Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 771 - 727 Closing the Door to Guests_1

Chapter 771: Chapter 727 Closing the Door to Guests_1

As expected, after shaking things up, Zeng Taiping no longer held control. The overall situation as described by Fang Yuan was indeed correct. Even Zeng Taiping did not have control of the Standing Committee meeting. Of course, this could also be interpreted as Zeng Taiping not daring to take control.

After all, if a provincial-level Standing Committee was absolutely controlled by a single individual, it would certainly draw the Central Committee’s displeasure, and the inevitable result would be the transfer to a different location or a department of the Central Committee. Zeng Taiping did not wish to go to a Central Committee department where he would not be as comfortable as he was in his own locality, so naturally, he did not dare to take control.

Zeng Taiping had four votes just a while ago, but with the intervention, the likelihood of winning was now in doubt. Of course, Zeng Taiping could take a gamble. But in the end, Zeng Taiping didn’t take the risk. If it didn’t go through, it would be damaging to his reputation. Naturally, Zeng Taiping wouldn’t do that. This kind of risky move is probably something only Nie Zhenbang could pull off at the provincial level.

After a pause, Zeng Taiping finally stood up and said, “Since there are differing opinions on the candidate for the Secretary of the Yangde City Party Committee, let’s take some time to think it over, and discuss it at the next Standing Committee meeting. The meeting is now adjourned.”

With that, Zeng Taiping was the first to leave. Today’s events had undoubtedly upset him.

The other Standing Committee members also packed up their belongings and left one after another. Nie Zhenbang, however, took his time. After packing up his notebook, pen, and tea cup, he walked out of the conference room door calmly.

Now, the hallway was quite empty. But then a voice called out from behind him, “Governor Zhenbang.”

Turning around, Long Genghua was approaching quickly with a smile. This move from Long Genghua was quite predictable to Nie Zhenbang. In this Committee meeting, Long Genghua was quite passive, and he had openly fallen out with Ning Bojun. Reconciling anytime soon seemed unlikely. Therefore, it was only natural that Long Genghua would try to curry favor with him.

On the surface, however, Nie Zhenbang calmly replied with a smile, “Secretary Long, what can I do for you?”

Unfazed by Nie Zhenbang’s distant tone, Long Genghua replied with a smile, “Governor Zhenbang, you’ve been quite busy since you took office. I haven’t been able to pay you a visit. Today, I have the opportunity. Are you free to have lunch together, Governor Zhenbang? You can rest assured that I will personally cover the cost. I promise we will not violate any public spending regulations.”

Just as expected, but it wasn’t a good time to have lunch together. Today had already upset Zeng Taiping. If Nie accepted the invitation, it would undoubtedly further provoke Zeng Taiping, making it difficult to maintain a good relationship with him.

Given that situation, it would amount to a loss. After a pause, Nie Zhenbang responded with a smile, “Secretary Long, you’re too polite. Now, I’m no longer the Director of the San Gong office. You don’t have to worry, I won’t report you. However, it’s not going to work today. My wife is in town and there are quite a few things that need to be taken care of. Let’s postpone our meeting to another day, how about that? I can invite you then.”

Nie Zhenbang’s refusal was within Long Genghua’s expectation. In fact, if Nie Zhenbang had accepted the invitation, Long Genghua would have looked down on him. If Nie Zhenbang couldn’t manage this political maneuver, he wouldn’t be fit to be a high-ranking official. But now, Nie Zhenbang’s words were quite satisfying to Long Genghua.

Using his wife as an excuse, and given that there actually was such a consideration, whether or not she was really in town today, Long Genghua had nothing to say. He laughed awkwardly and boisterously said, “Haha, if your wife has come to town, you should definitely spend time with her. Let her get acquainted with the place. Since that’s the case, I’ll await an invitation from you, Governor Zhenbang.”

After Long Genghua left, Nie Zhenbang arrived at the elevator, where he saw Pan Jianzhang walking with a calm pace.

Nie Zhenbang clearly understood that Pan Jianzhang was waiting for him. He got into the elevator. After the Standing Committee meeting, there was no one else in the elevator.

This Standing Committee meeting had let Pan Jianzhang witness Nie’s political acumen. Governor Nie’s nonchalant remark had completely shifted the direction of the meeting. It impressively created an illusion of his great prestige within the official circle.

Pan Jianzhang was very excited about this. It further confirmed his desire to follow Nie Zhenbang. As a deputy governor and a Standing Committee member, Pan Jianzhang had great potential. For a man in his forties, his achievements in Bashu Province were quite rare. After weighing all the options, Nie Zhenbang was undoubtedly the best person for him to follow. Because Governor Nie was younger than him, and being young was an advantage within the system.

Perhaps at the grassroots level, being young could be seen as a burden. But at a provincial level, being young became an advantage. This was what people typically refer to as ‘officialdom’s peculiar phenomenon’: the old pretending to be young, the young pretending to be mature.

“Governor, this time…” Pan Jianzhang began to speak.

Nie Zhenbang immediately raised his hand, as it wasn’t appropriate to discuss matters in such a setting. Anyone could enter the elevator at any time. If they paused their conversation halfway, it would raise suspicion. So, he stopped Pan Jianzhang timely and said with a smile, “Lao Pan, are you free tonight? Come over to my place for dinner. Bring Old Fang along too.”

Hearing this, Pan Jianzhang understood that they would discuss the matter over dinner. He nodded and said, “Okay. Ju Peng mentioned that the dishes Governor makes are exceptional. This time, I’ll get to taste them firsthand.”

In the afternoon, when Nie Zhenbang returned to his office, Li Jupeng walked in holding a schedule. He reported, “Governor, we’ve just received a document from the Provincial Party Committee’s Office. The day after tomorrow at 9 am, the Changhua Expressway Project kickoff and the signing ceremony between the provincial government and the Donggang Li Clan Group will be held in the multipurpose hall of Tianfu International Hotel. You’ll be attending the meeting as a representative of the provincial government.”

Nie Zhenbang nodded. The Donggang Li Clan Group, wasn’t that Li Chao’s company? Since the financial crisis in Donggang last time and the development of Liangxi City, his introductions had failed to lead to collaboration. This could be seen as a regret. This opportunity to reestablish cooperation in Bashu would be a good thing. Furthermore, he could discuss the Li Clan Group’s investment issues in Bashu with Li Chao. He believed that everyone from the Li Clan Group to the entire Donggang business community would respect his ability and reputation.

Thinking of this, Nie Zhenbang said, “Mmm, make a note of that, and remind me when the time comes.”

As the afternoon wore on, Nie Zhenbang’s workload was gradually lightened. After signing several documents from the Provincial Development and Reform Commission and other departments, it was time to clock off.

Nie Zhenbang stepped out of his office and handed Li Jupeng a note, “Ju Peng, you and Little Wu go to the market to buy some groceries. Let Little Wu take your sister-in-law’s car. You two are invited to have dinner at my place tonight.”

Nie Zhenbang strolled back home. At this moment, Yang Anna had also returned from work. After being transferred from Jingcheng, she was still working with the Women’s Federation. She had already changed out of her work clothes.

Nie Zhenbang said cheerfully, “Anna, you need to cook a bit more tonight, as Lao Pan and Old Fang will be coming over for dinner.”

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Less than twenty minutes later, Li Jupeng and Little Wu arrived with the groceries. With two extra pairs of hands helping in the kitchen, Nie Zhenbang was only left with stir-frying the dishes.

Around half-past five, Pan Jianzhang and Fang Yuan arrived one after another.

After dinner, the dishes were naturally left to the housemaid. Nie Zhenbang then led Pan Jianzhang, Fang Yuan, and Li Jupeng to his study.

He pulled out cigarettes from the tea table and distributed one to each of them. After lighting up his own, he laughed and said, “They say a smoke after a meal makes you feel as content as an immortal. I guess I’m finally understanding the joy.”

After a few light-hearted jokes, Nie Zhenbang smiled and asked, “Lao Pan, Old Fang, who is Fan Youcai close to among the leaders? Also, what’s the deal with Bu Dehui?”

As they got down to business, everyone, including Li Jupeng, turned serious. After exchanging glances, Pan Jianzhang started, “Fan Youcai has been promoted quickly and has a significant background. His father, Fan Yuhua, is a retired provincial-level leader of our Bashu Province. He’s in his seventies now. Fan Youcai is the youngest of three siblings and the only one working within the system. It’s rumored that Secretary Zeng was once helped by Fan Yuhua. It seems true.”

Fang Yuan added, “Ning Bojun has put a lot of effort into his brother-in-law’s case. His brother-in-law is currently the deputy secretary of the Ningxi City Party Committee. I presume that Zeng Taiping promised Ning Bojun to appoint Fan Youcai. As for Bu Dehui, he reportedly has a good relationship with Governor Sun. Rumor has it that they are about to become in-laws, but the details are not clear.”

After hearing this, Nie Zhenbang suddenly felt the fog lifting. The so-called favor was not baseless. Zeng Taiping had worked hard to promote Fan Youcai.

He even staged a double act with Ning Bojun. Unexpectedly, their well-crafted plan was disrupted by him.

At this point, Pan Jianjun looked worried, “Governor, with this move, you’ve disrupted quite a few plans. What are your plans for the coming period?”

Hearing this, Nie Zhenbang laughed, “I have no ambition for any position; I have that much self-awareness. As for what to do next? I think it’s a good time to keep a low profile. After the signing the day after tomorrow, Old Fang, you arrange for us to visit some counties and cities.” (to be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote and recommend it on qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)