Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 1215 - Chapter 1215 Chapter 1171 A Satisfactory Response to the

Chapter 1215: Chapter 1171: A Satisfactory Response to the Farmers Chapter 1215: Chapter 1171: A Satisfactory Response to the Farmers “What’s going on? Has something happened?” Just then, President Qiao’s voice sounded at the right time. President Qiao wasn’t a fool; the motorcade had stopped, and for quite a long time, which certainly indicated a problem.

Nie Zhenbang was also considering and hesitating at this moment. After pondering for a while, he decided to tell the truth. The kneeling protest by the public couldn’t be concealed. Such a sudden occurrence couldn’t possibly be hidden, and moreover, President Qiao wasn’t someone who could easily be fooled. To hide it would only make things worse.

Immediately, he looked up and said, “Leader, up ahead, there are people kneeling by the side of the road, blocking the motorcade. As for the specifics, we’re not quite sure yet.”

“A kneeling protest?” President Qiao repeated, already standing up. Without any second thoughts, he said at once, “Let’s go down and see.”

The car door opened, and the first to step out were several security officers from the Security Bureau. As they got out, they could see hundreds of people neatly and orderly kneeling by the side of the road.

Seeing President Qiao appear, the people kneeling on the ground became somewhat excited. As he approached, the security officers had already helped some of the people in front to their feet.

President Qiao looked around at everyone, his voice steady, crisp and sonorous, “Folks, everyone please stand up.”

As he spoke, President Qiao looked at a few of the people leading the group, smiling as he said, “What brings you to kneel here and stop the motorcade? Is there something you want to tell me?”

As his words fell, the leading man from the northwest, in his forties, nodded, his voice with a hint of excitement, “Mr. General Secretary, the compensation for our land acquisition is simply too low. Recently, there has been land acquisition for development in our area. Our farmlands have all been requisitioned. The price per acre is only a little over twelve thousand. I… we really had no other choice. I have relatives in Liujiabao Township, and we heard that the General Secretary was coming, and moreover, coming our way. So…”

Ten thousand per acre. Upon hearing this figure, Nie Zhenbang frowned as well. An acre of land, now exempt from agricultural tax and with agricultural subsidies, could bring a yearly income of at least a thousand. The issue was, this was a long-term income. The price for acquired farmland should be the highest. This wasn’t mountainous terrain, and in the standard land price regulations of Longxi Province, the guide price for each acre of arable land is above thirty-eight thousand. This price couldn’t be lower.

President Qiao listened, nodding as he said, “Folks, since everyone trusts me and has shared so much with me, I want to make a statement right here. I will give you all a satisfactory response.”

Nie Zhenbang also stepped to President Qiao’s side, and President Qiao nodded knowingly, saying, “Folks, this comrade beside me is the Party Secretary of Longxi Province, Nie Zhenbang. Here, I make a promise that I will have Comrade Zhenbang conduct a detailed investigation and give everyone a satisfactory result.”

Nie Zhenbang also nodded and said, “Folks, please trust the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government. The issues you face, the province will definitely do everything it can. We will not let your interests be harmed.”

Then, President Qiao walked toward the crowd, shaking hands with many people, and said with a smile, “Folks, I have important matters to attend to and need to hurry to Linzhou City, so I must leave now. Your concerns, I will surely keep them in mind and will resolve them for you. Please trust the Party and the government.”

The delay wasn’t long. All in all, it lasted only about ten minutes. Then the motorcade started up again.

In the car, President Qiao looked at Nie Zhenbang and said, “Comrade Zhenbang, it seems that Longxi Province is facing quite a few problems. What are your thoughts on the issue regarding the farmer’s land requisition compensation in Shuishan County?”

Talking about this, Nie Zhenbang also seemed quite somber. He nodded slightly and said, “Mr. General Secretary, first of all, I would like to offer a self-criticism to you and the organization. The work in the province isn’t meticulous or in-depth enough; this is our problem, and I ask for the leader’s criticism and guidance.”

“Furthermore, the land requisition issue in Shuishan County is definitely unfair. According to the regulations released by the Provincial Land and Resources Department at the beginning of the year, Class I farmland is clearly to be protected. If it is necessary to requisition farmland, it requires approval from the province. The minimum threshold for land prices has also been set quite high, at thirty-eight thousand per acre. In Shuishan County, it’s only a little over ten thousand, which definitely does not comply with the regulations. Once we return, the province will immediately form a task force to investigate the issues in Shuishan County. We will definitely give a satisfactory answer to the farmers.”

President Qiao listened but did not excessively rebuke. The same rice feeds a hundred different people. There are flaws and imperfections everywhere, to err is human, to forgive is divine; this is inevitable. The key is to identify problems, solve and correct them, and, additionally, do as much as possible to reduce the occurrence of corruption. This is the essence.

Looking at Nie Zhenbang, President Qiao also nodded and said, “The relationship between the Party and the masses, and the relationship between officials and the populace, are our crucial winning strategies. Currently, many leading officials have forgotten this, treating the power entrusted to them by the people as a means to abuse and place themselves above the law, which is extremely reprehensible. The improvement of the relationship between officials and the populace is an important issue at the moment. Establishing public trust in the government is also a task we must face. Longxi Province should strengthen ideological education for all leading cadres and carry out specialized study and training. We need to increase the punishment for corruption, raising the cost and risk of corrupt behavior.”

The motorcade finally arrived in Linzhou City at around four o’clock in the afternoon.

In Linzhou City, President Qiao visited the Lingxiao Coal Mine to understand the current situation of the mine, and after that, he attended a special report by Guan Jianguo and Liu Yueguang at the City Committee of Linzhou on the case of Lingxiao Coal Mine.

Upon hearing that Lingxiao Coal Mine was illegally employing workers and using inhumane methods to force these illegally detained individuals to mine coal without any safety guarantees, President Qiao was also angered.

Immediately, he issued an important directive: regardless of who was involved or what problems were implicated, show no mercy and crack down on offenders with determination. Bring these crazed individuals to justice.

Upon hearing these words, Nie Zhenbang and Liu Zhentao exchanged a glance, knowing that the purpose of their trip to Linzhou had been achieved.

In the affair of Lingxiao Coal Mine, Ling Baodong hadn’t given up, nor had Lingxiao yielded. Nie Zhenbang could, of course, guess what the father and son were thinking.

Lingxiao refused to confess, to admit guilt, or to submit to the law. Most importantly, he was still waiting for Ling Baodong’s maneuvers; indeed, Ling Baodong was actively working on it.

During this period, Nie Zhenbang had received many phone calls–some direct, some subtle, some cryptic. Yet, all were aimed at the same thing: the case of Lingxiao Coal Mine.

Now, with President Qiao’s statement, the situation with Lingxiao Coal Mine was about to become clear. Even if Ling Baodong continued his efforts, he would no longer be able to do so as blatantly. Moreover, President Qiao’s speech was a deterrent to Lingxiao–a powerful psychological onslaught that could completely break Lingxiao’s defenses.

…

Just after seven in the evening, President Qiao and his entourage returned to Ancient City without delay, heading straight for Qinyang Airport. This was quite normal for a national leader whose time was tight. Staying three days in Longxi Province was already a rarity, and Nie Zhenbang couldn’t expect more.

In the car on the way back to Ancient City, Nie Zhenbang and Liu Zhentao shared a ride.

Looking out the car window, the nightscape of Ancient City was still splendid. Without turning around, Nie Zhenbang slowly began, “Governor Zhentao, what do you think of Ancient City’s nightscape?”

This sudden question somewhat startled Liu Zhentao, who couldn’t figure out why Nie Zhenbang would say such a thing. In the bureaucracy, sometimes conversations could be quite mysterious.

Some describe working and living within the system this way: Speaking doesn’t seem like speaking. What’s said in earnest may not be earnest. False words aren’t necessarily lies.

It sounds rough, but that’s the idea. Liu Zhentao himself was the same; sometimes when he spoke with subordinates, his words were equally mysterious–a penchant for riddles.

It might seem like a display of one’s skill and level, but Liu Zhentao had a deep understanding that it wasn’t done on purpose. Sometimes, some things simply couldn’t be said outright.

Liu Zhentao’s status was not much inferior to Nie Zhenbang’s, and their relationship was somewhere between superior and equal colleagues. In Nie Zhenbang’s presence, Liu Zhentao did not feel as intimidated.

After pondering for a moment, he smiled and said, “The construction in Ancient City is indeed commendable. Since Comrade Luo Qiuliang took office, he has put great effort into rectifying the city’s appearance. These achievements are clear for all to see. Nowadays, Ancient City is increasingly resembling a major international metropolis.”

Nie Zhenbang nodded, then continued, “Yes, Ancient City truly feels like we’re in an international metropolis. But who would imagine that beneath it, there are still places so impoverished and backward? Moreover, there are quite a few issues at the grassroots level.”

At this time, Liu Zhentao started to understand and immediately nodded in agreement, “Secretary, regarding the land expropriation issue in Shuishan County, should we convene the standing committee for a discussion? Perhaps establish an investigative team to head into Yizhou City.”

“No need, the issue with Shuishan County is clear. The expropriation price of more than ten thousand is obviously unacceptable. In such cases, where the facts are clear and the evidence is sufficient, I think we can directly call Old Guan over. The Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission can form a task force to begin the investigation,” Nie Zhenbang said, decisively and without any hesitation.

After saying this, Nie Zhenbang looked at Liu Zhentao and, with a smile, said, “Governor Zhentao, many positions within the province have become vacant. Do you have any thoughts on this matter?”

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhentao felt overwhelmed. Personnel issues were the most difficult to address. Currently, there were several key positions vacant in the province, including the top two positions in Linzhou City and the spot left open by Li Hongyi, which were all of vital importance.

In that moment, Nie Zhenbang unhesitatingly broached the subject, prompting Liu Zhentao to ponder deeply over how to respond. It was an art in itself. What was Nie Zhenbang’s intent? Was he probing or was it something else? All these were questions worth contemplating. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it at . Your support is my greatest motivation.)