Volume 1: Against the Tide Chapter 40: The Small Gift of the Old Leaders Worry-Free

  Chapter 40: The Small Gift of the Old Leaders

  Peng Yuanzheng stayed in the sanatorium for five days as Zhang Lao and Zheng Lao had suggested. Before he came, he had already called Gong Hanlin of Xin'an to ask for leave, saying that there was an urgent matter to attend to.

  During these five days, Peng Yuanzheng got along extremely well with seven or eight old leaders, especially Zhang Lao and Zheng Lao, who had a very good impression of him.

  In the eyes of these older leaders, this young man not only has extremely deep skills in Tai Chi, but also has outstanding personal character and temperament. To say nothing of other things, just this air of humility and confidence is something that ordinary young people can't match.

  In fact, facing central leading cadres at this level, even the staff around them will often feel a little uneasy.

  Five days of Tai Chi guidance experience, for Peng Yuanzheng, was sudden and accidental. However, he did not expect that these five days would have a profound impact on his future career path.

  On Friday afternoon, Peng Yuanzheng had to leave.

  At noon, Zhang Lao and several others specially asked the restaurant to prepare a sumptuous meal, which was considered a farewell dinner for Peng Yuanzheng.

  At the moment of farewell, the old leaders gave Peng Yuanzheng some small gifts separately. They are called small gifts, but with their identity, the things they give out are naturally extraordinary.

  Zhang Lao gave a calligraphy written in his own handwriting, eight powerful and vigorous big characters: Thick De Zhu Wu, Self-strengthening does not rest. Zhang Lao's calligraphy is majestic and powerful, with a magnificent atmosphere, which he wrote this morning, specially for Peng Yuanzheng.

  Mr. Zheng gave a bottle of Maotai wine, while the other old leaders gave some fans, pens and a pair of colorful glass balls.

  Of course, for Peng Yuan Chong, the most precious gift is still a warm and intimate photo with his old leaders.

  As for these old leaders, if they didn't appreciate Peng Yuanzhen to a certain extent, they would not easily give him handwritten calligraphy and take photos together. When Peng Yuanzhen took photos with the old leaders, I don't know how many staff members of the sanatorium were envious and jealous. They have been working here for many years and have never had the opportunity to take photos with the old leaders, let alone receive gifts from them personally.

  Peng Yuanzheng left by car, and the gate of Mingshan Sanatorium slowly closed. Inside and outside seemed to be two different worlds.

  Back at Feng Bogao's home, Feng Bogao had been waiting in the study for a long time.

  Feng Botao carefully inquired about Peng Yuanzheng's situation at the Mingyuan Sanatorium and learned that the old leaders had all sent him some small gifts, especially Zhang Lao, who had once served as Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress, had even sent a handwritten calligraphy, which made him take a surprise.

  He nodded after a long while, "Mm, Far Expedition, you've done well. It seems the old leaders are all satisfied with you. However, even though the old leaders have all given you gifts, it's still better for you not to show off outside. As for going to Ming Shan Therapy Institute, I think it's best not to mention it to outsiders, there's no point in saying it out loud."

  Feng Botao's words were clearly worried that Peng Yuanzhen would take the gifts and calligraphy photos given by the central old leaders, and show off everywhere. In Feng Botao's view, even if Peng Yuanzhen was calm and composed, he was still a young man in his 20s from a humble background, who had the opportunity to interact with so many former central leaders and received gifts, it was possible that he would become arrogant and forget himself.

  Once Peng Yuanzheng shows off outside, it's absolutely not a good thing for him. The first to be dissatisfied is definitely his grandfather, Old Man Feng.

  Peng Yuanzheng smiled slightly, "Uncle, don't worry, I know what's proper."

  Feng Botao let out a sigh of relief, smiled and patted Peng Yuanzheng's shoulder. "Mmm, that's good. You go out first, I'll take a look at the documents again. When your aunt finishes cooking, we'll eat together."

  Feng Botao thought so too. Peng Yuanzheng, even his true identity as Feng Lao's biological grandson, could keep such things under wraps without leaking a single word to the outside world. The gifts that Zhang Lao and others sent over were probably nothing special to him either, nor was this brief experience of teaching Tai Chi at Ming Shan Therapy Institute worth bragging about.

  Looking at Peng Yuanzheng's departing figure, Feng Botao nodded silently.

  Feng Lao liked and admired Peng Yuanzheng's temperament the most, calm and composed, knowing when to advance or retreat, not arrogant or humble, and he was the same.

  ……

  ……

  Tomorrow is Saturday, Song Yu Zhen and Feng Bo Tao originally wanted Peng Yuan Zheng to stay for another day and leave on Sunday morning, but that afternoon, Peng Yuan Zheng received an urgent pager from Gong Han Lin. The message on the pager was "call back immediately", he didn't dare to delay, so he immediately used the Feng family's landline to call back.

  "Gong Kezhang, I am Peng Yuanzheng."

  "What's the progress on your expedition?" On the other end of the phone, Gong Hanlin's voice was slightly urgent.

  "Hehe, Director Gong, I've basically finished handling it. If you have any instructions, just say so directly."

  "Ke Lei didn't have much work to do, but just now, Director Zhu called me and said that Secretary Xue of the Municipal Party Committee had arranged for me to come - next Monday, the city will hold a conference to promote the development of the tertiary industry. Secretary Xue is not very satisfied with the draft speech prepared by the Secretariat of the Municipal Party Committee Office, and has specifically asked you to write it, saying that you are familiar with the situation and have just done a series of reports on the tertiary industry, so it's easy for you."

  "I also told Director Zhu, you're a new comrade and don't have experience writing speeches for leaders, but Director Zhu said the materials are all the same... anyway, the leader has given the task, it's urgent, you need to hurry back immediately."

  Peng Yuanzheng nodded slightly, "Alright, Director Gong, I'll head back early tomorrow morning."

  "Time is a bit urgent, come back and go straight to the office, I'll be waiting for you in the office this afternoon to discuss the manuscript issues."

  After handing over with Peng Yuanzheng, Gong Hanlin hung up the phone.

  He put down the phone and let out a long sigh. The municipal party secretary had named him to write the materials, which of course meant some kind of recognition from the main leaders of the municipal party committee, but this urgent task also implied considerable risk for Peng Yuanzheng, a young man who was new to officialdom.

  To know, the quality of a leader's speech is to some extent dependent on the leader's personal preferences. If the writing style is what the leader likes and it conveys what the leader wants to say, then it's good; but if the leader doesn't like this style, no matter how elegant your language or logical your argument, it's just a waste of effort.

  If this speech is not well-written, all the efforts made by Peng Yuanzheng will be in vain. Secretary Xue of the Municipal Party Committee may have some impression that "it's nothing special" or "overstated", which would be very unfavorable to his future career advancement.

  What's more important is that Secretary Xue has been asked by the Office of the General Affairs to write a draft, which means that if the draft is not well-written, Secretary Xue will be dissatisfied; but if it is well-written, it will obviously offend some people in the Secretariat of the Office of the General Affairs.

  Peng Yuanzheng's face turned somewhat solemn at this thought.