Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 818 - 774 The One Who Applies the Eye Medicine

Chapter 818: Chapter 774 The One Who Applies the Eye Medicine Has Arrived

Chapter 818: Chapter 774 The One Who Applies the Eye Medicine Has Arrived

“Governor, today, the Deputy Minister for Construction from the Central Organization Department is returning to Jingcheng on the three o’clock flight. Should we see him off?” Li Jupeng entered the office and reported in a low voice.

The Tourism Expo had been held for five days. At this Tourism Expo, Bashu Province had harvested bountiful rewards. On the first afternoon of the event,

at the Pingwan Province International Convention and Exhibition Center’s press hall, Nie Zhenbang and Xu Bowen had represented Bashu Provincial Government and Donggang Tourism Business Association respectively. They signed an intent for cooperative agreement. This time, Bashu Province managed to draw in an investment of sixty billion yuan, even though this sum of money was to be invested over a period of three years. Yet, just this opening success alone was an enviable accomplishment that other provinces and municipalities could only dream of.

In the following few days, Bashu Province first signed tourism agreements with major travel agencies nationwide and large tourism groups from Southeast Asia and the United States. This series of contracts had filled leaders from other provinces and municipalities with even greater envy. Tourism relies on visitors for profitability. Based on these agreements alone, a conservative estimate suggested that at least five million visitors could be attracted to Bashu Province each year.

In the next few days, Bashu Province’s tourism promotional videos and travel brochures had made their exhibition booth incredibly popular. They had signed many tourism investment contracts one after another.

Overall, at the end of the Expo, Bashu Province had managed to attract an astonishing total investment of 120 billion yuan. This figure towered above the rest.

The returning delegation from Bashu Province was greeted with the warmest of welcomes upon reaching Tianfu City. Secretary Zeng Taiping from the Provincial Party Committee personally attended the reception to offer his congratulations. This in itself spoke volumes.

As soon as he returned from Bashu Province, Nie Zhenbang received some rather unpleasant news. Xu Aiguo, Director at the Department of Transportation’s Finance Division, was to be transferred to Changhong City to assume the positions of Committee Member, Standing Committee Member, and Secretary.

Nie Zhenbang knew who Xu Aiguo was; an offshoot of the influential Xu family. The current state of the Xu family was quite interesting, not lacking in heirs. However, perhaps due to the Xu family’s educational methods, the newer generations of the family were not enthused about a career in the system. None desired to follow the official path. This had caused the family many headaches, leading to disciplinary actions, scolding, and even forced attempts. Ultimately, a few gave in, but within a few months of their tenure, each had caused significant scandals, bringing disgrace upon the Xu family. As a result, the Xu family had shifted its strategy, focusing now on cultivating the talents of offshoot members. Xu Aiguo was one of the outstanding examples from among them.

Having the Deputy Minister of Construction personally deliver Xu Aiguo to his new position indicated his significant stature. Normally, for a prefectural-level cadre’s appointment, even if they were parachuted in, the head of the cadre section would suffice. But with the Deputy Minister personally overseeing it, it was clear how much importance the Xu family placed on Xu Aiguo.

“This doesn’t bode well,” Nie Zhenbang murmured to himself. Then, nodding at Li Jupeng, he said, “Mm, remind me about it after work in the afternoon.”

After Li Jupeng left the room, Nie Zhenbang also set aside his work. Coming with billions in funds, Xu Aiguo’s appointment was certainly a first among parachuted cadres.

The Xu family’s actions seemed specifically targeted at him, Nie Zhenbang thought with a sneer. They were truly overestimating him. A mere prefecture-level cadre expected to intimidate him. They mistook him for a soft target.

However, upon reflection, the Xu family’s arrangement this time was impeccable. The development of a place was not just assessed by its agriculture, total industrial output value, or level of industrialization—these are the hard indicators of whether a location is developed or not.

As a key heavy industrial base of the entire province, Changhong City housed many well-known enterprises. With Xu Aiguo stationed there, it was as though a thorn had been placed in Nie Zhenbang’s throat, stuck in his craw.

In this world, to successfully accomplish something, to achieve success in any endeavor, is difficult. One needs to contend with various obstacles and face many situations; it’s truly a painstaking process. But to ruin something is remarkably easy. Nie Zhenbang feared this might be Xu Aiguo’s mindset when coming here.

If by then, his influence disrupts the progress of a three-year plan, it would be a severe blow to him, a blow to his credibility.

Since he had entered the political scene and through his governance, Nie Zhenbang had earned a reputation for focusing on economic construction. This gave people an illusion that as long as Nie Zhenbang was present, economic development could not falter. Should anything go wrong, it might appear normal for others, but for him, it would spell failure. Such is the burden of a lofty reputation.

Having reached this point, if Nie Zhenbang had no loftier aspirations, it would naturally be no problem to remain a minister-level official until retirement. However, for Nie Zhenbang, each step now had to be taken with utmost care. Otherwise, the efforts of Dong Wan and Li Lixue going abroad would be in vain, wouldn’t they?

To Nie Zhenbang, Xu Aiguo was of no concern; Xu Aiguo’s level was too low. What Nie Zhenbang worried about was the deeper implications revealed by this move.

In Jingcheng, there were a few leaders surnamed Xu who held ministerial-level positions or higher, excluding the one in the military. The most famous among them was the former Vice Premier. And the Xu family referred to here is precisely that of the former Vice Premier.

This person served as Vice Premier during the time Li family’s patriarch was in office. Nie Zhenbang did not believe for a second that there were no connections between the two. It seemed likely that the Li family was behind the move against him. And it made sense. The Li family had suffered several setbacks at his hands. It would be strange if they could swallow their pride. Ever since the WangHai incident, the Li family had been biding their time, partly due to Director Shen’s balancing act. More importantly, the Li family had not found an opportunity to strike at him. This time, they had pinpointed his weakness.

Being hailed as a master of economic development was a reputation Nie Zhenbang had earned and established; it was now his defining trademark, not allowing for any slip-ups.

What was more crucial, Xu Aiguo’s parachute appointment into Bashu, was there tacit approval and permission from other members of the provincial committee’s leadership team? This was another concern for Nie Zhenbang.

Shaking his head, Nie Zhenbang chuckled to himself. Since when had he become so indecisive? This was not his style at all.

…

After seeing off the Deputy Minister of Construction, Nie Zhenbang’s work returned to its normal pace. The pilot work on land transfer in Guonan City was also fully underway. With Jiang Jingu’s efforts, the city had seen the emergence of many skilled grain farmers; some with financial strength were also trying to lease land. Although they couldn’t match Qiu Weimao’s bold move of leasing fifty thousand mu at once, these smaller contracts of several thousand or tens of thousands of mu were numerous enough to collectively rival Qiu Weimao.

In the tourism sector, Xu Bowen from the Donggang Special Economic Zone moved quickly. In less than half a month, Xu Bowen and his team arrived in Bashu and officially established the Bashu Province Daocheng Tourism Development Group, signing a formal cooperation agreement with the Daocheng City Government. The first batch of funds, totaling 12 billion, was fully in place, heralding the start of significant investment in Bashu’s tourism industry.

…

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In the office of the Director of the United Front Work Department of the Provincial Committee, Xie Aibiao.

At the moment, Xie Aibiao sat on the sofa, expressionless, while a middle-aged man beside him looked distressed, speaking to Xie Aibiao in a low voice, “Old leader, you were the one who brought me up when you were in Changhong City. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. But this time, whatever happens, you must help me out. Xu Aiguo is too arrogant, too overbearing.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Xie Aibiao’s expression darkened, “Comrade Zhenqiu, what are you saying? One must mind the context and measure of their words!”

Xie Aibiao’s words made the middle-aged man suddenly realize his misstep. In a low voice he said, “Old leader, I apologize, I was out of line. But Comrade Xu Aiguo is just too… Upon taking office, Xu Aiguo quickly made inroads into Changhong City’s work situation using the funds he brought with him. This time, the issue with Shantong County was completely unreasonable. The team in Shantong County is a model that our city has built up. The collaboration between the Secretary of the County Committee, Wei Yang, and the County Head, Li Changqing, has always been close. This investigation launched by Comrade Xu Aiguo into Shantong County is outright bullying.”

Xie Aibiao was in a difficult position too. He was aware of who Xu Aiguo was, a man with a Jingcheng background, placed into position with the nod of Secretary Zeng. As one of the later-ranked leaders in the provincial committee, he had to be careful and strategic.

This time, Xie Aibiao was very clear about Xu Aiguo’s intentions. If Xu Aiguo wanted to send a message to Nie Zhenbang in Changhong City, he had to be able to control Changhong City. As for himself, he was merely collateral damage.

However, this was not a good time for him to step forward. Yet, Huang Zhenqiu was one of his key loyal subordinates. If he ignored the situation, it would tarnish his own reputation.

Considering this, Xie Aibiao paused for a moment before speaking, “Zhenqiu, tell me the truth, are Wei Yang and Li Changqing really clean?”

This question made Huang Zhenqiu slightly uncomfortable. After a moment of silence, he replied, “Old leader, as you know, in today’s society, how many are truly clean? But one thing I can assure you: Wei Yang and Li Changqing would never commit any serious wrongdoing.”

Xie Aibiao nodded in understanding. Accepting small gifts, tobacco, and alcohol was commonplace for leaders; it wasn’t a big deal and hardly something one would be prosecuted for, but it wasn’t exactly ‘clean’ either. It was a matter of turning a blind eye or not.

Shortly after, Xie Aibiao nodded and suggested, “Comrade Zhenqiu, as the mayor of Changhong City, I think you can report this matter to Governor Nie.”(To be continued. If you like this work, please come to QiDian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)