Chapter 1709: Sword Drawn

e talked late into the night, and I got a little hungry. So we went to the county town and had some spicy chicken and pickled fish to fill our stomachs. 。It's late, so I won't go back. It's not safe...This is what really worries both Fan Qihang and Ge Xian. 。The meeting was progressing smoothly, but the two were lost in thought, each preoccupied with their own concerns. 。Before anyone knew it, the conference was drawing to a close and it was time for Secretary Jiang Zhonghyuan to speak. 。The leader's speech, as always, was approachable and warm, like a gentle spring breeze. He skillfully wove in anecdotes from both ancient times and the present, making complex ideas crystal clear. In an instant, everyone understood why things needed to be done, how to do them, and what not to do. Target thinking, overall thinking, and bottom-line thinking were woven throughout the entire speech!To everyone's surprise, the leader also cited Xiao Zheng's example in his speech: "For instance, our Dongcao City has a large number of small and medium-sized enterprises. However, due to the path dependency of outward-oriented development, they faced tremendous difficulties during the financial crisis. But they fully exercised their initiative and adopted three measures: 'big leading the small,' 'outside leading the inside,' and 'south leading the north.' They also established the 'Ten Employment Posts, One Hundred Volunteers, Serving Ten Thousand Workers' initiative. Such practical and people-oriented measures not only solved the problem of transformation and development but also addressed the livelihood concerns of the people." 。These measures are very worthy of learning and reference by all localities. Our relevant departments should continue to sum up experience, strengthen publicity, and promote the experience of one place to achieve greater results in serving economic recovery! The leader also cited other provinces, cities, and **Es' good experiences and practices, but only touched upon them briefly. When it came to Dongcao, they provided such specific examples and clearly defined requirements!The meeting ended on time and smoothly amid applause. 。All the leaders from Huajing have left, and Xiao Zheng also plans to leave. Hui Peng comes in to help Xiao Zheng take the meeting materials. 。Before he even took a step, dozens of other local leaders successively approached Xiao Zheng to exchange contact information. Some invited Xiao Zheng to have dinner or tea together later, while others made appointments to visit Dongcao for inspection first. 。As for eating and drinking tea, Xiao Zheng politely declined. However, regarding the inspection of Dongcao, Xiao Zheng welcomed everyone and asked Hui Peng to note down all the leaders' contact information and save it in his phone. 。Xiao Zheng didn't forget the important task he had come to Xiamen for this time. First, of course, was the meeting, and second, was to meet Xie Qingfeng. 。Surrounded by other attendees, he couldn't even take a step, too busy dealing with them. He really felt the saying: "Fame is a double-edged sword." Fan Qihang and Ge Xian saw that Xiao Zheng was surrounded by people while they were completely ignored. The stark contrast left them disheartened, so they silently walked out of the conference hall. 。After Xiao Zheng got Hui Peng to exchange contact information with everyone, he was finally able to leave. However, Xie Qingfeng's figure had already disappeared. 。Xiao Zheng thought, the Hua Jing leader was still in Xia City. As the secretary of the municipal party committee, Xie Qingfeng would inevitably have to accompany him, so he should be too busy to entertain himself at this time. 。Xiao Zheng wasn't in a hurry, planning to wait until the afternoon to talk about it. 。Xiao Zheng and Hui Peng walked out together. 。The two men had just stepped out of the meeting room when they unexpectedly discovered two people standing by the door, smoking. It was none other than Fan Qihang, the Governor of Yuezhou Province, and Ge Xian, the常務副省長 (deputy governor), with Yuan Bing, the head of the secretariat, accompanying them. However, Yuan Bing wasn't smoking. 。Xiao Zheng saw that Yuan Bing's teeth were stained black, indicating that he probably smoked frequently and had a serious nicotine addiction. However, in front of the two leaders, he probably wouldn't dare to smoke. 。However, Xiao Zheng found it strange that Fan Qihang was actually standing at the meeting room door smoking, and from his appearance, it seemed he was taking drags of a cigarette discreetly. 。Xiao Zheng had always thought that Fan Qihang didn't smoke, because nowadays many high-ranking officials consider their health and image, so they don't smoke. 。To everyone's surprise, Fan Qihang lit a cigarette right at the doorway. He was quite different from the impression of the governor that Xiao Zheng had!

Although Xiao Zheng knew that Fan Qihang and Ge Xian disliked him, and yesterday's flight issue must have been orchestrated by a certain leader, he still maintained his decorum as their superiors. He stepped forward to greet them: "Governor Fan, Governor Ge, good day!"

Fan Qihang looked up when he heard Xiao Zheng's voice, extinguished the cigarette butt in the stone rice on top of the trash can, and a smile appeared on his face. He even extended his hand towards Xiao Zheng: "Secretary Xiao, your speech today was excellent" 。"It seems our recommendation for you to speak at the meeting was right!""That's absolutely correct!" Ge Xian also extinguished his cigarette and said with a smile, "This is all thanks to Governor Fan's wise decision, who gave Secretary Xiao the opportunity to speak!"

Xiao Zheng immediately felt that Ge Xian's words were insincere, but in Ge Xian's mouth, it sounded very convincing. 。Had Xiao Zheng not learned beforehand from Ye Sujing that his speaking opportunity today was specifically requested by the top leader of Huajing, he might have actually believed Ge Xian. 。"That's not exactly a brilliant decision," Fan Qihang said. "Mostly, Dongcao has done an excellent job in developing small and medium-sized enterprises. Even the central authorities in Beijing have taken notice. Of course, we need to give Dongcao this opportunity! And Secretary Xiao is the head of Dongcao, so this speaking opportunity should go to him!"From Fan Qihang's words, Xiao Zheng heard two layers of meaning. First, Fan Qihang's address to him changed from "Comrade Xiao Zheng" to "Secretary Xiao," indicating that his status in Fan Qihang's mind had clearly risen. Second, Fan Qihang also wanted to attribute the credit for letting Xiao Zheng speak to himself. 。。Xiao Zheng simply said, "Thank you both leaders!"

Ge Xian and Fan Qihang exchanged glances, and Ge Xian said, "There's nothing to thank! The key is that you did a good job!" Ge Xian's attitude had clearly changed, which made Xiao Zheng very uncomfortable. 。But, Xiao Zheng had seen this kind of thing happen within the system many times before. Whoever could access better resources was the boss, the master. 。Ge Xian obviously adjusted his attitude towards himself because he saw that the leader of Huajing cared about him. It is likely that Fan Qihang did the same. 。"That's right, Secretary Xiao, your work is excellent and your speech was very good. Your outstanding performance this time has also brought glory to YuZhou!" Fan Qihang said, "This... It's almost lunchtime... Governor Ge, shall we not go for the work meal Let's find another place and have a meal of Xiamen's specialty dishes together. It's also a celebration of our successful participation in this meeting!""Yes, yes, Governor Fan is right!" Ge Xian echoed, "Usually, we are all busy with work and don't have time. We can only feel the local flavor during the meeting." 。This afternoon, we're going back to Yuezhou. We have some time for lunch, so let's go eat some local dishes!”

Xiao Zheng said: “No need, Governor Fan, Governor Ge, you provincial leaders just go and eat. There are only two of us from the city, we'll just have a working meal.” 。The work meal at a five-star hotel here should also be pretty good. 。After last night's events, Xiao Zheng held no expectations for Fan Qihang and Ge Xian. As long as they didn't come after him, he was already grateful. He wasn't interested in eating with them at all. 。Secretary Xiao, we need to go out for a meal. 。"Gao Xian said, 'Just give me some face, Secretary Xiao! Director Yuan, why don't you arrange this right away!' Gao Xian had never put himself so low, at least Xiao Zheng had never seen him like this." 。Fan Qihang also said, "Secretary Xiao, this time we're treating Governor Ge! Let him pick up the tab for us. So it doesn't involve official funds being used for meals, we'll just have a meal on Governor Ge!" Since Fan Qihang had put it that way, if Xiao Zhenguo still refused, he would be hard-pressed to justify himself, so he could only say, "Alright then, Governor Fan and Governor Ge, we'll humbly follow your lead!"To Xiao Zhenguo's surprise, lunch was arranged on Yushan Island, requiring a boat ride to get there. 。Ordinary people need to buy tickets the day before, otherwise they can't get on the island. But today, the governor and vice governor of Guangdong Province are here. The head of the meeting department, Yuan Bing, has made arrangements with the local government, providing them with a tour guide and a speedboat to take them to the island. 。

A small strait spanning between islands, it is truly a sight to behold. Gaze upward and you'll find refreshing blue skies, while all around you lies vibrant green. 。This city has good reason to be a seaside tourist destination. 。The restaurant was a private kitchen next to a red-roofed building, with local Xiamen specialties on the menu like ginger duck, oyster omelets, grass jelly dessert, and Nanhai Golden Lotus. 。Ge Xian also strongly suggested a special, high-liang wine from the Gulf area. However, Xiao Zheng resolutely refused. One reason was that it was still lunchtime, and the other was that the leaders of Hua capital were present. Drinking alcohol could cause problems, and if anything happened, it would effectively ruin his future. 。So everyone decided not to drink, even though outside the open window, there were white birds on the bay. The scenery was pleasant and the sea breeze was blowing, but eating just with scenery wasn't enough; you also needed the right company. 。Since the people eating today weren't quite right, Xiao Zheng couldn't muster any appetite. 。In the midst of replacing alcohol with tea, we also chatted about some casual matters. 。Xiao Zheng, out of courtesy, also toasted Governor Fan, Governor Ge, and other staff members such as meeting director Yuan Bing. 。To everyone's surprise, when Yuan Bing responded, she brought up the wrong subject and even deliberately provoked Xiao Zheng: "Xiao Secretary, your staff made a mistake yesterday and didn't buy you a ticket..." 。Later on, you didn't take the plane, did you come to Xiamen by car What time did you arrive in Xiamen!"

Yuan Bing wouldn't have brought this up if she hadn't. Xiao Zheng also didn't want to bring it up again, it was a way to give Governor Fan some face at the end. But now that this guy brought it up, and kept saying "it was your staff's mistake," Xiao Zheng couldn't stand it anymore, he could afford to not stand it anymore now. 。He did not accept Yuan Bing's toast, but instead slammed the teacup onto the table and said, "Chief Yuan, this matter is not a mistake by my contact person, but a mistake by you. This responsibility must be clarified!"

Hearing Xiao Zheng call himself a 'contact person', Hui Peng's heart leapt with joy; but seeing Xiao Zheng get angry, Hui Peng's heart couldn't help but tighten. 。Generally, Secretary Xiao is quite mild-mannered and approachable. However, when he gets angry, it's truly frightening!

Yuan Bing was taken aback. He didn't expect Xiao Zheng to erupt like that. 。Before all those things happened, Xiao Zheng had endured them all. How dare he start a fire in front of Governor Fan and Governor Ge at this time! When the meeting was held, Yuan Bing wasn't qualified to enter the venue and could only wait outside, so she didn't know what exactly happened inside.ao Zheng said: "Then please, the leaders, let's go this way." 。“Xiao Zheng led the way at the front, and everyone else followed him.” 。Upon arriving at the first-floor reception room, which was actual...