Over Drinks, the First Glint of an Edge
The banquet hall of the Jingzhou Hotel blazed with light and teemed with politicians.
The welcome banquet held for Lin Yanzhou had become a miniature stage for Handong's political ecosystem.
Governor Liu had not attended, citing ill health and the need to hurry back to Yanjing to recuperate.
Gao Yuliang, deputy provincial Party secretary and secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, attended on behalf of the provincial Party committee and government. The significance spoke for itself.
As Jingzhou City's municipal Party secretary, Li Dakang was naturally the host.
He held his glass, his expression unchanged, but the barely perceptible sharpness in his eyes showed that he had not entirely relaxed.
Several members of Jingzhou City's municipal Party standing committee surrounded him, including the deputy municipal Party secretary, the heads of the Organization, Publicity, and United Front Work Departments, and the vice mayor on the standing committee. They formed what Jingzhou called the "Secretaries' Faction core."
After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere seemed convivial, but undercurrents surged beneath the surface.
Vice Mayor Liu Fengming, a former serviceman who had transferred to civilian work years earlier and an old subordinate who had served under Li Dakang for many years, took advantage of his slight tipsiness to sway over to the head table, glass in hand. His voice boomed, seemingly directed at Li Dakang but clearly audible to everyone at the table:
"Secretary Dakang, I'm a rough fellow, and I stick to what I know is right! Under the strong leadership of the Jingzhou municipal Party committee, Jingzhou has consistently led the province in every economic indicator. Those are solid results! We're at a crucial stage of development now. We can't disrupt Jingzhou's pace, and our resolve to follow the municipal Party committee must never change! This toast is to you. Thank you for leading us in gnawing through one hard bone after another and taking one fortified hill after another!"
His words bristled with hidden spears and clubs. On the surface, he was supporting the municipal Party committee; in reality, he was drawing a line against Lin Yanzhou and laying down the rules: Jingzhou belonged to Li Dakang, and "we" had delivered its achievements. As the newcomer, you had better know your place and not start pointing fingers.
Instantly, voices fell at the head table and the tables nearby, and many eyes stole toward Lin Yanzhou.
Li Dakang's brow furrowed. He was just about to speak when Lin Yanzhou rose with a smile.
He, too, held a glass of baijiu, his manner perfectly composed, as though he had not heard the barbs at all.
"Well said, Vice Mayor Liu!" Lin Yanzhou placed heavy emphasis on "vice."
His voice was strong and assured, instantly drawing everyone's attention. "The brilliant achievements Jingzhou has made under the leadership of the Handong provincial Party committee and government, and the guidance of the Jingzhou municipal Party committee and government, are plain for all to see. I studied them in depth before coming here and found them deeply impressive. The credit belongs not just to Secretary Dakang, but also to the combined efforts of all our colleagues here."
He first elevated the province's contribution, then affirmed Jingzhou's achievements, observing every courtesy before gently shifting his point:
"That is precisely why the central leadership and the provincial Party committee sent me here. Not to change anything, but to learn, carry things forward, and break new ground."
His gaze swept over Liu Fengming and Li Dakang.
"Under the strong leadership of the Jingzhou municipal Party committee, I will work with everyone to consolidate these achievements, address the problems brought about by rapid development, and plan together for a higher-quality, more sustainable future for Jingzhou."
This toast, I think, should not be to Secretary Dakang alone, but also to Jingzhou's past, present, and future, and to our concerted efforts in the days ahead.
"What do you think, Secretary Dakang?"
With that, he looked at Li Dakang with a smile.
His remarks did not let a single drop slip through.
He had both highly praised the correct leadership of the provincial Party committee and government and acknowledged the contributions of Li Dakang and the existing leadership team.
He had also precisely conveyed the message of "continuity rather than upheaval," deftly positioning himself as a "supporter" and "fellow striver," rather than a "parachuted-in challenger."
Moreover, he had put forward three key terms-"consolidate, address, and plan"-hinting that his next priorities would by no means be a simple matter of Cao following Xiao's rules (this is not a typo: it comes from the Records of the Grand Historian and means that Cao Can followed the rules and regulations laid down by Xiao He without changing them; our protagonist has come precisely to change them, and change them drastically), but would involve deeper considerations.
A flicker of surprise crossed Li Dakang's eyes before giving way to hearty laughter. "Well said! Mayor Yanzhou, you've spoken straight to my heart! Jingzhou's development depends on every comrade's efforts. Let's say no more about the past. In the present, we'll work together; for the future, we'll plan together! Come, let's all raise our glasses to Jingzhou's future!"
In this exchange, Lin Yanzhou had turned the force directed at him to his own advantage. Not only had he easily defused the attempt to put him in his place, but he had also used the opportunity to state his position and attitude, winning applause from the entire room. Even Gao Yuliang gave a slight nod over his teacup.
Liu Fengming sheepishly drank along with everyone and retreated to his seat.
Another man approached with a glass. It was Zhao Fuwang, director of the municipal Finance Bureau. Beaming, he appeared thoroughly amiable. "Mayor Lin, welcome! From now on, we'll be counting on your guidance with the municipal government's purse strings.
"I heard about the shipbuilding industrial park and e-commerce industrial park you developed in Menxia. Grand undertakings, and a very sharp eye! Jingzhou is sorely in need of major projects like those to drive growth. I wonder if you have any preliminary thoughts on the next phase of major projects in Jingzhou? That would give those of us working under you a chance to study up and prepare in advance!"
The question sounded like a request for guidance, but it was actually a probe.
He was probing Lin Yanzhou's approach to governance, and, more importantly, whether he would light the customary three fires of a newly appointed official, bringing projects with him or rushing to launch major projects to establish his authority, thereby disturbing the existing configuration of interests and fiscal arrangements.
At this, Lin Yanzhou gently set down his chopsticks, wiped the corners of his mouth with a napkin, and smiled. "Director Zhao, you're testing me. I've only just stepped off the plane. My head is still full of Menxia's sea breezes and Jingdu's smog.
"Before I took office, the central leadership reminded me, 'Without investigation, you have no right to speak.' I'm still learning about Jingzhou's specific circumstances. I wouldn't dare wage war on paper."
He first avoided answering directly, but told everyone that the central leadership had spoken with him before he took office, and that he had come with a mission.
Then he shifted tack. "Still, when it comes to projects and development, there is one view I've always held: development is the hard truth, but forcing development makes no sense. Whether a project is 'big' or 'good' depends not on the amount invested, but on whether it precisely matches the pulse of the city's development, whether it resolves the issues that concern the people most, and whether it can stand the tests of history and the market."
He looked at Zhao Fuwang, his gaze taking on a meaningful depth. "So what concerns me most right now isn't planning new major projects. It's sorting out and understanding the projects we already have."
"For instance, how are those major construction and investment-attraction projects previously overseen by Wu Xiongfei progressing? Are the flows of funds clear? Are there any unresolved historical issues? Only by sorting out the old accounts and shedding our burdens can we plan the future more scientifically and precisely."
"Director Zhao, wouldn't you agree?"
The smile on Zhao Fuwang's face froze for an instant. Although he tried his utmost to conceal it, tiny beads of sweat seeped out at his temples.
Lin Yanzhou's remarks sounded general, yet they were like a precision scalpel, pointing straight at the most sensitive area after Wu Xiongfei's downfall, the one no one dared lightly touch-the old accounts.
This was both a statement of intent and a warning: I won't blindly light fires, but I will definitely examine the accounts.
"Yes, yes, absolutely. Your instructions are right, Mayor Lin. Seek truth from facts and advance steadily." Zhao Fuwang nodded repeatedly, drained his glass almost in haste, and hurried away on the pretext of using the restroom.
Gao Yuliang took in the entire scene. A few remarks and a few exchanges had already given him a glimpse of Lin Yanzhou's mettle.
This young man was unhurried, with needles hidden in his smile. He was no ordinary figure.
Li Dakang was forceful and direct. Now that he had encountered a partner with both powerful backing and ideas and convictions of his own, the pattern of Li Dakang having the sole say in Jingzhou would likely have to change.
He raised his wineglass toward Lin Yanzhou. "Comrade Yanzhou may be young, but he thoroughly understands the principles of seeking progress while maintaining stability and planning before acting. That is rare. Handong's circumstances are complicated, and Jingzhou has a hundred sectors awaiting revitalization. To have a young comrade with such clear thinking and broad vision join us now is a blessing for Handong."
The words seemed like praise, yet carried an elder's scrutiny of a junior. On closer consideration, one could detect a measure of condescending appraisal. More subtly, he had singled out the word "complicated," with other implications and a note of warning.
Though this professor had spent decades cultivating his position in the province, possessed profound theoretical knowledge, and had students and old associates throughout the system, his vision had ultimately never fully escaped Handong's little corner.
He was accustomed to sizing up newcomers from a teacher's perspective, his words always unconsciously carrying a hint of instruction and testing. A scholar's spirit still lingered in him, yet he might not necessarily perceive the true configurations and chess games originating at a higher level.
In a sense, with this excessive attachment to scholarly airs and dignity, Gao Yuliang was a scholar clinging to his old robes. Even at the moment of defeat, he might still be unable to break free of those invisible yet heavy bonds of "dignity."
This also doomed him to be unable to advance any further, because he could never set aside his airs and could not truly understand policies from above.
Lin Yanzhou answered modestly, "You flatter me, Secretary Yuliang. I'm a new recruit. Going forward, I'll need to seek guidance and learn from you, Secretary Dakang, and all our veteran comrades. I hope to familiarize myself with the situation and become part of the team as quickly as possible."
Throughout the banquet, Lin Yanzhou's performance was flawless. He refused no toast, his capacity for alcohol seemingly bottomless; faced with probes, he navigated deftly in every direction and answered without letting a drop slip through. He fully respected Li Dakang's authority while faintly outlining the priorities and bottom line of his future work-sorting out old accounts, ascertaining the facts, and pursuing high-quality development.
The banquet ended, and everyone exchanged pleasantries as they left. Li Dakang and Lin Yanzhou walked side by side at the rear.
"Mayor Yanzhou, thank you for your efforts today. From now on, we're comrades-in-arms on the same team. If you have any difficulties, come straight to me," Li Dakang said, his tone a little more sincere than it had been during the meeting.
"I'm sure I'll have to trouble you often, Secretary Dakang." Lin Yanzhou smiled and nodded.
They shook hands and said goodbye. Only after Li Dakang's official car had driven away did Lin Yanzhou's secretary hurry forward and speak quietly. "Sir, the car is ready. During the banquet, the provincial government's secretary-general called. He said Governor Liu would like you to come by for a chat the next time you visit Yanjing, and asked whether you could spare the time."
Lin Yanzhou showed no surprise. "Reply to Governor Liu that the next time I return to Yanjing, I'll certainly go and report on my work."
He got into the car. The warm smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by a calm expression. He took out his phone. On the screen was an encrypted message from an unknown number, containing just one brief sentence:
"The wind will rise tomorrow, but there's an unexpected surprise."