Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 978 - Chapter 978 Chapter 934 Provincial Party Standing Committee

Chapter 978: Chapter 934: Provincial Party Standing Committee Meeting Chapter 978: Chapter 934: Provincial Party Standing Committee Meeting November 20

This was the date of the first routine standing committee meeting held by the Hongjiang Provincial Committee after Nie Zhenbang’s arrival in his new position.

Last week, Nie Zhenbang had inspected the construction situation of the Wangtian Highway in Songzhou City, and afterward, he returned to the province. The next day, Nie Zhenbang and his party visited the Provincial Party Veterans Bureau as well as the Provincial People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference to offer greetings and consolation to the old comrades and cadres who were in Hongjiang.

The same modest entourage, the same work meals with set limits, no smoking or drinking, no large entourage following him. All of this had earned Nie Zhenbang a very high regard in the minds of the people of Hongjiang. The common people may not understand other things, but they do have the ability to discern. It might take a long time to judge whether a cadre is good or bad. However, without a doubt, what Nie Zhenbang was doing at this moment was exactly what the people wanted to see. Thus, it naturally earned applause.

At the same time, the story about Secretary Nie riding a bicycle to and from work had started circulating in the Provincial Committee compound. Every morning, one could see Secretary Nie riding a bike to work. Following Secretary Nie’s example were the likes of Comrade Xu Hongzhuan, the Provincial Committee’s Secretary-General, and Hong Feng, the chief secretary of the Provincial Committee. Now, cycling to work had become a scenic norm within the organs of the Provincial Committee. The bicycle sheds in the compound, once sparsely used, now suddenly hosted dozens of new bikes. Such is the power of setting an example.

…

“Secretary, please take a look at this, these are the several issues that we need to discuss in the upcoming Provincial Committee standing committee meeting,” said Xu Hongzhuan, seeming somewhat uneasy as he carefully placed a document on the desk in Nie Zhenbang’s office.

Xu Hongzhuan couldn’t help but feel uneasy; traditionally, and by convention, issues to be discussed during the Provincial Committee standing committee meeting, be they theoretical or practical, or extremely important personnel matters, all needed to go through a preliminary discussion in the secretary office meeting. Only after that would they be officially decided upon.

Clearly, this time, things were not following the usual protocol. It was premeditated.

Nie Zhenbang looked up at Xu Hongzhuan and said, “Secretary-General Hongzhuan, it seems that the situation in Hongjiang is somewhat special. So, here in Hongjiang, issues to be discussed by the standing committee are determined ten days in advance?”

This question immediately caused Xu Hongzhuan’s expression to darken. It had been exactly ten days since Secretary Nie took office, and the implication in his words was clear–he was dissatisfied with certain comrades within the Provincial Committee. As the top leader of the Provincial Committee, to receive the document on the morning of the meeting that was to take place in the afternoon was simply chaotic behavior.

Yet, at the moment, Xu Hongzhuan didn’t know how to respond. He had been aware of the situation earlier, but at that time, Secretary Nie had not yet taken office. At that point, some of the deputy leaders of the Provincial Committee, although harboring various intentions, were probably contemplating showing Nie Zhenbang who was boss. Wen Baogui and Liu Yong were likely indifferent, eager to watch the show, or perhaps, they too harbored such thoughts. This led to the current situation with this committee meeting.

Seeing Xu Hongzhuan’s hesitation and uncertainty about how to answer, Nie Zhenbang understood that this was not merely Hongzhuan’s issue. While his position may sound prestigious and important, the work of a secretary-general has always been predicated on the leadership. A secretary-general can only work effectively with the strength and trust of the leadership.

Moreover, this situation was likely not the idea of just one comrade. At the secretary office meeting, others were probably also having some issues.

He then waved his hand and said, “Comrade Hongzhuan, there’s no need to be so restrained. I’m just asking, I will look at the documents later. You can go ahead with your work.”

The topics for this meeting, however, were quite irregular. There were a total of five issues, the first of which was about studying the spirit of the 21st Congress and the spirit of Comrade Qiao Yiren’s speech. This was related to ideological work, and such matter, no matter where it is placed, must be approved–naturally, it goes without saying. But the following four issues were what made Nie Zhenbang frown. Three out of the four issues were plans for personnel adjustments. Moreover, one of them, although not pertaining to personnel change, was even more outrageous–it was a proposal regarding the relocation of the Hongjiang Provincial Committee.

After finishing reading, Nie Zhenbang placed the document back on the desk. What kind of joke was this? Did they really think he was that easy to fool, intending to take the lead and complete the personnel adjustments? Furthermore, what was the situation in Hongjiang? Indeed, the Provincial Committee and government office buildings were somewhat old and worn, but they were not beyond use. With Hongjiang’s finances clearly strapped, what right did they have to discuss a relocation issue?

Two o’clock in the afternoon.

The Provincial Committee had just started its work day, and one after another, the members of the standing committee entered the Provincial Committee building. The meeting was scheduled for two ten in the afternoon, as designated by Secretary Nie.

Breaking the norm, the workday usually began at two-thirty, with a thirty-minute period set aside for the leaders to adjust.

However, this time, Nie Zhenbang changed the time to ten past two. Those who had to cover a distance, such as Liu Yong, He Yusheng, and the Deputy Provincial Governor of the Standing Committee Zhou Chuanjia, had arrived early.

The first Standing Committee meeting found everyone extremely cautious. Arriving just in time for a meeting was child’s play for the Provincial Committee bigwigs–it wasn’t a tactic to be employed on such occasions.

At around eight minutes past two, Nie Zhenbang also left his office. The small meeting room was right across from his, which was most convenient for Secretary Nie. Behind him, Hong Feng followed with a teacup and a notebook in his hands, fully embodying the role of a secretary.

Inside the Provincial Committee’s small meeting room, everyone was already seated. Nie Zhenbang took his place and, looking around, he began, “Everyone is here. Let’s begin the meeting. This is my first Standing Committee meeting since taking office in Hongjiang. Although I am chairing today’s meeting, the main characters are the comrades present here. Let’s move on to the first item on the agenda.”

At this point, Nie Zhenbang paused and then turned to look at Wen Baogui on his right, “Deputy Secretary Wen, you are in charge of ideology and party and group construction. Please share your thoughts first.”

Nie Zhenbang’s words were clear and decisive, his voice resounding. His speech was concise, yet he seemed perfectly at ease in chairing the meeting.

Upon hearing this, Wen Baogui immediately nodded and said, “Since Secretary Nie has named me, I will share my views. The successful convening of the 21st Congress is a significant turning point for our Party and country. It is crucial that we study and implement the spirit of the Congress. This is a task we must do well…”

After Wen Baogui finished speaking, other members of the committee, especially He Yusheng, also expressed their views. Subsequently, the committee voted by a show of hands, and the “Decisions on Carrying Out the Spirit of the Documentation of the 21st Congress throughout the Province” was unanimously approved.

After discussing the first item, the atmosphere in the meeting room became noticeably tense. Nie Zhenbang felt calm, but the other members of the Standing Committee were probably anticipating this very moment.

To everyone’s surprise, just when they thought that Nie Zhenbang would proceed to the second item on the agenda routinely,

Nie Zhenbang spoke unhurriedly, “Just now, I looked through the next three items, all related to personnel adjustments. I think we do not need to discuss them one by one; let’s cover them together. Minister Guanghan, you are in charge of organizing personnel affairs. You are the person controlling official appointments in Hongjiang Province. Has the Organization Department identified any suitable candidates for inspection? Please share the Organization Department’s perspective.”

As Nie Zhenbang finished speaking, Wen Baogui’s mouth twitched slightly, a typical case of mentioning the very thing that should not be mentioned. As the full-time Deputy Secretary, he was in charge of organizing personnel work. When did Qin Guanghan become the person in charge of official appointments? However, such issues couldn’t be brought to light by Wen Baogui.

In the Organization Department, Qin Guanghan had a much stronger foundation than him. In terms of real power and influence within the Organization Department, it was true that he couldn’t compare to Qin Guanghan.

After pausing for a moment, Qin Guanghan also nodded and said, “Secretary Nie, leaders, comrades, this time, there are three main personnel adjustments within the province. The first is for Yuanzhou City; Comrade Xiong Zheng of Yuanzhou City has reached the age for his position, and it is suggested by the province that Comrade Xiong Zheng transfers to work in the People’s Congress. For the selection of the City Secretary of Yuanzhou, the preliminary consideration is that Comrade Liang Yichao, currently the Deputy Secretary-General of the Provincial Government, is a suitable candidate… Furthermore, regarding the appointment of the Director of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the Organization Department has inspected two candidates, Comrade Zhou Xianjin, currently the Deputy Director of the Commission… For the Mayor of Wenchun City, the Organization Department has inspected the candidates…”

In an exhaustive speech lasting about an hour, Qin Guanghan introduced in detail the work history and highlights of the seven candidates for the three positions, providing the Organization Department’s recommendations. One could say his presentation was very much on point.

However, beside him, Wen Baogui’s expression darkened. Well played, He Yusheng, your audacity knows no bounds. For these three positions, the recommended candidates were either your direct subordinates or people close to you. It seems I’ve been consigned to keep the Crown Prince company.

As soon as Qin Guanghan’s voice trailed off, Wen Baogui coughed lightly and raised his hand, “Secretary Nie, I have a few things to add.”

Nie Zhenbang gave a faint smile. He had expected this. Personnel issues were of paramount importance, as they concerned tangible interests. Debate was inevitable. Clearly, He Yusheng had acted too autonomously, attempting to monopolize everything. Although some of the proposed candidates were affiliated with other committee members, which meant some sort of coalition had been formed, the most substantial rivals were not taken into account, presenting the biggest risk. (To be continued. If you like this book, you are welcome to vote for it on . Your support is my greatest motivation.)