Zhang Ruiqiang was surprised when Feng Yu accepted what he said, and he looks like he wanted to good citizen award badly.
Something must be wrong. What’s the use of having a good citizen award?
Feng Yu readily gave Zhang Ruiqiang the contact details of the Russian Officials. He also explained to Zhang Ruiqiang about the situation in Russia and told him his terms. The duration of the lease must be at least 7 years, and the farmers from his district must have the priority.
Zhang Ruiqiang agreed. This was not the first time Feng Yu wanted to take care of his own people. Although this was a bit too much, Zhang Ruiqiang could still accept it.
Zhang Ruiqiang immediately reported this matter to the Party Secretary. This was an urgent matter. The Party Secretary was elated. No wonder the Provincial Number One had high hopes on this person. He was indeed capable.
When Zhang Ruiqiang predicted the Soviet Union will disintegrate at the end of last year, everybody was laughing at him. Even the Provincial Number one did not agree with his predictions. Zhang Ruiqiang also wrote an article and published on the papers. The whole nation knew about this. He was considered a disgrace to the Party.
Just because Mikhail Gorbachev was visiting China, and you claimed that the Soviet Union will be disintegrating? Ignorant!
But even as the Provincial Number One was unhappy with Zhang Ruiqiang, he did not keep a distance away from him. It was because he felt that Zhang Ruiqiang was capable and responsible. Zhang Ruiqiang had his own beliefs and was viewed as the Provincial Number One’s successor. Even though he had made a mistake, but the Provincial Number One still forgive him.
But when the whole province and the entire nation, were waiting to laugh at Zhang Ruiqiang, news of the coup in the Soviet Union was announced. Although the coup was not successful, the Soviet Union was in a dire state. Mikhail Gorbachev was forced to step down, and the allied countries started to declare independence one after another!
At that time, everybody looked at the Soviet Union’s problems from a new perspective. They realized that the dissolution of the Soviet Union was inevitable. Those that firmly believes the Soviet Union will not be dissolved took out Zhang Ruiqiang’s article and starts to criticize it again.
Even the allied countries declared independence, it was not easy for the Soviet Union to disintegrate so soon. Those allied countries will still need to divide the Soviet union’s assets among them. This should take at least one year. You claimed that the Soviet Union will disintegrate at the end of 1991? Impossible!
But on December 25th, 1991, the United Nations announced that the Soviet Union had been disintegrated! Zhang Ruiqiang’s prediction was accurate!
Those people that had to criticize Zhang Ruiqiang’s article had nothing to say. They were embarrassed. Some of these people even turn around and start to praise Zhang Ruiqiang’s foresight.
The higher-ups also praised the leaders of Longjiang Province and Bing City’s governments. There were rumors that the higher-ups want to re-establish diplomatic relationships with these allied countries and needed people who could analyze international affairs. Some officials will be transferred away from Longjiang Province and Bing City. Most people think that Zhang Ruiqiang might be transferred out.
If it were other people, they would not try to get involved in any troublesome projects before the transfer. If Zhang Ruiqiang were to spearhead this project of leasing land for Bing City’s farmers, then this would be a pilot project. Zhang Ruiqiang would be tied down by this project and could not be transferred to the Central Government.
Every Official wanted to be transferred to the Central Government. This was the place where one would be nearest to the top officials. There were many chances for promotions.
Bing City’s Party Secretary looked at Zhang Ruiqiang and asked: “Ruiqiang, are you sure you want to head this project?”
Zhang Ruiqiang nodded: “Yes, I am sure. I am closed to Feng Yu, and Feng Yu was the one who suggested this. He had also spoken to the Russian Officials. If someone else were to lead this project, we might be at the losing end. After all, most of us are not familiar with Russia.”
“Fine. Go ahead. I will report this matter to the higher-ups.” The Party Secretary patted Zhang Ruiqiang’s back. He felt lucky to have such a capable subordinate.
Zhang Ruiqiang, representing Bing City’s Government started to contact the local Russia government. The Russia side was already informed of this matter. When Bing City faxed the official documents over, the Russian Officials immediately send a team over to Bing City for negotiations.
This had been discussed in Russia. All the officials felt that this was a good thing.
Bing City’s Party Secretary reported this matter to the Provincial No. 1 and 2. Both of them felt that this was a path no one had walked before.
The Provincial No. 2 looked at No.1. Zhang Ruiqiang was your man. He had been given an opportunity to be transferred to the Central Government. If he were to take on this project, he would lose his chance!
Provincial No. 1 was pleased. This was what he liked about Zhang Ruiqiang. Everything Zhang Ruiqiang did was for the people and not for promotions. If this project were a success, the Provincial No. 1 would try his best to promote him!
……
3 days later. Feng Yu was talking to Li Na on the phone.
“Nana, come over to Bing City for a few days. Just tell your family that you are visiting your High School teachers. We should not forget our former teachers even when we are studying in Beijing.”
These were all excuses cook up by Feng Yu.
“I am not convenient these few days.” Li Na purposely said.
“What are you thinking? I really want to visit our former teachers.” Feng Yu “seriously” replied. It’s only a few days. Li Na’s period should be over in a day or two.
“Stop it. I will ask my parents. Dongjun will also be going to Bing City. I can travel with him.”
Wen Dongjun’s purpose of coming to Bing City, was the same as Feng Yu asking Li Na to Bing City. It’s fine if one had not tasted the forbidden fruit. But if one takes a bite, he would be addicted.
They both chatted for a while and hang up.
The phone rang immediately.
“Feng Yu, what are you doing? How come your home number is always engaged, and you did not return my calls after paging you so many times?!” Zhang Ruiqiang shouted into the receiver.
“Huh? Mayor Zhang? What’s wrong? I am at home. Did I offend you?” Feng Yu purposely asked.
Feng Yu knew that the Russian negotiation team had arrived in Bing City from Kirilenko. Needless to ask, the negotiations must not be going on well!
“Come to my office now!”
“Eh…… I am just about to take a shower. I had just finish exercising and is not covered in sweat.”
Zhang Ruiqiang: “……” You were on the phone that’s why your number was engaged. Don’t tell me that you are exercising while on the phone?
“We have some problems negotiating with the Russian Officials. We would like to invite you to help us.” Zhang Ruiqiang changed his tone. After all, Feng Yu was not his subordinate.
“Oh, if that’s the case, I should help out Bing City. I will not take a shower then. I will rush over now.”
After hanging up, Feng Yu smiled. Even if I had given you the other party’s contact details, what can you do? The negotiation team from Russia is here to meet you, so what? In the end, you will still need me.
