Reborn as a Noble's Son

Looking at MO Zhihai, a slight smile also appeared on Nie Zhenbang’s face. At this moment, MO Zhihai’s tone and attitude still seemed a bit rigid. After all, he had just been acting high and mighty in his office, and now he was suddenly admitting his fault. The fact that MO Zhihai was able to act to this extent was a sign of a great man who can yield and stretch.

At this point, Qian Jin also smiled and said, “What’s going on? Is there any conflict between Secretary MO and my elder brother? Look how upset everything is. Elder brother, what if this issue doesn’t…”

Qian Jin’s words shocked MO Zhihai. On the surface, it seemed like Qian Jin was trying to mediate, but MO Zhihai understood the deeper implications. If Nie Zhenbang was unwilling, then Qian Jin would certainly stand by Nie Zhenbang’s side.

With this in mind, MO Zhihai said again, “Director Nie, I toast to you.” As the Party Secretary of the County Committee, MO Zhihai was willing to lower his pride twice in a row like this. Just this show of patience and persistence alone made Nie Zhenbang take him more seriously. This MO Zhihai was not simple. It seemed that he would have to take MO Zhihai into account in the future. It would be too late to regret it if a person capable of yielding, who he had already offended, decided to stab him in the back at a critical moment.

At this point, Nie Zhenbang also smiled and raised his glass, saying, “Secretary MO, you’re being too courteous. Going by age, you’re older than me, and by position, you’re my superior. I should be toasting to you. Let’s drink this one. Everything left unsaid.”

MO Zhihai was after all the head of the County Committee. Nie Zhenbang’s words back in MO Zhihai’s office were spoken in anger. Now they needed to get the economic plan underway properly. If MO Zhihai’s cooperation was lacking or if he decided to deliberately cause trouble, it would be a problem. In the officialdom, there are no permanent friends or foes. Unless they are direct subordinates, collaborators could become opponents at any moment, and vice versa.

At this juncture, since he was working here, there was no need to completely alienate MO Zhihai. That would be a significant problem for him.

Sure enough, after hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, MO Zhihai understood that Nie Zhenbang had given him face. Immediately after draining his glass with a laugh, he signaled to Nie Zhenbang with his empty glass, saying, “Director Nie, Young Master Qian, and our esteemed guests who have traveled from afar, you continue. As long as they are friends of Director Nie, they are valued guests in Lixian. Let’s charge this meal to the costs of the Li County Party Committee’s hospitality.”

“Secretary MO, these are my old friends from Jingcheng. This…doesn’t seem quite right.” Nie Zhenbang never wanted or stooped to take advantage of the government. The wealth he had already earned in his lifetime would be more than enough for generations of the Nie family. There’s no need to leave a stain in this regard.

Before Nie Zhenbang could finish speaking, MO Zhihai waved his hand, smiling, and said, “Director Zhenbang, you’re being too polite. Your friends are also friends of Lixian, and what’s more, Young Master Qian and this gentleman are valuable guests preparing to invest in our county. I approve. Regardless, it would be inexcusable to have you pay for this meal.’

At this moment, MO Zhihai indirectly expressed his intention. Initially, MO Zhihai opposed the idea, and now he warmly welcome the investment guests. It was clear that he supported the economic development plan.

A black Santana stopped directly at the entrance of the Bazhou City Committee Residential District’s Second Courtyard. At this point, Wu Zhixiong had already gotten out of the car, and his secretary had taken several boxes from the trunk and entered the courtyard. The secretary naturally headed towards the small room to the side.

Typically, any leader at the departmental level and above would have such a room in their home solely for storing gifts, saving visitors from having to carry various packages to their doorstep.

Upon entering. Wu Zhixiong skillfully removed his shoes. The man on the sofa stood up and said with a smile, “Comrade Zhixiong is here.”

The man, about fifty-three or fifty-four years old, was slightly bald and chubby. His thinning hair and broad smile make him seem very amiable. This was the Deputy Secretary of the Bazhou City Committee and the Mayor of Bazhou City, Ding Aiguo.

Wu Zhixiong appeared very casual. When Ding Aiguo was working in Lixian,

Wu Zhixiong was his subordinate. Wu Zhixiong’s earnest and down-to-earth nature, combined with his pragmatic attitude, greatly impressed Ding Aiguo. As Ding Aiguo rose through the ranks, he also promoted Wu Zhixiong to his current position.

Decades-old friendships and connections. This made Wu Zhixiong feel very relaxed in the presence of Ding Aiguo. Hanging his coat on the coat rack nearby, Wu Zhixiong also sat on the sofa, smilingly said, “Old leader, this time I have specifically come to report to you about the development of Li County.”

Hearing Wu Zhixiong’s words, Ding Aiguo also laughed, “You, still impatient as ever. Can’t hold back anything.”

Glancing at his wristwatch, Ding Aiguo said, “You have brought the plan, right? I know you always fight sure battles. Leave the plan here first, and use the remaining half an hour or so to summarize key points.”

Wu Zhixiong seemed accustomed to the straightforward approach of Ding

Aiguo. Being equally blunt, he said, “Old leader, after the city assigned Comrade Nie Zhenbang to our county, Director Nie has drafted an economic development plan. I personally feel that this plan has strong feasibility. Hence, I brought it here for your review.”

Speaking of which, Wu Zhixiong highlighted the key points of the plan and glanced at Ding Aiguo’s expression saying, “Old leader, apart from just reporting, I also feel that maybe the city can consider enhancing Comrade Nie Zhenbang’s role within the Li County standing committee. This way, Deputy Director Nie’s influence in the county would increase, which would make things smoother.”

Wu Zhixiong was a good leader indeed. It was originally Nie Zhenbang who sought the position actively, but under Wu Zhixiong’s consideration, it seemed like a promotion for Nie Zhenbang. This preserved Nie Zhenbang’s impression in front of the city leaders.

At this moment, Ding Aiguo also began to ponder. The request made by Wu Zhixiong was reasonable but intricate. After all, Nie Zhenbang was the main planner of this project. Excluding Nie Zhenbang and executing this project alone wasn’t feasible. Ding Aiguo had heard about Nie Zhenbang’s background. Apparently, he was arranged by Cheng Xinhua and also received approval from Liu Wenqing, the Secretary of the Municipal Committee.

Ding Aiguo had a high opinion of the plan itself. Although he had only heard a rough outline, it was very clear and had a high chance of realization. This made Ding Aiguo curious about Nie Zhenbang, a real talent.

However, joining the standing committee wasn’t a small thing. At present, there were seven standing committee members in the entire Li County. It wouldn’t be good to remove any of them. Adding another to make eight would not be according to rules. And although there seems to be no change in grade if promoted to the standing committee, there is a significant difference between being a member and not being one. Ding Aiguo couldn’t just agree on it alone, this matter would probably need to be discussed at the meeting of the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee of Bazhou.

After mulling it over, Ding Aiguo solemnly said, “Old Wu, you have been my old subordinate. I have nothing to hide from you. Joining the standing committee isn’t a small matter. With Nie’s age and experience, it may not be possible even with only my support. Of course, as you said, it would be ideal if Comrade Nie Zhenbang, as the originator and future executor of the plan, could become a standing committee member. But the difficulty is not small. Because it’s not just one person anymore.”

Wu Zhixiong nodded in agreement. He knew this matter was troublesome from the start. Removing a current standing committee member to raise Nie Zhenbang to the post wasn’t practical. This would make Nie Zhenbang’s work in the county even more challenging. But increasing the committee based on the existing situation would not only draw attention from the county, but the city leaders would also contest. The key point would be how to maintain balance in this situation.

“Old leader, this is what I’m thinking as well. I made it clear to Comrade Nie Zhenbang. From this end, I think he will make an effort as well. What do you think, if we both try, could there be any possibility?”

Ding Aiguo nodded and then stood up saying, “Let’s try it. Even if it doesn’t work, with you steering from behind, I don’t foresee any big problems, just some more trouble. I will consider this matter. Let’s have dinner first. I heard you were coming, so my wife personally went to the market to buy lots of good dishes. It’s rare for you to visit, let’s set work aside this time and have a good drink.”

The following day was the regular secretary’s office meeting day of the Bazhou City Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee. In the morning, Li Qingde, the Standing Committee and Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee Office, sent the agenda for the standing committee meeting to Liu Wenqing, Secretary of the Bazhou Municipal Committee.

Generally speaking, the issues to be discussed in the standing committee meeting need to be first decided in the secretary’s office meeting. Liu Wenqing had the final say.

Seeing the discussion items listed by the Municipal Party Committee Office,

Liu Wenqing was taken aback. This was the eighth time in two days that Liu Wenqing had heard the name Nie Zhenbang. Looking at Ding Aiguo’s proposal to promote Nie Zhenbang to the Li County Party Committee standing committee, Liu Wenqing also fell into thought. Who exactly was this Nie Zhenbang, for whom Ding Aiguo, Cheng Xinhua and even Zhao Weihong had all spoken up. These people were usually not a group, but this time they seemed united.(To be continued. If you like this work, do support me at . Your support is my greatest motivation..)