Reborn as a Noble's Son

What surged was not anything else, but the mentality of the officials in Li County. The impact of this anti-corruption storm was significant. Aside from the downfall of Mo Zhihai, the former head of Li County, Mo Mingyu, the nephew of Mo Zhihai, the director of the Li County Finance Bureau, was also dismissed from his position due to serious discipline violations, including conspiring with Mo Mingwu to embezzlement public funds. Simultaneously, officials whose cumulative bribe amount on some notebooks exceeded 100,000 were naturally rolled out by Bai Weimin. As such, many positions in the whole Li County became vacant. Just Bureau Chief positions at the regular department level alone, there were vacancies in four important entities: the Finance Bureau, Personnel Bureau, Transport Bureau, and Construction Bureau. Along with the top positions in two towns. Suddenly, so many vacancies, anyone with some ideas could not sit still.

The members of the county party committee could also not sit still, just like the lower-level officials. The position of the county party secretary was vacant. Those qualified began to have thoughts. And, naturally, there would be vacancies for promotions. Everyone was thinking about the top positions. The other positions also drew attention.

Ma Yunfang was one of them. At Ma Yunfang’s house, at this moment, Guo Haitao, the director of the Civil Affairs Bureau, was also cautiously saying to Ma Yunfang, “Mayor Ma, this time, you’re the most anticipated candidate. Mayor Wu is in charge of the overall work of the County Party Committee and County Government. The municipal party committee will probably make a decision soon. At that time, during the two sessions, given your reputation and ability, you will inevitably be elected as the county mayor.”

Flattering words are always sweet to hear. Ma Yunfang was no different. Now, the situation in Li County was clear. As Wu Zhixiong was in charge of the overall work of the County Party Committee and County Government and was bound to become County Party Secretary sooner or later, the most suitable candidate for the position of county mayor, apart from Zhang Chubin, would be himself. Ma Yunfang himself also thought that as the executive deputy county mayor, he was more suitable than Zhang Chubin.

However, on the surface, Ma Yunfang simply waved his hand and said, “Old Guo, we must never be careless about political affairs. There are too many variables. Until an official document is issued, anything can happen. I’ll keep your matter in mind. The Finance Bureau, however, may have some difficulties. After all, the newly appointed County Party Secretary will also have his thoughts. But, the Transport Bureau and the Construction Bureau are possibilities.”

“Kun, the progress is good. It’s been just over ten days, and the foundation is almost completed. Is the quality of the project guaranteed? You must pay attention to this.” Nie Zhenbang, at this point, was at the construction site of the Farmer Welfare Company.

Next to him, Liu Kun, looked very professional in a safety helmet. Listening to Nie Zhenbang’s words, Liu Kun also said with a smile, “Nie, rest assured. Everything is normal. I have hired a project supervisor from Jingcheng specially. The builder is also from Urumqi. His greedy father is supervising, so they dare not play any tricks.”While speaking, Liu Kun, grinningly said, “Nie, this storm in Li County is quite sudden. Your move, I admire.”Next to him, Qian Jin was also shocked. He was getting his first real taste of Nie Zhenbang’s tactics. He generally keeps a low profile, but when he makes a move, it’s like a storm hitting directly and precisely at the heart of the matter. Without using any connections, he managed to get rid of a group of officials. Only the descendants of renowned families from Jingcheng can employ such ruthless tactics.

Immediately, Qian Jin also said with a smile, “Nie, I guess there will be a big reshuffle in Li County this time. I can see that the officials in Li County are all rushing to Bazhou City. Nie, don’t you have any thoughts on this? If you have any thoughts, we will support you fully. With you around, we will feel more at ease.”

Nie Zhenbang understood Qian Jin’s meaning. As the son of the Urumqi Municipal Party Committee Secretary, Qian Jin did have some connections in the Northwest Region. His father had held office in several locations, and quite a few officials found career beginnings under his stewardship. If Nie Zhenbang wanted, it would be a perfect win-win for everyone. Qian Jin would definitely help.

However, Nie Zhenbang waved his hand. Not that he didn’t have any thoughts. Who wouldn’t want to make another step up and enter the ranks of senior department-level personnel? But he had just taken office in December last year. It had only been three months. Although he had achieved success with the Farmer Welfare Company, he had not thought about the county mayor position.

Although promotions in the Northwest Region are relatively faster than in the inland, Nie Zhenbang was very clear about his own foundation. On one hand, in Bazhou, he is considered an outsider, on another hand, his foundation in Li County is still a bit weak.

Immediately, Nie Zhenbang also said with a smile, “I won’t compete for it. Now, the Municipal Party Committee has not yet expressed a clear attitude towards the adjustment of Li County’s officials. The leaders in the Municipal Party Committee also have not expressed their positions. I think, the controversy over this adjustment is huge. I won’t think about the position of the county mayor. I just need to make sure that your project is going well, and also get Hua’s project started, then my task is completed. Now? I am just watching the changes.”

Nie Zhenbang’s words surprised Qian Jin a little, and his attitude of not participating in the competition left him a bit uncertain. However, Liu Kun understood Nie Zhenbang’s intentions. Today, as the Deputy County Mayor in charge of the economy, as long as he can ensure the smooth progress of these two economic development projects, he would be satisfied. Rather than striving for something without knowing when to stop, it might be better not to strive for it at all, and wait for two more years. After the achievements here are shown, given Nie’s background, he could easily jump to other places. Perhaps, this was also the attitude of the Nie family patriarch.

“Old Leader, I came to Bazhou this time to fight for some funding for road construction from the City Transportation Bureau. Coincidentally, I also stopped by to pay you a visit.” At this moment, in the living room of Ding Aiguo’s house, Wu Zhixiong was speaking with a smile.

Deputized temporarily to oversee all the operations of the Li County Committee and County Government, Wu Zhixiong’s originally dormant heart has become somewhat active. Now, he was only one step away from the position of County Party Secretary. Wu Zhixiong also wanted to give it a try. If he could make a leap forward before the age of fifty-seven, it would be no regret for him to step up to the vice hall level.

At this point, Ding Aiguo naturally understood Wu Zhixiong’s intentions. Wu Zhixiong was a person whom he knew very well, given their longstanding superior-subordinate relationship, and he was one of his proteges. As for this old subordinate who had been devoted to his work, he was now starting to feel restless. Ding Aiguo could understand this. Perhaps, the pretext of coming to the Transportation Bureau for funding was false, and the real intention was to gauge the attitude of the city committee.

Of course, there was this wonderful opportunity now. Wu Zhixiong was already the Deputy Secretary of the County Party Committee, ranked first, the County Mayor, and the second-in-command of Li County. Now, commissioned by the City Committee, he was fully in charge of the work of the County Committee and County Government before the new County Party Secretary comes. This essentially meant he was playing the role of County Party Secretary and had already set foot into the great hall of the County Committee. It was understandable that he should be restless at this juncture. After all, everyone wants to progress. However, the current attitude of the city committee made Ding Aiguo at a loss for words.

After a moment of contemplation, Ding Aiguo finally voiced over gently, “Old Wu, I can understand your feelings. However, with the current situation, there’s much debate within the City Committee regarding the candidate for Li County Party Secretary, as well as some follow-up supplement actions. All the Committee members are withholding their statements for now. It’s still hard to tell how things will turn out. The main dilemma is whether to bring in from outside or to choose someone locally. We may have to wait till the regular Committee meeting later this month to know the results.”

Seeing Wu Zhixiong somewhat disheartened, Ding Aiguo laughed and said, “Old Wu, don’t lose heart. After all, you have your advantage. Compared with others, your advantage is pretty apparent. On my end, I will also strive to fight for you. Now, don’t think too much about other things, just focus on doing your job well. Handle the affairs of the County Party Committee. I believe the City Committee leaders will see your efforts.”

Wu Zhixiong nodded his head. This news wasn’t a good one for him. But he had no control over the decisions of the City Committee, and at this point, all he could do was wait. Subsequently, Wu Zhixiong stood up, “Old Leader, I have to leave now. There are still many things to handle in the county.”

After seeing off Wu Zhixiong, Ding Aiguo fell into deep thought. At the moment, there was no unanimity in the City Committee regarding the issue. He naturally favored promoting Wu Zhixiong to the County Party Secretary and having Liu Wenqing’s man, Zhang Chubin, assume the role of County Mayor. However, it seemed that Liu Wenqing wanted Zhang Chubin to become the County Party Secretary directly.

Furthermore, Zhao Weihong wanted Ma Yunfang to take over as County Mayor. But due to Mo Zhihai, Zhao Weihong was opposing our faction. He was firmly against Wu Zhixiong becoming the County Party Secretary. Why would things be so favorable? If Wu Zhixiong did not get promoted, how would there be a vacancy for Ma Yunfang? Therefore, Zhao Weihong proposed another plan, which was to transfer Wu Zhixiong out of Li County.

In this way, the members of the City Committee had discussed a few times but without any conclusion. With this thought in mind, Ding Aiguo walked to the telephone. Picking it up, he dialed Cheng Xinhua’s number directly. As the Deputy Secretary of the City Committee, Cheng Xinhua was a man who didn’t show off and was extremely low-profile on normal days. Nevertheless, Ding Aiguo knew very well that Cheng Xinhua had strength.

On the line, as soon as the call was connected, Ding Aiguo recognized Cheng Xinhua’s voice. Immediately, Ding Aiguo laughed and said, “Secretary Cheng, I’m sorry for disturbing you so late.”

Cheng Xinhua laughed on the other end of the line, “Mayor Ding, you are too polite. I wasn’t sleeping anyway, just watching the news. What’s up, Mayor Ding? Is there something you need to talk about so late?”

Ding Aiguo didn’t beat around the bush, and got straight to the point, “Old Cheng, there’s nothing major, I just wanted to discuss with you about the adjustment of the leading group in Li County. What do you think, Old Cheng?”

PS: Brothers and sisters, the plot is now at its peak. Will Little Nie be able to go further? Brothers and sisters, your role as the City Committee’s standing committee leaders is important. Your monthly tickets are important. Please cast your monthly tickets for Old Cai. Today, I again break out with 12,000 words. If the monthly ticket score is satisfactory. And can reach 630 votes, I will break out with 15,000 words tomorrow. Now, we are only 43 votes away from 630, which I believe, should be quite easy for my brothers and sisters.