Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 1223 - Chapter 1223 Chapter 1178 Come Over Here to Me

Chapter 1223: Chapter 1178: Come Over Here to Me Chapter 1223: Chapter 1178: Come Over Here to Me Yizhou City

The city committee and municipal government office building was as resplendent as a palace. Because of this affair, the then secretary of the Yizhou City Committee and the mayor, just like what happened in Linzhou City a while ago, were both sacked. The difference was that back then, it was the old secretary Hu Shangzhi who took the action.

However, now that the building was constructed, it couldn’t just be demolished and replaced with something more modest. Billions had been spent on this edifice that had yet to be utilized before talk of its demolition arose. Wouldn’t that be wasteful?

When Zhou Chaoguo took office as the secretary of the Yizhou City Committee thereafter, he made a deliberate display by consulting the then provincial committee secretary Hu Shangzhi and launched a nationwide public tendering and auction event. The problem was, in a place like Yizhou City, where the economy was underdeveloped and located in the inland provinces of the Western Region, there was a lack of interest. Investors were hardly keen.

Even the highest bid was only slightly over fifty million, and it came with a slew of conditions. For example, they demanded more than a thousand acres of land around the new Yizhou City Committee and municipal government building because the bidder valued the artificial lake in front of the new city committee’s courtyard and the luxurious palace-style office building. Their plan was to build a five-star hotel relying on this, along with a high-end villa residential community.

For such a request, Zhou Chaoguo naturally refused outright, not because he didn’t want to, but because he dared not. Everywhere, land around government institutions usually experiences a surge in property and land prices. In Yizhou City, the land prices around the new city committee had already reached a very high level. Let alone that the bidder’s offer was low, even at market price, Zhou Chaoguo couldn’t think of a way to arrange so much land for them.

Thus, the new Yizhou City Committee and municipal government were determined to still operate from this lavish location. The proverb goes: one person plants the trees under whose shade others sit. The predecessor had dug his own grave, only to benefit his successor unintentionally.

After checking his watch, it was already noon.

At this moment, Zhou Chaoguo’s secretary walked in from outside: “Boss, shall we keep to the usual and have lunch in the city committee’s cafeteria?”

Upon hearing the secretary’s words, Zhou Chaoguo nodded and said, “Hmm. See to the arrangements.”

Since Nie Zhenbang took office, the scene of Secretary Nie queuing up for food in the provincial committee cafeteria had become a scenery of Longxi.

Zhou Chaoguo, on the other hand, rarely ate in the cafeteria before, whether it was for social engagements, field inspections, or working meals outside. If he was in the city, he generally went home for lunch.

But ever since Nie Zhenbang’s habit became known, Zhou Chaoguo’s own habit changed as well; as long as he was in the city, he would definitely have lunch in the cafeteria.

For leadership, there are no trivial matters; details determine success or failure. Zhou Chaoguo took this saying as gospel. He consciously emulated Secretary Nie’s behavior even in the matter of queuing for food, considering that appearances stem from habit. If he did not integrate this way of life into his own habits now, then in the future, should he have the opportunity to be inspected by Secretary Nie, these actions would become second nature. Nie Zhenbang would surely view it differently. It’s all in the details.

Standing up, Zhou Chaoguo tidied the documents on his desk and, pushing his chair back, prepared to leave his office. Suddenly, the red secure phone on his desk rang shrilly.

Instantly, Zhou Chaoguo swiftly turned back, not daring to delay, and answered the phone. This line was a direct connection to the provincial committee and usually remained silent. If it rang, it was invariably a summoning from provincial committee leadership.

As soon as the phone connected, Nie Zhenbang began to roar with anger: “Zhou Chaoguo, what are you doing? Regarding the kneeling petition incident in Shuishan County, who gave you the authority? You have a lot of nerve! You even detained all the villagers who participated in the kneeling petition. Do you think that once the storm has passed and the General Secretary has gone back, everything would be alright? I’m not blind!”

A scathing rebuke could only indicate how furious Nie Zhenbang was. In his long political career, Nie Zhenbang was known for his calmness. Although he had lost his temper before–back when he was in Xinli County and later when serving at the Discipline Inspection Commission overseeing Ludong, through all these years Nie Zhenbang’s bouts of anger had been infrequent, but none as intense as now.

Clutching the receiver, Zhou Chaoguo’s eyebrows knit together as the loud and forceful voice on the other end made his ears ring.

Yet Zhou Chaoguo dared not to pull away. This kind of reaction was also a matter of habit. In day-to-day face-to-face interactions when confronted with a superior’s criticism and anger, one couldn’t very well show irritation, could they? Over time, one develops a habit. Even if separated by distance, Zhou Chaoguo still acted utterly respectful.

At this moment, Zhou Chaoguo was seething with rage inside. That damned Shuishan County, the previous incident had already put the city committee in quite a passive position. He hadn’t expected another issue to arise now.

This matter was a complete injustice for Zhou Chaoguo; it was only now through Secretary Nie that he had learned about the detention of the masses who had participated in the kneeling petition in Shuishan County.

However, at this moment, Zhou Chaoguo was acutely aware that it was absolutely impermissible to make any excuses in front of Secretary Nie, especially when Secretary Nie was filled with rage.

He was a leader himself; Zhou Chaoguo understood this well. From another perspective, when he was furiously confronting his subordinates, the more they tried to justify themselves, the more it would seem to him as shirking responsibility or showing an insincere attitude.

Therefore, putting himself in their shoes, Zhou Chaoguo didn’t offer any rebuttals. Moreover, he was very clear that he had previously been a direct subordinate in Hu Shangzhi’s faction. After Hu Shangzhi stepped down, people like Zhou Chaoguo were introduced by Hu Shangzhi and switched allegiance to Nie Zhenbang’s camp.

Although he couldn’t be considered part of the core group yet, there was still some basic acknowledgment. Zhou Chaoguo was very aware that it’s said ‘deep love begets deep resentment’; last time, after the kneeling petition incident was lightly and deftly dealt with, it was certain that Secretary Nie must have been involved in handling it.

Now, Secretary Nie’s scolding was entirely due to some annoyance with his performance. Without any objection, after Nie Zhenbang finished his tirade, Zhou Chaoguo’s demeanor was extremely sincere, “Secretary Nie, I present my self-criticism to you. It’s my fault for not fulfilling my duties adequately. Rest assured, Secretary, I will immediately convene a Yizhou City Committee meeting. And at the earliest opportunity, I will go to Shuishan County. We’ll deal seriously with anyone responsible and thoroughly investigate the entire incident.”

“Chaoguo, as the City Committee Secretary, you should always have a clear understanding of the local work. The way things are handled in Shuishan County is definitely not acceptable. That’s all for now. I’m waiting for your report at any time,” Nie Zhenbang said, his tone becoming calmer after venting his anger.

As a leader, one must keep one’s emotions from showing. It’s often said that leaders are actually the best actors. While this statement is certainly ironic, it speaks the truth.

In this respect, Nie Zhenbang had achieved a level of consummate skill. He could be extremely sincere in front of his superiors, comfortably navigate among peers, and appear both thunderous and nurturing to his subordinates.

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Chaoguo let out a long sigh. Although it was already past noon, at this moment, Zhou Chaoguo had no appetite for lunch whatsoever.

The angry reproaches from Secretary Nie didn’t concern Zhou Chaoguo; what concerned him were the gentle words that followed. As the City Committee Secretary, you need to have a clear grasp of local affairs. It was evident that this was a warning that his control over Yizhou City wasn’t strong enough.

If another decisive statement followed that ‘it is certainly not okay’, could it be a reminder that if things kept going this way, he should no longer remain as the City Committee Secretary? When the leadership has declared you inadequate, can you continue in your role? It was impossible for Zhou Chaoguo not to consider these implications.

From the time he began working until reaching his present position, Zhou Chaoguo had carefully climbed the ladder, step by step. Being cautious always avoided major mistakes.

He picked up the phone and dialed the number of the City Committee’s Secretary-General. After a few rings and a connection, Zhou Chaoguo spoke directly, “Secretary-General, please inform all the Standing Committee members at home to immediately come to the City Committee meeting room for a meeting. Secretary Nie from the Provincial Committee just called and issued important instructions.”

After hanging up, Zhou Chaoguo dialed another number, this time directly to Niu Weiping, the Shuishan County Party Secretary. As soon as the call connected, Niu Weiping’s cautious and prudent voice came through, “Secretary, hello.”

Without any preamble, Zhou Chaoguo went straight to the point, “Niu Weiping, what are you playing at? What’s the situation with the kneeling protestors in Shuishan County? Very nice, all have been detained and arrested. You’ve really exemplified the Party Committee and government’s authority.”

Zhou Chaoguo’s anger was not ordinary, and it was entirely normal. Just now, after being berated by Secretary Nie, it would be strange if he weren’t angry. Before Niu Weiping could speak, Zhou Chaoguo continued, “You, now, immediately, roll over here. I am waiting for you at the City Committee.”

After the call, Zhou Chaoguo picked up his things and walked straight into the small meeting room. It wasn’t too long before the other Standing Committee members began to file in one after another.

Everyone’s expression was stern; the content of the phone call had been shocking. Secretary Nie had delivered important directives, and moreover, directly to Zhou Chaoguo. This message was enough to make everyone feel the urgency to prepare for action.

Once everyone had arrived, Zhou Chaoguo cleared his throat and began, “Comrades, I apologize for interrupting your midday rest by summoning you here. I’m sorry for any inconvenience.”

At this point, Zhou Chaoguo looked around at everyone and said in a deep voice, “Just now, at the end of my work, I received a call from Secretary Nie. He told me on the phone that the Shuishan County’s kneeling protestors had been detained for disturbing public order.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhou Chaoguo suddenly slammed his hand on the table and shouted angrily, “Who gave Shuishan County this authority?” (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to come to Qidian (NovelFire.net) to vote with a recommendation ticket or monthly pass. Your support is my greatest motivation.)