Reborn as a Noble's Son

County Committee, inside the small meeting room

At this moment, the atmosphere in the meeting room was somewhat heavy. Yang Zhengping and Gao Yuanshan had both rushed back directly from the construction site in the development zone.

In the northwestern region, summer was scorching hot. At this moment, Yang Zhengping was not satisfied even when the electric fan was turned on. He was still holding a straw hat and fanning himself occasionally.

Looking at the deputy director of the Investment Promotion Bureau, Li Yan, next to him, Yang Zhengping asked in a low voice, “Director Li, what’s going on? What happened to Nie Lao Da today? He suddenly summoned all of us back.”

Now, in the Lixian County Government, the officials below have given Nie Zhenbang a nickname, Nie Lao Da, indicating that Nie Zhenbang is undoubtedly the boss of the county government.

Li Yan was also a bit puzzled at this moment. When he received the notice, he was on his way to Bazhou. Li Yan was planning to go to the Bazhou City TV Station to collect the video recording of the groundbreaking ceremony of the Farmer Welfare Company. Unexpectedly, a phone call came in and directly summoned him back. Fortunately, he hadn’t gone far. Otherwise, Li Yan would not have made it in time. Hearing Yang Zhengping’s question, Li Yan shook his head and whispered, “Secretary Yang, I’m also confused. I was just less than five kilometers out of the county city, preparing for a trip to the city, but I had to turn around and come back.”

At this moment, Bayaer, deputy head of Li County government, Li Lin, Yan Fengjiao, as well as executive deputy head Bekri walked into the room with solemn faces. Lastly, Nie Zhenbang came in with the head of the Investment Promotion Bureau, Fan Zhenming. He glanced around at everyone.

Nie Zhenbang said in a deep voice, “Colleagues who smoke, please put out your cigarettes first. I have an urgent message to share.”

Nie Zhenbang’s words stunned Bekri and others. The fact that people smoked during meetings was not unusual, especially in the regular meetings of the County Committee, which were typically filled with cigarette smoke. The county government, though, typically took turns smoking out of consideration for the two female deputy heads. Nie Zhenbang had never interfered with this before. Sometimes, he would even light up a cigarette himself. Today, however, he requested that they put out their cigarettes, which seemed rather peculiar.

With Nie Zhenbang’s words, everyone sat up straighter and waited for Nie Zhenbang to speak.

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang looked at Yan Fengjiao and said, “County Mayor Yan, you’ve been in charge of this matter. Why don’t you explain it?”

At the sound of Nie Zhenbang’s words, all eyes turned to Yan Fengjiao. Today, Yan Fengjiao had changed her attire. Although sportswear was fine for casual occasions after work, formal attire was more appropriate for such formal occasions.

After pondering for a moment, Yan Fengjiao began, “Director Nie, fellow leaders and comrades, I proposed the idea of participating in the Canton Fair. After that, I was specifically responsible for maintaining contact with the organizers of the Canton Fair, and through the liaison from the Bazhou office in Yuedong. Recently, I directly connected with the Canton Fair Organizers and explained our situation to them. Their reply was that they had never before had a county government unit participate in the fair, and that our promotion was not for local specialties from Lixian, but for investment promotion. Therefore, they found it very difficult to accommodate us. They agreed to give us a response during this period. This afternoon, I received a call from them, and their implying they were unable to provide us with an exhibition space.”

Seeing that everyone was stunned, Yan Fengjiao added, “In other words, our trip to the Canton Fair may not be possible.”

As Yan Fengjiao’s words fell, the meeting room was immediately filled with a flurry of discussion. This period had been busy for the county government, especially the development zone and the investment promotion bureau, as they were all working around this matter. Having spent nearly a month’s time and a considerable amount of manpower and materials, they had even completed the sample manuscript. But to suddenly receive the news that the trip was not going to happen naturally caused an uproar.

Yan Fengjiao’s expression was also not very good. After all, she was the one who proposed the idea. Although it was Nie Zhenbang who finally gave the go-ahead, since she was the one who solicited the idea, it could be imagined how she felt after all the work done around this matter suddenly seemed to have gone in vain.

“Director Nie, comrades, let me say a few words.” At this moment, Bayaer spoke in a calming tone.

Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Bayaer nodded and said, “Regarding the Canton Fair, honestly, I was not in agreement from the beginning. The Canton Fair is a nationally renowned trade fair, primarily catering to big entities. The inclusion of a single county causes logistical difficulties for the organizers. I believe it’s better to be down-to-earth and try to attract as much investment as possible through various city offices and institutions.”

Upon hearing these remarks, Nie Zhenbang furrowed his brows too. It wasn’t because of Bayaer’s attack on Yan Fengjiao. From his experience, a person like Bayaer is not rare in government offices. Always looking cheerful during routine days, extremely polite to everyone. However, whenever there’s an issue, they would hurriedly jump out blaming one person after another, behaving as if they’re the only ones right in the entire world.

Yan Fengjiao’s countenance didn’t look good. However, at this point, all she could do was to endure it. After all, it was hard to deny her own share of responsibility in the current state of things.

Bekri, on the side, took the initiative to speak, “Comrade Bayaer, I think your remarks are somewhat excessive, bordering on making a mountain out of a molehill. Initially, Mayor Yan did propose the idea, which went through collective discussion. As I remember, you also voted in favor, didn’t you? So, how did it turn out to be Mayor Yan’s fault now?”

Currently, Bayaer handles the works concerning science, education, culture, and public health in the county government. Even though he was third in rank and seniority after Bekri, these were the most marginalized tasks. But Bayaer’s remarks seemed to add insult to injury.

Watching the dialogue between Bekri and Bayaer unfold, Nie Zhenbang furrowed his brows even further. Such a situation occurring among the members of the county government was definitely an alarming sign. They must restrain it, or their future tasks would be hindered by internal disputes.

Then, Nie Zhenbang took a sip of tea and said, “Enough, it’s all in the past. Let’s not argue about who was right or wrong.”

Nie Zhenbang’s words instantly caused both Bekri and Bayaer to fall silent. Nie Zhenbang’s authority was undoubted. Who would dare to seize the financial power of the county party secretary or go into the earthquake center? Today, in Lixian, whether among officials or the general populace, Nie Zhenbang has an awe-inspiring presence because he single-handedly planned the grand landscape of Lixian.

After a moment of contemplation, Nie Zhenbang continued, “Let’s leave the past behind and focus on our current issue. Now that the trade fair has rejected us, what should we do? How should we proceed? Feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions.”

“County Mayor, I think since we have started, we should continue. ‘If a journey of a hundred miles is undertaken, then ninety miles is only half-way.’ We’ve made a lot of progress already and all we’re lacking is the final step. Giving up just because the trade fair refused us would mean wasting a lot of manpower and resources if we were to start again. This would be uneconomical. It’s better to continue and complete the investment guide of Lixian. Even if it won’t be used this time, it will come in handy at some other point.” Fan Zhenming has been pondering over this issue ever since hearing about their rejection from the trade fair. As soon as Nie Zhenbang finished speaking, Fan Zhenming offered his opinion.

Li Lin, sitting beside them, also rarely spoke out, “County Mayor, I agree with Director Fan’s opinion. Since the preliminary work is almost finished, I also support the continuation.”

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang also nodded, “Hmm, both Director Fan and Mayor Li have made excellent suggestions. We have to continue. Moreover…”

Upon saying this, Nie Zhenbang stood up, looking resolute, “Director Fan, let’s try to expedite the process. We have one month. Do your best to complete the promotional materials as soon as possible. Despite the rejection, we should still attend the trade fair. If they don’t wish for us to participate, should we just drop it? Let’s go and see. Given the high footfall at the trade fair, we can conduct the promotion somewhere outside and would still achieve satisfactory results.”

Once Nie Zhenbang had spoken, people like Fan Zhenming sprang into action. A month elapsed swiftly. Now, it was already autumn. In the season of golden and fragrant Osmanthus in October, Wal-Mart Group’s hotel in Lixian City had completed land leveling and foundation work after two months, and the construction project was underway.

The first batch of Farmer Welfare Company’s products were exported directly to the Middle East by Liu Kun. After the Gulf War, Lao Sa had seen better days. Given his connection with Nie Zhenbang, Liu Kun’s visit was received with great enthusiasm. Lao Sa was overjoyed with the hefty export of mutton, to the extent that he almost granted Liu Kun citizenship.

Meanwhile, Nie Zhenbang and Li County Government had also prepared for the departure. This time, apart from Nie Zhenbang leading the team himself, Yan Fengjiao, the Chairperson of the Administrative Committee, was bound to accompany them. Furthermore, Deputy Chairperson Gao Yuanshan, Investment Promotion Bureau’s Director Fan Zhenming and Li Yan, accompanied by Yi Jun, Secretary Huyan Apo of Yan Fengjiao, along with some staff members of the Investment Promotion Bureau, a total of seventeen people, gathered in a grand procession at the main entrance of the county government office courtyard.

At this moment, Zhang Chubin personally rushed over. The news about the refusal of Lixian Government by the trade fair had already spread throughout Lixian. But Nack was determined to go, and at this moment, Zhang Chubin seemed to treat the matter somewhat lightly.

“Director Nie, your trip is all-important for Lixian’s development. Here, I wish you a smooth journey,” Zhang Chubin said warmly, shaking hands with Nie Zhenbang.

Smiling faintly, Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “Secretary Zhang, I’m leaving everything at home to you. Just wait for some good news from me.” (To be continued. If you like this novel, please come to Qidian ) to support it with your recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)