Reborn as a Noble's Son

Seeing Li Lixue and Dong Wan acting so serious, Nie Zhenbang couldn’t help but find it somewhat amusing. What was this all about? His own family has so much money they’re practically burning it. Then they believe he’s spent too much time in Xibei and want to stack up his achievements with their money, and then, get him promoted directly?

If it weren’t for Yan Fengjiao being at his side, Nie Zhenbang might have taken these two naughty girls over his knee right now.

Since there were others present, Nie Zhenbang held back somewhat, and said with a smile, “Li Xue, we are familiar with each other, true, but you shouldn’t blindly invest, right? Developing infrastructure for the Li County Development Zone isn’t a small investment. Also, I won’t approve of compensating construction costs with large amounts of land.”

At his side, Yan Fengjiao was a shrewd woman. A fellow female, Yan Fengjiao quickly realized that these two young ladies likely had a deep relationship with Director Nie. While admiring Nie Zhenbang’s luck in simultaneously receiving the favor of two such outstanding beauties, she also felt slightly upset. No wonder Nie Zhenbang completely disregarded her. With such extraordinary female confidantes, she, an old maid, really couldn’t compare.

“Boss Li, Director Nie is right. We welcome investments in supermarkets. I have been to Wal-Mart Supermarket and GOME Electrical Appliance Wushi Store, and they are indeed excellent. If they could be set up in Li County, we’d be more than welcoming. However, investing in infrastructure construction is indeed a bit risky.” Yan Fengjiao kindly reminded.

Dong Wan usually appeared calm and elegant. If there were no outsiders, Dong Wan wouldn’t act such way, but when there are others, her expression is always quite cold. Meanwhile, Li Lixue was different. Many years as a broker was not wasted. In the Soviet Union, she became a significant figure. Glancing at Yan Fengjiao, Li Lixue immediately became unsatisfied with Nie Zhenbang’s deputy. Soon, she coldly said, “Thanks for the goodwill from both of you. However, our Wal-Mart Group intends to not only open supermarkets in Li County but we’re also interested in the area’s rich Loupma and livestock resources. Apart from investing in a supermarket, we plan to invest in a textile factory and Loupma tea factory that use Loupma as raw material as well as a complete meat processing factory. After careful consideration, we feel that compared to direct investment, investing in infrastructure development has more preferential policies and measures. What are your opinions?”

At the side, Dong Wan nodded her head and sparingly echoed, “Yes, money is not the problem. Our requirement is bundled investment. If you agree now, we can discuss everything. If you disagree, then we’ll not discuss our investment.”

What Dong Wan said was very clear. Let me invest in infrastructure construction and everything is negotiable. As for how much to invest and how to invest, there is no problem because they have already boldly stated that money is not the problem. This bold attitude surprised Yan Fengjiao. Who are these two beautiful women, really? In this era, a ten-thousand-dollar person is a rare figure. People with one hundred thousand dollars are already deemed to be the deputies of the People’s Congress or members of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. Millionaires are probably rare throughout all of Bazhou. Infrastructure construction is not small and not a minute investment, it involves tens of millions or even hundreds of millions.

Seeing Dong Wan’s serious face, Nie Zhenbang also felt a headache. It seemed that Dong Wan and Li Lixue were determined to pile up political achievements with their cash. Subsequently, Nie Zhenbang also said with a smile, “Director Yan, since Boss Li and Boss Dong are insistent on this, we in Li County naturally welcome it. So, Director Yan, you will represent me and our development zone in a detailed discussion with Boss Li and others.”

Nie Zhenbang sidestepped the issue at hand, which was the most appropriate course of action considering his relationship with the two women. Even though people below him were unaware and would never know about the relationship between the three of them, it was not guaranteed that the information would remain hidden from hostile members of his family. If they became aware, this could be used against him. Being accused of corrupt practices, even if Li County would benefit, might increase complications.

Hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Li Lixue was momentarily stunned, but almost immediately understood Nie Zhenbang’s intentions. On the other side, Dong Wan retained her calm demeanor and asked Yan Fengjiao, “Director Yan, do you think we should discuss it here or…?”

Yan Fengjiao immediately stood up, smiling, “Both you bosses are young ladies, young and beautiful, and have made many achievements. I will take the liberty of calling you younger sisters. Let’s move to my place, we have the entire zoning map of the development zone there. We can discuss how to invest while looking at the map.”

Yan Fengjiao’s office, like others, was simply furnished. Since Nie Zhenbang set this example, all the leaders’ offices in the Li County Government had taken to being more minimalist. After all, in a political environment, reputation matters. Everyone can tolerate luxury if it’s just one person, but when everyone is austere and only one person maintains a luxurious office, it draws unnecessary attention.

“Unity is strength” – this adage is not only applicable in the military, but equally so in the officialdom. Nie Zhenbang’s pragmatic style has also influenced the officials of the Li County Government to adopt a similar approach.

“County Mayor Yan, your office decoration is rather simple. No wonder Li County has developed so well. Your pragmatic spirit and attitude are truly admirable,” Li Lixue said with a smile as soon as she walked in.

At those words, Yan Fengjiao flashed a winsome smile, giving off an intensely charming aura. She took a moment to realign her hair before saying: “Ladies, we’re all women here. If you don’t think it’s presumptuous, you may just call me Sister Yan. We women naturally lack certain advantages, and how both of you have managed to build such large businesses is truly the object of my admiration.”

Yan Fengjiao’s interpersonal skills were indeed exceptional. Within a few sentences, she had significantly reduced the gap between them. Subsequently, she pulled out a big chart from the cupboard and laid it on the coffee table, saying, “Sisters, come and see. The preliminary planning area of our Li County Development Zone is about twenty square kilometers. The core area is six square kilometers, and currently, we are developing an area of three square kilometers. The infrastructural construction underway includes the Li City Boulevard, Unity Avenue and May First Road as the vertical arteries and Yingbin Road and Nationality Road as the horizontal arteries. As per our current plan, we aim to further build three horizontal and two vertical arterial roads within the core development zone, which follows the current grid. This would complete the road network of the entire core development zone. The preliminary estimate for the investment required is approximately 1.5 million for every kilometer, including road hardening, house demolition, road greening, laying water pipes and public lighting facilities. The total investment would be around 45 million.”

Pausing for a moment, Yan Fengjiao added with a smile, “Sisters, such a large investment is beyond what our county can afford at present.”

At this point, Yan Fengjiao did some quick calculations. Currently, the county’s financial account had a total of about 140 million. Nearly 30 million had already been invested in infrastructure. The offices of the county government and bureaus were to be relocated, which would eat a substantial chunk of the budget – at least 70 million, being conservative. And this figure didn’t even include the cost of land. She estimated it would be necessary to seek additional funds and financing from the higher-ups at the right time.

At most, the county could afford to allocate a maximum of 10 million. It was clear to Yan Fengjiao that Li Lixue and Dong Wan had the means, and that’s why she could make such bold statements with a clear conscience.

Seeing that the two showed no noticeable reaction upon hearing about the lack of funds, unfazed and composed as if they were talking about 4,500 dollars instead of 45 million, Yan Fengjiao continued: “Sisters Li Xue and Wan, how about this? Initially, the Li County Government will pay you 10 million. In addition, we will compensate you with 500 acres of land in the Li County Development Zone. Calculated at 60,000 per acre, this would count as a compensation of 30 million, and the remaining 5 million will be paid off in three years. What do you think?”

This seemed like a lion opening its mouth wide. During this era, even South China Sea Special Zone would have land prices around this level, maybe a bit higher at best. But in a frontier place like Xibei Autonomous Region, especially the small city of Li County with a population of less than 200,000, a land price of 60,000 per acre was undoubtedly a “sky-high” price.

Li Lixue was somewhat surprised at this moment. Yan Fengjiao was shrewd, she had accurately priced the land understanding the relationship she and others harbored with Nie Zhenbang. It was clear that they had come to fund the project. Even if it was essentially charity, they would do it, especially now that it included some compensation. This woman had the ability to occupy her current seat.

Li Lixue then nodded and said, “Since Sister Yan has said so, we have no issues at all. When can we arrange to sign a contract between us? After that, we will send our professionals for the follow-up work. What do you think?”

Meanwhile, Dong Wan also spoke, “In addition to this, we need to acquire approximately ten acres of land in the bustling commercial area of Li County City to construct a 20-story building to establish a star-rated hotel, which will be a hub for a hotel, shopping mall, supermarket, food, and entertainment. It would be best if we sign the contract for it all at once.”

Hearing Dong Wan’s statement, Yan Fengjiao was taken aback momentarily. This time, the development zone of Li County was off to a great start. (