Chapter 8, Deputy Secretary-General of the Municipal Committee

You promised to wait for me in the provincial capital and stay at my elder sister's house for a few days, yet you returned first from Jinghai. Why did you go back on your word?

Lin Quan saw a document bag next to Zhao Zeng, casually picked it up, and asked, "What work requires you to bring it to my home?" Noticing that Zhao Zeng did not stop him, he took out the documents, glanced at them, and was startled by the title of the document, "Brother Zeng discussed this with Dad?"

Geng Yimin has support in the province. Although his foundation in Jinghai is somewhat weak, he is determined to promote the development of the new area, which is not impossible. During the old man's tenure, many people were very enthusiastic about the development of the new area. In the turbulent world of politics, there are still quite a few who do not forget their aspirations. When the old man stepped down, he contributed to the stability of Jinghai, and these people still remember it. Oh," Lin Mingda suddenly recalled something and tapped his head, "Was this plan drafted by Geng Yimin for you to show me?" When the old man stepped down, he contributed to the stability of Jinghai, and these people still remember it. Oh," Lin Mingda suddenly recalled something and tapped his head, "Was this plan drafted by Geng Yimin for you to show me?"

Your grandfather knows who will genuinely support the development of the new district; these are precisely what Geng Yimin is most eager to know. I haven't been in contact with your grandfather for nearly ten years, and I have no face to meet him. If you don't go, should your mother bring this up with your grandfather? Jinghai has been delayed for seven years, and there is no time to continue seeking balance amidst deceit and intrigue. Geng Yimin launched the new district development plan as soon as he took office; although it was somewhat rushed, it was necessary. Geng Yimin's strategic approach has indeed become much sharper. If the new district development is implemented well, he will not only achieve political merit but also solidify his position in Jinghai. "Jinghai has been delayed for seven years, and there is no time to continue seeking balance amidst deceit and intrigue. Geng Yimin launched the new district development plan as soon as he took office; although it was somewhat rushed, it was necessary. Geng Yimin's strategic approach has indeed become much sharper. If the new district development is implemented well, he will not only achieve political merit but also solidify his position in Jinghai."

How could I possibly repay this? In my heart, I have always regarded Teacher Lin as the most respected person, as well as Secretary Geng

Indeed. Lin Mingda sighed lightly, his brows furrowing slightly as if troubled by something. "The little ones have been in this family for eighteen years now. Back then, you had just joined my class. In the blink of an eye, you have stepped into a leadership position, and Xiao Yue is almost in her third year of university."

You say that I cannot win this game against you? How do you think my chess skills compare to those of Geng Yimin?

You, ghostly figure, do not repeat what you said to Geng Yimin in front of me. Geng Yimin is currently in a position of great success, serving as the governor for one million people across six counties and one city in Jinghai. If the current chess strategy is not sharp enough, should we wait until after his term ends?

Although Zhao Zeng often discusses work-related matters with Lin Mingda and does not shy away from Lin Quan, the new district development plan is known to very few people, even within the municipal party committee and government, and is naturally subject to strict confidentiality. Lin Quan is also aware of Zhao Zeng's intentions and scratches his head: "You wouldn't want me to discuss this with my grandfather, would you? My grandfather has been retired for nearly seven years, and he stepped down due to economic issues. What influence could he possibly have on Jinghai now?"

"Little San is back." Lin Jingchu bounced out of the room, wearing a light blue camisole. As she walked out, she lazily stretched, revealing a slender waist. Her fair and delicate skin resembled exquisite porcelain, and her beautiful face radiated genuine joy. "When Little San came back yesterday, you didn’t wake me. By the time I woke up this morning, Little San had already gone to look for Guozi."

Xiao Yue's calculation ability is the strongest, and he has hardly made any mistakes in the final stages. One cannot speak while playing chess, and I haven't won a single game against Teacher Lin in a long time

Chen Xiu hurriedly put down the wonton wrappers in her hands, reached under the faucet to wash off the flour sticking to her hands, and while drying her hands on her apron, she complained: "Zhao Zeng, your teacher Lin never helps out at home."

Is Xiao San still not carrying a key

In terms of the creativity of the Chinese people, even the director of an orphanage has the ability to drive a BMW. If Lin Mingda were concerned about wealth, he could easily unearth gold even in a subpar school. However, Lin Mingda prides himself on his integrity. During the nine years that his father-in-law, Chen Ran, served as the Secretary of the Jinghai Municipal Committee, he did not exploit this connection for personal gain, nor did he resolutely pursue a political career. Even the position of vice principal was elected by the people. In this country, Lin Mingda is undoubtedly an anomaly. During the nine years that his father-in-law, Chen Ran, served as the Secretary of the Jinghai Municipal Committee, he did not exploit this connection for personal gain, nor did he resolutely pursue a political career. Even the position of vice principal was elected by the people. In this country, Lin Mingda is undoubtedly an anomaly.

Each has their own strengths; Secretary Geng's current style of play has become sharp, while Teacher Lin nurtures the overall situation. I must put in effort to learn from both.

You are now in a leadership position; these words should be spoken to you in person.

Zhao Zeng was startled from his contemplation, and only then did he hear the doorbell ring. He hurriedly stood up to open the door, but Lin Mingda reached out to stop him: "Xiao Sa is back; let your master’s wife go. She will nag him endlessly anyway."

Zhao Zeng said to the librarian: "This draft of the new district development plan is still incomplete. Secretary Geng has only consulted a few individuals for their opinions, and this information should not be disseminated."

"You are the only one talking, and I never agreed to that. My sister's place has no room for anyone; it's a one-bedroom apartment. If you stay there, Yang Ming will have to sleep on the streets." Lin Quan peeked in and saw Zhao Zeng sitting with his father in front of the chessboard. He hurriedly struggled free from Xiao Chu's entanglement and quickly went to the room, hiding the fifteen thousand yuan wrapped in newspaper in the innermost drawer. He changed out of his clothes, which were heavily infused with the smell of sweat, and returned to the living room to watch the chess game. As the game approached its conclusion, Lin Mingda was slightly at a disadvantage and was currently engaged in a robbery chess match with Zhao Zeng.

Secretary Geng said you would definitely be able to guess, but I didn't believe it, so I deliberately kept it low-key

Teacher Zhao believes that the initiation of the new district development plan is somewhat hasty

Zhao Zeng noticed that Lin Mingda looked somewhat unhappy and quickly said: "I owe my current situation entirely to the kindness of Teacher Lin. Not only did Teacher Zhao cover my living expenses and tuition during high school, but he also supported me through college. When I wanted to start working back then, it was also Teacher Zhao who insisted that I complete my graduate studies"

On the catalpa wood chessboard, the black and white pieces crisscrossed, with only the two small dragons in the center entangled together, while the situation elsewhere on the board remained calm. Lin Mingda focused intently on the chessboard when the doorbell rang. He turned to glance at his wife, Chen Xiu.

Lin Quan resides in the Jiangxu Community, in a two-and-a-half room apartment with a construction area of 82 square meters. Among the three million urban residents of Jinghai City, this living condition can be considered above average. However, in comparison to the Lin family's once illustrious status, this apartment, built in the mid-1980s, now appears rather shabby. Lin Mingda was formerly the vice principal of the city's First Middle School, and his wife, Chen Xiu, is the adopted daughter of former municipal party secretary Chen Ran. Despite his connection, Lin Mingda did not leverage this relationship to ascend to a higher position during Chen Ran's tenure. After Chen Ran's departure, however, he was implicated and transferred to a lesser-known school, Xinghu Middle School, in the development zone, where he served as principal.

Chen Xiu opened the door and saw Lin Quan standing at the entrance. She jokingly scolded, "You always make me open the door. Remember to bring your key next time." A fragrant aroma wafted in from behind, prompting her to step aside as her daughter Xiao Chu darted out from beside her, nearly colliding with Lin Quan.

Taking advantage of the opportunity while Lin Mingda was speaking with Zhao Zeng, Lin Quan greedily read through the unfinished manuscript. The distance from the main urban area to the northern end of the development zone is only 8 kilometers, with the Jiang River scenic area to the west. This area, which lies between the development zone and the main urban area, covers more than 60 square kilometers. Through the new district development plan, the urban construction of Jinghai will shift from a focus on the renovation of the old city to a model centered on the development of the new urban area. Lin Quan skimmed through the document; although it was only a thin stack of several dozen pages, he thought that Geng Yimin must have already engaged someone to supplement and improve the planning based on the old plan. However, this plan will involve the replacement of old and new forces in Jinghai, which inevitably makes Geng Yimin cautious and careful.

"What are you bringing these up for?" Lin Mingda waved his hand, "Over the years, haven't you returned all the living expenses and tuition fees to me?"

"Hehe, don't speak so seriously." Lin Mingda chuckled, looked up at Lin Quan, and asked him, "Xiao San, what do you think of the new district development plan?"