At Shenzhen International Airport, a red carpet stretched into the distance along a dedicated runway.
A group of people in green military uniforms were hurrying around. Some were communicating with reporters on duty, others were giving orders over walkie-talkies, and still others were checking the security arrangements.
Among all the men, the most handsome and stylish was a dark-skinned, bald man wearing sunglasses. His impeccably tailored suit perfectly showcased his bulging pectoral muscles, slender waist, and straight legs.
But what's even more eye-catching than his suit is a small object in his hand.
That thing is supposedly called a cell phone.
In a time when even mobile phones are rare and only business people can afford them, while government agencies use landlines, people's curiosity about it is no less than that about the Bermuda Triangle and the Golden Triangle.
The man glanced around while on the phone, nodding respectfully every now and then: "Okay, okay."
...
Minister Xue of the Armed Forces Department knew him; he was a man who had distinguished himself on the front lines back then. Coincidentally, Secretary Wang of the United Front Work Department was also their comrade-in-arms. He whispered, "This Song Yuanchao, damn it, is he surrendering to capitalism?"
They were all discharged from the military relatively early; they knew people, but weren't familiar with them.
Secretary Wang said, "His suit is really nice; it must have cost a lot of money."
Regarding this, Minister Xue had to criticize Secretary Wang: "Look at his muscles, and then look at you. That suit looks good, but with your fat, bulging belly, you can't even fit into it."
Secretary Wang has many social engagements and drinks every day, so of course he has a big belly.
He then whispered, "I heard Minister Guo from the Taiwan Affairs Office mention that bodyguards like Song Yuanchao earn at least 600,000 yuan a year."
Minister Xue was startled and exclaimed, "Duo Shao?"
Like Song Yuanchao, he retired as a deputy regimental commander. His monthly salary was only 1,200 yuan, while Song Yuanchao earned 60,000 yuan a month.
Secretary Wang added, "No wonder money is so easy to make in Hong Kong. Song Tuan was wise to have ventured into business early."
At this moment, Song Yuanchao hung up his cell phone, glanced back at Minister Xue, and nodded.
How to put it? The warmth of comradeship was gone from his eyes; it was as if he were looking at a stranger, which made Minister Xue feel very uncomfortable.
At this moment, a female reporter from Hong Kong asked in Cantonese, "Song Zai, has Chairman Nie set off yet?"
Upon seeing that it was a reporter from the Mirror, Song Yuanchao stepped forward and bowed, saying, "The Chairman has taken off on time and will land in 62 minutes."
"Tankyou son!" the female reporter said with a smile.
Song Yuanchao surprisingly replied in English, "That's all right?"
Secretary Wang was surprised again: "He can speak fluent English now! This Deputy Regiment Commander Song is quite remarkable."
Minister Xue grinned: "What Deputy Regiment Commander Song? Didn't you hear? He's changed his name. Now he's called Song Zai."
He whispered again, "He's no longer a proletarian, nor is he our comrade."
Unlike the mainland journalists, who are mostly older, some carrying old cameras and trembling, and others carrying notebooks and having to write by hand, the people from Hong Kong all had a voice recorder and a small camera, looking fashionable and sophisticated.
The mainland reporters had to wipe their reading glasses, and it was hot and humid under the blazing sun. The Hong Kong reporters each had a bottle of beverage in hand, and one of the female reporters even handed Song Yuanchao one: "Song, you've worked hard, have some water."
Song Yuanchao took it, said thank you, but of course, he just put it at his feet.
Just then, his phone rang again, and he immediately answered, "Hello."
Stand at attention again: "What are your orders, boss?"
Unlike Nie Rong, who wished the mainland would impose martial law on the airspace to ensure his safety and make a big show of it, Nie Zhao knew that Shenzhen had even hosted the Queen, so there was no way they couldn't host an old man like him.
The reason they made such a grand spectacle today is to show respect and honor to all the citizens of Hong Kong.
All the TV stations in Hong Kong were going to broadcast it live, and the mainland would never allow any mishaps. Under these circumstances, it was not appropriate for him to step forward, and he did not want his wife to plead with others. The most convenient option was to find Song Yuanchao.
He said, "You have one hour left. Go find all the leaders above the section chief level who are waiting at the airport. Tell each of them individually how hard they have worked and that Vice Chairman Liang will personally visit them another day. Go."
Even when the boss wasn't around, Song Zai's bodyguards were still the most professional, standing tall and proud: "Yes, boss."
After hanging up the phone, the man in a sharp suit walked towards Minister Xue first, extending both hands: "Hello, Minister Xue."
Minister Xue was still in his military uniform, so of course he saluted first before shaking hands: "Hello, sir."
Song Yuanchao nearly crushed Minister Xue's hand, shaking it violently: "President Nie asked me to personally convey his greetings to you. Thank you for coming to greet the old man. Also, our Vice Chairman Liang will personally visit another day to express his gratitude!"
These days, mainland businessmen are just starting out; they've never seen the shrewdness of Hong Kong.
Minister Xue beamed with joy in an instant, saying with a smile, "Please rest assured, President Nie, we have hosted the Queen before, and we will certainly treat Mr. Nie Rong well as well."
Song Yuanchao turned around and reached out his hands to Secretary Wang again, using the same words.
After finishing his speech, he quickly jogged to the back of the airport and went to visit the director of the airport dispatch office, using the same script as before.
As he left, Secretary Wang remarked with emotion, "That little cell phone was only the size of a palm, and it even had a special cover."
Minister Xue retorted, "Isn't your pager the same? It has a leather case on it."
These days, pagers are a rarity; they not only need to be covered with a leather case, but it has to be genuine leather.
Secretary Wang remarked, "Seeing Song Yuanchao makes me a little tempted to try my hand at business!"
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