Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 972 - Chapter 972 Chapter 928 The Direction of Propaganda

Chapter 972: Chapter 928: The Direction of Propaganda Chapter 972: Chapter 928: The Direction of Propaganda Nie Zhenbang returned to the Hongjiang Provincial Committee guesthouse at just after six o’clock. He had left at about three in the afternoon, spent around an hour at Emerald Elegance Pavilion, followed by another hour at the Construction Road Police Station. By the time he came back to the guesthouse, it was already past six.

As soon as Nie Zhenbang and Xu Hongzhuan stepped through the door, the member of the Party group of the Provincial Committee’s Administrative Affairs Office, the director of the Provincial Committee’s Reception Office, and the general manager of the Provincial Committee guesthouse Liu Nianfeng had already come up to meet them. Liu Nianfeng was around forty years old, wore glasses, and appeared refined and cultured. His entire demeanor exuded amiability.

“Secretary Nie, Chief Secretary,” Liu Nianfeng came up and greeted them with a smile.

Without waiting for Nie Zhenbang to speak, Xu Hongzhuan took the initiative and said, “Director Liu Nianfeng, could you check on which floor Mrs. Yang Anna and her party are staying? Mrs. Yang Anna is Secretary Nie’s wife.”

Upon hearing Xu Hongzhuan’s words, Liu Nianfeng’s expression immediately changed, feeling somewhat grateful towards Xu Hongzhuan. The Chief Secretary really knew how to handle things. At least, there wouldn’t be any slip-up in his reception duties.

Liu Nianfeng did not dare to delay and immediately went over to the bar to check. He then said, “Secretary Nie, your wife and her friends are staying in the standard rooms on the second floor. Secretary Nie, would you consider upgrading your wife and the distinguished guests to a few of the deluxe suites on the fifth floor?”

When it came to Yang Anna and Dong Wan, let alone staying in the Provincial Committee guesthouse’s deluxe suites, even if it was the most top-tier seven-star hotel presidential suites, money was not an issue for them. However, considering that Nie Zhenbang was after all the top official of Hongjiang, certain things still needed attention. Rumors of the Secretary’s wife living in luxury, even though the money was her own, wouldn’t sound too good. Hence, there was no need for Nie Zhenbang to mention it, as Anna, Dong Wan, or Li Lixue, would all pay great attention to this detail.

Nie Zhenbang spoke without hesitation, “There’s no need. The standard suites are fine. We can’t start claiming privileges just because they are my family and friends.”

Xu Hongzhuan, standing beside him, also said with a smile, “Secretary Nie’s upright principles are indeed worth learning from. Director Liu Nianfeng, since the Secretary has spoken, let’s not make any adjustments, but make sure the food and service level is top-notch. Assign the best wait staff and ensure they can respond promptly upon call.”

Nie Zhenbang did not add anything else, as this was the way of the system. Subordinates were always cautious in every aspect, afraid to inadvertently cross the leaders’ lines. Being within this circle, at times, he couldn’t only consider his own thoughts. He had to provide his subordinates with opportunities to perform.

Then Nie Zhenbang turned to Xu Hongzhuan and said, “Comrade Hongzhuan, you’ve worked hard on today’s matters. Now that it’s the weekend, here’s what we’ll do: arrange to have the recent economic data and the Party construction materials from Hongjiang, along with documents on various other aspects, prepared and sent to my office. Over the next two days, I’ll review them. On Tuesday next week, you organize a visit for us to Songzhou City to inspect the progress of the construction of the Hope Sky Highway Hongjiang Section.”

…

With the reception office director Liu Nianfeng personally leading the way, Nie Zhenbang entered the room on the second floor, where at the moment, Anna and Wan were sitting and chatting. Although the friends would video call each other regularly, face-to-face communication was different, and they naturally missed each other.

At seven o’clock sharp, after watching the national TV station’s news broadcast, the next program was the news from Hongjiang Province Station. The first headline was related to him.

“Today, Secretary Nie Zhenbang of the Provincial Committee convened a full committee meeting to discuss and plan for various aspects of Hongjiang’s economic development. This was Secretary Nie’s first full committee meeting after taking office in Hongjiang. In the meeting, Secretary Nie spoke eloquently and with deep emotion, showing profound concern for the old revolutionary base of Hongjiang River. Secretary Nie said he had four sayings… His speech was meaningful, with the ‘three knows,’ the ‘three never forgets,’ and the ‘three goods,’ and was full of passion and vision for the work and the future. Provincial Committee leaders Liu Yong, Wen Baogui, Chen Le, and others were in attendance.”

Following this piece of news, the broadcast reported other activities of the Provincial Committee and government leaders, followed by news on civil affairs and economic developments. Nie Zhenbang turned off the television. He was quite satisfied with the content and the implications of this news report. It showed that Li Wei had put significant thought into it. Moreover, this was also a platform through which he could communicate his governance philosophy and intentions to the provincial leaders and citizens.

Soon after, Nie Zhenbang stood up and, with a smile, said, “Ladies, shall we go out for dinner?”

…

Today’s news was not only watched by Nie Zhenbang; other people in the Provincial Committee also paid attention. In the Provincial Committee and government’s family district, located behind the government compound and known as the Standing Committee Building, Building No. 1, was where the members of the Provincial Government Party Group lived. A row of distinctive two-story buildings stretched out across the compound. Building No. 1 housed the residence of the Provincial Committee Deputy Secretary and Governor Liu Yong.

At this moment, in the living room, Liu Yong was seated comfortably in the middle of the sofa, with He Yusheng, the Executive Vice Governor, on his left side, and Xie Guangtong, the Vice Governor in charge of political and legal affairs, housing and urban-rural development, and quality supervision departments, and Li Yanze, the Provincial Government Secretary-General, sitting beside him on the right.

The television had been turned off. Just now, the implications of the news on Hongjiang News might have seemed to outsiders simply as the head of the Provincial Committee holding a meeting and giving a speech.

However, for the senior leaders of the Provincial Committee, the meaning behind it was extraordinary. After a pause, Liu Yong spoke in a measured voice, “Yusheng, do you have any thoughts?”

He Yusheng had been personally promoted by Liu Yong; back when Liu Yong was still serving as a county head, He Yusheng had been his deputy, much like now. Liu Yong was the principal leader while he was the deputy. As Liu Yong rose step by step, He Yusheng also climbed the ladder with him.

In front of Liu Yong, He Yusheng held a proper attitude and stance. He didn’t find anything amiss with Liu Yong’s tone or demeanor.

After pondering for a moment, He Yusheng nodded slightly and said, “I’ll boldly analyze this. Looking at today’s propaganda efforts, Li Wei is clearly trying to curry favor.”

To this remark, Liu Yong remained expressionless. If He Yusheng could only see this surface layer, then his hopes for the position weren’t great. Everyone in Hongjiang Province knew that Nie Zhenbang was in his prime and a formidable person who belonged to the strong type. Competing against such a man in terms of background was futile; in skills, one couldn’t surpass him; in age, no one in the Hongjiang Provincial Committee could best him. It would indeed be an unwise choice not to seek his favor.

Seeing the nonchalant expression of his old leader, He Yusheng realized that his words might have fallen short of expectations; he hurriedly added, “Governor, in my opinion, the change in Li Wei is one factor, but more importantly, the message conveyed in Comrade Zhenbang’s speech suggests that the Secretary is keen to focus on economic development. Moreover, it’s certain that Comrade Zhenbang is an extremely pragmatic person.”

Liu Yong nodded. He Yusheng was good in many aspects, but his personality was too reserved, or rather, a bit too calculating–even cautious around his own leader. While this might be seen as prudence, it also meant losing the steadfastness and integrity that a Party member and official should have.

As an insider in Hongjiang Province, Liu Yong had a very special perspective; he was both a participant and an observer. Thus, he saw things more clearly than others. Zhang Tianyue seemed to have been overwhelmed, but in reality, the main reason was likely his mental and physical exhaustion.

In fact, the main issues in Hongjiang focused on economic development and personnel matters. With the economy, there were significant provincial conflicts and a lack of unity in thought, which hindered Hongjiang’s economic progress. As for personnel affairs, they were even more complicated, with everyone harboring their own thoughts. Zhang Tianyue, as the top leader with the responsibility of overseeing the Party, was obviously ill-fitting for the role. Given this impact, the eventual outcome was quite evident.

However, Liu Yong now saw something distinctive in Nie Zhenbang’s approach since his appointment. Nie Zhenbang and Zhang Tianyue were different; fundamentally different personalities. Whether in handling the economy or personnel affairs, Nie Zhenbang’s assertiveness was likely unavoidable.

In reality, everyone has a subconscious trait–to bully the weak and fear the strong; Liu Yong was no exception. With Zhang Tianyue being incompetent, Liu Yong naturally appeared more assertive, but he would never cross Nie Zhenbang, who was not to be trifled with. Of course, Liu Yong had his own principles and bottom lines, and he would not yield unprincipledly.

After a pause, Liu Yong smiled and said, “Secretary Nie is truly pragmatic.”

Liu Yong’s statement seemed rather vague. But these were matters he couldn’t articulate too explicitly. From his perspective, some things were better left unsaid. Whether He Yusheng understood that depended on his own insight.

For He Yusheng, who aspired to take over the governor position, Nie Zhenbang’s opinion would carry significant weight. To earn Secretary Nie’s approval, one aspect was certainly the exchange of interests, but moreover, one had to align oneself closer to Secretary Nie’s approach–pragmatism being the most essential stepping stone. However, Liu Yong couldn’t be so blunt about this; if he spoke plainly, would he himself have any authority left? So in this matter, Liu Yong found himself in a dilemma; on the one hand, he needed to give He Yusheng some guidance, but on the other, he feared undermining his own prestige. Ambiguous remarks were thus most appropriate.

While Nie Zhenbang wasn’t paying attention to these subtle changes within the province right now, at the moment, he was in a private dining room at the Provincial Committee Guesthouse restaurant, joyously sitting together with his family. To his left and right, were An Na and Dong Wan, with Li Lixue sitting across from him, accompanied by Pan and Yah. Dong Zhiping, who was studying at Red Flag School, couldn’t make it.

Having just finished their meal, the family appeared to be in high spirits. Li Lixue and Dong Wan’s cheeks were slightly rosy, and next to them, An Na said with a smile, “Zhenbang, tomorrow is the weekend. Why don’t we go on a trip to the countryside?” (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on with a recommendation ticket or a monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation.)