Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 990 - Chapter 990 Chapter 946 Secretarys Office Meeting

Chapter 990: Chapter 946: Secretary’s Office Meeting Chapter 990: Chapter 946: Secretary’s Office Meeting “Building Lushan Sanatorium? That’s not a small project. Can Hongjiang’s finances handle this?” Nie Zhenbang’s brows furrowed the moment he heard the news.

Nie Zhenbang was well aware of the sanatorium business. Nowadays, in many parts of the country, especially in scenic tourism spots, whether by the sea, in the mountains, or places with hot springs, such sanatoriums were plentiful. Moreover, these were not ordinary sanatoriums; provincial-level sanatoriums mostly undertook the task of hosting retired central government leaders, veterans, and comrades. The purpose of these sanatoriums was not merely for vacation and recovery, but more so with the hope that these retired officials would fall in love with the area and choose to live there.

Just think of the benefits that could entail–might a retired leader point out issues with the roads, or share opinions and views? Or in times of financial strain when there’s a lack of funds, if a retired leader lived there, one could always consult with and report to them. As the saying goes, ‘those closest to the water source get the moon first’; that’s exactly the idea here.

However, Nie Zhenbang couldn’t help but think deeper. At this juncture, Liu Yong wouldn’t have paid a special visit just to discuss this, certainly not for nothing. Liu Yong’s personal visit set a tone that touched and shocked the province’s leadership.

Liu Yong intentionally ignored Nie Zhenbang’s frown and smiled slightly. He then produced the prepared planning report, placed it on the coffee table, and pushed it toward Nie Zhenbang, saying, “The investment is indeed significant. Before, we in Hongjiang also developed several sanatorium projects, in Deer Mountain and also near the Moon Spring in Wenchun City, but the outcomes were less than ideal. The main issues were the standards of medical technology and inconvenient living conditions that failed to retain people. Many comrades stayed for a few days but didn’t adjust and left. Therefore, this time the province surveyed many locations nationwide, particularly the Northriver Sanatorium in Yanbei, and examined the environment and facilities carefully. We’ve decided to launch a fully equipped sanatorium. It’ll be located near Hongcheng, close to the Deer Mountain Scenic Area and by the Red Deer Expressway, about 20 kilometers from Hongcheng. The initial plan is to establish a provincial-grade health center with the best medical equipment and top experts and professors to address leaders’ concerns. Also, to develop an upscale residential community, with the sanatorium nestled quietly inside, offering peace amidst the hustle and bustle. The total investment is preliminarily estimated to be fifteen billion, with Shengding Group from within the province investing, and it’s estimated that the provincial finances would need to arrange about three billion.”

Three billion?

Nie Zhenbang gasped–Liu Yong seemed to be waiting for him here, and he hadn’t given up on the matter from the Standing Committee up until now.

The proposal did indeed put Nie Zhenbang in a difficult position. Agreeing to this project would inevitably affect the Jingcheng Office’s plan. Hongjiang’s budget was finite, with every penny accounted for; allocating funds to the sanatorium project would mean delaying the Jingcheng Office project, which would set it back several years at the least–affecting him significantly. However, if he disagreed, he feared that He Yusheng, the supporter behind Liu Yong, might have objections.

After a moment’s silence, Nie Zhenbang smiled and said, “A sanatorium is indeed a good thing. However, Governor Liu, I believe you are well aware of the current financial constraints within the province. I think we should first convene a Secretary’s office meeting to discuss and decide on this matter.”

Upon hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Liu Yong’s expression darkened immediately. He knew very well Nie Zhenbang’s intent. Decisions made in a Secretary’s office meeting were collective ones, and Old Fang, even if aware, could not easily object.

People like Old Fang valued their reputation highly. A collective decision implies that the actual situation in Hongjiang does not permit it–regardless of whether there’s a desire to build. Since it’s a collective decision, further interference would seem self-interested. This was precisely what Nie Zhenbang was banking on when he proposed a Secretary’s office meeting for discussion.

Although Liu Yong’s expression showed displeasure, with Nie Zhenbang having made his suggestion, it wouldn’t be appropriate for Liu Yong to say more. Smiling, he responded, “Since Secretary Nie suggests so, let’s go ahead and take it through the Secretary’s office meeting.”

The Secretary’s office meeting, as a unique Huaxia feature, was very important in earlier times, in the 1980s and 1990s. This was also related to the national conditions back then. Formerly, local Party committees were equipped with one principal and several deputies, such as the Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee or the Disciplinary Committee who were bestowed with deputy secretary titles. At that time, the number of members in a Secretary’s office meeting could reach about half of the Standing Committee, ensuring resolutions passed there wouldn’t have any trouble being discussed in the Standing Committee. Nowadays, the configuration of Party committees has formalized and regularized, with one principal and two deputies as the basic staffing norm.

Consequently, the influence of the Secretary’s office meeting has decreased, losing its demographic foundation. While the system has been retained, there are clear regulations that the Secretary’s office meeting cannot replace the Standing Committee in making decisions. Second, its main role is to coordinate and discuss matters for the Standing Committee. Third, the resolutions of the Secretary’s office meeting must not be disclosed before the Standing Committee’s vote, to avoid influencing the Committee’s decisions.

Considering all these factors, Liu Yong wasn’t particularly intimidated by the Secretary’s office meeting.

The secretary office meetings of Hongjiang Province were a bit different. In some places, the number of participants in a secretary office meeting was generally three, but in Hongjiang Province, aside from the allotment of one principal and two deputies, the secretaries of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee and the Discipline Inspection Committee also attended the secretary office meeting, making it a group of five.

At the end of November, in the small meeting room of the provincial committee

At nine o’clock in the morning, it was time for Hongjiang Province to hold its secretary office meeting. Inside the small meeting room, the atmosphere seemed somewhat solemn. Earlier, during the discussion about the agenda for the routine standing committee meeting in early December, the debate had been quite fierce, especially from Liu Yong, who today seemed as explosive as if he had ingested gunpowder.

Previously, during the discussion about personnel issues in Yuanzhou City, as well as the examination and approval of the projects based in Jingcheng, Liu Yong clearly expressed some differing opinions.

As for Liu Yong’s attitude today, Nie Zhenbang had a clear understanding in his heart. Liu Yong’s attitude was undoubtedly due to the matter of the sanatorium.

After pausing, Nie Zhenbang said with a smile, “Next issue, this was brought up by Comrade Liu Yong, regarding the investment in the construction of the Lushan Sanatorium in the Deer Mountain Scenic Area.”

While speaking, Nie Zhenbang looked at Liu Yong beside him and said with a smile, “Governor Liu, why don’t you explain it to us?”

Liu Yong’s expression was somewhat grim. The issue with the sanatorium touched on the future prospects of He Yusheng, and by now, it was no longer just about He Yusheng. It also concerned Liu Yong’s own future. It’s said that people fight for a breath just as a Buddha fights for an offering of incense–in the system, the same principle applies. And at this moment, Liu Yong’s expression was about striving for that breath of dignity.

Subsequently, Liu Yong recounted the situation of the sanatorium and its preliminary arrangements in detail. He concluded by saying, “Personally, I think that the construction of the Lushan Sanatorium will be immensely beneficial if it can attract more retired leaders to come to Hongjiang for rehabilitation or even long-term settlement. This will be a huge help for the economic construction and development of Hongjiang, and even more supportive for projects in Hongjiang than the benefits brought by the Jingcheng office projects. My suggestion is to set aside the Jingcheng office projects for now, and devote the full efforts and resources of the whole province to build the Lushan Sanatorium well.”

Liu Yong was very decisive and clear in his stance, which was necessary. In the officialdom, sometimes ambiguity is needed, but more often, decisive courage is required. And now, Liu Yong had to clearly express his point of view.

Upon finishing his statement, Wen Baogui’s face immediately showed a change. Just now, Liu Yong’s words about the retired leaders had deeply provoked Wen Baogui. Not to mention, if Old Fang were here, then the position of governor would essentially be out of his reach. This was something Wen Baogui couldn’t tolerate.

Wen Baogui then slowly began to speak, “Governor Liu, I have a different view. Regarding the sanatorium, there are already two in Hongjiang, and every summer many leaders come here for the cooler climate. If we build a new sanatorium now, I’m afraid it might be redundant. I’m rather optimistic about the Jingcheng office project, which is related to Hongjiang’s bigger picture for the future. Land and housing prices in Jingcheng are rapidly increasing, and they will become more expensive over time. It’s better to build sooner rather than later. Just the appreciation in land and housing values alone will, in the future, be enough to cover our investment costs.”

Wen Baogui immediately stood his ground. At this point, if Liu Yong persuaded others, and later managed to invite Old Fang over, when the central government conducted organizational assessments in due time, they would inevitably consider the opinions of these old comrades in Hongjiang. This was a fatal issue for Wen Baogui.

As Wen Baogui’s words came to an end, Chen Le from the Political and Legal Affairs Committee also spoke unhurriedly, “I also agree with Secretary Wen. After all, the construction of the sanatorium is within the province, and it will take a long time to build. Later on, when funds are more ample, we can build it whenever we like. With the Jingcheng office project, if we miss this chance now, there won’t be another opportunity like it.”(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to support it with recommendation tickets and monthly passes on Qidian[.]com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)