Reborn as a Noble's Son

When Zhou Xiaoshe came to Lixian, Nie Zhenbang had to greet him personally. Nie Zhenbang laughed, surprised that after so many years of not seeing each other, Zhou Chen was still the same, hardly any change.

Immediately, Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “Okay, Secretary Zhang, rest assured. I will be present tomorrow. No matter what, it’s necessary to have the courtesy when the deputy mayor visits Lixian.”

Hanging up the phone, Nie Zhenbang turned his attention towards Fan Zhenming in front of him. At this moment, Fan Zhenming seemed somewhat restrained, and after being scolded earlier, he didn’t dare to sit, but stood by the door with his head bowed, staying silent.

Nie Zhenbang gestured and said, “Sit.”

After Fan Zhenming sat down, Nie Zhenbang continued, “Let’s continue discussing the Prosperous Company. What’s the deal with this company? There is no environmental assessment report, and you are taking light of the pollution control issue. It’s clear that you are not taking it seriously. How could we accept such a company?”

Fan Zhenming was familiar with the Prosperous Company, a relatively large paper manufacturing company in Ludong Province with strong capabilities. An oversight had led to this mistake. Fan Zhenming dared not defend himself at the moment, pondered for a moment, then said, “Director Nie, this issue is our oversight. Rest assured, I will ensure that the Prosperous Company complete all documentation and pass strict environmental assessments and monitoring. We will put a stop to such incidents.”

The 17th car of Bazhou City Committee, a black Audi, was on its way from Bazhou to Lixian County. Zhou Chen, after arriving in Bazhou, had chosen this car from among the options such as Mercedes-Benz. Zhou Chen had once been part of the Jingcheng car issue, although the final result was a loss of a deputy department-level leader in Zhou family. However, they had succeeded in thwarting the marriage between Jingcheng auto and Audi, forming a good relationship with FAW. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Since then, Zhou Chen developed a habit of not riding in Mercedes-Benz.

Looking at the beige interior of the Audi, combined with the texture of the peach-wood panels, and the car’s quietness, the performance was superb. Zhou Chen was very satisfied.

At this moment, Secretary Zhou Wang, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, turned his head and said, “Mayor Zhou, we’ve already entered the county boundary of Lixian.”

Looking ahead to the empty road, free of flashing police lights, stationed car fleets, or any leaders on the roadside eagerly looking out, Zhou Chen’s face turned dark. Lixian’s officials didn’t even bother to show him any respect.

However, discontent aside, Zhou Chen clearly knew why he came to Bazhou. At this moment, after several years spent struggling in the grassroots and ministry departments, especially since the entire Zhou family was marginalized, Zhou Chen had changed. The former frivolous, dissolute, and superior-acting Zhou Chen was gone, replaced by a much more composed and reserved Zhou Chen.

However, habits die hard. Seeing the old man’s efforts to recover the Zhou family’s situation had stabilized things, and Uncle Zhou Hongtu would soon be transferred to a provincial committee as its leader. This was a harbinger of Zhou family’s return to prominence.

Recalling his grandfather’s admonitions before he left, Zhou Chen restrained himself and said in a low voice, “Let’s keep moving. The comrades of Lixian are busy these days. We’re traveling light. It’s no different going there ourselves.”

Watching the poplar trees by the side of the road quickly disappear from his line of sight, Zhou Chen fell into deep thought. Although he was now in a leadership position above Nie Zhenbang, he was only in charge of science, education, culture, and health maintenance. In the Bazhou City government, he was a low-ranking deputy mayor, not included in the standing committee, which meant he didn’t have a say in personnel issues and various other matters. Whether Nie Zhenbang would ignore him was questionable.

As the car continued to move, the ongoing constructions around them amazed Zhou Chen. If he didn’t know for sure, having witnessed firsthand that this was Xibei and this was Lixian, he would have thought he lost his way. Was this the poverty-stricken and bare Xibei?

There was a six-lane highway in both directions with the greenery partition in the middle. The newest style of pavement bricks on both sides of the sidewalk, even had a specially marked blind path. The innovative design of the street lights and at least a dozen construction sites in action on the open ground on both sides struck Zhou Chen by surprise. Was this still Lixian? Unknown to him, he might have thought he had arrived at a special economic zone.

Ahead of them, the sign of the Li County Economic and Technological Development Zone entered their line of sight. Under the sign, a group of people was already waiting on the side, with police lights flashing.

Seeing this scene and familiar figures in the crowd, a curve formed on Zhou Chen’s mouth. This time, they somehow managed to avoid embarrassment. Although the Li County Party Committee and County government seemed somewhat negligent, it was better than having no one to greet him when he quietly entered the courtyard of the Li County Party Committee.

“Little Wu, pull the car over to the side of the road,” Zhou Chen, now sitting upright, instructed the driver with a calm tone.

As Zhou Chen’s car slowly pulled over to the side of the road, Zhang Chubin was already there to welcome him: “Mayor Zhou, welcome, welcome.”

At this moment, Zhou Chen didn’t dare to act superior. Given the current situation, Li County’s development might exceed Ku City’s. This could potentially elevate Li County Party Secretary Zhang Chubin’s chances of joining the standing committee. Even though he only held a director-level position, joining the municipal committee’s standing committee would give him a higher standing than his own vice-department level status. Also, Zhou Chen hadn’t forgotten his real purpose; he was there to pluck peaches. Though with the intention of pursuing achievements, he still thrilled at the idea of causing some trouble for Nie Zhenbang and enjoying the spectacle.

Subsequently, Zhou Chen stepped out of his car with a smile on his face. He shook hands with Zhang Chubin, displaying a familiar and amiable demeanor: “Secretary Zhang, I’ve long heard about your achievements. Immediately after I was assigned to Bazhou, I heard about how talented Li County’s Secretary Zhang is, transforming a poor county into a thriving one. Now, seeing the bustling construction scene in Li County, it proves that the reputation is well-deserved.”

Zhou Chen’s words caused a slight shock among Li County’s officials. The new Deputy Mayor seemed to be making veiled comments. Everyone knew that Nie Zhenbang was largely responsible for their economic construction and development. Yet Zhou Chen’s remarks now hinted at a deeper meaning, which left everyone somewhat puzzled, including Zhang Chubin.

At this moment, Zhang Chubin was equally confused. The arrival of Deputy Mayor Zhou seemed quite sudden. It wasn’t during an official changeover period, nor was a major event happening in Bazhou City. All of a sudden, they had a parachuted Deputy Mayor, who shared many parallels with Nie Zhenbang. Firstly, they were both young – a 28-year-old Deputy Mayor and a 24-year-old County Director. Secondly, both were university undergraduates. Thirdly, both were parachuted in. Could there be some connection between the two?

Zhang Chubin weighed options in his mind but responded with a smile: “Mayor Zhou, you flatter me too much. All this is directed by Director Nie. I merely assisted and coordinated. I truly don’t deserve your high praise.”

After some consideration, Zhang Chubin decided not to fan the flames. Intelligent enough to choose between Nie Zhenbang and Deputy Mayor Zhou, he sided with Nie Zhenbang. With elder officials like Liu Wenqing and Ding Aiguo supporting from above and Nie clearly exhibiting his capabilities, Zhang Chubin couldn’t be swayed by Deputy Mayor Zhou’s flattery that could possibly entangle him. Otherwise, he risked ending up in a disadvantageous position.

Zhou Chen chuckled in response to Zhang Chubin’s reaction, which was entirely within his expectations. Local officials were notoriously slippery. He had experienced this firsthand when he was in Chunan. Next, Zhou Chen glanced indifferently at Nie Zhenbang and said, “Secretary Zhang, don’t be modest. Regardless, you are the class leader of Li County. You do play a principal role in Li County’s development.”

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Xie Yi, the Deputy Secretary of the County Committee, Zhou Chen turned and said, “Everyone, get in the car. Secretary Zhang, why don’t you come with me?”

That sentence caused a stir among the officials of Li County. Logically, after the County Party Secretary, it should have been Nie Zhenbang’s turn. But Zhou Chen skipped Nie Zhenbang, warmly greeted Xie Yi, and headed directly to the car, inviting Zhang Chubin to accompany him. This naturally aroused some deep thought. Was the new Deputy Mayor Zhou discontented with Nie Zhenbang?

Many pondered nearby with Zhao Kunlun’s face reflecting an odd expression. Next to them, Bayaer, the Deputy Mayor of the County Government, also fell into deep thought.

The car procession started again. This time, with Zhou Chen in the lead, it had the semblance of a leadership inspection tour, with a police car clearing the way, followed by a long train of cars.

Seeing Zhang Chubin looking a little cautious, Zhou Chen smiled and said, “Secretary Zhang, don’t be so formal. I have seen Li County’s work and it’s quite commendable. As the class leader of Li County, you have to keep up the good work.”

Hearing Zhou Chen’s comments, Zhang Chubin was taken aback. It seemed that the young Deputy Mayor bore ill-will. His numerous actions suggested some discontent with Nie Zhenbang. Despite this, the more Zhou Chen behaved in this manner, the more Zhang Chubin saw the situation clearly. Zhou Chen was merely a Deputy Mayor in charge of science, education, culture, and health – his actions upon arrival somewhat lowered Zhang Chubin’s esteem for him.

PS: Recommend a friend’s book, ‘Step on the Green Clouds’ (book number: 1793308), which is about to be completed. It’s over 2.8 million words long and it’s about the life in the officialdom.

Also, asking for a bottom-line monthly ticket. Brothers and sisters, this is possible.