Reborn as a Noble's Son

Liu Bin also nodded, “Old third, in terms of post, you are the senior, in terms of age, I am slightly older. You should also understand my temperament; I can’t call you third brother. From now on, I will call you old third. Wei Zi is right. Wang Hongyuan is not simple, Xu Hongzhuan and Huang Lasheng are his people, Tan Xiongbin’s attitude is also ambiguous. I see that you should arrange the position of Bureau Two as soon as possible. This will be a great advantage for you to control Division Five.”

Nie Zhenbang was happy at this moment, he hadn’t expected that there would be two sons of major families congregated in Division Five. To Nie Zhenbang, dealing with people within the circle, as long as they weren’t like Zhou Chen, was always pleasant. Furthermore, based on their way of talking and thinking, they did not seem brainless. On the contrary, their political awareness was sharp.

These two could be his own dependable strong arms in the future. After pondering for a moment, Nie Zhenbang also started considering in his mind, about the appointment of the head of Bureau Two.

Regular Department level staff. Currently, in his plans or, in his system, the appropriate people were not many. Yi Jun is considered one, but he had already arranged for Yi Jun. Therefore, he can’t readjust him. After thinking for a bit, a candidate emerged in Nie Zhenbang’s mind.

Zheng Gensheng, the deputy director of the Youth League Central Committee’s Spiritual Civilization Office. He is the earliest one who followed him. These years, without his support, although Zheng Gensheng has made achievements and is capable, he is still stuck in the same place. This should be impossible. There is only one explanation for such an outcome, it is that there is no one to promote Zheng Gensheng from the back. This indirectly implies, after he left, Zheng Gensheng did not attach himself to any other faction. Such a person is trustworthy.

Soon after, Nie Zhenbang also nodded, “Hmm, I have a little idea about the candidate for Bureau Two in my mind. You can rest assured. Old Liu, Wei Zi, both of you, assist me to get a firm control of Bureau One and Bureau Six, then I will have less to worry about. You two can go out first. Tonight, let’s get together at the Dynasty.”

After Liu Bin and Gao Wei left, Nie Zhenbang picked up the phone thoughtfully. Nie Zhenbang has a good memory, even though he left the Youth League Central Committee for more than two years, he still remembered the phone number clearly. A call went through after a while, a familiar voice came from the other end of the call. It was Zheng Gensheng.

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang spoke with a smile, “Old Zheng, do you still remember me?”

On the other end, Zheng Gensheng was struck dumb. Feeling a bit shocked, slightly unbelieving, after a while, he still couldn’t confirm, his voice was slightly trembling, “You, you are the young master?”

At this moment, Zheng Gensheng was filled with hours of excitement. After working under the young master in the Youth League for a while, when Nie Zhenbang was transferred out of the Youth League to take up a post in Xibei, Zheng Gensheng remembered the words Nie Zhenbang had said. Even though he waited for more than two years and didn’t wait for Nie Zhenbang’s call, Zheng Gensheng still persisted. This time, when Nie Zhenbang got transferred back to Jingcheng, just as Zheng Gensheng was feeling disappointed, he suddenly received a call from Nie Zhenbang. The ups and downs of life, receiving the call at the most disheartened moment, felt a bit like a drama.

“Haha, it’s been more than two years, Old Zheng, you still remember me, I’m a little embarrassed. No more bullshit, Old Zheng, I am now transferring to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, to serve as the head of the Fifth Division of Discipline Inspection and Supervision. Old Zheng, would you be interested to come and work with me? Presently, Bureau Two of Division Five is missing a Director. Given your qualifications, capabilities, and rank, I think you are quite suitable for this job.” Nie Zhenbang directly stated his intentions without any ambivalence.

On the other end of the call, Zheng Gensheng was somewhat elated. Working at the disciplinary committee, this is the best place to score achievements. Although, working at the disciplinary committee is not easy. Most of the time, it’s a political post after politicking. But, with the support from a person like Nie Zhenbang, Zheng Gensheng didn’t worry about these things at all. Immediately, without any hesitation, Zheng Gensheng agreed, “Third Master, there are no issues on my end. As soon as the transfer order comes, I can report over immediately.”

After finalizing with Zheng Gensheng, Nie Zhenbang then called Huo Qiuyuan. Being new here, he was not familiar with the personnel organization within the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, and other aspects. The matter of transferring Zheng Gensheng, could only be arranged for Huo Qiuyuan to handle.

As soon as the call was answered, Huo Qiuyuan’s hearty laughter came through, “Haha, Director Nie, calling me over, is there anything you need my assistance with?”

The nature of Huo Qiuyuan’s job is similar to the Secretary-General of the city committee. In the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, Huo Qiuyuan is like the housekeeper. He is also in charge of the affairs of the Bureau of Retired Veterans Affairs.

Nie Zhenbang had just reported for duty, and called immediately. It was clear that he had something on his mind. Huo Qiuyuan was still able to guess this.

Nie Zhenbang did not intend to be secretive and preferred straightforwardness in this matter. Immediately then, Nie Zhenbang also burst out laughing. At this moment, Nie Zhenbang humbled himself. Smiling and saying: “Hehe, Director Huo, there is indeed something I need your help with. The position of the Head of the Second Department of our Fifth Division has been vacant for a while, hasn’t it? I have a suitable candidate in mind – Comrade Zheng Gensheng from the Youth Civilization Office of the Central Committee. This comrade has served as a deputy bureau-level cadre for many years and has a lot of work experience in this area, with rich qualifications. I’m wondering, could I trouble Director Huo to assist in transferring Comrade Zheng Gensheng over to our side to serve as the Head of the Second Department?”

Upon hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Huo Qiuyuan was startled for a moment. This was a very normal request, and it would indeed have been strange if Nie Zhenbang had not made it. Immediately then, Huo Qiuyuan also smiled and said, “Is that so? Director Nie, rest assured. I’ll arrange it, and my estimation is that Comrade Zheng Gensheng can report to your side the day after tomorrow at the latest.”

While Nie Zhenbang and Huo Qiuyuan were on the phone, Xu Hongzhuan and Huang Lasheng, in Vice Director Wang Hongyuan’s office, wore faces of indignation.

Huang Lasheng, around thirty-six or seven years old, considered himself Wang Hongyuan’s direct subordinate. If Director Wang were promoted, wouldn’t he also be lifted high with the rising tide? Yet now his potential advancement had been hampered by Nie Zhenbang, his anger was understandably palpable.

“Director Wang, will you really just grin and bear this? After Director Huo left, I saw Liu Bin and Gao Wei hurriedly running to Nie Zhenbang’s office as if eager to show their loyalty. In the Division, Tan Xiongbin has always been noncommittal. I think we should swiftly prepare and arrange for the Head of the Second Department position. Otherwise, if Nie Zhenbang claims it, it will be too late,” said Huang Lasheng, expressing his concerns.

Wherever there are people, there are gangs. Wherever there’s an officialdom, there’s struggle. Different are the objectives, sizes, and reasons for the struggles.

Some struggle for status, some for the interests and futures of their subordinates. Some struggles are invisible, like the gentle showers of spring, continuous and unending. These kinds of struggles are generally benign, both sides adhering to a bottom line, not letting things get out of hand. But some struggles are fights to the death, where a slight misstep could lead to irreversible ruin and eliminate any chance of a comeback.

At this moment, the struggle between Wang Hongyuan and Nie Zhenbang was one of these invisible struggles, and the issue of the Head of the Second Department would directly determine Tan Xiongbin’s attitude and inclination.

If he were to lose this position, even if he still had Division Heads like Xu Hongzhuan and Huang Lasheng by his side, his influence would undoubtedly be reduced a notch.

Immediately then, after a moment’s consideration, Wang Hongyuan slowly said, “You two go on back first and make sure to do your own work well. When it comes to other matters, don’t worry about what you do not need to worry about. Priorities and personal interests must be correctly discerned. As for this matter, I will make my own plans.”

Watching Xu Hongzhuan and Huang Lasheng stand up to leave his office, Wang Hongyuan picked up his phone to call Cai Liqiang, the Minister of the Organization Department of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Right after the connection was made, Wang Hongyuan smiled and said, “Minister Cai, I didn’t mean to disturb you. This is Old Wang from the Fifth Division of Disciplinary Inspection. Yes, I wanted to suggest a candidate for our vacant department head position in the Second Department of the Fifth Division to Minister Cai. Do you have time for dinner tonight? We can talk and eat at the same time, what do you think?”

After hearing Wang Hongyuan’s intentions, Cai Liqiang gave a light smile. This Old Wang really thought highly of himself. It seemed, he had not given up hope for the position of the Head of the Fifth Division. He aimed to secure the loyalty of his subordinates to sideline Nie Zhenbang. While the idea was good, the reality might be cruel.

Immediately then, Cai Liqiang lightly smiled and said, “Old Wang, there’s no need for dinner. Just before you called, Old Huo had already brought up this issue with me. The candidate has already been decided.”

After pausing for a moment, Cai Liqiang decided to give Wang Hongyuan another reminder. Nie Zhenbang’s backing was not something he, Old Wang, could compete with. Vice Secretary Ouyang Xia personally appointed and transferred Nie in here, and he was properly arranged for straightaway. It could be said that he was fully escorted and protected.

Then, Cai Liqiang whispered, “Old Wang, there’s something I’m not sure whether I should say or not. The ability of Comrade Nie Zhenbang has been affirmed. Although he is new to the Commission for Discipline Inspection, it’s precisely why he needs the support of old comrades like you. You should keep your positioning accurate.”

Wang Hongyuan didn’t know what he was thinking. After hanging up the phone, he chuckled bitterly to himself. Nie Zhenbang has backing? so what? There’s no chance he will compromise at this point. It must be decided after a proper contest.