touchnovel Chapter 608 - 579: Three Departments Merged into One
Chapter 608 - 579: Three Departments Merged into One
Mei Ru Xue laughed: "Alright, stop with the Secretary Mei this and Secretary Mei that. Recently, there’s been organizational reform in the city, establishing the High-Tech Zone Management Committee. Comrade Geng Wenjun is appointed as the Party Committee Secretary of the High-Tech Zone Management Committee, and a new committee director will be added. My position will also change."Xu Chunliang asked: "Is the new committee director you?"
Mei Ru Xue shook her head and said: "I don’t have enough seniority, I should be the deputy director of the committee. Secretary Geng will surely move up, and he might soon become a member of Dongzhou’s Party Group."
Xu Chunliang wasn’t just idling around in Hu Shan Town; he estimated that Geng Wenjun would quickly become a deputy mayor. After his promotion, there would be changes in the leadership of the High-Tech Zone, and there’s a good chance that this committee director position would fall onto Mei Ru Xue.
Xu Chunliang sighed inwardly at Mei Ru Xue’s rapid progress, realizing he had to work harder too. Otherwise, he’d be overshadowed by Mei Ru Xue his whole life; no man wants to lose face, he also wants to be on top.
Mei Ru Xue told Xu Chunliang that the biggest change this time was the formation of the Culture and Tourism Bureau. Due to the negative impact brought by the Han Yuan Hot Spring on Dongzhou, the leadership decided to consolidate the excessively scattered institutions of Dongzhou’s Culture and Tourism system by merging the Tourism Bureau, the Cultural Relics Bureau, and the Cultural Bureau. This way, the first thing to be streamlined is the leadership of each bureau.
Fu Guomin, who was summoned by Secretary Zhou from the Capital City, could be said to be tasked during a crisis. It’s already confirmed that he will be the director and Party Committee Secretary of Dongzhou Culture and Tourism Bureau. The former Cultural Bureau director, Li Yushan, will serve as the Party Committee Deputy Secretary. The former Cultural Relics Bureau director, Chen Dingjun, went to the Old Science and Technology Association, basically stepping down from a leadership position. The deputy director of the Cultural Relics Bureau, Xiao Dong, will serve as the deputy director of the Culture and Tourism Bureau, responsible for cultural relics protection work.
Xu Chunliang mused that this would further increase Fu Guomin’s power; with the merger of the three bureaus, the jurisdictional scope is now three times larger than before.
Mei Ru Xue believes that Dongzhou’s cultural and tourism work is difficult. Although Dongzhou has a long history, it has always been a strategic location for military campaigns, resulting in continuous warfare, so there aren’t many ancient relics preserved. Nor does it have famous mountains or great rivers as natural landscapes. Since entering the twentieth century, local extensive coal mining has significantly impacted the ecology, making it a resource-depleted city.
Now, the so-called half-Qingshan and half-lake are just small hillocks over a hundred meters high, and most of the lakes are artificial or subsidence areas; you could say the largest natural lake in Dongzhou is Weishan Lake, which is shared with Jizhou.
Dongzhou designated the center of a national-level resort at Weishan Island, hoping to rely on the area’s unique natural scenery.
Xu Chunliang inquired about Fan Lidada, but Mei Ru Xue didn’t pay much attention; in her impression, he wasn’t part of the leadership team of the Culture and Tourism Bureau.
Fan Lidada became the director of the national-level resort command. Xu Chunliang originally thought that he was given an important position and would likely succeed as the Tourism Bureau director, but unexpectedly, plans couldn’t keep up with changes. Now the Culture and Tourism Bureau has been established, leaving the national-level resort command somewhat awkward, and even Fan Lidada himself is unsure of his position.
Mei Ru Xue told Xu Chunliang that not all leaders have the ability to strategize and successfully manage things; some are like bears picking corn, picking one and dropping another. Judging by the current situation, Fan Lidada is unfortunately becoming the one dropped.
After sending Xu Chunliang back to Hidden Lake Villa, it started to rain again.
Xu Chunliang heard the rain pattering down, glanced at Mei Ru Xue, and happened to catch her looking at him too.
Xu Chunliang said: "The rain’s so heavy, why don’t you stay over?"
Mei Ru Xue blushed and whispered: "It’s not that heavy. I don’t want others gossiping."
Xu Chunliang said: "You still don’t trust me? I’m not asking you to sleep with me; Zhen Chun is home."
Mei Ru Xue shook her head: "It’s okay, I’m not far if I drive." She leaned in to give Xu Chunliang a kiss on the cheek, but he caught her by the neck, pulling her into his arms, giving her a long and passionate kiss.
Xu Chunliang realized he needed to arrange a place to live alone. Although the villa is big enough, his grandpa is usually around, lacking privacy. Mei Ru Xue values her reputation a lot. If he had his own place, she might not insist on leaving tonight.
Grandmaster Xu noticed his mind was like a greedy monkey, and his will like a galloping horse, becoming less composed in front of the alluring Secretary Mei. However, he didn’t force Mei Ru Xue and let her go after embracing for a while.
Mei Ru Xue left, face full of shyness, softened by his touches.
After Mei Ru Xue left, Xu Chunliang entered the villa from the back door. His grandpa had already gone to bed, and Zhen Chun was sitting in the living room watching a drama.
Xu Chunliang said: "Quite cozy, huh?"
Zhen Chun said: "Enjoying the last few days of holiday, I’m going back to Xiangjiang the day after tomorrow."
Xu Chunliang sat next to her with a smile: "Leaving so soon? Isn’t there anything in Dongzhou worth staying for?"
Zhen Chun said: "There is, you and Grandpa."
"Anything else?"
Zhen Chun blinked and said: "Lamb skewers."
Xu Chunliang laughed, not knowing if the girl was truly clueless or pretending.
Zhen Chun made him a cup of tea.
Xu Chunliang said: "I see you’ve been hanging out a lot with Zhou Deming."
"Mingzai! He’s a nice guy!"
Upon hearing her award Zhou Deming with a ’nice guy card,’ Xu Chunliang reckoned there’s probably not much hope for that matter. But nowadays, people advocate for free love, and even though Zhen Chun is his cousin, he can’t interfere in her romantic affairs.
Zhen Chun said, "Cousin, does Uncle Zheng like my mommy?"
Xu Chunliang replied, "Duh, is that still a secret?"
Zhen Chun sighed, "He’s a good person too."
Xu Chunliang thought to himself, what’s up with this little girl tonight, handing out good person cards left and right.
Xu Chunliang said, "By the way, I haven’t had the chance to ask, why did you come back suddenly this time?"
Zhen Chun kept her eyes on the TV, absent-minded, "Just missed you guys, no particular reason."
Xu Chunliang said, "Seems like you’ve got something on your mind."
Zhen Chun widened her eyes, "Me? Something on my mind? Haha, give me a break, focus on your girlfriend instead."
The next afternoon, Luan Yuchuan visited Xu Changshan, accompanied by Bai Mushan.
Xu Chunliang didn’t expect Bai Mushan to come. He thought how this guy managed to take away so many dragon bones from the Xu Family back then, how does he have the face to come here, but since he came from afar, Xu Chunliang wouldn’t just kick him out.
Xu Changshan was quite hospitable, recognizing Bai Mushan and shaking hands with him warmly, "It’s been over two decades since I last saw Professor Bai."
Bai Mushan said, "Mr. Xu, I’ve long wanted to visit you, but I failed the trust given to me, feeling guilty all the time."
Xu Changshan said, "The events of that year were natural and man-made, not your intent, so why hold it against yourself? If you hadn’t recognized those dragon bones as oracle bones back then, I would have already used them as medicine."
Xu Changshan had a carefree outlook, believing such things can’t be taken with you in life or death, so there’s no need to dwell on them. He didn’t know that the dragon bones contained the long-lost ’Heavenly Nourishment Chapter’ of the Inner Canon of Huangdi.
Xu Changshan also expressed gratitude to Luan Yuchuan, knowing that it was Luan who helped get a discount on the villa.
Xu Changshan always felt indebted, though he was unaware that Luan Yuchuan’s life was saved by Xu Chunliang. However, Xu Chunliang had already told him not to mention this matter in front of his grandfather.
Luan Yuchuan brought some new tea this time, and during the time Bai Mushan and Xu Changshan were reconnecting, Luan suggested taking a tour.
Xu Chunliang understood he wanted to have a private conversation with him.
After the rain, the courtyard was lush and lively, and the air was fresh. Luan Yuchuan suggested they go for a walk in the community.
Xu Chunliang said, "Is this President Luan’s first time here?"
Luan Yuchuan nodded, "Perhaps you’re not familiar with Equatorial Capital, but generally speaking, we don’t engage in physical business, we choose potential projects to invest in, but we don’t interfere with operations, giving partners maximum freedom."
Xu Chunliang said, "It’s good to have money."
Luan Yuchuan laughed, "Nothing compares to the importance of life. If it weren’t for you helping me last time, I’d have no chance to spend any more money, no matter how much I had."
Xu Chunliang smiled, "President Luan is quite insightful."
"People need to experience life and death once to gain true insight. I quit smoking and drinking, and exercise whenever possible now."
Xu Chunliang asked intentionally, "President Luan looks healthier and healthier, how do you usually keep fit? I’d love to learn."
Luan Yuchuan said, "Mr. Xu’s family teachings are profound, I wouldn’t dare to act knowledgeable in front of you. Actually, the purpose of my visit this time is to ask for your help."
Xu Chunliang nodded, knowing that since Luan Yuchuan came with a request, he must need something; otherwise, he wouldn’t be interested in visiting them.
Luan Yuchuan said, "Professor Bai is a good friend of mine, his biggest wish in life is to achieve something in the collection and research of oracle bones, and I agreed to help him. The Longgu Museum was founded with my funding, so if the Xu Family still has dragon bones, I would like to buy them at a high price."
Problems that can be solved with money aren’t really problems.
Xu Chunliang said, "We’ve discussed this before, indeed our family had quite a few dragon bones back then, but they were all donated to the Dongzhou Museum, introduced by Professor Bai. The few pieces left were originally tucked inside books. President Luan, there are many dragon bones on the market, why are you specifically interested in Huichun Hall’s?"
Xu Chunliang, of course, knew Luan Yuchuan’s real motive, but he deliberately asked to see how he would answer.
Luan Yuchuan said, "To be honest, according to Professor Bai, the dragon bones donated by Huichun Hall have very special inscriptions. He speculates that the text contains extremely important historical material, which potentially could significantly push forward the history of Chinese civilization, even surpassing the internationally recognized 7,000-year history of Egypt."
Xu Chunliang chuckled internally, Luan Yuchuan, you’re truly earnest in your nonsense, do you think I’m that easy to fool? Bai Zhongshan, in his research on oracle bones, might be an expert but just an expert, nothing more.