Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 964 - 920 Minister of Propaganda

Chapter 964: Chapter 920: Minister of Propaganda

Chapter 964 -920: Minister of Propaganda

Hearing Li Wei’s words, the two deputy directors of the Propaganda Department who were named nodded at the same time. Although it was clear this meant working overtime, thankfully, this wasn’t about writing materials that would require wracking one’s brain. All the necessary materials were already available; what was needed was just to check some of the finer points in the materials to see if they could highlight the leaders’ qualities. Regarding the video files, the review process mainly involved removing anything that might damage the leaders’ images. With that in mind, working some overtime was not such a big problem after all.

After Li Wei finished speaking, Deputy Director Shi Ximao also spoke up, “Minister, in terms of the approach, is there any measure of how to grasp this concept?”

Propaganda work is related to ideology, which is a very flexible domain that can be adjusted left or right – that’s one aspect. Another difficult point to grasp is the leaders’ preferences. If it were senior leaders, everyone would know what to do. However, with Nie Zhenbang newly in office, it was crucial to determine whether to focus on theory or be more practical, or perhaps adopt another style.

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Li Wei was direct. After summarizing the points raised by Xu Hongzhuan, he said, “Regarding this issue, it’s roughly like this. Everyone shouldn’t worry too much. It’s our first time doing this. Anything goes. Secretary Nie will personally review it later.”

…

At noon, Nie Zhenbang had lunch in the provincial committee’s canteen. As a newcomer, Nie Zhenbang’s entrance to the canteen took many staff members by surprise, and it wasn’t until they saw the secretary-general of the provincial committee by Nie’s side that they confirmed that the man before them was the top official of Hongjiang Province.

While getting his meal, Nie Zhenbang chatted amiably with the head chef, who, somewhat excited, specially served Nie Zhenbang an extra portion of meat dishes. Nie Zhenbang accepted this kindly and even joked around with Xu Hongzhuan who was beside him.

At two in the afternoon, Nie Zhenbang truly settled into his office for the first time. The entire office space was roughly 90 square meters, divided into an inner and outer office. The outer area, used by the secretary, was about three meters eight wide and extended back eight meters. There was a sofa and a coffee table near the entrance, while a desk and a small bookshelf were positioned close to the window inside.

Between the outer office’s desk and sofa was a door leading to the inner office. Upon entering, there was a roughly square space measuring about fifty square meters. Along one wall there stood a row of tall bookshelves, housing various large tomes, including classics, political theories, and sizable economics books.

In front of the bookshelves stood a large black executive desk. At the top left corner of the desk were two flags – one party flag and one national flag, beside which sat three telephones in a row: a red secure line, a white intercom, and a dark-colored standard phone.

The chair was a genuine leather swivel chair which suggested a touch of modernity. In front of the desk were two chairs for colleagues coming to report their work.

On the left side of the office area, about six meters away, was an outer door; in fact, this was the official entrance to the office of the provincial committee secretary. The office nameplate was hung on this door. This design was standard within the political system. Generally, after meeting with subordinates, the leader would exit through the secretary’s office. However, in cases of urgency or when it was inappropriate for both parties to be seen together, those in the inner office—who could be blocked by those in the outer office—could exit through this door. Of course, the judgment was entirely in Nie Zhenbang’s hands, and subordinates would act according to his direction.

To the right of the office area was the reception area, with wooden sofas exquisitely carved. A single ashtray rested on the coffee table, with nothing else.

On the opposite wall hung three maps: the world map, the Huaxia map, and the Hongjiang map. Next to them, Director Shen’s calligraphy piece with the words “Dedicate Yourself to the People” naturally also found its place on the wall.

Nie Zhenbang was very satisfied with Xu Hongzhuan’s actions. Turning around with a smile, he said to Xu, “Comrade Hongzhuan, you go ahead with your work. As the provincial committee’s main steward, you can’t be following me around all day. After all, you’re not just serving me. I don’t have anything else here; I’ll start by reviewing your recommended candidates for secretary.”

Nie Zhenbang’s remarks excited Xu Hongzhuan; it was the first time secretary Nie had referred to him as the main steward of the provincial committee, which clearly indicated Nie’s satisfaction with his work. Xu also replied with a smile: “Serving Secretary Nie is also serving the provincial committee. I firmly follow the leaders’ instructions and arrangements. Secretary, please go ahead with your work; let me know if there’s anything you need.”

Conversing with a leader also requires tact and attention to detail. When a leader asks for you, you should not use ‘find’ but rather ‘notify,’ which is most appropriate. Clearly, Xu Hongzhuan had a deep understanding of this subtlety.

Just as Nie Zhenbang picked up the dossier on his desk and saw only one name, there came a knock from outside the door.

Moreover, the sound came from the inner office’s outer door, indicating that the visitor was certainly aware of the situation and knew the outer office was currently unoccupied.

This door is usually not locked during office hours and can be easily opened from both outside and inside.

Nie Zhenbang then spoke up, “Come in.”

The door pushed open, and the director of the propaganda department, Li Wei, had already entered. At this moment, Li Wei, holding a briefcase, smiled and nodded to Nie Zhenbang, “Good afternoon, Secretary.”

To Nie Zhenbang, Li Wei’s arrival was not unexpected. Among the provincial committee’s standing committee members, Nie Zhenbang had carefully analyzed that Li Wei and Xu Hongzhuan were in the most pessimistic situation, and now it seemed to be the case. Additionally, today’s theoretical meeting was fully recorded and interviewed by media reporters, and seeing this, Nie Zhenbang knew that Li Wei would definitely come to visit. After all, matters related to the leaders’ publicity are top priorities. Without knowing the leaders’ preferences in advance, Li Wei would probably have long been removed from his minister position.

Nie Zhenbang stood up, giving Li Wei sufficient respect and face, smilingly saying, “Minister Li has arrived, please have a seat.”

In the reception area, Nie Zhenbang personally brewed a cup of green tea for Li Wei and then cheerfully said, “I brought this tea from Jingcheng, Shifeng Longjing, known for its delicate taste and long aftertaste, worth trying. I don’t know if it suits Minister Li’s palate.”

Li Wei was quite effusive, inhaling deeply before smilingly saying, “Shifeng Longjing, that’s a famous tea from South of the Yangtze River. It’s said the annual production is extremely limited. This time, I’m indeed fortunate to enjoy it, thanks to the Secretary.”

After savoring a sip, relishing the long aftertaste, Li Wei praised it and then said, “Secretary Nie, this time, I have come mainly to report to you about the work on the publicity front. Please take a look.”

As he spoke, Li Wei placed the speech draft from today’s meeting and the news release, along with the key points of the video broadcast, on the coffee table and continued, “Secretary, here is your draft speech for today’s theoretical meeting and the video material. Please let me know if there’s anything that requires modification or addition. I will make changes immediately.”

After taking the materials, Nie Zhenbang smiled and said, “Publicity work has always been a focus of the Party and the government; it is also our glorious tradition. Doing publicity work well is conducive to the unity of the cadres and the advancement of our work. I have faith in Minister Wei Ran’s capabilities.”

After skimming the materials, there seemed to be nothing that needed to be changed, which astonished Nie Zhenbang. Li Wei had grasped his preferences with such accuracy, which fully demonstrated that Li Wei had put his heart into it.

However, having read through it, it was absolutely necessary to point out some things. Otherwise, wouldn’t it fail to reflect the leader’s level of expertise?

After pondering for a moment, Nie Zhenbang also said, “Overall, it’s quite good, which fully demonstrates Minister Wei Ran’s excellent work. However, in the draft, the part about my speech should be trimmed a bit; it’s too lengthy and not good. Just express the main ideas. Less official jargon and cliches; more facts, good deeds, and substance. As for the video, it should still be practical. Although this is a theoretical meeting, in name, it aims for actual practicality. The determination and intentions of the provincial committee must be reflected.”

At this moment, Li Wei was quite excited, feeling grateful inside. Xu Hongzhuan was indeed a good person. At least in this matter, Xu Hongzhuan had not deceived him. This was someone worth making a profound connection with.

Nodding, Li Wei was very humble, “After hearing the Secretary’s words, it is as if everything is now clear to me. Please rest assured, Secretary, I will immediately revise it and strive to have it broadcasted tonight on the Hongjiang News Broadcast.”

Nie Zhenbang gestured with his hand and smiled, “Minister Wei Ran, you flatter me. In the field of publicity, you are the expert; I won’t say much. In any case, the provincial committee’s guiding principle is that in the key and focus of publicity, there should be a tilt towards the economy and the grassroots. We should report more on practical matters for the people, less on theory, more on actual deeds. Serve as wings and support the big picture of the provincial committee, for the economic construction and development of the entire province. With that, the publicity work will be easier to manage.”

This was also a habit of Nie Zhenbang. Some leaders liked to keep the propaganda department close at hand, even making them tag along to a mall as if they could not demonstrate their capability otherwise. But Nie Zhenbang has never liked doing so.

Listening, Li Wei was somewhat astonished, but then nodded, “Please rest assured, Secretary, I will strictly follow your requirements and directive to do a good job in the province’s publicity work.” (