Reborn as a Noble's Son

According to Nie Zhenbang’s plan, excluding a slight adjustment needed for the standing committee of the Municipal Party Committee, the standing committee member and Publicity Minister, Xue Daming, was reassigned to the Standing Committee of Xinli City People’s Congress to serve as the deputy secretary of the party committee and deputy director of the Standing Committee of Xinli City People’s Congress, and Yan Fengjiao took over his original roles. Furthermore, Lin Weimin, the director of the finance bureau, was proposed as the deputy mayor of Xinli City People’s Government.

This way, Nie Zhenbang’s initial planning for Xinli City Standing Committee was virtually complete. Among the standing committee members, Nie Zhenbang himself was the secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and had absolute veto power. Moreover, the deputy secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, Xie Yi, Chen Le, the secretary of the Politics and Law Committee, and Yan Fengjiao, the Publicity Minister, could all be considered Nie Zhenbang’s people along with himself, making five votes in total. Adding Xie Jiuda, Sun Kewen, Huang Shuyong and Qu Feng, this gave the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee nine votes. Wouldn’t Zhou Chen merely be a figurehead when he took up his post?

Additionally, Tang Fangming, the former deputy county head of Yun County, was elected as the deputy mayor of Xinli City, whilst Mi Fugui, the former deputy director of Yun County Government Office, was elected as the deputy director of Xinli City Government Office. Hence, the two leaders from Yun County would also be grateful to Nie Zhenbang. This almost makes Xinli City an unbreachable fortress.

What shocked Bekri even more was Nie Zhenbang’s adjustment to the administrative divisions of Xinli City. The three towns of Dafeng, Red Flag, and Chetai, which were brought in from Ku City, was collectively incorporated into Xinli City Economic and Technological Development Zone. This move would expand the planning area of the entire Development Zone to over 130 square kilometers, and the core development area would also reach 40 square kilometers. This was indeed a grand move.

At least, after this plan was drawn up, the investment in the Development Zone of Xinli City this year would undoubtedly not be less than that of the previous year. Nowadays, Xinli City’s finances are considered abundant. However, it still wouldn’t be enough to support this investment.

In addition, this entire plan is just the beginning, Nie Zhenbang’s planning and adjustment for the original Yun county is the real highlight.

In the past, Yun County was vast with six townships concentrated around Yunshan Town. Each township was significantly underdeveloped. Now, according to Nie Zhenbang’s adjustments, the six townships are to be consolidated into four. Among them, Yunshan Town, the original county seat of Yun County, has a substantial foundation and will not be readjusted,

The other townships, Daming Township and Heping Township, which are less than three kilometers apart, will be merged into a new Heping Town, led primarily by Heping Township. Additionally, Baitian Township will be divided into two parts, each incorporated into Tiaoma Town and Xinlou Township respectively.

After these divisions and mergers, the original administrative units of Yun County only remain as Yunshan Town, Heping Town, Tiaoma Town, and Xinlou Township. This would reduce the number of administrations under Xinli City Municipal Committee and Government’s jurisdiction, stimulating comprehensive planning and development across Xinli City.

“Secretary, this plan is excellent. If implemented, it will tremendously stimulate our work. This way, the entire city will comprise one Development Zone and ten townships, allowing us to focus on the important tasks. However, Secretary, I fear that the Municipal Committee may disagree with the personnel adjustments,” said Bekri thoughtfully, expressing his opinions.

After pausing for a while, Bekri worriedly said, “Also, Secretary Nie, I’m afraid other members of the Municipal Committee may have their thoughts on this. Zhou Chen’s appointment in Xinli City is not a minor issue. The Municipal Committee’s decision will undoubtedly impact your prestige in Xinli City.”

The upfront nature of Bekri’s words reflected sincerity, causing Nie Zhenbang to furrow his brows in concern. Indeed, as Bekri suggested, although the adjustment of Xinli City’s administrative regions was theoretically good due to Ding Aiguo’s support, and the Bazhou City Government shouldn’t have any objections, the real problem lies in the adjustment of the Standing Committee of the Xinli City Municipal Party Committee. His actions aim to suppress Xue Daming.

Xue Daming, one who specializes in opportunism, was used to playing tricks during Zhang Chubin’s tenure. Now with Zhou Chen’s arrival, Xue Daming will surely cozy up to him, knowing fully well the risks associated with following Zhou Chen. However, Xue Daming would still rush up like a moth to a flame. After all, for moths, there’s still a chance of extinguishing a candle flame. However, without allegiance, Xue Daming would be doomed. Nie Zhenbang wouldn’t let him off. As such, this adjustment must be made.

The abrupt shift in Liu Wenqing’s position caught Nie Zhenbang off guard, proving once again that there are neither permanent allies nor enemies in politics. Previously, due to Nie Zhenbang’s accomplishments in Lixian, Liu Wenqing provided full support, and their relationship seemed symbiotic. However, ultimately, this was merely a coalition of interests.

Now, for his long-desired provincial and ministerial positions, Liu Wenqing could even support Zhou Chen, even though he subtly criticized Zhou’s work during his visit to the Municipal Education Committee before the spring festival. This just shows how fluid alliances on political grounds can be.

What’s worse, the chain reaction triggered by this incident had a significant impact on Nie Zhenbang. Those people in politics, however politically savvy or dog-eyed they may be, couldn’t be underestimated.

Liu Wenqing firmly supported Zhou Chen, which suggested a misunderstanding between Secretary Nie and Secretary Liu of the Party Committee. Between a Municipality Secretary at the prefectural level and his deputy, people would mostly likely choose the former. Now, within the New Li City Party Committee, the only people Nie Zhenbang could really trust were Chen Le and Xie Yi. Now, perhaps Bekri could be added to the list. Therefore, Nie Zhenbang was eager to promote Yan Fengjiao to the position of Minister of Propaganda.

Looking at Bekri, who at this moment as the Executive Deputy Mayor was originally well-positioned to take a step forward to become the Mayor but was now preempted by Zhou Chen, Bekri must be dissatisfied. Therefore, this was the reason Bekri was willing to open his heart to him. Between the Party Secretary and the Mayor, Bekri chose him. This can also be considered a choice based on interests.

In the future, if Zhou Chen could provide Bekri with more benefits, perhaps, Bekri might change. But for now, Bekri could still be trusted. Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “Old White, I understand your concerns. There will definitely be resistance, but I have made up my mind, don’t try to persuade me anymore.”

In fact, Nie Zhenbang had another unsaid sentence. It would be best to choose Li Lin in terms of seniority. However, Yan Fengjiao had an advantage that Li Lin could not match because, behind Yan Fengjiao, there was Fan Guoliang. With this connection, this matter was not impossible.

The next day, Nie Zhenbang drove to Bazhou City. In the office of Ding Aiguo, Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and Mayor of the Municipal Government, Nie Zhenbang sat upright, paying close attention to Ding Aiguo’s expression.

After a while, Ding Aiguo put down the material in his hand, removed his glasses, and said with a smile, “Zhenbang, I think your adjustment plan is good. In distribution, it not only ensures the continued development of the Development Zone, but also ensures the overall planning of New Li City. In the administrative division and merger of Yun County, the pairing of the rich and the poor is reasonable and even. I have no objections to this idea. Go ahead with confidence. The Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government still support you, and I still support you.”

Ding Aiguo’s words were very vague. On the issue of Zhou Chen taking office as Mayor of New Li City, Ding Aiguo chose to withhold his opinions. Nie Zhenbang was present, which was a fact, and there was no point in denying it. Sometimes, withholding an opinion and strong opposition are two different concepts. Therefore, Ding Aiguo had to consider Nie Zhenbang’s feelings at the moment.

As for Liu Wenqing’s choice, it’s not appropriate for Ding Aiguo to evaluate. The backgrounds of Nie Zhenbang and Zhou Chen are both mysterious. Since Zhou Chen can persuade Liu Wenqing to change his attitude, would the people behind Nie Zhenbang object to Liu Wenqing? Whether Liu Wenqing is right or wrong in this matter, it is not easy to judge at this moment. However, Ding Aiguo himself needed to repair the rift between him and Nie Zhenbang. The meaning of the previous sentence was very clear. Although he withheld his opinion last time, he still supports you.

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang also nodded and said, “I am well aware of the Mayor’s support and help for me. In the future, I will have to continue to trouble the Mayor. Now that this is settled, I will go back first.”

The plan Nie Zhenbang submitted immediately caused an uproar in Bazhou City, making Liu Wenqing’s face look unpleasant in his office. In Liu Wenqing’s view, Nie Zhenbang’s adjustments to the New Li City Party Committee Executive Committee implied his dissatisfaction. He was unhappy with the decision of the Party Committee. Clearly, the moment Zhou Chen steps down, he will likely be isolated by the New Li City Party Committee.

At this moment, secretary Feng Dayong stealthily walked in from the outside. Seeing Liu Wenqing’s brow furrowed, Feng Dayong knew very clearly that Secretary Liu was probably vexed over the affairs of New Li City. He then whispered, “Secretary, Mayor Zhou is here. What do you think?”

Zhou Chen is here? This surprised Liu Wenqing. His fingers drummed on the table, a habit when he was thinking or about to speak. After a moment’s consideration, Liu Wenqing decided to see Zhou Chen. Then, he told Feng Dayong, “Hmm, let him in.”

At the moment, Zhou Chen was somewhat dissatisfied as well. The adjustment made by Nie Zhenbang was clearly a dig at him. Currently, he had managed New Li City as impenetrable as a bucket of iron, but if he goes there now, wouldn’t he be clearly waiting to be made redundant? Therefore, Zhou Chen rushed to Liu Wenqing’s office in a hurry.

As soon as he walked in the door, Zhou Chen seemed agitated. He hadn’t even sat down when he said directly, “Secretary Liu, you absolutely must not agree to this proposal put forward by Nie Zhenbang. Isn’t it obviously aimed at me?”

Upon hearing Zhou Chen’s words, Liu Wenqing’s face changed. This Zhou Chen really considered himself important. Although Tieli? Mehmet, the chairman of the autonomous region, had spoken to him and although Zhou Chen had a profound background, how could he say that? Didn’t he even consider the presence of the Secretary of the Party Committee? Consequently, Liu Wenqing’s face turned sullen.