Reborn as a Noble's Son

With Mu Dingjian’s words, as the deputy secretary of the committee and chairman of the National Youth League, he held a substantial deputy ministerial level position. It would be a breeze for him to elevate Nie Zhenbang’s rank.

The next day, Director Guo approached Nie Zhenbang directly. This time, Director Guo’s attitude was even more cordial. If we say that initially Director Guo was suspicious and was operating on the idea that having an extra friend means having an extra path, now he was astonished. He clearly understood Mu Dingjian’s character. In Jingcheng, there were not a few individuals with a good background serving in the committee, but Nie Zhenbang was the first one to truly win Mu Dingjian’s admiration.

Stepping into the large office, in front of everyone, Director Guo proclaimed with a smile, “Ladies and gentlemen, please settle down. Our office has now produced a significant figure. Nie, Nie Zhenbang, starting from today, will be officially transferred to the Young Civilization Preparatory Group to take on the role of a team member, responsible for coordinating the team’s work. His rank is at the departmental level.”

Upon hearing Director Guo’s declaration, the entire office fell silent for a while, followed by applause, some envious, and some jealous. But overall, there was more shock.

Even Nie Zhenbang himself had not expected that Mu Dingjian would be so audacious as to directly skip the sub-departmental level and promote him straight to the departmental level.

Of course, this kind of promotion was entirely reasonable. At this time, in this era, as an undergraduate, once you graduate, based on the nation’s regulations, you were eligible to enjoy the sub-departmental treatment, and even in some impoverished regions of the Western Region, the possibility of receiving departmental treatment wasn’t implausible.

However, this was merely a piece of paper. If it were the 1980s, this document would carry substantial weight. However, in the past year, in the bureaucratic world, few paid real attention to such matters anymore.

Of course, this regulation also provided a reasonable explanation for Nie Zhenbang’s swift promotion. Nie Zhenbang didn’t realize that this was merely one of Mu Dingjian’s political strategies. Having reached the deputy ministerial position at the age of 45, even with backing from the Youth League, Mu

Dingjian’s abilities were worth recognizing. It also indirectly testified to Mu Dingjian’s interpersonal skills.

Since the decision was made to involve Nie Zhenbang in this project, a rank promotion was necessary. A sub-departmental level promotion might seem stingy to outsiders. Whether it’s departmental or sub-departmental, for Mu Dingjian, it was a trivial matter. Therefore he might as well go all the way. In doing so, he was also extending goodwill and making amends to the Nie family.

At this moment, as Director Guo spoke, Zheng Gensheng had already stood, barely concealing the excitement in his eyes. Nie Zhenbang’s sudden promotion affirmed Zheng Gensheng’s thoughts. Instead of feeling any jealousy over Nie Zhenbang’s progress, Zheng Gensheng was genuinely elated. Since he had decided to align himself with Nie Zhenbang, he could only benefit if Nie Zhenbang’s status improved.

“Zhenbang, many congratulations. This time you have truly advanced up the ladder,” Zheng Gensheng said laughingly.

The ladder, in this case, signifies consistent progress and rapid rise. Nie Zhenbang understood the meaning of these words perfectly well and immediately stood up, saying to Director Guo, “Director Guo, I thank the organization for its faith in me, thank you for your concern and care, and thank the higher authorities for my grooming. Please rest assured, I will perform my duties at the new post. This place is my home and I will visit frequently. Colleagues, Brother Zheng, you must not stop welcoming me.”

Nie Zhenbang was hinting indirectly, and Zheng Gensheng understood. Nie Zhenbang’s words meant to say that he shouldn’t be impatient. Director Guo present there was also nodding in satisfaction. Some people become arrogant once they are promoted, looking down on everyone else, but Nie Zhenbang was remaining as humble as before. Even if paths didn’t cross in the future, at least he wouldn’t come off as arrogant. This was a sign of Nie Zhenbang’s maturity.

True to his name, Mu Dingjian had a strong and resolute personality, swift and decisive in his actions. Just three days after conversation with Nie Zhenbang, the preparatory group for the Youth Civilization project was officially established in an office adjacent to the National Youth League’s office in the Youth League Central Office building.

What Nie Zhenbang did not expect was that the preparation team was personally led by Mu Dingjian, who took charge as the group leader. Moreover, Mu Dingjian’s secretary, Wei Bin, was also assigned to serve as the executive deputy group leader of the preparation team, responsible for its day-to-day operations.

As Mu Dingjian’s secretary, Wei Bin held a legitimate high-ranking position. Serving as the deputy group leader of the preparation team was more than enough, considering this was a matter internal to the National Youth League. Being the Chairman of the Youth League, Mu Dingjian held this right.

Meanwhile, the other deputy chairman of the Youth League, whose secretary was Zhang Jue, also served as the deputy group leader of the preparation team. At this moment, the preparation team consisted of the formal members Nie Zhenbang, Zhang Jue, and Wei Bin.

In the small conference room of the Youth League, Wei Bin sat in the main seat, with Zhang Jue and Nie Zhenbang on his side. Zhang Jue, a young man in his mid-thirties, was still only a deputy-level official. Compared to Nie Zhenbang and Wei Bin, his prospects seemed rather dim.

Zhang Jue appeared tall and thin, with large eyes, but small pupils. At first glance, he gave off a somber impression.

At this moment, Wei Bin seemed spirited. As Mu Dingjian’s secretary, he was aware of many internal matters. The Young Civilization plan, once launched nationwide, would have a massive influence and impact. Although the major credit would be claimed by key figures like Mu Dingjian, Wei Bin and the others, as the actual implementers, would also accrue significant political capital, laying a solid foundation for their future promotions.

Moreover, as the key person responsible for the implementation, this was Wei Bin’s first major task, and he was determined to succeed.

After scanning the room, Wei Bin spoke with ease, “Brother Zhang Jue, younger brother Zhenbang, I believe I don’t need to emphasize the importance of the Young Civilization plan. Our working together only signifies the trust the higher authorities have in us. Secretary Mu has already given a detailed report to the Central Committee and received approval from the leaders. Being the focus of the project, we, the preparation team, must carry out our duties effectively. Currently, the first important task is to enrich the team.”

With a smile, Wei Bin continued, “At the moment, it’s just the three of us in the preparation team. You can completely express your thoughts. Comrade Zhang

Jue, do you have any suggestions about the assignment of the team members?” As soon as Wei Bin finished speaking, Zhang Jue on his side placed down his tea cup. Without any courtesy, he coughed and echoed in a slow voice, “Secretary Wei, you are being too polite. As the executive deputy group leader and the leader of the preparation team, we should follow your lead. However, since you’ve asked, I would like to recommend a few candidates. Divisional officer Gu JinQiang from the Youth League Agriculture and Labor Department is an excellent choice. He is familiar with rural youth work and holds a suitable level. I believe he can contribute substantially. Moreover, I propose deputy-level cadre Luo Zejun from the Urban Labor Department to serve as the chief secretary of the preparation team. For the rest, I won’t comment further.’

Zhang Jue spoke light-heartedly. Once he finished, both Nie Zhenbang and Wei Bin’s expressions turned sour. While Zhang Jue seemed polite on the surface, implying that Wei Bin took the lead, he addressed Wei as ‘Secretary Wei’, which seemed inappropriate. Furthermore, the two people Zhang Jue recommended, one was merely a decoy, and the other was his true intention. The supposed ‘chief secretary’ is akin to the equivalent role in a unit or government department, which holds immense authority. If Wei Bin were to relinquish this role, it would call into question his authority as the executive deputy group leader.

Nie Zhenbang’s face darkened. He was assigned to handle the liaison work of the preparation team, a role designated by Mu DingJian. This role was essentially executing the duties of the chief secretary. However, in the preparation team, there was no official title for this role. Mu Dingjian cleverly found a loophole allowing Nie Zhenbang to participate in leadership despite his lower-ranking status. Now, due to Zhang Jue’s manipulation, it seems as if Nie Zhenbang’s position was taken away from him. Nie Zhenbang firmly believed that Zhang Jue was well aware of this. At this point, the preparation team consists of three people, two deputy group leaders, so appointing an underling to this role made no sense.

That being said, it was clear that Zhang Jue didn’t regard Nie Zhenbang highly. Zhang was openly trying to steal his job.

At this point, if Nie Zhenbang did not make a statement, he wouldn’t be himself. Considering Wei Bin, the executive deputy group leader, was in charge, it wasn’t appropriate for him to immediately state his position. Consequently, Nie Zhenbang laughed and said, “Since Group Leader Wei has named names, let me also have a say. I have a suitable candidate in mind, Zheng Gensheng from the Youth League’s office of Comprehensiveness. When I was in the comprehensive department, Zheng Gensheng and I were colleagues, and I know him quite well. He is very capable, and is a graduate from Huaqing University. Having worked in the Youth League for five years, he is familiar with the League’s work. I believe if Zheng Gensheng were to join us, he could contribute significantly.. The preparation team needs doers, don’t you agree, Group Leader Wei?”