Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 985 - Chapter 985 Chapter 941 Hongjiang River Specialty

Chapter 985: Chapter 941: Hongjiang River Specialty Chapter 985: Chapter 941: Hongjiang River Specialty Director Chang showed no consideration at all; his words appeared to be quite normal, but they made the leaders from Hongjiang Province look somewhat displeased, including He Yusheng.

Listened to what Director Chang said, there seemed to be no issue on the surface, just nostalgia for past hardships. Everyone had experienced those times and understood what it was like. However, it’s important to listen to the tone as well as the words, and it was clear Director Chang meant something else.

In essence, he was just mocking Hongjiang Province.

In front of outsiders, the officials from Hongjiang still maintained a basic line of principle and integrity. For example, whether it was He Yusheng, Xu Hongzhuan, or other deputy leaders, many frowned upon hearing the words, because in fact, you’re just a department-level official from a ministry. In terms of rank, a mere regular director-level position. Now, when several local dignitaries from Hongjiang have personally come to welcome you regardless of the food quality, at least their sincerity is evident. Moreover, the central government has repeatedly stressed the importance of simplicity in travel and hospitality; it disapproves of showy displays, disturbing the public, blocking roads for processions, and holding lavish banquets. Acting this way is a strict compliance with those directives, so how could an official from a department lack such understanding.

Next to him, Director Zhao’s expression seemed to betray a sense of amusement; he clearly noticed the expressions of the Hongjiang people. Old Chang didn’t know how to read the room; were these things really to be said here?

He then chuckled, “Old Chang, you still need to raise your political consciousness. Red rice, pumpkin soup, these are the specialities of the revolutionary base areas. We can’t forget our roots, no matter what we forget. Life now, compared to the revolutionary times, is worlds apart. Standing on the land of Hongjiang, remembering the revolutionary forebears who died for the nation’s and the people’s independence, I think, a self-service meal is quite appropriate. Eat as you like, however you want.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than a voice suddenly came from outside, “Well said.”

Everyone looked over as Nie Zhenbang walked in from outside. A faint smile was on his face, having overheard the incident just now. Although he felt some dissatisfaction, he did not show it at this moment.

Upon entering the dining hall, Xu Hongzhuan also smiled and said, “Director Zhao, Director Chang, let me introduce you to our Secretary of the Hongjiang Provincial Committee, Comrade Nie Zhenbang.”

The name Nie Zhenbang held significant clout within the system, especially during this period, when leaders from various ministries and commissions in Jingcheng all avoided him. Nie Zhenbang had visited eight major ministries in one day, securing a considerable number of policies and projects, making his name celebrated in Jingcheng.

As officials seconded from the ministries, Director Zhao and Director Chang were well aware of this. In Hongjiang or elsewhere, they could usually throw their weight around due to their powers, but now, in the presence of Nie Zhenbang, they didn’t dare to be presumptuous.

Director Zhao quickly adjusted his demeanor and extended his hand with a smile, “Secretary Nie, this is really too grandiose. Despite your busy schedule, you’ve personally come to greet us, for which we’re undeservedly honoured.”

Next to him, Director Chang also nodded slightly, “Secretary Nie is being too modest.”

Nie Zhenbang laughed heartily, looking very enthusiastic as he scanned the surroundings, “Today’s dishes are quite good, eh? Potato and rib stew, ants climbing a tree, stir-fried baby bok choy. And seaweed egg drop soup. Nice, nice. A very balanced nutritional setup, I see. Our Provincial Committee’s hospitality team’s chef is getting more and more adept at focusing on science and nutrition.”

While this seemed to be a casual compliment about the dishes, in reality, it served as a reminder to the two ministry officials – what’s there to be proud of? If the head of a provincial committee can eat this, are you expecting special privileges?

Since it was noon, there were obviously no arrangements for alcohol. Seeing Nie Zhenbang’s attitude, Director Zhao caught Director Chang’s eye. Both of them picked up plates, but it was clear they, who were used to feasting on rich delicacies, had no interest in this kind of self-service meal and just went through the motions. The meal was uneventful, with neither animated conversation nor enthusiastic mingling.

After the meal, the group headed to the provincial committee guesthouse’s meeting room. At that moment, the press and media were also present. The attendees took their seats according to protocol. Nie Zhenbang began by describing the current situation in Hongjiang and the measures taken during the disaster relief. He then warmly welcomed the arrival of the workgroup from the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

Under the camera’s watchful eye, the atmosphere seemed very harmonious and friendly.

…

In the afternoon, the workgroup was settled in the provincial committee guesthouse. Once the officials from the Hongjiang Provincial Committee had all left, Director Chang immediately rushed to Director Zhao’s room.

The arrangement of accommodations for the workgroup also reflected Hongjiang’s principle of frugality, which was not exclusive to Hongjiang but a trend at the time.

As soon as he entered the room, Director Chang’s expression darkened, and looking at the composed Director Zhao, he said sternly, “Old Zhao, how can you be so calm? Hongjiang Province is too arrogant. Their actions make us seem like beggars. What’s the meaning of this? We’re here to provide guidance for disaster relief, to inspect Hongjiang’s social assistance system in civil affairs. We’re here to bring funds.”

Old Chang’s words made Director Zhao look down on him with a light smile, and he said, “Old Chang, your attitude won’t do. If you don’t adjust it, it could affect the reputation of our department in Hongjiang Province. This is an old revolutionary area with a relatively backward economy, which should be understood. They’re also not having an easy time. We’re not here for pleasure, we’re here to work. The characteristics of the Hongjiang River, I find them quite good. Besides, along the way, I’ve come to think that the comrades of the Red River Provincial Civil Affairs Bureau have been somewhat overexaggerating. It seems to me that the ice disaster isn’t as serious as they made it out to be.”

Listening to Director Zhao’s words, Old Chang had been somewhat confused at first; what was up with Old Zhao? On a normal day, he was even more particular than himself, and moreover, the Social Relief Division is originally a more lucrative post than the Relief Division.

But now, Director Chang had come to understand, and immediately nodded and said, “Old Zhao, thank you.”

These words, indeed, came from the bottom of Director Chang’s heart. Before, he had indeed been very dissatisfied and even prepared to have a word with the people of the Red River Provincial Civil Affairs Bureau. However, at this moment, reminded by Old Zhao, Old Chang also felt a bit of retrospective fear.

If the department found out, he would undoubtedly face disciplinary action. So that was why Old Chang was expressing his gratitude.

Director Zhao’s meaning was clear. We recognize and agree with Hongjiang’s characteristics; it’s an old area. It’s poor, understandable, I won’t say anything. Everything will be done according to your principles and standards. If we can’t eat, I’ll manage on my own. But whether the project is given or how much money is provided, these matters are in their hands. At that time, the characteristics of Hongjiang won’t shine through.

Thinking of this, Old Chang also smiled and said, “Old Zhao, I’ve heard there’s a good restaurant in Hongcheng. How about we try it together tonight?”

…

Nie Zhenbang, of course, was not going to accompany the Ministry of Civil Affairs working group for the entire trip. For such matters, there are corresponding units in the bureau and leaders in charge from the government side. If he needed to worry about such things, then his time would surely be insufficient.

For Nie Zhenbang, the first stop was a nonstop rush to the Finance Bureau for research. As one of the critically important departments in the province, the performance of the Finance Bureau mattered not only for the economic development of the entire province but also, speaking practically, it affected the stability of his own position.

In the system, the establishment of prestige isn’t something that can be achieved in a sentence or just by saying it can be built. Having financial authority is of great help in establishing prestige. For such an important department, Nie Zhenbang naturally could not overlook it.

The research work at the Finance Bureau satisfied Nie Zhenbang greatly. The director of the Finance Bureau, Sheng Dezhang, was someone who knew when to advance and when to retreat. Nie Zhenbang believed that Sheng Dezhang would naturally understand which choices to make on certain issues.

…

The next day, just as he started work, Nie Zhenbang had just walked into the office, his steps not yet steady, his coat not yet taken off. At the door, Xu Hongzhuan and Liu Yaowen, two people with a serious look on their faces, had already been standing at the entrance.

As soon as he stepped through the door, Xu Hongzhuan opened his mouth and said, “Secretary, Comrade Yaowen has some important information he would like to report to you.”

Nie Zhenbang paused for a moment; his impression of Liu Yaowen was very vague. On one hand, Liu Yaowen was the kind of person who worked hard but was not good at socializing. On the other hand, Liu Yaowen’s work responsibilities and ranking in the provincial government made Nie Zhenbang somewhat neglectful.

He nodded, hung his coat in the wardrobe of the rest room, and then gestured and said, “Comrade Yaowen, is there something the matter?”

At this moment, Liu Yaowen’s face was quite serious. He nodded and said, “Secretary Nie, I’m wondering if our reception methods in Hongjiang have given the colleagues from the ministry some opinions. Yesterday, after Director Zhao and Director Chang had a quick look around various cities in the province, they called first thing in the morning to say they are going back to Jingcheng.”

Liu Yaowen was somewhat troubled by the clear situation. The ministry colleagues must be somewhat dissatisfied with the reception by Secretary Nie, which was why they hurried to go back. Moreover, some urgently needed things were also discounted. This made Liu Yaowen rather anxious.

Upon hearing this, Nie Zhenbang’s eyebrows immediately knitted together. He was well aware of how the ministry conducted its operations, and he knew even better what these people thought. Good gracious, he had just been worrying about not having a place to assert authority; now they had taken the initiative to come to him.

Nie Zhenbang then stood up and said, “Let’s go have a look right now; I would indeed like to give the ministry colleagues a true experience of Hongjiang’s special characteristics.” (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian, and your support is my greatest motivation.)

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