158: Chapter 158 Boarding the Car and Accompanying

County Party Secretary Yuan Kai nodded slightly, his gaze like a torch as he asked, "Have the police deployments along the route been put in place?"

"Report, Secretary Yuan!"

Police Chief Xiao Shiguang straightened his back, his voice resonant.

"Police officers have been stationed at all key sections, and the traffic control plan has been initiated to ensure there are no slip-ups!"

County Party Secretary Yuan Kai nodded in satisfaction and raised his hand to check his watch.

Although it was mid-September, the 'Autumn Tiger' heat was still fierce; the scorching sun baked the asphalt road, sending up waves of heat.

Since they hadn't yet received the specific location of Secretary Zhao's motorcade, County Party Secretary Yuan Kai signaled everyone to wait in their cars for now.

The leaders returned to their cars to enjoy the air conditioning, yet they still peered through the windows from time to time, afraid of missing any updates.

At 10:30, County Office Director Zhu Quanyou's mobile phone rang again. The voice on the other end was urgent and clear: "Secretary Zhao's motorcade has left the Xinying City urban area and is heading towards Anjiang County!"

This announcement was like the firing of a starter pistol; the members of the County Party Committee immediately pushed open their car doors and stepped out quickly.

Led by County Party Secretary Yuan Kai, they lined up neatly on both sides of the road according to their pre-arranged positions and rank.

Under the sun, the group stood tall with solemn expressions, their gazes fixed collectively on the distance.

The air was filled with a solemn and tense atmosphere. A breeze blew past, but it could not disperse the sweat on everyone's foreheads.

Everyone subconsciously adjusted their already neat attire, straightening their ties and smoothing their lapels.

The sound of police sirens could be heard faintly in the distance, and everyone's heartbeats involuntarily quickened.

At this moment, time seemed to stretch infinitely; every second felt exceptionally long and precious.

As the hour hand was about to point to eleven, a police car finally appeared at the end of the road in the distance, driving slowly.

In an instant, everyone present held their breath; the air seemed to freeze.

The police car, flashing its red and blue lights, approached from the distance and came to a steady stop in front of the welcoming party.

Following closely behind was a minibus, and at the end of the motorcade were several black sedans with dark, anti-peeping window film, exuding solemnity and mystery.

After the minibus came to a stop, the window slowly rolled down. Municipal Party Secretary Guo Zhenhua leaned out, his gaze like a torch, his voice steady and powerful: "Secretary Zhao requests that County Party Secretary Yuan Kai and Li Dakang board the vehicle. Other comrades, please return to your respective posts to continue your work."

A hard-to-hide joy flashed in County Party Secretary Yuan Kai's eyes. He discreetly adjusted his suit collar and exchanged a knowing look with Li Dakang beside him.

The two men walked with steady steps toward the minibus, boarding the special vehicle amidst the envious and expectant gazes of the crowd.

The moment the car door closed, it seemed to signal the beginning of this important meeting.

The others stood in place, watching the minibus drive away, their faces unable to hide their disappointment. The Provincial Party Secretary was within arm's reach, yet they hadn't even had the chance to step forward and greet him. This feeling of being so close yet so far cast a shadow over their hearts.

County Magistrate Zeng Xuejun's expression was particularly gloomy; he pressed his lips together tightly, his hands unconsciously clenched into fists.

It was understandable that County Party Secretary Yuan Kai was named to board the car, but for Li Dakang, a Township Party Committee secretary, to receive such an honor made his heart churn with bitterness.

But upon second thought, Provincial Party Secretary Zhao Lichun's trip was specifically for an inspection of Guantian Township, so it was reasonable for Li Dakang to accompany him as the local chief official.

The other standing committee members also sighed inwardly, wishing they could swap places with Li Dakang, even if just to stand briefly beside Provincial Party Secretary Zhao Lichun and hear a few words of instruction.

Not until the motorcade of Provincial Party Secretary Zhao Lichun disappeared at the end of the road did County Magistrate Zeng Xuejun take a deep breath, suppressing his unwillingness, and say in a low voice, "Everyone, get in your cars."

The crowd seemed to wake from a dream, dragging their heavy feet back to their vehicles, slowly following the dust kicked up in front as they drove toward their destination.

Inside the minibus, Provincial Party Secretary Zhao Lichun had originally been resting with his eyes closed, his expression calm and dignified. But the moment Li Dakang boarded, his sharp eyes suddenly opened, and a barely perceptible ripple flashed across his eyes.

County Party Secretary Yuan Kai straightened his back, his hands resting on his knees, his voice respectful and steady: "Secretary Zhao, on behalf of the four major leadership bodies of Anjiang County and all the cadres and masses of the county, I warmly welcome you to guide our work."

He had rehearsed countless opening remarks in his mind, but at this moment, facing this high-ranking official, only his heartfelt reverence felt truly genuine.

Li Dakang stood beside County Party Secretary Yuan Kai, wearing a humble smile, and bowed slightly, saying, "Hello, Secretary Zhao."

The greeting was concise and powerful, neither deliberately fawning nor lacking in appropriate respect.

Provincial Party Secretary Zhao Lichun's gaze drifted slowly between the two, finally settling on County Party Secretary Yuan Kai. He raised his hand slightly, his voice low and magnetic: "Comrade Yuan Kai, let's first have a brief report on the overall work situation in Anjiang County."

This casual instruction caused the atmosphere inside the car to instantly become heavy.

County Party Secretary Yuan Kai was well-prepared. He calmly took out his speech notes from his briefcase and began to report on the development of Anjiang County in recent years in a clear and organized manner.

His voice was steady; every figure was precise to two decimal places, and every highlight was supported by detailed case studies.

"Especially since last year."

County Party Secretary Yuan Kai's tone involuntarily rose a little: "Our county's various economic indicators have all achieved double-digit growth, fiscal revenue has increased by 38.7% year-on-year, and the per capita disposable income of urban and rural residents has increased by..."

The electronics factory project in Guantian Township was highlighted by County Party Secretary Yuan Kai. This key project, with an investment of 50 million yuan, drove the clustered development of the entire industrial chain and created 12,000 jobs, allowing local residents to achieve "employment right at their doorstep."