Chapter 293 - Chapter 293: Chapter 291: A Send-off from Everyone_1

Chapter 293: Chapter 291: A Send-off from Everyone_1

In such a scene, there could only be one protagonist, and that was Nie Zhenbang. It was what Nie Zhenbang deserved as he transformed a notably impoverished county into what it was today after taking office in Xinli. People’s hearts were not made of stone, and the eyes of the common people were sharp.

Below, the crowd that had rushed over upon hearing the news once again began to shout: “Secretary Nie, please don’t go. If you leave, what will happen to our Xinli?”

These words made the newly appointed leaders of Xinli City’s Municipal Committee somewhat embarrassed, yet at the same time touched. To be an official up to the level of Secretary Nie was to be without regrets in life.

Nie Zhenbang’s eyes too were somewhat moist. The people of Xibei were simple; a small amount of effort could make them infinitely grateful and wholeheartedly give back.

At this time, even more citizens who had heard the news had gathered. In the square in front of the Municipal Party Committee and Government building, almost twenty thousand people had gathered, whose density was fortunately lessened by the spaciousness of the square.

Over here, Qu Feng, the Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee Office, ordered his staff to temporarily bring out a set of audio equipment from the hall for quick installation and testing. Once done, Qu Feng handed the microphone to Nie Zhenbang.

Upon receiving the microphone and contemplating in his heart what to say, Nie Zhenbang then stood up and said: “Fellow townsfolk, please everyone be quiet.”

In Xinli City, Nie Zhenbang’s charisma was unrivaled. At this moment, even Mayor Ma of Muli Township probably could not match Nie Zhenbang’s current aura and charisma.

With everyone quieting down, Nie Zhenbang then smiled and said: “Fellow townsfolk, this time, I have been promoted. Or aren’t you all willing to see me getting promoted?”

Whether he had been promoted or not, Nie Zhenbang himself wasn’t even sure. He didn’t even know where his next posting would be after leaving office. However, saying it this way, and doing so in a joking manner, significantly lightened the current solemn atmosphere.

Yes, they thought. Secretary Nie had a promising future. They certainly couldn’t hamper Nie’s career for their own selfish gains.

Seeing that everyone’s attention had shifted to his future, Nie Zhenbang continued: “Fellow townsfolk, let me introduce the new leadership of Xinli City’s Municipal Party Committee.”

After introducing each of the newly appointed Standing Committee members of Xinli City, starting with Xie Yi, Nie Zhenbang then said: “Fellow townsfolk, have you seen? These are the new leaders of our Xinli City. Only I will be missing. Do you all still feel worried? The development of Xinli City cannot be supported by me alone. Now, even though I am leaving, I believe that all of us, the people of Xinli City, will unite and follow the leadership of the Municipal Party Committee and Government to build an even better Xinli City. Everyone, don’t you agree?”

After finishing, Nie Zhenbang waved his hand and said: “Fellow townsfolk, please disperse. We all have work and lives to attend to. Xinli is like my second hometown. No matter where I go, I will always remember Xinli City. In the future, if there’s anything you need help with, you can still come to me.”

The new Xinli City Municipal Committee and Government’s family residential area, number one courtyard. This was a two-story villa, circled by a yard. It had a mixed feel of Chinese and Gothic architecture style.

It was just past four in the morning.

At this moment, the lights in Nie Zhenbang’s living room were brightly lit. All members of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee of Xinli City were present, even Xie Jiuda, the Minister of the Organization Department, and Wang Shengdong, the Minister of the People’s Armed Forces Department were already here. Yi Jun stood silently on the side.

The atmosphere was somewhat heavy. Just then, Nie Zhenbang emerged from his room carrying a suitcase. He had arrived with just one suitcase, and he was leaving with the same. Over two years, Xinli City had become prosperous, yet Nie Zhenbang left exactly as he had arrived.

Looking at everyone, Nie Zhenbang then laughed and said: “Why are you all here? You all still have work tomorrow, go back and rest. Just let Xiaoyi and Xiao Wang take me to the airport.”

As the newly appointed Municipal Party Secretary, Xie Yi also stood up at this moment and said to Nie Zhenbang: “Secretary Nie, please allow us to see you off one last time.”

The car moved into the night, leaving the City Municipal Party Committee and Government compound. Under the dim streetlights, everything felt incredibly quiet. It was still the number one car of the Xinli City Municipal Party Committee. The car drove onto Xinli Avenue. About two kilometers out, under the streetlights, a large crowd had already gathered, prompting Xiao Wang to stop the car. At this moment, Yi Jun, who was sitting in the passenger seat, turned back and whispered to the resting Nie Zhenbang: “Secretary, look ahead.”

Upon hearing Yi Jun’s words, Nie Zhenbang opened his eyes and raised his head. At this moment, the spacious Xinli Avenue was completely blocked by people.

In this frigid winter, the night temperature in Xinli City was already below zero or even in the double digits. Nie Zhenbang hadn’t expected that even though he had chosen to leave at night, specifically to avoid letting the people know, they had all still arrived.

At the front, Nie Zhenbang’s sharp eyes spotted the retired officials of Xinli city concentrated together, with Mayor Ma of Muli Township conspicuously among them.

Upon seeing this, Nie Zhenbang couldn’t stay seated any longer. No matter how the people of Xinli City had found out or who had secretly informed them, pursuing the matter now had no meaning whatsoever.

Mayor Ma, despite being in his eighties, had stayed up all night to be present. Upon realizing this, Nie Zhenbang immediately got out of the car.

Behind him, the others in the car, including Xie Yi and other leaders of the Xinli City Municipal Committee, also got out. Nie Zhenbang strode forward to shake hands with all the retired officials, then clasped Mayor Ma’s calloused hand tightly, emotionally saying, “Mayor Ma, respected leaders, fellow villagers, I’m humbled by your decision to bid me farewell in the middle of the night. It fills my heart with guilt.”

As Nie Zhenbang’s voice faded, Mayor Ma responded with a hearty laugh, “Secretary Nie, you’re being too modest. Your contributions to Xinli City are well acknowledged by all its residents. Seeing you off is simply what we ought to do.”

With Nie Zhenbang’s arrival, the crowd spontaneously parted to let him through. Among these individuals, some entire families had come. In some cases, men were carrying five- or six-year-old children, wrapped up in large coats, with their wives standing by their sides.

In the crowd, Nie Zhenbang spotted teacher Zhu from Tagou Township and many businessmen who had invested in Xinli City.

“Mayor Ma, please go back. It’s freezing cold out here, and you need to take care of your health. I promise to visit you,” he said, turning to Xie Yi, “Secretary Xie, please arrange a car to take our elderly leaders back. An elderly person in a house is like a treasure. Our esteemed former colleagues are the treasures of Xinli City; we must care for and cherish them.”

As for Nie Zhenbang’s dealings with the elderly officials and retirees, no one could have any complaints. In the past two years, these individuals had seen significant improvements in many aspects of life. The creation of a university for the elderly provided a haven for them in their retired, idle life. Naturally, all retired officials and leaders of the city felt grateful towards Nie Zhenbang.

Nie Zhenbang went on to the likes of Zhu Lufeng, the head of the Farmer Welfare Company, and the head of the Longhua Mining. Several dozen owners of businesses invested in Xinli City were also present. Seeing the look of worry in their eyes, Nie Zhenbang smiled subtly. He knew exactly what concerned these businessmen. The one thing they dreaded the most was a change in administration.

A change in administration meant that previous relationship advantages could have been wasted. The saying “a new lord rules with new favours” holds true in business as well. What they worried about was the direction of Xinli City’s economic policy in the future.

Then, Nie Zhenbang stepped forward and said with a smile, “Dear business owners, thank you for thinking so highly of me, Nie Zhenbang. I’m sorry for causing such a disturbance in the middle of the night. Here, I will make a statement for your reassurance. The economic policy of Xinli City will not change. I assure you that you can proceed confidently in advancing your businesses. On behalf of the new Xinli City Municipal Committee and Government, I thank you for your support in Xinli City’s economic construction.”

Along the way, Nie Zhenbang found his eyes welling with tears. Tens of thousands of people, almost all the residents of Xinli City, had gathered here. Starting from the Xinli City development zone, along the almost two-kilometer road, people lined both sides.

The silence at that moment was louder than any word. As Nie Zhenbang walked alone, the crowd left a lane clear for his vehicle, which slowly followed behind him. The two-kilometer journey, though not long nor short, took an hour to complete. At the journey’s end, Nie Zhenbang turned back to silently look at the crowd. He deeply bowed in gratitude before opening the car door. Just as he was about to get into the car, everyone called out in unison, “Secretary Nie, we wish you all the best on your journey.”

The voice echoed in the silent night, ringing loud and clear. Tens of thousands of people, without any rehearsal, echoed as one. At that moment, there was no pushing, no jumping the queue, not even a police officer maintaining order. Still, everyone behaved with utmost decorum.

This scene touched even the likes of Xie Yi and others. The members of the Standing Committee of the Xinli City Municipal Party Committee all wore complex expressions, filled with envy, surprise, and, most of all, admiration. They thought to themselves, to achieve what Secretary Nie had as an official was truly noteworthy.

Once again, Nie Zhenbang deeply bowed. Raising his head, he tried to hold back his tears, smiling and waving one last time. As he entered the car, he instructed the driver, Xiao Wang, “Let’s go, Xiao Wang!”