Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 941 - 897 Your Health is Important

Chapter 941: Chapter 897 Your Health is Important

Chapter 941 -897 Your Health is Important

Zhang Shengshan stepped out of the meeting room, his expression somewhat sullen. Without even entering his own office, he walked straight to the elevator.

He took out his mobile phone and dialed his driver’s number, “Xiao Wang, bring the car around to the bottom of the office building.”

The elevator doors opened and Zhang Shengshan stepped in. Nie Zhenbang’s assertiveness, which had once only been a rumor, had now made a palpable impression on him. It was quite a thunderous force, and when Nie Zhenbang moved, it was always with a deadly precision that left no room for opposition.

Exiting the office building, he went straight to the backseat of his car and sat down, ordering the driver, “Home!”

Zhang Shengshan’s residence was in Factory 38’s family housing area, specifically the cadre building.

The cadre building is a general term; in reality, it is an area consisting of ten two-story villas and sixteen duplex buildings with one staircase serving two apartments each. These were the dwellings for the former leaders and middle-management cadres of Factory 38, hence the colloquial ‘cadre building’.

Zhang Shengshan’s house was naturally the largest among them; a two-story villa with a garden noticeably larger than that of the average home.

As soon as he entered, a young man about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old stood up from the sofa: “Dad, why are you back so early?”

Zhang Shengshan, still seething, did not pay attention to his son’s words and snorted coldly as he made his way into the study.

Zhang Shengshan’s son was named Zhang Tian’en. He had his own business information company in Ganzhou City; with the support of his father, he led a rather comfortable life.

Generally, Zhang Tian’en would not come back, preferring to stay in the city, but this time, a big deal meant that he had no choice but to return. He had planned to discuss it with his father, but he hadn’t expected to encounter such a situation.

With a thought, Zhang Tian’en went over to the water dispenser, poured a cup of hot tea, and took it towards the study.

Upon entering, Zhang Tian’en appeared extremely filial, placing the teacup on the desk and saying, “Dad, have some tea. What happened today? You’re looking like you’ve got a massive grievance.”

Zhang Shengshan glared at his son and said sternly, “Don’t ask what you shouldn’t. Why should a kid meddle so much? Speak up, what brings you back?”

Fathers know their sons best. Zhang Shengshan was well aware that his son represented the typical case of ‘no one visits a temple without a cause.’ He wouldn’t have come back if it weren’t for some reason.

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Zhang Tian’en, a bit sheepish, but with no qualms in front of his father, quickly said, “Dad, I have a few friends interested in the Group’s infrastructure projects. They asked me to inquire about the tender. Is there any way?”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shengshan abruptly stood up and said sternly, “You better not get involved in this. Nie Zhenbang is personally overseeing it now. Are you looking to clash head-on?”

Zhang Shengshan was all too aware of his son’s affairs; he was definitely playing the matchmaker to earn a fee. After a pause, Zhang Shengshan added sternly, “Let’s not rush this. Bring me your friends’ credentials for me to review, and we’ll discuss whether it’s doable later.”

Zhang Tian’en had been somewhat disappointed. This infrastructure project was a big venture, each bid worth billions. Brokerage fees by the usual standards were at least in the tens of millions, which Zhang Tian’en was reluctant to miss. Hearing his father’s words, he promptly scampered off and brought back the prepared materials, placing them on the desk with a smile, “Dad, take a look when you have time. I won’t disturb you any longer, I still have things to attend to in the city, so I’ll be heading out.”

Zhang Tian’en arrived quickly and left even faster. At this moment, Zhang Shengshan sat down without immediately looking at the materials. Today’s events had been humiliating. If he couldn’t take any action, he would be reduced to a mere spectator in the Huaxia Group.

After a moment’s silence, Zhang Shengshan picked up the phone and dialed a number in Jingcheng.

The call went through, and a voice came from the other side, “Hehe, Shengshan, what made you think of calling this old man today?”

At this moment, Zhang Shengshan’s face bore a smile, his demeanor involuntarily showing humility and caution as he replied with a laugh, “Old leader, you’re slapping my face with that remark. It’s my fault, really—the workload is heavy, and once I’m buried in it, I get muddled and fail to call you as often as I should. Please don’t take offense, old leader.”

On the other line, the elder also broke into laughter, “Haha, Shengshan, that’s just like you, always so modest and prudent, open-minded like a valley. I never said such things; I’m just a man half in the grave. But my mind is still clear. Work should be the priority, whether it’s for the country or for our people. If you called me every day, that would be out of line.”

“Yes, yes, yes. I always keep the old leader’s teachings in mind and dare not be the slightest negligent,” Zhang Shengshan said with flattery.

The old man in the conversation was Zhang Shengshan’s great benefactor, the one who had promoted him, the former factory director of Factory No. 38, the party committee secretary, who later served as the deputy director of the National Defense Science and Industry Committee, and was then transferred to the People’s Congress as the deputy director. This was Zhang Shengshan’s substantial backing.

On the other end, the elder paused for a moment, then said, “Shengshan, there must be some trouble, right? Talk to me. What’s the situation? Factory No. 38 has now been incorporated into Huaxia Group, and the responsibilities have grown even heavier.”

At that moment, the old leader actively steered the conversation in that direction, which naturally pleased Zhang Shengshan. He pondered for a moment before he sighed and said, “Old leader, work can’t be carried out now.”

Having said this, Zhang Shengshan modified some of the incidents and recounted them, before he summed up, “Old leader, you know my character; you raised me. I’ve always been about the issues, not the person. But now, Comrade Zhenbang seems to have some opinions about me. Public criticism is one thing, but with this written self-criticism, I won’t be able to get work done at the group anymore in the future.”

With this litany of grievances, Zhang Shengshan successfully riled up the old leader. His understanding of the old leader’s personality was incredibly accurate; a true veteran of the revolution and military industry, someone who couldn’t stand the slightest flaw. Despite being advanced in age, his temper was hot and stubborn. Nie Zhenbang was in for it now. Plus, with his own prejudiced narrative set first, it wasn’t certain whether the old leader would believe Nie Zhenbang’s words.

This was also why Zhang Shengshan dared to do so. In fact, it could be deduced from the previous two incidents that he was a man of great audacity, adept at dealing with those above him.

Otherwise, Zhang Shengshan would never have dared to unilaterally commit fifty million yuan immediately upon assuming his new position, nor would he have undertaken the wall construction project on his own initiative.

Of course, Nie Zhenbang was unaware of this, but less than ten minutes after Zhang Shengshan finished his call, Nie Zhenbang’s office phone rang. Soon, Yun Fei walked in from outside and reported in a low voice, “Director Nie, there’s a call from Jingcheng, from Old Guan, Vice Director of the National People’s Congress.”

Vice Director Old Guan? Nie Zhenbang was taken aback for a moment, but then Yun Fei spoke up, “Director Nie, Old Guan used to be the party committee secretary and factory director of Factory No. 38.”

Hearing Yun Fei’s introduction, Nie Zhenbang started to understand, nodding as he said, “Ah, I see.”

Picking up the phone, Nie Zhenbang had just greeted when the resonant voice of Vice Director Old Guan came across, “Chairman Nie, your place really is a grand government office with lots of rules, finding you is no easy task indeed.”

The first sentence was laced with a hint of reproach, which made Nie Zhenbang frown. However, after all, the man was a retired senior official, and such people, especially after stepping down, are often the most troublesome. As the saying goes, ‘He who has no desires is tough to deal with.’ Being retired, he had no particular ambitions; should anything truly agitate him, it could cause an uproar at the top. And that would sound bad to anyone’s ears.

After a moment’s pause, Nie Zhenbang managed to keep his patience and said with a smile, “Vice Director Old Guan, you’re too concerned. I had some matters to attend to just now and neglected you, please forgive me.”

“Chairman Nie, there’s no need for pleasantries. But, Comrade Zhenbang, I’ve heard that your methods in Ganzhou are somewhat biased. The old man here is getting senile and not so up-to-date on the new methods of work, but my conviction in the Party’s principles remains strong. I believe that they are timeless. As the one in charge, you should be able to unite the majority of comrades. It’s not right to play now and then with little schemes,” Old Guan got straight to the point.

The words immediately caused Nie Zhenbang’s brows to furrow further. Those who called him too old, Nie Zhenbang was the first to disbelieve them—these words were watertight. Right out of the gate, he played the seniority card to lower the stance. This way, he’d secure his own way out. It didn’t matter whether your words were right or wrong; he’d label you first thing.

Nie Zhenbang respected the old leadership; these people were all genuine and upright. However, Nie Zhenbang was somewhat displeased with Old Guan for being so partial and willing to listen only to one side without discerning the truth. Even clay Buddhas have a degree of temper, after all—without showing some might, was he taken for a mere sickly cat?

Taking a moment, Nie Zhenbang then said equivocally, “Old Guan, I think it’s better to listen to all sides. As the saying goes, ‘Listening widely makes one wise.’ Things aren’t necessarily as you understand them to be. Why don’t you come over yourself for a look? Understand the situation firsthand? Old Guan, your concern for the development and construction of your former unit is understandable. But please have faith in us, trust the organizational principles when it comes to appointing people. You’re getting on in years now; it’s best if you mind your health and well-being more. Let me make a gesture to you—if there’s anything unsatisfactory about my work, you’re welcome to bring a group for a visit. How about that?” (