Chapter 239: Comrade Zhou Ming, Hello

At noon, after the first provincial people's congress session ended, Zhou Ming walked out of the meeting hall. Liang An called out to him and deliberately approached with a smirk: "Mr. Zhou, I'm truly sorry. I was only speaking in the context of the matter and didn't mean to target you personally. Please don't take it to heart."

Zhou Ming understood exactly what Liang An was referring to. During the meeting earlier, after Zhou Ming had just presented the significance of establishing a township industrial park, Liang An immediately jumped up to oppose it. Not only did he oppose it, but he also labeled Zhou Ming's proposal as going against history and the spirit of reform and opening up. If that wasn't a personal attack, Zhou Ming didn't know what was.

Seeing Liang An's smug expression, Zhou Ming felt that if he were twenty years younger, he might have punched him. However, that would only bring more trouble.

Zhou Ming thought for a moment and said, "Of course, we are all elected representatives of the people, and we are here to discuss representative issues. Everyone has the right to express their views. If you believe there are problems with my views, you are naturally entitled to raise your objections."

Liang An laughed and said to the people around him, "Look at that, Mr. Zhou is truly a big boss from Linyang. His awareness of ideological issues is exceptional!"

Liang An's words were meant to mock Zhou Ming, but Zhou Ming remained calm and said, "Manager Liang, I have something to say to you. Are you interested in hearing it?"

"Please go ahead, Mr. Zhou," Liang An responded, seemingly unaware that Zhou Ming had just addressed him as "Manager Liang" instead of "Young Master An," reflecting Zhou Ming's changing attitude.

"Manager Liang, someone must have said something to you at the dinner party the other day," Zhou Ming said. "But I want to tell you that the capital, Yanjing, has many families with complex relations. Not everyone can be called a noble descendant, and not every noble descendant has a say at home. You should be more discerning."

Hearing this, Liang An sneered and said, "Mr. Zhou, are you lecturing me? But I don't think someone like you, a small boss from Linyang, has the right to do so!"

Zhou Ming shook his head and sighed, "Manager Liang, as the manager of Linyang Machinery Company, you may be the future successor of this large company. I think you should read more newspapers and understand national affairs. Don't think of yourself as the best in the world. One day, you'll find yourself in trouble."

Without waiting for Liang An's reaction, Zhou Ming left. Behind him, Liang An's voice could be heard: "Zhou Ming, who do you think you are? Do you think someone as foolish as you has the right to lecture me? Believe it or not, I'll find someone in Tanzhou to deal with you so you can never return to Linyang."

Back in his room, Su Han happily asked Zhou Ming how the meeting went. Zhou Ming told her about Liang An, and Su Han immediately became worried: "Why is he acting like this? We haven't offended him. Could he really be targeting you? Should we ask Governor Xiong to send police protection for you?"

"Don't worry, Xiao Han. Liang An is just talking nonsense. He wouldn't dare to do anything," Zhou Ming reassured her.

China is not a lawless place. Liang An is just a young master of a large state-owned enterprise, not the son of a provincial party secretary. Even the sons of provincial party secretaries wouldn't dare act so recklessly. Besides, as someone who has been reborn, if I were to get scared by such a spoiled brat and ask the governor for help, that would be truly embarrassing.

"Why is he treating you like this? This is only our third meeting, right? Wasn't he nice to us at the restaurant?" Su Han wondered.

"If I'm not mistaken, it's probably related to our encounter that day," Zhou Ming speculated.

Su Han, being smart, immediately understood Zhou Ming's meaning: "You mean it's because of Niu Jie? But he doesn't seem like a very influential red successor! And Liang An believes him just because he said something? Isn't that a bit naive? Doesn't Liang An read newspapers or watch news? Doesn't he know you're someone Governor Xiong values and that you've been to the capital?"

Zhou Ming shrugged: "Xiao Han, you're right. Young Master An really doesn't know me, and probably more than seventy percent of the representatives here don't know me either."

"Why is that? Don't they follow the news?" Su Han felt a bit speechless.

"There's no way around it. Information was already limited back then, and most of them are from state-owned enterprises or government institutions. They focus mainly on leadership thoughts and policy changes, with little interest in other matters," Zhou Ming explained.

"So what do we do? If he keeps causing trouble, how can you promote the township industrial park?" Su Han asked.

"I think it's not too bad. Even if Liang An opposes it, he can't ruin the reputation of the township industrial park. As for other aspects, I'll contact Governor Xiong and see what he says," Zhou Ming said.

Su Han nodded quickly: "Okay, Governor Xiong must already know. He will definitely have a solution."

Zhou Ming picked up the phone in his room and called Xiong Qingping. The call was soon connected, and Xiong Qingping said, "It's really surprising that Liang An suddenly came out to oppose. This is unexpected!"

Zhou Ming wasn't surprised that Governor Xiong knew about this. After all, he was the governor, and the township industrial park was something he valued. His people would have informed him, even without the internet or mobile phones.

"Governor Xiong, although Liang An's opposition to the township industrial park was unexpected, it's not entirely surprising. Should I still speak according to the original plan at the official meeting in three days?" Zhou Ming asked.

"Just proceed as planned," Xiong Qingping said. "Every idea will be questioned when it is presented. There are indeed people with incorrect motives in the province, but these are minor issues that won't affect the overall situation. So don't worry about it."

Xiong Qingping added, and Zhou Ming sighed with relief: "With your reassurance, Governor Xiong, I'm at ease."

After hanging up, Su Han immediately asked, "How did it go? What did Governor Xiong say?"

"It seems that Liang An's actions today may not just be because of Niu Jie. There might be other reasons as well. But it doesn't matter. The township industrial park is essential," Zhou Ming said confidently.

Su Han wanted to say more, but Zhou Ming didn't give her the chance. He pulled her onto the bed and said, "Xiao Han, I've been sitting in meetings all morning, and my whole body feels sore. Can you give me a massage?"

Su Han, although still a bit worried, trusted Zhou Ming. Since he was so confident, it should be fine.

With that thought, Su Han took off her shoes and got into bed. She gently massaged Zhou Ming's neck.

...

Three days later, it was the day of the formal provincial people's congress session. At eight in the morning, Zhou Ming arrived at the provincial congress. Since the meeting hadn't started yet, Zhou Ming rested in the adjacent lounge.

Soon after he sat down, an annoying voice came from behind: "Oh? Isn't this Representative Zhou from Linyang? Didn't your idea about the township industrial park already prove to be a backward step, aimed at pursuing your personal interests? Why are you here again today to put on another performance? Aren't you afraid the disciplinary committee will be waiting here to take you away?"

Zhou Ming turned around to see Liang An, who had just spoken. As soon as he finished, someone next to him added, "Yeah, this kind of person is really shameless. If I were you, I'd have run back to Linyang with my tail between my legs and spent the rest of my life in that remote countryside."

"How boring," Zhou Ming muttered, ignoring them.

But sometimes, when you want to avoid trouble, trouble finds you. Seeing Zhou Ming's lack of reaction, Liang An thought he had hit a nerve and deliberately walked up to Zhou Ming. "I say, Representative Zhou, weren't you quite impressive the other day? You even dared to lecture me. Why are you so down today, like a frostbitten eggplant?"

"Of course, he must be afraid of Young Master An!" someone next to Liang An chimed in.

"Representative Zhou, don't be so scared. Show me some more bravado!" Liang An said arrogantly, "Oh, by the way, let me tell you something else. The President of the country will be attending today's congress session."

Liang An paused deliberately before continuing, "Are you excited? This news was kept secret, so someone like you wouldn't have known. Did you think you could show off in front of the President or flaunt your criticized idea about the township industrial park? I'll tell you, you'll never have that chance. Today, I am the star here!"

Zhou Ming looked at Liang An with pity and shook his head, sighing, "I really don't understand where your confidence comes from."

Just as Liang An was about to respond, there was a commotion at the door. Liang An and the others turned around in surprise as President Du Zhongyuan entered the lounge, accompanied by Provincial Party Secretary Jiang Wen and Governor Xiong Qingping.

"Representative Zhou, did you see that? That's the President of the country. You've only seen him on TV, right? Today, you're fortunate. The President is here to greet the representatives. But only I have the privilege to shake hands with him. You'll never have that chance in your lifetime!"

Liang An threw this comment at Zhou Ming and rushed towards Du Zhongyuan. However, before he could even introduce himself, Du Zhongyuan walked past him and, to Liang An's utter astonishment, shook Zhou Ming's hand firmly and said, "Comrade Zhou Ming, hello."