Chapter 297: Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Leading the Team?

"What? Jiangnan Province is sending people to Nanhui County for a survey? To learn about the development of our township industrial park?"

"Is it really Jiangnan Province? Isn't Jiangnan Province supposed to be the richest place in the country right now? Even Lingnan can't compare. Lingnan still needs strong central government support, but Jiangnan has developed into the richest region on its own! With such good conditions, why would they come here for a survey?"

"Exactly. Jiangnan Province is such a great place. I remember someone from our village married into Jiangnan last year, and all the local girls were envious. How come Jiangnan now wants to learn from us? Have we already surpassed them in development?"

"Surpassing them seems impossible. Their foundation is much better than ours, and we can't catch up no matter how hard we try. I think the reason they're coming to survey is probably because they're interested in our township industrial park's investment model."

...

Gu Ping's statement was like a stone thrown into a pond, creating ripples of shock among everyone.

As people had mentioned, Jiangnan Province has always been a wealthy area since the founding of the country. Salaries there have always been higher, and development has been far superior. Otherwise, it wouldn't be compared to paradise in common sayings. In an era when population movement wasn't as frequent as in later times, getting a job transfer to Jiangnan or having a daughter marry there was seen as a great achievement. It was something that would make everyone envious.

And now, this so-called paradise is sending people here for a survey, wanting to learn from us? This is something people couldn't even dream of! The reversal of expectations is so dramatic it feels like a time-space inversion. Shouldn't we be the ones going to Jiangnan for a survey?

Even Zhou Ming was somewhat surprised. However, compared to others, his expression remained calm, which amazed everyone.

"Look at Zhou Boss, still so calm even hearing that Jiangnan Province's survey team is coming."

"Isn't that obvious? Zhou Boss is a big figure who has been to Hong Kong City. Even the Lingnan Province is developed by him. He can meet governors and party secretaries whenever he wants. Didn't you see how many Lingnan bosses came here for the township industrial park project? They're here to give Zhou Boss face!"

"So does this mean Jiangnan's survey team is coming to learn about the new model of the township industrial park?"

"Absolutely! Otherwise, why would they come here? It shows how amazing Zhou Boss is! I heard a billionaire from Jiangnan is like a nobody in front of Zhou Boss…"

The surrounding voices reached Zhou Ming's ears, but he didn't pay much attention. Even if he wanted to, it wouldn't make a difference.

Zhou Ming thought for a moment and asked Gu Ping, "Secretary Gu, what exactly is the Jiangnan survey team coming to investigate? Who is leading the team?"

Gu Ping turned to ask his secretary, Xiao Zhang. Zhou Ming intentionally asked Gu Ping rather than Xiao Zhang directly, even though he knew Xiao Zhang would have the most accurate information. Zhou Ming wanted to make sure he didn't bypass Gu Ping, the county party secretary. It was a small detail, but Zhou Ming felt it was necessary to pay attention to, not out of fear of offending Gu Ping, but as a personal exercise.

After hearing the answer, Gu Ping's expression turned somewhat odd. He responded to Zhou Ming, "Representative Zhou, the Jiangnan survey team is here to investigate the township industrial park's construction situation. The team is led by Jiangnan Province's Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Ji Ruiming."

This news was already surprising, but Gu Ping's answer sent the crowd into another wave of excitement.

"Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, oh my god, Jiangnan's Deputy Secretary is personally leading the team. This is the third most important person in Jiangnan Province. How advanced is our township industrial park?"

"Indeed! I remember a few years ago, Jingchu Province discussed sending a vice governor to Jiangnan and Binhai to learn their economic development experiences. Nanhui County even organized many collective learning sessions. How come now, just a few years later, Jiangnan's Deputy Secretary is coming to learn from us? Are we defying the heavens?"

"This can only mean that Zhou Boss is incredibly capable. In just one year since taking over the 760 Factory, he has managed to attract Jiangnan's Deputy Secretary for a study visit. This is truly remarkable!"

"You're right about Zhou Boss taking over the 760 Factory. I know he ventured to Hong Kong City only last year. Such achievements in such a short time are almost a miracle!"

Zhou Ming wasn't distracted by these discussions. He keenly focused on the key point in Gu Ping's words and immediately asked, "Secretary Gu, what is this Ji Ruiming specifically?"

"Jiangnan Province's Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission," Gu Ping answered.

Zhou Ming then understood the strange expression on Gu Ping's face—it was entirely due to Ji Ruiming's position.

Generally, if a province were to send a team to another province to study economic conditions, they would send a department-level official or, for more important matters, a vice governor or executive vice governor, or even the governor. But Jiangnan sending a Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission—what does that mean? None of these positions are related to economics. Are they here to investigate Jingchu Province's discipline construction?

This was very strange.

Zhou Ming furrowed his brow but quickly realized that if a discipline inspection commission secretary was involved, the survey might be a pretext. The real intention could be something else entirely.

Gu Ping noticed the change in Zhou Ming's expression and asked anxiously, "Representative Zhou, did you figure something out?"

Zhou Ming glanced at him and said, "I'm not sure yet, but regardless of the purpose of Jiangnan's survey team, we just need to host them well."

He paused for a moment and then added, "Moreover, it's better not to know too much about some things. Sometimes, knowing too much can become a burden. Secretary Gu, what do you think?"

Zhou Ming's remark seemed very casual, but it gave Gu Ping an involuntary shiver.

Despite Gu Ping's lower rank, he had been in the officialdom for half his life and immediately realized that the visit by the Jiangnan survey team, led by such a high-ranking individual, must involve significant issues—issues beyond his reach.

Realizing this, Gu Ping straightened up but felt it was only natural given the nature of Zhou Ming. Zhou Ming was simply an unpredictable person.

"Yes, I will ensure the Nanhui County Party Committee performs its duties properly," Gu Ping said.

Zhou Ming knew Gu Ping's response was genuine, as a county party secretary's intelligence level wouldn't be too low. Zhou Ming smiled and said, "Alright, Secretary Gu, don't be so nervous. Nothing major will happen. Our development in Nanhui County will continue as planned. Jiangnan is still too far away; it takes a day and a night by train!"

Gu Ping sighed with relief and asked, "Should we prepare to welcome the Jiangnan survey team immediately?"

Unconsciously, Gu Ping was once again in a subordinate's posture. Zhou Ming, uninterested, replied directly, "Welcoming them is a must. After all, they are led by Jiangnan's Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee. We have no room to put on airs. But have they arrived in Linyang yet?"

In response, Gu Ping looked at his secretary, Xiao Zhang, who promptly replied, "They have just arrived in Tanzhou. The provincial government called and asked us to prepare for their arrival. The Jiangnan leaders will stay in Tanzhou for a day and a night and will head to Linyang the day after tomorrow. Their first stop will be Nanhui County."

If there were any doubts about the purpose of the Jiangnan survey team before, they were now completely dispelled.

"Unexpectedly, the Jiangnan survey team is really coming to visit Nanhui County. Zhou Boss is indeed amazing, finally allowing us to hold our head high in front of such an economically developed province like Jiangnan!"

Someone in the crowd exclaimed with excitement. But despite the surrounding enthusiasm, Zhou Ming remained calm. Facing Gu Ping's questioning gaze, he said, "The Jiangnan survey team will only arrive the day after tomorrow. We have a whole day to prepare. There's no rush. Let's first review the industrial park. This is our original task for today, and also to decide what we should show the Jiangnan visitors."

Hearing Zhou Ming's words, Gu Ping couldn't help but admire him, thinking: "Incredible, even at this time he can think of these things!"

Gu Ping understood that if it were him, he would have immediately ended today's inspection activities and rushed to prepare for the welcome event. Not just him, but most people would have reacted similarly. Zhou Ming's calm analysis was on a different level.

Not only Gu Ping, but the surrounding crowd also applauded and cheered for Zhou Ming: "Zhou Boss, you're simply the best! Only you could be so clear about priorities at a time like this! As long as you're here, Nanhui County will continue to create miracles! Zhou Boss, your words are like a little apple, sweet and delightful!"

The last comment left Zhou Ming momentarily stunned: It seems something strange has slipped in!