Reborn as a Noble's Son

With that thought, Nie Zhenbang started to have a headache. So many cases were coming to the Bureau of Discipline Inspection and several of its departments. It was as if all the corruption had huddled in Room 5. In reality, Nie Zhenbang had not considered that he was supervising six economically developed provinces and municipalities. Unlike future times, in this era where economic development was just beginning, the more economically developed regions were, the more susceptible they were to breeding corruption.

Afterwards, Nie Zhenbang promptly answered the call. Without waiting for the other party to speak, he took the initiative to say: “Secretary Qi, hello. This is Nie Zhenbang.”

However, to Nie Zhenbang’s surprise, Ouyang Xia’s hearty laughter came from the other side: “Haha, Zhenbang, congratulations on your marriage. I didn’t even get a wedding candy from you.”

Since it was Ouyang Xia who personally made the call, Nie Zhenbang was stunned for a moment, then also responded with a laugh: “Secretary Ouyang, look what you’re saying. I have long been prepared with wedding candy and cigarettes. Once the honeymoon leave is over, I will bring it over. Secretary Ouyang, do you have any instructions?”

Ouyang Xia is known for his straightforwardness, and at that moment even though Nie Zhenbang was on his honeymoon leave, that didn’t hesitate to call. This simple action sufficiently proved what kind of person Ouyang Xia was. At this very moment, Nie Zhenbang said, and Ouyang Xia did not beat around the bush, and promptly instructed: “Ah, Nie, you need to come over to my office right away. There are a few things I need to discuss with you.”

Given Ouyang Xia’s words, Nie Zhenbang certainly couldn’t dally. It was already four o’clock, but Ouyang Xia still wanted Nie Zhenbang to come over. Subsequently, Nie Zhenbang informed his wife and left by the elevator.

Half an hour later, Nie Zhenbang punctually appeared in front of the Bureau of Discipline Inspection’s office building. He went straight up to the twelfth floor to Ouyang Xia’s office, and upon seeing Nie Zhenbang’s arrival, Ouyang Xia smiled and said: “Here comes Nie, please sit.”

After Nie Zhenbang sat down, Ouyang Xia turned serious and said: “Nie, some time back, the Secretary General’s speech at the Central Discipline Inspection work meeting is something you had also studied. Afterwards, the State Council formally promulgated the ‘Interim Regulations on National Official Reception Standards’ as explicit support and affirmation for our discipline inspection work. However, this is not the end point.”

He paused a moment, then Ouyang Xia continued: “Just yesterday, the State Council, Central Organization Department, Bureau of Discipline Inspection, and various ministries in Jingcheng jointly discussed a cadre exchange plan. The country intends to dispatch large numbers of young middle-level cadres to the local cadre teams and circulate some local cadres to ministries, forming a cadre exchange cycle to deepen learning and deal with the current complex work situation and the increasingly severe anti-corruption situation. In light of this, the party group of our Bureau of Discipline Inspection has held a meeting to consider this. Secretary Aiguo personally presided over it and you’re going to participate in this exchange. The Central Organization Department hasn’t communicated with me yet about the specific location, but the exchange is a certainty. The main reason I called you here was to ask if you have any thoughts or opinions?”

Cadre exchange?

This news was shocking. Since the ‘Interim Regulations on the Selection and Appointment of Cadres’ were promulgated by the country two years prior, there was indeed content on cadre exchange in those regulations, but this seemed to be the first massive-scale exchange. In his recollection, the grand exchange of cadres between the East and West regions in his past life marked the beginning of the cadre exchange system. He feared this time he would need to start counting from this exchange.

Moreover, cadres who were being transferred were being closely examined and monitored by the country. Speaking frankly and without false modesty, potential future national leaders were being identified and selected from among these very cadres. This was a rare and exceptional opportunity, one he couldn’t possibly refuse.

Without further ado, Nie Zhenbang nodded and said: “Secretary Ouyang, thank you, and thank you to the organization for its confidence in me. I will firmly comply with the organization’s arrangements, and I am confident in facing new work and challenges. I will not fail to meet the organization’s expectations and cultivation.”

This year was a little special. In Huaxia, the tenure of national leaders, originally every five years, was reformed to every four years after the launch of the opening and reforming policy. Each national leader can only be re-elected twice. Calculating it, this year was the year of change. The re-election of President Yuan as the General Secretary had essentially been settled.

Moreover, Elder Nan had already withdrawn from a lot of affairs, epitomizing the maxim ‘different monarchs beget different subjects’. To maintain smooth government orders and unity from top to bottom, an appropriate adjustment was necessary and inevitable. This cadre exchange was President Yuan’s arrangement.

Ouyang Xia was pleased with Nie Zhenbang’s confident attitude and consequently nodded in appreciation, saying: “Good, the cadres coming out of our Bureau of Discipline Inspection should have such vigor. Public evaluation of a wife is based on her ability to manage both kitchen and parlor. As far as I am concerned, my requirement is that the cadres from our Bureau of Discipline Inspection should handle both discipline inspection work and economic development.Red arrow transparent. Having confidence is good. This matter is settled. I estimate that the Central Organization Department will get in touch with you and arrange for a meeting with you tomorrow. There’s nothing else on my end. You go to Secretary Aiguo. Secretary Aiguo has already instructed that you must go to him.”