Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 1111 - Chapter 1111 Chapter 1067 An Inspection Without Rehearsal

Chapter 1111: Chapter 1067: An Inspection Without Rehearsal Chapter 1111: Chapter 1067: An Inspection Without Rehearsal The dragon and lion dance troupes have blocked the road traffic?

This sentence, suddenly, made the faces of the two accompanying leaders from Luji City change.

In Hongjiang Province, as a province in the Southern region, there are also many folk customs during the Spring Festival period. During the first lunar month, when people take time off, villagers, or a group within the village, each contributing one person or a few people under the leadership of someone respected in the village, organize a dragon or lion dance troupe. They would then visit each household within their own and occasionally neighboring villages, offering congratulations and performing the dragon lantern dance. This is known as Dragon Play.

According to local customs, everyone is very happy when the Dragon Play troupe arrives, as it represents joy and blessings. It’s a sign of good omens.

Generally, they are greeted with firecrackers and then given red envelopes. Some also receive physical gifts like cigarettes. The Dragon Play troupe then puts on an energetic performance. Finally, when the performance ends, they are politely sent off with more firecrackers and proceed to the next household.

The two senior leaders of Luji City were, of course, clear and understanding of these folk customs and traditions. This was quite normal.

In previous years, when dragon and lion dance troupes were inspired on the road, they occasionally stopped passing buses to perform.

This was not unusual, as hanging a piece of red silk on the bus symbolized a safe and prosperous journey. Moreover, they didn’t ask for much. The bus drivers would give a red packet of five or ten yuan as a symbolic gesture.

However, what was customary in the past is not the same today. There are no minor matters when it comes to leaders. Bu Rongchang and Lu Yong felt some anxiety. People in Jinyang County were really clueless. At such an important time, with such an important event, how could they allow Secretary Nie to be blocked on the road.

The two men exchanged glances, and Lu Yong walked to the back of the car and picked up the phone to dial: “Wu Daji, what the hell are you doing? The road in Tuan Mountain Village is blocked by the Dragon Play team, don’t you know? Get the traffic police over here right away to direct the traffic.”

Despite his low voice, Nie Zhenbang could hear Lu Yong clearly from inside the small car.

After finishing the call, Lu Yong came back, nodding at Bu Rongchang as their eyes met.

Bu Rongchang also spoke, “Secretary Nie, we are truly sorry. We did not handle the situation adequately. Please rest assured, Secretary Nie. The people in Jinyang County are already organizing. The traffic police will arrive very soon.”

But Nie Zhenbang just smiled and said, “Secretary Rongchang, Mayor Lu Yong, this is not a big deal. It’s the Spring Festival period right now. Rural dragon and lion dancing is a tradition in our country. This fully shows that rural work in Luji City is well done. The construction of rural spiritual civilization is good. Such scenes are authentic. You all are just being too cautious. Comrade Lu Yong, you even called to criticize the comrades in Jinyang County, but I think there isn’t any need for that at all.”

Nie Zhenbang’s candid words made Lu Yong and Bu Rongchang somewhat embarrassed.

Lu Yong smiled and said, “Secretary Nie’s criticism is correct. We will definitely reflect and correct our behavior.”

As Lu Yong finished speaking, Nie Zhenbang stood up, looked at the accompanying officials, and said, “Since the car can’t move for now, I’ve actually become a bit curious. Let’s all go down and take a look.”

At Nie Zhenbang’s words, both Bu Rongchang and Lu Yong’s expressions turned grim, fearing the worst–what they had feared most had come to pass.

Inspecting leaders, generally speaking, involves advance arrangements and preparations for the places and units that are being examined. This isn’t to say that local grassroots units always fool their leaders or rely on rehearsals to deceive them.

Most importantly, unscripted visits can be problematic. No one knows what the common folk will say at the grassroots level. Even though most of it would be good, and even if it were a moderately prosperous or affluent village, no one could guarantee that everything they do is perfect. Therefore, no matter who the leader is, they most fear these unexpected inspections.

Yet, since Nie Zhenbang had spoken, naturally no one dared to oppose it. In Hongjiang Province, who doesn’t know the character of Secretary Nie?

Xu Hongzhuan stood up, saying, “If the Secretary is interested, I definitely have no objections.”

Vice Governor Liu Yaowen, in charge of the matter, also smiled and said, “In the North, there are temple fairs and twisted yangko dance during the Spring Festival. In the Southern regions, places like Chunan have the tradition of Dragon Play and singing local operas. Here by the Hongjiang River, we also have the custom of dragon and lion dances. If Secretary Nie is interested, I will naturally accompany him.”

As the Vice Governor in charge, and someone with a good relationship with Nie Zhenbang, Liu Yaowen also hoped to advance further during the reorganization in Hongjiang. He didn’t dare hope for much, but a Vice Governor and standing committee member seemed very much within reach to him.

Regrettably, Nie Zhenbang had no idea what Liu Yaowen was thinking; if he had known, he would probably have offered a wry smile. This time, the personnel adjustments in the Hongjiang River area had nothing at all to do with the river itself.

In the car, the three provincial and ministerial-level bigwigs had already spoken; Bu Rongchang and Lu Yong had no choice. The car door had opened, and Nie Zhenbang had been the first to walk out. By his side, Xu Hongzhuan was on the left, and Liu Yaowen on the right. Nie Zhenbang’s guard, Dai Fei, followed closely behind him, about a meter away. From this position, he had the widest field of view and could fully ensure Nie Zhenbang’s safety under any circumstances.

Behind them, Bu Rongchang, Lu Yong, and the accompanying leaders and journalists naturally got out and followed.

The cars causing the blockage up ahead were not numerous, about four or five at most. In fact, traffic on the Lu-Jin Highway was quite smooth.

The main reason for the traffic congestion was due to the overly large dragon play team. Clearly, Long was a big dragon, with just the lifters numbering in their twenties; the entire dragon stretched out to three to four meters. Besides, including the musicians, bag carriers, and ordinary folks following for a glimpse of the spectacle, there were easily over a hundred people.

With the arrival of Nie Zhenbang and others, this also aroused the curiosity of many; Nie Zhenbang’s entourage was indeed very eye-catching.

Looked up and down, there were about twenty people, and each one at the front had an impressive demeanor, embodying the standard image of a leader. Add to that the journalists and cameras following; as soon as they arrived, the clamorous atmosphere suddenly went cold. The scene became exceptionally quiet.

Seeing this, Nie Zhenbang smiled and said, “Hello, fellow villagers. I’ve come to wish you all a happy new year.”

In recent years, Nie Zhenbang’s prestige within Hongjiang Province had reached a pinnacle. In his two years in office, the economy of the entire province had made great strides and seen substantial development. People’s lives were growing richer and richer.

The common people may not understand the big principles, but they were clear about the tangible benefits, the real changes they felt. Nowadays, in Hongjiang, there was no one who didn’t speak well of Secretary Nie.

Furthermore, Nie Zhenbang had made numerous appearances on the Hongjiang Province Station, almost as if he would appear every day or so.

As his words fell, some among the crowd started shouting, “Secretary Nie, it’s Secretary Nie. Secretary Nie is here!”

“Secretary Nie? Which Secretary Nie?”

“Liu Limp, you don’t know about Secretary Nie? Isn’t he the one you’ve been always talking about? Without his good policies, would you, Liu Limp, have been able to marry into wealth?”

Within the crowd, the common people exchanged words, and the atmosphere immediately reached a climax.

Meanwhile, Nie Zhenbang also smiled and said, “Folks, look, we have blocked the road traffic here; that won’t do. How about we move aside and let the convoy pass first? What do you say?”

Nie Zhenbang’s influence was by no means an empty boast. His words prompted the Dragon Play Team to immediately start moving, quickly clearing the road again.

At that moment, Nie Zhenbang also stepped forward to meet them, walking into the midst of the villagers with a smile, “My fellow villagers, are you folks from the village nearby? Is there a village cadre leading the Dragon Play Team?”

Following Nie Zhenbang’s inquiry, one of the drummers from the dragon play team came forward, a forthright middle-aged man around forty, who smiled and said, “Hello, Secretary Nie. I am Liu Haijun, the village party secretary of Tuan Mountain Village.”

Nie Zhenbang nodded and responded, “Good job, Secretary Liu. Tuan Mountain Village has done well in promoting cultural activities. The festive atmosphere for the new year is really strong. I hope you don’t mind me visiting your Tuan Mountain Village.”

At this point, things had moved beyond control. Behind them, Bu Rongchang and Lu Yong exchanged glances, each reading the outcome in the other’s eyes. At this time, they could only leave it to fate.

Guided by Liu Haijun, the procession embarked grandly toward a side road, which was also paved with cement, about three meters wide, extending inward, with the highway passing by the entrance of every house.

Walking by Nie Zhenbang’s side, the village party secretary of Tuan Mountain Village, Liu Haijun, listened as Nie Zhenbang, now smiling, asked, “Old Liu, how was the village’s income last year?”

At this question, Liu Haijun’s face lit up with excitement, “Secretary Nie, thanks to the party’s policies. In these past two years, Hongjiang has been vigorously developing the tourism industry. Here in Luji City, under the care of the city and county, we’ve adapted to local conditions. Although Tuan Mountain Village is not in the tourist area, nor does it have any tourist attractions, the rural homestays in several tourist spots within Jinyang County are booming. Here, the local leaders vigorously promote the breeding industry. Every household has developed green breeding, and our free-range chickens and pigs are in high demand. Now, everyone’s life is getting better, and there’s no longer any need to go out for work. Everyone is employed locally, and our lives are getting more and more promising.” (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to NovelFire.net to vote for recommendation tickets, monthly tickets; your support is my greatest motivation.)

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