Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 823 - 779 Director Shens Support

Chapter 823: Chapter 779: Director Shen’s Support

Chapter 823 -779: Director Shen’s Support

Looking at Nie Zhenbang’s demeanor, Liu Kun was also perceptive. They were no longer young lads. In terms of age, Liu Kun was two years older than Nie Zhenbang. Now both were thirty-nine. Through many years of a business career, though not within the system, he had still developed the skill to observe words and expressions.

After a pause, Liu Kun said, “Third Brother, have you been caught in the crossfire?”

Nie Zhenbang smiled, neither confirming nor denying. Previous worries were due to not having fully grasped the bottom line of the Xu family. Acting rashly, there would be natural concerns. After all, it’s better to have an extra friend than an extra enemy. Another friend means another path, right?

It was precisely for this reason that Nie Zhenbang had specifically asked Liu Kun out to inquire about this matter. Although Yang Zhi and the others were from small families in Jingcheng, in this circle, nothing could be kept secret. Liu Kun, Zhao Xinglong, and the others also had a considerable reputation in this circle, and naturally, they could not be kept in the dark about such a matter.

Now that he knew the ins and outs of the situation, and the Xu family had made up their minds stubbornly, he no longer needed to have reservations. It was just a municipal party secretary; he could handle it.

Waving his hand, Nie Zhenbang stood up and said, “Kun, let’s end it here for today. I have some things to tend to. When you have time, come to Bashu Province with the others, and we can have a good talk. By then, I’ve got some things to discuss with you and Xing Long. I guarantee you both will be interested.”

Liu Kun was somewhat puzzled, but since Nie Zhenbang didn’t elaborate, he wouldn’t ask. He knew Third Brother’s personality well. Following Third Brother, one wouldn’t lose out, that was certain. He could say he had followed Third Brother’s rise, from the development of Yang Anbang to his own and then to Zhao Xinglong’s growth. Now, although in Bashu Province, Third Brother did not intend to let others intervene, Liu Kun understood this was to avoid suspicion. The state would not be pleased to see the emergence of a private trust enterprise controlling the national economy, even if the enterprise was in the hands of descendants from the families of Jingcheng.

He nodded then, smiling, “That sounds good. Since Third Brother has said so, Xing Long and I will definitely come to visit.”

After leaving the cafe, Nie Zhenbang took a taxi to his home. The old lady had moved from the original old house to the current courtyard, and now his father, Nie Guowei, also lived here. His position as the deputy prime minister meant that several guards were arranged around the house. Fortunately, the courtyard was large, and having a few people around was not an issue.

He sat with the old lady for a while, who seemed very happy. However, her age was showing, and her thinking couldn’t keep up as before.

Checking his watch, it was already past eight in the evening, Nie Zhenbang took out his phone and dialed Director Shen’s secretary Huang Yunshan’s number.

This timing was carefully considered by Nie Zhenbang. Shen was a national leader with a great deal on his plate, and adding foreign affairs activities only made him busier.

This time slot was well chosen; Nie Zhenbang had fully grasped Director Shen’s schedule. After the phone rang twice, the call connected, and Huang Yunshan’s low voice came from the other end, “Hello!”

Nie Zhenbang also adjusted his mentality and asked, “Brother Huang, are you busy?”

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Huang Yunshan was familiar with Nie Zhenbang’s voice. After a brief pause, Huang Yunshan’s hearty voice came through, “Zhenbang, when did you arrive in Jingcheng?”

Nie Zhenbang answered with a smile, “Brother Huang, I can’t hide anything from you. I arrived this afternoon at four o’clock. I stopped by the military hospital. Is the General Secretary free now?”

The points were not made too bluntly, which was enough for Huang Yunshan to understand. At that moment, Huang Yunshan paused and then replied, “Your call is quite timely. Director Shen hosted a state banquet tonight for the visiting England Prime Minister and his wife. The banquet should end around nine o’clock. Just head to Ting Song Pavilion.”

As the Governor of Bashu Province, Nie Zhenbang was still in possession of a full set of access documents for the inner government compound. Even so, entering there at night required him to pass through layers of security.

In the living room of Ting Song Pavilion, Director Shen’s residence, Nie Zhenbang sat for less than five minutes before he heard Director Shen’s voice outside, followed closely by Director Shen and Huang Yunshan, entering the room one after the other.

Upon seeing Nie Zhenbang, Director Shen nodded and said, “Zhenbang has arrived. Come to my study for a talk.”

Following him into the study, it wasn’t long before Huang Yunshan came in with two cups of tea. Taking the tea, Nie Zhenbang appeared quite at ease. Being a core strength of Director Shen’s faction, Nie Zhenbang did have this confidence and joked, “The tea here with the senior official is still the best, top-grade Da Hong Pao.”

The moment Director Shen heard this, he also chided with a laugh, “You kid, you’re already in charge of your own turf, and you’re still so unsteady. Do you really care about such a little tea? You must have something on your mind coming here this time.”

Being so addressed by Director Shen, Nie Zhenbang felt a bit embarrassed and nodded, “Senior official, there indeed is something I need to report to you.”

He paused for a moment, then facing the gaze of Shen Xiuchao, Nie Zhenbang began to speak, “Senior official, after taking office in Bashu Province, I have formulated the economic development plan for Bashu Province based on the actual situation and the overall scene there, combining it with the national strategic thought on the development of the Western Region. Over the past six months, the implementation has been largely satisfactory… In the process of implementation over this half-year, we have also uncovered a number of issues. Bashu Province, being a populous and large province, with more than 20 prefecture-level cities plus a sub-provincial city, is suffering from rigid thinking. The lack of pragmatism and the prevalence of unrealistic ambitions are common. In comprehensive consideration, I believe it is very necessary to implement the system of provincial management over counties in Bashu Province. On one hand, it will strengthen the direct guidance from the provincial party committee and the provincial government, preventing the counties and cities below from taking detours. On the other hand, it will increase the efficiency of fiscal matters and in planning approvals. This is in coordination with Bashu’s 240-billion-yuan infrastructure investment plan…”

Reporting this to Director Shen was a spontaneous decision by Nie Zhenbang. The provincial management over counties is now being piloted in various provinces and cities around the country, and the results are promising. Previously, it had been negated by Zeng Taiping. Nie Zhenbang didn’t mind, but since he was now aware of the affairs of the old Xu Family, he changed his mind. If it couldn’t be stopped from below, then he might as well do it from above.

As for the opinions of other municipal leadership teams, Nie Zhenbang believed it was not an issue. At the municipal level, what mattered was the control over personnel. In fact, during the pilot process in various provinces and cities, the recommendation rights for personnel arrangements in the counties and cities below were still with the municipal levels. The province, in talking about direct management, mostly still respects the opinions of the municipality. However, this approach does give the province a pretext for direct intervention, just like what is happening in Changhong City now.

Listening to Nie Zhenbang’s words, Director Shen also fell into contemplation. As a leader of the party and the country, one must think thrice before speaking or acting, constantly introspecting oneself. He cannot indulge Nie Zhenbang just because he is from his own faction.

National policy is not like local governance; if policies fail locally, there would be some losses, but they are still bearable, and it is easy to make a turnaround. However, it is different for the entire country.

At Director Shen’s level, occupying this position, political struggle is not the only concern. This is the case not only for Director Shen but also for the families in Jingcheng. Minor conflicts are inevitable, but restraint must be maintained. Otherwise, with only struggles, how can there be development or progress?

After a moment of silence, Director Shen said in a deep voice, “The system of provincial management over counties has been proven to be practical through its pilot implementation in Jiangnan Province over the past decade and a half. On one hand, it explored a way to streamline the institutions. Also, it strengthened the link between the province and the counties. Overall, it’s been positive. I will communicate and discuss this matter with Director Leng, making Bashu Province a pilot province for impoverished areas in the Western Region.”

“However,”

Director Shen paused, then looking at Nie Zhenbang beside him, said, “Zhenbang, the seat you are in now is not an easy one. During the pilot process, you must fully grasp the overall situation. Maintain the unity and stability of your team, and the stability of all cities in the province. This is very important and an important measure of your governing capacity and political ability. Not only will I be watching this matter, but several comrades from the Politburo will also be paying attention. This relates to the issue of your future and fate. You must handle it well.”

Nie Zhenbang nodded, feeling somewhat excited in his heart. Having said this much, Director Shen’s intention was already very clear. This was also the first time that Director Shen had explicitly expressed this layer of meaning. With only one and a half years left until the next leadership change, this indicated that Director Shen had already made his decision.

“Senior official, please rest assured. I will definitely follow your instructions, seriously study and implement the central policies, and learn from the successful experiences of other brotherly provinces and cities. I will do a good job reforming the system of provincial management over counties.” In front of Director Shen, Nie Zhenbang also couldn’t help but shout out slogans.

At this moment, Director Shen waved his hand with a scolding laugh, “Alright, alright. You kid, when did you learn all this? The down-to-earth style must still be maintained. If you encounter any difficulties, you can come to me or Comrade Qiao Yiren for solutions.”

After coming out from Director Shen’s place, Nie Zhenbang did not return to the courtyard but went back to Bashu Building.

Early the next morning, just as Nie Zhenbang got up, there was a knock at the door. He opened it to find Zeng Taiping standing at the doorway with a meaningful look, “Governor Nie, you’re up. Just now, Minister Shi Jiandong called and asked us to go over.”

Zeng Taiping could not help but feel suspicious. Just before seven in the morning, he received a call from Shi Jiandong. Obviously, this was not normal. (