Reborn as a Noble's Son

This left Yi Jun somewhat confused. As Nie Zhenbang’s secretary, Yi Jun could guess that Nie Zhenbang’s anger was probably focused on the pollution and high energy consumption of the paper mill. However, deep down, Yi Jun did not quite understand why Nie Zhenbang insisted on sustainable development and environmental protection. From Yi Jun’s point of view, it seemed that Nie Zhenbang had reached a level of near-obsession.

In New Li City, many cadres share similar views with Yi Jun. In their perspectives, Zhou Chen’s move is a clear show of capability. The more factories and businesses there are in the development zone, the better New Li City will develop. As for environmental protection, pollution emissions, and future matters, it seems that no one has given them much thought. This is a kind of collision of ideas.

Despite his bewilderment, as Nie Zhenbang’s secretary, he had no choice but to stand firmly on his leader’s side. This is an attitude a secretary must have.

As Yi Jun began making phone calls, the entire leadership of the New Li City committee hastened over. At that moment, Zhou Chen just started his work. Recently, Zhou Chen has accepted the suggestion from his secretary, Zhou Wang and specifically consulted with his brother, who also agreed. Since Nie Zhenbang’s prestige comes from his political achievements, Zhou Chen also needs to create his own political achievements to stand a chance against Nie Zhenbang. Therefore, Zhou Chen had been working diligently recently. However, just as he started his work today, he received a call from Qu Feng, the secretary-general of the City Committee’s Office. Nie Zhenbang had returned and was now waiting for the City Committee’s leaders at Anchang Paper Industry in the development zone.

When Zhou Chen heard about Anchang Paper Industry, his brows furrowed. What the hell was Nie Zhenbang playing at? Was he trying to make trouble for himself again? Zhou Chen sneered, swearing to himself, “I don’t believe it. I’ve been devoted to the development of New Li City, helping Nie Zhenbang gain achievements, and yet I’m the one in the wrong?”

Zhou Chen then stood up and ordered, “Xiao Zhou, prepare the car. We’re going to Anchang Paper Industry.”

By the time Zhou Chen arrived at Anchang Paper Industry, four or five cars had already parked by the roadside. Members of the City Committee including the Minister of Propaganda, Yan Fengjiao, the secretary of the Development Zone, were all present. After Nie Zhenbang became the secretary of the City Committee, he appointed Yan Fengjiao as the Work Committee Secretary in the following personnel adjustment. Of course, Yan Fengjiao’s position as the director of the Management Committee was given to the Party Secretary of Shengli Township, Leng Guohua. These people were now key figures and mainstays in Nie Zhenbang’s New Li City system.

Next to them, executive deputy mayor Bekri, deputy mayors Lin Weimin and Li Lin had all arrived on the scene; Zhou Chen was the last one to arrive as always.

However, this time, Nie Zhenbang did not lose his temper. After all, Zhou Chen was notified at the last minute and he was presently outside, so there wasn’t really an issue about him being late.

The moment he spotted Zhou Chen, Nie Zhenbang addressed him directly, “Vice Mayor Zhou, I hear that this Anchang Paper Industry was personally introduced by you. I wonder if the environmental assessment of this paper mill has been passed. Also, why choose to set up the factory in such a location, as this will pose a huge challenge for the future discharge of pollutants. Furthermore, what’s the story with the chemical industry? The introduction of so many high-pollution enterprises at once will cause an unpredictable loss to New Li City’s environment.”

Listening to Nie Zhenbang’s words, Zhou Chen seemed indifferent. What’s all this talk about high pollution, emissions control, and cares for these matters? Both enterprises were personally introduced by Zhou Chen. According to his promise, every related procedure would be assisted entirely by the New Li City government.

With Zhou Chen’s directive, everything naturally went smoothly. After all, the head of the Environmental Protection Bureau wouldn’t dare disregard the Deputy Mayor’s face, would he?

Immediately after, Zhou Chen responded in a deep voice, “Secretary Nie, what do you mean by this? When the factories come in, they will definitely have their own detailed planning measures. The attitude of our city committee and city government should be to provide good logistical support for these entrepreneurs. If you scrutinize everything like this, I’m afraid that even with a hundred years, the development zone of New Li City wouldn’t have achieved what it has today.”

Zhou Chen’s tone was also not very friendly. As far as he was concerned, Nie Zhenbang was deliberately targeting him everywhere, clearly downplaying his achievements and out for revenge. Under such circumstances, Zhou Chen would not give in.

Since Nie Zhenbang was going to take it personal, let him. Zhou Chen didn’t care; after a few rounds of this, Zhou Chen’s prestige would be gone.

Next to him, Deputy Mayor Bekri also spoke: “Secretary, could it be that severe? There are chemical factories and paper mills in many other places too.”

Bekri did not quite understand the implications of Nie Zhenbang’s words, although he was currently in a hostile competition with Zhou Chen. But that did not mean he was completely unprincipled. On this issue, Bekri did not think that Zhou Chen was wrong. Hence, he voiced his doubts.

Nie Zhenbang paused, and at this moment, Nie Zhenbang felt a sudden realization. He looked around at Lin Weimin, Yan Fengjiao, Leng Guohua, and others around him. Even though his direct subordinates hadn’t spoken out to refute him, judging from their expressions, they probably shared the same sentiments. It was evident that this was why after Zhou Chen’s introduction of these companies, not a single person in the city had come forward to oppose it. In the end, it was all about a change in mindset.

At this point, the mindset among the leaders was quite simple; boosting the economy and promoting development were the main themes and priorities. As for pollution, environmental destruction, and ecological balance, they were considered insignificant, no one cared about those things. Nie Zhenbang’s concept of sustainable development might receive praises from Secretary-General Yuan and Premier Yun, and approval from the central government’s leadership, but it didn’t mean it could work at the grassroots level. In this era, pioneers were rare. At least, New Li City didn’t have such an extraordinary individual.

Nie Zhenbang’s expression darkened, he said sternly, “Comrades, we need to push for economic development. But my premise is that we do so without destroying the local environment. This includes Dragon Hua Mining as well; don’t you remember the agreement that Long Hua Mining had signed with our city expressly included a clause about environmental restoration?”

After a pause, seeing a thoughtful expression on everyone’s faces, Nie Zhenbang said again, “Development should not come at the expense of consuming the living space of future generations. This is the concept of sustainable development. I am not disagreeing with Deputy Mayor Zhou’s introduction of these businesses. Nor am I saying it’s wrong. What I mean is rather simple – strict environmental assessment. Any business that wishes to establish itself in New Li City must comply with our city’s rules. I don’t want to pursue development at the expense of the environment. I don’t want to see our city’s green mountains and rivers turn into a desert, polluted with smog in ten or twenty years. By then, we would be blamed by the public.”

With that, Nie Zhenbang looked at Zhou Chen and said, “Deputy Mayor Zhou, would you please complete the environmental impact reports for these two enterprises again? We can regard them as enterprises of New Li City only after they are formally approved by the environmental assessment. Otherwise, I’m firmly opposed.”

Nie Zhenbang’s attitude was filled with a sense of assertiveness that left no room for doubt. Zhou Chen could obviously feel that Nie Zhenbang, after his trip to Jingcheng, seemed less gentle but more assertive than before.

After Nie Zhenbang’s departure, all his direct subordinates, like Yan Fengjiao, Lin Weimin, Leng Guohua, and Li Lin, left one after another.

With a complex expression on his face, Deputy Mayor Bekri looked at the ground-breaking Anchang Paper Industry and soon drove away. At this moment, Bekri felt a turmoil in his heart. He understood what Nie Zhenbang meant. Development in New Li City was bound to take a different path as compared to other places. This thought also excited Bekri. From Nie Zhenbang’s attitude towards Zhou Chen, Bekri seemed to see a glimmer of hope.

Back in his office, Bekri immediately instructed his secretary, “Go to the archives and bring back all of Secretary Nie’s speeches in the past two years, also, get me the business data from last year.”

Being able to reach the current position wasn’t a work of a fool to Bekri. He felt, Nie Zhenbang’s attitude was definitely one to be pondered upon. If used well, it seemed like it could be a possible turning point.

Bekri spent the entire morning studying Nie Zhenbang’s speeches and analyzing the corporate data of New Li City. He discovered an issue. In those investment projects in New Li City, Farmer Welfare Company, and some other agricultural companies had the lowest barriers and received the most support. Contrarily, for highly polluting companies in the paper-making, pharmaceuticals, and mining industries, Nie Zhenbang’s attitude was quite rigid. Previously, a paper-making company had undergone two revisions in its environmental pollution control approach.

Upon seeing this, Bekri gasped; it was truly the path of sustainable development. This ran counter to the conventional mindset. He wondered if anyone else at the city level could appreciate and grasp Nie Zhenbang’s forward-thinking approach. If he could take the initiative, would he feel differently to Nie Zhenbang? The thought of this set Bekri’s heart ablaze. If he could gain Nie Zhenbang’s approval, then turning the tables at the last moment wasn’t impossible after all.

At this moment, Bekri couldn’t sit still anymore. He immediately stood up and said to the outside, “Shao, stay here for a while, I’m going to the Municipal Party Committee.” (To be continued. If you like this novel, please vote for it on . Your support is my greatest motivation.)