Reborn as a Noble's Son

However, on the surface, Nie Zhenbang was undisturbed, nodding with a smile, he said, “Hmm, this afternoon I need to make a trip to the Spinning Mill No.2 to hold a on-site office meeting to hear the suggestions of employees on the establishment of the Spinning Group. I am quite free now.”

This was Huang Junshan’s first time in Nie Zhenbang’s office. Unlike Fan Changsheng’s luxurious and classical office décor, Nie Zhenbang’s was entirely minimalist. In fact, the word ‘minimalist’ didn’t do it justice. ‘Simplistic’ was more like it.

“Minister Huang, would you prefer tea or boiled water?” said Nie Zhenbang warmly. This was part of Nie Zhenbang’s strategy – if he appeared cold and aloof, Huang Junshan might just turn on his heel and leave. After all, without the issue at hand, there wouldn’t even be any overlap between them.

Upon hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, a smile appeared on Huang Junshan’s face. Nie Zhenbang’s attitude put him at ease. So, in return, Huang Junshan deliberately acted casual and friendly, saying, “Tea will be fine. I’ve heard that Mayor Nie has quite a collection of fine teas.”

Nie Zhenbang gave a slight smile. With the connections and the background of the Nie family, not to mention the Elder, even his father and uncle received a significant allocation. Add to that the tea which Yang Anna and Dong Wan brought from time to time, boasting about the quality of the tea here was no exaggeration.

Nie Zhenbang personally brewed a cup of premium Longjing tea for Huang Junshan and handed it to him. Having Nie Zhenbang personally serve him—while containing a hint of showmanship— left Huang Junshan quite surprised.

“It’s a fine tea, and the tea set is one of the best purple clay teapots from our Zisha City. The only ordinary thing is the water used for brewing,” Nie Zhenbang casually remarked, while watching Huang Junshan. He then asked, “Minister Huang, what business do you have with me?”

If the small talk were to continue, Nie Zhenbang knew they could spend a whole day on meaningless exchanges – a common trait among domestic officials. Rather than wasting time with Huang Junshan, it was better to be direct and get to the point. There was no need for further pleasantries between them.

Sure enough, upon hearing Nie Zhenbang’s comment, Huang Junshan’s face revealed a hint of embarrassment. After adjusting his mentality, he finally revealed his intentions, “Mayor Nie, my main purpose in coming was to discuss with you the selection of the deputy director of the Municipal Public Security Bureau and the district governor of Xishan District. Do you have any suitable candidates in mind?”

Huang Junshan directly proposed two key positions. Nie Zhenbang was taken aback but also inwardly chuckled. It seemed that Huang Junshan was all in. While Huang Junshan was indeed the Minister of the Organization Department, under traditional practices in Liangxi City, he would have had to discuss these positions with Fan Changsheng. Now that Huang Junshan could offer these two positions, it would undoubtedly incur envy or even suppression from Fan Changsheng. When compared to his own position, though, these seemed minor.

The positions of a standing deputy director in the Municipal Public Security Bureau and the district governor of Xishan District were both crucial ones. No matter how important the other posts were, Huang Junshan dared not to propose them. Those were posts that would touch Fan Changsheng’s bottom line. After all, Huang Junshan was not foolish enough to risk offending Fan Changsheng for the sake of currying favor here — that would only lead him to a dead end.

After some contemplation, Nie Zhenbang replied with a smile: “Minister Huang, regarding the candidate for the position of standing deputy director of the Municipal Public Security Bureau, I think the recommendation of the Municipal Public Security Bureau itself is quite good. The Public Security Bureau is a unit with dual management, in my opinion, the Municipal Committee should fully consider the views of the Party Committee of the Municipal Public Security Bureau. This will also help to maintain team unity and reassure people. As for the position of the district governor of Xishan District, I think Comrade Xiong Wei, the head of the Municipal Water Conservancy Bureau, fits the bill.”

Huang Junshan nodded, feeling relieved. Nie Zhenbang’s remarks were tantamount to agreeing to his conditions. With this, Huang Junshan was not worried about Nie Zhenbang going back on his word. Huang Junshan then became much more relaxed than before, and replied with a smile, “That sounds good. After this People’s Congress, Comrade Luo Dayang of Xishan District will retire. I think we can consider letting Comrade Xiong Wei step in.”

“That would be ideal. Minister Huang, I suggest that the Organization Department pays a bit more attention to the restructuring of Qingfang City. The merge of the three factories has greatly increased the cadre system all at once. This entire restructuring is fully driven by market operations. It’s about time we break down those old-fashioned regulations and restrictions associated with the equity system reform. This is where you need to contribute more,” Nie Zhenbang spoke of Qingfang City now.

Inside the system, matters are handled thus. What should be a simple, straightforward issue, that can be clearly articulated and resolved, often becomes obfuscated during communication, with all parties insisting on beating around the bush. Perhaps some might see this as showboating, but at this time Nie Zhenbang has truly grasped the deep meaning within this way of communicating. It seems on the surface to establish a semblance of collaboration, but in reality, it leaves everything unsaid. Such is the advantage of this method of communication.

After Huang Junshan left, that afternoon when Nie Zhenbang arrived at the second Spinning Factory, all the staff members there were stirred up. The Factory Director of the first Spinning Factory being arrested was a satisfying event for the workers in all three factories of Qingfang City. In fact, when Nie Zhenbang was at the second Spinning Factory, many workers were vociferously demanding an investigation into the leadership of the second Spinning Factory by City Hall.

In the subsequent weeks, the investigations and audit work on the first factory accelerated. Wu Aijun, on witnessing his own safe and seeing his mistress Liu Ximei also being taken into custody, saw his defenses collapse. Many things about the first Spinning Factory spilled from his lips.

…

Three months had passed in Nie Zhenbang’s office, and in less than a week’s time, the two houses of the People’s Congress would convene, and Nie Zhenbang would decide at this conference whether he could remove the interim title.

Lei Dingguo sat opposite on the couch, holding a Panda cigarette in his hand, the whole person leaning against the couch smoking. Nie Zhenbang was sitting at his desk, reading a document. The more he read, the more shocking he found it, the more angry he became.

Based on Wu Aijun’s testimony and the evidence seized from the hidden compartments in his home, Wu Aijun, since the beginning of the 1990s, had been abusing his position as the Director of the first Spinning Factory. From importing equipment, building infrastructure, arranging staff members, and receiving bribes all the while, accumulating a staggering total of more than 4.3 million yuan. A piece of equipment worth no more than one million yuan on the market had been purchased by Wu Aijun for two million. All the leaders of the first Spinning Factory, starting from the director down to the chief engineer and chief accountant, were involved in the immoral feasting. It can be said that the entire factory’s leadership was rotten.

In addition, according to Wu Aijun’s confession, as a member of the Municipal Party Committee and Minister of Organization Department, Huang Junshan had accepted quite a few bribes in personnel appointments and dismissals at the first Spinning Factory. Even more, he had received numerous bribes from officers in both the second and cotton-spinning factories.

Bang!

A deafening sound echoed as Nie Zhenbang slammed his hand onto the table. This moment, Nie Zhenbang wore a serious expression, his tone filled with anger, “Lawless, just lawless. Secretary Ding Guo, I earnestly implore the Disciplinary Committee Department, based on Wu Aijun’s confession, to investigate the entire leadership team of the first Spinning Factory. Their corruption is rampant, the whole team is rotten. These parasites and scum, feeding on state funds, and the sweat and blood of the people, we will not tolerate them. We will not let them off lightly!”

The content of Nie Zhenbang’s words was also in line with what Lei Ding Guo wished to do. After a moment of thought, Lei Dingguo spoke calmly, “Mayor Nie, if we investigate according to Wu Aijun’s confession, I’m afraid that the entire leadership team of Qingfang City will be implicated, and potentially even the City Committee leadership team during this critical period of the Spinning Group’s share restructuring. The impact could be too broad and too severe.”

Lei Dingguo’s words brought Nie Zhenbang back to reality. Realizing the magnitude of this case and the repercussions it could have, not just for Liangxi City, but for the entire province was shocking, and possibly even more significant than the previous case that he personally investigated. If that happens, the Provincial Party Committee’s reputation will take a hit, and concurrently, both Fan Changsheng and himself may likely be greatly affected.

Such situations are common within the system, an action often referred to as “covering up.” At times, it’s not that one wants to cover up, it’s that one has no choice but to cover up. Were everything to be revealed, the consequences will be far-reaching, involving too many people.

Taken aback by this, Nie Zhenbang was caught in doubt. Proceeding with the investigation without considering whether he or Lei Dingguo could withstand the pressure. But even if they could, making the Provincial Committee play the waiting game could lead to unwanted consequences. Taking a moment to collect his thoughts, Nie Zhenbang resolutely stood up. If he lost even this measure of determination, he would be no different from any ordinary cadre. Constant compromise would eventually lead him to actively partake in corruption. Hence, Nie Zhenbang decisively stated, “Investigate! Secretary Ding Guo, this is not the time to cover up. We are in the process of transforming Spinning Group into a shareholding company. If we don’t root out these troublemakers now, the Spinning Group will never see the light of day. Investigate thoroughly, regardless of who it may involve or their rank. If there are repercussions, I will bear the responsibility.”

Pausing for a moment, he added, “At a time like this, nothing but the most decisive measures will suffice.”

Witnessing Nie Zhenbang’s unwavering stance, Lei Dingguo felt a surge of courageous spirit welling up within him. He nodded in agreement, “Alright. Proceed with the investigation, should there be any repercussions, we will shoulder it together.” ( – to be continued. If you like this story, please visit to recommend and vote, your support is my strongest motivation.)