Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 1122 - Chapter 1122 Chapter 1078 This is a Challenge

Chapter 1122: Chapter 1078: This is a Challenge Chapter 1122: Chapter 1078: This is a Challenge At this point, the Number Five Leader’s smile faded, and he turned serious once again, “Comrade Zhenbang, regarding our conversation today, you must absolutely keep it confidential. At present, this is just a preliminary plan. I am entrusted by the senior leadership and the Politburo to speak with you. However, concerning the issues with Jiangnan Province, the authorities above have not yet formed a unified opinion. That is to say, everything is still subject to change. Do you understand?”

Upon hearing this, Nie Zhenbang was once again puzzled. Why was the Central Committee now conducting its affairs so unreliably? They hadn’t reached a formal, unified position, hadn’t adopted a resolution, and yet they had sought to have this conversation with him. What if there were to be a change of plan? Wouldn’t that make things awkward for him? This approach seemed rather lax.

However, Nie Zhenbang naturally could only grumble about it to himself; he couldn’t fathom what the Central Committee was thinking.

Perhaps the most crucial aspect depended on Sun Houzhao’s health condition. The next two or three months could be all about giving Sun Houzhao time. If Sun Houzhao recovered, then this conversation would naturally become irrelevant. If he didn’t recover, then Nie Zhenbang might be the one going to Jiangnan Province to replace Sun Houzhao.

Simultaneously, Nie Zhenbang also understood the deep significance of the last piece of advice from the Number Five Leader; after all, this was a matter not yet officially decided. If word got out, and things changed later, it would be a blow to the prestige of the Central Committee.

Immediately, Nie Zhenbang replied with due seriousness, “Please rest assured, Leader, I have thoroughly studied the party’s confidentiality regulations. I won’t speak what I shouldn’t, nor ask what I shouldn’t. I am clear on that.”

The Number Five Leader nodded, “Hmm. Let’s conclude our conversation for today. Comrade Zhenbang, I still have some matters to attend to, so I won’t see you out. Let Secretary Feng escort you.”

Escorted by Feng Haiqiang, the car left the Forbidden Sea. After turning onto Changan Avenue and going less than two intersections, Nie Zhenbang said with a smile, “Secretary Feng, please stop by the side here. It happens to be a good opportunity for me to drop by.”

Hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Feng Haiqiang was momentarily stunned. After a brief silence, he nodded, “Alright, Secretary Nie Zhenbang, then I won’t see you any further.”

Taking a taxi, Nie Zhenbang went straight home. Upon entering, under the big camphor tree in the courtyard, his uncle and father sat in the shade, leisurely playing Go.

Seeing Nie Zhenbang, both were a bit puzzled. Nie Guowei directly voiced his surprise, “Why did you suddenly come back? We didn’t receive any notice.”

Nie Zhenbang approached, and looking at the chessboard where black and white stones intertwined, the playing strength of both seemed evenly matched. Sitting on a nearby stone stool, he answered, “I received a call this morning. The Number Five Leader summoned me. I arrived in Jingcheng this afternoon and have just come from the Forbidden Sea.”

Upon hearing this news, both set down their chess pieces. Nie Guodong looked at Nie Zhenbang and asked, “The Number Five Leader? Are you being transferred? How come there hasn’t been the slightest rumour about it in Jingcheng?”

That was the most surprising aspect for Nie Guodong. Although both brothers had retired, they still knew a thing or two about what was happening in Jingcheng. But this time, neither had heard any rumors, which gave Nie Guodong a grave concern.

Nie Guowei sighed from the side, “Without entering the innermost core, after all, it’s like fetching water with a bamboo basket. The current situation is a prime example of this.”

Nie Guowei’s remark was a burst of genuine feeling. Although both brothers were once part of the inner circle, neither had managed to enter the innermost core. The Central Committee generally informed the old comrades about general matters to some extent. However, this moment reflected the difference between being in the loop and being in the core when it came to crucial matters.

Faced with what his uncle and father said, Nie Zhenbang felt a wave of emotion. Indeed, experience counts. Just from one message from the Number Five Leader, they had immediately inferred signs of a transfer. That represented true power.

He nodded and said, “We had a discussion, and there’s a possibility that I will be appointed to work in Jiangnan Province. However, I also have several reservations.

Looking at his uncle and father, Nie Zhenbang continued, “There are three aspects. First, I’m told that Sun Houzhao from Jiangnan Province highly recommended me. Second, even if I were to go to Jiangnan Province, it would be two or three months later, roughly around June. Third, before I left, the Number Five Leader instructed me that the matter hasn’t reached a final decision at the Center. That is to say, it’s still variable.”

As Nie Zhenbang finished speaking, Nie Guodong and Nie Guowei were both stunned. Such a situation was also unprecedented for them.

Nie Guodong pondered for a moment, his expression turning serious, and he slowly said, “It looks like this could be both an opportunity and a challenge for you.”

At this point, Nie Guodong offered an explanation, “Second brother, do you still remember what happened during the old man’s lifetime? At that time, a similar incident occurred. It seemed to involve Zhenbang and his father-in-law Yang Shengli.”

As he spoke, Nie Guodong gestured with his hand, looking at Nie Zhenbang and said, “Zhenbang, this time, it indeed presents both risks and opportunities for you, speaking from a very realistic perspective. President Qiao used to work in Jiangnan Province for some time. As per convention, the top position in Jiangnan Province is up for contention. This is an opportunity for you. As for other circumstances, it’s still not clear. Over here, your father and I will help you find out more. Additionally, it’s best for you to visit the Yang family and talk to your father-in-law Yang Shengli. There are some things we are not clear about, but he’s sure to know.”

Nie Zhenbang nodded. His uncle’s words were straightforward but made a lot of sense. His father-in-law, Yang Shengli, as one of the former core members of the Nine Tripods, surely still commanded respect from the current team. There were things his uncle might not know, but Yang Shengli might.

The Yang family was not far from Nie Zhenbang’s location; both residences were in the Forbidden Sea area, housed in old-fashioned quadrangle courtyards. Upon arriving, Nie Zhenbang went straight into the yard, where his mother-in-law was also at home. Seeing Nie Zhenbang, she smiled and said, “Just now, your dad was talking about you. I didn’t expect you to come so soon.”

Entering the living room, Yang Shengli, who had been resting with his eyes closed, straightened up and opened his eyes.

Nie Zhenbang also smiled and asked, “Dad, how is your recovery going?”

Yang Shengli waved his hand and smiled, saying, “I’m not dead yet, with a team of experts looking after me, and An Bang has found me another team from abroad. With both teams taking care of me, how could I be? It’s just a bit restrictive–when to eat, when to take a walk, how much to eat, how to pair the dishes, even drinking and smoking are controlled. Now, I can understand how your grandfather and his contemporaries felt back in their time.”

As he spoke, Yang Shengli gestured to a seat next to him and smiled, “Zhenbang, I do know some things about the Jiangnan Province situation. It’s not easy to govern there. It is a province with a very developed private enterprise sector. However, the GDP of Jiangnan Province ranks only fourth, which is an immense pressure. Moreover, Huang Dingbang of Jiangnan Province is not an easy person to deal with. Speaking of which, you have some connections with him.”

Hearing this, Nie Zhenbang was somewhat surprised and asked, “Dad, do you mean he is from the Huang family?”

Seeing Yang Shengli nod, Nie Zhenbang understood. His aunt by marriage, Huang Yuerong, was from the Huang family, so this Huang Dingbang also belonging to the Huang family naturally had a connection.

However, Nie Zhenbang did not dare to take this lightly. Even Yang Shengli mentioned that Huang Dingbang was not easy to handle. Hence, the minor relation between them did not count for much. Moreover, if the central government had arranged for him to go there, they would have considered this factor. It seemed that Huang Dingbang could only be treated as an ordinary person.

Meanwhile, Yang Shengli continued, “Last year, Huang Dingbang slammed his fist on the table in Hou Yunsheng’s office at the National Development and Reform Commission while lobbying for policies and project approvals.”

This news shocked Nie Zhenbang. Huang Dingbang’s ferocity was fully demonstrated, as Nie Zhenbang had never exhibited such boldness even when visiting various ministries during his time in Hongjiang. After all, the National Development and Reform Commission was nicknamed the ‘mini State Council’. Huang Dingbang’s audacity in front of Hou Yunsheng was not something that could be simply explained by confidence.

This was a difficult character to deal with. Now it seemed that if he really went to Jiangnan Province, it would indeed be a significant challenge. On one hand, Jiangnan Province had a great demand for economic growth. In such economically developed areas, economic development was much more difficult compared to less developed regions. This was a challenge.

Moreover, if he were to go to Jiangnan Province and work with Huang Dingbang, that would be another challenge. As an outsider, compared to Huang Dingbang, who had both the geographical and people’s advantage, coordinating the team would be a test of his own abilities. It was indeed a very tricky situation.

However, just as it had been said earlier, it was indeed an opportunity. If he joined the fray this year, it would be greatly beneficial for his subsequent deployment.

Moreover, fundamentally speaking, if the higher-ups had made the decision, there was no escaping it for him. Thinking of this, Nie Zhenbang became resigned, “Speaking of this now is premature. It’s not even certain if I will go. I might be worrying over nothing.”

Hearing Nie Zhenbang’s casual words, Yang Shengli inwardly nodded. Nie Zhenbang’s attitude was something his other sons lacked. Yang Anguo was capable in every aspect, but in terms of mentality, he was much inferior to Nie Zhenbang.

Yang Shengli also smiled and said, “You are indeed carefree, but such an attitude is good. As an official, one shouldn’t dwell on so many gains and losses, honors and disgraces. What’s essential is to have this unstoppable momentum.”

After having dinner at Yang Shengli’s place, Nie Zhenbang returned home. That evening, after discussing with his father and uncle, Nie Zhenbang went to rest.

Meanwhile, through his uncle, Nie Zhenbang received another piece of news: it was said that a daughter of some bigwig had encountered some trouble in Jiangnan Province. She seemed to have been bullied. Hearing this, Nie Zhenbang frowned. The situation in Jiangnan Province appeared far from simple. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets on NovelFire.net. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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