Reborn as a Noble's Son

When the poll announcer called out the last vote, the room fell into silence. The result of the election was clear, without any suspense left. Out of the 313 People’s Congress representatives present, Bekri received a total of 247 votes. There were three abstentions, which meant Zhou Chen only received 63 votes. It was a crushing defeat.

As the host, Deputy Director Shi was taken aback for a moment. He then picked up the election results and walked towards the podium. In this situation, announcing the election results was not his duty. Whether or not Liu Wenqing of Bazhou Municipal Committee was present, it would be more appropriate for Nie Zhenbang, Secretary of Xinli City Party Committee and Director of its Standing Committee, to make the announcement.

Liu Wenqing felt a thousand emotions as he received the election results from Deputy Director Shi. The sudden departure of Tieli inevitably gave a sense of things being left unfinished. He had to decide whether to continue as directed by Tieli or to seize the moment and settle things peacefully while preserving his rapport with Nie Zhenbang. Liu Wenqing was in a difficult position.

Liu Wenqing could now guess that Tieli’s departure was undoubtedly related to Nie Zhenbang’s operations. Nie Zhenbang seemed to have a complicated background.

At this moment, Liu Wenqing made his decision and picked up the election results, announcing loudly, “I declare the results of the election for the Mayor of Xinli City People’s Government at the first session of the first Xinli City People’s Congress. The incumbent city government’s executive deputy mayor, Comrade Bekri, has received 247 votes in this election. The entire election process was in accordance with election laws. I now declare that Comrade Bekri is officially taking office as the Mayor and Secretary of the Party from the City Government.”

Vice Chairman Gu Weiguo of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee made a fleeting visit to Xibei Autonomous Region. He stayed in Xibei overnight before returning to Jingcheng.

At the moment, Tieli was in his office on the phone. The results of the election were out, and as expected, Zhou Chen had lost. This was Tieli’s first faction action since joining the Li family, and it ended in failure. Tieli was somewhat uneasy and worried about whether he could still get the support from the Li family.

His ethnic identity meant that Tieli could never reach the top. This was a disadvantage but also an advantage because Tieli had the opportunity to aspire to a high-ranking vice-nation-level position. According to the domestic system, there would always be a few minority leaders in the vice national level each term. This was an unwritten rule and also where his advantage lay.

“Chief, I’m really sorry about this,” was Tieli’s first line of apology.

The person on the other end of the line was a key figure in the second generation of the Li faction – father of Li Guohua, eldest son of the Li family, and current Politburo member and Secretary of the Hucheng Municipal Committee, Li Jiangshan.

Jiangshan paused before responding, “Comrade Tieli, don’t be discouraged. I find this incident rather positive. Regarding this election, I think Xibei can form an investigation team to examine it thoroughly.”

At this moment, Jiangshan was not the least bit angry. On the contrary, he was quite pleased. He saw Zhenbang’s move as immature. It was a perfect opportunity to take a swipe at Zhenbang and the second generation of the Nie family – Guowei and Guodong, who were merely passable. Once they suppressed Zhenbang of the third generation, it would not be easy for the Nie family to rise again.

Meanwhile, in Jiang Zhenquan’s office, Nie Zhenbang sat on the sofa, head lowered, while facing a visibly irritated Jiang.

“Bang!”

Jiang Zhenquan slammed his palm on the table and barked, “Nie Zhenbang, how bold of you. Overturning the superior’s intention, overturning the candidate appointed by the superior, just what are you trying to do?”

It was true that Zhenquan belonged to the Yang faction, and quite directly at that. He was personally promoted by Elder Yang during the latter’s many working years in Xibei. Zhenquan was now aware of the situation between Zhenbang and the Yang family.

But, despite the courtesy extended, what Zhenbang had done was audacious. No matter how far the issue escalated, even reaching the central authority, both Secretary Yuan and Premier Yun would likely take issue with Zhenbang. The principle of the party was simple – obey the leadership of the party organization. But Zhenbang’s move didn’t even take the superior into consideration. Regardless of how powerful his backing was, it was a grave taboo.

This was also the reason for Jiang Zhenquan’s fury at this moment. However, Nie Zhenbang did not dare to talk back to him now. Even though he had the support of the Nie family behind him, and even though he knew Jiang Zhenquan, who hailed from the Yang family, would not quarrel with him. But if he talked back, the situation would change.

Moreover, the relationship between Jiang Zhenquan and the Yang family was a symbiotic one, based on mutual interests. If Jiang Zhenquan was firm, the Yang family would have to compromise with him regarding Nie Zhenbang’s affairs.

Seeing Nie Zhenbang’s attitude, Jiang Zhenquan’s anger subsided considerably. Then he waved his hand and said, “You go first. Also, the Xibei Autonomous Region party committee, government, and People’s Congress are preparing to form a joint investigation team, and the Autonomous Region’s discipline inspection commission will also send an investigation team to Xinli City. You must prepare yourself mentally. You have no sense of propriety.”

As soon as he stepped out of Jiang Zhenquan’s office, the secretary of Li Yifeng, who had been waiting for a while, looked at Nie Zhenbang with a complex expression. The recent upheavals in the Xibei Autonomous Region had been caused by Nie Zhenbang, shocking the entire region. This was big news. A deputy departmental-level city had overturned the decisions of the autonomous regional government and superior party committee. Looking at Nie Zhenbang, the secretary felt a tinge of regret.

“Secretary Nie, hello, I am Secretary Li’s secretary, Secretary Li wishes for you to come over, please.” The secretary said politely to Nie Zhenbang.

Nie Zhenbang was a little downcast at this time. The Xinli City People’s Congress election incident was now the biggest news event in the entire Xibei region. Tieli, on the other hand, had held successive meetings with Lin Haikun, the Executive Vice Chairman, and other standing committee members of the Autonomous Region.

As for himself, he had been reprimanded by Jiang Zhenquan, and it seemed that an investigation team would soon be dispatched. Moreover, Li Yifeng had also taken the initiative to meet with him.

Thinking of Li Yifeng, Jiang Zhenquan was clear that in the two years he had been in Lixian, Li Yifeng had never actively sought him out. This was the first time, highlighting the severity of the situation. As of now, Jingcheng had sent no news, suggesting that neither his own family nor the Li family wished to make matters diverse. However, Nie Zhenbang still felt a heavy heart.

Upon entering Li Yifeng’s office, Li Yifeng’s face proved to be very serious. Before Nie Zhenbang could say anything, Li Yifeng gestured for him to sit down and said, “Zhenbang, you have been too impulsive this time.”

Li Yifeng, after all, is a disciple of Elder Nie and considered a true member of the Nie clique. Hence, his speech was more casual and less formal.

Looking at Nie Zhenbang, Li Yifeng sighed, “Zhenbang, this time, the old man is very angry. He even called me purposely. You’re usually a reliable person, steady and calm in your actions, and not the kind to be politically naive. In fact, you’ve handled several incidents very ably, earning the old man’s praise and attention. Even Elder Nan, and Secretary General Yuan have spoken highly of you. So why did you lose your head this time? Is it not exceedingly difficult to overturn the decision of higher-level leaders? By doing this, you’re endangering your political future.”

Taking a pause, Li Yifeng continued, “Zhenbang, tell me, even after electing Zhou Chen, your subordinates could easily have rendered him powerless, leaving him to just wear the title of mayor. Was it necessary to resort to such radical means?”

Nie Zhenbang remained silent, making no comment or taking any stand. Being a man means having principles, and he had believed this in the past. But now, looking at Zhou Chen and following the guidance of Li Guohua, it seemed that things could only get worse and even potentially undermine Xinli City’s sustainable development strategy. This was what Nie Zhenbang could not allow.

If it was just him, he would have gradually changed the mindset of the city’s officials leading Xinli City to become a model city. However, Zhou Chen and his development ideas were undoubtedly resonating with a considerable number of the current cadre. Therefore, even if Xinli City were to develop very well, it wouldn’t be the sustainable development strategy that Nie Zhenbang held in his heart – this was why he was intent on removing Zhou Chen.

“The situation in Xinli City is as good as can be for now. Things that have been done can’t be undone. Bekri’s appointment will be issued soon. However, I have suggested to the autonomous region’s party committee that they should send an investigation team to scrutinize you thoroughly. You need to be mentally prepared,” Li Yifeng said again.

This remark left Nie Zhenbang stunned. He had originally thought that the proposal for the investigation team was either from Tieli or from Jiang Zhenquan. He had not expected it to be from Li Yifeng.

However, thinking about it, Nie Zhenbang understood. By holding the power of investigation, they could ensure the utmost fairness and justice of the investigation team. In this way, it was, in fact, an indirect way of protecting Nie Zhenbang.

Nie Zhenbang then stood up and said, “Secretary Li, I understand. If there’s nothing else, I will return to Xinli City.”

Nie Zhenbang returned to Xinli City from Urumqi, and the Bazhou City Party Committee and Municipal Organization Department officially issued documents. They appointed Bekri as a member of the Xinli City Committee, the Standing Committee, and the Deputy Secretary of the City Committee, thereby fully equipping Bekri as the Mayor. Meanwhile, Zhou Chen was relieved of his duties as a member of the Xinli City Committee, the Standing Committee, and Deputy Secretary of the City Committee. The Standing Committee of Xinli City People’s Congress also recommended that Zhou Chen be relieved of his duties as the Deputy Mayor of Xinli City. Now, Zhou Chen could no longer stay in Xinli City.