Reborn as a Noble's Son

Nie Zhenbang wore a thin dark jacket with a white shirt underneath, and his hair was cropped short as usual, making him look sharp. His attire lent Nie Zhenbang a mature appearance. On the surface, he looked nothing like a 24-year old young man but rather a man in his thirties.

In the world of bureaucracy, such maturity added favorably to Nie Zhenbang’s persona. Some bureaucrats in their thirties appeared to be in their twenties, and this could make them appear unreliable, affecting their chances of promotion negatively.

After returning from Yanbei to Jingcheng, Nie Zhenbang held a banquet at the Tang Dynasty Club, owned by Yang Anbang. He invited Yang Anbang, Liu Kun, Zhao Xinglong, Li Hua, Ning Zhiyuan, Guo Ming, Liang Ligui, and Li Wen*GE. This represented Nie Zhenbang’s circle of connections, either closely related to the Nie family or directly under his wing.

Regarding the airport approval, in fact, as soon as Nie Zhenbang went to the Civil Aviation Administration, Yang Anbang was aware. His father was currently the Minister of Transportation and the Civil Aviation Administration was under his jurisdiction. Furthermore, Yang Anbang remembered very well his father’s instructions to him.

Therefore, when Nie Zhenbang went to Yanbei Province, Yang Anbang personally helped him get the approval. At the same time, Yang Anbang also expressed his desire to invest in the airport.

Nie Zhenbang didn’t reject this. He would decide based on the situation. If the Bazhou City Committee needed funds, Nie Zhenbang would not reject investments from the Wal-Mart Group. Moreover, he agreed with Yang Anbang that if there was a lack of funds, the Wal-Mart Group would be considered first. This way, Nie Zhenbang managed to survive a precarious situation.

During the following days, Nie Zhenbang stayed in the Dynasty Hotel for a few days and, after confirming a romantic relationship with Li Lixue, Dong Wan, and Yang Anna, he devoted most of his time to business, thus compromising the time he spent with them. During these few days, Nie Zhenbang committed to his role as a boyfriend seriously.

He then spent another two days with his grandfather. After all, Doctor Lin’s words were absolute. Today, his grandfather’s health was deteriorating day by day. Every day spent with him was precious. As a grandson, having the chance to spend time with him was a good thing. Nie Zhenbang did not want to have any regrets in the future.

Stepping out of the airport, his assistant Yi Jun and driver Xiao Wang, who had received Nie Zhenbang’s call earlier, were already waiting for him. Seeing Nie Zhenbang, Yi Jun rushed to greet him and took his briefcase, asking excitedly, “Secretary, did it work out?”

In the eyes of the officers in Xinli City, any work that required a trip to Jingcheng would almost certainly get done as long as Secretary Nie Zhenbang was handling it.

Nie Zhenbang looked at Yi Jun and pretended to put on a serious face, “Xiaoyi, why are you so impatient even though we haven’t seen each other for only half a month?”

Xiao Wang drove out of the Urumqi Airport parking lot. Looking at the rearview mirror, he joked, “Mr. Secretary, Brother Yi has been quite busy recently.”

Hearing Xiao Wang’s words, Nie Zhenbang frowned. If he was worried about anything, it had to be Zhou Chen. Xiao Wang, as an individual, was known well to Nie Zhenbang. This driver seldom talked. Having driven for him for so long, the number of times he initiated conversations was pitifully few. Thus, his comment now was somewhat suspicious. How could Yi Jun have any pressing matters while he was away?

Immediately, Nie Zhenbang looked at Yi Jun and asked, “Xiaoyi, what’s going on? Has the city been very busy lately?”

At this moment, Yi Jun gave Xiao Wang a stern look, blaming him. Nevertheless, he dared not lie in front of Nie Zhenbang. Yi Jun was well aware of Nie Zhenbang’s personality. As an subordinate, you could make mistakes as long as they were for the good of the people and not for personal gain. In such cases, Secretary Nie would protect you. However, if you lied or sought personal benefits, you would undoubtedly face severe consequences.

Immediately, Yi Jun nodded and said, “Secretary, during your absence, Mayor Zhou has been very active. Less than three days after you left, Mayor Zhou organized a business delegation to visit us. After inspecting the Xinli Development Zone, several companies signed investment agreements with Mayor Zhou. Now, we have already entered the stage of land acquisition and development.”

The agreement was most likely signed in the name of the Xinli City Government rather than Zhou Chen. Nie Zhenbang was somewhat surprised to learn that Zhou Chen had attracted investment. What did that mean?

Beside him, Yi Jun paused before adding, “Secretary, Mayor Zhou’s prestige has increased significantly among the city’s officials. I am afraid that…”

Nie Zhenbang waved his hand, indicating that as long as Zhou didn’t overstep his boundaries, he would not interfere with him. Nie Zhenbang laughed, “Xiaoyi, don’t be too concerned about others. Regardless, Deputy Mayor Zhou’s efforts to develop Xinli City and attract investment show good intentions.”

As for the petty tricks played by several officials in Xinli City, Nie Zhenbang didn’t care. As long as he controlled the overall situation, anything else was trivial. At this time, it was unrealistically idealistic to hope to form an impenetrable Xinli City. Nie Zhenbang didn’t even think about it. His example was clear – the career advancements of Lin Weimin, Chen Le, and Yan Fengjiao were bound to stimulate others. Zhou Chen was admirable, being young and coming from a similar background. Now that he brought in so much investment, it was natural for many officials to align themselves with him. This was human nature.

At this point, Nie Zhenbang reminded again, “Xiaoyi, don’t spread rumors that might disrupt the unity and stability of our team.”

Yi Jun nodded, a feeling of warmth spreading over his face. Secretary Nie was treating him like a true confidant.

After a journey of nearly seven hours, the car finally arrived in Bazhou City. Nie Zhenbang immediately said, “Xiao Wang, first go to the city government compound.”

Visiting the city government compound meant most likely paying a visit to Mayor Ding Aiguo of Bazhou City. Ever since his last falling out with Liu Wenqing, Nie Zhenbang had distanced himself from him. It was only expected. Having been stabbed in the back once, Nie Zhenbang wouldn’t look for more trouble. It wasn’t in his nature.

Even though it was already ten o’clock at night, Ding Aiguo wasn’t resting. As soon as Nie Zhenbang walked in, Ding Aiguo led him to his study. After Ding Aiguo’s wife poured a cup of hot tea for Nie Zhenbang, she tactfully excused herself.

Ding Aiguo smiled at Nie Zhenbang, “I received news today that you’re back northwest. I predicted you would come.”

Nie Zhenbang also laughed and said, “Mayor, I couldn’t wait. As soon as I received the approval, I hurried over to bring you the good news.”

The relationship between the two was well-defined by Ding Aiguo– a blend of mentor and friend. Unlike Liu Wenqing, who was extremely utilitarian, Ding Aiguo had a scholarly air about him.

Upon hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Ding Aiguo beamed. Although Ding Aiguo and others believed in Nie Zhenbang’s ability to obtain the approval, it wasn’t as simple as having money. The impact of a branch airport on a region and the massive support required from all quarters was immense. With the airport now a reality, combined with the under-construction railway that will run through Bazhou City, the city’s transport connectivity will be transformed. The impact on Bazhou’s future development was colossal.

After a moment of silence, Ding Aiguo nodded, “Good, good. With this airport, Bazhou gets the wings to fly high.”

After discussing the airport construction and related highway projects with Ding Aiguo, Nie Zhenbang took his leave.

After a night’s rest in Bazhou, Nie Zhenbang rose early the next day, well before seven. After the establishment of Xinli City, the distance between it and Bazhou had been reduced to just 30 kilometers. Once the government office of Ku City would have fully moved, the distance between Ku City and Xinli’s development zone would only be 15 kilometers. In addition, the national highway connecting Bazhou to Xinli City is under expansion. When completed, it would take no more than forty minutes from Xinli City to Bazhou.

Before eight-thirty, they had entered the development zone of Xinli City. Seeing walls built up in many areas, Nie Zhenbang couldn’t help but admire the pace of Xinli City’s progress– it was astonishing. In just half a month, several new businesses had opened up.

Nie Zhenbang suddenly told Xiao Wang, “Xiao Wang, let’s go see the businesses that Deputy Mayor Zhou has introduced here.”

Xiao Wang replied with a hum as they veered off Pear City Avenue and onto Unity Road. They pulled over in front of a wasteland under just a hundred meters away.

This left Nie Zhenbang somewhat puzzled– it was rather peculiar of Zhou Chen to have brought an investor to such a location in the first place– a location not yet fully developed.

Looking up at a sign hanging over the walled empty land, reading Changye Chemical Industry Northwest Co., Ltd. Xinli City Production Base Project Department, Nie Zhenbang frowned.

It was a chemical industry company, a choice not really in line with the development direction of Xinli City. However, Nie Zhenbang didn’t comment. Shortly after, they left for the next location, which was at the outermost edge of the development zone. Here, a range of undulating hills, one of the few in Xinli City, sprawled before them. But now, where there once was grass-covered land, there was a different sight.

A few large bulldozers were parked nearby, the entire hill had been dug up, exposing bare earth. Next to it, several sheds had already been set up. Overhead, a sign read Anchang Paper Industry Xinli City Co., Ltd. Production Base Project Department.

A paper factory here? Wasn’t this a typical example of exploitative development? It posed a massive environmental risk. Even more so, the irreversible damage caused to the groundwater could turn the area into a desert within a decade. Moreover, a paper factory was considered high-polluting. Nie Zhenbang had always strictly controlled and managed such businesses.

With these thoughts in mind, Nie Zhenbang’s face darkened. He instructed in a low voice, “Xiao Yi, immediately call the other comrades in the city and get them here at once.”

PS: 124 votes, 15 people rewarded, review tickets, recommendation tickets, a surge in all sorts of data. A heartfelt thank you for your support, brothers and sisters. I believe my resignation was worth it. Three updates for today, will try my best to write more tomorrow, working towards a burst!