Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 976 - Chapter 976 Chapter 932 Songzhou Inspection

Chapter 976: Chapter 932 Songzhou Inspection Chapter 976: Chapter 932 Songzhou Inspection Tuesday, early morning.

The weather was still not bad; the Hongjiang region belonged to the Southern areas, and the winter climate was somewhat damp and cold. Around seven in the morning, Nie Zhenbang had already arrived at the bottom of the provincial committee building.

Nie Zhenbang came by bicycle, a brand-new 28-inch model, and it was still an old famous brand from Huaxia, the Phoenix brand. The style was the most classic, with black paint, and the quality was quite good. This was by no means showing off. He had a purpose in doing this.

The enforcement strength of the Three Public Expenses regulation in Hongjiang Province could only be considered reluctant, which Nie Zhenbang was very clear about, as he used to be the director of the Three Public Affairs Office.

What is valued in the officialdom is leading by example. Now, as the top leader of the provincial committee commuted to work by bicycle every day, other leading cadres would feel embarrassed to travel by car, wouldn’t they? Sooner or later, such an atmosphere would naturally change; it was a way of influencing subtly and silently.

At the entrance of the provincial committee building, the vehicles were already parked to the side; they were military green Toyota Land Cruisers with stripes, looking about ninety percent new. Likewise, there was another Land Cruiser, and next to the vehicles stood several staff members, reporters accompanying this time.

Basically, whether provincial committees or city governments at various levels, there were not many brand-new vehicles now. Even if there were, they were strictly in accordance with the Three Public Expenses regulation. However, where there are policies from above, there are countermeasures from below. Sometimes, as long as such marginal plays are not too excessive, the higher-ups wouldn’t be too strict. Many things could only change imperceptibly.

The license plate was Red O-00001. This varied from place to place; for example, in Bashu, the license plates for the provincial committee and government vehicles were uniformly WJ plates, while in Hongjiang, the O prefix plates were the license numbers for the organs of the provincial committee and government as well as the various departments and commissions.

Next to the vehicle, Xu Hongzhuan, the provincial committee secretary-general, stood to the side, with Hong Feng and the security secretary Dai Fei, also standing nearby.

On either end of the vehicles, there were no customary lead cars, which Nie Zhenbang was very pleased about. Nowadays, the higher-ups advocated for efficiency and simplicity to avoid disturbing the public, and Nie Zhenbang agreed and strictly implemented this.

Xu Hongzhuan came forward with a smile and said, “Secretary, your vehicle is good; it’s not only a means of commuting but also a way to exercise.”

Nie Zhenbang chuckled and nodded, “Comrade Hongzhuan, nowadays society is developing more and more, and technology is advancing, but our physical fitness is declining. Look at our party and government leaders; who doesn’t have a bit of high blood pressure or high cholesterol? This all comes from a lack of exercise. Riding a bike to and from work not only advocates for environmental protection, energy conservation, and emission reduction, but also improves fitness and brings leaders closer to the people. Why not do it?”

Xu Hongzhuan also nodded and said, “Secretary, you have great foresight. We can’t catch up even if we try to flatter you. When I get back this time, I will definitely buy a bike to exercise.”

Nie Zhenbang laughed heartily. Xu Hongzhuan was very smooth and mature in speaking and acting, yet not annoying to people. This was the main reason why Nie Zhenbang appreciated him.

Then, Nie Zhenbang turned his head and said, “Alright, everyone get in the car. This time, going to Songzhou is quite far, nearly four hundred kilometers away. Although it’s all highways, it still takes a considerable amount of time. Let’s set off early.”

Nie Zhenbang had spoken. Hong Feng immediately stepped forward and opened the door for Nie Zhenbang, carefully shielding the door frame with his hand. These movements were naturally very practiced for Hong Feng. Xu Hongzhuan got into the car from the other side and sat in the back with Nie Zhenbang, while Hong Feng sat in the front passenger seat. Dai Fei started the car and accelerated out of the provincial committee compound.

On the road, looking through the car window at the scenery on both sides of the highway, Nie Zhenbang was captivated. This drive-by inspection was also a form of examination. It was clear to see that the agriculture and villages on both sides reflected that Hongjiang’s economy indeed wasn’t very good.

In the vehicle, Xu Hongzhuan smiled and said, “Secretary, I heard that yesterday, Comrade Baogui…”

The provincial committee compound wasn’t that big, and as the secretary-general, he certainly had access to information. Yesterday, Wen Baogui suffered a loss in his office and also incurred Gong Zheng’s resentment. Such things naturally spread throughout the entire provincial committee compound. Especially, since Gong Zheng was already very dissatisfied with Wen Baogui. You, Wen Baogui, meddling in the work of the Discipline Inspection Commission–what does that mean? Are you implying Gong Zheng is incompetent? As the full-time deputy secretary, you’re in charge of party and mass work, ideological work, and mainly handle organization and personnel matters. Wen Baogui fails to deal with Qin Guanghan and decides to interfere with the discipline inspection business?

In Nie Zhenbang’s office, Gong Zheng made a firm pledge to Nie Zhenbang on the spot: within ten days, he would bring to light a clear result in the case of Ding Bowen.

Recalling yesterday’s events, Nie Zhenbang was still somewhat pleased; the sight of Wen Baogui’s chagrin, as if he had swallowed a fly, was indescribably satisfying.

However, on the surface, Nie Zhenbang spoke with a grave voice, “Comrade Hongzhuan, why are you looking into these rumors now? There’s a limit to everything. Do you understand?”

The car wasn’t moving fast, maintaining a speed of 110 kilometers per hour, which was still some distance away from the highway’s speed limit of 120 kilometers per hour. Dai Fei drove the car quite steadily.

Nie Zhenbang looked out the window, considering that the work in Hongjiang had just begun. Within the provincial committee, hearts were divided; this was the most significant difficulty and problem he currently faced. Integrating the team required both time and skill. There was no shortcut in this matter; the committee members each held a vote in their hands, and it wasn’t as though declaring oneself as the top leader would make others follow suit. With the way things had started, Nie Zhenbang was already quite satisfied. He had triggered the antagonistic emotions between Wen Baogui and Gong Zheng, accepted Xu Hongzhuan and Li Wei, who were leaning towards him, and with Chen Le cheering from the sidelines, holding three and a half votes was quite good. The reason for the half vote was mainly that Li Wei wasn’t fully counted in yet,

At this level, what everyone valued was whether there was benefit and value to their portion. It could only be taken slowly.

What Nie Zhenbang currently lacked was a foundation in organizational personnel matters; he took office without any basis in Hongjiang. The cadres at the municipal level were the weakest link.

As the car was about to pass by Luji City, Hong Feng’s phone suddenly rang. After answering and exchanging a few words, he quickly covered the mouthpiece and turned to say, “Secretary, it’s a call from Bu Rongchang of Luji City, extending a warm invitation for us to stop by in Luji City.”

As the words fell, Xu Hongzhuan introduced, “Secretary, Bu Rongchang is the Secretary of the Luji City Municipal Party Committee.”

Nie Zhenbang’s brow furrowed. Local leaders indeed cared about such formalities too much. They really thought they were being polite. He then said, “We won’t go, let them know. And tell them not to clear the way with a police car, we’re just passing through.”

By the time the car was passing Luji City, it was already past nine in the morning. They had nearly completed half of the total journey.

Nie Zhenbang exchanged a few words with Xu Hongzhuan and, after some small talk, leaned back in the car and took a short nap. By around eleven in the morning, he sat up again.

Looking out the car window, the sign on the highway read “Songzhou West 30 kilometers.”

At this very moment, at the entrance to the Songzhou Municipal Party Committee and government office building, over a dozen cars were lined up, ready to go. From the hall, a group of leaders came out. Leading them was a man in his late forties. He checked his watch and said sternly, “Everyone, get in your cars and go directly to the highway exit to wait. Secretary Nie’s car will be arriving soon.”

This time, Nie Zhenbang truly traveled light and simple. As per convention, such inspection tours usually require accompanying leaders. In this kind of occasion, the presence of the Vice Governor in charge of transportation is mandatory, along with the head of the Transportation Department and the head of the Provincial Highway Group. All of these people were expected to be there, but this time, Nie Zhenbang brought no one, which was telling in itself.

This was also an attitude Nie Zhenbang wanted to show. If all these people were brought along, including their entourages, mid-level officials, office workers, and more, a rough count could reach up to twenty people easily, resulting in a large motorcade. So much for traveling light. Once the entire Hongjiang Province caught wind of this, wouldn’t it just be repeating the old ways? Thus, it would be difficult to manifest the new ethos of Nie Zhenbang.

And now, with only a few simple companions, when the time came for local leaders and construction site personnel to give a detailed introduction of the situation in Songzhou, it would be more meaningful than asking provincial leaders, who might as well brief him back in the province.

At exactly noon, the car slowly left the highway and approached the toll station. Ahead, a row of cars was parked by the side of the road. This scene immediately made Nie Zhenbang’s brows crease, and he said sternly, “What is Peng Shifan up to? Hongzhuan, give him a call. Don’t stop the car, go straight to the Songzhou Municipal Party Committee.”

As Secretary Nie’s vehicle was about to exit the toll station, the officials of Songzhou City, led by the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, Peng Shifan, spontaneously stood by the roadside to welcome Secretary Nie’s arrival. However, Peng Shifan’s secretary quickly approached him and whispered, “Secretary Peng, it’s a call from Secretary General Xu, saying that Secretary Nie has instructed not to stop the car, and to go directly to the Municipal Party Committee.”

Hearing this, Peng Shifan’s expression darkened, while the mayor, Ouyang Liming, raised his eyebrows, displaying a completely composed demeanor.

This only infuriated Peng Shifan even more. He and Ouyang Liming were already at odds, and this incident had given Ouyang the perfect opportunity to see him make a fool of himself. He then said sternly, “Get in the cars, everyone get in. Follow Secretary Nie’s vehicle. No leading with the police car. Have all the traffic police at the intersections withdrawn. Back to the Municipal Party Committee.” (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (NovelFire.net) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)