Reborn as a Noble's Son

At this moment, while Liu Wenqing, Secretary of Bazhou City Committee was considering the matter of Nie Zhenbang. Nie Zhenbang was sitting in Cheng Xinhua’s office.

Seeing Cheng Xinhua about to light a cigarette, Nie Zhenbang had already stood up and taken out a lighter to help Cheng Xinhua light it. For Nie Zhenbang’s attitude, Cheng Xinhua was very pleased. Nie Zhenbang is someone with a considerable background, but he is not shovvy. Instead, he was very low-profile, which indicates he is a practical person. Such people understand the principles of adapting to changes. Such people are truly capable of accomplishing great things.

Following this, Cheng Xinhua chuckled and said, “Zhenbang, I didn’t anticipate this matter. I’ve read your economic proposal, it’s very good. My original intention was to let you transition for a while, to first adapt to the work of the local government, and only consider the Standing Committee next year. But to my surprise, Mayor Ding proposed it ahead of time. However, I didn’t expect that Zhao Weihong would also vote for this matter. It seems like your work in Li County is admirable. You’ve managed your relationships with the county

Party Secretary and Mayor very well.”

Upon hearing this, Nie Zhenbang was taken aback. He had expected that Ding Aiguo, who was backing Wu Zhixiong, would propose it. As Ding Aiguo’s spokesman in Li County and as one of Ding Aiguo’s trusted subordinates, it was inevitable to get support from Ding Aiguo for this matter. However, Nie Zhenbang didn’t expect MO Zhihai to lend a hand as well.

Listening to Cheng Xinhua, Zhao Weihong was likely backed by MO Zhihai. As a deputy secretary of the city committee, who also occupied the position of county Party Secretary, Zhao Weihong was no ordinary talent. Additionally, he had ties with Qian Jin. All signs point to Zhao Weihong’s extraordinary ability. Usually, Zhao Weihong didn’t pay attention to trivial matters. Hence, this change was likely the result of MO Zhihai’s behind-the-scenes machinations.

Therefore, this was what surprised Nie Zhenbang. He just had a confrontation with MO Zhihai, and now things had changed rapidly. Nie Zhenbang didn’t believe MO Zhihai would be so magnanimous.

“Well, you’re puzzled, aren’t you? I was also confused at first but not anymore.

MO Zhihai’s nephew, MO Mingyu, is currently the head of Li County Finance Bureau. He was supposed to take over your position, but you got in ahead of him. This additional Standing Committee seat has provided MO Mingyu with an opportunity”, Cheng Xinhua explained with a smile beside him.

Listening to Cheng Xinhua, Nie Zhenbang came to understand. Indeed, that explanation made sense. If the selection of additional Standing Committee members could pass, considering the current situation, it was necessary to add one more Standing Committee member. The committee can’t be an even number. In that case, besides the other two deputy county governors, the only ones eligible for promotion to the Standing Committee in the county were MO Mingyu and the Party Secretary of Chengguan Town where Li County City was located.

The two deputy county governors were out of the question. Now, the two positions of county governor and executive deputy county governor were already in the Standing Committee, and once Nie Zhenbang was added, there would be no more Standing Committee seats added to the county government team. In that scenario, MO Mingyu would have his opportunity.

Being promoted to the Standing Committee would obviously be beneficial to MO Mingyu. In this case, it was natural for MO Zhihai to strive to make it happen.

Meanwhile, Cheng Xinhua continued, “Don’t get too excited just yet. Although this matter has been facilitated by Ding Aiguo, Zhao Weihong, and myself, we all have our own considerations. Additionally, the other Standing Committee members haven’t unified their views. I’m afraid there will be another debate during the Standing Committee meeting of the city Party Committee. In the end, I believe we’ll have to wait for Secretary Wenqing’s stance.”

The standing committee meeting of Bazhou City Committee proceeded as scheduled, which was just a regular meeting for the committee.

At this moment, all the standing committee members had taken their seats in the meeting room. At nine in the morning, as the time was nearly up, Bazhou City Committee Secretary Liu Wenqing and Mayor Ding Aiguo came in from outside, chatting and laughing.

Liu Wenqing sat in the central main seat, holding a military green enameled tea cup in his hand. This was a distinctive feature of Liu Wenqing, symbolizing his military background.

After Liu Wenqing took a sip of tea, he put down his cup and promptly said,

“Let’s get started, everyone’s here.”

As his voice fell, Liu Sufang, a member of the city committee and the head of the city Propaganda Department, lifted her head and said, “Secretary Liu, leaders, and comrades, let me speak a few words first. A few days ago, our district Propaganda Department held a propaganda work meeting for the entire district. Secretary Jiang of the district Party Committee made important directions on the issue of ethnic policies and border stability. I suggest that we in Bazhou City should also act proactively in our propaganda work, align with the excellent situation in the entire district, and make positive propaganda in economic development and ethnic harmony and stability.”

After several issues had already been addressed, Ding Aiguo’s gaze met with Cheng Xinhua’s and he gave a cough. This was a small habit, or perhaps a custom, of Ding Aiguo. Whenever he was about to speak during a meeting, it was his inevitable preface.

Indeed, as the room quieted down, Ding Aiguo slowly said, “I have a proposal regarding expanding the standing committee of the Li County Party

Committee.”

Ding Aiguo’s words immediately silenced everyone. Matters like propaganda work, sanitation work, and even economic development work were routine business. No matter the place, no matter the meeting, anything that had to do with personnel appointment was of interest to almost all standing committee members.

Even though there was an existence of degrees of closeness and factions among committee members, irrespective of factions, self-interest always induced complexities. If I choose your nominee this time, you will have to reciprocate with a favor to someone from my faction, or you will support my people next time.

After a brief pause, Ding Aiguo continued, “This time, the regional party committee and the local government have given high priority and care to the economic construction and development of our Bazhou City. For this reason, they have specifically assigned high-quality junior cadres to Li County. Comrade Nie Zhenbang, since taking office in Li County, has, after careful research and consideration, formulated a comprehensive development plan. Both Secretary Liu and I have reviewed this plan which is very well written and displays a far-reaching vision. It will greatly facilitate the progress of Li County, and even the whole of Bazhou. What I mean is, should we consider electing Comrade Nie Zhenbang to the standing committee of the Li County Party Committee to ensure better implementation of this plan?”

As soon as his voice fell, Zhao Weihong chimed in, “I agree with Mayor Ding’s view. Although Li County is small, with only eight towns under its jurisdiction and a total population of less than 180 ,ooo, there are presently only nine standing committee members, which is not sufficient to keep pace with Li County’s current development trend. From a work perspective, it is time to expand the standing committee of the Li County Party Committee. However, if we only add one more member, it will create an even number situation. It seems necessary to add one more standing committee member. Personally, I believe our current Li County Finance Bureau Director, Comrade MO Mingyu, is an excellent candidate. This comrade is young and energetic, only 37 years old, and a top graduate from the Department of Finance and Economics at Xibei University. Considering the economic development that can’t proceed without financial support, I think it’s important to elect Comrade MO Mingyu to the Li County standing committee.”

On the surface, Zhao Weihong seems to agree with Ding Aiguo’s proposal, but all standing committee members understand that Zhao Weihong only agrees to the idea of electing two new members. As for Nie Zhenbang, Zhao Weihong hasn’t expressed any opinion, instead, he proposed his own nominee.

Now, Liu Wenqing, tapping his finger rhythmically on the table, but subtly enough not to make a sound. There are only a few people who are qualified to be standing committee members, but when it comes to voting, there is likely to be a clash. This affects future issues, so every committee member wouldn’t easily let go of an opportunity for gaining favor from others.

Then, Liu Wenqing turned to Fang Gushan, “Minister Fang, you are the Minister of the Municipal Committee Organization Department, what do you think?”

Fang Gushan nodded, in fact, sitting in his position, he was in a delicate situation. On one hand, he was somewhat under Deputy Secretary Cheng

Xinhua’s thumb. However, he also had to consider Secretary Liu Wenqing of the Municipal Party Committee. After all, a secretary of a municipal party committee would never willingly relinquish their power over organization and personnel.

Fang Gushan must keep both sides satisfied. After glancing at Liu Wenqing,

Fang Gushan spoke, “Regarding the candidates of the Li County Standing

Committee, our department only received the news a few days ago. In the midst of urgency, we did consider a few candidates.”

By saying this, Fang Gushan shifted the responsibility away. With such haste, there will inevitably be oversight. Even if a mess is made, Fang Gushan won’t be held accountable.

“Aside from the candidates recommended by Mayor Ding and Secretary Zhao,

Comrade Huang Shuyong, the Party Secretary of Chengguan Town in Li

County, is also a good choice. In the past two years, although Chengguan Town, thanks to its location in the county city, has seen economic development exceeding 10% each year. This shows Comrade Huang Shuyong’s ability should be recognized.”

The moment he finished, Cheng Xinhua also spoke, “Comrade Huang Shuyong is indeed good. He is young and energetic. Plus, he has held a leadership position at the regular department level for many years. He was also hopeful of further advancement this time. Traditionally, a city secretary of a provincial capital would be a member of the provincial standing committee, while a city where a city government is located would be a city standing committee member. As Chengguan Town is the host town for the Li County Party Committee and County Government, it’s only fair for Huang Shuyong to serve as a standing committee member of the county party committee. I think both Comrade Nie Zhenbang and Huang Shuyong are good candidates.”

After hearing Cheng Xinhua’s words, Zhao Weihong’s face looked somewhat dark.

PS: A big thank you to all my brothers and sisters for your monthly tickets. Today’s update of 12,000 words is currently at 366 votes. If it can reach 400 votes by midnight tonight, I’ll write 15 ,ooo words for tomorrow’s update. This is essentially adding another chapter on top of the additional one for reaching 400 votes. It’s already the 7th of the month. My dear brothers and sisters, there are only 29 days in February. It’s time to give it your all. (..)