446: Receiving leaders

After listening to the reports from Xu Minghao and Wei Ting, Lin Zifeng nodded with satisfaction and said, "This task is our City Level's most important work in the near future; it concerns the development of our Yushu City for the next several decades."

"Therefore, every member of our Yushu City leadership team must exert their full effort. We must ensure that the jingnan high-speed railway line passes through the territory of Yushu City."

"If anyone drops the ball on this task, there won't even be a need to report them to the Chunhua Municipal Party Committee for disciplinary action; they'll be drowned in the spit of the people of Yushu City."

Everyone burst into laughter upon hearing Lin Zifeng's words.

They laughed because they had no ulterior motives regarding this matter and were all working together with a single mind, knowing how critical this was for Yushu City.

They were also confident in securing the jingnan high-speed railway line for Yushu City, which was why they could laugh at the thought of being drowned in the people's spit.

Seeing everyone's confident laughter, the corners of Lin Zifeng's mouth curled into a handsome smile. He spoke again, "Everyone, it's about time. Let's move to the main gate and prepare to welcome the leaders from the railway system!"

Everyone stood up with smiles, surrounding Lin Zifeng as they walked out of the small meeting room. After heading downstairs, they walked together toward the main gate.

Having arrived at the main gate, they chatted in low voices while waiting for the arrival of the railway system leaders.

"Secretary, regarding this inspection visit to Yushu City, the Municipal Party Committee only announced that Zhang Jiaming, the Director of the Operations Management Department of the Ministry of Railways, leading relevant ministry leaders and accompanied by Vice Vice Governor Zheng Jiadong, arrived in Chunhua City yesterday. No other accompanying personnel were announced."

"If I'm not mistaken, the City Level will be represented by either Mayor Li or Secretary Wan."

"The standard of this inspection visit to Yushu City is quite high!"

Xu Minghao spoke up beside Lin Zifeng.

Hearing Xu Minghao's words, Wei Ting nodded and said, "Secretary, although a ministry director is only a departmental level Cadre, as the saying goes, 'even a seventh-rank official at the prime minister's gate is influential.' When a director comes to our Huanan Province, they are received with high standards."

"It's only natural to have a vice-ministerial level Vice Governor accompany them. We must also handle this with care."

Hearing what the two said, Lin Zifeng nodded and replied, "It's appropriate to raise the reception standards, and it's right to be cautious when receiving leaders."

"However, nothing should be overdone; we must maintain a proper balance. Yushu City's current rapid development is the source of our leadership team's confidence. Everything should proceed according to our arrangements; there's no need for excessive concern."

Hearing Lin Zifeng's words, everyone nodded in agreement. They knew he was telling them not to be overly humble during this reception, lest the inspecting leaders suspect them of flattery.

After Lin Zifeng and the others waited at the gate for over ten minutes, they saw a coaster being escorted by a police car in front and another in the rear. The three vehicles approached from a distance toward the Municipal Party Committee Compound gate.

Lin Zifeng quickly said, "They're here," and straightened his posture. The others lined up neatly beside him.

The three vehicles drove into the Municipal Party Committee Compound and stopped not far from Lin Zifeng and the others.

Once the vehicles came to a complete stop, a group of people stepped out of the coaster one after another. Lin Zifeng then stepped forward at the appropriate moment to greet them, while Xu Minghao and the others remained where they were.

Lin Zifeng saw Wan Guoliang among the group. Seeing him approach, Wan Guoliang smiled and nodded slightly, then introduced him, "Director Zhang, Vice Governor Zheng, this is Comrade Lin Zifeng, a Member of the Standing Committee of the Chunhua Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Party Secretary of Yushu City."

"Secretary Zifeng, this is Director Zhang of the Operations Management Department of the Ministry of Railways. And you're already familiar with Vice Governor Zheng, aren't you?"

Hearing Wan Guoliang's introduction, Lin Zifeng hurried forward to shake Zhang Jiaming's hand, saying with a broad smile, "Welcome, Director Zhang, to Yushu City for your inspection."

"On behalf of the Yushu Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government, as well as the 510,000 residents of Yushu City, I express our warmest welcome to you and all the leaders."

"Thank you, Secretary Lin. You truly are young and promising! I've heard of you back in the capital, and meeting you today, you certainly live up to your reputation."

When facing Lin Zifeng, Zhang Jiaming did not display any of the superiority or aloofness typical of central ministry officials; instead, he was very amiable.

Seeing Zhang Jiaming's attitude toward Lin Zifeng, Zheng Jiadong and the others were taken aback, thinking to themselves that they hadn't expected Lin Zifeng to have some renown even in the capital.

Recalling that Lin Zifeng had attended the Advanced-Study Class at the Central Party School, it didn't seem so strange to them anymore.

However, seeing how amiable and polite Zhang Jiaming was to Lin Zifeng, they were certain of one thing: Lin Zifeng had some connections in the capital.

What they didn't know was that upon learning about the construction of the jingnan high-speed railway line, Lin Zifeng had called Jiang Shuhua, asking his former classmate to provide some assistance in this matter, provided it didn't violate any principles.

Jiang Shuhua had indeed taken the matter to heart and went directly to Zhang Jiaming, asking him to give Yushu City some consideration without violating any principles.

He specifically told Zhang Jiaming that Lin Zifeng was an honored guest of the Li Family and the Yang Family. Jiang Shuhua had learned this during a gathering with Party School classmates when Yang Zhongqiang mentioned it in passing, and he had kept it in mind.

This was why Zhang Jiaming treated Lin Zifeng with such an attitude.

Lin Zifeng quickly smiled and said, "Thank you for the praise, Director Zhang. It is a great honor to receive your recognition."

Zhang Jiaming nodded with satisfaction, and Lin Zifeng then shook Zheng Jiadong's hand, speaking again, "Welcome to Yushu City, Vice Governor Zheng."

Zheng Jiadong offered a few words of encouragement to Lin Zifeng and then signaled for him to proceed with his duties.

Lin Zifeng led the group over to Xu Minghao and the others, introducing each member of the Yushu Municipal Standing Committee to them.

After everyone shook hands and exchanged greetings with Zhang Jiaming and the others, they all surrounded Zhang Jiaming and Zheng Jiadong and headed toward the meeting room.

Wan Guoliang walked beside Lin Zifeng and whispered in his ear, "Secretary Zifeng, how are the reception preparations coming along?"

Lin Zifeng nodded and said, "Everything is ready. We have absolute confidence in having the jingnan high-speed railway line pass through Yushu City. After all, our City Level's advantages are obvious."

"Don't be too careless. Although Jianyang County is far inferior to Yushu City in all aspects of strength, the construction of a high-speed railway line doesn't depend entirely on economic power."

The leaders from the Ministry of Railways will only stay in Yushu City until tomorrow noon; they will head to Jianyang County tomorrow afternoon.

"As far as I know, Vice Mayor Qian and Vice Mayor Yang went to Jianyang County today to oversee their reception work."

Wan Guoliang reminded him in a low voice.

Hearing Wan Guoliang's reminder, Lin Zifeng lowered his voice and said, "Those two really spare no effort whenever there's a chance to move against me!"

"However, as they are Vice Mayors, it is perfectly reasonable for them to oversee the work of districts and counties; we can't find fault with that."

"But their best skills are opportunism and flattery."

"Secretary Guoliang, do you think their tactics will work on ministry leaders? In my opinion, it'll be a miracle if they don't make things worse."

Hearing Lin Zifeng's words, Wan Guoliang nodded in agreement. Seeing Lin Zifeng's confident expression, he couldn't help but think that his worries were superfluous.

With that thought, Wan Guoliang smiled and said, "That makes sense," before entering the meeting room with everyone.