Nominal: My senior brothers are all big shots

Lin Feng spent his last day in Luhai in the municipal party committee building.

The official document has been issued appointing Lin Xiaotang as the Party Secretary of the Municipal Committee, and Wang Weiping, the Executive Vice Mayor, will succeed him as Mayor.

The handover was simple; Lin Feng handed over the office keys, notebook, and some important documents to Lin Xiaotang in no more than half an hour.

Lin Xiaotang took the keys, paused for a moment, and said, "Secretary Lin, don't worry, I will keep a close eye on Lu Hai's matter."

Lin Feng nodded: "I trust you to handle things."

Wang Weiping stood to the side, his expression somewhat complicated. His leap from executive vice mayor to mayor wasn't huge, but it wasn't insignificant either. He knew that without Lin Feng's groundwork over the past two years, he couldn't have risen so quickly.

"Secretary Lin, thank you." His voice was a little strained.

Lin Feng patted him on the shoulder: "Weiping, do a good job. You know Luhai's economy better than I do. Listen to Comrade Xiaotang from now on. I trust you two to work together."

The three chatted for a few more minutes, mostly about work. Lin Feng gave them a few unfinished tasks, which Lin Xiaotang and Wang Weiping noted down. Afterward, Lin Feng stood up and extended his hand: "Comrade Xiaotang, Comrade Weiping, take care."

The two of them grasped his hand and shook it vigorously.

Lin Feng walked out of the municipal party committee building; the sun was shining brightly.

The national flag in front of the building fluttered in the wind. He looked up, took a deep breath, and got into the car.

The car drove out of the municipal government compound and down the street he had walked for two years. The plane trees lining both sides of the street were lush and green; under the trees, elderly people were playing chess, children were running around, and young mothers were strolling with strollers. Everything was quiet and peaceful, like the daily life of this city.

Lin Feng leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.

In the afternoon, in Jiangwan City, the provincial capital, Lin Feng first went to the office of Chen Haitao, the provincial party secretary. Chen Haitao was reviewing documents. Seeing Lin Feng enter, he put down his pen, stood up, and said, "Comrade Lin Feng, you've arrived?"

Lin Feng walked over and said respectfully, "Secretary Chen, I've come to say goodbye."

Chen Haitao gestured for him to sit down and personally poured him a cup of tea. The two sat facing each other in silence for a while. Chen Haitao looked at him, his gaze containing something indescribable—gratification, reluctance, and a hint of weariness.

"Comrade Lin Feng, you worked in Luhai for two years and cleaned up a mess. That wasn't easy." Chen Haitao's voice was a little hoarse.

"I could have gone even further, but I was ruined by people like Tan Ruping. But seeing you bring Luhai back on track makes me happier than if I had been promoted myself."

Lin Feng said, "Secretary Chen, I can't do anything without your support."

Chen Haitao waved his hand: "Don't flatter me. You're a capable person. Do a good job in Pingjiang. Jiangnan Province is not like Ningwan; the waters there are much deeper. When you get there, stay calm."

Lin Feng nodded: "I've got it."

Chen Haitao stood up and extended his hand: "Take care."

Lin Feng grasped his hand and shook it vigorously: "Secretary Chen, take care."

After leaving Chen Haitao's office, Lin Feng went to Governor Liu Minghui's office. Liu Minghui's attitude was somewhat colder than Chen Haitao's, but still polite. The two chatted for more than ten minutes, mostly exchanging pleasantries. Liu Minghui concluded by saying, "Comrade Lin Feng, you did a good job in Luhai. Go to Pingjiang and do a good job there."

Lin Feng said, "Thank you, Governor Liu."

After leaving the provincial government, Lin Feng went to the Jiangwan municipal government. Chen Jichuan was in a meeting, but upon hearing that Lin Feng had arrived, he adjourned the meeting early and came out to greet him.

"Uncle-Master!" Chen Jichuan's voice was loud, and everyone in the corridor turned to look. Lin Feng smiled: "Jichuan, you're the mayor now, be more composed."

Chen Jichuan chuckled and pulled Lin Feng into the office. The two chatted for over an hour, from work to life, and from life to their respective sects.

Chen Jichuan said, "Uncle-Master, my dad told me to learn more from you."

Lin Feng said, "Your dad is just being modest. You're no less capable than me, and you even became a vice-minister before me, something many people envy."

Chen Jichuan scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed. The two chatted for a few more minutes before Lin Feng got up to leave. Chen Jichuan saw him to the door and said, "Uncle-Master, how about a get-together tonight? Cheng Du and Li Guodong are coming too."

Lin Feng thought for a moment and said, "Okay."

In the evening, at an unassuming private restaurant.

Cheng Du, Li Guodong, and Chen Jichuan were already waiting inside. Lin Feng pushed the door open and entered, and the three of them stood up.

Cheng Du smiled and said, "Secretary Lin, you've finally arrived."

Lin Feng sat down and poured a glass of wine for each of them: "Don't call me Secretary Lin anymore, just call me Lin Feng. There are no leaders here today, only friends."

The four raised their glasses and drank them down in one gulp. After a few rounds of drinks, they started talking more.

Cheng Du said he was doing a good job at the Jiangwan Municipal Political and Legal Committee, and was currently reorganizing the team and arresting a few bad apples.

Li Guodong said his work at the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection was also difficult, and he had offended many people, but he wasn't afraid. Chen Jichuan said that Jiangwan City's economy needed to transform, and the pressure was immense.

Lin Feng listened, nodding occasionally. He didn't say much, only interjecting a few words now and then. He knew that these people all had their own paths to walk, and he couldn't help them much; he could only watch them move forward step by step.

As night deepened, the four parted ways. Cheng Du saw Lin Feng off to his car, standing outside the window, and said, "Secretary Lin, take care."

Lin Feng rolled down the car window and looked at him: "Chengdu, you too. Do a good job."

The car drove into the night. Lin Feng leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.

The next day, Lin Feng flew back to Beijing. By the time the plane landed, it was already dark.

On the third day, he dragged his suitcase out of the airport, where someone was waiting for him—Su Wanqing stood at the exit, wearing a beige trench coat and smiling.

Lin Feng walked over, and Su Wanqing took his arm: "Are you tired?"

Lin Feng shook his head: "Not tired."

Su Wanqing said, "Mom made your favorite dishes and is waiting at home."

Lin Feng smiled and said, "Okay."

The two got into the car. The car drove into the night, heading towards home.

Over the next few days, Lin Feng's schedule in Beijing was packed.

First, he went to the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China to report for duty. Su Bingheng met with him personally, talked for half an hour, said some words of encouragement, and finally said: "The situation in Pingjiang is quite complicated. You must remain calm when you get there."

Lin Feng said, "Dad, I understand."

Su Bingheng nodded and said nothing more. Lin Feng then went to visit several of his senior brothers.

Chen Zhengbang has retired and lives in a small courtyard house in Beijing, where he spends his days planting flowers and raising birds, leading a very leisurely life.

When Lin Feng arrived, Chen Zhengbang was watering flowers in the yard.

"Senior Brother." Lin Feng stood at the door, looking at the once powerful old man who was now wearing cloth shoes, sleeves rolled up, squatting in front of the flower bed, like the most ordinary retired old man.

Chen Zhengbang looked up, saw Lin Feng, and smiled: "You're here? Come in and sit down."

The two sat down at the stone table in the courtyard, and Chen Zhengbang poured him a cup of tea. The tea was ordinary Longjing, but it was brewed just right.

"Xiao Feng, Pingjiang is a good place for you to go," Chen Zhengbang said.

"The Rare Earth Capital, a former revolutionary base area, and a major economic center. The waters run deep, but they also temper people. When you go there, stay calm, listen, observe, and learn more; don't rush into anything."

Also, the situation in Pingjiang is quite complicated, with deeply entrenched local forces. Once you get there, don't rush into anything. Get a clear understanding of the situation first.

Remember, you succeeded in Luhai because you had connections at higher levels. Pingjiang is different; you can't reach those connections there. You can only rely on yourself.

Lin Feng nodded solemnly: "Senior Brother, I've got it."

Chen Zhengbang looked at him and suddenly smiled: "Alright, don't be nervous. You're a capable person, I believe in you. Go, don't bring shame to the sect."

Lin Feng smiled and said, "No, that won't happen."