Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 1191 - Chapter 1191 Chapter 1147 A Great Gift

Chapter 1191: Chapter 1147: A Great Gift Chapter 1191: Chapter 1147: A Great Gift “`

Ling Baodong’s demeanor was also extraordinary. His way of inviting people even had a coercive nature. To Nie Zhenbang’s ears, however, there was something grating about it.

He had mentioned sparingly prepared wine at the Hilton and directly asked if I was interested. Ling Baodong really was…

Like father, like son. Nie Zhenbang could see the root of Lingxiao’s arrogance; Ling Baodong had this manner of forcing the issue, and his son Lingxiao had certainly learned it all.

To show disinterest would be a direct slap in the face. Nie Zhenbang scoffed. To invite guests, is this how one invites?

But Nie Zhenbang was also aware that, as members of the entry committee, it was quite normal for Ling Baodong to pull rank due to his age. Moreover, Nie Zhenbang was curious to hear what specific purpose this father and son had in taking the trouble to invite him. He then nodded and said, “Secretary Baodong, you are too kind. By rights, I should be the one inviting you.”

“Haha, little brother, whether you invite me or I invite you, isn’t it all just a gathering? Then it’s settled, at seven in the evening. My son and I will be awaiting your esteemed presence,” Ling Baodong said happily, appreciating the face Nie Zhenbang gave him. He continued with a pretense of heartiness in his laughter.

This attitude from Ling Baodong caused Nie Zhenbang to frown. At this moment, they were still in a meeting. Although he had lowered his voice, Ling Baodong’s lack of restraint still caused Nie Zhenbang some dissatisfaction. From all indications, Ling Baodong seemed quite overbearing. But for someone so audacious and overbearing, how had he reached his current position? This puzzled Nie Zhenbang. Or was it possible that Ling Baodong was deliberately displaying such a style at this moment?

In the afternoon, as the meeting concluded, the ministry leaders from Jingcheng and the vice national level leaders didn’t stay to dine in the Ancient Capital but directly took a car to the airport.

As the lead official, Nie Zhenbang naturally also personally saw them off. In the car, Nie Zhenbang also had exchanges with the leaders, especially with Caisang Duojie, as the two were classmates back in the day and naturally quite familiar with each other.

“Secretary, did Ling Baodong seek you out for an exchange?” Liu Zhentao asked with a smile on the way back.

Liu Zhentao could not be kept in the dark about the movements in the meeting hall. At this moment, there was no need for Nie Zhenbang to avoid the topic with Liu Zhentao. Treating people with sincerity was valuable, and currently, the situation in Longxi Province was very good. The entire province was united. Liu Zhentao’s grasp of his own role was very spot-on, displaying respect and support for Nie Zhenbang everywhere. This created a united front in Longxi Province concerning the division of labor among the team. Nie Zhenbang truly cherished this atmosphere. At this moment, there was no reason to let Liu Zhentao harbor any ill feelings over such a trivial matter. Now, Nie Zhenbang undoubtedly regarded Liu Zhentao as having greater importance than Ling Baodong.

With a casual smile, Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “He invited me to dinner, seven o’clock at the Hilton. It’s likely Ling Baodong’s treat won’t taste very good.”

Hearing this, Liu Zhentao nodded as well and asked, “Secretary Zhenbang, if… what are you planning to do?”

Some things were difficult to say outright, but the meaning was understood by all. As the conversation reached this point, an air of authority emerged on Nie Zhenbang’s face as he indifferently said, “What to do? Serve it cold. Whether prince or commoner, anyone who breaks the law faces the same punishment. On Longxi ground, I don’t care who it is. If they have the audacity to commit the act, they should have the courage to take responsibility. Even if Heaven’s Emperor himself were to come, it wouldn’t matter.”

…

Seven o’clock sharp.

Punctually, Nie Zhenbang arrived at the Hilton on a bicycle. It wasn’t that Nie Zhenbang was deliberately showing off. In fact, this rule had been personally set by Nie Zhenbang himself. After work hours, unless for verified official business, leaders at all levels and departments across the province were strictly forbidden from using official vehicles. This was a hard and fast rule. If he broke it, how could he lead the team in the future?

This scene left the hotel’s doormen at the entrance of the Hilton Hotel dumbfounded. What’s happening? Are luxury cars no longer in vogue and there’s a trend of embracing the retro style instead? Arriving at a five-star hotel on a bicycle, what was this all about?

The restaurant at the Hilton Hotel was on the second floor. At the entrance to the second floor, Ling Baodong was already personally waiting there. Next to him was a young man about thirty years old, who bore a strong resemblance to Ling Baodong. It seemed that this was Ling Baodong’s son, Lingxiao.

At this point, compared to the afternoon, Ling Baodong’s imposing presence seemed much diminished, greeting Nie Zhenbang personally and with a smile, quite courteous.

As the three of them sat down, someone who obviously looked like Ling Baodong’s secretary came over and poured a cup of hot tea for each of them.

Ling Baodong smiled and said, “Little brother Zhenbang, let me introduce you. This is my son, Lingxiao, who is now under your jurisdiction doing some small business.”

With that, Ling Baodong turned to Lingxiao and said, “Lingxiao, quickly, call him Uncle Nie.”

At that moment, Lingxiao no longer possessed his usual air of arrogance. Standing up, he appeared quite respectful. “Uncle Nie.”

Observing Lingxiao, an involuntary sense of superiority leaked from his brows, which, coupled with an aura of hostility, was evident through Nie Zhenbang’s discerning eyes. People like Lingxiao were extremely egotistical and disdainful of everything else.

In front of family elders, perhaps he maintained one demeanor, but in front of outsiders, it was definitely another.

Nie Zhenbang nodded slightly and smiled. “Lingxiao truly is a person of remarkable appearance. I’ve heard that Lingxiao Coal Mine is my capable nephew’s property. Not bad, young and promising.”

When it came to official niceties, Nie Zhenbang spoke naturally and with ease. As he exchanged pleasantries with Ling Baodong and his son, the hotel promptly served all the dishes.

The drink they used was Moutai, thirty years of good brew. This also confirmed the solemnity of Ling Baodong’s occasion today. Unsolicited courtesy might indicate concealed intentions.

Upon opening the bottle, Ling Baodong personally stood up, filled a glass for Nie Zhenbang to the brim, and after filling one for himself, stood up and said with a smile, “Younger brother Zhenbang, I toast to you for the first glass. In the future, we will need your continued care for this child Lingxiao here.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Nie Zhenbang replied with a smile, “Secretary Baodong, I’ll drink, but I must correct one mistake. Nowadays, it’s the era of the market economy, and the development of a place cannot be separated from the support of commerce and capital. Now, it is Lingxiao who is looking after me.”

Nie Zhenbang did not offer the common platitudes about taking care under the principle. He spoke bluntly, steering away from the topic entirely. He did not engage in that vein at all.

This action left Ling Baodong momentarily stunned, and he gave Nie Zhenbang a meaningful glance before laughing. “Haha, younger brother Zhenbang truly is a renowned economic expert. Not even three sentences in and you’re already talking shop. That was an incisive comment. Economic leadership is indeed the priority now.”

Here, Ling Baodong turned the conversation and said with a smile, “Younger brother Zhenbang, the main reason I asked you to come here specially is because there is a matter I wish to discuss with you.”

“You know, Lingxiao has been mining here. I have not asked him how much money he has made. This time, he told me that over the years in Longxi, he has always relied on the concern and support of the Party and the government, as well as the care and assistance of the Longxi Provincial Committee and Provincial Government. Therefore, he wants to donate a portion of the profits, offering 1,200 modern off-road police vehicles and 200 brand-new Iveco ambulances to the Longxi provincial legal system. Additionally, he plans to contribute one billion yuan to establish a special environmental protection fund to be managed by the Longxi Provincial Committee and Provincial Government. Hehe, the young man is too shy to say it himself, so he asked for my help,” Ling Baodong said with a smile.

Hearing this, Nie Zhenbang’s expression changed slightly. It was indeed a grand gesture. Modern off-road police vehicles, judging by the current market price, would be at least two hundred thousand yuan each. Three hundred vehicles amounted to one hundred and forty million yuan. This included the Provincial Public Security Bureau, Provincial Procuratorate, Provincial High Court, and the Department of Justice, with an allocation also to each municipality in the province. Each municipality would receive about eighty vehicles on average, twenty for each department–a significant gift indeed.

For the ambulances, two hundred vehicles, one hundred would go to the provincial hospitals, and the other hundred would be distributed to the municipalities, with each receiving approximately ten vehicles. Factoring in the price of Iveco special-purpose vehicles equipped with professional medical equipment, each would cost at least five hundred thousand yuan, totaling one hundred million yuan. Moreover, there was the additional one billion yuan for environmental protection.

Altogether, three hundred and forty million yuan was pledged. It was undeniably a vast sum.

But at that very moment, Nie Zhenbang grew increasingly suspicious of Lingxiao’s abnormal behavior. He turned his gaze toward Ling Baodong beside him and sneered inwardly.

Before the driver had recovered consciousness, it had been but a conjecture. However, now, with Lingxiao offering these things, one could nearly confirm that Lingxiao was deeply connected to Li Hongyi’s death.

Nie Zhenbang was somewhat familiar with these people in the Jingcheng circle. To them, money was no different from paper.

There’s no need to mention the major families. Each one inevitably had business interests, whether it be direct descendants or collateral relatives, or even affiliates.

But philanthropic passion for local welfare was not something Nie Zhenbang often encountered. Lingxiao Coal Mine had been in Longxi for almost five years, but during that time, there had been no sign of Lingxiao’s involvement in any philanthropic or charitable activities. Now, suddenly, there was this surge of enthusiasm.

Why? Could 3.4 billion yuan buy safety? Then, the death of Li Hongyi was incredibly cheap, wasn’t it? A high-ranking official of vice-provincial level, to die so inexplicably. And now, someone with major suspicions comes forward, offering 3.4 billion yuan–did they think he had never seen money before?

3.4 billion, how much was that? For the average person, it might be a fortune beyond reach in a lifetime, but for Lingxiao Coal Mine, that was truly not a lot–just 1.1 million tons. Lingxiao Coal Mine had an annual yield of 5 million tons. Three months, or two?(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at . Your support is my greatest motivation.)