Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 858 - 814 Candid and Fair
Chapter 858: Chapter 814 Candid and Fair
Chapter 858 -814 Candid and Fair
Before eight in the morning, precisely around 7:45 a.m., Nie Zhenbang had already appeared in the lobby of the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government Office Building.
Upon entry, the staff and leaders from both the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government stopped in their tracks, proactively greeting Nie Zhenbang.
Entering the elevator, inside, there was only Sun Jialuo.
It was a convention within the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government. It didn’t mean that Nie Zhenbang or Sun Jialuo purposely exhibited an air of arrogance. The main reason lay with the others who wouldn’t dare to share an elevator with the top leaders. During these times, doing so was asking for discomfort.
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Nie Zhenbang looked at Sun Jialuo and nodded with a smile, “Old Sun, by the looks of it, you didn’t get much rest last night either.”
Nie Zhenbang’s words also carried a hidden meaning. Sun Jialuo’s greatest hope was to move up a step so that as the Executive Vice Governor, he could naturally follow suit. Unfortunately, things did not go as he wished. With Nie Zhenbang stuck in place and the new Secretary’s position settled, there was no room left for Sun Jialuo.
Sun Jialuo, of course, understood that Nie Zhenbang’s remarks were meant to console him. Smiling indifferently, he then said, “Governor, I heard that Secretary Su rested at the Provincial Committee’s guesthouse last night. In the evening, Sun Zhenye also went there to report on his work.”
Sun Jialuo revealed quite a bit of information. Nie Zhenbang laughed upon seeing Sun Jialuo’s attitude and soothingly said, “Old Sun, stay calm. After Secretary Taiping passed away, Taiping’s family has not yet moved out of the Number One Courtyard. It’s quite normal for Secretary Su to stay at the guesthouse. Moreover, Sun Zhenye is the Deputy Secretary-General of the Provincial Party Committee and is currently in charge of the committee’s affairs. As the acting steward, it’s only natural for him to report on his work. Old Sun, you seem a little unsettled now.”
Compared to Su Xuan, Nie Zhenbang was now considered an old-timer in Bashu Province. He knew all too well about Su Xuan’s work status of the previous afternoon. He learned who Su Xuan met with in the afternoon and in the evening, and there always were those eager to pass such information to Nie Zhenbang’s ears.
Seeing the puzzled look on Sun Jialuo’s face, Nie Zhenbang smiled faintly and continued, “Old Sun, as I always say, we should simply do our own jobs well. Standing in this world, we need not pay heed to these matters. If we handle our own responsibilities effectively, nobody can have much to say. Besides, it’s completely normal that Secretary Su has to start his work now that he’s taken office.”
Sun Jialuo wasn’t a fool and nodded in agreement, “Haha, Governor, your vision truly is lofty. I am somewhat lacking.”
…
“Bang! Bang bang!”
The office door was knocked twice, and outside, Secretary Li Jupeng pushed the door and came in, with an unusual and somewhat awkward expression on his face.
Nie Zhenbang paused; Li Jupeng had been his secretary for a while now, and had become quite adept over the years. However, this kind of display was a first for him.
After a pause, Nie Zhenbang asked solemnly, “Ju Peng, what’s the matter?”
No sooner had he spoken than a figure walked in from outside. Looking at Nie Zhenbang, they smiled and said, “Governor Zhenbang, I’ve come uninvited.”
The person before him left Nie Zhenbang momentarily speechless. It was Su Xuan. Nie Zhenbang had not anticipated this at all, that Su Xuan would visit him on his very first day in office after his formal appointment. What was Su Xuan intending to do? Nie Zhenbang was rather baffled.
No wonder Li Jupeng had looked that way just now. If even he was caught off guard, how much more so would Li Jupeng be? Being the top leader of the Provincial Party Committee, Su Xuan had his own dignity and prestige.
On his first day at work, he went to visit the deputy team leader. Su Xuan was taking quite a risk. If the news got out, it would affect Su Xuan’s work in the future. It was clear that it would be impossible to keep such a visit a secret.
But what reason would compel Su Xuan to take this risk and make a personal visit? To lower one’s stance—to consider whether this was worth it.
After a moment of stun, Nie Zhenbang also came to his senses. Regardless of the reason behind Su Xuan’s visit, since he was there, Su Xuan would surely make his stance clear. At this point, speculation was superfluous. He stood up, walked out from behind the desk, and reached out proactively, saying, “Secretary Su, for you to make a personal visit, how could Zhenbang dare to receive such an honor? Please, take a seat.”
By saying this, Nie Zhenbang also made Su Xuan’s smile grow wider. This time, Su Xuan’s visit was a great risk indeed; if Nie Zhenbang had been tactless, it would have been enough to make Su Xuan lose face in Bashu Province.
If this had been someone who had been rooted in Bashu for many years, it would have been easier to handle. But for Su Xuan, it could be a fatal blow. Su Xuan had just taken office and had not yet established sufficient prestige within the province, nor did he have any trusted aides. In this situation, the observing officials would become hesitant to align themselves with him.
Fortunately, Nie Zhenbang seemed to understand the situation. By saying this, he indeed gave ample face to Su Xuan.
He personally poured Su Xuan a cup of tea, using premium-grade Da Hong Pao, a favor passed down from his father-in-law. This tea was rarely used on an ordinary day.
Although it was not Gongfu tea and the water was just ordinary bottled mineral water, not spring water, the quality of the tea itself was evident. Upon lifting the lid of the teapot, a unique, delicate fragrance of Da Hong Pao wafted out.
Clearly a connoisseur, Su Xuan lifted the Zisha teacup, and his face showed a look of fascinated delight. Smiling, he said, “Governor Zhenbang, this is a treasure that’s hard to come by. Today, my visit has truly paid off.”
Nie Zhenbang, too, smiled and said, “Secretary Su, you flatter me. As long as you like the tea, that’s wonderful. I have never studied tea much. Good tea needs to be appreciated by those who understand it. Otherwise, it is like pearls cast before swine.”
After some pleasantries, Su Xuan put down his teacup. Despite Nie Zhenbang not being one to engage in idle chatter and preferring to focus on substantive work, he was nonetheless capable of making conversation when needed. After a pause, Su Xuan spoke up, “Governor Zhenbang, the main reason for my visit is to have a heart-to-heart talk with you.”
Continuing without waiting for Nie Zhenbang to speak, Su Xuan said, “To be honest, and you’ll have to forgive me for saying so, I had some reservations when I found out I was to take up a post in Bashu Province.”
Seeing Nie Zhenbang’s puzzled look, Su Xuan smiled and went on, “Let me explain. Mainly, it’s because your political achievements, brother Zhenbang, have been so outstanding. I have also carefully studied your resume. It turns out we have quite a lot in common. I graduated from Huaqing University, and you’re a Jingcheng University alumnus. Soon after I started teaching, I began working in the Youth League Committee, and you joined the Youth League Committee after graduation too. I hold dual Ph.D. degrees, and you, brother Zhenbang, also have a master’s degree. So, we have quite a few points of similarity.”
These words from Su Xuan surprised Nie Zhenbang. Su Xuan should not be seen as just another scholarly official; a true scholar wouldn’t communicate in such a manner, calling each other ‘brother’.
Nie Zhenbang was thoughtful at this moment, pondering what Su Xuan’s words truly meant and what his goals were. Gazing into Su Xuan’s sincere eyes, and after a moment of silence, Nie Zhenbang spoke, “Secretary Su, you have praised me too highly. You are senior in age and surpass me in academic achievements. In terms of governance experience, the development of Ludong Province during your tenure as the mayor of Qingdong City, deputy governor, and governor of Ludong has been widely recognized. Honestly, it is I who should learn from you.”
After much consideration, Nie Zhenbang chose the most conservative approach. By saying this, it was clear that Su Xuan wasn’t convinced. However, Su Xuan was well aware of Nie Zhenbang’s concerns. As Su Xuan pondered, he smiled and said, “Brother Zhenbang, the primary purpose of my visit this time is to discuss our future work. To be frank, it’s often said that the party committee and the government leaders rarely see eye to eye. Honestly, presiding over the party committee’s work is as new to me as it would be for a bride riding in a sedan chair for the first time. Your consistent adherence to a sustainable development strategy and a preference for environmental protection first is something I greatly admire. I have conducted a detailed study of your governance. This time, my visit is to express my stance openly. In the economic development of Bashu Province, I, Su Xuan, will not interfere in any way.”
Pausing, Su Xuan looked for Nie Zhenbang’s reaction before continuing, “At any time and with any matters, facts have proven that collaborative win-win solutions are the correct approach and method. My visit is to seek your support and assistance, brother Zhenbang.”
Su Xuan’s words were skillful and tactful. But Nie Zhenbang was taken aback; such openness was beyond what he had anticipated. Su Xuan’s intention was clear: I haven’t come to compete with you, Nie Zhenbang, for credit. I won’t meddle in government affairs; I fully support you, but I hope that you will support my work too.
After a moment of silence, Nie Zhenbang stood up. It was time to take a stand; silence was not an option anymore. Pausing for a moment, Nie Zhenbang spoke with solemnity, “Secretary Su, since you’ve brought the discussion to this point, and since you support my work so much, I, Nie Zhenbang, won’t hold back anymore. From now on, let us join hands and move forward together. Secretary Su, what do you think?”(
