Chapter 106: Public Speech

In the morning, an Audi car drove into the Municipal Party Committee compound. Zhou Ming parked the car and walked towards the Municipal Party Building with Du Peng.

Looking up at the grand Municipal Party Building, Du Peng appeared somewhat nervous and asked Zhou Ming, "Zhou Ming, are you really sure you want to do this? Isn't this going to be problematic?"

"I also think it might be problematic, but we don't have another choice," Zhou Ming replied. "Aren't you afraid, Du Shao?"

Du Peng bristled at the suggestion, straightening his back. "Of course not!"

"Exactly. Since they want to play, let's play along and make it a big deal," Zhou Ming said. "Anyway, stop worrying. The conference call will start soon, and I can't be late."

With that, Zhou Ming headed towards the building. Today was the day Central leader Yang was hosting a teleconference, and as someone personally invited by Yang, Zhou Ming had to attend. At the main entrance of the Municipal Party Building, Secretary Peng greeted Zhou Ming. Seeing Du Peng with him, Secretary Peng looked a bit surprised. Zhou Ming explained, "This guy couldn't wait and insisted on coming along to get the firsthand news, so he tagged along. Secretary Peng, could you help arrange for him?"

Secretary Peng smiled and nodded, "Alright, Mr. Du can wait in the reception room and watch TV for a while. Mr. Zhou, Mayor Chen has asked you to go directly to his office."

Zhou Ming and Du Peng followed Secretary Peng into the building. First, Du Peng was taken to the reception room, and then Zhou Ming was guided to the lounge next to the conference room where Mayor Chen Yunfei was waiting.

Upon entering the lounge, Zhou Ming saw a group of senior officials from the South Jiangsu Municipal Party Committee. All eyes were immediately on Zhou Ming, including those of the Municipal Party Secretary, Lu Xiong. Even though they were aware that a young man appointed by Yang was coming, they were still surprised when they actually saw Zhou Ming.

Zhou Ming had a good relationship with Mayor Chen Yunfei and went straight to him. As he passed by Deputy Secretary Lu Zhengrong, Zhou Ming deliberately greeted him.

This surprised Lu Zhengrong, who had not expected Zhou Ming to initiate a greeting. He merely snorted and ignored Zhou Ming. Zhou Ming didn't mind much; he had no intention of engaging in conversation with Lu Zhengrong.

Zhou Ming took a seat on an empty sofa next to Chen Yunfei. Chen Yunfei looked at Zhou Ming, then glanced at Lu Zhengrong, and said to Zhou Ming, "I know you've had quite a few incidents recently, but today's meeting is hosted by Yang. You should understand the level of importance of this meeting. You must speak with caution and avoid making indiscreet remarks. Do you understand?"

Zhou Ming understood that Chen Yunfei was concerned about him bringing his personal feelings towards Lu Zhengrong into the meeting, potentially upsetting Yang. If Yang were displeased, everyone would be in trouble.

"Don't worry, Mayor Chen. I will be careful," Zhou Ming assured.

Chen Yunfei nodded and briefed Zhou Ming on other matters to pay attention to. After a while, the Municipal Party Secretary came to inform them that the conference room was ready and the call with Beijing was connected; the meeting could start at any time.

Municipal Party Secretary Lu Xiong announced, "Comrades, Yang, as a national leader, is still very concerned about the development situation in South Jiangsu. Therefore, we must present our best state of mind to respond to the country."

Lu Xiong was the first to leave the lounge, followed by Mayor Chen Yunfei. Though Zhou Ming was new to the political scene, he understood the importance of hierarchy. Even though he was appointed by Yang to attend the meeting, he had to follow the formal procedures. Among all the Municipal Party officials present, Zhou Ming had to be the last to leave.

Before leaving, Lu Zhengrong cast a disdainful glance at Zhou Ming.

Zhou Ming followed the officials into the conference room, taking a seat at the back. The telephone was already connected, and Municipal Party Secretary Lu Xiong signaled everyone to remain silent.

This was Zhou Ming's first time attending such a high-level teleconference. As he looked around, he noticed it was similar to the teleconferences he had seen in the future. A phone was placed at the host's position, connected to the room's broadcast system. In front of Secretary Lu Xiong and Mayor Chen Yunfei were small microphones, also connected to the phone. This setup indicated the power dynamics in the room—besides the two of them, the rest of the attendees were there to listen.

After a while, there was a slight noise on the line, and a voice with a regional accent came through: "Hello, comrades from South Jiangsu. Sorry to keep you waiting."

Hearing this voice, Zhou Ming felt a surge of excitement. This was the true core of the central leadership. Although he had only heard this voice through TV and various materials in his previous life, today he was on the other end of the line, hearing it in real-time. Even with Zhou Ming's extensive experience, he was still thrilled. He wondered if he would have a chance to speak with the national leader directly.

As Zhou Ming pondered, Municipal Party Secretary Lu Xiong spoke up: "Yang, as a national leader, is very busy. It is only right for us to wait a bit."

"Well, you can't say it like that. South Jiangsu, being the forefront of our reform and opening-up, has its share of issues. It's not ideal to waste comrades' time," Yang said. "Alright, let's get to the point. You all know the theme of today's meeting. Lu Xiong, you start by discussing South Jiangsu's recent development."

"Yes, Yang," Lu Xiong opened a notebook and read from it, "Recently, South Jiangsu conducted a land auction. However, due to insufficient preparation and some malicious speculators hoarding and inflating land prices, the auctioned land prices were artificially elevated and left undeveloped, which went against the original intention of the housing reform. Later, the South Jiangsu Municipal Party Committee and the municipal government adhered to the policy set by Yang to resolve economic issues with economic means. By tightening market funds through the banking system, we successfully ended this wave of land speculation."

"In this matter, the South Jiangsu Municipal Party Committee and the municipal government worked together. I believe this incident serves as a warning to us, reminding us of the risks of speculation in a market economy. We must resolutely fight against those ill-intentioned speculators!"

Lu Xiong briefly summarized the land speculation issue in South Jiangsu. After listening, Yang Dingguo said, "Indeed! The planned economy of the past stifled the market but also the wealth of the people, which was determined by the national conditions at that time. Now, we are reforming and opening up to make the people prosperous, and we must face many such issues."

Yang Dingguo paused and continued, "This wave of land speculation was, in principle, an unexpected economic issue but, in reality, an administrative problem."

"It's due to our comrades not thinking enough and not being thorough," Yang Dingguo said. "If our comrades had thought more in advance and made better preparations, and if our regulations and systems had been more refined, these malicious speculators would have had no loopholes to exploit."

"Yes, Yang. On behalf of the South Jiangsu Municipal Party Committee and the municipal government, I apologize," Lu Xiong said.

Yang Dingguo replied, "An apology is not just words. South Jiangsu is a window for our reform and opening up. The whole nation is watching you. You should apologize to the people of the country and make sure that such incidents do not happen again. You must set an example for the reform and opening up across the country."

"Yes, Yang. I will take this to heart and ensure that such incidents do not occur again," Lu Xiong said.

Yang Dingguo grunted in response and then asked Chen Yunfei, "Yunfei, as the mayor of South Jiangsu and a skilled economist, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

Chen Yunfei responded, "Yang, I believe our greatest lesson from this land speculation wave is learning to use financial tools and manage market adjustments through the banking system without relying on administrative measures."

Yang Dingguo remarked, "Indeed! The bank, originally intended to manage and distribute the people's wealth, unexpectedly became a tool for some speculators to profit during this land speculation wave."

Chen Yunfei added, "Yang, I have already communicated with the provincial bank. The provincial bank will investigate this incident and punish those responsible."

Yang Dingguo responded noncommittally and then asked, "I've heard that a comrade named Zhou Ming played a significant role in resolving this land speculation issue. Is he here?"

At this question, all eyes in the conference room turned to Zhou Ming, filled with surprise and disbelief. For these municipal officials, they had only expected Zhou Ming to attend the meeting as a formality. They never imagined Yang Dingguo would specifically ask him to speak, and even after the Municipal Party Secretary and Mayor. This was unexpected and confusing. 

Many people were envious and resentful. South Jiangsu, as Yang Dingguo's appointed economic zone, had held similar teleconferences before, but only the Municipal Party Secretary and Mayor had previously had the right to speak with Yang. Others were just listeners. How was it that Zhou Ming, a newly appointed development consultant, was singled out to speak today?

This was indeed unusual!