Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 977 - Chapter 977 Chapter 933 Beating

Chapter 977: Chapter 933 Beating Chapter 977: Chapter 933 Beating Watching Peng Shifan hurry into the car, Ouyang Liming, on the other hand, was calm and composed, speaking to his secretary at his side, “We should get in the car as well.”

Once in the car, a smile of ‘as expected’ crept onto Ouyang Liming’s face. Whose man was Peng Shifan? This could be seen from Peng Shifan’s career history — back when Wen Baogui was serving as Deputy Commissioner in the then Songzhou region, Peng Shifan was the county head of Hongdu County within the region. He was Wen Baogui’s absolute trusted inner circle.

If Secretary Nie wasn’t hopelessly inept, he naturally would pull such a move. Now, with Secretary Nie having just arrived in Hongjiang Province, the leadership heads of the various cities within were all watching, all waiting, among them many were comrades promoted by Zhang Tianyue, anticipating a change in the court.

In fact, this sort of situation was very common at the local level; what the leadership says about traveling light, the local level still must not neglect its duties. The necessary reception was a must-have.

But, when it comes to the leadership, whatever they say, that’s how it should be. That’s the rule. This matter of formality differed from violations of law and discipline, which required solid evidence. However, as for losing face, it’s entirely about subjective will. If the leader says you are not up to par, then you are not, and can express anger, even without an excuse.

Nie Zhenbang’s car led at the front, followed closely by the vehicles of the Songzhou Municipal Party Committee leaders. No hazard lights were flashing. There were no police cars with sirens clearing the way in front. Along the journey, there were no police standing guard to block the road. Just like regular civilian vehicles, they waited at the red lights, obeying the traffic rules.

The cars drove directly into the Songzhou Municipal Party Committee and City Government office building located in the Songzhou High-tech Zone. Spacious and imposing — that was the first impression. Nowadays, the increasingly grand appearances of local government office buildings were no longer a rarity.

Moreover, the office buildings for the party committee and government of a prefecture-level city had to be approved and audited by the provincial-level government, and at this time, Nie Zhenbang naturally would not bother with such matters.

At this moment, the entire Songzhou Municipal Party Committee and City Government were dressed up very ceremoniously, with flagpoles standing approximately every three meters along the transparent enclosing wall, green, red, and blue, with colorful flags fluttering and waving in the wind.

At the entrance to the Municipal Party Committee and City Government building was a large pool that looked like a protective chain. Its shimmering waves made it look particularly grand.

On both sides, there was a line of balloons with banners hanging from them, bearing the welcome slogans from Songzhou’s leading groups. Right above the entrance to the Municipal Party Committee and City Government building, below the national emblem, was a wide red banner. It fervently welcomed Secretary Nie of the Provincial Party Committee to visit our city for an inspection and guidance.

Seeing this scene, Nie Zhenbang’s brow furrowed slightly as he whispered, “All flash and no substance! Peng Shifan of Songzhou is indeed skilled at empty formalities.”

To the side, Xu Hongzhuan listened and faintly smiled without responding. It seemed Secretary Nie had a significant issue with Peng Shifan.

The moment he got out of the car, the following motorcade swiftly approached–Peng Shifan ran to meet them, smiling and saying, “Secretary Nie, should we head over to the Municipal Committee Guesthouse first?”

At this time, it was already noon, twelve o’clock. According to the usual schedule, it was time to clock out. Moreover, it was also time for lunch.

Next to him, Xu Hongzhuan also approached, reporting, “Secretary, it’s almost half-past twelve now.”

Nie Zhenbang listened to these words and nodded, saying, “Let’s have lunch first. We will not listen to the work report of Songzhou today. This time, I have come specifically to inspect the construction situation of the Wangtian Highway Hongjiang Section.”

With one sentence, Nie Zhenbang told the people of Songzhou that he had no interest in hearing Songzhou’s work report. Then, looking up at Peng Shifan, Nie Zhenbang said, “Secretary Peng, for the lunch, let’s have a buffet, in accordance with the standard of the ‘Three Public’ regulations.”

Peng Shifan’s expression turned a bit unsightly, as Songzhou had given this visit top priority, with the entire city’s leadership up and down cancelling their Saturday rest day for an emergency standing committee meeting prompted by the notice from the Provincial Party Office.

Every system across the city — sanitation, healthcare, education, urban management, and so on — had mobilized. Songzhou had undergone a major cleanup, thoroughly clearing all sanitation dead spots in the city. Meanwhile, the public security system was also fully prepared, having conducted a citywide security operation on Saturday night.

For Secretary Nie’s visit, meticulous preparations had been made for the route and reception, among other aspects. But now, unexpectedly, Secretary Nie had proposed having a buffet.

Peng Shifan was very clear about the implication here. To suggest that he had any rift with Secretary Nie was impossible; the man was the head of the provincial party committee, whereas he was merely a municipal party committee secretary of a prefecture-level city, their statuses were not remotely on the same level. Offending him was out of the question, and even the thought of it was dangerous. Besides, Secretary Nie had just arrived; he hadn’t done anything yet. There was simply no basis for such concerns.

Now, seeing things this way, Peng Shifan also knew that he was being made an example of by Secretary Nie. Killing the chicken to scare the monkeys, he was Wen Baogui’s man, and Secretary Nie must have been aware of this. Perhaps Secretary Nie didn’t know, but in Hongjiang Province, there would always be those who did, and they would surely inform Secretary Nie. Thus, being made a target in such a display was not unfair.

After a moment, Peng Shifan nodded and said, “Everything will be done according to Secretary Nie’s instructions.”

Soon, staff members got in touch with the municipal guesthouse through a phone call, preparing the guesthouse chefs for action. A buffet spread was quickly set up in the restaurant of the municipal guesthouse.

By the time Nie Zhenbang and his entourage arrived, the setup here had just been completed.

While Nie Zhenbang and his party were dining, cameramen and field reporters from Red River Provincial TV Station began their work, along with their colleagues from Songzhou City TV Station. Several camera positions followed Nie Zhenbang from different angles as he moved around.

At the entrance of the restaurant, the host reporter appeared very formal and serious, speaking to the camera, “Today, Nie Zhenbang, member of the standing committee of the provincial party committee and provincial party secretary, together with his delegation, came to Songzhou City to inspect the construction of Wangtian Highway. During lunch. Secretary Nie took the initiative to suggest no banquets, no alcohol, only working meals, four dishes and one soup. Lunch took only ten minutes.”

Without waiting for the afternoon, at around one o’clock, they drove to the south of Songzhou City. The Wangtian Highway stretched from the southern part of Songzhou City, skirting the city limits.

The Wangtian Highway had been planned and designed four years ago, and later, the construction commencement of the Wanghai Section had Nie Zhenbang’s full involvement.

At this moment, seeing the Wangtian Highway again, even though it was no longer the Wanghai Section but the Hongjiang Section, Nie Zhenbang still felt somewhat emotional.

Next to him, Ouyang Liming, mayor of Songzhou City, explained, “Secretary Nie, after the opening of the entire Wangtian Highway, the entire Hongjiang Section lies within Songzhou City’s jurisdiction. For this reason, the municipal party committee and government attach great importance to it and have set up a command and coordination team dedicated to assisting the Provincial Highway Group and various construction parties in coordinating local relationships and solving practical issues.

Currently, the section from Songzhou to Hongdu County and the section connecting Songzhou and Chunan Province are fully completed. The installation of road signs, monitoring facilities, and the landscaping barriers are all under intense construction, with the expectation to officially open to traffic by New Year’s Day. Furthermore, the section intersecting Hongjiang and Minan Province has been planned and is about to commence construction.”

Listening to Ouyang Liming’s presentation, Nie Zhenbang nodded in satisfaction and then said, “The Wangtian Highway is a major traffic artery connecting the affluent eastern coastal areas to the hinterlands of the southwest. It plays an immeasurable role for our Hongjiang, connecting to WangHai in the east and bearing upon Chunan to the west. The opening of the Hongjiang Section signifies a noticeable improvement in the transportation network of the southern part of Hongjiang, which is of great significance for promoting the economic construction and development of our province.”

At this point, Nie Zhenbang paused for a moment and showed a satisfied smile, praising, “Comrade Liming, as a parent of the locale, one needs such a far-sighted vision. As the saying goes, ‘If you want prosperity, build roads.’ Songzhou is the second-largest city in Hongjiang, located at the southernmost tip, bordering Yuedong, Chunan, and Minan. This is an advantage, but for many years, treacherous mountain roads have seriously hampered the economic development of Songzhou. The Wangtian Highway, along with several other highways that have started construction and will pass through Songzhou, is an opportunity that must be seized to turn the passive into the active. Your work and perspective are excellent. With more convenient transportation, Songzhou can enjoy even greater and better development.”

This was a clear signal, not aimed at Ouyang Liming, but at Songzhou City’s municipal party committee secretary, Peng Shifan.

This was the subtlety of delivering a message. Sometimes, a message does not always have to be directed at the person concerned. Just as now, earlier, during the welcome and the meal, Nie Zhenbang’s actions had already caused Peng Shifan to lose face; this was a way of delivering a message. And now, by lavishing praise on the mayor of Songzhou City, this too was an indirect form of delivering a message.

Just think, how would the leading cadre of Songzhou City, the standing committee, feel upon seeing Secretary Nie’s attitude, which was totally different toward the secretary and the mayor? This was also a way of delivering a message, and even more powerful than the direct approach earlier.

Following this, Nie Zhenbang visited and offered comfort to the builders of the highway. In reality, the construction of the Hongjiang Section had entered its final stage, with most of the auxiliary work remaining, and the majority of the construction workers had already left, leaving only a small portion behind.

However, as it was an inspection, Songzhou City naturally had to make full preparations in all respects. After the inspection, Nie Zhenbang did not stay in Songzhou, but directly returned to the provincial government.

Watching Nie Zhenbang’s car enter the toll station, Peng Shifan’s expression immediately turned stern, and he said in a deep voice, “Back to the municipal party committee.” (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (NovelFire.net) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation.)