Reborn as a Noble's Son

Upon hearing Nie Zhenbang’s introduction, there was a moment of silence before another voice, a deep baritone, rang out. A hearty laughter followed: “Haha, Zhenbang, are you in Xibei? Would you like me to send a car to pick you up?

Judging from the tone of Li Yifeng, Nie Zhenbang knew that Elder Nie must have notified him earlier. Considering his appointment to Xibei, Nie Zhenbang had done extensive research about the Xibei Autonomous Region. Currently, the secretary of Xibei is Jiang Zhenquan. Born in the 30s, he is now 62 years old. According to the current official system, if he were to retire and be replaced next year, he may likely be transferred to the National People’s

Congress or the Political Consultative Conference in Jingcheng. This would be his last term as the retirement age for provincial and ministerial officials is 65, and one can only serve up to three years extension till the age of 68.

The government leader of Xibei Autonomous Region is titled as “President,” a position designated according to the Autonomous Region’s regulations for people of Uighur ethnicity – an unchangeable rule. The current president is Mehmet Adijiang, born in ’32, just turned 60 this year.

Li Yifeng, whom Nie Zhenbang is visiting today, serves as the Deputy Secretary of the Xibei Autonomous Region Party Committee, the Minister of the

Organization Department, and the President of the Party School. Born in the 30s and a Central Committee Alternate Member, Li Yifeng is also considered as an ally of the Nie faction.

At 54 years old, Li Yifeng’s achievements forecast a promising future. It’s likely the reason why Elder Nie arranged for Nie Zhenbang to be assigned to Xibei.

Listening to Li Yifeng’s warm words, Nie Zhenbang politely replied: “Uncle Li, I’ve just arrived at the entrance of the Autonomous Region Party Committee compound. I am at the guardhouse now.”

Upon hearing this, Li Yifeng immediately responded, “Alright, Zhenbang, hold on, I’ll send my son to fetch you right away.”

A moment later, a young man around 26 or 27 years old came straight towards Nie Zhenbang. When he approached Nie Zhenbang, he smiled and introduced himself, “You must be Zhenbang. I’m Li Yunfan, I was sent by my dad to pick you up.”

Guided by Li Yunfan, Nie Zhenbang followed him into the compound. Li Yifeng’s residency was at the fourth courtyard of the Autonomous Region Party Committee family area; a place where the hierarchy was still strictly observed.

The first residence belonged to Jiang Zhenquan, the second to Mehmet.

Adijiang, while Li Yifeng, the Deputy Secretary and Minister of the

Organization Department, ranked fourth after the first and second leaders and the full-time deputy secretary.

At this moment, Li Yifeng and his wife were already waiting at the gate. This shocked Nie Zhenbang, as Elder Nie’s reputation was truly grand.

Upon entry, Nie Zhenbang quickened his pace towards them, “Uncle Li, Auntie, you are too polite. I am deeply honored.”

Li Yifeng laughed heartily now, and said to his wife, “Old Forest, look at this, just like when I was still a student under Elder Nie. Guowei had just got married, and I didn’t expect Zhenbang to grow up this fast.”

Upon entering, Nie Zhenbang took out from his two large luggage cases a gift a specially reserved Maotai liquor for Elder Nie and two packs of special Panda cigarettes. After placing them on the side table, he respectfully said to Li

Yifeng: “Uncle Li, now that I am in Xibei, I might inconvenience you somewhat.

Grandpa told me to bring you this case of liquor and two packs of cigarettes.

He mentioned that you don’t have many hobbies except for enjoying a smoke. These two packs should satisfy your craving.”

Nie Zhenbang’s words were spot-on. Before his trip, he had asked Elder Nie about Li Yifeng’s passions. Nie Zhenbang’s comments, however, were not taught by Elder Nie.

Delicate etiquette was involved here. If Nie Zhenbang said it was his gift, then it might be mistaken as a bribe. Given Li Yifeng’s status, he would undoubtedly reject it. One reason is the vast age difference between them, along with the gap in official ranking. Moreover, Li Yifeng wouldn’t dare to accept Nie

Zhenbang’s gift without Elder Nie’s knowledge. Wasn’t that inviting trouble?

In contrast, presented as a gift from Elder Nie, Li Yifeng wouldn’t have so many concerns. As expected, when Nie Zhenbang mentioned it as such, Li Yifeng seemed incredibly pleased, gratefully saying: “Elder Nie is too kind to remember my humble passion. We haven’t visited him in Jingcheng and yet, he still sends us gifts, indeed, we are deeply ashamed.”

Having said that, Li Yifeng turned to his wife, “Old Forest, let’s open a bottle of Elder Nie’s finest liquor tonight. It’s been years since I had a taste of it. Wait a moment, with Zhenbang here today, I’ll cook a feast to showcase my culinary skills. ”

Once Li Yifeng left the room, Nie Zhenbang again took out a pack of special cigarettes from his suitcase and gave them to Li Yunfan, “Brother Fan, a small token of goodwill for our first meeting. These were the last few I had, conveniently taken from grandpa’s study before I set off.”

Upon hearing this, Li Yunfan laughed heartily. Just like the rest of the young princes in Jingcheng, or the provincial or ministerial young masters – they all had this kind of experience, Nie Zhenbang’s words immediately diminished the distance between them.

Li Yunfan quickly took the cigarettes and put them away in his room before jokingly saying; “Brother Zhenbang, you’re too kind. People from Jingcheng are indeed generous. I can’t wait to see what Ali will say about it.”

Li Yunfan wasn’t making false statements. Even for those at the provincial and ministerial level, special items reserved for central leaders were scarce goods among them. Usually, heads of the Party and the government at the ministerial level could access some of them. But when distributed to these offices, there’s hardly anything left.

While the two were chatting, dinner was already prepared. With over ten dishes, it was quite a feast. After the meal, Li Yifeng also sat on the sofa, Nie Zhenbang immediately pulled out a white box of special supply cigarettes from his pocket, handed one over, and smiled, saying: “Uncle Li, please have a smoke.”

Li Yifeng was at ease at this moment. He took the cigarette, took a puff, looking at Nie Zhenbang, and said solemnly: “Zhenbang, the old leader must have told you about my visit to Xibei this time. It was indeed me who arranged for your assignment in Xibei. But after you go there, I wouldn’t be able to provide any support.”

Nie Zhenbang had already mentally prepared for this. He nodded and said: “Uncle Li, I understand. My grandfather also informed me before I came. Rest assured, I will do my best.”

Nie Zhenbang’s calm and confident attitude made Li Yifeng, who was watching from the side, secretly nod his head. This was the true demeanor of the Nie family, something not possessed by the ordinary person.

Then, Li Yifeng took out a note and handed it to Nie Zhenbang, saying: “Zhenbang, the person on this note is Comrade Cheng Xinhua, the full-time deputy secretary and standing committee member of the Bazhou City Committee. I arranged for him to help you with your appointment as deputy county head of Lixian, under Bazhou City. Comrade Xinhua was my old subordinate. If you ever need anything, just contact him. I won’t see you off tomorrow, I’ll have Yun Fan do it.”

Hearing Li Yifeng’s words, Nie Zhenbang took it to heart. From the current situation, this Cheng Xinhua should be his support in Bazhou City from now on.

Li Yifeng’s decision to let Li Yunfan personally escort him there was a clear signal in itself because Cheng Xinhua must undoubtedly know who Li Yunfan is.

Being personally escorted by Li Yunfan definitely implied significant influence. Regardless of whether Cheng Xinhua knew his true background or not, at least Cheng Xinhua’s attitude would be different.

After over seven hours of driving, thankfully, the performance of Li Yunfan’s off-road vehicle was excellent. It was a genuine Mitsubishi off-roader, speeding through the Gobi Desert. They left at eight in the morning and finally arrived at Bazhou around four in the afternoon.

Bazhou is located in the southeast of the Xibei Autonomous Region, bordering Ganzhou and Qingzhou provinces, with the imposing Kunlun Mountains at its back. Bazhou has eight counties and one city under its jurisdiction, with the Bazhou City Committee based in Ku City.

The sunset is much later in the Northwest Region compared to Inland. Although it was already past four, it was barely over an hour into the afternoon shift here.

The car drove straight into the courtyard of the Bazhou City Committee, Li Yunfan’s license plate made his passage unobstructed. As soon as he got out of the car, Li Yunfan smiled and said: “Zhenbang, your grandfather is really tough, huh? I thought Urumqi was already backward enough, but here you are, being sent to this place.”

Li Yunfan was not part of the system. In this era, as the song says, out of a billion people nine hundred million are businessmen and one hundred million are watching. Whether ordinary citizens or officials, everyone was thinking about business at a time when the superiority of being a civil servant had not yet emerged. It was only natural for Li Yunfan to have such an idea.

Nie Zhenbang chuckled at the moment, not explaining anything, and said,

“Brother Fan, let’s not dwell on that. Let’s go and get the work done first.”

Under Li Yunfan’s lead, the two went straight up to the third floor. Perhaps Li Yifeng had already phoned Cheng Xinhua in advance, so when they walked directly into Cheng Xinhua’s office, Cheng Xinhua was busy at his desk.

As soon as he saw Li Yunfan bringing in someone, Cheng Xinhua also stood up, smiled and said, “Yun Fan, what a rare visitor! Secretary Li called me last night and said you’d be coming today, but I didn’t expect you so soon. Did you eat well on the road? I had my sister-in-law prepare a feast for you. Stay with me tonight.’

Outside, Li Yunfan was not as well-behaved as he was at home. He casually sat down on the sofa, looked around Cheng Xinhua’s office, and said: “Uncle Cheng, according to my Dad’s instructions, I can only stay one night at most, I have to go back tomorrow. Uncle Cheng, let me introduce you, this is Nie

Zhenbang. He’s a son of a friend of my Dad. Now that he’s on your turf, Uncle

Cheng, I’ll have to rely on you.”

As Cheng Xinhua assessed Nie Zhenbang, Nie Zhenbang also stood up, smiled and said: “Secretary Cheng, hello, from now on, I am one of your soldiers.”

PS: It’s tragic—The gap is getting bigger and bigger. At this rate, it’s already the limit. Today, I still have two more updates, trying to make up for the 150 votes and 200 votes. Brothers, your support with monthly votes is my motivation to move forward. Brothers with monthly tickets, please don’t hold back, give them to Old Cai, I believe I won’t disappoint you. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to cast recommendation votes and monthly votes at Qidian ). Your support is my greatest motivation..)