Reborn as a Noble's Son

Zhang Chubin had deliberately called to discuss something with him? Nie Zhenbang was taken aback in his heart and fell into deep thought. Currently, almost the entire cadre of Lixian was eyeing this money. According to Lixian’s fiscal budget, about 20 million a year would be enough. By this calculation, there would be nearly an extra 10 million in funds. Naturally, a lot of leaders and cadre were having new thoughts, all wanting to bite off a piece from the government’s big cake. Was Zhang Chubin seeking him out for the same reason? Nie Zhenbang had to stay on guard.

However, with a smile on his face, Nie Zhenbang said, “Secretary Zhang is looking for me, even if there’s something, it has to be postponed, right?”

Zhang Chubin also laughed heartily on the other end. Nie Zhenbang’s low profile pleased Zhang Chubin. Conflicts between the secretary and the county head often arise over such minor details. Both are at the same level, one is the head of the Party committee, the other is the head of the government. Naturally, the secretary would not back down. At such moments, if a county head also refuses to back down, resentment could imperceptibly develop. Additionally, the secretary generally interferes with the county’s economic development and various matters. Such interference would magnify the conflict.

“Ha ha, alright then. I’ll wait here in the office of the county committee to welcome Director Nie.” On the other end of the phone, Zhang Chubin also said with a laugh.

From the government to the county committee, the distance is merely one street, less than a five-minute walk. Nie Zhenbang soon entered Zhang Chubin’s office.

By now, Zhang Chubin had already stood up and greeted Nie Zhenbang into his office with a smile. After personally making a cup of tea for Nie Zhenbang, Zhang Chubin sat down on the sofa and said with a smile, “Director Nie, try it and see how it tastes. A Southern friend brought it for me from Chunan Province. It’s called Yunmeng Maojian, a famous tea from Chunan.”

Nie Zhenbang also laughed at this moment. In response to the goodwill conveyed by Zhang Chubin, Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “I’ve also been ground down by these comrades over the small amount of money in the county’s fiscal account these days. Fortunately, I can take a little break here with you, Secretary.”

Nie Zhenbang’s words were loaded. Currently, he wasn’t sure of Zhang Chubin’s real intent in finding him. However, to prevent Zhang Chubin from aiming at this money, Nie Zhenbang deliberately said so. This way, if Zhang Chubin were indeed thinking about this money, he’d naturally hesitate to bring it up.

“Director Nie, this time, I have an idea. During the Lunar New Year, one of my classmates from the Party school in the autonomous region was transferred to the coastal area of Jiangbei Province, where he is now acting as the vice county head in Yangwu County under the jurisdiction of Jinhua City. He invited me to visit. He sounds very dissatisfied with our economic development in the Xibei. He has been encouraging me to visit. I’m wondering if the coastal area is as good as he says. I’m thinking, maybe we could organize a delegation to exchange and learn their experiences soon?”

Speaking of the delegation, it was a popular time for such delegations. The leaders of counties and cities in the inland and impoverished areas of the West had begun a wide range of inspection activities. On the surface, they were meant to learn the successful reform and development experiences of the coastal area. However, it was unclear how much they were actually learning.

That said, Nie Zhenbang wasn’t very opposed to the idea. At present, in Nie Zhenbang’s view, the vision of the leadership in Lixian was lacking. A tour would have an important role in promoting the future development of Lixian.

After contemplating for a moment, Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “I agree with Secretary Zhang’s idea. Going to see, walking around, looking at how they are developing, and learning how they use local features and advantages is also beneficial to Lixian’s development. However, there should be a standard for the composition of the delegation members. Also, I suggest not bringing any spouses.”

Zhang Chubin was taken aback. He respected Nie Zhenbang’s practical attitude. Zhang Chubin, himself a practical man, knew what Nie Zhenbang was implying. If accompanying spouses were allowed, the nature of the delegation would change, becoming more like a tourist group. Immediately, Zhang Chubin nodded in agreement, “I hadn’t thought about that. I think we should announce it in advance. This way, we can prevent a lot problems. Director Nie. In recent days, I’ve been contemplating about Lixian’s development. I’ve drawn up a preliminary plan. Since you’re an expert in this area, why don’t you take a look?”

As he spoke, Zhang Chubin pulled out a document from beneath the tea table and handed it to Nie Zhenbang. Seeing the document, Nie Zhenbang was stunned by the first line.

It was about establishing an economic development zone. Looking at Zhang Chubin next to him, Nie Zhenbang for the first time felt Zhang Chubin’s ambition – indeed no small ambition. At this time, the economic development zone, even in many provinces in the inland, was only just starting to take shape, with no mature development model yet formed. But Zhang Chubin was planning on establishing one here in Lixian.

Continuing to read, the entire economic development zone, according to Zhang Chubin’s plan, was to extend northwards from Chengguan town in Lixian. Under Zhang Chubin’s plan, the old town was to remain unchanged, and the government institutions within the town were to be relocated as a whole to facilitate the development of the new zone. However, the plan was vast and required a substantial amount of funding. This was a hurdle which Lixian’s current economy could not overcome. Although Zhang Chubin had ties with Liu Wenqing and could get a little funding from the city, the amount was insignificant to finance such a plan.

Moreover, Zhang Chubin’s consideration for the development zone was overly simplistic, merely labeling it as a ‘development zone’ without specifying its particular focus – whether it’s hi-tech or something else. There was no clearly defined feature.

Nie Zhenbang pondered as well. If this plan had been proposed by a deputy county chief under him, Nie Zhenbang would bluntly point out its inadequacies. However, Zhang Chubin was, after all, the Secretary of the county committee. To a certain extent, he had to save face for Zhang Chubin.

“Well, this plan is not bad, today, economic development zones are very popular nationwide. Aside from the tax benefits of the policy, various other aspects of the soft environment are also better. Such economic development zones, if they can strive to become provincial or national-level economic development zones, have even greater potential.” Nie Zhenbang started by affirming Zhang Chubin’s plan.

Then, Nie Zhenbang changed the subject and said, “However, I noticed that these economic development zones, all have some clearly defined features. Some prioritize manufacturing, some prioritize the electronics industry, and some focus on pharmaceuticals. Others belong to the high-tech industry.”

Zhang Chubin took the hint when Nie Zhenbang said this and immediately laughed, “Yes, Director Nie’s opinion is very good. I also agree, but for now, I still don’t have a specific plan when it comes to defining the features. I think we can wait until after the inspection team has completed its work to make a decision.”

Having that intention was enough. Nie Zhenbang understood that Zhang Chubin had not thought through the issue at this point. Nevertheless, Nie Zhenbang didn’t expose it. He had some ideas of his own regarding this development zone – even a grander plan. However, with the development zone just being in the early stages of planning, Nie Zhenbang naturally wouldn’t reveal it. Nie Zhenbang then nodded and said, “Secretary Zhang, in that case, please put more effort into arranging the inspection team. I will take my leave first.”

Zhang Chubin acted quickly. The next day, after contacting his classmate from the party school, the other party responded swiftly with a phone call, and the Yangwu County Committee and County Government even sent an invitation to Li County.

Meanwhile, work started at the county committee office and the government office. The inspection team totaled twelve people. Apart from Zhang Chubin and Nie Zhenbang, Xie Yi, the full-time deputy secretary, voluntarily chose to stay in Lixian County. The head of Politics and Law Committee, Zhao Kunlun, also gave up on the inspection. Together with the other seven members and Li Lin from the government office and two deputy county chiefs, a grand total of twelve people set off for Jiangbei in high spirits.

The group arrived in Bazhou City that evening. Inside one of the private rooms at the Bazhou City Committee’s first guest house, which was also the Bazhou Hotel, the twelve of them gathered. While the dishes were being served, Xue Daming, the CCP Propaganda Department Chief, started joking: “While we wait for the dishes, let me tell you a joke.”

Upon hearing Xue Daming say this, all the committee members laughed. Now, dirty jokes started to become fashionable at dinner tables. With the deepening of the reforms, the boundaries between sexes have also loosened. Coastal areas have even seen cases of prostitution.

Xue Daming seemingly prepared the joke before he said, “A man went to the hospital for a checkup. When he had a blood test, the nurse suddenly found out that she was out of cotton. In a rush, she put the man’s finger in her mouth. At this moment, the man looks intoxicated and says to the nurse, ‘Can I also take a urine test?’”

As the words fell, everyone burst into laughter. Xue Daming’s joke was indeed too explicit. The men were fine with it, but Li Lin spewed out, “Just as I thought, not a single one of you men is decent.”

“Director Li, how do you know that there is no good man? Have you tried?” Qu Feng, director of the county committee office, also joked.

Just then, a familiar voice suddenly came from outside. Following that, the door to the room was opened – to the surprise of these officials from Li county, the City Committee Secretary, Liu Wenqing, had unexpectedly shown up in person.