Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 1108 - Chapter 1108 Chapter 1064 Gains from New Years Visit

Chapter 1108: Chapter 1064: Gains from New Year’s Visit Chapter 1108: Chapter 1064: Gains from New Year’s Visit “Pung with eight dots!”

“Six bamboos.” Nie Zhenbang exclaimed, playing a tile while smiling, “‘The tree that stands out in the forest is the first to be brought down by the wind.’ This principle was taught to me by the old man when he was alive. Back then, I had a profound understanding of it. Big brother, do you still remember when you went to Lixian alone to find me?”

This remark made Nie Jialei pause for a moment, his eyes showing a hint of emotion as he smiled and said, “You still remember that.”

“Don’t rush, let me think. Three dots.” Nie Jiamin, laid-back as he was, tossed out a tile indifferently, “Big brother, you’re just too cautious. The past is the past, times have changed. With the status and position of our youngest brother now, they have their own ideas. I still say the same thing, go your own way. If someone truly gets annoyed, let them take their path and we’ll make it so they have nowhere to go.”

As the words fell, their brother-in-law He Yitao laid out his hand of tiles and said, “I win, second brother, sorry about that, it’s only a small win.”

This immediately caused Nie Jiamin to jump up. After taking a look, he couldn’t help but complain, “Are you kidding me? I had a pure suit here. Yitao, that’s not very nice of you.”

Nie Zhenbang chuckled, looking at Nie Jiamin and said, “Second brother, this is what you call winning big while keeping a low profile, now you might be able to grasp this essence.”

Playing Mahjong is merely a pastime. The real purpose is emotional communication and bonding.

Of course, emotional bonding doesn’t only come from playing Mahjong; simply sitting still, the family members gathered on the couch, staring at each other with solemn expressions as if at a meeting, would not achieve the same effect.

…

The next day, Nie Zhenbang got up very early.

This was a habit Nie Zhenbang had developed. No matter the weather–windy, rainy, or clear skies–it was indispensable to start each day with early morning exercises.

After finishing his routine of punches, Nie Zhenbang broke into a slight sweat and felt invigorated. After washing up, he picked up the phone and dialed Wang Suzhou’s number. After a while, Wang Suzhou’s voice came through, “Hello.”

Nie Zhenbang also spoke with a smile, “Director Wang Suzhou, Happy Chinese New Year. I’m calling to wish you well for the festival.”

Wang Suzhou recognized who it was from the voice and chuckled, “Comrade Nie Zhenbang, you’re too polite. I also wish you a happy new year.”

Nie Zhenbang then got straight to the point, “Director Wang Suzhou, do you have any plans for today? If not, I would like to pay you a visit.”

Wang Suzhou was quite aware of Nie Zhenbang’s status among the senior officials, and he didn’t refuse Nie Zhenbang’s request. After a moment’s reflection, he nodded and said, “It just so happens that I’ll be alone at home this morning. I have no plans, and if Comrade Nie Zhenbang wishes to join me for a drink, I would be more than happy to have the company.”

Wang Suzhou’s home was located in the old planning commission compound. Passing the well-known Red Pagoda Hall in Jingcheng and going further in, a regular residential building was where Wang Suzhou lived.

It wasn’t a separate small courtyard or any special ‘director’s building’–just a simple four-bedroom apartment. Nie Zhenbang wouldn’t have imagined Wang Suzhou’s home to be so unpretentious if he hadn’t seen it himself.

Upon entering, Wang Suzhou came forward to greet him. Nie Zhenbang placed the gift by the door and said with a smile, “Director Wang Suzhou, this is just a small token of my appreciation.”

Wang Suzhou then poured Nie Zhenbang a cup of hot tea and took a seat on the sofa, looking at him and saying, “This time, your Hongjiang really made a splash.”

Having come here, Wang Suzhou didn’t mince his words and went straight to the point. They were not children anymore and they both clearly understood each other’s intentions. Nie Zhenbang eagerly coming over to wish him a happy new year was naturally not just a simple gesture. Wang Suzhou was well aware of this.

But for Wang Suzhou to start the conversation with such a topic made Nie Zhenbang somewhat embarrassed. He replied with a bitter smile, “Director Wang Suzhou, it seems you’re criticizing me.”

Nie Zhenbang’s words made Wang Suzhou wave his hand and ponder for a moment before saying, “It’s not about criticism. This time, after the Red Four Measures were introduced in Hongjiang, there was still some discussion and disagreement at the central level. But with the support of President Qiao and President Mu, that’s your advantage, and you can be assured of that. This truly isn’t criticism.”

Having said that, Wang Suzhou paused, then continued, “Now, in Jingcheng, some leaders and some older comrades have some different views about you. There is also a saying in Jingcheng that we need to put some pressure on Nie Zhenbang.”

Hearing this news from the mouth of Wang Suzhou, Nie Zhenbang also fell into contemplation. Evidently, if Wang Suzhou spoke this way, the matter was not without foundation.

As for this, Nie Zhenbang didn’t really care. To pressure him, one would need to have the capability to do so. On this, Nie Zhenbang was still quite confident.

After a pause, Nie Zhenbang also said with a smile, “I’m afraid this is also why personnel appointments for Hongjiang Province have been difficult to produce.”

When it came to personnel matters in Hongjiang Province, Wang Suzhou had the most authority to speak. He pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, “Your guess isn’t wrong. Currently, regarding the vacancies in Hongjiang Province’s personnel appointments, there are indeed different views and opinions at the central level. Several leaders have expressed some different suggestions and views. To be honest, including President Qiao and President Mu, it’s difficult for them to object. You are surely aware of what lies beneath all this.”

Wang Suzhou’s words were not spelled out fully, not explicitly clear. But Nie Zhenbang understood perfectly well; it was all a matter of balance.

Admittedly, Nie Zhenbang didn’t have the inclination for it but in reality, Hongjiang Province had such a developmental trend.

The so-called pressure was probably due to this consideration. At this point, Nie Zhenbang had basically understood. Looking at the current situation, it seemed unlikely Hongjiang Province’s personnel affairs would involve him.

In response, Nie Zhenbang could only offer a smile. He calmly said, “I have no objections to that. I’ve always said, whenever and whatever the matter, I will follow the organization’s decisions and the central arrangements. This is a must and beyond any doubt. Personally, I have done so too. Whoever takes on these two positions, it makes no difference to me. The most important thing is the development of Hongjiang. That’s what I value the most.”

After Nie Zhenbang finished speaking, Wang Suzhou smiled and said, “Comrade Zhenbang, what do you know about Yuzhou City?”

Yuzhou City?

Hearing this, Nie Zhenbang’s brow furrowed, and he began to ponder. Wang Suzhou wouldn’t mention Yuzhou City for no reason.

The current Party Secretary of Yuzhou City was Yu Cangzhou. Moreover, all aspects of Yuzhou City’s economic development were strong. The thriving momentum of such a directly-administered city wasn’t something that a province like Hongjiang could compare with. Every aspect of its work was well managed. Nie Zhenbang couldn’t fathom why Wang Suzhou would bring up Yuzhou.

Could it be that the central government was considering sending him to Yuzhou?

After pondering for a moment, Nie Zhenbang organized his thoughts and said, “As for Yuzhou, I don’t know too much. I’ve had some communication with Comrade Yu Cangzhou of Yuzhou City, but not much. Yuzhou City’s development in all aspects is quite impressive. In attracting foreign investment, it has also shown considerable strength. In recent years, several Fortune 500 companies have successively set up in Yuzhou, which is a recognition of the city. Other than that, I don’t know too much.”

The words of Nie Zhenbang were entirely bureaucratic, by the book, simple and plain, without divulging much information.

Wang Suzhou, after musing for a moment, slowly said, “The economic development of Yuzhou City, and the achievements in various aspects are overall quite impressive. However, from what we currently understand, there are quite a few problems with Yuzhou City. The young directly-administered city inevitably has some oversights in its development process. In addition, the personnel relations in Yuzhou are quite complicated. Some issues also have significant controversy. Now, the central government is somewhat reactive. Regarding this, the central government’s current attitude is not very clear. From the current trend, the leaders’ inclination is leaning more toward having you go there.”

After finishing, Wang Suzhou looked at Nie Zhenbang, fell silent for a moment, and then added, “Of course, for now, it might be a bit early to discuss this matter. Regarding the issues with Yuzhou, nothing has been definitively settled. I’m saying this just to indicate a possibility, not that it is certain. The main reason I’m telling you this is to give you a heads-up.”

Nie Zhenbang did not dine with Wang Suzhou. After discussing Hongjiang’s issues and talking about Yuzhou, Nie Zhenbang got up to take his leave.

Today, having made these New Year’s visits, there was quite a bit of gain. At the very least, he had a general understanding of an authentic movement from above. Not to mention anything else, merely the possibility of going to Yuzhou made the trip worth it.

Stepping out of the Planning Commission’s compound gate, Nie Zhenbang grew curious about the affairs of Yuzhou. He took out his phone, dialed Zhao Xinglong’s number, and said with a smile, “Xinglong, are you at home? Do you have time to join me for a sit at the Dynasty?” (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to go to Qidian (NovelFire.net) to vote for recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, and your support is my greatest motivation.)

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