PCJ – Chapter 709 The Dust Settles

Su Xinpeng arrived in Bijiang City with a team from the Provincial Party Committee, including leaders from the Discipline Inspection Commission.

Wang Zongxian had prepared materials to brief the provincial delegation, but Su Xinpeng did not intend to sit in a meeting room to hear Bijiang City’s report.

“Let’s go to the industrial park. I’ve heard your Bijiang City’s industrial park is quite unique. We’re here to learn from your experience. Comrade Zongxian, Comrade Jiaohua, get in the car and tell us about Bishui Ecological Industrial Park.” Without getting out of the car, Su Xinpeng headed straight toward the park.

Once in the car, Wang Zongxian said, “Secretary Su, Mayor Zhang is more familiar with Bishui Ecological Industrial Park’s situation than I am. It’s better if he briefs you.”

Su Xinpeng nodded. “Back when I was in the capital, I already heard of Bijiang’s ecological industrial park. The anti-cancer miracle drug—number one in the world. I couldn’t avoid hearing about it. Comrade Jiaohua, I heard you were one of the researchers involved in its development while at Tsinghua. Is that true?”

Zhang Jiaohua didn’t deny it, simply nodding. “This series of technologies was indeed developed by our team, though Dr. Mei Qing led the anti-cancer drug’s development.”

“So, the reason the anti-cancer drug chose a remote, underdeveloped city like Bijiang as its production base was mainly because of your connection?” Su Xinpeng asked.

Everyone turned to Su Xinpeng, unsure of his meaning. Was he preparing to put Zhang Jiaohua on the spot? Was the Commission here to target the mayor?

Wang Zongxian grew anxious. “Secretary Su—”

But Su Xinpeng smiled. “No need to be nervous. As I said, we didn’t come here to investigate anyone, but to learn. Comrade Jiaohua, rest assured, the Party will not let meritorious comrades suffer grievances. Of course, if you had truly violated discipline, the Party would not ignore it either.”

Zhang Jiaohua nodded. “Several projects in Bishui Industrial Park are indeed closely tied to me. I’ve already reported this to Secretary Wang before. Because Bijiang lacks convenient transportation and has a backward economy, attracting quality investment was extremely difficult. Meanwhile, my team happened to have some research results needing incubation. Out of some personal motivation, I used Bishui Ecological Industrial Park as the incubator.”

Su Xinpeng nodded. “If these advanced results had been placed in a more developed coastal city, wouldn’t you have received even greater support? Wouldn’t that have benefited incubation even more?”

Zhang Jiaohua nodded. “Yes, high-tech projects can get excellent support elsewhere. In fact, we had originally planned to set up production for the anti-cancer drug in the capital.”

Su Xinpeng chuckled. “So instead of gaining through your mayoral position, your team actually suffered a loss.”

Zhang Jiaohua shook his head. “Not exactly. In other places, things might not have gone as smoothly as here in Bijiang.”

“I understand that even just the pharmaceutical plant has contributed not only huge tax revenues to Bijiang every year but also many jobs. With patients flocking from across the country, the city has become lively. The medical sector is booming, and service industries like restaurants and hotels have surged. Is that accurate?” Su Xinpeng clearly had studied the city carefully.

Zhang Jiaohua nodded. “That’s true. But Bijiang also has excellent ecology, and tourism is rising yearly. Some visitors are drawn here by that.”

“Still, I’m curious—when things were looking up and investments were flooding in, why did you reject them? Some say you did so to protect enterprises tied to your own interests, preserving their monopoly in Bijiang.” Su Xinpeng’s stare was sharp. The question was pointed enough to make anyone uncomfortable.

Zhang Jiaohua smiled faintly. “It’s always a dilemma: economic growth or green mountains and clean waters. But I believe Bijiang must safeguard its strengths. The city’s natural environment is the greatest gift heaven has given us. We cannot discard it for the sake of development. In fact, some cities in China are already paying the price for reckless growth. If we don’t learn from their lessons, one day we’ll also pay for today’s mistakes.”

Su Xinpeng nodded with satisfaction. “So you’ve set high standards for what projects you’ll accept?”

Zhang Jiaohua nodded again, saying nothing more.

“You’re right. We can’t just chase growth and neglect the environment. Bijiang’s ecology is a treasure to be preserved. I think your approach is wise. I also heard you plan to promote ecological agriculture and tourism citywide?”

“Many dismiss agriculture as high-cost, high-risk, and low-return. But organic ecological farming has great potential. With Bijiang’s clean water and excellent environment, we’re perfectly suited for organic produce. If we develop it across the city, we can build both massive scale and brand value.” Zhang Jiaohua shared his vision.

Su Xinpeng admired his views, and their conversation grew lively as they arrived at Bishui Ecological Industrial Park.

“I’ve heard pharmaceutical plants are often major polluters. Can yours really call itself ecological?” Su Xinpeng asked doubtfully.

“Absolutely. Meishan Pharmaceutical has achieved zero emissions. All water use and discharge are strictly monitored by the environmental bureau. Our effluent quality meets drinking water standards. Even domestic sewage is treated before discharge.” Zhang Jiaohua first led him to the wastewater treatment station, where equipment designed by Meishan Group (with cultivator techniques infused) was in place.

“Then take me to the outlet,” Su Xinpeng requested.

They went, and the outlet water was crystal clear, even cleaner than the Bijiang River.

“You don’t have hidden pipes, do you?” Su Xinpeng pressed.

“Definitely not. Our plant runs far below capacity. Even several times more wastewater could still be purified to this level. Our equipment is far superior to anything on the market.” A technician proudly explained.

“Really? If it’s that good, I’ll recommend all the province’s polluting enterprises come here to learn and buy your equipment.” Su Xinpeng was intrigued.

Given the province’s worsening pollution—especially downstream where heavy metals already contaminated rivers, fish, and even farmland—this could be a game changer.

Zhang Jiaohua confirmed. “Yes, our heavy equipment factory designed the system specifically for the pharmaceutical plant, and it’s very effective. You can visit later. But right now, they’re overwhelmed with orders and don’t have capacity for more.”

“I heard your excavators performed outstandingly in a recent tunnel collapse rescue. True?” Su Xinpeng asked.

Zhang Jiaohua nodded. “Yes. The collapse was due to complex geology. Fortunately, our tunnel was strong, preventing casualties. Since then, we’ve tightened safety measures to prevent repeats.”

Su Xinpeng chuckled. “Good thing it wasn’t negligence, or I’d have had to scold your government team.”

After touring the plant, he praised Meishan Pharmaceutical’s environment and management. “I’ve inspected many pharma plants, and few match this level. Your team has both skill and strength. Keep converting your research into industry and accelerate Bijiang’s pharma growth.”

He next toured the heavy equipment factory, again very pleased. But he wasn’t done.

“I hear you’re building a new-energy vehicle industrial park. Can I see it?”

“Of course. But it’s still in preparation. Land acquisition is complete, early groundwork is underway, but construction hasn’t begun,” Zhang Jiaohua said, realizing this was likely Su Xinpeng’s true focus.

At the vast 10,000-mu site, Su Xinpeng asked pointedly, “Comrade Jiaohua, some say you have personal interests here—that you’re the hidden boss behind this park. Is it true?”

Zhang Jiaohua calmly replied, “If you put it that way, perhaps yes. I participated in the R&D of this technology. That’s why I told Secretary Wang earlier I might resign, to avoid conflicts with Party policy.”

“That won’t do. If you resign, the park might not end up in Bijiang at all.” Su Xinpeng laughed.

“It will. The agreement is already signed,” Zhang Jiaohua said.

“Not necessarily. A successor might cancel it. That happens often in China.” Su Xinpeng replied.

He then cut Zhang Jiaohua off. “You are not like ordinary cadres. You’re a world-class scientist. We cannot apply the same yardstick. As long as you don’t violate Party principles, we should encourage you to pursue science, to convert results into productivity, and ideally keep those results here in our province. Don’t worry—the Party won’t punish good comrades over baseless rumors. We’re here not to discipline you, but to cheer you on! Keep pushing your vision forward and transform Bijiang completely.”

The next day, the provincial Party newspaper’s front page carried Su Xinpeng’s inspection in Bijiang, highlighting his remarks: “…The Party Committee and Government of Bijiang must continue working hard to explore development models, and thoroughly transform Bijiang’s outlook…”