108: Chapter 108 The Municipal Party Secretary Comes to Inspect

A brand new banner hung at the main gate, with white characters on a red background reading, "Warmly Welcome Municipal Leaders to Inspect and Guide Our Work."

"Secretary Li."

Director He Guodong of the Police Station trotted over, his police uniform epaulets shining dazzlingly in the sunlight.

"The security along the route has been arranged, and there are designated personnel monitoring the old petitioners in every village."

Li Dakang patted Director He Guodong on the shoulder: "You've worked hard, Director He."

He looked around and, seeing that all the team members had arrived, waved his hand and said: "Let's go."

Four official vehicles slowly drove out of the Township Government compound.

Thanks to the improvement in the township's financial situation, the Guantian Township Government had long since bid farewell to that old jeep; the newly purchased Santana and van meant that official travel was no longer stretched thin.

The streets along the way had clearly just been swept, and even the weeds on the roadside were trimmed neatly.

A few early-rising villagers stood by the roadside pointing and talking; the experienced ones had already guessed the reason: "Must be another big leader coming!"

In the history of Guantian Township, a visit from a leader at the level of the Municipal Party Secretary was truly rare.

For this reason, Li Dakang had emphasized resonantly at the preparatory meeting: "We must handle the reception with high standards and strict requirements; we must showcase the spirit and enthusiasm for work of the cadres and masses of Guantian Township."

The motorcade stopped at the Guantian Township boundary marker.

When Li Dakang got out of the car, the morning mist on the distant mountains had not yet dispersed.

He checked his watch; it was 8:20, still early.

"Secretary, do you want to rest by the roadside for a while?" Zheng Shijun handed over a bottle of mineral water.

Li Dakang shook his head, straightened his tie, and kept his gaze fixed on the end of the road.

This reception plan was something he had carefully considered; through Secretary Chen Bin, the secretary to Municipal Party Secretary Guo Zhenhua, he had figured out the unwritten rule of Party Secretary Bi Youshan: if subordinates did not come to the boundary to welcome him during an inspection, he would feel he was not being taken seriously.

...

On the other side, at the Anjiang County boundary, County Party Secretary Yuan Kai was leading the leaders of the four major county teams in a line, waiting.

These leaders, who were usually imposing in the county, were dressed exceptionally formally today; even the usually unkempt Deputy Director of the People's Congress, Old Liu, had put on a tie.

"Secretary Yuan, the number of times our Anjiang County has welcomed inspections by higher-level leaders during this period is much higher than in previous years."

County Magistrate Zeng Xuejun said with a chuckle.

County Party Secretary Yuan Kai smiled slightly, pride flashing in his eyes: "This shows that our work has been recognized. Party Secretary Bi Youshan coming to Guantian Township for an inspection is not only an affirmation of the work in Guantian Township but also a spur to the work of the entire county."

Minister Huang Lixin took up the conversation: "Yes, the attention of leaders is the greatest opportunity."

He spoke with hidden meaning, and the leaders present understood it implicitly; after all, the more attention from superiors, the greater the chances of promotion for cadres.

As they were speaking, a motorcade drove in from the distance.

The police car in the lead was flashing its lights, followed by a black Audi A6.

"They're here!"

Someone shouted, and everyone immediately straightened their clothes and stood up straight.

The motorcade slowly came to a halt, and Party Secretary Bi Youshan stepped out of the car.

This leader, nearly sixty years old, although having graying temples, had a steady gait, and his every gesture carried an air of authority.

County Party Secretary Yuan Kai stepped forward quickly and shook his hand with both hands: "Welcome, Party Secretary Bi Youshan, to Anjiang County to inspect and guide our work!"

"You have worked hard, Comrade Yuan Kai."

Party Secretary Bi Youshan's voice was deep and powerful; he then shook hands with the county leaders present one by one, his gaze lingering on each person's face for a moment, making everyone feel the warmth of being valued.

"Party Secretary Bi Youshan, please move to Guantian Township first; the comrades there are all prepared," County Party Secretary Yuan Kai said respectfully.

"Good, then let's go."

Party Secretary Bi Youshan patted County Party Secretary Yuan Kai on the shoulder: "You get in my car; we can chat on the way."

The black Audi started up again and headed towards Guantian Township.

Inside the car, Party Secretary Bi Youshan looked at the fields passing by outside the window and praised: "County Party Secretary Yuan Kai, Anjiang County has changed a lot; it's clear you have put in a lot of effort."

County Party Secretary Yuan Kai responded modestly: "It is all the result of the correct leadership of the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government. Especially Guantian Township, under the leadership of Comrade Li Dakang, all work has made great progress."

"I heard Li Dakang is only in his twenties this year?"

"Yes, Secretary Bi, he is twenty-three this year, a top student who graduated from Shuimu University, sent directly down from the ministries in the capital."

Party Secretary Bi Youshan nodded: "Hmm, this young man is not bad; he has ideas and can get things done."

He paused: "When employing people, we must use such cadres; no matter whose person they are, if they have ability, they should be given opportunities."

These words made County Party Secretary Yuan Kai's heart warm.

He knew clearly that although Party Secretary Bi Youshan had some faults regarding being particular about pageantry, he was truly unconventional in employing people; many capable cadres in Xinying City were promoted by this old secretary himself.

Therefore, Party Secretary Bi Youshan had high prestige in Xinying City.

The motorcade drove into the Guantian Township boundary, and from afar, they saw Li Dakang leading the township leadership team waiting in a line.

Party Secretary Bi Youshan revealed a satisfied smile at the corner of his mouth; this young man really understood the rules.

The sound of the engines faded, and the motorcade stopped steadily at the township boundary.

Li Dakang, who had been waiting here early, immediately led the township team members and stepped forward quickly, lined up neatly, with expressions respectful and enthusiastic.

County Party Secretary Yuan Kai got out of the car first and introduced to Party Secretary Bi Youshan: "Secretary Bi, this is Comrade Township Party Secretary Li Dakang, a young and promising grassroots cadre."