Reborn as a Noble's Son

Nie Zhenbang laughed a little, looking a bit embarrassed. “Mayor, this plan was just decided upon this afternoon after the standing committee meeting held in New Li City. Moreover, my consideration is that this airport will likely end up under Ku City’s jurisdiction. Therefore, there’s no specific plan yet. However, we’ve had some discussions about the general plan. I think I might have some ideas to obtain support from the National Development and Reform Commission and the Civil Aviation Authority. Regarding the investment issue, a rough estimate suggests we’ll need around four hundred million yuan.”

Then, after sharing Xie Yi’s investment distribution plan which was proposed at the afternoon standing committee meeting, Nie Zhenbang continued, “I believe the management and share allocation of the airport should mainly fall under the Bazhou City Party Committee and Municipal Government with oversight by the Bazhou City State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. Ku City and our New Li City would only participate as shareholders and supervisors. This way, it reflects the prestige of City’s Party Committee and government. That’s about it.”

Ding Aiguo nodded in satisfaction. He admires Nie Zhenbang’s pragmatic approach. Being straightforward, not being vague, without ulterior motives. He is not exaggerating – instead, he is realistic and sincere. This is honestly the right attitude to work and life.

After pondering for a while, Ding Aiguo also thought that the project was highly feasible. Promptly, he got up and said, “Zhenbang, why don’t you come with me to report on this to Secretary Liu at the City Committee. I believe Secretary Wenqing will give it his full support.”

Ding Aiguo’s words were not arbitrary. The fact that Liu Wenqing could potentially be promoted to deputy chairman of the Autonomous Region was no strange thing to people like Ding Aiguo. Liu Wenqing would surely support something that could add a feather to his cap for his promotion. He certainly wouldn’t act against his own interests.

Indeed, when Nie Zhenbang and Ding Aiguo went into Liu Wenqing’s office together, and Ding Aiguo had laid out the plans for the airport, Liu Wenqing was not displeased. He didn’t even express dissatisfaction at Nie Zhenbang approaching Ding Aiguo before him. Instead, he was very pleased, “Mayor Aiguo, I told you, Secretary Nie is Bazhou City’s lucky star. The idea of the airport is excellent. It’s bold, yet balanced and well-considered. It’s highly feasible. This can be one of Bazhou City’s key projects this year. Mayor Aiguo, I’ll need to trouble you to personally supervise this. Experts can immediately be organized to carry out detailed assessment and budgeting of the airport, including site selection and construction costs. This way, I can present the assessments to the Autonomous Region Party Committee and Government.”

With the support of Liu Wenqing and the approval of Ding Aiguo, the work efficiency of the Bazhou City Government has seen unprecedented improvement.

The next day, a professional survey team was formed to conduct on-site surveys and site selection at the intersection of Ku City and New Li City. An airport involves many considerations: the impact of the airport on local residents’ lives – after all, the noise pollution from the airport will be severe; the effect on the local ecological environment; and, the airport’s influence on the surrounding area. It’s a large investment project that can’t just consider one location, it should benefit multiple aspects. If only one city profits from this, it would seem wasteful. Lastly, land suitability also has to be taken into account.

With all these aspects going on concurrently, the assessment and budgeting work are orderly and thorough. The rapid development of New Li City, coupled with Nie Zhenbang’s pragmatic attitude and work spirit, is subtly influencing and inspiring those around him. Even the leadership of Bazhou City has become pragmatic, which pleases Nie Zhenbang. This is a good sign, indirectly proving that the path he insists on is feasible.

Shortly, within 15 days, the preliminary airport planning design and the evaluation report were finalised.

After receiving the plan, Liu Wenqing specifically summoned Nie Zhenbang. This wasn’t because Liu Wenqing had any special regard for Nie Zhenbang, but because Nie Zhenbang had extraordinary background connections.

By the time the two arrived in Urumqi, it was already evening. Liu Wenqing massaged his forehead. He had dozed off in the car, and now he woke up. His secretary, Feng Dayong, who sat in the passenger seat, turned around and said, “Sir, we’ve reached Urumqi. Shall we go to the office first or find a hotel to rest?”

Liu Wenqing waved him off at that moment, looked at his wristwatch and said, “It’s only 8 o’clock. Give me the phone; I’ll call Chairman Tieli to decide.”

The unusual relationship and attitude between Liu Wenqing and Tieli indicate something special. All this had Nie Zhenbang deep in thought beside him.

Soon, Liu Wenqing ended his call, directing the driver, “Go to the Autonomous Region’s Governmental Mansion.”

The number one car of the Bazhou City Party Committee can freely enter the Autonomous Region’s Mansion even at night. The car stopped at the entrance of Residence No. 1 in the residential area of the Autonomous Region’s Mansion.

Liu Wenqing said to his secretary Feng Dayong, “Dayong, you go and arrange the lodging first, ehh, come back to pick me up after about an hour.”

Then, he turned to Nie Zhenbang, “Secretary Nie Zhen, come inside with me.”

The reason he brought Nie Zhenbang was to show good faith. Supporting Zhou Chen was a command from Tieli. As someone without political backing, Liu Wenqing needs every opportunity he can get in his quest to become Deputy Minister. Tieli has just provided him one, and Liu Wenqing wouldn’t miss it. On a deeper level, Liu Wenqing feared that Nie Zhenbang might be dissatisfied. Thus, he used this opportunity to express his own helpless situation.

In fact, what Liu Wenqing was doing was catering to Nie Zhenbang’s character. He is generally agreeable as long as principles aren’t compromised. This is how an affable person is usually taken advantage of. It was at this moment that Nie Zhenbang realized this issue.

Upon entering Tieli’s home with Liu Wenqing, the decoration of the entire room showed strong ethnic characteristics. A woman had already come over and taken out slippers for Liu Wenqing and Nie Zhenbang.

Liu Wenqing seemed very familiar with the place, smiling and saying: “Sorry to disturb you and the old leader so late at night.”

The woman, presumably Tieli’s wife, Nie Zhenbang also smiled and said, “Aunty, sorry for the intrusion.”

At this moment, Tieli came out from his study, slightly nodding his head at Liu Wenqing and Nie Zhenbang as a form of greeting. He signaled for them to sit down on the sofa, then sat down himself, lit a cigarette and finally said, “Comrades Wenqing and Nie are here. You two seem very anxious, has something happened?”

Liu Wenqing seemed very relaxed, which allowed Nie Zhenbang to understand the close relationship between the two.

Liu Wenqing answered with a laugh, “Old leader, the situation in Bazhou City is stable. We came here mainly to report an important matter to you.”

Then, Liu Wenqing explained in detail Bazhou City’s plan to build an airport. Liu Wenqing really was capable, he was able to present the whole plan without referring to any documents, indicating his high regard for the airport construction project.

Hearing Liu Wenqing’s words, Tieli fell into deep thought. After a long while, he slowly said, “The construction of an airport in Bazhou is feasible. Last year, Bazhou’s development ranked first in the region, even surpassing Urumqi, which really puts pressure on Old Qian there. I agree with this plan to build an airport to promote faster development of Bazhou.”

Hearing Tieli’s words, Liu Wenqing breathed a sigh of relief. With Tieli’s support, the Autonomous Region Planning Commission and the Civil Aviation Administration shouldn’t present any major issues. As for the rest, Liu Wenqing trusted in Nie Zhenbang’s judgment.

Then, Tieli turned his attention to Nie Zhenbang and said with a smile: “Secretary Nie’s pioneering idea is very good. I guess the idea of the airport must have come from you, Secretary Nie. Wenqing, you are lucky to have such a cadre in Bazhou City.”

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang modestly replied, “Chairman Tieli, you flatter me. In the end, this idea is the result of the leadership of the Party Committee and the City Government.”

Tieli laughed out loud. Nie Zhenbang had left a good impression on him. However, thinking of the words from above, Tieli changed the topic and said, “Secretary Nie, this time, the Party Committee and the Government of the Autonomous Region are considering letting Zhou Chen join the Party Committee team of New Li City. This has been carefully considered and balanced. You should pay attention to the unity and stability of the team in your future work.”

This sentence made Nie Zhenbang frown. What was Tieli implying? Was he warning him not to meddle in the city government’s operations?

The words of a leader are not always straightforward. If you lack comprehension in the world of politics, it equals waiting for death.

Pondering over Tieli’s words, Nie Zhenbang decided to make his stance clear. Zhou Chen had a strong background, but so did he, and compared to Zhou family, an insignificant family, his family was unmatched.

Holding back anger should be timely. If he showed a bit of firmness in ordinary times, perhaps Liu Wenqing would reconsider his attitude.

However, realizing this was obviously late. Then, Nie Zhenbang said with a smile, “I will definitely keep Chairman Tieli’s instructions and teachings in mind. I firmly support anything that is beneficial for New Li City’s development. Please rest assured, Chairman Tieli.”

Nie Zhenbang’s attitude made Tieli’s face darken. Tieli understood the implication behind Nie Zhenbang’s words. What did he mean by ‘generally good’ or ‘beneficial for New Li City’s development’? Nie Zhenbang was subtly saying that if Zhou Chen’s actions weren’t beneficial for New Li City, he wouldn’t hesitate to be ruthless.

PS: Yesterday, 81 votes, today, the same as always. If we can reach 50 votes today, we will continue updating tomorrow. The first update for today is up. There will be five updates today. Three guaranteed, one 50-vote update, one Lindi alliance update. To be continued. If you like this work, please come and vote for it on Qidian website ). Your support is my greatest motivation.