Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 1007 - Chapter 1007 Chapter 963 Losing Face is a Self-inflicted

Chapter 1007: Chapter 963: Losing Face is a Self-inflicted Outcome Chapter 1007: Chapter 963: Losing Face is a Self-inflicted Outcome Watching Liu Yong’s relaxed demeanor, He Yusheng felt an intense anxiety. Compared to Liu Yong’s optimism, He Yusheng had many more considerations. Musing, He Yusheng was also organizing his thoughts. After a long while, he looked at Liu Yong and said, “Old leader, I’m afraid, at this time, we still cannot take things lightly.”

He Yusheng’s remarks made Liu Yong stunned for a moment, and instantly, his eyebrows furrowed. Looking at He Yusheng beside him, Liu Yong was not oblivious to the implications of his words. According to practice, during the time of the Hongjiang Provincial Committee’s two sessions, those from above would conduct an assessment of Hongjiang’s cadres and also seek the opinions of the top two leaders. Most importantly, this two sessions was a critical moment for major adjustments within the Hongjiang Provincial Committee and government team. This time, with his own retirement pending, according to custom, before the meeting, those from above will have determined the candidate for the Acting Governor of Red River Province. The selection of this candidate will, to a large extent, take into account the opinions of the current top two leaders, especially Nie Zhenbang’s thoughts. After all, if the future partner of Nie Zhenbang doesn’t maintain a good relationship with the Secretary, it would be extremely problematic. Those from above would definitely consider this point.

Looking at He Yusheng beside him, Liu Yong waved his hand and said, “Yusheng, I think you might be overthinking it. Based on my personal understanding of Nie Zhenbang, this man acts with the bearing of a great general, always focusing on the issue rather than the person. You don’t need to worry so much.”

Liu Yong, true to his status as an old hand, hit the nail on the head with his assessment of Nie Zhenbang.

However, He Yusheng could only give a wry smile at that moment, “Old leader, while that may be true, as the saying goes, ‘It’s not a question of if, but when.’ Besides, considering Nie Zhenbang’s recent style of work within the province, I think it’s better for the old leader to be safe than sorry. Caution is the parent of safety.”

It was only He Yusheng who, with his current status and position, had the capacity and capital to speak so boldly in front of Liu Yong. Anyone else wouldn’t dare to be so outspoken.

Liu Yong’s brow twitched once, and although he still didn’t quite believe that Nie Zhenbang would do anything inappropriate, he nodded and said, “Well, this old man will also make a trip to Jingcheng, to attend the Red River Building foundation laying. It is a major event for Hongjiang Province, worth attending.”

…

Nie Zhenbang didn’t pay much mind to Liu Yong’s sudden decision. As the governor, attending the foundation ceremony of the Red River Building was a perfectly reasonable thing to do, and previously, Nie Zhenbang had specifically instructed Xu Hongzhuan to seek Liu Yong’s opinion on the matter. Since the old comrade was willing to go, Nie Zhenbang naturally wouldn’t object.

This time, the delegation heading to Jingcheng was not large; although both the Secretary and the Governor were going to Jingcheng, in terms of other staff arrangements, aside from the secretaries-general of the Provincial Committee and the government, each with their accompanying security and secretaries, and the relevant leaders of the Provincial Committee’s General Office, a group of about twenty people took a flight to Jingcheng.

As soon as they disembarked from the plane, Liu Kun and Zhao Xinglong were already waiting at the domestic exit of Jingcheng City Airport. As soon as Nie Zhenbang and Liu Yong came over, the two greeted them.

Zhao Xinglong even offered a very formal greeting: “Secretary Nie, welcome, welcome.”

Next to him, the director of the Jingcheng Office, Liu Sanhai, introduced with a smile: “Secretary Nie, Governor Liu, let me introduce to you, this is Zhao Xinglong, the chairman of Longhua Mining Group. Director Zhao has been very helpful in selecting the site for the Red River Building and communicating with the other party. Director Zhao’s association with our Hongjiang Copper Industry, implies that he is an old friend of our Hongjiang.”

The relationship between Liu Kun and Zhao Xinglong and Nie Zhenbang was not widely known within Hongjiang Province.

After all, even when investigating Nie Zhenbang’s background, it would only be in relation to Nie Zhenbang himself; no one would take note of whether others were in contact with Nie Zhenbang.

And in this instance, although Nie Zhenbang was aware of their help in choosing the site for the Red River Building, he never mentioned it.

At this moment, the people of Hongjiang Province did not know that the reason why the Red River Building project was approved so quickly in Jingcheng was actually inseparable from the assistance of Zhao Xinglong and Liu Kun.

As soon as Liu Sanhai finished speaking, Liu Yong’s expression immediately darkened. From Liu Yong’s perspective, these businessmen were all opportunists, waking up early only for profit. There was no way they would help Hongjiang Province for no reason. Behind their actions, there had to be considerable interests enticing them.

After a pause, Liu Yong said in a grave tone: “Director Liu, I think it’s best to go and see the site first.”

Though Liu Yong’s words were not an explicit criticism of Zhao Xinglong and Liu Kun, the blunt tone was enough for anyone to perceive that Liu Yong was not in a good mood, with a sting in his words.

With that, the situation became immediately awkward. Standing there, Liu Sanhai couldn’t side with Zhao Xinglong and others without offending Liu Yong. Even if dealing with a soon-to-retire governor, it wasn’t easy to just brush him off; there were still many ways to take him down, should someone wish to do so.

However, regarding the Red River Building project, Zhao Xinglong definitely offered significant assistance. For someone like Liu Sanhai, who has spent years in Jingcheng, he knows very well what the land costs? What’s the price of housing? The key is, sometimes it’s not enough to just have money. Just the process of approval and building could easily wear out the legs of anyone from Hongjiang Province.

Nie Zhenbang now spoke up, “Comrade Sanhai, since Governor Liu has spoken, let’s go and take a look at the site first. Governor Liu is eager to see the site of the Red River Building, and we can understand his urgent feelings,” he said.

After finishing, Nie Zhenbang nodded at Zhao Xinglong and Liu Kun. Decades of old relationships, old ties, between brothers, this kind of tacit understanding didn’t need to be spelled out–a nod, a glance, was enough to convey a wealth of meaning.

The meaning in that glance was clear to Nie Zhenbang, what should be done would be done.

Hearing this message, Liu Kun also smiled and said, “Heh, indeed, let’s have an on-site inspection to see if it’s worthwhile. This is what should be done.”

A group of people boarded the bus prepared by Liu Kun and Zhao Xinglong, and the vehicle slowly started moving, driving out of the airport and directly toward the destination.

After taking the bus onto Changan Street, it turned onto a side road near Wangfu Street, traveled some three hundred meters, and then drove straight into a courtyard.

Typical of architecture from the late seventies, early eighties, above the main gate of the courtyard stood a metal arch with a five-pointed star in the center. The courtyard measured about four acres, just as Liu Sanhai had reported.

There was a factory building in the middle, and a two-story office building. As the yard had not been used for a long time, weeds were visible everywhere, and the grounds were littered with all sorts of junk.

Liu Sanhai introduced while standing beside Nie Zhenbang, “Secretary Nie, Governor, this place was previously rented to a junkyard, which only moved out recently, hence the residual waste on the ground.”

At the sight of this, Liu Yong’s expression suddenly darkened, and he said to Liu Sanhai, “Director Liu, was this land previously collectively owned or state-owned? Also, regarding the purchasing procedures, are they compliant with laws and regulations? Any issues with the land title? Was it sold through public listing?”

Liu Yong’s question was very shrewd. Clearly, for land in such a prime location, it was absolutely impossible to be sold at this price through a listing.

Of course, Zhao Xinglong and Liu Kun had arranged the transfer agreement privately through other methods via the Dongcheng district land department. The land title would certainly be issued, but not something that could be managed right away.

Suddenly, Liu Sanhai’s face looked somewhat uncomfortable, his gaze turning towards Zhao Xinglong with a look of having something to say but holding back.

Zhao Xinglong was already quite displeased at this point. From the moment he got off the plane, Liu Yong had been unsatisfied with everything–clearly just looking for faults.

Zhao Xinglong then said in a deep voice, “Governor Liu, you’re well aware of the land prices in Jingcheng. With a price like this, it’s impossible to go through bidding, auction, and listing. This can only be a property rights swap handled privately between Hongjiang and Dongcheng district. Regarding the land title, once Hongjiang Province and Dongcheng district reach a transfer agreement, there will be absolutely no problem. As for now? I’m sorry, but at this price, you can’t expect to immediately get the land certificate–that’s impossible.”

Zhao Xinglong was also getting irritated. The esteemed Young Master Long of Jingcheng, when had he ever suffered such indignation? Not to mention in Huaxia, but given the status of Longhua Mining in the global mining industry, whichever country he went to, people would address him as Master Long. And now, to be belittled like this? You could imagine how unkind his tone was becoming.

As his words fell, Liu Yong looked at Zhao Xinglong impassively, then said, “Director Zhao, I believe this is an internal issue of Hongjiang. It’s not your place as an outsider to comment.”

Continuing, Liu Yong turned to Nie Zhenbang and said firmly, “Secretary Nie, in my opinion, there are significant issues with the land for the Red River Building project. I suggest we suspend the project for now.”

As soon as these words came out, Nie Zhenbang’s face turned grim. Liu Yong was really losing his head, even daring to say such things. But he was the one putting his own face out there to be slapped, so he couldn’t blame anyone else. Nie Zhenbang then said in a deep voice, “Comrade Liuyong, what are you talking about? The Red River Building project has been discussed and approved by the Standing Committee. It’s gone through proper organizational procedures, and now, you’re talking about suspending it. What does this mean? Are you treating a matter of state as child’s play?” (To Be Continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to vote and support me on NovelFire.net. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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