Reborn as a Noble's Son

Chapter 587: Chapter 543: The New Star in Politics (Fourth Update, Asking for Monthly Ticket)_1n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Governor Qiao and his team, of course, did not require special arrangements from Nie Zhenbang. The Jingcheng office of Minan Province also has its own property in Jingcheng. The Minan Building is the place where the Jingcheng office of Minan Province is located.

After escorting Governor Qiao and his party to this place, Nie Zhenbang excused himself to leave. This time, Governor Qiao entrusted such an important task to him, and Nie Zhenbang was naturally very moved. He has reached the level of minister or vice-minister. It is crucial for him to establish connections with people at the same level. As the Deputy Secretary and Mayor of Wanghai City, Nie Zhenbang may be transferred to other provinces as deputy leadership at any moment.

This is a big drawback for Nie Zhenbang’s team. He was too young, a deputy leader at the age of thirty. His subordinates were all around his age. Not everyone can rise in rank as fast as Nie Zhenbang. One of the reasons that one person gets promoted so quickly is Nie Zhenbang had the backing of leadership and strong connections, on the other hand, Nie Zhenbang has achieved a lot on his own capabilities. This also serves as a benchmark for elevation.

However, others are not as conspicuous as Nie Zhenbang. People like Yi Jun, Chen Le, and Yan Fengjiao, those who have reached the department-level officials, are already considered very young talents.

If even subordinates reach this level, political balance would be broken. This is something that other families in Jingcheng will never allow.

Now, the opportunity Qiao Yiren is giving Nie Zhenbang to organize and prepare allows him to leave a lasting impression on the senior officials of other provinces and cities. It’s a good start and highly beneficial for Nie Zhenbang to build his own connections.

For the venue of the six-province liaison meeting, Nie Zhenbang was considering the Capital Restaurant and the Asia-Europe Castle Manor.

“Ju Peng, what do you think, should the meeting be held at the Capital Restaurant or at Asia-Europe?” These two places each had their own pros and cons, and Nie Zhenbang was feeling a bit indecisive.

This trip to Jingcheng surprised Li Jupeng greatly. The tremendous energy that Mayor Nie exhibited took him aback. Back in Wanghai City, Mayor Nie was courteous, modest, and careful. He maintained a low profile among his team. However, after seeing the resources behind him, Li Jupeng was amazed. His wealth of resources made even Li Taishi back off.

During this period, Li Jupeng was earnestly trying to adjust his mindset. After some contemplation, he slowly replied, “Mayor, I think we should choose Asia-Europe.”

Li Jupeng’s choice surprised Nie Zhenbang, and internally, he also inclined towards Asia-Europe. By saying this, he was purposely trying to cultivate Li Jupeng. As his position grows, as his secretary, whether he will be delegated or rise along with him, necessary political wisdom is required. It’s also a good idea to start developing Li Jupeng’s ability now.

“Give me a reason, why should we choose Asia-Europe?” Nie Zhenbang looked at Li Jupeng with a smile, there was an encouragement in his eyes.

At this moment, Li Jupeng braved up and replied, “Mayor, I think it would be easier for the leaders from different provinces to accept it if the venue is in Asia-Europe. The administrative atmosphere of Capital Restaurant is too strong.”

Seeing Li Jupeng had nothing more to say, Nie Zhenbang sat up straight. Li Jupeng’s opinion made some sense, but it was still limited. Generally, his level and status defined his worldview, Li Jupeng’s couldn’t fully grasp everything. But even so, Nie Zhenbang was already satisfied.

Then, he nodded and said, “Right. From the perspective of equal communication, choosing the Capital Restaurant may give the leaders of other provinces a sense that Minan Province is taking the lead. The Capital Restaurant has a strong bureaucratic atmosphere. Comparatively, it would be less formal at Asia-Europe as it’s a private club. This would give them a sense of equality. That’s one reason.”

Secondly, Capital Restaurant is the most concentrated place for Huaxia officials. Every evening, no less than a hundred officials and cadres come and go from this place. The liaison meeting of six cities and provinces would unquestionably make quite a stir. Anyone who wants to know can easily find out what’s happening. In that case, the high-speed matter would lose its advantage. Asia-Europe has much stronger confidentiality.

At this moment, Li Jupeng was listening to Nie Zhenbang’s explanation. A look of sudden realisation appeared on his face, “Mayor, I understand now.”

For Nie Zhenbang, arranging the venue at Asia-Europe wasn’t a problem at all. Based on his relationship with Yun Zhiguang, even though they weren’t close friends, they were people from the same circle in Jingcheng. He had enough face in those regards. Soon, he leased a private villa in the Asia-Europe Castle. This will be the venue for the liaison meeting of the six provinces and cities tomorrow.

The next afternoon, around four o’clock, Nie Zhenbang had already arrived here from the Minan Provincial Office in Jingcheng. He began arranging and setting up. For the menu, he didn’t choose a Western-style banquet, but according to domestic traditional eight major cuisines. After considering the dietary habits of the leaders from the six provinces and cities, he eventually chose some classic signature dishes from the Bashu and Chunan cuisines.

In terms of alcohol, he didn’t use any special offering of Maotai. These people have seen the world, and if that kind of liquor is used, it may create a bad impression. People might think he’s showing off or trying to intimidate. Therefore, regarding the choice of white wine, Nie Zhenbang chose the most common thirty-year-old Maotai.

All the furniture in the large living room on the upper floor of the villa had been temporarily cleared away. Around the perimeter of the room, single-seat sofas were arranged, each separated by a coffee table, forming a circle in the center. There were no clear seats of honor. It resembled the kind of reception room seen on television, where party and national leaders welcome foreign guests.

This arrangement had a benefit: Without a hierarchy marked by seating, there was no room for questions about who would be the host or which province would take the lead.

Around seven in the afternoon, Nie Zhenbang and Zhao Qiming, the serving deputy provincial governor, were already waiting at the main entrance. Meanwhile, six black cars arrived in a procession from outside.

This arrangement was pre-agreed between Nie Zhenbang and Yun Zhiguang. Normally, vehicles were not allowed to enter the Asia-Europe Castle Manor. However, in consideration of these exceptional circumstances, Yun Zhiguang made an exception.

With the cars parked outside the villa, Qiao Yiren was the first to step out, smiling as he waited for the leaders of the other five provinces to disembark. For Bashu Province, it was actually Nie Guowei, Nie Zhenbang’s father, who showed up in person.

Once all six leaders had gathered, Qiao Yiren, projecting immense amiability, introduced Nie Zhenbang saying, “Gentlemen, let me introduce this young man here. This is Nie Zhenbang, the Mayor of Wanghai City. He is the son of Governor Nie.”

Nie Guowei chuckled in response. Indeed, he was proud and happy to have a son like Nie Zhenbang. He smiled and said, “Old Qiao, none of this would have been possible without your guidance and support.”

Then addressing Nie Zhenbang, Nie Guowei gestured and said, “Zhenbang, let me introduce you to the other leaders.”

Nie Zhenbang was widely recognized as a rising political star. The leaders of the other provinces had the sense that the Nie family and Qiao Yiren were seeking to position him more prominently. A 30-year-old vice-ministerial-level official, Nie Zhenbang was surely headed for ministerial rank, perhaps at the same time as his father. That would indeed make for a tale of bureaucratic achievement.

The age difference between father and son combined with the promotion system now in place in Huaxia made it impossible for parents and children to serve at the same time, even if they had become parents when they were only eighteen. Yet, the Nie father and son could very well turn that system on its head.

Nie Guowei then introduced a middle-aged man of approximately fifty-five years of age with a kind face to Nie Zhenbang, “Zhenbang, this is Yu Cangzhou, the Deputy Secretary of the Yuzhou Municipal Party Committee and Mayor of Yuzhou, Uncle Yu. Beside him, is Zeng Fengchun, the Party Secretary of Qianzhou Province, Uncle Zeng.”

Subsequently, Nie Guowei introduced Qu Jiantuan, the Governor of Chunan Province, and Liu Yong, the Governor of Hongjiang Province, to Nie Zhenbang.

Lin Hourong, who was also there to welcome the guests, and many other officials from Minan Province, were taken aback. They suddenly understood why Governor Qiao had shown special regard for Nie Zhenbang. With a father like his, Nie Zhenbang had always been in a league of his own.

As the saying goes, village officials are chosen for their brawn, township officials for their drinking prowess, county officials for their gifts, municipal officials for their buying power, and provincial officials for their lineage.

Though somewhat crude, it partially mirrors reality. Those who are born into influential families do enjoy certain advantages. This is an unavoidable fact.

All the leading officials present, each shrewd in their ways, were now notably cordial, smiling and greeting Nie Zhenbang, even while flattering him.

Qiao Yiren, the host, also stepped forward and smilingly said, “Gentlemen, it’s getting late. I suggest we go inside. Let’s have a light meal and then get down to business.”

Since they all had meetings to attend later that evening, none of the officials drank much. Still, they did participate in the traditional Huaxia dining culture – the ritual of alcohol, though not as prevalent as before. Consequently, the meal progressed more swiftly and was over in less than an hour.

At eight in the evening, led by Nie Zhenbang, the party ascended to the lounge on the second floor. As each took his place, Nie Zhenbang instructed the staff to serve everyone a cup of Tieguanyin tea. With a nod at Qiao Yiren, he signaled that the meeting could get underway.

PS: Just a reminder, I made a mistake in the last chapter’s numbering. It should have been 542, but I wrote 541. The content is correct though. Thanks for your understanding, and please continue supporting me with your votes. (