Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 851 - 807 Something Big Happened

Chapter 851: Chapter 807 Something Big Happened

Chapter 851 -807 Something Big Happened

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The three-day East Port-Bashu Trade and Economic Conference had finally come to an end. During these three days, each city and prefecture in Bashu Province had put forth their best efforts and achieved extremely fruitful results.

As the deputy governor in charge of economics and investment attraction, Li Wei had truly been blessed with multiple joys over the past few days. At ten o’clock in the morning, he had just attended the signing ceremony between Changhong City and a certain company from East Port. In the afternoon, he attended the signing with a travel agency from Jinding City. His day could indeed be broken down into hours. Yet, at this moment, Li Wei’s spirits were incomparably high.

In Nie Zhenbang’s office, looking at Li Wei’s beaming grin that seemed unable to close, Nie Zhenbang smiled as well. After all, the massive breakthrough in investment attraction projects achieved by Bashu Province, and a collective one at that, was always something to be happy about.

Smiling, Nie Zhenbang waved his hand and said, “Comrade Li Wei, alright, calm yourself. Look at you, you can’t even close your mouth. Tell me, what lessons have you drawn from this investment round?”

At this moment, Li Wei still had a smile on his face. As the deputy governor in charge of trade, commerce, and investment attraction, the wide reach of this investment round and the province’s unified progress were a huge achievement. As a responsible leader, his significant contribution would undoubtedly be recorded in bold strokes, no matter what.

Unlike Li Guangqiang and Ma Yuequn, who were from Democratic Factions and non-partisan individuals and whose limitations meant they could at most hold a vice position and whose potential for advancement, although existent, meant moving to various vice positions at the central level such as the Political Consultative Conference or the People’s Congress. As for himself, he was a Party member, part of the government’s party committee team. He was qualified to assume a top leadership position at the party and government levels. With such political achievements as a foundation, his career path was looking much brighter.

Li Wei took Nie Zhenbang’s teasing in stride. On the contrary, he felt a genuine respect for Nie Zhenbang. As a leader for so many years, this was the first time Li Wei had seen investment attraction carried out in such a manner.

In the past, the investment attraction work at the provincial level was not difficult—the projects that caught the attention of the province were always large ones, with billions of investments, and large operations. Furthermore, the status of the province guaranteed interest. As long as there was interest, there was generally no suspense. However, investment attraction at the city level was always a source of concern for Li Wei. Now, that concern was completely eliminated.

“Governor, I am overjoyed. Truly overjoyed. This time, excluding the direct units and departments of the provincial committee and provincial government, all cities across the province have cumulatively signed sixty-nine investment contracts, averaging 3.45 contracts per city, with total investment funds reaching 625 billion yuan, and actual funds received have also exceeded 10 billion. And these are just the contracts that were just signed. A great harvest, indeed,” Li Wei said, clearly very excited. It was obvious that this impact had genuinely astonished him.

After pausing, Li Wei continued, “Governor, I never expected that. In the past, investment attraction at the city level was the most difficult. The investors’ bosses were so arrogant, their heads in the clouds. Even after throwing out a bunch of preferential policies, they’d still listlessly compare options, but now, they’re eagerly coming to us. I just don’t understand.”

Li Wei’s words made Nie Zhenbang reflective as well. If a deputy governor held such notions to this day, one could imagine the widespread misconceptions about investment attraction at the national level, in various cities, and at the grassroots.

After a moment, Nie Zhenbang smiled and said, “Old Li, it’s a matter of perspective. Actually, it’s quite simple. In the past, when our comrades worked on investment attraction, the reason it felt extremely difficult was mainly that they hadn’t found the right approach, the way to truly move the investors’ hearts.”

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Seeing Li Wei’s thoughtful expression brought joy to Nie Zhenbang, who said with a smile, “Old Li, what urgently needs to change now among our leaders within the domestic system is precisely this aspect. The green channel, no bribes or corruption—most leaders have understood and grasped this. However, they haven’t truly understood the mindset of the investors. These people don’t care about temporary ‘three exemptions and two reductions by half’; these preferential policies are not permanent. Any investor looks at their investment as a long-term business, and what’s going to happen to the policy after three or five years, whether their investment will be secure, are their real concerns and apprehensions. Once you’ve dispelled these doubts and can genuinely let investors feel that investing here is a mutually beneficial situation, and we have our principles as well as our bottom lines, then they can truly feel assured. This is how merchants are—if I follow your rules, regulations, and policies, then I believe you will also follow my business rules. This is mutual benefit. That’s why such great achievements were made.”

…

The Provincial Party Committee Office Building

In Zeng Taiping’s office, at this moment, Zeng Taiping picked up the document on his desk; his secretary had placed it there early in the morning.

At the top was always the schedule for his day, a habit of Zeng Taiping’s. Having just glanced over it, he heard a knock at the door. The secretary walked in with a cup of tea and approached with a smile, saying, “Secretary Zeng, your tea.”

Zeng Taiping nodded slightly, glancing briefly at the Longjing tea—his preferred tea—another detail his secretary never got wrong. Nodding again, Zeng spoke up, “Hmm, what’s going on with the trip to Huazhi City this morning? Has everything been arranged by the Secretary-General?”

The secretary nodded and reported, “The Secretary-General has arranged everything. Accompanying officials include Deputy Governor Pan Jianzhang in charge of industry, representatives from the Industrial Department, Bureau of Land and Resources, and the Provincial Mining Group. A total of five cars have been arranged. A police car from the Provincial Public Security Department will lead the way. Additionally, journalists from the provincial TV and radio stations, as well as several major newspapers, will follow and report on the entire event.”

At this point, the secretary paused before adding, “Secretary, this time, Huazhi City and Donggang Huiye Group have reached a preliminary intention on investing in the Australian iron ore project. Tomorrow, in Huazhi City, at the Huagang Group, an official press conference and signing ceremony will be held. Secretary Chen Xinmin of Huazhi City and Chairman Zhao Jianguo of the Huagang Group would both like to invite you to attend the meeting…”

Zeng Taiping nodded. As his trusted aide, whether it was the secretary or Secretary-General Lu Qingyu, they were both well aware of his relationship with the Chen family, which could be considered a partnership. Chen Xinmin was appointed within his jurisdiction, an arrangement entrusted by the Chen family. By reason and by sentiment, he had obligations to fulfill. As for Zhao Jianguo of the Huagang Group, being the son-in-law of the Liu family, he had to give him some face too. Such arrangements were quite normal.

After musing for a moment, Zeng Taiping slowly began, “Ask Comrade Qingyu to come up.”

In less than three minutes, Provincial Committee Secretary-General Lu Qingyu walked in from outside and nodded at Zeng Taiping, “Secretary, you called for me.”

Zeng Taiping gave a slight nod and took a sip of tea, speaking in a measured tone, “Qingyu, I think it’s best if we set out this afternoon for Huazhi City, where the signing is happening tomorrow. This schedule should still be manageable. Moreover, we don’t need to bring such a big entourage. The Provincial Mining Group doesn’t need to be involved, nor does the Bureau of Land and Resources and the Department of Industry. Additionally, explain the situation to Comrade Jianzhang. Huagang Group is, after all, centrally managed. It’s unnecessary for them to go. My presence as a representative will suffice.”

At that, Zeng Taiping paused, then continued, “This way, we won’t need a motorcade. Travel light. Cut back on police cars and the like. As for media reporters, I expect that the provincial station and the provincial newspaper already have staff arranged there. There’s no need to bring any extra personnel; withdraw them all. Just you and I will go.”

Zeng Taiping’s attitude was very firm and decisive. The recent achievements secured by the visit of the East Port Investment Group had put a great deal of pressure on Zeng Taiping. Nie Zhenbang’s reputation for handling the economy was not just for show. His methods, his boldness, the accomplishments he had made were enough to make anyone feel threatened.

This was also the reason why Zeng Taiping was determined to travel lightly now; making a big commotion and letting news spread would on the contrary give off the impression that he was taking undue advantage. That’s why Zeng Taiping made this decision.

Seeing Zeng Taiping’s demeanor, Lu Qingyu knew very well about Secretary Zeng’s character; his word was law. Immediately, he nodded and responded, “Yes, I will arrange it right away.”

Three o’clock in the afternoon

Accompanied by Lu Qingyu and his secretary, Zeng Taiping walked out of the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government office building. Stepping out of the building, the secretary quickly hastened their pace to open the car door for Zeng Taiping. After everyone got in, the car swiftly left the office complex, turned onto the main road, and headed towards the ring road.

On the highway, the Audi was speeding along at a brisk pace, reaching a speed of one hundred and twenty kilometers per hour, the limit for the highway.

At that moment, the driver turned around and said, “Secretary, just ahead we’ll take the exit and continue on the national road.”

…

After five in the afternoon, Nie Zhenbang had finished his work quite punctually today. After returning home and having dinner, he waited until the national TV station’s “Daily at Seven” aired. After watching “Daily at Seven,” Nie Zhenbang stood up, when suddenly, his cellphone began to ring.

As soon as he answered, the voice of Li Yunhe came through on the other end, sounding somewhat urgent and pressing, “Governor, something terrible has happened. Please come over right away.”

Upon hearing Li Yunhe’s words, Nie Zhenbang’s brows immediately furrowed, he spoke in a deep voice, “Comrade Yun He, what’s this panic? The sky isn’t falling. Whatever it is, take your time and explain.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than, on the other end, Li Yunhe urgently interjected, “Oh dear, my governor, something’s happened to Secretary Zeng; there’s been a car accident.” (