Chapter 1023 - 988: Introduction

Lu Ming laughed and said, "Secretary Xing, to be honest, I’ve always worked in network supervision in the past, and I don’t have experience in the culture and tourism field. So I specially came to Nanjiang to seek your advice on where Dongzhou’s culture and tourism should head. I hope you can guide me."

Xing Wenhua replied, "Wang Jianming is quite something, really unexpected in personnel choices. Don’t look to me for direction, every city has its own unique characteristics. For me, I hope cultural and tourism work in various cities of Pinghai blooms with diversity, thrives healthily, without being monotonous. You should highlight your local features. Actually, I don’t think Dongzhou Culture and Tourism is heading in the wrong direction. It’s just, well, unfortunate timing. Each time you just start achieving something, situations arise."

Xu Chunliang said, "Isn’t that the truth? Our Dongzhou Culture and Tourism has faced more than its fair share of hardships. The province should give us more policies to help us through tough times."

Xing Wenhua said, "I knew it, bring me dog meat, and it’s definitely trouble. Just spill it, what’s going on?"

The three laughed together.

Xu Chunliang talked about the city’s decision to separate the Culture and Tourism Bureau and the command center, and then discussed the joint investigation by Jizhou City Culture and Tourism Bureau and Qilu Province Cultural Relics Bureau on the Underwater City.

As Xing Wenhua listened, his brow began to furrow, "Where does the Underwater City fall under in administrative jurisdiction?"

Lu Ming opened his briefcase, took out a map, and placed it in front of Xing Wenhua, "From the jurisdiction, both sides seem to have a portion. Archaeology has never been done here, so it’s also not listed as a heritage site. I suspect Jizhou’s underwater city archaeology this time will aim to list the Underwater City as a key cultural relic protection unit of Qilu Province next."

Xing Wenhua angrily said, "That’s too much. Even if there’s archaeology going on, they should at least inform us in Pinghai. We could conduct joint archaeology."

Xu Chunliang, afraid the fire wasn’t hot enough, added fuel, "I don’t think they want to cooperate with us."

Xing Wenhua said, "I’ll negotiate with them immediately."

Xu Chunliang said, "Don’t, I think in such cases, we should first investigate and gather evidence. They can conduct archaeology, and so can we. Moreover, can’t we first fence off that water area, and designate it as a key cultural relic protection unit of Pinghai Province?"

Xing Wenhua looked at Xu Chunliang suspiciously.

Xu Chunliang said, "Secretary Xing, why are you looking at me like that?"

Xing Wenhua said, "Kid, are you trying to scheme me?"

Xu Chunliang said, "You’re such a high-ranking leader with foresight and acumen. Even if I wanted to scheme you, I couldn’t manage it."

Xing Wenhua asked Lu Ming, "Lu Ming, do you think he’s scheming me?"

Lu Ming said, "Impossible, Chunliang has great respect for you. He often mentions you to me, saying if only the health system had leaders as broad-minded and far-sighted as you."

Xing Wenhua chuckled, "No wonder you two are good friends; you’re alike in taste. Alright, then tell me why your Dongzhou didn’t first protect that water area? You should first designate it as a key cultural relic protection unit of Dongzhou City. The level gets upgraded step by step. Do you think I’m wholesaling here? Declaring provincial-level cultural relic protection units requires considering the relic’s value."

Lu Ming nodded repeatedly. In front of the province’s culture and tourism head, he dared not speak as recklessly as Xu Chunliang.

Xu Chunliang said, "Secretary Xing, head-to-head, commanding officer to commanding officer. The provincial cultural relic bureau is already involved; Dongzhou is a prefecture-level city, not equal to them. I’m not saying I didn’t try to stop it; I even reminded them at the time. But even a single archaeological crew member would pay no heed to me, not to mention their leaders. I was quite angry initially, but upon reflection, what they said was reasonable too. They said relics belong to the country; you don’t investigate or protect, but stop others from doing so?"

Xing Wenhua said, "Who says we’re not investigating or protecting? Nonsense! What does your Dongzhou Culture and Tourism Bureau do, eat? Lu Ming, I must criticize you."

Lu Ming felt wronged, thinking it’s none of my business as I just took office, but his face showed a willingness to receive criticism earnestly, "Secretary Xing, just feel free to criticize. If there’s anything done poorly, I’ll correct it immediately."

"Asking me to direct you. Dongzhou has such great culture and tourism resources, and you’re not developing or protecting them."

Lu Ming said, "I’ll handle it immediately. Once I go back, I’ll organize experts for archaeology, though the procedures might take some time."

Xing Wenhua waved his hand boldly, "Try to simplify procedure issues. If any department dares to block you, just come find me."

Lu Ming was waiting for this sentence, "Secretary Xing, underwater archaeology is quite challenging; we may need support and help from relevant experts."

Xing Wenhua said, "Need policies? Get policies. Need people? Get people. Need money? Go ask your Dongzhou City leaders first."

Xu Chunliang said, "Secretary Xing, I just like your decisive working style."

Lu Ming said, "I’ll go arrange it now." He saw that Xing Wenhua and Xu Chunliang might have more to talk about privately, and today’s main purpose for coming was to get acquainted with the higher-up leaders. The goal was not only achieved but exceeded.

After Lu Ming left, Xu Chunliang told Xing Wenhua about Wang Jianming appointing him to concurrently manage the construction command of the national vacation tourism zone.

Xing Wenhua considered it a good thing, proving Wang Jianming’s emphasis on Dongzhou’s culture and tourism work. Although Dongzhou’s Culture and Tourism Bureau has faced continuous setbacks since its inception, how can a rainbow appear without a bit of wind and rain? After experiencing all prior bumps and hurdles, the road ahead should become smoother.

Xing Wenhua vividly recalled the last time he went to the Dongzhou Confucius Temple opening, when Mrs. Zhang cried out for justice in public, and asked about the current status of that investigation.

Xu Chunliang said, "Currently, several suspects involved in that case have been arrested, and the case is still under trial. A few pieces of cultural relics have also been recovered."

Xing Wenhua said, "Dongzhou Culture and Tourism must learn a lesson from this incident; make sure nothing like this happens again."

Xu Chunliang said, "I’m afraid it’s not that simple. We’ve had no end of trouble in Dongzhou recently. By the way, do you remember Pan Weidong?"

Of course, Xing Wenhua remembered. When his daughter was threatened by Ma Zhong, he leveraged his influence out of anger and initiated a thunderous Spring Thunder Operation in Nanjiang. The operation had the most impact on the infamous OMMIA Nightclub, of which Pan Weidong was the owner.

Xu Chunliang mentioned that Pan Weidong was assassinated in broad daylight in Dongzhou a couple of days ago.

Xing Wenhua said, "So, there are reasons behind these incidents. The destruction of the Han Tomb at Jianjie Square and the private storage of relics were also reported by insiders?" He took a cigarette from the pack on the table, and Xu Chunliang lit it for him.

Xing Wenhua took a puff and said, "Chunliang, some things don’t need to be pursued to the end by you; it’s not your place to solve them. Your Secretary Wang is a smart man; anything you can see, he surely sees more clearly."

Xu Chunliang nodded, recognizing the accuracy of Xing Wenhua’s insight.

Xu Chunliang didn’t linger much longer. After chatting about the matter, he took his leave, noticing he had left his phone in the car.

Lu Ming was still waiting for him in the parking lot. When he saw Xu Chunliang coming, Lu Ming put out his cigarette, "Chunliang, your phone rang several times; check if it’s something urgent?"

Xu Chunliang picked up his phone and saw several missed calls from his cousin Zhen Chun. He called her back and found out Zhen Chun was also in Nanjiang. She and her boyfriend Zhou Deming were going to have dinner at Secretary Zhou’s house and had inadvertently mentioned Xu Chunliang’s presence in Nanjiang. Secretary Zhou asked her to invite Xu Chunliang over for dinner.

Xu Chunliang had originally planned to go drinking with Lu Ming that evening, but when Lu Ming heard about this, he told Xu Chunliang to go to Secretary Zhou’s place first. They could drink any time.

Lu Ming planned to visit the provincial relics bureau to discuss with the relevant departments. Based on Secretary Xing’s recent remarks, this was an opportune moment to immediately tackle the underwater city archaeology project.

Lu Ming first dropped Xu Chunliang off at the residential area where Secretary Zhou lived. Before arriving, Xu Chunliang texted Zhen Chun.

As he reached the front of the complex, he saw Zhou Deming already waiting at the door.

When Xu Chunliang got out of the car, Lu Ming took some local specialties from the trunk for him; it wouldn’t be proper to visit Secretary Zhou’s home empty-handed.

Zhou Deming greeted him with a smile, "Chunliang, why did you bring something when you’re just here for dinner?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Some specialties from Dongzhou for Secretary Zhou to try."

Zhou Deming told Xu Chunliang that Grandma was in Nanjiang. During a conversation with Zhen Chun, she found out that Xu Chunliang was in town too and was very eager to see him.

Upon entering, Zhen Chun came out to welcome him, "Bro, why are you so late?" Since starting to date Zhou Deming, her Mandarin had improved significantly.

Xu Chunliang said, "I didn’t come to Nanjiang for fun; I needed to handle work first."

Mrs. Zhou came out from the kitchen upon hearing the commotion. Her eyes narrowed with joy when she saw Xu Chunliang, "Xiaoxu! Do you still remember me?"

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Grandma Zhou, how could I forget you? I was actually planning to visit you with Zhen Chun sometime."

Mrs. Zhou smiled, "Hearing you talk makes me so happy."

Secretary Zhou’s wife Shu Yao also came out, greeting Xu Chunliang and telling Mrs. Zhou, "Mom, you can go chat; I’ll take care of the kitchen."

Mrs. Zhou said, "You take care of it? Can you handle it?" With that, she went back to the kitchen.

Shu Yao shook her head slightly, a bit resigned. Her mother-in-law had always treated her like this, never warmly. They had considered bringing her to live in Nanjiang, but she insisted on staying home, and if it weren’t for Zhou Deming picking her up this time, she wouldn’t have come at all.

Shu Yao said, "Your Uncle Zhou is in the study."

Zhou Deming led Xu Chunliang to the study. Secretary Zhou was on the phone, and when Xu Chunliang was about to leave, Secretary Zhou quickly told the other person that a guest had arrived at home, ended the call, and waved Xu Chunliang in, "Chunliang, come in and sit."

Xu Chunliang sat down opposite him at the desk.

Secretary Zhou said, "You brat, you came to Nanjiang and didn’t think to visit me. If I hadn’t asked Zhen Chun to invite you, you wouldn’t have planned to come, would you?"