Nominal: My senior brothers are all big shots

Lu Jianping said, "We need to extend the industrial chain. In the past, we sold raw ore, which had low profits, caused a lot of pollution, and generated little tax revenue. In the future, we need to engage in deep processing, such as rare earth permanent magnet materials, rare earth catalytic materials, and rare earth luminescent materials, to develop these high value-added products. I'm thinking, could we build a rare earth new materials industrial park to bring together upstream and downstream companies and create a cluster effect?"

Lin Feng wrote down the words "Rare Earth New Materials Industrial Park" in his notebook and nodded.

Yang Xuefeng raised his hand and, after receiving a signal from Lin Feng, spoke up: "Secretary Lin, I'd like to add a few words. I fully support Mayor Jianping's proposal for a rare earth new materials industrial park. However, I feel that simply building an industrial park isn't enough. Pingjiang has such abundant rare earth resources; could we establish a rare earth trading platform, like a rare earth futures exchange, to take over the pricing power? We can't always let others decide how much rare earth in Pingjiang sells for."

Lu Jianping interjected, "This idea is good, but it's very difficult. Rare earth trading platforms can't be approved by local governments; they require support at the national level."

Lin Feng said, "Difficulty doesn't mean it can't be done. Comrade Xuefeng, you first draft a plan, clearly outlining its feasibility, necessity, and implementation path. I'll take it to the provincial level to advocate for it."

Yang Xuefeng nodded: "Okay, Secretary Lin."

The atmosphere in the meeting room became more lively.

The director of the Natural Resources Bureau raised his hand to speak about ecological restoration; the director of the Ecological Environment Bureau spoke about pollution control; and the director of the Commerce Bureau spoke about attracting investment. Lin Feng listened attentively, occasionally jotting down notes. When everyone had finished speaking, Lin Feng put down his pen, leaned back in his chair, and scanned each face with his gaze.

"Comrades, you've all come up with many great ideas. To sum it up, it boils down to three words—'Rare Earth+'. What do we add? New materials, trading platforms, ecological restoration, tourism, and agriculture."

Make good use of the rare earth brand, but don't rely on it. Pingjiang's future cannot depend solely on mining.

He stood up, walked to the whiteboard, picked up a marker, and wrote a few words: Rare earth + new materials. Rare earth + trading platform. Rare earth + ecological restoration. Rare earth + tourism. Rare earth + agriculture.

"This is the future industrial direction of Pingjiang." He turned around and looked at the people present. "Comrade Lu Jianping, you will take the lead in organizing the Development and Reform Commission, the Industry and Information Technology Bureau, the Natural Resources Bureau, and the Ecological Environment Bureau to draft a 'Pingjiang Rare Earth Industry Revitalization Plan.' It should be specific and actionable, not just empty talk and platitudes."

Lu Jianping nodded: "Understood."

Lin Feng then said, "Comrade Yang Xuefeng, you are in charge of the feasibility study for the rare earth trading platform. Produce a plan within three months."

Yang Xuefeng said, "Okay, Secretary Lin."

Lin Feng walked back to his seat and sat down. "Comrades, fighting corruption is like cutting off a malignant tumor, while development is like strengthening the body. If the tumor isn't removed, the body won't get better. If the body isn't strong, the tumor will grow back even after it's been cut off. Therefore, we must grasp both anti-corruption and development firmly."

After the meeting, Lin Feng kept Lu Jianping and Yang Xuefeng behind. The three sat in the conference room, and Lin Feng poured each of them a cup of tea.

"Comrade Jianping, Comrade Xuefeng, there were some things I didn't say clearly at the meeting just now," Lin Feng said, looking at them.

"The problem in Pingjiang is not just about rare earths. It's a problem of people, a problem of mindset, and a problem of the political environment. People like Liu Zhi didn't just engage in corruption and bribery; how many years did they waste in Pingjiang? What were the cadres in Pingjiang thinking during those years? They weren't thinking about how to develop the area; they were thinking about how to curry favor with their superiors and how to make money. This kind of atmosphere must be completely reversed."

Lu Jianping paused for a moment, then said, "Secretary Lin, I understand. Over the years, I've watched some people climb up the ladder and others fall down in Pingjiang. I've always wondered when Pingjiang would produce a team that truly wants to get things done, is capable of getting things done, and gets things done. Now, I've waited for that moment."

Lin Feng looked at him, his eyes filled with both satisfaction and anticipation. "Comrade Jianping, you're a veteran of Pingjiang. You know the situation well and have plenty of experience. I trust you to lead this plan."

Lu Jianping nodded.

Yang Xuefeng sat to the side without saying a word.

Lin Feng looked at him. "Comrade Xuefeng, your idea for a rare earth trading platform is excellent. But having an idea isn't enough; you need a roadmap, steps, and responsible parties. Please draft a plan first, and I'll take a look."

Yang Xuefeng said, "Okay, Secretary Lin. I'll get on it when I get back."

Lin Feng stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to them. Outside the window, the sky over Pingjiang was still hazy, but the sunlight was trying to penetrate the clouds.

"Comrade Jianping, Comrade Xuefeng, the future of Pingjiang is not in my hands, but in yours. In my hands, it's just a piece of paper. Only in your hands can it become a reality."

Lu Jianping and Yang Xuefeng exchanged a glance and nodded simultaneously.

Outside the window, dawn was breaking. Sunlight streamed through the clouds, illuminating the distant mines. Those mountains, once riddled with holes from mining, were slowly recovering.

Lin Feng chose a Tuesday in early autumn to go to the provincial capital to report on his work.

He woke up before dawn. Standing by the window, gazing at the hazy skyline of Pingjiang, he repeatedly went over the content of his report for the day in his mind. The progress of the case, industrial planning, the concept of a rare earth trading platform, and Yang Xuefeng's proposed "Rare Earth Valley." These things had been swirling in his mind all night, like a game of chess in the middle stages, where every move had to be made carefully.

Old Zhou was waiting downstairs. Lin Feng got into the car, and Chen Yue sat in the passenger seat, carrying two bulging document bags. The car drove out of the municipal party committee compound and onto the highway.

The sky outside the car window changed from deep blue to grayish-white, then from grayish-white to light gold. The sun rose, and its rays shone on the fields beside the road, making them golden and beautiful. Lin Feng didn't look.

He closed his eyes, leaned back in his chair, his mind still on those numbers, those plans, and those unfinished tasks.

Two hours later, the car entered Nanjiang City, the provincial capital. Lin Feng opened his eyes, gazing at the familiar yet unfamiliar street scenes outside the window. He had been to Nanjiang many times, each time a fleeting visit, but this time was exceptionally different. Not because the matter he needed to report was more important, but because the burden on his shoulders was heavier.

The provincial party committee compound is located in the east of the city, with two old banyan trees at the entrance, their canopies providing ample shade. Lin Feng's car drove into the compound and stopped in front of the provincial party committee building. He got out, straightened his collar, took a deep breath, and walked into the building.

Secretary Liang's office was on the sixth floor. The door was open, and his secretary was already waiting at the door.

"Secretary Lin, Secretary Liang is waiting for you. Please come in."