Chapter 239
The city leaders had already reported the incident of the provincial experts coming down to make trouble to their superiors several times. However, due to the special status of these experts, there was no way to impose any actual punishment; it was nothing more than criticism and education.
The city leaders also knew that Secretary Cao and Nan Sheng had been wronged and wanted to use some practical conditions to compensate them. Unexpectedly, on the afternoon of the first day back to work after the New Year, they received a call from Cao Guoxiang.
"What? She wants to apply for a transfer back to her hometown! Then what about the fertilizer plant?"
The events from before the New Year were still vivid in their minds. Without Nan Sheng, Secretary Cao simply could not handle those experts developing the compound fertilizer.
Cao Guoxiang continued his verbal assault, "She said she wants to take those experts back to her hometown to open a new fertilizer plant, saying that our city doesn't value their scientific research achievements at all, nor does it care about this project."
"Nonsense, which of your requests hasn't the city met? Even the province cooperated with us. Is this still not valuing it? You must stabilize her emotions and make sure not to blow this out of proportion."
Jin Xuwu was listening to his subordinate's work report when Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee Weng Chengde knocked on the door to talk to him. He signaled for Jin Xuwu to stop first, saying he had an urgent matter to discuss.
After Jin Xuwu sent the subordinate away, he felt a bit helpless. "What's so urgent? I'm busy over here."
Weng Chengde said with a headache, "Didn't those provincial experts go to Qingjiang County to make trouble before the New Year? I thought it was resolved. Today, County Party Secretary Cao Guoxiang called me and said your beloved general is going to quit and plans to transfer back to work in her hometown."
This was simply baffling. Jin Xuwu couldn't believe it. "You couldn't be talking about Nan Sheng, could you? She wants to apply for a transfer back to her hometown? When did this happen!"
Weng Chengde comforted him, "Don't get agitated. I've already asked Cao Guoxiang to hold her off first. Tell me, what could she possibly have to say that can't be discussed properly? Does she really have to leave?"
Jin Xuwu was full of grievances at this moment. "Comrade Nan Sheng has won a lot of honors for our city and made a name for herself in the province. Not to mention she has to busy herself with the work of the Disciplinary Inspection Commission, she also has to be in charge of the fertilizer plant. If the compound fertilizer didn't affect the vital interests of the common people, I would never have agreed to let her participate. What exactly is going on in the province? Are they just going to let this matter go lightly?"
"That's why I came to discuss it with you. We can't really let someone run off with the project, otherwise we'll truly become a laughingstock."
Jin Xuwu was incredibly annoyed. Why didn't they come to him when there were good things? But since it concerned Nan Sheng, he couldn't just ignore it.
"How about this, I'll call her first to understand the situation, to see if she's just speaking out of anger or if she really has this intention."
Weng Chengde slapped his forehead. He was so anxious he was confused. It was most appropriate for Jin Xuwu to test Nan Sheng's thoughts; he was her direct superior!
Who knew that after Jin Xuwu got through on the phone, he only chatted for a few sentences before hanging up, a look of irritability appearing between his brows.
"Nan Sheng said she has already typed up the transfer application and hopes I can approve it as soon as possible."
"That won't do, Lao Jin. You must hold the line on this matter and absolutely not approve it. I'll figure out a way to coordinate with the province."
Jin Xuwu knew Weng Chengde was so anxious about Nan Sheng's departure because of the compound fertilizer in her hands. Once this matter blew up, even if Nan Sheng got her wish, it would leave behind gossip and trouble.
What exactly was she thinking?
When it was time to get off work, Nan Sheng happily went home, leaving Cao Guoxiang to suffer as he constantly schemed how to achieve her goal.
Upon returning home, Zhong Yanyan had already prepared the meal. "You're off work, daughter. Mother stewed pork with vermicelli for you. Taste it and see how it is."
"How could Mother's cooking not be delicious? Wait for me to wash my hands and I'll come over."
Nan Sheng rarely had time to cook and had saved up a lot of food stamps. This time her parents came over, they finally came in handy. The two children were even happier, praising their grandmother's delicious cooking with every bite they took.
Nan Jingyu wasn't idle either. When he had free time, he would tidy up the small courtyard, planning to help his daughter organize the house properly so they could live more comfortably.
Originally, Nan Sheng planned to take her parents to the county government to have a look. But right now, it was inconvenient since she was making a fuss about transferring, so she could only postpone it.
The old couple didn't care about these things either. They came over just to see if their daughter was living well. Seeing it with their own eyes this time put their minds at ease. Once their daughter and son-in-law finished their busy work, they planned to take a bus back to their hometown.
While Nan Sheng was working step by step, others were worried sick. Not only were Weng Chengde and Jin Xuwu troubled, but Huaishan County wasn't peaceful either, because their application materials for the new compound fertilizer had been rejected.
The city leaders were extremely angry and directly held the county accountable. "Such an important work call was made here, why wasn't Comrade Nan Sheng notified in time? Investigate strictly from top to bottom. Exactly which link went wrong?"
Everyone in charge at the county government couldn't escape the fate of being scolded. Qiao Yan couldn't understand it even more. He clearly transferred the call to the town, so how could it not have been notified.
Harboring doubts, he immediately called to ask Director Liu, "Director Liu, before the New Year, there was a call from Rongcheng looking for Comrade Nan Sheng in Xiangyang Village. Do you remember?"
Director Liu's heart skipped a beat, wondering why old accounts were being brought up at this time. But only one call came from Rongcheng, and it would be unrealistic for him to say he had no impression of it.
"I have some impression. May I ask why you are inquiring about this?"
"Oh, I just wanted to ask if you immediately sent someone to Xiangyang Village to inform Comrade Nan Sheng herself after you received the call."
Director Liu thought it would be better to let his subordinates take the blame for him. At worst, he would be scolded a few times, and he would definitely make up for it himself.
"At that time, because it was quite busy at the end of the year, the clerk under me forgot about this matter. Director Nan came to the town government the next day to return the call. Speaking of which, it's also my fault. I should have explained it a few more times."
Qiao Yan was truly furious. "A call from Rongcheng, looking for a county-level Disciplinary Inspection Commission director, and you actually forgot about it as a trivial matter. Do you know that this directly affects our county's agricultural development!"
Director Liu apologized continuously and kept stating it was his own fault. Qiao Yan couldn't be bothered to reprimand him further. "Write a written report of the incident and submit it. Prepare yourself for a demotion!"
Director Liu only felt a shocking thunderbolt strike the top of his head. "How could it be this serious? Director Qiao, you're not joking, are you? It was just a phone call."
Qiao Yan also knew Director Liu was quite unlucky, but who told him to be careless in his work? "You should be glad it's just a crime of oversight. If it was intentional, you'd be waiting to go home and farm."
As soon as these words came out, Director Liu felt even more terrified. After hanging up the phone, he still couldn't calm down.
"Director Liu, Director Liu?"
Li Qun was anxious to report on his work. Seeing Director Liu constantly in a daze, he could only shake his arm with his hand. Unexpectedly, the other party revealed a frightened look.
"I'm sorry, Director Liu. Did I scare you?"
Li Qun quickly apologized. Seeing that the person was Li Qun, Director Liu let out a breath. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and asked, "Is there something urgent?"
"I sent someone to stake out Xiao Yi according to your instructions, and now we have a lead. Should we take action tonight?"
Director Liu was in no mood to worry about the black market right now. He looked deeply at Li Qun, a plan slowly taking shape in his mind...