Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 961 - 917 Welcoming Banquet

Chapter 961: Chapter 917: Welcoming Banquet

Chapter 961 -917: Welcoming Banquet

As Liu Yong finished speaking, Nie Zhenbang smiled and said, “Minister Suzhou, it’s rare for you to visit us, so this time, you must stay for a meal before leaving to allow our local comrades to express their gratitude. Rest assured, it will be nothing more than a simple home-cooked meal, strictly in accordance with the ‘three public’ standard.”

Nie Zhenbang’s words caused a slight change in Liu Yong’s expression. Behind them, the members of the Hongjiang Provincial Committee all seemed somewhat amused.

It seemed that Nie Zhenbang was indeed determined. Just now, in his inauguration speech, he declared that from this moment on, he was a Hongjiang native. Indeed, he was now truly taking himself for one of their own.

This statement, as it was made, subtly grabbed the initiative for himself, and if Wang Suzhou agreed, it would be giving Nie Zhenbang face. In the statement, Nie Zhenbang had craftily set a trap for Liu Yong—if the standard of the meal exceeded the ‘three public’ standard, Liu Yong’s face might not look too good afterward.

Liu Yong also smiled and said, “Secretary Nie is right, the standards are definitely high and the requirements strict.”

Wang Suzhou had originally intended to stay. The main purpose of personally escorting Nie Zhenbang to take office was to support him and make a show of force. If the play was to be performed, it naturally needed the full set. Anything less and it would lack interest, nor would it reflect his sincerity and feelings.

He then nodded and said, “That’s good. I also have a deep affection for the Hongjiang River, and this time, it’s also an opportunity to experience the excellent traditions of the old revolutionary base and to feel the strong revolutionary spirit.”

This time, the preparations in Hongjiang Province were ample and the setting grand. The welcome banquet was held at the Hongjiang Provincial Committee’s guesthouse, an enterprise under the administration of the Hongjiang Provincial Committee’s General Affairs Bureau and directly managed by the Provincial Committee Reception Office. For receiving higher-level leaders, ministry officials, and delegations from sister provinces, the guesthouse was the unrivaled venue of choice for the Provincial Committee.

In the Honghu Hall of the Provincial Committee guesthouse, twenty tables were set. Present were all the provincial-level and above cadre, retired senior leaders from within the province, as well as leaders from the People’s Congress and the CPPCC.

At the central table were naturally the current members of the Provincial Committee, and the old comrade Yan Cangsheng was also in attendance. Yan Cangsheng was quite a character in Hongjiang’s political scene. A local through and through, he started his career at the grassroots level and rose all the way to the boss of the Provincial Committee, also retiring in Hongjiang. Many of the province’s officials were his protégés. Such a trajectory mirrored that of Liu Yong. Even now, Yan Cangsheng commanded great respect.

The table was full of dishes, but they were not extravagant delicacies. In this regard, Liu Yong had not overstepped at all, and the atmosphere was nonetheless dignified.

As for the drinks, as always, they chose Moutai, 52 degrees Feitian. It was standard fare, without the indulgence of luxury liquors such as ten-year or thirty-year aged spirits.

Waiters were already by their side pouring the drinks. Liu Yong stood up with his glass and, smiling at Wang Suzhou, said, “Minister Suzhou, I toast to you. I thank the central leadership for their concern and support for the work in Hongjiang Province and am grateful to Minister Suzhou for coming to Hongjiang to provide guidance.”

Liu Yong’s words were somewhat thought-provoking, and the comrades of the Provincial Committee were also amused; the old Governor seemed to be testing the waters—testing Secretary Nie.

By saying that it was clear he was not giving Nie Zhenbang face. What was Wang Suzhou here for? It was to escort Secretary Nie to his new position, but you, with such casualness, have transformed the nature of the visit—the Minister Suzhou was here to provide guidance.

At this moment, Wang Suzhou also slightly furrowed his brows and said with a smile, “Governor Liu, there is no need. It is all thanks to the leader’s foresight. The central leadership has been watching over Hongjiang’s situation, haven’t they? So much so, they have let me personally escort Secretary Zhenbang here, no?”

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

Saying so, the two lightly clinked glasses. Liu Yong downed his in one go, while Wang Suzhou only took a small sip.

Wang Suzhou had the status and authority to do so; what was Liu Yong by comparison? Just an alternate committee member with ministerial rank, while he was a full-fledged ministerial committee member—a completely different concept.

Moreover, with his actions, Wang Suzhou was clearly cheering for Nie Zhenbang. In this way, he was also implicitly reminding the people of the Hongjiang Provincial Committee that Secretary Nie was not someone they could easily manipulate.

After hitting a soft nail with Wang Suzhou, Liu Yong saw the atmosphere of the reception relax considerably. Wen Baogui’s heart stirred, and he immediately stood up, “Minister Suzhou, Secretary Nie. I toast to both of you.”

Wen Baogui’s toast made others silently shake their heads—Vice-Secretary Wen was being overly bold. When toasting, where did one see such a manner of toasting, a single cup to two high-ranking leaders? First of all, the method was somewhat inappropriate. With toasts, especially to leaders, it was customary to toast individually, as that truly conveyed your sincerity.

Additionally, there was an art to the words used in the toast. Wen Baogui’s blunt statement seemed merely perfunctory.

“`

Everyone including Wen Baogui’s relative, Hongcheng City Party Secretary Yao Dingguo, were incessantly shaking their heads, wondering what old Wen was up to this time. By all accounts, he should not be making such a low-level mistake.

Yet, what took everyone by surprise was that at this moment, Wang Suzhou didn’t show any dissatisfaction; instead, he smiled and said, “Secretary Nie Zhenbang, it seems like the comrades from Hongjiang are very enthusiastic.”

Nie Zhenbang smiled knowingly. Wang Suzhou was giving him face; this gesture was clear. If he agreed to drink, Wang Suzhou would definitely drink as well.

At that moment, Nie Zhenbang was also considering that, since he was new to the area, he certainly could not refuse Wen Baogui’s offer of a toast. It wasn’t a matter of principle, but it was very delicate. He then smiled and said, “Secretary Bao Gui, you’re too polite. Let’s set aside who should toast whom. Let’s just clink glasses. I’ll drink mine, and Minister Suzhou can do as he pleases.”

With that, Nie Zhenbang also drained his cup in one go, and Wang Suzhou, on the other hand, took another sip. Saving face, too, required skill – it wasn’t about slapping someone down hard, but stopping at the right point. That was the best way. The attitude behind taking a sip now was completely different from when he had drunk with Liu Yong earlier.

At this moment, Wen Baogui was very pleased. Nie Zhenbang’s attitude undoubtedly made him feel esteemed, so he immediately said with a smile, “Secretary Nie, you are too kind. Well, I will drink to that. I will also accompany Minister Suzhou for another drink.”

With that, Wen Baogui took his drink in one gulp, very decisively, and poured himself another glass, downing it in one swallow as well.

The other standing committee members of the Provincial Committee followed suit with their toasts, and at this time, Nie Zhenbang was very straightforward, responding to each toast with utmost politeness and finishing each drink. Wang Suzhou, however, did not drink any more.

With his status, it was enough to sip once for the main leaders to give them face; anything more would have been overly courteous. A sprinkling of attention was not always the best policy – a needed reserve had to be maintained.

After a round of toasts, Nie Zhenbang had drunk almost two bottles of alcohol. This staggering capacity surprised many of the Provincial Committee members. At this level, drinking was no longer the goal. Generally, at this stage, drinking was not like that of local officers at the grassroots, who weren’t satisfied unless they drank to excess; the toasts here were more about formality and attitude. Just a taste was enough to get the meaning across. Without a doubt, Nie Zhenbang’s hearty approach allowed everyone to see the Secretary in a new light: though young, he was not someone to be taken lightly.

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang stood up, glass in hand, and turned to Yan Cangsheng, saying, “Old Yan, I offer you a toast. You are a senior leader, an old comrade. Going forward, Hongjiang’s work will need a lot of supervision and encouragement from you.”

Yan Cangsheng was somewhat surprised but also astonished. This young man, Nie Zhenbang, was not simple at all. In his actions, he was thorough and leak-proof, his words respectful, but also a gentle reminder.

An old comrade like him, already retired, what more could his duty entail but supervision and encouragement? To offer advice and suggestions would be a step too far.

Yan Cangsheng also lifted his cup, smiling, and said, “Secretary Nie. In the future, the work in Hongjiang will have to rely on you all. The new generation surpassing the old is inevitable. Your broader perspectives, lofty vision, capabilities, and knowledge cannot be matched by us of the older generation. In the future, this old man will just be here to cheer you on from the sidelines. Ha ha, I’m getting old. My body does not allow much, so I will just take a sip. Secretary Nie, you don’t mind, do you?”

Nie Zhenbang nodded. Yan Cangsheng spoke at length, without substantial content, and everything he said was superficial. But Nie Zhenbang was in no hurry; he had prepared for the work in Hongjiang well in advance and wasn’t expecting everything to be sorted out in a day or two.

He then smiled and said, “Of course, please feel free, Old Yan.”

The meal did not take too long. In the afternoon, there was still work to be done, and around one o’clock, the welcoming banquet disbanded.

Just outside the Provincial Committee Guesthouse, after Nie Zhenbang and the various leaders from Hongjiang Provincial Committee had seen off Wang Suzhou, Liu Yong turned and said, “Secretary Nie, I have some work to take care of, so I’ll be leaving first.”

With Liu Yong’s departure, the other standing committee members also left one after another. At this point, only Xu Hongzhuan, the Provincial Committee Secretary-General, remained behind Nie Zhenbang.

As the Provincial Committee Secretary-General, Xu Hongzhuan’s duty was to serve the leaders. Others may avoid the task, but he could not; moreover, a significant factor in his position was whether the leaders were satisfied or not. If they weren’t, Xu Hongzhuan’s position would not be secure.

“Secretary, your accommodations have been temporarily arranged at the small hotel of the Provincial Committee. Shall we go and have a look?” Xu Hongzhuan was very respectful, his words and demeanor meticulously proper, with basically no cause for Nie Zhenbang to be displeased. (

“`