Reborn as a Noble's Son

At this time, Jiang Zhenquan should be sleeping and resting, but with the matter of Li County, Lin Haikun estimated that Jiang Zhenquan might also be waiting for his own news. So, he made a call.

Indeed, after the phone rang twice, Jiang Zhenquan’s voice came through, “Comrade Haikun, how is the situation in Li County? The economic growth rate should be true, right?”

Listening to Jiang Zhenquan’s tone, Lin Haikun knew that perhaps Jiang Zhenquan had determined that there was no issue with Li County’s economic growth rate even before the investigation. Otherwise, Jiang Zhenquan would not be so sure.

Immediately, Lin Haikun also chuckled, “Secretary Zhenquan, the situation is really surprising. The report from the investigation team is completely different from Li County’s economic growth rate. Nie Zhenbang even concealed twenty percentage points of data. What do you think, should we continue to use Li County’s economic growth rate report, or should we use the report from the investigation team?”

Upon hearing Lin Haikun’s words, Jiang Zhenquan also laughed heartily over the phone. This result was also anticipated by him. The character of Nie Zhenbang is not the kind to show off when his knowledge is just half the story. His low profile, practical style made Jiang Zhenquan feel quite assured. At the time, after seeing Li County’s economic growth rate report, he affirmed that Li County must have some reservations, and it turned out to be just as he thought.

As for which data to report, after a moment of contemplation, Jiang Zhenquan made a decision. Since Nie Zhenbang and others reported that data, they must have their own considerations. Also, 77.3% and 97.5% may seem to be a significant difference, but in relative terms, there isn’t actually much difference.

Based on this, Jiang Zhenquan said in a deep voice: “Comrade Haikun, I think we should report using Li County’s economic growth rate. This time, our district’s report can list the economic growth rate of Li County separately. Then, submit it to the State Council.”

“Hmm, I think that’s appropriate, in addition, Secretary Zhenquan, regarding the Li County Economic and Technological Development Zone, I think that the Li County Development Zone has fully reached the standard of provincial-level Economic and Technological Development Zone. What do you think, can we consider listing the Li County Economic and Technological Development Zone at this opportunity?” Lin Haikun brought up again.

On this side, after some contemplation, Jiang Zhenquan also nodded and replied: “Hmm, I think that’s possible too. The development of Li County has now become a leading force, a symbol for our district. It’s okay for the district party committee and government to increase their support.”

After staying in Li County for three days, the investigation team left Li County. At the same time, Li County returned to its usual order.

In the meantime, at the district party committee standing committee meeting, an ordinary but not so ordinary standing committee meeting was being held. While it seemed ordinary, it was actually just a standard personnel discussion meeting of the district standing committee. However, it was not ordinary as this standing committee meeting also had some relation to Li County.

In the meeting room of the standing committee, Li Yifeng, the deputy secretary of the district party committee and concurrently the Minister of the Organization Department said, “Comrades, this meeting, in terms of the candidate for the standing committee of the Kerk City and deputy mayor of the city government, the District Party Committee and Municipal Organization Department have another candidate.”

Seeing all eyes focused on him, Li Yifeng didn’t feel the least bit uncomfortable. Basically, his candidacy would always be the focus of attention of all leaders in each personnel meeting.

As deputy secretary of the district party committee and concurrently the organization department director, Li Yifeng himself is also a central committee member. In Xibei, apart from Jiang Zhenquan, only he held this status. Even the autonomous district chairman, Tieli? Mehmet, is only a candidate for central committee. That’s the difference.

In terms of personnel appointment in the entire district, Li Yifeng’s authority is significant. Now, after several candidates, Li Yifeng brought up another person. Naturally, everyone focused their attention.

But at this moment, Li Yifeng spoke slowly, “For the candidate for the standing committee and deputy mayor of Kerk City, the organization department noticed another candidate while assessing the entire district’s cadres, the current Li County Party Secretary, Comrade Zhang Chubin.”

Upon hearing Li Yifeng’s words, everyone, including Jiang Zhenquan, was taken aback. As expected of Li Yifeng, he makes no move unless it’s a significant one.

At this point, moving Zhang Chubin away was indeed a good strategy. Zhang Chubin had taken full advantage of Li County’s political achievements, proudly ascending to the position of vice-ministerial level and additionally, becoming a deputy mayor of a prefecture-level city, he had indeed reaped great benefits. However, in essence, the next secretary of the Li County Party Committee was likely to be concurrently served by Nie Zhenbang, allowing him to enjoy the biggest piece of the Li County pie in the future. What a cunning move.

Jiang Zhenquan looked meaningfully at Li Yifeng beside him. At that moment, Li Yifeng’s face was calm, revealing nothing. Was this the intent of the Nie family patriarch, or was it Li Yifeng’s own decision? Jiang Zhenquan couldn’t figure it out. However, at this moment Jiang Zhenquan did not object and chimed in saying, “Comrade Zhang Chubin is indeed a good comrade, young and energetic. This time, the achievements in Li County are due to Comrade Nie Zhenbang’s personal responsibility, and this is inseparable from Comrade Zhang Chubin’s assistance. I think we can add some responsibilities to Comrade Zhang Chubin. A comrade like this with such capability should be utilized more. We need to be bolder, and can also take bigger steps.”

As soon as Jiang Zhenquan’s voice fell, Chairman Tieli coughed slightly and said, “I think Comrade Zhang Chubin, is still a bit too young. Being a deputy mayor of a prefecture-level city is no child’s play. I think we should approach this more cautiously. I suggest that he would be better suited as the Deputy Director of the Autonomous Regional Economic Committee.”

Tieli placed great importance on the selection of a deputy mayor for Kerk City, unlike the county-level positions. The county-level officials did not catch the eyes of these provincial and ministerial officials. However, the department-level officials were different.

Just then, the conference room door was suddenly pushed open from the outside. Secretary Tang poked his head in. Seeing Secretary Tang, Jiang Zhenquan was taken aback. The Autonomous Regional Party Committee Office Secretary General immediately walked over and whispered something in his ear.

As the office door closed, the Secretary-General stood up and announced, “Secretary Jiang, Chairman Tieli, and all the leaders present, we have just received a call from the State Council Office. The economic data of Li County has created a huge sensation at the central government. This county has been selected as a national model county. In addition, Deputy Prime Minister Tao from the State Council will personally visit Li County. The colleagues at the State Council Office just notified us to be prepared to receive and ensure the safety of Deputy Prime Minister Tao.”

Upon hearing this news, all the standing committee members of the Autonomous Regional Party Committee were shocked. Tieli’s face was even more pale. This news came too timely. Even the central government has been alerted and has been selected as a national model county. These honors are undeniable, and would provide a huge boost for Zhang Chubin at this moment.

Sure enough, Jiang Zhenquan was looking relaxed at that moment. Even Deputy Prime Minister Tao was coming for an inspections. This was an honor. Subsequently, Jiang Zhenquan calmly said, “I suggest that we vote on the nomination of comrade Zhang Chubin directly.”

Under these circumstances, both the party secretary and the deputy secretary agree, coupled with the attention of the central government, it would be hard to explain why someone who has made such great contributions as Zhang Chubin wasn’t promoted.

“Seven votes in favor, one abstention, three against. With the decision already made, I suggest Comrade Yifeng expedite the issuance of the Appointment Letter. Next, let’s discuss the accommodation and security issues during Deputy Prime Minister Tao’s visit to the Xibei region,” Jiang Zhenquan said lightly.

The decision of the Autonomous Regional Party Committee was quickly dispatched to the Organizing Department of the Bazhou City Party Committee. Comrade Zhang Chubin was being transferred to serve as Deputy Mayor of Kerk City. He was to report to the District Party Committee Organizing Department immediately for briefing before his new appointment.

Meanwhile, the city committee was also bustling with activity. The vacant position of Secretary of Li County Party Committee had already caught the attention of many, and Zhang Chubin’s rapid rise in ranks had made the officials in Bazhou City envious. From Deputy Secretary to Secretary, and then to the current Deputy Mayor and fully-fledged Vice Ministerial-level official. At this point, if one can take up a leadership position in Li County, promotion would be practically guaranteed.

The proud and ambitious ones were mainly vying for the position of County Party Secretary; the more astute ones had their eye on Nie Zhenbang’s office. In a short while, the whole of Bazhou City started to buzz with activity, with many party committee leaders receiving countless visitors.

At the city party committee meeting, Liu Wenqing’s expression was also very serious at this moment. After surveying everyone, Liu Wenqing solemnly said, “Comrades, Comrade Zhang Chubin’s transfer to Kerk City to serve as Deputy Mayor is an honor for our Bazhou city, and it also affirms the achievements and work done in Li County. However, the morale of the city officials is not good right now. People are anxious which I think is due to their petty personal interests. My suggestion regarding the choice for the position of Li County Party Committee Secretary is it should be determined as soon as possible. We have just received news that the date of Deputy Prime Minister Tao’s visit has been finalized, and he will arrive in Urumqi in three days. We should also start taking action.”

Having finished, Liu Wenqing turned his gaze to Mayor Ding next to him. Ding Aiguo understood and nodded, then coughed lightly and said, “I agree with Secretary Liu’s opinion. At present, the time seems a bit too rushed. My suggestion is that for the position of County Party Committee Secretary, I propose that Comrade Nie Zhenbang takes on the role and concurrently hold the position of County Mayor till the “two sessions” next year, when we can then consider the options for the County Mayor.”

Under the insistence of Liu Wenqing, Ding Aiguo, and Cheng Xinhua, the Bazhou City Party Committee quickly reached a consensus, assigning Nie Zhenbang as the temporary Li County Party Committee Secretary and acting County Mayor. Now, Nie Zhenbang effectively had control over both the party and the government in his hands.