Nominal: My senior brothers are all big shots

Lin Feng walked in, and Liang Huaiyuan was standing by the window with his back to the door. Hearing footsteps, he turned around with a gentle smile on his face. "Comrade Lin Feng has arrived? Please have a seat."

Lin Feng sat down on the sofa, and Liang Huaiyuan sat down opposite him. The secretary brought in tea, then left, closing the door behind her.

"Comrade Lin Feng, there's been quite a stir in Pingjiang lately." Liang Huaiyuan's voice was calm, revealing no emotion.

Lin Feng knew that this was not a blame, but a test.

He nodded, took a document from the file bag, and handed it to Liang Huaiyuan with both hands. "Secretary Liang, this is the latest statistical report from the special investigation team. The Zhou Tianming case involves more than 5 billion yuan, three provincial-level officials, seventeen department-level officials, and more than thirty section-level and below officials. It involves two murder cases and more than twenty assault cases. Currently, all the main suspects have been placed under coercive measures, and the case is under further investigation."

Liang Huaiyuan took the materials and flipped through them page by page. His expression remained unchanged, but when he reached the list of people involved in the case, his hand paused. Some of the names he recognized, while others he didn't.

Some of those he recognized were former subordinates, while others were cadres he had met at the meeting. He paused for a moment, placed the materials on the coffee table, and looked at Lin Feng. "Comrade Lin Feng, you have done a very good job in Pingjiang. The Provincial Party Committee fully affirms your work and that of the special investigation team."

Lin Feng said, "Thank you, Secretary Liang. But the problem in Pingjiang is not just about the case. The case needs to be investigated, but what will happen to Pingjiang after the investigation? That's the main point I'm reporting to you today."

Liang Huaiyuan looked at him, a hint of interest in his eyes. "Go on."

Lin Feng took another document out of the file bag and handed it to Liang Huaiyuan with both hands.

It was a thick draft plan, with the words "Pingjiang Rare Earth Industry Revitalization Plan" printed on the cover. Liang Huaiyuan took it, opened it, and read it page by page.

The plan was very detailed, from the current situation analysis to development goals, from key tasks to safeguard measures, all clearly organized and richly data-driven. He paused when he reached the section on "Rare Earth Trading Platform," looked at it carefully, and then continued flipping through. He paused again when he reached the section on "Rare Earth New Materials Industrial Park." Finally, he closed the plan and looked at Lin Feng.

"Comrade Lin Feng, did you write this plan yourself?"

Lin Feng shook his head. "It wasn't written by me alone. Executive Vice Mayor Lu Jianping, Director of the Development and Reform Commission Yang Xuefeng, and a group of colleagues from relevant departments studied it together for several nights. I only suggested an idea; the specific content is the crystallization of everyone's collective wisdom."

Liang Huaiyuan nodded, placed the plan on the coffee table, leaned back in his chair, and remained silent for a moment. "Comrade Lin Feng, the Provincial Party Committee has taken notice of your work in Pingjiang. You've been tough on corruption; you've been very focused on development. You've been equally adept at both, which is truly commendable."

He paused, stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to Lin Feng. "You just mentioned a rare earth trading platform, which is a great idea. But I have to be honest with you—it's very difficult. Rare earth is a strategic resource, and a trading platform can't be approved by local authorities; it requires national-level support. However, difficulty doesn't mean it's impossible."

He turned to look at Lin Feng. "The central government attaches great importance to the rare earth industry and is currently studying new policies and measures. Pingjiang, as a major rare earth producing area, can strive to be selected as a pilot area. After you go back, refine the plan further, especially the rare earth trading platform and the rare earth new materials industrial park. You need to come up with specific and workable plans. I will report to the central government and seek their support."

Lin Feng's eyes lit up. "Secretary Liang, do you mean Pingjiang could become a pilot area for rare earth industry reform?"

Liang Huaiyuan nodded. "It's possible. But whether it will work out depends on how well your plan is done, and also on the central government's determination. When you go back, you need to stay calm and focus on making the plan solid, detailed, and thorough. Once the plan is ready, I'll try to get it done for you."

Lin Feng stood up and said solemnly, "Thank you, Secretary Liang."

Liang Huaiyuan waved his hand. "Don't thank me. You're the one who gets things done, and I'm here to support you. If you do a good job, I'll be proud of you too." He walked back to the sofa, sat down, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

"Comrade Lin Feng, there's one more thing. Zhou Tianming's case must be handled quickly and well, but it can't affect Pingjiang's development. Once those who should be arrested are arrested and those who should be sentenced are sentenced, the case will be closed. After that, we should focus our energy on development. The people of Pingjiang don't just care how many corrupt officials you arrest; they care more about whether you can make their lives better."

Lin Feng said, "I understand."

Liang Huaiyuan looked at him, his gaze holding something indescribable—a mixture of expectation and entrustment. "Comrade Lin Feng, the affairs of Pingjiang are now in your hands."

Lin Feng said, "Secretary Liang, rest assured, I will see this through to the end."

It was almost noon when I came out of the provincial party committee compound.

Lin Feng got into the car and said to Lao Zhou, "Back to Pingjiang." The car drove out of the provincial party committee compound and onto the highway. Lin Feng leaned back in his seat, his eyes closed. The sunlight outside the car window was bright, shining warmly on his face through the glass.

It was already afternoon when we got back to Pingjiang.

Lin Feng didn't rest; he immediately instructed Qian Shumo to convene a meeting of the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee. At the meeting, Lin Feng conveyed the instructions of Provincial Party Secretary Liang. Lu Jianping was the first to speak, saying that the plan needed to be revised and improved as soon as possible to be submitted. Yang Xuefeng said that the preliminary draft of the rare earth trading platform plan had been prepared and would be ready soon after further refinement.

Zhao Liangyu said that the Discipline Inspection Commission would supervise the entire process to ensure integrity during the implementation of the plan. Others also spoke, creating a lively atmosphere.

Lin Feng concluded by saying, "Comrades, the Provincial Party Committee supports us, and the Central Committee may designate Pingjiang as a pilot area for rare earth industry reform. This is both an opportunity and a test. If we seize the opportunity, Pingjiang will take a leap forward. If we miss it, Pingjiang may remain stagnant for many more years. I hope everyone cherishes this opportunity and makes the plan practical, detailed, and thorough. The future of Pingjiang is in your hands."

After the meeting, Lin Feng returned to his office. He stood by the window, gazing at the hazy sky in the distance. The fog was thinner than it had been a few days ago, and the sunlight was struggling to penetrate the clouds.

He recalled Secretary Liang's words—"The people of Pingjiang don't just care how many corrupt officials you arrest, but also whether you can enable them to live a good life." He also recalled a sentence from Old Zhou's letter—"Rare earth is a strategic resource of the country. After the rectification, it should be used well."

He took a deep breath, turned back to his desk, opened the draft plan, and continued revising it. Outside the window, the sky was gradually brightening. The morning in Pingjiang was foggy, but the sunlight was slowly dispelling the smog.