SWNOVELXO Chapter 624 - 580: Intense Pressure_1
Chapter 624: Chapter 580: Intense Pressure_1
Tian Xujian said those words lightly. Afterwards, his gaze shifted to Yi Chang sitting next to him. Furrowing his brows, he said in a deep voice, “Secretary-General Yi, what’s going on? Isn’t it just a private enterprise? No matter how well they are doing, they are still just a private company. Local policies and regulations must be adhered to. Are they above the government? This Wal-Mart Group can’t be another Eastern Sea Group.”
In Tian Xujian’s understanding, the official-based system is paramount. Can any group or organization surpass the government? Official and merchant, official and merchant, isn’t the word ‘official’ always put first?
Yi Chang chuckled in his heart, calling Tian Xujian a dead man walking. Everything’s in chaos outside, and you’re still calm and collected. Let’s hope that you can maintain this composure later.
Then, Yi Chang took out a copy of a newspaper, a local Wanghai City newspaper. It was the Wanghai Evening Newspaper, the most widely circulated lifestyle newspaper in the city.
Placing the newspaper on the coffee table, Yi Chang didn’t sit down. Tian Xujian had already held some dissatisfaction towards him, so there was no need to get comfortable. He then quietly reported, “Secretary Tian, it would be best if you read the newspaper.”
The Wanghai Evening Newspaper was a daily newspaper dedicated to reporting on people’s livelihood, putting out by the propaganda department under the Wanghai Municipal Party Committee. Currently, the front-page headline stated, “Wanghai New Port Halts Work! Investor Calls for Fairness and Justice!” in big bold letters, which were incredibly striking.
Reading this headline caused Tian Xujian to stand up in anger, his face as red as a monkey’s butt after it had been pinched. He thundered, “Secretary-General Yi, what is going on? How could the Wanghai City media be so irresponsible? What does the director of the propaganda department eat, that they do not report such important news, and even allows it to pass through review? Do they have no regard for the organization? Secretary-General Yi, make a call to Zhou Zihui at once and have him come over to explain this situation. The editor-in-chief of Wanghai Evening Newspaper, the leaders of Wanghai Daily Newspaper, they all deserve strict punishment.”
Ignoring Tian Xujian’s words, Yi Chang continued, “Secretary Tian, the local media in Wanghai is only reposting this. The news has already been aired on the national television’s economic channel this evening. Also, according to Minister Zhou Zihui, several large media outlets throughout the nation, such as the Huaxia Economic Newspaper and Southern Business Newspaper, have already published this news. By now, it’s probably already known nationwide.”
These words left Tian Xujian somewhat horrified. The development of the situation has completely surpassed Tian Xujian’s guess. Moreover, it’s gone beyond his control.
At this moment, Tian Xujian was sitting on the couch, not looking at Yi Chang. However, he knew very well in his heart that Yi Chang must be waiting to see his humiliation.
Waving his hand, Tian Xujian said in a deep voice, “Secretary-General Yi, please leave.”
Suddenly, his phone rang on the table. Picking up the phone, he saw who was calling and was stunned — a call from Secretary Qiao of the Provincial Party Committee.
Tian Xujian waved to Yi Chang. After Yi Chang left, he immediately picked up the phone. Before he could speak, a voice came from Qiao Yiren on the other end of the call, “Tian Xujian, what are you doing? Don’t you want to be a secretary anymore? What kind of mess have you caused? This afternoon, you inspected the Wanghai New Port, and by then, problems started arising. The Wal-Mart Group has already reported the issue to the Central Government. They are a leading member of the National Federation of Industry and Commerce. Now, numerous national leaders are calling to inquire about the issue. How am I supposed to explain? You’re going to handle this issue yourself. You’re going to explain that even though the Wal-Mart Group has complete paperwork, you announced a suspension of work after your inspection.”
Qiao Yiren’s words pierced Tian Xujian’s heart, one by one. Even though it was deep autumn and the weather in Wanghai city was still slightly hot, the air conditioning in the room made it quite comfortable. However, Tian Xujian broke out in sweat due to Qiao’s reprimand.
Tian Xujian never expected that the Wal-Mart Group, a private enterprise, would be so arrogant to go against a deputy department level official like him. Wasn’t this like the old man who ate arsenic because he thought his life was too long?
Ahead of Qiao Yiren’s full array of anger, Tian played at being well-behaved temperament, replying with a bow, “Secretary Qiao, I…I…I didn’t do anything. Wal-Mart Group’s action was a complete challenge to the Municipal Party Committee and the municipal governments.”
“You didn’t do anything? Then why would the Wal-Mart Group call a temporary halt? Are others full and tired, choosing to oppose you, Tian Xujian?” Qiao Yiren’s booming voice roared again. Through the phone speaker, Tian Xujian could even feel Qiao Yiren’s fury lashes on his face.
After his outburst, Qiao Yiren continued, “Don’t think of the Wal-Mart Group as merely a private enterprise. Let me tell you, Tian Xujian, they’re the largest retail business in our country and the second largest in the world in terms of market value, surpassing Carrefour of France, the abundance of Dongying, and is only below American Walmart. They’re one of the top 500 enterprises in the world and a flag bearer of our country’s private enterprises. Mr. Yang Anbang, chairman of Wal-Mart Group’s board of directors, is also a National People’s Congress representative and is foremost in this 15-year term. This afternoon, he had already protested to the National People’s Congress and the Economic Committee, as well as the Ministry of Commerce. I have received calls from various leaders up top. How am I supposed to explain this? Tian Xujian, I’m ordering you to rectify this issue immediately. If I don’t hear news of resuming work at Wanghai New Port by tomorrow, I’ll be holding you accountable. No matter how, you must thoroughly explain to the Wal-Mart Group. Personally, visit and apologize for the inconvenience caused and eliminate the negative impact. If you fail, deal with the consequences yourself.”
“Yes, yes. Secretary Qiao, rest assured. I’ll definitely learn from this lesson, genuinely consider the Wal-Mart Group’s feelings, and sincerely apologize to the Wal-Mart Group’s representatives for the inconvenience caused. I will ensure I wipe out the negative impact and satisfy the Wal-Mart Group.” At this moment, Tian Xujian didn’t dare to dispute anymore.
Just now, many messages were revealed in Qiao Yiren’s words. The Wal-Mart Group, a retail business listed in the top 500 globally, operates thousands of stores across the country. Assuming each store employs a hundred staff, the 2,700 stores alone provide 270,000 job positions. In addition, there are employees of the Wal-Mart Group’s logistics company, headquarters, and other clerical staff. Conservatively speaking, it employs at least 300,000 people. This still excludes the multitude of businesses that rely on the Wal-Mart Group.
The Wal-Mart Group indeed has the qualifications and capital to contend with me. Now, Tian Xujian had realized why the woman from the Wal-Mart Group, the ‘General Xiao’, dared to act as such. She had the confidence. Being able to manipulate the national television station was extraordinary.
Upon hearing Tian Xujian’s words, Qiao Yiren’s anger finally subsided somewhat. He nodded, “Tian Xujian, I won’t say much. Arrange things carefully. In short, you must satisfy the Wal-Mart Group.”
After hanging up the phone, another phone in the room rang immediately. After looking at the phone, Tian Xujian hesitated but still picked up the receiver.
A strange voice came from the other side of the phone, “May I speak to Secretary Tian Xujian of Wanghai City? This is Guo Binkun from the Ministry of Commerce.”
Tian Xujian totally understood who Guo Binkun was, the Minister of Commerce, a fairly active figure in the political arena. Although they hadn’t interacted before, he still wouldn’t dare act cavalierly because of Guo’s status.
With a smile, he said, “Minister Guo, hello. This is Tian Xujian. I wonder what instructions Minister Guo has for me?”
Guo Binkun chuckled, saying, “It’s not so much an instruction. But I heard that the Wal-Mart Group project in Wanghai City was suddenly halted, so I wanted to inquire about it.”
These words made Tian Xujian grimace. Although Guo Binkun hadn’t mentioned any issues of unfair treatment, Tian Xujian understood that it was merely a polite way of expressing it. If Guo Binkun outright accused him, he might not even regard it given their unfamiliarity. But the intent of Guo Binkun’s words had been communicated.
Upon that, Tian Xujian laughed and said, “Minister Guo, rest assured. There’s just some misunderstanding with the Wal-Mart Group. I am confident it will be rectified soon.”
After hanging up Guo Binkun’s call, Tian Xujian’s phone rang once more: it was Shen Yanshuo.
In front of Shen Yanshuo, Tian Xujian didn’t dare to act negligently, he said politely, “Senior leader, you also called.”
Shen Yanshuo was quite irritated at this moment, thinking that Tian Xujian was such an idiot who didn’t know what he was up against. If the Li family hadn’t asked him to remind Tian Xujian, he would not have made this call.
Shen Yanshuo then said, “Xujian, this time you’ve done it big. Do you know the background of the Wal-Mart Group?”
Before Tian Xujian could answer, Shen Yanshuo continued, “Apparently, you don’t know. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have acted this way. Let me tell you, the Chairman of the Wal-Mart Group, Yang Anbang, is the second son of comrade Yang Shengli. Xiao Yali is the daughter of lieutenant general Xiao Zhenchang from the Xibei Military Region.”
Hearing this, Tian Xujian was dumbstruck. This news was too astonishing. Such formidable backing was enough to make him look up with admiration.
Just as he was about to speak, Shen Yanshuo said solemnly, “Xujian, you’ve just taken office in Wanghai. You shouldn’t be so keen on rushing things. Sometimes, it’s better to be low-profile. You need to take the initiative to discuss matters with the Wal-Mart Group. Wherever an apology is necessary, you must apologize. Got it?”
After hanging up the phone, Tian Xujian sat on the sofa in a daze, feeling overwhelmingly pressured. Calls from the central leadership, senior officials, and his new boss came one after another. In particular, hearing about the background of the Wal-Mart Group, Tian Xujian felt a tremendous pressure bearing down on him.
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