This work meeting was of great significance.

If it hadn't been for the large-scale conflict that erupted between the people and government workers a few days ago, and the fact that the police had taken someone into custody, the incident in Yangzhou would not have caused such a stir.

Fortunately, the internet surveillance brigade and the propaganda department acted effectively, preventing the situation from escalating online.

Therefore, Ma Xudong's attendance was essential.

After all, the concerns of the common people are essentially a matter of interests.

The old city district doesn't belong to the central urban area, but it used to be the center, and it's typically old and rundown.

In some places, mere repair and renovation would suffice, beautifying the cityscape, adding elevators to old residential buildings, but the common people don't see the tangible benefits of hard cash.

In other places, however, separated only by a wall, demolition and commercial development were underway, and those people were striking it rich. Nowadays, the real estate business is almost on the verge of bursting its bubble, and being eligible for demolition is considered a great blessing.

Of course, where demolitions didn't happen, the resentment among the people was intense. Why are some parts of the old city district being demolished while others are not?

In the end, money is such a harmful thing.

Today Ma Xudong was here, and at the old city government square in Yangzhou, the work meeting was held.

The old square and the old government building were also slated for demolition. Some people were discontent and made an issue of it, saying the government was making a fortune while the common people were left out.

When Ma Xudong arrived, the people wanted to see the Mayor's stance and his decisions. If they were not satisfied, all eyes would be on him! Of course, this included political adversaries, too.

Thus, Ma Xudong's speech at this meeting was especially important.

The old city government square, never spacious to begin with, was today packed with people like a sea of humanity, utterly impassable.

Even security forces were deployed, both visibly and covertly, to maintain order.

These days, there are many among the populace who harbor resentment, and things could easily get out of hand and disgraceful.

Liu Zhizhong and Zhang Yue Xing, along with Lu Yuqing, stood behind Ma Xudong. Of course, accompanying them were Zhang Yue Xing's secretary, Zhang Hong; Lu Yuqing's secretary, Lu Mengting; and some bigwigs from the City Committee.

To tell the truth, this was the first time Liu Zhizhong had attended such a large event. The reporters' cameras even used him as a backdrop, an oddly gratifying experience.

Being the personal secretary to the Mayor, he really did have an advantage. Awesome!

But for Liu Zhizhong, what was even more thrilling was listening to Ma Xudong read the speech he had secretly edited.

Gradually, not only did Ma Xudong feel something was off, but Lu Yuqing and Zhang Yue Xing also sensed a discrepancy—the speech... was not the original draft!

However, the two female Secretaries General were gradually realizing that this speech was brilliant, far stronger than the original draft, and of much higher caliber.

The audience of common folk was absorbed, as were the accompanying officials of various ranks, and even the security forces outside the venue.

Many people were moved to tears, many eyes became moist.

As the speech drew to a close, Zhang Yue Xing and Lu Yuqing, among other women, were also struggling to hold back their emotions. The photographers themselves had moist corners in their eyes.

Even Ma Xudong himself could not help but become tearful. The speech was inherently powerful, resonating with the public, and now it had resonated with him as well.

Ma Xudong, holding a loudspeaker, shouted, "Our people are the most lovable people! Whenever the Party and government face difficulties, they are always able to understand and forgive, to stand together with the Party and the nation!"

"Our people are the greatest people, the hardest working, the most humble, and the most altruistically inclined. Yangzhou is lucky to have you, and even luckier is the nation!"

"We believe that our Party and government will do better in this maintenance and demolition work, will double the investment in renovations, and will create an old center in Yangzhou that is suitable for living and business! The old center, oh, how many childhoods, adolescences, and prime years it has witnessed. When we speak of this place, it conjures the most beautiful times..."

"..."

When Ma Xudong's speech concluded in less than 15 minutes, he bowed deeply in all directions, expressing his respect and commitments, his dedication to the people. Surprisingly, this was something Liu Zhizhong had specially suggested adding to the end of the speech draft.

The effect instantly reached its peak.

The entire venue erupted in thunderous applause, waving over the old square like a surging tide.

Mixed in were successive cheers.

"Secretary Ma, well done—we'll follow your lead!"

"We resolutely respond to the call of the City Committee and City Government, supporting the work of the Party and government!"

"Secretary Ma is a good secretary to the people!"

"..."

For a moment, praise was overwhelming, and Ma Xudong was indeed moved to tears, dabbing them with tissue.

Privately, the psychological gloom that had arisen because of his daughter's issue seemed to have been swept away completely.

This feeling of universal support from the masses was simply too joyous—he had never experienced it before.

The officials present, both high and low ranking, also clapped enthusiastically, and naturally, Liu Zhizhong joined in.

As the Secretary of the Municipal Committee, he felt a sense of staggering achievement.

This speech would definitely make the front page of the city newspaper tomorrow. The television station would have to broadcast the full text in the evening news—hee hee...

Possibly, with a bit of editing, it could even make it to the provincial paper and the news on the provincial station. This, for Ma Xudong, was a political achievement in itself.

After all, no matter which secretary had drafted the speech, it represented his thoughts and governing principles.

When the meeting was over and Ma Xudong returned to his official car, he was in high spirits!

In his car, besides the driver, there was only Lu Yuqing, the Executive Deputy Secretary-General, directly responsible to him, seated in the back; and of course, his personal secretary Liu Zhizhong, riding shotgun!

Zhang Yue Xing, as the powerful steward of the City Committee and a member of the standing committee, had her own official car and simply followed Ma Xudong's lead vehicle.

In the back seat, Ma Xudong wiped the sweat from his brow and said with delight, "Secretary Lu, today's speech was a resounding success. In my life, I've never seen a speech of such high caliber! It's different from the original draft, though. What happened?"