Reborn as a Noble's Son

Nie Zhenbang looked calmly at Fan Changsheng, who was holding a cigarette that had burned down to the nub, enough for him to feel the heat in his fingers. It was then when Fan Changsheng became aware and put the cigarette butt into the ashtray in front of him.

Looking around at everyone, Fan Changsheng spoke in an indifferent tone, “This secretary’s office meeting is just a routine one. We’re discussing some proposals for the regular standing committee meeting. Unexpectedly, Mayor Zhenbang has proposed such a significant plan. I’m somewhat caught off guard. Let’s each express our views and speak freely. There’s no outsiders here, let’s unite in our thoughts and understanding before deciding whether to bring it to the standing committee for discussion.”

These words may seem plain, but they contain hidden implications. Uniting our thoughts before making a decision implies very clearly that I do not agree with this proposal.

Zhu Zhuozhen also frowned, pondering the true intentions of Nie Zhenbang. Although they had a good relationship due to the senior cadres affair, it was just that– merely good. It wasn’t an iron-clad alliance. Everyone was a key leader of the city committee. Apart from Fan Changsheng, the class monitor, there’s not much difference between other deputy monitors and regular committee members.

If this proposal is implemented, it would undoubtedly offend a large number of people. Nie Zhenbang is not foolish. He only proposed it after the people’s congress in March; otherwise, becoming the mayor would have been impossible.

What makes Zhu Zhuozhen uncertain is the last few sentences in the proposal – establishing a Supervision Leadership Group by the Organization Department in conjunction with the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission to monitor the implementation of work regulations among party and government officials. This is no trivial power. The Organization Department can determine whether someone has violated discipline with a single word. If implemented, the Organization Department would become a department everyone fears and flatters.

Zhu Zhuozhen hesitated because of this. Is Nie Zhenbang considering this for himself or for Sun Minghao? It is worth pondering.

Besides, Zhu Zhuozhen had heard that Sun Minghao went to Nie Zhenbang’s place yesterday. Today, this proposal was launched; saying there’s no inside story seems hardly realistic.

Huang Jiang took a more indifferent approach. Due to the particular nature of the political and legal works, this proposal has little effect on it. At most, it would impact things like official reception standards. Still, there are always other ways around.

As for Nie Zhenbang, Huang Jiang was unwilling to offend him. As the secretary of the political and legal committee, due to the presence of Chen Le, the chief of public security, Huang Jiang could see more things. Nie Zhenbang’s actions seemed brilliant and legendary, but they always carried profound meanings.

These were Huang Jiang’s in-depth findings. Many events seemed unfavorable at the time, but turned out to be incredibly correct. This puzzled Huang Jiang. Could Nie Zhenbang possibly have the talent for making extremely accurate predictions? Huang Jiang attributed these peculiar phenomena to innate talent. Some people are naturally cut out for politics.

Therefore, Huang Jiang had no objections on this proposal. After slight meditation, he said slowly: “Since no one else is speaking, then let me make a start.”

I generally agree with this plan. While it may potentially cause some disruption throughout the city, it holds vast significance in the long run for improving party-public relationships and the government’s positive image among the public. As a new idea emerges, it naturally creates a shock, just like state-owned enterprise reform. Growing pains are inevitable. But, won’t the rules on the use of official cars and inspections become somewhat excessive? Local comrades have to report and seek permission for working overtime or going out on study trips. Would this dampen the enthusiasm of grassroots cadres?”

Huang Jiang’s speech was quite clever. He first expressed his attitude, agreeing to the implementation of this plan, but then negated the guidelines for the use of official cars and inspections. He merely raised an opinion without any conclusive language. This was clever, so Huang Jiang wouldn’t offend anyone no matter the outcome.

After Huang Jiang finished speaking, Lei Ding Guo spoke up. Unlike Huang Jiang’s half-supporting attitude, Lei Ding Guo clearly supported the proposal.

Afterward, Zhu Zhuozhen shook his head slightly, “This matter involves too many aspects, once announced, I fear it will have a significant impact on the whole city, and it may severely damage the morale of grassroots cadres. I reserve my opinion.”

At this point, Fan Changsheng clearly saw that there was no further need for discussion. Lei Dingguo’s support, partial support from Huang Jiang, plus Nie Zhenbang, who proposed the plan himself, that’s two and a half votes already. Zhu Zhuozhen voiced objections, leaving only himself. Of course, if he were to use his veto power as the secretary, it could be immense. However, Fan Changsheng did not intend to use it. The veto right, a special privilege given to the heads of party committees at all levels, its deterrent effect is more significant than its actual use.

Also, in Fan Changsheng’s heart, he did not want the plan to be rejected here. Once this plan is out, Nie Zhenbang will certainly become a target. Fan Changsheng was indeed delighted by this. This is you putting yourself in opposition to the city’s cadres. Since you are keen on dooming yourself, I wouldn’t pull you back.

Then, Fan Changsheng nodded and said, “I suggest we put it up for discussion at the standing committee. I feel that the advantages of this plan outweigh its disadvantages.”

In the following standing committee meeting, Nie Zhenbang was somewhat surprised. Once the plan was put forth, Zhu Zhuozhen was the first to criticize. Considering the plan had already been implemented in the Xibei Autonomous Region and produced excellent results, grappling the conflicts among nationalities and accelerating the economic growth, it was impossible to oppose. Therefore, Zhu Zhuozhen decided to veto the proposals concerning official cars and inspection trips.

Afterward, Huang Jiang expressed similar sentiments. Subsequently, Ye Zhengwen, Wen Yuhe, Li Xiaoqin, Hu Youquan, and others on the standing committee all expressed the same attitude. Under these circumstances, Nie Zhenbang had no choice but to accept the resolution of the standing committee reluctantly. Although unwilling, his good plan to curb public expenditures was forcibly altered into a standard for official receptions.

Overall, it was due to his lower position in the hierarchy. Now, Nie Zhenbang came to understand the bitterness of politics. His plan’s miserable fate was primarily because his position was too low and it infringed on the rights and interests of vested interests. Every cadre in the city, including Fan Changsheng, used official cars as private cars, If this plan were really implemented, wouldn’t the leaders have to ride bicycles to work? Such a thing is at best a publicity stunt. If this was required daily, nobody could bear it, it was natural for the plan to be modified to the extent of it being a mess.

“Mayor Nie, don’t take it too hard, achieving the current results is already very good,” Lei Dingguo comforted him on the side.

Sun Minghao also nodded in agreement. This time, Sun Minghao witnessed Nie Zhenbang’s power in the city. At this moment, it was Sun Minghao’s best choice to collaborate with Nie Zhenbang. Nie Zhenbang couldn’t afford to make a mistake at this time. Sun Minghao echoed, “Mayor Nie, Secretary Lei is right. Governing a large country is like cooking delicate food. We can’t rush things. There will always be opportunities in the future.”

Nie Zhenbang waved his hand and said calmly, “Partners, it’s okay. I was psychologically prepared for this. You don’t have to worry. Now I’m considering how to implement the official reception standard. You know, there exist miscellaneous funds amongst the units directly under the city. How many can really be implemented is hard to say. Any system, its goodness is one aspect, but even the best system requires people to execute it. For this, I’ll need your help.”

Nie Zhenbang’s words were sincere, which accounted for the smooth sailing of his career within the system. The most important part is Nie Zhenbang’s lack of selfishness and his unparalleled sincerity. Thus, scrutinizers could not find any loophole or flaw in him. Neither intrigue nor treachery worked against Nie Zhenbang, which is why others fell flat.

After the interim regulations on the official reception standard were discussed and passed at the standing committee, the next day, the Liangxi City Municipal Party Committee and Government, the Organizational Department of the Municipal Party Committee, and the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission jointly issued documents to all four major organs across the city and the bureaus and committees directly under the city and the districts, cities, and counties below. The full text of the Liangxi City Official Reception Standard was published.

The issuance of the regulations caused an uproar among the city’s cadres. At the grassroots level, there was a lot of discussions, dissatisfaction, adaptation, and approval from those who had a deep understanding of Nie Zhenbang.

However, despite the uproar, the resolution of the municipal party committee clearly could not be changed. Moreover, the city’s determination was soon reflected concretely in the work. The day after the documents were issued, the Organizational Department jointed the Discipline Inspection Commission formally inaugurated the Supervision Leadership Group.

After a week-long adaptation period, the Supervision Group, with personnel drawn from both the Organizational Department and the Discipline Inspection Commission, formed pairs and conducted secret investigations throughout the city and counties below. Several instances of excessive receptions were caught on the spot, including a banquet which had no direct connection to official receptions and was merely a luxurious gathering of the unit’s leaders.

The behavior of these individuals were swiftly published in the Liangxi Daily along with the disciplinary outcomes from the Organizational Department. A negative record was added to these cadres. After three such records, they could be warned within the party. Naturally, no cadre would like this. Suddenly, the atmosphere in the city lightened a lot.

Since taking on the role of a secretary, Huang Xuyang’s family moved from their old house in Tongsheng Lane, Xishan District, to the municipal government residential area. Under the personal arrangement of Yi Jun, a three-bedroom house was allocated to Huang Xuyang. Meanwhile, Li Fen’s work was also arranged – she was specially accommodated and assigned to work in the Women’s Federation.

All of this was brought to him by Nie Zhenbang. This point was very clear to Huang Xuyang. Therefore, Huang Xuyang put his heart and soul into his work.

Knocking on the door and walking into the room with a cup of tea, Huang Xuyang placed it on the office table and said, “Mayor, I heard that a dozen City People’s Congress representatives co-wrote some materials and submitted them to the province. They claim that the official reception standard you promoted has disrupted the normal working environment in Liangxi City. They requested that the provincial party committee veto it.” (.)