Reborn as a Noble's Son

After Zhu Zhuozhen left, Nie Zhenbang sat for a while and then prepared to leave. At this time, there was the sound of a door opening from outside. A young man, around 28 years old, walked in.

Between his brows, one could vaguely see a resemblance to He Dingbang. Nie Zhenbang was deep in thought at this moment. Considering He Dingbang’s age, which was around 76 or 77, this man couldn’t be his son; it appears he was He Dingbang’s grandson.

The young man paused, then greeted Nie, “Mayor Nie.”

At his side, He Dingbang introduced with a smile, “Mayor Nie, let me introduce to you, this is my grandson, He Qingjun, he’s 28 this year. Currently, he’s working at the City Public Security Bureau’s Criminal Investigation Division.”

Speaking, He Dingbang said with a stern face, “Qingjun, Mayor Nie and I, we relate as uncle and nephew, strictly speaking, you should call Mayor Nie uncle.”

Upon hearing this, both Nie Zhenbang and He Qingjun were stunned. It was clear from He Qingjun’s face that he was slightly embarrassed. If Nie Zhenbang were in his thirties or forties, it would be understandable. But Nie Zhenbang was even younger than him. Asking him to call him uncle, Nie Zhenbang himself would find it a bit awkward.

Next to him, Nie Zhenbang also said with a smile, “Secretary He, I think you don’t need to force it. By age, I’m even a year younger than Qingjun. Let’s leave things as they are, you don’t need to worry about this.”

Hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, He Qingjun obviously breathed a sigh of relief. Calling Mayor Nie, or anything else, He Qingjun didn’t mind, after all Nie Zhenbang’s status was there, it was expected. But if he had to call him uncle, it would be a bit strange.

“Ha-ha, Mayor Nie has already said so. I have no problem with it, everything should go according to Mayor Nie.” He Dingbang chuckled and readily agreed.

After saying these things, He Dingbang suddenly said, “Qingjun, go and brew a pot of Longjing tea.”

Once He Qingjun left, He Dingbang turned serious, “Mayor Nie, since your tenure in our Liangxi City, I’ll be honest, I had doubts and worries at first. But after getting to know you during this period, I feel that you are different from other cadres.”

At this point, He Dingbang’s face was very serious. Nie Zhenbang pondered, He Dingbang’s words had deeper meanings. Different from other cadres, there were many implications to interpret here. It could be his persistence and determination on the matter of the cadre system. It could also be the confrontation between him and Fan Changsheng, the secretary of the municipal party committee, and Li Guohua.

However, what He Dingbang truly meant, Nie Zhenbang was trying to figure out. After thinking for a while, Nie Zhenbang also said with a smile, “Secretary He, you flatter me. I have always held one attitude, to have a clear principle about what to do and what not to do.”

He paused for a moment and continued, “Secretary He, in my opinion, people only live once, as do grass and trees. In being a person, you can’t just think about yourself, you have to do something for this society, this country, this nation. It’s not about leaving a lasting legacy or immortalizing your name in history. At the very least, you have to be accountable to your brief life.”

If this was said during He Dingbang’s tenure, he would definitely scoff at such words from Nie Zhenbang. However, since his retirement, after experiencing the warmth and coldness of human relationships and contemplating life, He Dingbang’s views and attitude had changed.

Now, in the face of Nie Zhenbang’s words, He Dingbang neither despised nor scorned them but rather had a sense of admiration and approval.

He Qingjun also entered the room at that time, placing a pot of Longjing tea on the coffee table before courteously taking his leave. As He Dingbang’s grandson, He Qingjun naturally knew that at this moment, He Dingbang and Nie Zhenbang certainly had much to discuss.

Once He Qingjun left, He Dingbang started with a smile, “Mayor Nie, the tea is not good. I did not prepare any special teaware at home. It is quite embarrassing.”

Saying that, He Dingbang poured a cup of tea for Nie Zhenbang, then spoke again, “Mayor Nie, although I have retired for two terms now, almost eight years, I am still aware of the situation and various matters in this city.”

He Dingbang was not boasting. As he knew him, ten years ago, He Dingbang left the position of city party secretary, but continued to hold the position of the director of the Liangxi City People’s Congress Standing Committee until four years ago. Moreover, based on his understanding of He Dingbang, he was not an unwarranted person. He would not make such a statement without any basis or strength.

Nie Zhenbang also responded with a smile, “Secretary He, you’re modest. Who doesn’t know you? You served Liangxi City for a lifetime. If it wasn’t for your two terms as the Party Secretary and your term as the Director, strenuously controlling the helm and ensuring the economic construction of Liangxi City, the achievements we have today would certainly not exist.”

Everyone loves to hear flattery. Especially when it comes from someone of Nie Zhenbang’s status, it carried a lot of weight. Moreover, He Dingbang was now an official free from the burdens of power. There was no need for Nie Zhenbang to flatter him, making the words more sincere.

He Dingbang chuckled and replied, “Oh, let’s not mention it. Let’s not dwell on past glories. The old stories need not be told again. Now, the development of Liangxi City relies on you, Mayor Nie.”

Pausing slightly, He Dingbang’s demeanor became more serious, changing the relaxed atmosphere. He said with a slight smile, “Mayor Nie, you don’t need me to recount the current situation of the city to someone as wise as you. However, I think you should communicate and connect more with Comrade Tan Miaozhen, the head of the Municipal Personnel Bureau, Comrade Xiong Wei, the head of the Municipal Water Conservancy Bureau, and Comrade Lu Wu, the secretary of the Guicheng District Party Committee.”

As he said this, He Dingbang observed Nie Zhenbang’s expression. These three, his trusted subordinates, were all in their forties and were at their peak. With potentially ten more years in their political careers, this could be quite a support if Nie Zhenbang utilized them well. And for himself, he was providing a good path for his subordinates.

In the eight years from his retreat to retirement, many of his immediate subordinates have either been transferred out of Liangxi to other cities in Jiangbei Province, or they have retired. There are only these three senior officials left in Liangxi City now, which is quite an achievement. Positions like the Personnel Bureau and the Guicheng District Party Secretary are crucial. This demonstrates He Dingbang’s abilities. Under the strong suppression of Fan Changsheng, He Dingbang could still maintain such strong power, which was not easy.

However, Nie Zhenbang showed no excitement or surprise on his face, as if this was a trivial matter, which earned some admiration from He Dingbang. Nie Zhenbang had come so far at his age due to his abilities. Does Nie Zhenbang need these people? Of course, he would. He brought only two people with him, Chen Le, the head of the Public Security Bureau, and Yi Jun, the deputy secretary-general of the municipal government. Although their help was not small, their power was still rather limited. Nie Zhenbang maintained such composure even though he needed more help. This sense of stability was not something everyone possessed.

After a pause, He Dingbang decided to get straight to the point. He then said with a smile, “Mayor Nie, as you know, I’m getting old and cannot seek power anymore. Nevertheless, I still need to speak. These comrades have all grown up under my watch. Comrade Lu Wu even served as my secretary previously. They’re all capable, and I believe they will be of great help to your future work.”

Listening to He Dingbang’s words, Nie Zhenbang contemplated. He Dingbang emphasized these people twice, showing his resolve. At this moment, this seemed to be He Dingbang’s entrustment of his own people to him. On one hand, He Dingbang himself no longer had the strength. On the other hand, it was a help for these people’s future.

Of course, this was also a great advantage for him because their joining would greatly promote his work in Liangxi City. Thinking of this, Nie Zhenbang said, “I trust Secretary He’s words. Since these comrades have Secretary He’s approval, they must be the right choice. I’ll find some time tomorrow to go to Guicheng District for an inspection.”

Just as he finished speaking, Nie Zhenbang’s phone rang.

PS: Paying back debts!! I owe you updates. Starting from tomorrow, I will put out full effort to make up for missing updates. (.)