Free Web NovelChapter 1408: Chapter 210: The Impoverished Mayor
At 5:30 PM, the basketball friendly match between the Rescue Boat Team and Binjiang Reserve Group officially began.
Both are reserve forces, both are group-level units, but the Binjiang Reserve Group’s camp is bigger and more impressive than the Rescue Boat Team’s camp.
Moreover, all the officers above the camp level are active military officers, and there’s even a squad of active warriors. In comparison, the Rescue Boat Team is just a makeshift group!
Han Yu envied them, watching Captain Xia drenched in sweat on the court, and commented with a laugh: "Political Commissioner Jiao, Captain Xia plays basketball pretty well, do you?
"I can play a bit, used to play often. But not anymore, middle-aged now, can’t run as much."
Political Commissioner Jiao took a sip of water, thought for a moment, and laughed again: "Don’t think that Old Xia running around shouting means anything, he’s just here for fun. Have you seen him touch the ball? His old bones won’t run much longer, if you don’t believe me, we can bet. In fifteen minutes, he’ll ask to switch players." freewёbnoνel.com
Just as Political Commissioner Jiao said, Captain Xia was purely there for fun on the court.
Han Yu laughed: "It’s all about participation."
Not only were the two units holding a basketball friendly today, but they were also dining together tonight.
Political Commissioner Jiao glanced toward the cafeteria and said: "Salted Fish, the order appointing your Mayor Han as our group’s Deputy Political Commissioner and Changzhou Reserve Camp’s First Secretary has arrived. I made a call to Minister Huang at noon, checking when Changzhou’s city leaders are free so we can hold an appointment ceremony and officially announce it."
"Who is the Camp Commander?" Han Yu asked curiously.
Binjiang Reserve Group had a model camp, and now Political Commissioner Jiao wanted a second one. Without hesitation, he said: "The previous Camp Commander was Chen Baifeng, he had a lot of work in the group, although serving as Camp Commander, he was always helping at the headquarters. After discussing with Old Xia, we plan to appoint Zhao Jiang to replace Chen Baifeng as Changzhou Reserve Camp’s Camp Commander."
Zhao Jiang was definitely an old acquaintance, originally the Camp Commander of the Development Zone Reserve Camp. Since the Development Zone Reserve Camp was co-established with Linghai, during the flood resistance in ’98, Linghai’s leaders didn’t want the development zone to benefit, so they abandoned the Development Zone Reserve Camp.
Since then, the Development Zone Reserve Camp existed in name only, with few reserve soldiers and no camp.
Later, superiors only focused on the Linghai Reserve Camp, without inspecting other camps. The superiors weren’t very attentive, so the leaders of the development zone didn’t want to create trouble, and thus the Development Zone Reserve Camp remained on paper.
Considering that as per custom, the camp commander was always an active military officer from the group, Han Yu laughed: "It’s alright to let Zhao Jiang be the Camp Commander, at least he’s familiar."
"Familiarity alone isn’t enough, you have to achieve something."
"Political Commissioner Jiao, whether reserve duties are done well or not depends first on whether the Party government supports them, which ultimately means whether they’re willing to fund it. And second, luck."
Luck is indeed crucial.
If there hadn’t been a massive flood back then, the Linghai Reserve Camp wouldn’t have had any chance to make its name.
Political Commissioner Jiao knew very well that creating another model unit wouldn’t be easy. He laughed: "We must first organize the team, we can’t keep managing on paper like before. If we can develop something distinctive, it would be great to participate in grand actions like the Linghai Reserve Camp and your team."
Without money, nothing can be done.
Han Yu dared not make a quick statement, so he simply laughed: "Ask my mayor at home later, as she is the First Secretary, this falls under her duties too."
Speak of the devil.
Just as Han Yu’s words fell, Han Xiangning arrived on a light motorcycle.
As the former secretary of Linghai Reserve Camp, she was a frequent visitor to both the Rescue Boat Team camp and the Binjiang Reserve Group, and all the group’s officers waved in greeting as she arrived.
Captain Xia raised his hand and asked the referee for a player substitution.
"Ningning, weren’t you going to buy clothes? How come you’re back without getting anything?"
"I went to the mall, nothing suitable."
"Mayor Han, welcome, welcome, this is not the place to talk. Let’s go to the office." Captain Xia jogged over, breathless.
Political Commissioner Jiao teased: "Captain, aren’t you worried about stinking up Mayor Han with your sweat, and you still have the nerve to invite her to the office."
"Correct, correct, I’ll take a shower and change into clean clothes first, you all go ahead."
"Alright."
Han Yu watched Captain Xia leave while heading to the office building with Political Commissioner Jiao, saying: "Changzhou mall didn’t have suitable clothing, perhaps Binjiang’s mall does."
Han Xiangning hesitated for a moment and awkwardly said in front of Political Commissioner Jiao: "Changzhou has two big malls, plenty of clothing stores, it’s not that there wasn’t suitable clothes, it’s just too expensive. I thought about it and preferred not to buy."
"How expensive?"
"Never mind, not buying."
"If you don’t buy, what will you wear?"
"I’ll just wear what I usually wear, these matters shouldn’t be compared with others."
Han Xiangning sighed lightly, feigning a relaxed tone: "Others might change outfits like fashion models daily, but can I afford that? Buying clothes, then bags, then shoes, sometimes even makeup, any amount of money won’t be enough. Moreover, with the weather getting hotter, buying good clothes now only means wearing them for a few days before the season changes and buying more."
As a city leader, you must care about your image.
Male leaders dress meticulously, either in suits or jackets, with summer not having anything less than crisply ironed white shirts or Montague outfits. Female leaders are even more particular, dressing well to maintain their aura and presence.
Political Commissioner Jiao realized and laughed: "Mayor Han, some money can be saved, but some cannot. You’re a city leader now, representing Changzhou’s image, you can’t be unkempt or too modest."
"Yes, if you need to buy it, just buy it, don’t be reluctant." Han Yu fully agreed.
In the afternoon, I went around the mall, wanting to dress up like others would cost at least two or three thousand.
Everyone says Salted Fish is stingy, but Han Xiangning is just as frugal. Over the years, she not only rarely bought clothes for herself but also didn’t buy clothes for her daughter.
Spending that much on herself, she truly couldn’t bear it. She casually said, "The external image of Changzhou is represented by Secretary Chu and Mayor Hou, it’s not my turn anyway. I’ve thought it through and consulted Secretary Chu and Mayor Hou in the afternoon. I’ll return to the riverside tomorrow, work by the river, and won’t go to the city government unless it’s something very important."
"Returning to work by the riverside?" Han Yu asked instinctively.
"My main job is to ensure the development of the Yangtze River coastline and attract investment for the Bridge Industrial Park, so my focus should naturally be by the river. Besides, when Mayor Shen was the development zone party secretary of Linghai, he predominantly stayed in Sanhe and rarely went to the city government either."
"Does the Bridge Industrial Park have an office?"
"No."
"Then where will you work?"
"I’ll go back to our Maritime Department. I’ve already consulted Director Xu to clear the first floor of the Maritime Department to serve as a temporary office location for the administration committee of the Yangtze River Bridge Industrial Park."
To save money, she proactively requested to return to the riverside.
A dignified deputy mayor mixed up like this, speaking out would leave others in disbelief.
Political Commissioner Jiao knew the couple well, aware that they wouldn’t take advantage of public resources despite financial difficulties, and sighed, "Working from the Changzhou Maritime Office by the riverside is fine. Upstairs, you are the head of Maritime, and downstairs, you are a deputy mayor, able to manage work on both sides."
"That’s exactly how I thought it through," Han Xiang Ning laughed cheerfully and turned back, "San’er, we used to go to work together, and we will continue to do so."
Han Yu suddenly remembered a historical anecdote. Qing Dynasty court officials were so poor they couldn’t afford official robes and had to borrow them; if borrowing didn’t work, they even drew a badge on paper and pinned it to their chest. He didn’t expect his senior’s situation to be similar, reluctant even to spend money on decent clothes.
"Ningning, it doesn’t have to be like this."
"I’m going for a position, not to spend money. Besides, dressing plainly won’t affect work. The conditions now are much better, and everyone is more particular, unlike the officials in the past. I’m reluctant to spend money on clothes, and I don’t feel embarrassed." Han Xiangning genuinely had it all figured out, beaming as she said, "It’s just about keeping up with the Joneses. I own two apartments in the East Sea and will soon have an East Sea household registration. How about them?"
"That’s true; at least we have a house!"
"Let’s not talk about this anymore. Political Commissioner Jiao, let’s discuss the construction of our Changzhou Reserve Camp."
Matters have their priorities. Han Xiangning had already planned out her upcoming work, deciding to focus her efforts on attracting investment and start with the easier tasks.
Political Commissioner Jiao was amused, looking at her with a smile, "Mayor Han, our group will surely fully support you. We’ve even considered the new Camp Commander’s candidate and plan to have Zhao Jiang under your leadership."
"What about funding?" Han Xiangning directly got to the point.
Political Commissioner Jiao was momentarily taken aback, unable to speak.
Captain Xia entered in clean clothes, understanding the situation, and smiled apologetically, "Mayor Han, you and Salted Fish are both family to us, you know our group’s condition best."
"Didn’t the city grant funds of ten million to the group?"
"That was back in ’98, now it’s 2000, and the real amount received by our group was only seven million. Two million were used for constructing the new camp area for Linghai Reserve Camp, and another million was used for each camp’s training over the past few years. The seven million allocated to our group were entirely spent on building the new camp area; otherwise, we’d still be cramped in the Military District communication station now."
"Even if there’s not much, there’s got to be at least some."
Han Xiangning didn’t want to return empty-handed. Han Yu, not making any comments, sat smiling silently on the side.
Captain Xia hadn’t expected her to ask for money from the group and smiled wryly, "Xiang Ning, you’re a Deputy Mayor now, a Changzhou City Committee member!"
"I’m ranked low on the committee, similar to Minister Huang, with just a vote at the committee meetings. Additionally, the city is handling several major projects this year and spending is everywhere. Finances are tight, and Secretary Chu and Mayor Hou are worried daily about how to find money to pay salaries for officials and teachers. How could I ask Secretary Chu and Mayor Hou for money?"
"Changzhou’s economic development is doing well; how could there be no money?"
"It seems to be developing well, but the expenses are even greater."
Han Xiangning glanced back at Han Yu, then changed the subject, "Captain Xia, Political Commissioner Jiao, although I currently lack funds, I do have land! Once I attract investors and sell the industrial land in the Bridge Industrial Park, I’ll have money then."
"Xiang Ning, do you mean..."
"The group could lend me ten to eighty thousand for a short period. Technically, it wouldn’t be lending to me but to Zhao Jiang, allowing him to first form the team and attempt to organize a military training before the year’s end. Once I secure co-building units and sponsorships and sell the land gaining funds, I’ll repay this initial amount to the group."
"..."
"Captain Xia, Political Commissioner Jiao, don’t look at me like that. Secretary Chu and Mayor Hou appointed me as Secretary of the Bridge Industrial Park not without providing seed funds, but those funds are primarily for land acquisition and demolition. They are compensation for the people and can absolutely not be repurposed."
The formation of Linghai Reserve Camp received strong support from Vice Mayor Qin.
Back then, Vice Mayor Qin wasn’t a committee member either, didn’t have funds or authority, but he had Shen Fan, an old subordinate.
Although Shen Fan was also a deputy mayor at the time, he had already established a foothold in Linghai with the development territory’s construction on track, unlike Han Xiangning, who had nothing.
As for finding units for joint construction and sponsorship, the Binjiang Yangtze River coastline only had so many units. Salted Fish had already successfully sought sponsorship twice, leaving Han Xiangning with nowhere to look even if she tried her hardest.
Realizing the difficult position Mayor Han was in, Captain Xia weighed the situation and smiled, "Ten thousand shouldn’t be a problem; it’s not even considered as borrowing, just our group’s support for you. But this matter should be kept confidential; otherwise, it would make other camps’ work challenging."
