Nominal: My senior brothers are all big shots

Lin Feng slept at the provincial party committee guesthouse for one night.

The guesthouse was nice, but he didn't sleep well. His mind kept replaying Old Zhou's words, the names on the list, and the people he would be facing tomorrow.

Lin Feng got up just as dawn broke, stood by the window, and gazed at the hazy skyline of Nanjiang City. The provincial capital was awakening; traffic was already flowing on the distant streets, and steam was rising from the steamers of breakfast stalls. He took a deep breath and turned to wash up.

At eight o'clock in the morning, Shen Qiuping, the Minister of Organization of the Provincial Party Committee, was already waiting downstairs.

She was wearing a dark suit, had short hair that reached her ears, sharp eyes, and spoke crisply and decisively.

When Lin Feng came downstairs, she was standing by the car looking at her phone. Seeing him come out, she put her phone away and nodded. "Comrade Lin Feng, let's go. Everyone's arrived in Pingjiang."

Lin Feng got into the car, and Shen Qiuping sat next to him. The car drove out of the provincial party committee compound and onto the highway.

On the way, Shen Qiuping didn't say much, but simply gave a brief introduction to the situation in Pingjiang.

Her tone was very objective, as if she were reading a cadre's resume. "Mayor Liu Zhi has worked in Pingjiang for twelve years, rising from deputy mayor to mayor without ever moving an inch. He knows Pingjiang's situation very well, so much so that... some people think he knows it too well."

Du Chenglin, the deputy secretary of the municipal party committee, came from the province and worked in Pingjiang for three years. He kept his distance from Liu Zhi.

Huang Zhiqiang, the secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, is a native of Pingjiang. He has worked in the public security system for more than 20 years and is very close to Liu Zhi.

Executive Vice Mayor Li Jianping is in charge of the economy and is very capable, but he is relatively isolated within the leadership team.

Zhao Liangyu, the secretary of the municipal discipline inspection commission, was only transferred from the province last year and has not yet made any progress.

The organization minister, Zhou Huiming, was also from the province and was close to Zhao Liangyu.

The others—Propaganda Minister Sun Xiaomei, United Front Work Minister He Yongchang, and Military Sub-district Commander Ye Jin—are all centrists and do not get involved.

There's also Zhao Anguo, the Party Secretary of Changhui City, who is one of Liu Zhi's men. Changhui is a county-level city under the jurisdiction of Pingjiang, and it's the place with the most rare earth mines.

Lin Feng remembered everything and didn't ask any further questions. Shen Qiuping glanced at him, seemingly wanting to say something, but then swallowed her words.

By the time the car entered Pingjiang territory, it was already broad daylight.

The camphor trees on both sides of the road grew denser, and the distant mountains appeared and disappeared in the morning mist.

Lin Feng looked out the window and saw some slogans flashing by on the roadside occasionally—"Protect rare earth resources for the benefit of future generations" and "Crack down on rare earth smuggling to safeguard national strategic security." Some of the slogans were old, and some had faded, as if they had been hanging there for many years.

The municipal party committee compound is located in the old town of Pingjiang. Two old banyan trees stand at the entrance, their canopies providing ample shade. As the car entered the compound, Lin Feng saw through the window that the area in front of the building was already packed with people. A dense, dark mass of people, at least several dozen.

Shen Qiuping got out of the car first, followed by Lin Feng. The crowd immediately came to greet them.

Leading the way was a man in his fifties, of medium build, with a kind face, wearing a dark jacket, and all smiles.

He strode forward and grasped Shen Qiuping's hands in both: "Minister Shen, you must be tired from your journey! Welcome, welcome!"

Then, turning to Lin Feng, his smile became even warmer. He grasped Lin Feng's hand and shook it vigorously: "Secretary Lin, we've been waiting for you! I'm Liu Zhi, the mayor of Pingjiang. Welcome to work in Pingjiang!"

Lin Feng grasped his hand, feeling its warmth and just the right amount of pressure—neither overly enthusiastic nor cold. This was someone who knew how to strike the right balance.

Lin Feng smiled and said, "Mayor Liu, you're too kind. I'll need your help in the future."

Liu Zhi laughed heartily: "I wouldn't dare accept such consideration. Let's work together to do a good job in Pingjiang."

Next, Liu Zhi introduced them one by one. Du Chenglin, the deputy secretary of the municipal party committee, was in his early fifties, thin, wearing silver-rimmed glasses, and had a gaunt face.

Huang Zhiqiang, the secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, is forty-seven or forty-eight years old, with a burly build and dark skin.

Vice Mayor Han Ligang is also in his late forties, with a round face, slightly plump, and his eyes squint into slits when he smiles.

Executive Vice Mayor Li Jianping, around fifty years old, has a serious expression.

Lin Feng noticed that his gaze was heavy, as if he had a lot to say but swallowed it back.

Zhao Liangyu, the secretary of the municipal discipline inspection commission, is 45 or 46 years old, of medium build, wears frameless glasses, and has a handsome face.

The organization minister, Zhou Huiming, was also forty-five or forty-six years old, slightly taller than Zhao Liangyu, and had a square face.

Sun Xiaomei, the propaganda minister, is around forty years old and the only woman in the team. She has short hair, a pretty face, speaks softly, and has a professional smile.

He Yongchang, the head of the United Front Work Department, is in his fifties and has gray hair.

Ye Jin, the commander of the military sub-district, was around fifty years old. He was dressed in military uniform and stood ramrod straight.

Zhao Anguo, the Party Secretary of Changhui City, stood at the very back of the crowd. He was in his forties, tall, and had a rugged face.

After exchanging pleasantries, Lin Feng memorized everyone's name and position.

He noticed that Li Jianping, Zhao Liangyu, and Zhou Huiming had more serious expressions than the others. Liu Zhi, Huang Zhiqiang, Han Ligang, and Zhao Anguo, on the other hand, had warmer smiles than the others. The centrists all looked very professional.

The welcome reception was held in the municipal party committee's main conference room. Shen Qiuping, Lin Feng, Liu Zhi, and Du Chenglin sat on the stage. Below the stage sat members of the four leading bodies of the city, principal leaders of various districts and counties, and heads of various municipal departments—a densely packed crowd of at least two hundred people.

Liu Zhi presided over the meeting. He stood up, walked to the podium, cleared his throat, and said in a loud voice, "Comrades, today is a good day. We are here with great excitement to welcome Minister Shen Qiuping of the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department and our newly appointed Municipal Party Secretary, Comrade Lin Feng. Now, please let Minister Shen speak."

Applause erupted. Shen Qiuping stood up, bowed slightly to the audience, then sat down, took a document from her briefcase, and said in a steady voice, "Comrades, entrusted by the Provincial Party Committee, I now announce a decision. Comrade Lin Feng is appointed as a member and standing committee member of the Jiangnan Provincial Party Committee, and secretary of the Pingjiang Municipal Party Committee."

Another round of applause rang out.

Shen Qiuping continued, "Comrade Lin Feng is politically steadfast and has rich leadership experience. During his time working in Shangluo City, Handong Province, and Luhai City, Ningwan Province, he led cadres and the masses in developing the economy, improving people's livelihoods, and rectifying the cadre ranks, achieving remarkable results. The Provincial Party Committee believes that Comrade Lin Feng is suitable to serve as the Secretary of the Pingjiang Municipal Party Committee. We hope that Comrade Lin Feng will quickly familiarize himself with the situation, quickly assume his role, unite and lead the vast number of cadres and the masses in the city, forge ahead with determination, work diligently, and promote the economic and social development of Pingjiang to a new level. We also hope that leaders at all levels in the city will fully support Comrade Lin Feng's work."

Applause rang out again. Shen Qiuping sat back down, while Liu Zhi stood up again, walked to the podium, cleared his throat, and smiled broadly.

"Comrades, Minister Shen just announced the Provincial Party Committee's decision. On behalf of the Pingjiang Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government, I firmly support the Provincial Party Committee's decision and warmly welcome Comrade Lin Feng to work in Pingjiang! Comrade Lin Feng has worked his way up from the grassroots level and has achieved tangible results in Shangluo and Luhai. His arrival is a blessing for Pingjiang and for our team. I believe that under the leadership of the Municipal Party Committee with Comrade Lin Feng as its head, Pingjiang's work will surely open up a new chapter and reach new heights!"

The applause rang out, even more enthusiastic than before.

Lin Feng noticed that although Liu Zhi's speech was enthusiastic, some of his remarks were carefully crafted.

He said, "Under the leadership of the municipal party committee with Comrade Lin Feng as the leader," which sounds like a statement, but in reality, it puts Lin Feng in the position of leader.

Being a class monitor isn't easy. If you do a good job, it's expected; if you don't, it's your responsibility. Lin Feng didn't show anything; he just sat calmly on the stage.

After Liu Zhi finished speaking, he returned to his seat, turned to Lin Feng, and said, "Secretary Lin, please."