Free Web NovelChapter 1412: Chapter 214: Reserve Work Is Hard to Do
At 9 AM, Han Xiangning’s first investment promotion trip since becoming Vice Mayor officially kicked off.
The scale of the investment team was considerable. Besides her, the leading deputy Mayor from the Party Committee, there were Deputy Director Yang from the Changzhou Municipal Government Office, Deputy Director Huang from the Investment Promotion Bureau, the Director of the Bridge Industrial Park Management Committee, the Director of the Industrial Park Investment Promotion Office, and a cadre from the City’s United Front Department.
They had done a lot of preparation for this investment promotion.
Like Linghai people, Changzhou people started venturing to the East Sea a century ago. After the reform and opening-up, many people went to the East Sea to work, some pioneers of the market economy became big bosses through hard work, and many students applied to colleges in the East Sea to study and stayed for work.
For Changzhou to develop, they must first find fellow townsmen!
Early on, when Mayor Hou first transferred to work in Changzhou, he instructed towns to take stock and count townsmen who developed well outside. The United Front Department made finding fellow townsmen one of its main tasks, resulting in a thick list of successful Changzhou people.
When Han Xiangning and the others arrived in the East Sea, it was already 2 PM. They found a roadside small restaurant for a simple working meal before rushing to visit the chemical companies that needed relocation.
With Instructor Wang’s brother-in-law helping to connect, the trip went smoothly. The factory leaders were very attentive and welcoming, and the discussion session continued from 3:30 PM until dusk, finally concluding with an on-site inspection in Changzhou scheduled for early next month.
It wasn’t appropriate to treat them to a meal the first time they interacted, as it could have left an impractical, indulgent impression. Conversely, they wouldn’t treat small cadres from the riverside countryside to a dinner, so they privately asked Instructor Wang’s brother-in-law for a gathering, asking him to pay attention to the progress of the enterprise relocation.
Proving that coming or not coming makes a complete difference.
Inviting or not inviting them to socialize also makes a difference.
Instructor Wang’s brother-in-law, who has worked in the chemical industry for many years, is well-acquainted with East Sea’s chemical enterprises. He not only provided valuable information about more than one chemical plant needing relocation but also furnished a list of companies scheduled to relocate within two years, even calling friends working in those enterprises before everyone, portraying Changzhou’s investment environment as very promising, aiding Changzhou in investment promotion.
After sending off the helpful friend, they returned to the hotel for a summary meeting, simultaneously planning tomorrow’s investment promotion work.
It wasn’t until almost midnight at 11 PM that Han Xiangning realized her sister and brother-in-law had arrived, having waited downstairs in the lobby for over two hours.
Inviting Han Ning and Zhang Jiangkun into the room, Han Xiangning said apologetically, "Sis, brother-in-law, my phone was on silent earlier, I was busy discussing work with them and forgot to check. Honestly, I didn’t know you guys were coming. You could have asked at the front desk, this hotel has a good relationship with our City’s Reception Office. Secretary Chu and Mayor Hou stay here every time they come to the East Sea..."
"It’s no issue, we just waited for a while. We aren’t as busy as you."
"Indeed, it’s just a matter of staying up late, we are used to it."
"Brother-in-law, do you guys stay up late every day?"
Zhang Jiangkun smiled and said, "Your sister has to take turns on night duty with Shao Lei. Though I don’t do night shifts, I have to pick up Dongdong from school. Dongdong attends night study sessions every day until 11 PM. Once picked up and back home for a bite, a shower, and bedtime, it’s already at least midnight." freёwebnovel.com
Talking about her nephew, Han Xiangning urgently asked, "How are Dongdong’s grades recently?"
"Quite good. He’s aware that he needs to study, as not doing so would mean he won’t get good grades. If he can’t reach the first-tier benchmark, he can’t become a pilot. My sister and I are not giving him pressure now, but instead finding ways to relieve his stress."
"Then who picks up Dongdong when you visit me at night?"
"His grandpa is doing it tonight, but he doesn’t need us to pick him up anymore. Still, we feel a bit uneasy."
The son’s understanding greatly gratifies Han Ning.
Seeing her sister-in-law so concerned, she smiled and said, "I actually hope he doesn’t get in. Being a pilot sounds impressive, but it’s risky flying in the sky. How great it would be to get recommended to Traffic University, less dangerous and closer to home."
This was unguarded bragging!
Even if he fails, he’d still attend Traffic University. Han Xiangning envied and sighed, "I hope Han Han will be as sensible as Dongdong in the future, instead of just playing, eating, and disliking school."
"Han Han is only in kindergarten. What can she understand now? Plus, Dongdong used to be playful too. When he first transferred to the Four Factory for middle school, his grades fell drastically. Only after realizing there was no future in neglecting studies did he become serious."
"Is it the case of a prodigal son’s return being worth more than gold?"
"Exactly, hahaha."
After discussing her nephew, Han Xiangning curiously asked about her brother-in-law’s work.
Zhang Jiangkun was very satisfied with his current job, chuckling, "School work is pretty simple, especially for someone like me, a technician. Really, it’s quite leisurely. No need to stand in the classroom teaching students or prepare lessons like others. Just teach the electromechanics department students to repair equipment in the practice room, practically the same as training apprentices at the Port Authority."
Her alma mater also had teachers like her brother-in-law.
Imagining her brother-in-law’s current work situation, Han Xiangning curiously asked, "But you are not only a teacher, but also the Armed Forces Minister at your school. You must have quite a bit of administrative work aside from training apprentices, right?"
"Our school isn’t Cosco or Zhonghai, let alone Baosteel. The work for the school’s Armed Forces Department isn’t much. Mainly recommending graduates for military service, organizing freshmen for military training, and if possible, arranging outings for students to receive patriotic and national defense education. Not as hectic as Cosco, Zhonghai, and Baosteel’s Armed Forces Departments."
"Brother-in-law, do you know anyone from Baosteel?"
"Sure, but only those from the Armed Forces Department, not the big shots."
"Mayor Han, you wouldn’t be thinking of going to Baosteel for investment promotion, would you?" Han Ning laughed.
Xiang Ning indeed thinks this way; she now dreams of attracting investment, and seeing her sister tease her, she quickly said, "Occupational hazard, let’s forget about not recognizing big leaders, pretend I never said it."
As a member of the standing committee and vice mayor, of course, I want to achieve results.
Han Ning understood her sister-in-law and laughed, "Isn’t your brother-in-law in reserve duty? He often attends meetings at the defense zone and knows many people from big units’ Armed Forces Departments. But knowing them doesn’t make a difference; as long as they’re from the Armed Forces Department, they don’t have real power and can’t help you."
National defense construction is important, but in the context of prioritizing economic development, the cadre system of the Armed Forces really doesn’t hold much status.
Just when Xiang Ning didn’t know what to say, Jiang Kun laughed and said, "A few days ago, I went to the defense zone for a meeting and met Director Wu from the Baosteel Armed Forces Department. Director Wu is a true hero, like Liu Degui and Wang Yan, he participated in the self-defense counterattack war, has been on the front lines, fought in battles, been wounded, and decorated for his bravery. We have a good relationship, and in conversation, he vented his frustrations to me."
"What did he complain about?" Xiang Ning laughed and asked.
"Baosteel is a big unit. It not only has an Armed Forces Department but also a reserve troop and its own weapons depot. The depot situation is quite special; it’s guided by the defense zone in business but managed daily by Baosteel’s Armed Forces Department. However, all personnel in the depot come from the Baosteel Development Company."
Jiang Kun chuckled and continued, "In this way, this small depot of about a dozen people ends up being managed by three parties. Baofa Development can manage it, Baosteel Armed Forces Department can manage it, and the East Sea Defense Zone can manage it.
Recently, Baofa Development’s leadership went to inspect the work, but since the weapons depot is a military area, or rather a restricted military zone, casual personnel aren’t allowed in. Letting them in would violate weapons and ammunition management guidelines. If not letting them in, the personnel’s employment is tied to Baofa Development, so there might be some day when they find an excuse to send them packing."
Faced with this situation is very troublesome, after all, not everyone has classmates that are so tough.
Xiang Ning curiously asked, "Did they let the leadership in eventually?"
"The employees didn’t dare and made several leaders wait outside the big iron gate for half an hour. Eventually, someone suggested asking the leaders to go to Baosteel’s Armed Forces Department for a proof notice, making things easier for everyone. The leaders were unhappy, saying that the employees were too bold, even refusing to host leaders inspecting their work."
Jiang Kun sighed deeply and continued, "The disagreement arose on both sides, Director Wu responsible for the depot received the report, went over to defend his point logically, and righteously, giving no face to Baofa Development’s leaders, so the leaders inspecting the work left in anger."
Xiang Ning, while helping her sister and brother-in-law peel fruit, said, "It should be handled this way; after all, it’s a weapons depot!"
"But the employees are scared, worried that leadership might retaliate against them. Director Wu reassured them, saying as long as he’s in his position, nobody should expect to transfer anyone from the depot. Even though he says this, he’s actually uncertain about his own standing. He’s a combat hero and a department director at the main company, a subsidiary definitely can’t handle him, but employees have no power or influence, a single order from the top can cause them to be transferred. Ultimately, this situation makes him very upset."
Civilian soldiers’ reserve work is hard to do.
Jiang Kun genuinely sympathized with Director Wu and said thoughtfully, "Baosteel reserve work is carried out well, every summer, they organize reserve soldiers to gather and train at the shooting range in Dongqi or our Linghai. Every time the defense zone organizes reserve forces for anti-aircraft shooting competitions, Baosteel’s reserve regiment always wins first place. Without the depot’s support, how can they achieve such results?"
Even with three bosses overhead, achieving results means what?
Han Ning’s glad her husband wasn’t transferred to such a unit and laughed, "Ningning, almost forgot, now your brother-in-law’s school also has two superiors."
"Besides Zhonghai, what other superior?"
"Recently, the National Council issued a document, and our school, according to the document’s essence, is assigned to East Sea City’s administration. But this involves personnel and funding, after researching it extensively, the school remains under Zhonghai, with educational business under the East Sea City Education Bureau’s management."
"It’s a pity, if it could be fully assigned to East Sea, you’d be a full-fledged teacher!"
"Whether full or not makes no difference to me, the salary and benefits are about the same, but the school’s leadership might regret it. After all, if it could formally be assigned to East Sea City, the principal would have administrative rank."
"Speaking of which, I remember, our school is about to relocate, a few days ago Secretary Chu and Mayor Hou went to the school to talk with the leadership, Dean Shao said our school’s subordinate relationship might need adjusting too, previously under the Transportation Department’s administration, and it might become co-built by the Transportation Department and Binjiang Municipal Government."
Jiang Kun recognized Dean Shao and instinctively asked, "Is Dean Shao now at Vice Director Level or Director level?"
Xiang Ning laughed, "Neither Vice Director level nor Director level, just enjoys Vice Director level political treatment."
Han Ning turned to look at her husband, and sighed, "That’s better than the principal of your brother-in-law’s school, but Zhonghai is ultimately a corporate entity, and its performance is not very good, corporate appointed leaders can’t compare to those appointed by the Transportation Department."
Education matters should be government-managed, having companies manage education certainly isn’t as good as government management.
But the situation at my brother-in-law’s school is quite special, as it originally was a technical school of the former Marine Bureau.
Xiang Ning didn’t know how to evaluate it, so she quickly changed the topic, "Sister, brother-in-law, when will Dongdong take his exams?"
"In a month."
"There’s Guangjiao Temple on Lang Mountain; I’ll have San’er go there to offer incense, asking Buddha to bless Dongdong for good exam results."
Han Ning laughed, bursting into laughter, "San’er is a Party cadre, can’t engage in feudal superstitions!"
Xiang Ning thought it necessary and said with amusement, "Then I’ll have my mom do the incense offering."
"Your mom is also a Party member!"
"My mom’s retired."
"Being retired still makes her a Party member."
"The superior won’t care; besides, during Chinese New Year, we still go to pray to Buddha, this is not feudal superstition, this is a Chinese tradition."
