Reborn as a Noble's Son

Chapter 131: Launch of the Plan_l

With this in mind, Zhao Weihong calmly stated, “I don’t quite agree with Secretary Cheng’s words. Comrade Huang Shuyong certainly has experience and capability, but his advantage lies primarily in his position in the county. This, by itself, calls into question his full capability. Furthermore, this vote is specifically for the expansion of the Standing Committee with the aim of furthering the economic development of Li County. In this regard, Comrade MO Mingyu would be a more fitting choice.”

At this point, Zhao Weihong was avoiding the substantial nuances of the matter. Comparatively speaking, Nie Zhenbang was the initial reason for this situation. If all was overturned, it would likely incite a backlash from Ding Aiguo. For now, by adding just one seat, Ding Aiguo was allowed the bulk of the advantage, which Ding presumably wouldn’t oppose.

At this moment, the city’s Party Secretary, Liu Wenqing, knocked on the table, the sound audible this time. Just as Ding Aiguo had to cough before he spoke, it was Liu Wenqing’s habit to knock on the table.

He glanced at everyone present. At this stage, both sides were arguing their own truths, and it seemed as if the discussion might continue indefinitely without any resolution.

Li County was not within Liu Wenqing’s traditional sphere of influence. In Li County, Liu Wenqing only had one direct subordinate: the Deputy Secretary of the County Party Committee, Zhang Chubin. This was the man Liu had designated to succeed MO Zhihai. So long as it did not involve Zhang Chubin, Liu Wenqing wouldn’t be concern about anything else.

It could be said that whoever joins the standing committee and whoever doesn’t, was not a matter of concern for Liu Wenqing. Before the discussion was reignited, Liu Wenqing timely stepped in, “There’s no need for further debate. We have numerous competent candidates. Let’s vote by show of hands. Those in favor of electing comrade Nie Zhenbang into Li County Party

Committee, please raise your hand.”

Right after Liu had finished his sentence, Ding Aiguo was the first to raise his hand, soon followed by Cheng Xinhua. Liu Wenqing also raised his hand. Zhao Weihong hesitated a bit, but he did not raise his hand. At this moment, the city’s Party Secretary, Mayor and Deputy Secretary had all raised their hands. The other committee members clearly understood that Nie Zhenbang’s election was inevitable. Should a favor be required, they would naturally extend it.

Nie Zhenbang received ten votes in favor and one against, thereby officially becoming a member of the Li County Party Committee. Shortly afterward, Liu Wenqing said again, “Those in favor of electing comrade MO Mingyu into Li

County’s Party Committee, please raise your hands.”

This time, Zhao Weihong was naturally the first to raise his hand. As a leader, if he could not show such basic support, he would not have any followers in the future. Zhao Weihong understood this well enough.

At the same time, Liu Sufang, the Minister of Propaganda and someone with a good relationship with Zhao Weihong, raised her hand. Under these circumstances, and given Nie Zhenbang’s situation, Fang Gushan, who generally kept a somewhat detached relationship with Cheng Xinhua, followed Liu Wenqing’s lead not to offend Zhao Weihong and Liu Wenqing.

Voting for Mo Mingyu, who was clearly one of Zhao Weihong’s men, and not getting the support of Ding Aiguo, Cheng Xinhua, or the deputy mayor and Standing Committee Member Temor. Badam were a bit embarrassing to Zhao Weihong. With the inclusion of Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Li Yong and United Front Work Department Head Bu Yuzhen casting dissenting votes, it became more awkward for Zhao Weihong.

MO Mingyu ended up with only five votes in his favor, not even a simple majority. In fact, MO Mingyu’s downfall was influenced by his uncle MO Zhihai. Being promoted to a deputy-level position might not have presented any problems under proper operations, but joining the standing committee was a different matter. Many in the city committee did not want to see both uncle and nephew on the standing committee – hence, the opposing votes.

Finally, it was Huang Shuyong’s turn. Naturally, Zhao Weihong directly cast a dissenting vote. Along with Liu Sufang, there were only two votes against. At this point, the Secretary of the City Commission for Discipline Inspection, Li Yong, contemplated for a moment and then said in his uniquely husky voice, “Comrade Huang Shuyong, I know him well. He was admirable when he worked in the Li County Commission for Discipline Inspection. He is an exceptional cadre. I vote in favor for Huang Shuyong to be a member of the Li County

Committee.”

At this moment, the result was clear. Huang Shuyong had seven votes in favor, two more than MO Mingyu, demonstrating the support of most members.

With everything settled, Liu Wenqing stood up and said, “Good, since it’s settled. Gushan, the Organization Department will officially announce it.

Meeting adjourned.”

The resolutions of the Bazhou City Committee had not been formally issued yet, but the news had already reached Li County. At this moment, in the Li County Guesthouse

Qian Jin picked up the phone. After hanging up, he said spiritedly,

“Congratulations ‘third brother’. I just received the news that the Bazhou City

Committee has just concluded, and you were elected into the Li County Party

Committee.”

Nie Zhenbang didn’t react much to his own election. He knew very well that his election was guaranteed as long as Zhao Weihong agreed to increase the membership. His position was secure unless the Bazhou City Committee initially rejected the proposal of Li County. It seemed it was indeed so.

Nie Zhenbang immediately laughed and said: “Let’s stop talking about that other stuff, Kun, Qian Jin. Let’s discuss the agricultural company first. My idea is that, while we still have some time before the New Year, you should set up the company structure, get it registered, and ensure that all necessary funds are allocated. You should also go ahead and hire all the necessary experts. Before the New Year, let’s pick a date for the groundbreaking ceremony. After the spring thaw next year, we can start constructing the company’s headquarters.”

At this, Nie Zhenbang joked: “This is a proper business, not some swindle. You two shouldn’t be planning on hitting-and-running.”

Hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Qian Jin, who was still relatively new to Nie Zhenbang, hesitated to respond. On the other hand, Liu Kun chuckled, “Rest assured, Brother Nie, from now on, I’m deeply rooted in the Great Xibei.”

A groundbreaking ceremony, along with an initial investment, the construction of a headquarters building, warehouses, and processing plants, as well as hiring agricultural and animal husbandry experts, wouldn’t require a huge amount of capital. Up to twenty million would more than suffice. To Liu Kun, who’d been involved with Nie Zhenbang’s ventures in the Soviet Union for so long, twenty million was a drop in the ocean.

Liu Kun and Qian Jin acted swiftly. By the next day, the initial twenty million was already deposited in Li County Agricultural Bank. With Nie Zhenbang’s support, approvals from land management, commerce, and tax departments were readily granted.

In less than three days, the Northwest Minong Farming and Livestock Development Co., Ltd. was formally established in Li County. At the same time, the company’s bank account was set up. In addition, the Li County Land Bureau set aside a hundred acres for Minong company on the outskirts of Li County. The cost for this, based on current land prices in Li County, was just two million for Liu Kun.

In the following days, Liu Kun and Qian Jin were kept busy with the preparations for a grand opening ceremony. After the company structure was in place, Liu Kun began to actively recruit talent from agricultural universities. Meanwhile, he asked Yang Anna to reach out to her “Australian classmates” to look for quality grass breeds. The appearance of Minong Company had stirred up quite a buzz in Li County.

In the main conference room of the Li County Government.

The time was already half past nine in the evening.

Yet, the room was still brightly lit, and the continuous supply of heating gave it a spring-like warmth. Surprisingly, Nie Zhenbang, not Wu Zhixiong, sat in the main seat. As the leader of the Li County Economic Development Working Group, Nie Zhenbang took the lead without hesitation. Wu Zhixiong was more than happy to play the supporting role. The quick start of their first major project was beyond Wu Zhixiong’s expectations.

Opposite Nie Zhenbang, Liu Kun, Qian Jin, and several newly recruited professional managers from Minong Company were seated together.

Liu Kun’s mouth twitched a little at Nie Zhenbang’s proposal. Though he had anticipated this, he was still shocked at Nie Zhenbang’s ruthlessness.

Seven million acres of grassland, excluding those allocated to the people of Li

County, were given to Minong Company by the Li County Government as stock in exchange for free usage. At the same time, the Li County Government would have a fifty percent stake in Minong Company. As for the herders of Li County, the government would assist with negotiations, but the final pricing and terms would be left to the company.

This asking price was ruthless. Even after all the preparatory work, Liu Kun’s mouth still twitched. Off the record, he could act a little shameless in front of Nie Zhenbang. But in a formal setting like this, Liu Kun had to act with propriety.

After whispering to Qian Jin at his side, Liu Kun raised his head and said,

“Mayor Wu, Director Nie, we agreed in principle to the proposal from your county. However, regarding the share ratio, we propose that it should be at most thirty percent.”

No sooner had Liu Kun’s words settled than Nie Zhenbang chimed in with a smile, “Okay, let’s go with that ratio.”

Upon hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Liu Kun instantly realized he’d still been outmaneuvered by Nie Zhenbang.

PS: 374 votes, only 26 votes left to reach 400. Brothers and sisters, please show your support. If we reach 400 votes before midnight, there will be an explosive 15,000 words tomorrow. Today, an explosive 12,000 words. (..)