally present it to you, County Magistrate, for your review, and I also ask for your criticism and corrections."

Secretary Wang Shengli listened very carefully, nodding repeatedly, and the smile on his face grew wider.

"Haha, good, good, good..."

"What a great 'without investigation, there is no right to speak'."

"What a great 'according to local circumstances'."

"I will wait for your report."

From this, it was clear that Secretary Wang Shengli was increasingly appreciative of Sun Ning.

After chatting for a few more minutes, Sun Ning bid farewell.

He had not expected today's introductory visit to go so smoothly; it even exceeded his expectations.

With the support of Secretary Wang Shengli, his work would be smoother.

Secretary Wang Shengli even happily walked Sun Ning to the door, a gesture that prompted his secretary, Secretary Li Chengping, to take out a small notebook and write down Sun Ning's name.

This small notebook recorded everyone he considered important.

After leaving the West Building, Sun Ning rushed to the 7th floor of the East Building.

Compared to the County Government building, his arrival at the County Party Committee building was not as smooth.

He had already been sitting dryly outside the office of Vice Mayor Wang Pingan for an hour.

Sun Ning had not expected that, even though they were both secretaries, the difference in their conduct would be so great.

Upon hearing that Sun Ning was the Deputy Party Secretary and Acting Township Head of Mishui Township, Huang Weimin, the secretary to the County Party Committee Secretary, acted very coldly.

He did not go inside to announce him.

Instead, he made Sun Ning wait there, bluntly stating that the Party Secretary was busy with work.

During this hour, Sun Ning saw two people being led inside by Huang Weimin.

Sun Ning knew that he was being looked down upon by this top secretary of the County Party Committee.

It was also possible that because he hadn't called ahead, this big secretary was somewhat jealous.

Sun Ning didn't mind; in his past life, he didn't know how many cold benches he had sat on.

This was only an hour.

His longest record was sitting dryly for three days at the Finance Bureau before he finally got the necessary funds allocated to Mishui Township.

Sun Ning sat composedly outside the Party Secretary's door for another half hour until it was almost time to get off work; only then did Huang Weimin go in to announce him.

Sun Ning, who had been resting with his eyes closed, finally heard movement from the Party Secretary's office.

Before long, Huang Weimin came to 'summon' Sun Ning for an audience.

Just as Sun Ning walked to the door, Vice Mayor Wang Pingan stepped out from behind his desk at the perfect moment.

Sun Ning knew that this step was taken for the sake of Gao Feng.

And not for Gao Feng's current position, but for the upcoming mayoral throne.

"Officer Xiao Sun, right? Haha, why did you come in the middle of the day?"

Sun Ning scratched his head at the right moment, looking just like a young man should.

"Hello, Party Secretary. Sun Ning is here to report to you. I just arrived in our Gongfan County and went to report to the County Magistrate first."

"I thought I would free up more time to report my work to you."

"I didn't expect you to be so busy with official duties. It was my negligence; I should have called to make an appointment first."

Huang Weimin, who hadn't had a chance to leave yet, was breaking out in a cold sweat.

Just a moment ago, when Vice Mayor Wang Pingan stepped out from his desk, Huang Weimin had already realized something was wrong.

However, he held onto a fluke mentality, thinking that Sun Ning wouldn't report him specifically for such a small matter.

After all, it wasn't worth offending him, the number two leader of Gongfan County.

Little did he know that even before he had left the office, Sun Ning had already started bad-mouthing him.

"Nonsense!"

These two words struck his heart like a thousand-pound hammer.

Just as he didn't know how to explain,

Vice Mayor Wang Pingan said again, "In the future, Officer Xiao Sun doesn't need to make a report when coming over."

This sentence made his heart, which had been raised, drop back down.

It seemed that Vice Mayor Wang Pingan was saying there was no need to report, and he could bring Sun Ning directly to the Party Secretary's office.

In reality, this sentence was just a pleasantry.

Sun Ning certainly wasn't that ignorant of social norms; he would definitely have to announce himself anyway.

However, Huang Weimin still heard another layer of meaning: this person had connections.

Surface-level work still needed to be done properly.

In an instant, Huang Weimin committed Sun Ning's name to memory.

As for whether he held any jealousy, that was unknown.

After Sun Ning hurriedly expressed his thanks, the two began to chat.

Vice Mayor Wang Pingan was mostly concerned about Sun Ning's living conditions.

For example, whether he was used to life in Mishui Township, and so on.

More importantly, he was constantly probing Sun Ning's background.

Mainly Sun Ning's connections in the capital and his relationship with Gao Feng.

However, Sun Ning's answers always skirted the important issues and did not actually satisfy Vice Mayor Wang Pingan's curiosity.

What Sun Ning didn't know was that ever since Gao Feng decided to transfer him to Gongfan County,

he had repeatedly studied Sun Ning's file.

He discovered that regardless of age, place of origin, or background, he could not find any relationship between Sun Ning and Gao Feng.

And the rural background in the file had completely blinded him.

The only similarity he found between Sun Ning and Gao Feng was that they both graduated from Yanjing University.

And Sun Ning's place of origin indicated that he was not someone with a deep background.

However, the big signboard that was Gao Feng was enough to make him enthusiastic about Sun Ning.

Since it was almost time to get off work, Sun Ning didn't stay long and bid farewell.

Vice Mayor Wang Pingan shouted to the outside: "Xiao Huang, see Officer Xiao Sun out for me."

Huang Weimin, who was constantly monitoring the movement inside the room, immediately entered to see Sun Ning out.

In the hallway, Huang Weimin said sinisterly: "Township Head Sun, I apologize for today; it was my poor hospitality. If there is a chance, I will definitely host you properly, Township Head Sun."

This was said in a sarcastic tone, clearly carrying other implications.

Idiot!

This was Sun Ning's evaluation of this top secretary of the County Party Committee.

He couldn't help but think that this top secretary of the County Party Committee really had been flattered to the heavens.

He actually regarded himself as the number two leader.

Knowing that Vice Mayor Wang Pingan valued him quite a bit, he still dared to threaten him.

Who gave him the guts?

Just because of his act of bad-mouthing him earlier?

Sun Ning didn't take his threat to heart.

Instead, he said calmly: "Then I will respectfully accept your offer and look forward to seeing how Deputy Director Huang will host me."

"You!"

Sun Ning's simple sentence caused this big secretary to completely lose his composure.

However, he had no way to counterattack Sun Ning, so he flicked his sleeves and left.