Reborn as a Noble's Son

“San Shao, congratulations.” At that moment, Zhao Xinglong also stood up, expressing a striking element of conciseness. The Zhao family belongs to the military system, which shapes their direct character. Although Zhao Xinglong, as a child, didn’t enjoy being amidst military life and grew up abroad, he has inherited this nature perfectly.

Nie Zhenbang was naturally aware of what Zhao Xinglong was referring to. The major administrative reshuffle in Li County had made quite a stir within Bazhou City, and it wasn’t until yesterday that the dust finally settled. These people, well-informed as they were, couldn’t remain oblivious to it.

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang also smiled and said, “Xing Long’s here as well, first time in Lixian? Although life is tough in the Northwest, there are still some beautiful sights. Xing Long could take this opportunity to tour the Northwest.”

However, Zhao Xinglong laughingly replied, “No time for sightseeing, San Shao, we’ve completed all formal procedures. We’re only waiting for the paperwork from the Li County Government. We’ve secured the right to explore for oil. This trip was made in preparation for a significant endeavor.”

The assertiveness of Zhao Xinglong left Nie Zhenbang somewhat astounded. Among the leaders in Jingcheng, it is rare to encounter realism in the likes of Zhao Xinglong. Zhang Xu and Yang Anbang are two examples, but what of the likes of Liu Kun? They have the character of playboys.

Next, Nie Zhenbang responded laughingly, “Since you put it that way Xing Long, naturally there’ll be no issues from my end. Tomorrow, I’ll have my secretary accompany you. Once you have determined the extraction site, we can sign the agreement at any time.”

At this moment, Liu Kun stood up and said, “Brothers, let’s toast to our gathering in the Northwest. You guys are ‘bullish’, becoming mining magnates, unlike me. I dread returning back to Jingcheng. When asked what I do, I reply that I raise sheep in the Northwest, which leaves people laughing.”

With Liu Kun’s hilarious remarks, the atmosphere heated up as everyone indulged in wine. Several drinks later, the environment was enlivened.

Qian Jin was also quite happy at the time. His father’s status in the Northwest is noteworthy, however it feels somewhat insignificant before these people. Having such an opportunity, regardless of it being for his father’s career or his benefit, is a great help. Qian Jin now felt somewhat glad about his previous decisions and laughingly said, “San Shao, allow me to make a toast to you. In the future, if there’s anything I can assist with, feel free to ask. I won’t be vague about it.”

The next day, just as work began, Yi Jun walked in from outside and handed a file over to Nie Zhenbang. “Director Nie, this document was delivered by Deputy Director Zeng from the Finance Bureau. The Farmer Welfare Company has wired the second batch of compensation money into the bureau’s account. In addition, this month, the full county’s teachers’ salary needs to be augmented, and it also requires your signature. The following page outlines today’s itinerary – researching the Construction Bureau this morning, as you instructed the day before. Should we alert Director Li?”

Director Li is the director of the County Government Office, Li Lin. Warm Zhixiong’s departure did not affect Li Lin’s position, which was mainly due to Li Lin’s investments in Nie Zhenbang. As a female cadres, Li Lin could take up the position of director of the county government. This could not be solely attributed to connections. Nowadays, with a relationship already established with Yi Jun, Nie Zhenbang did not replace Li Lin.

Listening to Yi Jun’s words, Nie Zhenbang frowned. Previously, before he took office as county director, he was only responsible for economic development, and he didn’t seem to care. But now, just a few days in, he found it extremely headache-inducing, as he began to appreciate the poverty in the Northwest Region. The finance account of Li County only had less than six million remaining. That sum, however large, included the salaries of all the cadres of Li County and the previous arrears, which was another debt. Today, Li County’s street maintenance and road lighting also need money, and many other things in the rural townships need funding too. This sum can probably last until June. No one knows what to do for the second half of the year.

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang truly admired Wu Zhixiong, who managed to hold everything together by squeezing it from one area to another over the years. Putting aside this concern, Nie Zhenbang signed his name and comments, then looked at the document below. He nodded, “Hmm, since the itinerary has been set, we will stick to it. Inform Director Li.”

At the Li County Construction Bureau.

The Construction Bureau is located approximately five to six hundred meters from the county government on May 1st Road. It is a ten-acre yard, surrounded by mottled walls. In front of the yard is a three-story office building in the shape of a tube. A long sunlit balcony-style corridor lined the office rooms, arranged side-by-side like classrooms.

Behind the building was the bureau’s residential area. At this time, virtually every unit’s residential area was connected to the office building.

At this moment, in the courtyard entrance of the Construction Bureau, the entire team had gathered. Leading them was the Construction Bureau’s Executive Deputy Director, Jiang ChunGui. He had been presiding over the entire bureau’s work since the Bureau Director was ousted, and today he felt particularly ambitious. His wife and the county director’s secretary are colleagues. No matter how you look at it, Jiang ChunGui felt that the position of Bureau Director would fall to him this time.

A banner had already been hung above the entrance to the Construction Bureau building that read “Warmly welcome Director Nie’s inspection and guidance at our bureau.”

Jiang Chongui had thinning hair and was slightly overweight. He checked his watch and seeing that there was still time remaining, Jiang Chongui began, “Comrades, this is Director Nie’s first investigation since taking on his duties as Director. The fact that he chose our Construction Bureau as his first stop is an honor and a privilege for us. I ask that you all pay it due attention. Show the spirit of our Construction Bureau. Later, Director Qin, you perform the command – the slogans must be in unison, the voices must be loud. Whoever disgraces our bureau, there will be no advance for them this year.”

That was the best Jiang Chongui could do. Magnanimously, he actually threatened his subordinates with advancement opportunities, which the Deputy Director, Xiong Jianming found quite disdainful.

Just then, Nie Zhenbang’s car turned the corner at the end of the street. Jiang Chongui quickly stood upright. Once Nie Zhenbang’s car was parked in the yard, Yi Jun stepped out from the passenger side. Beside him, Li Lin also got out of the car, and finally, as Nie Zhenbang got out of the car, Jiang Chongui rushed up to greet him.

“Greetings, Director Nie, and Director Li. Thank you so much for placing so much emphasis on our construction bureau, we have been expecting you, Director,” Jiang Chongui said, his face blooming into a smile. The expression on this man, in his fifties, seemed a bit unsettling at this moment.

At that moment, the Construction Bureau officials standing nearby suddenly chorused, “Welcome, welcome, a warm welcome. Welcome, Director Nie, to our bureau for your inspection and guidance.”

If these words had been shouted by children in their innocent voices, there might be a hint of charm. However, when a group of grown men and women do so, Nie Zhenbang was somewhat unable to bear it.

Just then, Jiang Chongui walked up to Yi Jun and said with a familiar smile, “This must be Jun, right? He’s grown so much. Oh, I should be calling him Director Yi now. You still remember Uncle Jiang, right?”

Jiang’s intention was to show off his relationship with Yi Jun, yet he neglected the occasion. In the construction bureau, Jiang was famous for being a sycophant, his position was attained through a series of flatteries. Speaking of capability, Jiang was hardly qualified. Even if the relationship was real, it should be kept a secret in such a situation, or else it would embarrass the other parties. What kind of rumors would it spark if they choose you as the bureau director? This made the about-to-speak Nie Zhenbang frown.

Yi Jun’s face was calm, but his gaze was on Nie Zhenbang. He saw Nie Zhenbang’s frowning face. During the past few months, he had learned something about Nie Zhenbang’s personality. If Nie Zhenbang shows dissatisfaction on his face, then he must be very displeased, otherwise, with Nie Zhenbang’s stability, he wouldn’t have shown any sign at all.

Then, Yi Jun said indifferently, “Director Jiang, you’re too kind.”

Having seen this, Nie Zhenbang considered thoughtfully. From Yi Jun’s response, he reckoned that Yi Jun did know this Jiang Chongui, but probably the past Jiang Chongui was of different status so they didn’t have much communication. Now, as Yi Jun has suddenly risen to a higher position, Jiang has come to curry favor. But it seemed it’s too late.

Then Nie Zhenbang spoke in a deep voice, “Vice Director Jiang, what are you all doing here? This is still working hours. To mobilize such a grand welcome for me alone, dropping your work, what would it look like if word gets out? Quickly, disperse. Get back to work. Vice Director Jiang, along with Directors Xiong and Jia, come to your conference room. Report to me on some of the recent work of the Construction Bureau.”

Upon hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Jiang Chongui’s face turned pale. On the official field, how one is addressed matters. He was a vice director, true, but people usually address him as Director Jiang, discarding the “vice”, a peculiar part of Huaxia’s cultural habit.

However, not only did Nie Zhenbang criticize him for his actions affecting the working of the construction bureau, he also addressed him as Vice Director Jiang – a polite, albeit formal, address. But, when mentioning Xiong Jianming and Jia Zhenghe, he called them with their full titles, Director Xiong and Director Jia. The connotations of this clear difference in addressing need not be elaborated further, right?

Xiong Jianming and Jia Zhenghe were both thrilled at this moment. Since the fall of the last bureau director, Jiang Chongui had been ambitious and had put out rumors about his close relations with the county’s secretary. But now it seemed, not only did Jiang fail to flatter, he had even hit the horse’s legs. Nie Zhenbang’s attitude was clear. Jiang Chongui had no hope.

At this moment, Xiong Jianming also gave a laugh, “The criticism is justified Director Nie. From here on out, we will certainly learn from this experience, and will never engage in such empty, formalistic acts. Director Nie, please, right this way.” (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit to cast your recommendation votes, monthly tickets. Your support is my strongest motivation.)