Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 1216 - Chapter 1216 Chapter 1172 Personnel Issues Have Always Been

Chapter 1216: Chapter 1172: Personnel Issues Have Always Been Troublesome Chapter 1216: Chapter 1172: Personnel Issues Have Always Been Troublesome Personnel adjustments have always been a fiercely contested arena within the system. Why should people follow you as a leader? What are they seeking? It’s simply because with a leader, one has backers, and during personnel promotion, someone will help speak for them, right? If a leader loses the power of speech in personnel matters, then such a leader essentially becomes sidelined.

The standing committee leadership’s credibility and actual power are superior to those of the common provincial committee and government vice-leaders. In fact, it is because the members of the standing committee hold the power of a vote.

Within party committees at all levels, besides a portion of personnel adjustments being decided by higher-ups, most decisions are made by the upper-level party committee. And this decision is usually taken at the standing committee meeting.

For this reason, members of the standing committee have the right to express their views and opinions at the committee meetings, and even possess the power to influence the positions of subordinate officials. Thus, the standing committee holds far greater authority than the average leader.

At this moment, Liu Zhentao was considering and pondering. What deeper meaning lay behind Nie Zhenbang’s words? At Nie Zhenbang’s level, though his position was merely that of the top leader in Longxi Province, it could be said that he was an unmistakable vice-national leader. Every move, every word carried profound implications. This was the art of leadership.

“Secretary, speaking of this, I would like to recommend a candidate to you,” Liu Zhentao said with a smile.

At that moment, Nie Zhenbang appeared quite indifferent. He glanced at Liu Zhentao. Liu Zhentao’s reaction also surprised Nie Zhenbang. Nie Zhenbang had his reasons for discussing this matter with Liu Zhentao. As the case in Linzhou City unfolded, it was gradually coming to an end. Following President Qiao’s inspection and the subsequent involvement of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, there would be nothing left for Longxi Province to handle. Therefore, the vacancies for the top two positions of Linzhou City could not be delayed for too long.

As for these two candidates, Nie Zhenbang was quite detached at the moment. Having not been in Longxi for a long time, he had few allies beneath him. Now, to Nie Zhenbang, it did not matter who took the position. However, as the head of the provincial committee, when it was time to assert control, he would do so.

Not grappling didn’t mean neglecting. Although these two positions were of little consequence to Nie Zhenbang, it was necessary to use this opportunity to remind other committee leaders of his authority. This matter showed that Nie Zhenbang’s authority still existed.

This time, asking Liu Zhentao was also a form of probe. Liu Zhentao had worked in Longxi for a long time and naturally had his loyal followers.

Quick-witted Liu Zhentao faced his own question with an approach that skillfully avoided embarrassment.

Nie Zhenbang then nodded and said, “Oh? What is the suitable candidate? Let’s hear it.”

Upon hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Liu Zhentao also nodded and said, “Secretary, I think the party school director, Comrade Hong Jinchu, is a good choice. I recommend Comrade Hong Jinchu for the position of Secretary of the Linzhou City Committee.”

“Hong Jinchu?” Nie Zhenbang mumbled to himself, without much impression. The party school affairs had always been managed by Wang Benchang, and since he took office, all his attention had been on economic development and construction. With issue after issue in Longxi Province, starting with Jinan City’s Zhao Clan Group and now Linzhou City’s Lingxiao Coal Mine, attention to the party school had naturally waned.

The only impression Nie Zhenbang had of Hong Jinchu was that he had an academic background, once a pioneer in Longxi Province, being the first official at the departmental level to hold a law doctorate there.

After pondering, Nie Zhenbang slowly said, “Oh? Comrade Hong Jinchu? Well, it’s possible to include him in the inspection range of the Organization Department.”

Having said that, Nie Zhenbang did not speak further, effectively closing the conversation. This response left Liu Zhentao somewhat astonished.

Indeed, Nie Zhenbang was formidable. His skill and ability were undeniable. Just from this reaction, he was extremely shrewd. In response to the candidate he proposed, he neither agreed nor opposed. With a casual mention of the Organization Department’s inspection, he dismissed him. The feeling was like punching into cotton, leaving one no firm place to exert force.

The motorcade returned to the provincial committee, and the leaders from the four major provincial groups who had come to see off President Qiao naturally dispersed, with his departure, various works in Longxi Province naturally returned to normal.

Nie Zhenbang stepped out of the car, and his secretary Xia Gang was already following behind.

Ascending the steps, Nie Zhenbang turned to Xia Gang and said, “Xiaoxia, notify Comrade Zhang Fangwen to come over.”

No sooner had he returned to the office than Xia Gang’s voice, conversing with Zhang Fangwen, could be heard from outside.

Nie Zhenbang also stood up. Right on cue, the door was pushed open, and Zhang Fangwen and Xia Gang both entered.

“Secretary, Minister Zhang is here,” Xia Gang reported.

Zhang Fangwen also smiled and nodded, “Secretary Nie. You wanted to see me.”

“Comrade Fangwen has arrived. Please, have a seat.” He gestured for Zhang Fangwen to sit on the sofa in the reception area. Nie Zhenbang personally poured Zhang Fangwen a cup of hot tea.

Nie Zhenbang’s behavior was warm and generous, yet without excessive familiarity. He managed to strike the right balance, maintaining the authoritative presence of the top leader of the Provincial Committee while also exhibiting an approachable style.

At this moment, Zhang Fangwen appeared somewhat restrained. As the head of the Provincial Committee’s Organizational Department, the contact between Zhang Fangwen and Nie Zhenbang normally was a bit less frequent than desired. His interactions didn’t even match the frequency of those with Li Hongying from the Propaganda Department, which was a worrying concern for Zhang Fangwen.

The Organizational Department, like the Propaganda Department, was a key department under the leadership of the Provincial Committee and its importance was perhaps even greater.

Personnel power was crucial at any level of the party committee, yet, his own contact with the top leader was not as frequent as it should be. This could inevitably lead to some discomfort in the leader’s mind. To put it bluntly, it might make the leader feel as if he were being too cautious about his status.

Standing up, Zhang Fangwen took the teacup with both hands, then gently placed it on the coffee table before speaking, “Thank you, Secretary Nie.”

Nie Zhenbang obviously noticed Zhang Fangwen’s restraint and demeanor. Within the whole Longxi Provincial Committee, the oldest was Wang Benchang, who was fifty-eight this year, and Zhang Fangwen was fifty-six.

Nie Zhenbang could somewhat guess Zhang Fangwen’s thoughts. The position Zhang Fangwen held was extremely important, wielding significant personnel authority. The fact that Zhang Fangwen hadn’t been sidelined by Wang Benchang indicated that he was very cautious and circumspect in his actions.

Thus, Zhang Fangwen’s cautious attitude was not difficult to understand. He was the type of person who preferred not to take risks, striving to be faultless. It was absolutely impossible to expect such a person to place heavy bets on anyone when the situation was unclear.

“Minister Fangwen, I have specifically asked you here this time mainly to discuss and consult with you about some personnel adjustments within the province,” Nie Zhenbang got straight to the point, saying his intentions without mincing words.

At that moment, upon hearing these words, Zhang Fangwen’s face remained calm and composed. He nodded slightly and said, “Secretary Nie, this time, there are quite a few vacant positions in the province. In terms of cities, both the Secretary and the Mayor of Linzhou City, as well as the Deputy Secretary of the Yizhou City Committee, are due for retirement. They need to step down. There’s also a deputy mayor in Shian City. Additionally, in the departments and bureaus, there are six vacant positions at the deputy department level. With so many personnel adjustments, I was just about to seek guidance from the leadership on the selection and inspection of candidates. Do you have any requirements or directives?”

Whenever it came to the critical period of personnel adjustments, it was always a troublesome time for Zhang Fangwen. Just like now, with so many vacancies, it might seem like there was a sizeable cake, but there were simply too many people who wanted a slice.

It had only just begun, and there were already numerous old comrades and senior leaders from the province calling him. They were either vice-chairpersons of the People’s Congress or the Political Consultative Conference, or even leaders from the Provincial Committee team. Some were current provincial leaders, and some had already retired, but regardless of whether they were retired or still in office, Zhang Fangwen didn’t want to offend any of them.

Indeed, not wanting to offend, not that he didn’t dare to. As for who dared and who didn’t, in Longxi Province, aside from Liu Zhen Tao and Nie Zhenbang, who Zhang Fangwen was somewhat wary of, there really wasn’t anyone he couldn’t afford to offend.

On the surface, it sounded like he was seeking guidance and reporting, but Zhang Fangwen’s words carried his own cautious thoughts. In this way, if he could get specific directions from Secretary Nie, it would be like adding a layer of tiger skin to himself, which would reduce a lot of trouble.

After glancing at Zhang Fangwen, Nie Zhenbang slowly said, “Comrade Fangwen, the Organizational Department still needs to show its responsibility. The selection and assessment of cadres is the duty of the Organizational Department, isn’t it? As the leader of the Organizational Department, you should possess the courage to act decisively.”

Nie Zhenbang was somewhat dissatisfied with Zhang Fangwen’s words, so his statement contained a hint of reprimand.

However, Nie Zhenbang did not pressure Zhang Fangwen too much; too much is as bad as too little. For someone like Zhang Fangwen, an experienced old sparrow who had seen all types of storms, rash actions cannot be taken. It was a situation best solved through slow and deliberate means, like boiling a frog in warm water.

Without waiting for Zhang Fangwen to speak, Nie Zhenbang continued, “Personnel work is challenging. I understand that there are many aspects to consider and many connections involved. That is beyond doubt. My stance is to respond to the central government’s call, advocating for the younger, more educated, and practical leadership cadre team. The Organizational Department should shine its eyes and consider carefully. To promote a group of young, educated, and capable cadres, and to use them boldly.”

(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendation votes and monthly votes at Qidian (NovelFire.net). Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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