Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 1180 - Chapter 1180 Chapter 1136 Various Lobbyists

Chapter 1180: Chapter 1136: Various Lobbyists Chapter 1180: Chapter 1136: Various Lobbyists Luo Qiuliang spoke frankly because his relationship with Nie Zhenbang had reached a certain level, one of mutual understanding. Thus, at this moment, Nie Zhenbang didn’t beat around the bush when he spoke in front of Luo Qiuliang either. He outright rejected Ancient City, which immediately made Luo Qiuliang anxious.

Such a huge project, and behind it, lay significant political achievements. To exclude Ancient City all at once, what did this mean?

Luo Qiuliang looked at Nie Zhenbang, his expression somewhat anxious, “Secretary Nie… Ancient Capital…”

“Qiuliang, I understand where you are coming from. Ancient City is indeed suitable in many aspects. Besides, I didn’t exclude Ancient City because it’s a separately planned city. On that, you have my reassurance; I, Nie Zhenbang, am not one to be small-minded,” Nie Zhenbang raised his hand to stop Luo Qiuliang, and he began to speak.

This statement made Luo Qiuliang somewhat despondent as he sat on the sofa: “Secretary, if not for this reason, then why exclude Ancient City? Whether it’s industrial foundations or current policies, Ancient City is the most suitable,” he said.

Ever since the car city project formed a preliminary outline in his mind, Nie Zhenbang had been weighing and calculating. In Longxi, among the ten prefecture-level cities, Ancient City, Shian City, Yongzhou City, and Linzhou City were already off the list.

Ancient City, let’s not even talk about it, it’s the strongest city in Longxi Province. In every aspect, it matches up to first-tier cities. Putting the car city project in Ancient City wouldn’t be very impactful; it would merely be the icing on the cake. Therefore, Ancient City was the first to be eliminated as a target.

Next up, Yongzhou, no need to mention it, that’s Longxi’s wine capital. With big factories like Xifeng here, adding a car industry would seem mismatched. As for Linzhou, it is a national agricultural demonstration base. Shian City, even less need be said–it’s Oil City, a land of revolution. These places could all be ruled out.

That left six cities to choose from.

After pondering for a moment, Nie Zhenbang looked at Luo Qiuliang and said, “Qiuliang, whether the car city is located in Ancient City or not is not important. With the economy and status of Ancient City, even if the project landed here, it would just be the icing on the cake. Even without the car city, some affiliated companies and research institutes will still be in Ancient City. For example, sales companies, operation headquarters, and some gearbox research centers and so on. Having these is, in fact, sufficient. Production is not a good choice here. Big cities mean high costs,” he explained.

Having said that, Nie Zhenbang paused for a moment, and Luo Qiuliang’s mindset had already calmed down as well. Nie Zhenbang’s words gave him a sense of sudden clarity. Indeed, given Ancient City’s location advantage, no matter where the car city is placed, Ancient City’s importance is irreplaceable.

This reassured Nie Zhenbang. Luo Qiuliang’s capabilities were clearly much stronger than Luo Chuncui’s. This insight was telling.

He then continued, “What’s most important for Ancient City now is the shanty town redevelopment project in the city’s west and the construction of the national-level development zone. In terms of attracting investment, we need to take bigger strides. In terms of direction, it’s crucial to focus on industries such as pharmaceuticals, biologics, and high-tech, which are high-value and pollution-free. This is the key direction and goal for Ancient City’s next step.”

After discussing and exchanging ideas on the next development direction and goals for Ancient City, Luo Qiuliang got up to leave. Having obtained so much useful information this time, Luo Qiuliang was satisfied.

The current situation in Ancient City was indeed just as Secretary Nie said, it wasn’t a matter of considering the trend of economic development. Ancient City’s advantages in Longxi, and even in the entirety of Xibei, were incomparable. What’s most critical for Ancient City is the enhancement of the city’s image.

In the following day, Nie Zhenbang successively met the top officials from Liangzhou City, Yizhou City, Jinan City, and Qinyang City.

He wasn’t unfamiliar with the leaders of Liangzhou City and Yizhou City, Yang Yicheng and Zhou Chaoguo. Nie Zhenbang had crossed paths with them before, during his time at the military general hospital, before his tenure in Longxi. As loyalists of Hu Shangzhi in Longxi, Nie Zhenbang regarded them with a bit of special consideration.

However, these two did not report to him in time after his appointment. Nie Zhenbang didn’t mind. Being cautious was very normal. Although they were previously Hu Shangzhi’s people, there was no rule saying they must now align with him.

As for all this, Nie Zhenbang was very calm at the moment; he didn’t care too much. It all came down to the old saying: one must walk their own road, how to choose is a personal matter.

Just like in prior interactions, Nie Zhenbang was well aware of the motives behind these visits. Nowadays, in Longxi Province, everyone was paying attention to the car city project. Earlier, two provincial standing committee members, Luo Qiuliang from Ancient City and Wei Haoyang from Shian City, had not succeeded. This had given them confidence.

But Nie Zhenbang, as always, merely listened in detail to everyone’s work reports. Regarding the car city project, he didn’t mention a word.

In fact, there wasn’t much to mention, the automobile city project was too significant, and as for the approval from above, Nie Zhenbang wasn’t worried. With the Nie family’s connections and the network of contacts in the National Development and Reform Commission, these were not problems. Besides, since the leaders had asked him to come, they were expected to provide support; they couldn’t very well expect the horse to gallop without letting it graze. At the moment, the considerations were the source of funding and the issue of collaboration with international car brands. These were the truly important matters.

As the saying goes, “Nothing is settled until it’s settled,” Nie Zhenbang naturally couldn’t recklessly commit to anything. At his level, his word wasn’t merely golden, it was as good as a thousand pieces of gold. If by chance the automobile city project fell through, wouldn’t he be just slapping his own face?

…

‘Ding-a-ling’

The phone on the desk began to ring; it was a black telephone, an external line, but it wasn’t the blue one that was publicly listed.

Those who knew this number were leaders from various provinces and ministries, listed in the Central Leadership Directory; this was the fixed line number.

Nie Zhenbang didn’t dare neglect it, he picked up the phone: “Hello, Nie Zhenbang speaking.”

“Haha, hello Zhenbang, this is Wei Mingyi,” came a hearty laugh from the phone, followed by his voice.

Wei Mingyi? Nie Zhenbang’s brow furrowed, thinking of Wei family’s elder, the once-famous red-whiskered devil, the one who eventually became a deputy national leader?

That elder must be over eighty years old by now, right? Could it be that Wei Haoyang is his youngest son? Thinking of this, Nie Zhenbang fell into contemplation; it was entirely possible. In Jingcheng, it wasn’t uncommon for there to be a forty-year difference in age between father and son. Like his own family, such cases were very rare.

This phenomenon was also historically specific. Before this, those who joined the revolution were mostly uneducated, and after the founding of the country, many were already of some age. Many were in their forties when they married and had children through organizational introductions. Having a large age difference was more the norm than not.

Adjusting his mindset, Nie Zhenbang replied with a smile, “Hello Elder Wei, what brings you to call me today?”

Wei Mingyi chuckled and said, “Oh, it’s nothing much. Back in the day, I served under your grandfather. I hear Haoyang told me you’ve assumed a post in Longxi now. I hope Haoyang hasn’t caused you any trouble. My son, he does have capabilities, but his character is not without flaws; feel free to discipline and supervise him without consideration for my old face. Ha! You’re much busier than us retirees, so I won’t keep you any longer.”

The elder hung up with a swift and straightforward manner. After he had put down the phone, Nie Zhenbang was left in deep thought. That elder, his skills in persuasion were absolutely top-notch.

Without saying much, he simply gave a hint–having served under Elder Nie, he was implying their good relationship. Then he brought up Wei Haoyang, emphasizing their connection, and even hinted at not caring about his old face, which meant there was more to it. If Wei really didn’t care for face, he probably wouldn’t be talking this way. It’s not out of the question that another Fang Maotang might emerge.

Supervision and discipline–in the end, what’s the objective? Isn’t it about political achievements and promotion? Thus, the sole purpose hidden in his words, perhaps, was indeed aimed at the automobile city.

It’s been a while since Nie Zhenbang took office in Longxi; they didn’t call too late or too early, but just at this time. If it wasn’t for the automobile city, what could it be for?

However, what Nie Zhenbang hadn’t expected was that this call was apparently just the beginning. Following that, the Chen family also had his uncle, Nie Guowei, make a call to him. This time, being called by his own father, it was more direct than Wei Mingyi’s. The Chen family, through Nie Guowei, stated bluntly that they hoped to work together with Chen Zhewen on the automobile city project and that it would be best to settle it in Qinchuan City.

Then, Liu Zhentao also made a special trip over. On the surface, it was to host Nie Zhenbang but, in fact, it was also for the automobile city. Different lobbyists showing off their skills.

It’s normal for various factions to have arrangements in the lower-level cities–that’s why they’re factions. It’s not enough to be just a few provincial or ministerial leaders. A faction is like a tree; it needs roots that reach deep into the soil. The size of the tree depends on the depth of its roots. The grassroots cadres, starting from the most ordinary township level and coming up, are the foundation of a tree. Clearly, everyone in Longxi Province is eying this project now, all looking to reap the greatest political achievements.

The immediate problem facing Nie Zhenbang was how to break the stalemate. Any slight misstep, offending someone, would mean a loss too great to justify. After a brief contemplation, Nie Zhenbang pressed the intercom on his desk: “Xiaoxia, notify Secretary-General Xiaomin, have the Provincial Party Committee Office call Shian City and let them know, tomorrow morning, we’ll go to Shian City for an inspection.” (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to QiDian (NovelFire.net) to cast your vote and monthly ticket, your support is my biggest motivation.)

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