Reborn as a Noble's Son

Chapter 419: Chapter 400 – Changes in Liangxi City_1
The next day, Chen Le, of the Liangxi City Public Security Bureau, personally issued a public announcement. After various investigations and evidence-gathering, Jinbihuihuang was suspected of operating obscene programs. Its night stage was shut down and a rectification suggestion was proposed, along with a fine of five hundred thousand. As for other responsibilities, the public had no idea at all, and Chen Le naturally would not explain further.

Meanwhile, besides the two million allocation from the Finance Department, Chen Le had also seized more than two million from the sudden inspection on Jinbihuihuang. With such plentiful finances at his disposal, Chen Le purchased thirty Cheetah off-road vehicles at once.

Of these, sixteen were left with the various detachment teams of the bureau’s headquarters, with the remaining fourteen evenly distributed among the seven district bureau branches across the city. The style of operation within the Public Security Bureau, functioning like the military, was not too different from the actual military. Chen Le, as the bureau chief, achieved a new level of respect and authority within the bureau, not only for acquiring all the new vehicles at once but also for investigating Jinbihuihuang.

Nie Zhenbang, on the other hand, was quite calm. His attitude had always been such, primarily considering development matters. However, if anyone crossed him, Nie Zhenbang was ruthless and cunning. Even rumors outside suggested that Mayor Nie’s style was to either not move at all or, if he moved, to make sure no one could counteract.

Deputy Mayor Li Guohua was once so impressive, introducing foreign-funded enterprises and steering the economic development of Liangxi City. But now, all those foreign-funded enterprises were rejected outright, and Li Guohua was busy dealing with pollution prevention projects, with no foreseeable opening date in sight. This move had essentially stripped away Li Guohua’s pride and dignity.

Nie Zhenbang didn’t give this much thought. He might not be able to influence others too much, but his principle was that being an official was to benefit the public and be true to one’s conscience. So, whenever he was in a place, he considered work, and anyone who blocked his work was his enemy.

“Mr. Mayor, I just received an urgent notice. Secretary Fan has proposed to hold an emergency standing committee meeting to discuss several personnel issues,” said Yi Jun, as he walked in and spoke quietly.

Hearing this, Nie Zhenbang scoffed. Secretary Fan Changsheng did indeed come up with a good idea. At this point, was he still trying to save face for him?

The personnel issues most likely included the vacancy for the organization department head. Huang Junshan, being promoted to vice-chairman of the political consultative conference, was probably imminent. There couldn’t be a vacancy for the position of the Standing Committee Organization Department head. Now that Nie Zhenbang had taken control of the Finance Department, Fan Changsheng would definitely fight for this position. If he even lost the organization affairs, Fan Changsheng’s prestige would surely take a heavy hit, and considering his personality, it was something he would never allow.

The second personnel issue was probably about Ren Yong. Fan Changsheng must handle this issue as promises were made to be fulfilled. Deals made would take a long time in a regular standing committee and go through the secretary’s office council, which wouldn’t be favourable to Fan. An urgent handling now was most appropriate.

It was also a good opportunity to reassign Liu Weijun to Liangjiang District as deputy secretary of the district committee under Ye Zhengwen. Meanwhile, officially promoting Yi Jun was also due time.

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As he arrived timely and unhurriedly at the conference room of the municipal party committee, Fan Changsheng came from the other side. Seeing Nie Zhenbang, Fan Changsheng’s eyes revealed a shade of resentment.

Nie Zhenbang captured this moment, Fan’s hatred for himself was inevitable. Should he care at all? Internal-system political rivals were more ruthless than enemies, wanting to trap their opponent in a hopeless situation. But on the surface, they needed to maintain a friendly facade.

Before Fan Changsheng could speak, Nie Zhenbang approached him with a smile and said, “Secretary Fan, shall we proceed together?”

Fan Changsheng nodded, his face also revealed a faint smile and calmly said, “After you, Mayor Nie.”

The two of them, both wearing smiles, entered the meeting room one after the other, confusing the standing committee members. At that moment, Li Guohua looked upset. Fan Changsheng was fickle. He had gotten close to him for less than two days, and he had joined forces with Nie Zhenbang again.

As soon as they sat down, Fan Changsheng slowly began, “I called everyone together temporarily for two main issues to discuss.”

A very straightforward initiation made Nie Zhenbang secretly smile. After some time, Fan Changsheng was no longer composed, signaling a good sign. People tend to make mistakes and reveal flaws when they are flustered. If Fan Changsheng is as composed as when he first arrived in Liangxi, he wouldn’t know how to intervene.

“This time, the Provincial Party School is planning to host a training course for young officials. It is in response to the Central Party School’s appeal for young officials steered by the Central Organization Department. This training course has strict requirements for age and position. The age requirement is under thirty-five, and the position should be at the full division level or at the vice-ministerial level. With these restrictions, Comrade Ren Yong from our city is a suitable candidate. Therefore, I plan to recommend Ren Yong to study at the Provincial Party School.” Fan Changsheng’s speech was concise, devoid of any superfluous words, going straight to the point.

This was entirely different from Fan Changsheng’s usual style, baffling the other standing committee members. At the same time, everyone knew that the issue of Ren Yong was not the main problem. His future was a long way off regardless of how promising it might be, and it had nothing to do with the present. However, the main focus of everyone at the moment was on the new bureau chief.

Fan Changsheng paused for a moment, then spoke again, “In matters of personnel in the Finance Bureau, I propose Comrade Liu Qingquan, the incumbent deputy director, to take over. This comrade is a professional trained economist, a legitimate college graduate in finance, with a solid foundation in his field. He has been deputy director of the Finance Bureau for many years, and I believe he is fully capable of performing this duty.”

As he finished speaking, there was silence in the room. The scene was eerie. Was Secretary Fan not thinking clearly today?

Nie Zhenbang, sitting beside him, nodded and said, “Hmm, I think Comrade Liu Qingquan is also a very suitable choice. I agree with Secretary Fan’s opinion.”

At this moment, Li Guohua snorted coldly. Everyone knew what happened with the Jinbihuihuang case, and at this moment, when put together, they naturally understood the rules of the game. So, at this time, people would not put themselves in the position to blame the secretary and the mayor. Everyone unanimously passed the appointment of Liu Qingquan.

Just as his words fell, Nie Zhenbang continued in a softer voice, “Secretary Fan, and comrades, I would also like to raise a personnel issue. Comrade Zheng Guosheng, the current deputy secretary of the Liangjiang District Party Committee, has reached the age to be transferred to the City People’s Congress for semi-retirement. For the issue of the deputy secretary of the Liangjiang District Committee, I think the Secretary-General of the city government, Comrade Liu Weijun, is quite suitable.”

The moment these words were spoken, Li Guohua sneered. Fan Changsheng must be tasting the bitter fruit of his own brewing by now. Collaborating with Nie Zhenbang is like bargaining one’s own life with a tiger, isn’t it? Now, just as one would expect, Nie Zhenbang is starting to make his move.

The Liangjiang District is where the Liangxi City Municipal Party Committee and Government is situated, and a deputy secretary of the Liangjiang District Committee is indeed a very valuable position.

With this in mind, Li Guohua responded indifferently, “Mayor Nie, Comrade Zheng Guosheng hasn’t retired yet. I think this matter is not urgent.”

The incident of the postponing the People’s Congress left Fan Changsheng feeling deeply unsatisfied with him. Although Nie Zhenbang’s increasing strength indicated signs of reconciliation between the two, their relationship was not as good as it had been. By now, Li Guohua had adjusted his mindset.

At this moment, Li Guohua had a clear understanding. Although Jiangbei is the traditional territory of the Li family, others will not hand you power, unless it’s a matter of life and death. Therefore, Li Guohua keenly realized that this was a rare golden opportunity. He would undermine this proposal to mend and win over Fan Changsheng’s favor.

Hearing Li Guohua’s words, Zhu Zhuozhen next to him coughed lightly and said solemnly, “I also have a few things to say. I actually think that Comrade Liu Weijun is very good. As the long-time Secretary-General of the government, his administration is well ordered. Also, Comrade Liu Weijun is already at the official department-level position, and I think it is appropriate for him to serve as the deputy secretary of the Liangjiang District Committee.

The Liangjiang District, as the venue of the Liangxi City Municipal Party Committee and Government, is equivalent to the Secretary of Jiangzhou City serving as a standing member of the Provincial Party Committee. Ye Zhengwen, the secretary of the Liangjiang District Party Committee, also enjoys the treatment of a deputy department level. Therefore, Liu Weijun holding a department-level position as the deputy secretary of the District Committee is precisely appropriate.”

As Zhu Zhuozhen’s words fell, Fan Changsheng’s face also became solemn. Recently, Nie Zhenbang seemed to be getting the upper hand all the time. Did he really think that Liangxi City had gone through a change of regime? Nie Zhen must understand that he was still the one in charge in Liangxi. Immediately, Fan Changsheng said in a deep voice, “Let’s put the issue of the deputy secretary of the Liangjiang District on hold for now. Let’s discuss it at the next Standing Committee meeting. Now, Comrade Huang Junshan has already moved to the Political Consultative Conference, and the position of the minister of the Organization Department has been vacated. Let’s all discuss a bit and see if there is a suitable candidate?”

The position of the Minister of the Organization Department is one of the top-ranking positions in the Municipal Party Committee. Even Li Xiaoqin has ambitions for it. For a moment, the atmosphere became more subdued.

At this moment, Fan Changsheng said slowly: “The Organization Department Minister is a cadre managed by the province, and the city only has the right to recommend but not to decide. I happen to have a suitable candidate. I believe Propaganda Department Minister Comrade Li Xiaoqin might be considered for the position of the Organization Department Minister. Deputy Propaganda Department Minister Comrade Guo Wenhui could take up the position of Propaganda Department Minister.”

As Fan Changsheng’s words fell, Nie Zhenbang’s brow also furrowed. He looked up and met Zhu Zhuozhen’s gaze. The two exchanged glances, unable to deny that Fan Changsheng had played a very sophisticated move.

With Li Xiaoqin stepping up, a position is filled, and since they all sit on the Standing Committee, it’s hard for anyone to oppose. This, in turn, would come with less resistance than if they had to elect a new person. And with Guo Wenhui taking over as the Propaganda Department Minister, everything seems to perfectly fit. This round was far more masterful than simple re-election.

As none of the standing committee members voiced any objection, it looked like they were all taking Li Xiaoqin’s feelings into account. If they were to express opposition, they would offend Li Xiaoqin.

For a while, the conference room fell into silence. (