The VIP lounge of Hezhou Airport was unusually quiet, and after greeting each other, I felt that there was nothing superfluous to say, except for a slight whispered conversation between the adjacent sofas, few people spoke loudly, and no one walked back and forth at will. For a while, there seemed to be only a large circle of leather sofas in the huge airport VIP lounge, quietly waiting for the VIP to come.

Qi Tianxiang sat on the sofa nearest to the airport door, holding the day's "Hezhou Daily" and reading it carefully. Lu Shanzun was on the sofa a little farther away, smoking quietly. On the sofa adjacent to Qi Tianxiang, Liu Zhengguo, Minister of Organization of the Provincial Party Committee, was looking at his mobile phone, while Li Junjie, vice president of the Party School of the Provincial Party Committee, who was sitting next to Liu Zhengguo, was whispering something to the staff standing in front of him at the moment. In other positions, a little farther away, there were the heads of the provincial and municipal organization departments and party schools, all waiting patiently.

When Qi Tianxiang and Lu Shanzun walked into the airport VIP lounge, except for a vacant seat near the airport door, there were already people sitting in the adjacent places. After a short hesitation, Qi Tianxiang made a gesture to Lu Shanzun to sit casually, walked straight to the vacated sofa, and sat down before greeting Liu Zhengguo and Li Junjie, who were sitting nearby, and simply greeted them.

The moment he entered the door, Qi Tianxiang obviously realized that he was the protagonist of this welcoming event, in fact, it was not just this moment, put down the call from Lin Dongsheng, Qi Tianxiang was obviously aware of this.

"Oh my God! Your teacher is here, around 10 o'clock in the morning, you will greet me at the airport on my behalf! Lin Dongsheng connected the ventilation belt arrangement, and explained several layers of meaning in a few words, although it was a deliberative tone, but it implied the meaning of an unquestionable order, and then said with a smile: "My old waist is too bad for me, remember to make it clear to my old fellow, my waist won't let me go, it's not my old Lin to put on the score!" I can't say it, the old man is to blame, I can ask you. ”

"There are secretaries, governors, deputy secretaries, organization ministers, and the most unfortunate are the secretary general of the General Office of the Provincial Party Committee, the president of the party school, and the distinguished guests from the province. Qi Tianxiang dealt with this naughtily, like a mirror in his heart, but he pretended to be confused and quarreled with Lin Dongsheng.

"Why do you talk so much nonsense, the secretary of the municipal party committee will not be under the control of the provincial party committee, when will you be exempted from the standing committee of the provincial party committee? Even if you're young, you can't be moved? Lin Dongsheng raised his voice, and his voice was deep and deep, so loud that the microphone rang straight, "Inform Lu Shanzun, you go together." In the morning, I asked the old man for his opinion to see what arrangements he had, and I invited him to dinner at noon. ”

"Then can I tell the teacher that you went to the vegetable market to buy vegetables and prepare hand-rolled noodles with fried sauce for him to eat at noon!" Qi Tianxiang quickly turned around, and from the words, he could tell that Lin Dongsheng was in a good mood and mood, so he continued to joke.

"Whatever you want, as long as the old man believes it, you can talk nonsense!" Qi Tianxiang's words seemed to make Lin Dongsheng feel funny, and he smiled and instructed: "This old guy has walked nearly half of China in this circle, and he is estimated to be tired enough, you can be more leisurely, don't be too careful." ”

After Lin Dongsheng finished speaking, he hung up the phone when he saw that Qi Tianxiang didn't say anything anymore. Qi Tianxiang waited until Lin Dongsheng hung up the phone, then slowly put down the phone and pressed the button on the corner of the table.

Looking at Xiao Zhang, who walked in quickly, he carefully explained a few things, one was to contact the General Office of the Provincial Party Committee, implement the flight number and arrival time of Comrade Zheng Ming, notify the Organization Department of the Municipal Party Committee and the Party School, and ask them to prepare to go to the airport in a while, and let Li Guoqiang arrange security and itinerary.

Qi Tianxiang explained a few things in one breath, looked at Xiao Zhang seriously wrote it down in the notebook, and then nodded and turned around to go out, Qi Tianxiang breathed a sigh of relief, picked up the phone on the table, and dialed the phone number in Lu Shanzun's office.

"I called early in the morning, and it made people nervous. What are the commands? Lu Shanzun was born in the military in the end, and he was used to being rigorous, even if he wanted to ridicule, he seemed so blunt, and then said: "Is the matter urgent, do you want me to go over?" ”

"Don't do bad things, don't be afraid of ghosts calling the door, what are you nervous about." Qi Tianxiang laughed and teased, then cut to the chase, and said calmly: "It's not a big deal, you don't have to come over for the time being." is to tell you, the teacher is coming, about ten o'clock in the morning, Secretary Lin arranged for us to pick him up at the airport on his behalf. ”

"Yes! It's been a long time since I've talked to a teacher on the phone, and people blame me for calling the door! Lu Shanzun smiled and said, "Secretary Lin didn't say how to arrange it when he took it back?" What do you mean? ”

"Secretary Lin is just in charge of lunch at noon, let's arrange the next itinerary, I just want to discuss with you, how to use this spare time?" Qi Tianxiang groaned and asked for Lu Shanzun's opinion, and then emphasized: "However, Secretary Lin also hinted, saying that he has traveled all over most of China in this section, and he can't let the teacher be too tired." ”

Listening to Qi Tianxiang's words, Lu Shanzun also fell into deep thought, thought for a while and said: "In this case, there is a symposium of young party members and party activists organized by the Provincial Youth Federation and the Student Federation in the morning, please invite me to participate, why don't you invite the teacher to listen to it and give a lecture to the young people?" ”

"It's good that the young people are full of vigor and energy, and the teachers will be happy to be with them, and it will also be an opportunity to relax." Qi Tianxiang was very impressed by Lu Shanzun's idea, and said happily: "You say hello to them and let them prepare, don't wait deliberately, how to do it or how to proceed, just put the focus back." ”

"Okay, I'll contact them, and I'll go to your office when I'm done, and we'll go together." After Lu Shanzun finished speaking, seeing that Qi Tianxiang had nothing else to say, he hung up the phone.

Qi Tianxiang insisted on arranging all this without thinking about anything, and only after putting down the phone did he let his thoughts flood.

Lin Dongsheng's arrangement was like a stone thrown into Qi Tianxiang's heart, causing ripples in circles, making the originally calm mood chaotic. I have to admire that Lin Dongsheng's experience and handling skills have indeed reached the advanced realm of perfection, which is not something that Qi Tianxiang can match.

Just as Qi Tianxiang jokingly said on the phone, leaving Chen Nengliang, the governor of the province, and Wang Tiejun, deputy secretary of the provincial party committee, don't need it, and let him go to greet Zheng Ming on his behalf, which has a deep meaning in itself. Knowing Zheng Ming's intentions to come to Hohai Province this time, even if he didn't fully know, he could guess from Zheng Ming's location. Although Zheng Ming is only executive vice president of the Central Party School, he has been present in the discussion of many major theoretical issues, especially in the process of inspecting and appointing leading cadres at the provincial and ministerial levels. This is the mystery of the top level of the Central Committee, and all the mysteries are inseparable from the actual existence of the Central Party School, we all know that the Central Party School plays a pivotal role in the selection and appointment of cadres, Zheng Ming is precisely the vice president of the party school, and is the executive vice president, in the case that the president is generally concurrently served by the core figures in the high-level, the existence of the executive vice president has given the officialdom all the room for association.

As an important department of the central theoretical research, Zheng Ming rarely leaves Beijing, which is a slightly embarrassing situation in addition to his relatively sensitive position and identity. Almost all the in-service provincial and ministerial-level leaders in all provinces, municipalities, and districts, as well as most of the department-level cadres, have more or less listened to Zheng Ming's party building theory courses during on-the-job training or annual intensive study, and have the status of actual teachers and students. However, what is different this time is that Zheng Ming not only left Beijing in a high-profile manner, but also traveled to many provinces, which not only shows that his position may have changed, but also the personnel arrangements for next year's party and government re-election, and the central authorities need more experienced and prestigious leaders to conduct inspections and conduct actual investigations and evaluations.

At this time, Lin Dongsheng pushed Qi Tianxiang to the forefront, nominally Qi Tianxiang and Zheng Ming have a clear friendship between teachers and students, which was also affirmed and promised by Zheng Ming. The other two have a subordinate relationship in Ho Hai Province for several years, and they get along very well. These are all reasons that can be put on the table, and having Qi Tianxiang come forward to pick up the plane instead of Lin Dongsheng is just right, which not only avoids Lin Dongsheng's embarrassment as a former colleague, but also avoids the displeasure of Zheng Ming when others come forward. But in Qi Tianxiang's understanding, these reasons that most people can think of are exactly what Lin Dongsheng is clever, using this seemingly clear reason to cover up his true intentions. As a mature leader of the provincial party committee, Lin Dongsheng will never be so narrow-minded, and his vision will not be so short-sighted. After such a superficial article, it is precisely his profound intention, and it is only for those who can understand it. That is, Qi Tianxiang is Hehai Province, in addition to him Lin Dongsheng, the most qualified and powerful cadre to receive Zheng Ming on behalf of the provincial party committee, which completely shows that if Chen Nengliang leaves, the second person in Hehai Province will be him Qi Tianxiang. This is not only his Lin Dongsheng's clear attitude, but also the attitude of the provincial party committee, such a statement at this moment is not only the embodiment of political wisdom, but also the embodiment of party spirit and consciousness, and more obviously, let Lu Shanzun appear at the scene to welcome Zheng Ming, but also show that the follow-up arrangements of the provincial party committee for the work of the Hezhou Municipal Party Committee have obvious reminders.

This inference was made after Xiao Zhang's phone call was implemented, and when he came in to give feedback on the news, he told Qi Tianxiang that he was greeted at the airport by Liu Zhengguo, the head of the organization department, and the vice president of the party school of the provincial party committee, and Qi Tianxiang confirmed his inference. The idea of leaving immediately, was immediately denied, as the protagonist of the event, it is necessary for others to wait for him, this is a symbol of identity and majesty, seemingly boring, but it is very popular in officialdom, and it is very practical.

It is based on this consideration that Qi Tianxiang calmly started his daily work after listening to Xiao Zhang's report, and did not leave to go downstairs with Lu Shanzun until forty minutes before the plane Zheng Ming was about to arrive, and appeared in the airport VIP lounge ten minutes before the plane landed, and after a moment of hesitation, he walked straight to the sofa that was specially left for him, and sat down calmly and slowly.

It seems that everyone here understands the unspoken rules of officialdom that exist in the seats, at least Liu Zhengguo and Li Junjie know this rule, the closest position to the airport door is exactly the first place that VIPs see when they leave the airport, that is, the easiest to shake hands and say goodbye, of course, it is the natural position to greet the protagonist of the event, and the others will be postponed later.

It seems that Liu Zhengguo approves of this position arrangement, and his expression is naturally friendly, but when he entered the door, Qi Tianxiang clearly saw resentment and injustice in his eyes, so he turned a blind eye and walked straight to the position left for him. It's just a blink of an eye, when I see Liu Zhengguo's eyes again, what I read is a friendly and kind look, and even a calm calmness, I can't help but feel a sense of admiration for his restraint and emotional regulation ability, after all, he is a veteran of officialdom for many years, and his experience and self-control, as well as his ability to cover up, cannot be underestimated.

"I really envy the freedom of your big organs, just leave, unlike me here, there are so many idle things, and it is more difficult to go out than to get married." After Qi Tianxiang sat down, he took the initiative to stretch out his hand, shook Liu Zhengguo tightly, and then got up and shook hands with Li Junjie who came over, glanced around at everyone, nodded with a smile and said hello, then turned his face, and said to Liu Zhengguo with a smile and envy: "Put down Secretary Lin's phone and settle down briefly, we could have come out with our front and back feet, and we should have arrived almost together, but you still took the lead." ”

When Liu Zhengguo heard Qi Tianxiang mention Lin Dongsheng, a complicated look appeared in his eyes, and then he smiled and said: "I have all been the number one in the city, and I don't need you to say it, I know that it is useless to be busy." I received a notice from the office in the morning, this is our business, Lao Li and I didn't dare to slack off, we came over when we were ready, in fact, it was not long after we arrived. ”

"What Minister Liu said is yes! Comrade Zheng Ming is not only a veteran leader in the province in the past, but also an expert and leader in the party school system, and it is a great honor to be able to greet him personally. Li Junjie said with a little excitement: "I really want to have the opportunity to listen to Comrade Zheng Ming's lecture again!" ”

"This is not an opportunity, Comrade Zheng Ming is Comrade Tianxiang's teacher, and he is working under the leadership of hand-in-hand, and he has benefited a lot from his words and deeds, and it is understandable that he has made rapid progress." Liu Zhengguo looked at Qi Tianxiang with vinegar, and said lightly: "The master led the door, and the cultivation is personal, and it is not easy to talk about chance." If the master leads him into the door and gives him a ride, it is not just a chance, but a lucky one. ”

"I deeply sympathize with what Minister Liu said, it was originally difficult to grope in the dark, if you can light a lamp to illuminate the way forward, and be more courageous to sacrifice to lift you to the top of your head, so that you can see a more beautiful and bright starry sky, this kind of selfless spiritual realm is not more worthy of people's memory and admiration?" Qi Tianxiang did not hide his heart, looked at Liu Zhengguo and said-for-tat: "In a sense, isn't your organization department a noble and pure group that is willing to dedicate, have the courage to sacrifice, and lift up backward talents?" It deserves respect and admiration! ”

"Comrade Tianxiang can still say it, and he understands it thoroughly." Qi Tianxiang's words were neither humble nor arrogant, soft and thorny, which made Liu Zhengguo speechless for a while, difficult to answer, and only after a while did he respond with a smile, and finally coped with the embarrassment.

Seeing that Liu Zhengguo didn't have anything to say, Qi Tianxiang had no interest in continuing to speak, picked up the newspaper on the coffee table casually, and read it with relish.

Qi Tianxiang's cold expression spread quickly, and the VIP hall immediately quieted down, all of them were silently doing their own things, quietly waiting for the last moment to come.

When the news of the arrival of the plane came from the announcer, the VIP hall was agitated, Qi Tianxiang put away the newspaper, slowly folded it and put it on the coffee table, slowly stood up, and focused on the empty tarmac of the airport, and slowly drove to the shuttle bus that stopped the plane, and focused on the medium-sized shuttle bus, because he knew that the shuttle bus would bring Zheng Ming and his entourage over, bringing new hope and expectation.

The shuttle bus slowly stopped at the door of the VIP hall, Zheng Ming's thin figure appeared in Qi Tianxiang's eyes, Zheng Ming, who was slowly approaching, was still elegant, his sparse short hair was close to his scalp, looking neat and neat, and the white shirt was a black coat wrapped around his thin body, which made him look even thinner. Gradually, you can clearly see the calm and calm demeanor on the white face, as well as the deep and wise eyes behind the gold-rimmed glasses, although it still looks bright, but it is still difficult to hide the fatigue caused by days of hard work, and I haven't seen Zheng Ming for a while, and I feel that I feel that I have lost a lot of weight. Think about it many years ago, when I was in the academy, every time I saw Zheng Ming, I would be impressed by his elegant and calm temperament, Zheng Ming's middle-aged wisdom and exuberant energy at that time were all in one, and he couldn't hide the wisdom of knowledge and ability between his eyebrows, and he was even more comfortable quoting scriptures and classics between talking and laughing, and he was indifferently accumulating endless strength and energy. Now, although it is still elegant, it does not seem so calm, and more than ten years have passed on the fingers, and I can't help but feel some pathos and desolation welling up in my throat.

Under the polite guidance of the welcome lady, Zheng Ming walked quickly into the door of the VIP room that was opened, interrupting Qi Tianxiang's imagination and imagination, hurriedly stepped forward, held Zheng Ming's outstretched hand with both hands, and said with a smile: "Welcome to the teacher's hometown, entrusted by Secretary Lin, we will welcome you." ”

"In such a cold weather, this old guy is at a time when everything is difficult, take care of his body than to usher in the truth." Zheng Ming looked at Qi Tianxiang with a smile, shook hands with everyone and said hello, introduced the entourage, and after a polite handshake and introduction, he turned his face, stared at Qi Tianxiang gloomily, and said unhappily: "It's easy to listen to it, but the wind blows without a trace, it is a welcome, it can also be said to be a grand welcome, just welcome it with your mouth, welcome it to not mention red roses and the like, lily carnations, even if it is a bouquet of pines and cypresses, there is also a welcoming atmosphere." ”

"The stars, the sun and the moon, the change of day and night, the rotation of the four hours, the unity of heaven and man, this is the creation of man in response to heaven. There is no snow in summer and charming eyes, and there are no flowers in winter, and it is always in line with the people, and the morning fog is brushed away to show the truth, which is insurmountable for the law. Qi Tianxiang knew that Zheng Ming at this moment was to let everyone know their intimacy, and it was also the same intention as Lin Dongsheng, so he tried his best to shake his wit and said a little slippery and naughty: "The teacher has just come to the east from the northwest, although the longitude has crossed a lot, but the latitude has not changed much, sorry that although we are not here for 'thousands of miles of ice, thousands of miles of snow drifting', but it will take time to 'not compete for spring, only report spring', and still need to be patient." ”

"The act of sending flowers is not seen, the excuse is a set of words, and it is full of poetry, it is really not afraid of learning, but I am afraid of using it to talk nonsense, it seems that this is true!" Zheng Ming laughed and sarcastically mocked Qi Tianxiang at everyone, and after everyone laughed, he still said to Qi Tianxiang unrelentingly: "In this kind of weather, I am tired of this saddle horse, and I declare in advance that I eat too early, inspect too tired, don't go to the hotel, don't participate in the celebration, and this time I only watch, only listen, don't express my position, don't speak, you look at the arrangement!" ”

"The teacher's request is also our consideration, and we discussed this matter with Minister Liu just now. We all agree that people need to reverse jet lag for long-distance travel, and you also need to pour it, but not jet lag, but space difference, just six thousand meters in the air, to the ground at an altitude of several hundred meters, such a huge drop in the situation, listening to the play is too noisy, watching movies is too chaotic, walking is too lonely, so it is recommended that you go to the young people, feel the passion and enthusiasm, and the movement is appropriate, it seems to be more helpful for you to recover your strength. Qi Tianxiang looked at Zheng Ming seriously, said solemnly with a serious expression, stretched out his hand to pull Lu Shanzun, and said slowly: "This is Comrade Shanzun's proposal, he is the executive director of the Provincial Youth Federation, they have a symposium of young activists today, I want you to listen to it." ”

"Shanzun is an honest man, the military background is rigorous, the literati are romantic, it is this seemingly contradictory opposite, it is this seemingly contradictory opposite, gave birth to the heroism of the plateau eagle, and the purity of the life homeland, and the measurement of the slenderness of the pace of life, how can such a life and practice not make people envious, and full of trust." Zheng Ming looked at Lu Shanzun, he didn't hesitate to praise the language, his eyes were also full of appreciation and love, then he turned his face, looked at Qi Tianxiang seriously, and said majestically: "Then don't lead the way, what are you waiting for?" ”

As Zheng Ming spoke, he turned to Liu Zhengguo and Li Junjie, gently took a person's hand with one hand, and said affectionately: "Time is tight, let's get in the car and talk while walking!" ”

Zheng Ming pulled Liu Zhengguo and Li Junjie to take the lead outside the VIP hall, and behind him, Qi Tianxiang and Lu Shanzun, accompanied Zheng Ming's entourage, went out slowly, and boarded the waiting bus in different directions after going back.

Under the guidance of the police car, the convoy of two minibuses and several sedans slowly left the airport and drove towards Hezhou City.

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