Reborn as a Noble's Son

“Why, Secretary Zhang, what brings you here?” Nie Zhenbang was somewhat surprised. Zhang Chubin, having gotten his wish to be promoted as the Party Secretary of Li County, rightfully became the top official in Li County. As such, it was he who should be waiting in his office for a visit. Yet here he was, unexpectedly making a personal visit, full of grand gestures.

As the top official of the county committee and the newly-appointed Party Secretary, making a personal visit to the acting county governor in a public office setting was something that could quickly become the talk of the county within half an hour. Zhang Chubin was certainly giving face with this gesture.

“Heh, Director Nie, you must be overwhelmed with many affairs since taking office. Economic development in Li County is a top priority and now that you are in charge of the county government’s overall work, your schedule must be even more packed. On the other hand, I have less on my plate, so coming over to visit is only the right thing to do. Director Nie, do you have some time? I’ve been considering some strategies for Li County’s development and would like to discuss them with you,” Zhang Chubin said, very pleased with Nie Zhenbang’s surprised response. Surprised meant he took his visit seriously.

Zhang Chubin had personally proposed an exchange of ideas, and Nie Zhenbang naturally wouldn’t object. If he did refuse, he would be a fool. Now that the Party Secretary himself had lowered his stance and taken the initiative to visit, it indicated Zhang Chubin’s mindset – becoming the Party Secretary did not mean he was going to have any conflicts with the county governor over power.

Subsequently, Nie Zhenbang told him casually, “I’m glad you mentioned it because there are some matters that I need to discuss with Secretary Zhang. I planned to come to see you after this period, but it seems you’ve beaten me to it.”

Zhang Chubin also laughed heartily. A Party Secretary and a county governor could present a paradoxical relationship. The Secretary oversees the Party Committee, while the governor oversees the government. Even if they may seem to be on equal levels, within the system of Huaxia, the Party Committee is higher, thus there are bound to be disagreements between the county governor and the Party Secretary.

In many places, a Party Secretary and a county governor will openly feud, and in general, the county governor tends to yield. After all, the dignity of the Party Secretary needs to be maintained. When it reaches a point of no return, the one with the subordinate position usually suffers the most.

Zhang Chubin is a man who neither smokes nor drinks. During his tenure as the full-time Deputy Secretary of the County Committee, he kept a low profile. He never talked more than necessary, and so Nie Zhenbang didn’t have many dealings with him. Seemingly, all the negative office politics seemed unrelated to Zhang Chubin.

“Secretary Zhang, I am going to smoke a cigarette, if you don’t mind. It’s actually a bad habit of mine. Smoking is bad for one’s health,” Nie Zhenbang said. He had routinely pulled out a Zhonghua cigarette but then remembered that Zhang Chubin didn’t smoke, causing him to chuckle.

Zhang Chubin, with a smile, waved his hand and jokingly replied, “There is no harm. Passive smoking has become an accepted norm these years. Please go ahead, Director Nie.”

“Director Nie, the main reason I came here was to discuss some personnel affairs with you. The newly-appointed Secretary Xie Yi has already arrived in Bazhou City and will assume his position shortly. However, I personally believe that some members of the standing committee are not quite suitable for our current situation in Li County. Now, there seems to be an appropriate time for some adjustments,” Zhang Chubin warmed up the conversation, before revealing his actual intent.

At the moment, there were nine positions on the Standing Committee of Lixian County: Party Secretary Zhang Chubin, Acting County Governor Nie Zhenbang, Deputy Party Secretary Xie Yi, Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary Sun Kewen, Political and Judiciary Committee Secretary Zhao Kunlun, and Executive Deputy County Governor Ma Yunfang, whose position was temporarily vacant due to his departure, plus one more Executive Deputy County Governor which was left vacant by Nie Zhenbang himself. Adding the Organization Department Minister Xie Jiuda and Secretary of Chengguan Town, Huang Shuyong, the total was nine. Inside the Standing Committee, the Director of the County Committee Office, the Propaganda Minister, the Director of the People’s Armed Forces Department, and even the Minister of the United Front Work Department did not make the cut, which was clearly inappropriate. Previously, due to Lixian being a large territory with a small population under the jurisdiction of eight towns, it was, in essence, equivalent to a district under a county in inland. Under such circumstances, this arrangement was reasonable. However, with multiple economic projects in Lixian underway, such allocation was starting to seem unreasonable.

Yet, if the four people mentioned above were to be included, there would be 13 Standing Committee members, which seemed quite bloated for Lixian.

Nie Zhenbang now understood Zhang Chubin’s intentions. The new Party Secretary likely wanted the Director of the County Committee Office, the Propaganda Minister, and the Director of the People’s Armed Forces Department to join the Standing Committee, and then reduce the quota for Executive Deputy County Governor by one. This would bring the total number of Standing Committee members back to eleven.

But if this were to happen, the Director of the County Committee Office and the Propaganda Minister, who were clearly aligned with Zhang Chubin, would be joined by one less Deputy County Governor. How would Nie Zhenbang react to this? Would he interpret it as Zhang Chubin seizing power intentionally – causing a misunderstanding? This was most likely the reason why Zhang Chubin came personally in a humble manner: to dispel Nie Zhenbang’s worries with sincerity.

If agreed to, Zhang Chubin would at least have four votes from the Director of the County Committee Office, Propaganda Minister, and Organization Department Minister. This would solidify Zhang Chubin’s status in Lixian.

However, Nie Zhenbang was not very worried. Liu Wenqing nominated him for his current position and on the surface, he and Zhang Chubin were on the same team. Naturally, Zhang Chubin would not go too far. Furthermore, he could count on a vote from Xie Yi, who was unquestionably a loyalist of Cheng Xinhua, being an official who had originated from Ta County. The vacant Executive Deputy County Governor could also be his man. Having Wu Tianba around would make the Director of the People’s Armed Forces Department his man too. That was also four votes in his favor. So, he had nothing to fear.

Seeing that Nie Zhenbang was still hesitating, Zhang Chubin also gave a faint smile. He had anticipated this situation as it was right to think deeply before decisions regarding the structure of the standing committee were being discussed. Whoever took the initiative, dominates. It was only natural to think thoroughly in such matters.

Immediately thereafter, Zhang Chubin broached the matter again, “Director Nie, many vacancies have appeared recently at the county head offices. In my opinion, some of our comrades down there are apprehensive. I think it would benefit if we could hasten the appointment process and fill these vacancies. After all, doing so would greatly help to stabilize Li County.”

This was the condition Zhang Chubin offered. Agreeing to the adjustment and arrangement of the standing committee would imply that he would give up on his claim for the vacated bureau chief positions in the county head offices and hand them all to Director Nie. With Zhang Chubin’s endorsement, and their allied strength, filling these positions would not be an issue. All these department heads promoted under Nie Zhenbang, would serve him great purpose in his future elections and daily operations.

Though the standing committee was of importance, at present, Nie Zhenbang didn’t feel he was yet fully capable of controlling it. As long as he could retain a certain position in the standing committee, he would be content. Places in the county head offices seemed more significant to him. After a brief pause, Nie Zhenbang responded, “True, what Secretary Zhang suggests makes sense. As per the national convention, it’s only right that the Propaganda Minister, the County Party Committee Director, and the Director of the People’s Armed Forces Department join the standing committee. I concur that this proposal is excellent, it optimizes the structure of the county party committee. I must say, we all have much to learn from Secretary Zhang.”

Such is officialdom, though some words can be expressly stated, they are expressed in oblique ways, as though it’s necessary to highlight one’s leadership qualities. Of course, sometimes, leaders must take a firm stand. But when it’s difficult to do so, keeping the expressions ambiguous seems quite appropriate.

With his objectives met, Zhang Chubin appeared comparatively relaxed. Though they were both part of Liu Wenqing’s faction, he hadn’t received any information about Nie Zhenbang from Liu Wenqing. It seemed like Director Nie had fairly good relations with several city party committee leaders.

With the support and approval from the city party committee secretary, the mayor, and the executive deputy secretary of the city party committee, Zhang Chubin believed Nie Zhenbang possessed abilities beyond his reach. He reckoned being amiable was also reflective of one’s capabilities.

Zhang Chubin acted swiftly. At a point when the structure of Li County’s panel was still convoluted, the task of sidetracking only one standing deputy county grew easier.

Soon after, the city party’s standing committee issued another document. Party Propaganda Minister Xue Daming, Director of People’s Armed Forces Department Wang Shengdong, and County Party Committee Director Qu Feng were elected new members of the county party’s standing committee. The former director was transferred as deputy director of the county council. Zhang Chubin naturally did not wish to continue with Mo Zhihai’s people.

These series of actions took the staff of Li County by surprise, indicating a changed scenario in Li County.

At the border where Bazhou City meets Li County, leaders of the four major Li County Party Committee are already waiting. Zhang Chubin and Nie Zhenbang, standing at the front, have serious expressions. At a distance, a police car slowly approaches.

The police car turned back after handing over duties with the Li County police car. Following it, the car of Fang Gushan, Secretary of City Party Organization Department, came to a slow halt. Fang Gushan and a man in his early forties stepped out.

Zhang Chubin and Nie Zhenbang immediately stepped forward to welcome them. Zhang Chubin extended both his hands and said loudly, “Secretary Fang, welcome, welcome.”

This time, the welcoming team, comprised of powerful heads of the four main departments of Li County, seemed impressive. This left Fang Gushan very pleased. He wore a bright smile and said, “A year ago, I sent Secretary Zhang here to take charge. Three months ago, I sent Director Nie to take charge. Now, you both have become the landlords, and this time, I have brought another excellent officer for Li County. I believe that under the new team’s leadership, Li County will achieve even more admirable results.”

Talking, Fang Gushan beckoned, “Everyone, please get on the vehicle. We will first go to the county party committee. (