Three hundred and fortieth chapters: the end of the road (6)
The big black red flag slowly sailed out of the Hidden Dragon Sea in the night.
Youzhou City is brightly lit.
The gorgeous light shines in the closed carriage, which is a little hazy and psychedelic.
The driver, Lao Gao, drove the car smoothly, and from time to time he quickly glanced at Chen Fangqing in the rearview mirror, who was sitting in the back seat with his eyes closed and concentrating.
Lao Gao's heart was up and down, a little uneasy, a little excited, and a little hesitant.
The drivers around the leader are able to see certain situations more clearly than most people. Who the leader talked to, how they felt after the conversation, and even what they talked about. From these, it is easy to infer something, roughly.
We are also basically aware of the invisible but clear barriers between the major groups.
Chen Fangqing is in an extremely difficult situation these days. Lao Gao has seen all this. Leadership is not easy, and all aspects will affect the people around him. Lao Gao has also suffered a lot of strange things during this time.
It was precisely because of this that he found Chen Fangqing's destination a bit unbelievable.
Building 11, Longhu Park.
In Lao Gao's heart, Chen Fangqing may go anywhere now, but Building 11 is something he will never go to anyway, and he shouldn't go there.
Longhu Park is not too far from Hidden Dragon Sea, and it is not open to the public. In the huge park, dozens of villas are dotted among the green mountains and rivers. It is specially designed for Zhongzhou’s serving members, retired members, state advisors, etc.
Residences built by leaders.
Building No. 11 is Villa No. 11.
The owner here is not close to Chen Fangqing at all, and can even be said to be an enemy under the current situation.
This is the residence of Nakasu Congressman and Deputy Cabinet Minister Wu Zhengmin.
It is said that this is the staunchest supporter of the young His Majesty Tiannan. Many of the policies implemented in recent years have obviously taken care of Tiannan. Most of the support in terms of funds and resources has been handled by him.
It is said that the young majesty of Tiannan has established a new group. After the election, Wu Zhengmin, who should have retired according to his age, will continue to have greater power and even become a director. If this is the case, then he will become
The supreme leader and banner figure of the new group.
In any case, the leader sitting in the back row and Wu Zhengmin will not be friends.
It's so late, what is the Prime Minister doing here?
Lao Gao thought silently as the red flag passed through the brilliant lights and gradually approached the heavily guarded Longhu Park.
After passing the checkpoint, showing the certificate, the vehicle went up the winding and flat road.
In the back seat of the vehicle, Chen Fangqing opened his eyes and opened the window.
The cold night wind poured into the car, blowing Chen Fangqing's somewhat gray hair.
The headache that had been lingering began to subside, and the whole person's consciousness became clearer.
Wu Zhengmin...
He thought about this person silently, and he had many more memories in his mind than most other people.
Scenes of scenes flashed in his mind.
Chen Fangqing grabbed the box next to him and took a deep breath.
The headache is getting more and more severe.
But he calmed down completely.
The vehicle stopped in front of Villa No. 11.
The lights are on in the villa.
Wu Zhengmin, who was older than Chen Fangqing but seemed to have more energy than Chen Fangqing, was already standing at the door to greet him with a smile.
The most praiseworthy thing about Wu Zhengmin is his compliance with the rules, and the most troublesome thing is also his compliance with the rules. For more than 20 years, Li was lonely, and he clung to Jiangsu and Zhejiang by himself, until Li Tianlan appeared,
Jiangsu and Zhejiang can be regarded as Li's stronghold. Such persistence is absolutely related to his absolutely steady style of conduct and excellent personal ethics.
For so many years, Wu Zhengmin has been either radical or conservative, strong or conceding, and every time he has been justified. He and Li Tianlan are different in age and have different acting styles. Li Tianlan can point at Chen Fangqing and ask him what he is. This is youth.
No matter what kind of opponent he faces, Wu Zhengmin will maintain a calm attitude.
The vehicle stopped by the streetlight in front of the door.
Wu Zhengmin, who was already ready to rest, had already changed his clothes, took two steps forward, shook hands with Chen Fangqing who got out of the car, there was no slightest hint of contempt or ridicule in his smile, and he said with a gentle smile: "Hello, Prime Minister."
Chen Fangqing shook Wu Zhengmin's hand hard, but did not respond to Comrade Zhengmin who was a bit condescending. He looked at the old man who was six years older than himself in front of him, his eyes were a little dazed, maybe it was the end of the road and there was no hope of looking forward, so this
For a moment, all that flashed in his mind were the past.
"President Wu, you are getting old."
Chen Fangqing said softly, and then smiled: "I am getting old too."
Wu Zhengmin was stunned.
Mayor Wu...
This title carries the power of time, and it seems to pull him back decades ago.
Yes, decades ago, when Wu Zhengmin first emerged, he was the mayor of a city in Qinzhou Province, and at that time, Chen Fangqing was the deputy mayor of that city.
To a certain extent, the two of them worked together many years ago. At that time, Chen Fangqing was still Wu Zhengmin's direct subordinate. Just like now, both of them are in the cabinet, but their identities have been swapped.
, but Chen Fangqing walked in front.
There were obvious memories in Wu Zhengmin's eyes.
Decades ago, probably forty years ago, although he had already emerged at that time, he had not really received the attention of the Southeast Group. At that time, Chen Fangqing had no obvious traces of the group. At that time, it was Wu
When Zhengmin was high-spirited, Chen Fangqing was young, capable, courageous, far-sighted, and down-to-earth in doing things. He soon attracted Wu Zhengmin's attention, recommended him to the provincial council, and approved him to become that city
Appointment of the deputy mayor.
It can be said that the two people worked very well together at that time.
There is a tacit understanding, but the two of them are obviously not all-around people in private, so their personal relationship is average.
With the assistance of Chen Fangqing, Wu Zhengmin's work was extremely smooth. He clarified the work of the city government and then began drastic construction reforms. From that time on, Wu Zhengmin officially entered the Southeast Group's sight.
Shortly after Li Honghe came down for an inspection, Wu Zhengmin became the mayor from the mayor, while Chen Fangqing went directly from the deputy mayor to the mayor's position.
The normal phenomenon of the first and second leaders having their own agendas did not happen. The two still worked together and shined in their respective fields.
The province of Qinzhou at that time was different from today. Today's Qinzhou is already the back garden of wealthy groups, but Qinzhou at that time was an intertwined situation of wealthy groups, the Southeast Group and the Prince Group. In such a complex political environment,
The rapid development of that small town in Qinzhou has attracted the attention of countless people.
Wu Zhengmin began to become important in the Southeast Group.
At the same time, many people began to contact Chen Fangqing.
Some people from the Southeast Group, the Rich Group, and the Prince Group contacted him.
It's just that there is an unspoken rule that cannot be regarded as a rule, which has always existed in Central Continent. From country to province, to city and county, it has always been like this.
The focus of this election is Wen Siyuan and Hua Zhengyang.
Hua Zhengyang's biggest disadvantage is Li Huacheng.
Li Huacheng is the president and comes from an academic school, so many people don't want to see Hua Zhengyang, who also comes from an academic school, become the Prime Minister of Zhongzhou.
This is a good thing for the college, but for others, it has real concerns. The first and second leaders have completely the same position and are highly consistent. Such strength is something that most people are not willing to see.
As for each province specifically, except for the back gardens where major groups like Northeast China, Beihai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Tianfu, and Zhongyuan cultivate their own talents, in most provinces, the speakers and governors do not come from the same group.
Major groups will have power in different provinces. If certain groups have a great advantage, then this province will become a back garden in the conventional sense. However, there are always different voices and different positions, except for a certain group.
Apart from these core basic provinces, there is no province that truly has only one power.
This is true for provinces, and it is also true for cities and counties.
At that time, all three major groups had contact with Chen Fangqing.
At that time, the Li family and the Beihai Wang family were still in the same spirit.
It is no exaggeration to say that the Southeast Group at that time was Chen Fangqing's best choice.
Furthermore, the olive branch of the Southeast Group is what Chen Fangqing desires most.
But in the end he chose the Prince Group.
reason?
The main reason is for the underlying rules.
In other words, it is for the more than six million people in the three districts and eleven counties of that city.
If he chooses the Southeast Group, then Wu Zhengmin and himself, who are also from the Southeast Group, will inevitably transfer one of them in the near future.
Judging from the situation in Qinzhou at that time, the people who could go to that city to partner with him or Wu Zhengmin did not very much agree with their concept of developing the city.
But the foundation of the city has been laid. The financial curve of the city is like a roller coaster, with big outflows and big inflows. All kinds of investments are blooming everywhere. Similarly, the city's various mortgages and public fund-raising have also reached extremely terrifying figures.
That period was the most critical period for that city.
Wu Zhengmin and Chen Fangqing have the best cooperation.
Either of them will cause turmoil in the situation. If someone who doesn't agree with their development philosophy comes and affects the whole body, unimaginable chaos may occur in the end, causing huge disasters.
Social Issues.
At that time, the future of that city will be ruined, and the future of the two people will also be ruined.
So Chen Fangqing chose the Prince Group, which was second only to the Southeast Group at the time, and successfully stayed.
Regardless of whether this choice was right or wrong, it at least bought him and Wu Zhengmin nearly four years.
That city quickly established everything in those four years and was on the right path.
Four years later, Wu Zhengmin was transferred from Qinzhou to southern Fujian. In the following years, Chen Fangqing was transferred from Qinzhou to Tianfu. Then, Wu Zhengmin was transferred from southern Fujian to Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and Chen Fangqing was transferred from Tianfu to Southwest. Two dazzling stars of that era gradually moved forward.
They drifted apart and never did anything together again.
Wu Zhengmin rose from Jiangsu and Zhejiang and became the speaker of Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
The Li family collapsed, and he was firmly targeted at the position of Speaker of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. He would not advance or retreat for decades, unmoved by all winds, and as stable as a rock.
Chen Fangqing rushed out of Tiannan, entered Youzhou, entered the cabinet, and became prime minister.
The different trajectories are getting further and further away, and the tacit understanding between the two seems to be getting weaker and weaker.
But the city they once developed reasonably remained.
The city located in the hinterland of Qinchuan, which is 800 miles away, is prospering. The two of them silently watched its development getting better and better. The city known as the first imperial capital in the world gradually turned into the new provincial capital of Qinzhou, and became the capital of Qinzhou.
A dazzling pearl in the central area of Central Continent blooms with the light that the two of them have condensed for several years.
That was an extremely beautiful memory.
Wu Zhengmin was silent for a long time, then patted Chen Fangqing's arm hard, and said with some emotion: "Yes, I am old, my hair is turning white."
At this moment, looking at the Prime Minister who was at the end of his rope, he finally recalled the young man who excitedly talked to himself about the country decades ago. He was full of energy, high-spirited, and ambitiously planning the city.
The past is like smoke, vivid in my mind.
He once again thought of the question that he had thought about countless times.
If Chen Fangqing had chosen the Southeast Group, he would have been highly valued by Li Honghe based on his ability. If Chen Fangqing had chosen the Southeast Group, at that time, Li would have had two extremely bright stars under his command.
With the twin stars of the Li family, maybe the treason case that year would not have happened, maybe...
Too many maybes, too many ifs.
But it has become a no if in reality.
No one would have thought that the choice he made back then would lead Chen Fangqing to this situation.
Likewise, no one would have thought that when Chen Fangqing, who had surpassed his old leader first, entered the desperate situation, his old leader would come back to life and return to the center of power, and he was still thriving.
Life is like a play, with ups and downs, and every ups and downs are destiny.
Wu Zhengmin smiled, stretched out his hand sideways: "Please come in."
Chen Fangqing's eyes seemed to be quietly warming up. He held the box tightly with one hand and walked into the villa with Wu Zhengmin.
Wu Zhengmin brewed a pot of Youzhou scented tea for him, and the fragrance overflowed.
He sat opposite Chen Fangqing, pushed the cigarette in front of him, and said with a smile: "Reminiscing about old times?"
Be natural, understate it, and get to the point.
Everything seems like yesterday.
The tacit understanding that was originally thought to be diluted has not diluted, but both of them deliberately concealed it.
Nowadays, with the change of mentality, everything Wu Zhengmin does is no different from what it was decades ago.
The figures of the two old men in the living room seemed to have gone back in time and returned to the office decades ago that was far less luxurious than it is now.
Chen Fangqing's headache seemed to be relieved a lot. He smiled, took out a cigarette, lit it, and said softly: "Business."
Wu Zhengmin nodded and continued to wait for Chen Fangqing to speak.
Chen Fangqing opened the box.
Inside the box were stacks upon stacks of documents.
"I have sorted it all out in recent years."
Chen Fangqing smiled: "I have proposed some bills at cabinet meetings. Well, you should know about them in the past two years."
Chen Fangqing said, his smile becoming more generous.
This may be why he came here without hesitation after not seeing Hua Zhengyang.
In the more than two years since Wu Zhengmin entered the cabinet, others may not have noticed, but Chen Fangqing remembered clearly that because of their different stances, the conflict between the two would become very acute, but Chen Fangqing formally announced it at the cabinet meeting
Wu Zhengmin has never opposed the proposals put forward, but will try his best to support them.
The development ideas of the two people are indeed consistent to some extent.
"I still remember."
Wu Zhengmin nodded: "In fact, even if the motion is rejected, I don't think you are wrong. It's just that the time is not there and it takes time."
"yes."
Chen Fangqing said softly: "Sometimes, I'm a little impatient."
"ten thousand years is too long, fight for now."
Wu Zhengmin said with a smile.
Chen Fangqing curled up his lips in a self-deprecating tone, with some regret: "Unfortunately, I don't have time, so I can only ask you to bring all these here today."
Wu Zhengmin said nothing.
He knew that Chen Fangqing did not mean to ask him to intercede for Li Tianlan.
And it is impossible for Wu Zhengmin to plead for Chen Fangqing.
In fact, if he opens his mouth, Li Tianlan may feel unhappy, but he will eventually give Wu Zhengmin some face. But the greatest extent of this face is to save Chen Fangqing's life. This life, for Chen Fangqing now, has no value.
any meaning.
"Here are some proposals for new energy sources."
"This is about reform of the cabinet system."
"Reform in education and health care."
"This is a detailed plan for the real estate industry."
"These are some measures to reduce the burden on farmers."
Chen Fangqing took out one document after another, and placed them all in front of Wu Zhengmin, like a small mountain.
There are many documents that Chen Fangqing has never presented at cabinet meetings, but they are extremely precious and are the culmination of all his wisdom and hard work.
Chen Fangqing took the trouble to introduce.
Time gradually passed in his voice.
The night is getting darker.
Wu Zhengmin is in high spirits.
Chen Fangqing's voice was calm and trusting.
He knows Wu Zhengmin, maybe he was Wu Zhengmin decades ago.
But he believes that there are always some qualities that time cannot wash away.
He could work hard for Mr. Li for decades.
Then he can also devote himself to Zhongzhou.
It wasn't until nearly four o'clock in the night that Chen Fangqing finished saying everything he wanted to say.
He put all the information back into the box, took away two proposals that were indeed not very mature, and then handed the entire box to Wu Zhengmin.
Wu Zhengmin took it with both hands with a solemn expression.
The two shook hands tightly.
"Have a late night snack?"
Wu Zhengmin smiled and looked at his watch again: "It should be breakfast now."
"never mind."
Chen Fangqing shook his head: "I'm going back right now, walking around Yinlonghai and eating something on the way. I like to eat the tofu puffs from Yinlonghai, it's better than the ones here."
Wu Zhengmin laughed and looked at Chen Fangqing. He saw the relaxation and endless calmness in the other person's eyes.
"Only now can I say that I have really done everything I can do for Zhongzhou."
Chen Fangqing laughed: "The merits and demerits of right and wrong are left to future generations to judge."
He let go of Wu Zhengmin's hand: "Let's go, no need to send him off."
Wu Zhengmin insisted and sent him out of the villa.
Chen Fangqing walked towards his vehicle in the night without looking back. He waved his palms behind him casually, and then walked forward very calmly.