Reborn as a Noble's Son

Nie Zhenbang’s personality, comparing this life to the last, has undergone a qualitative transformation. In his past life, Nie Zhenbang was bullied by others and too timid to fight back. But in this life? Nie Zhenbang’s philosophy was: I won’t provoke anyone unless I am provoked first, and if someone provokes me, I will retaliate. Right now, Nie Zhenbang didn’t care if you were some official’s son.

As soon as Nie Zhenbang said those words, Guo Chang and Luo Hao were gobsmacked. The children of Secretary Jiang didn’t hold power in Xibei. It would be inappropriate to make judgements. However, in the Xibei Autonomous Region’s various leadership circles, even the son of the Autonomous Region Chairman wasn’t as powerful as Cao Zhuangzhi.

It could be said that Cao Zhuangzhi was number one within the bureaucratic circles of the Autonomous Region. Even Qian Jin, before his father held the position of Party Secretary in the Autonomous Region, was no match for Cao Zhuangzhi.

And yet, now, Cao Zhuangzhi had been cut down a notch by Nie Zhenbang. This caused everyone’s astonishment. Cao Zhuangzhi was stunned as well. After a while, he laughed out of sheer anger, looking at Nie Zhenbang, he said: “Good, good. Very good. Nie Zhenbang, you’ve become quite a character in Xibei. I am nothing. I can’t stop any government actions. Although, some things… we understand them perfectly. You can go ahead and try. We will still have plenty of opportunities to cooperate. Let’s see if you’re not going to leave Xibei any time soon. We can contact and communicate then.”

Watching Cao Zhuangzhi leave, Qian Jin did not attempt to stop him. Instead, he turned to Nie Zhenbang and said: “Third Brother, I apologize. I didn’t expect this to happen given my good intentions. Let’s forget about him for now. Let’s have dinner first. We can discuss everything else later.”

Unlike Guo Chang’s smooth demeanour, Luo Hao was reserved. Just like before, Guo Chang had warmly shaken hands and made conversations, following the norms, but Cao Zhuangzhi may hold a grudge. Luo Hao chose to stay silent. This was characteristic of Luo Hao; to plan first, then act.

Now, upon seeing Qian Jin’s condition, Luo Hao was confused. Given Qian Jin’s position, even an ordinary leader of Bazhou City would have to give him a courteous reception. Qian Jin introduced him as his adopted third brother. But without interests involved, there was nothing to be afraid of. Even if Qian Jin led a company on Nie Zhenbang’s turf, receiving legitimate management, there would be no cause for concern. Besides, Qian Jin’s business partner, Liu Kun, was a big-shot from Jingcheng. On second thought, Luo Hao sensed a possibility– maybe Nie Zhenbang was also from Jingcheng.

This conclusion startled Luo Hao. He wondered when these bigwigs from Jingcheng had started to take interest in the poverty-stricken west. However, Luo Hao was undeterred, he also stood up and said: “Third Brother, let’s go with the flow. Are there any insurmountable obstacles? Let’s have a meal first. Regarding the funds, we will find a way together. My father mentioned this, this year the National Department of Transport is supposed to distribute funds. I’ll ask my father about it when I go back. I can’t promise much, but I will try to help you secure a few million.”

A few million was a small sum for the Department of Transport, Luo Hao wanted to harvest benefits from both sides. On one hand, promising a few million to Nie Zhenbang could win his favour. On the other hand, a few million could be justified to Cao Zhuangzhi, especially considering Qian Jin’s reputation.

Meanwhile, Guo Chang pondered for a while and then said: “Third Brother, since Haozi has pledged his support. I, too, would like to assure you of my support from the Department of Finance. However, as you know, my father is not the top official. There’s limited help I can provide. But I will do my best to help you secure a couple hundred thousand.”

Nie Zhenbang laughed at this moment, bowing and saying: “Thank you, my brothers. Let’s forget about these troublesome matters for now. Let’s eat, drink and enjoy. Everything else is unimportant.”

The next morning, as work began, Qian Jin had already rushed to the hotel where Nie Zhenbang was staying. Seeing Nie Zhenbang, Qian Jin laughed and said: “Third Brother, I’ve already set up an appointment for you. A vice director from the Autonomous Region’s Planning Committee. Let’s go quickly. Do you have all the necessary paperwork?”

At this point, Qian Jin was already in a bind. Cao Zhuangzhi had declared war. Qian Jin had no choice but to fight for his honour. Given Nie Zhenbang’s background, Qian Jin naturally devoted his full attention.

The office building of the Xibei Autonomous Region Planning Committee.

At this moment, Qian Jin led Nie Zhenbang into Vice Director Zheng’s office. As the person in the Planning Committee overseeing major projects around the entire region, Vice Director Zheng held significant power.

As soon as he saw Qian Jin, Deputy Director Zheng also stood up and said with a smile, “Little Jin is here. What’s so urgent? As for your Farmer Welfare Company, do I still need to handle it? It’s already a model base in the entire region.”

At this moment, Qian Jin also said with a smile, “Uncle Zheng, this time I’m not here for my own business. You know the kind of person my father is. If he knew I was asking for funds in his name, he would exile me. This time, I’m here to obtain funds for Li County.”

With that, Qian Jin introduced to Deputy Director Zheng, “Uncle Zheng, let me introduce to you, this is Nie Zhenbang, the Deputy Secretary of Li County Party Committee, and my third brother. This time, Li County is preparing to set up a development zone. Uncle Zheng, you should provide some support.”

When he heard what Qian Jin said, Deputy Director Zheng, who had been quite relaxed up until now, suddenly froze. After a moment of deep thought, he responded with a gentle smile, “Director Nie, I’ve heard about you. You’re the young comrade that Secretary Jiang always praises. Not bad, not bad. Did you bring the planning proposal? Can I take a look?”

At this time, with Deputy Director Zheng saying this, it was inappropriate for Qian Jin to keep staying in the office. He caught Nie Zhenbang’s eye and left. Afterwards, Nie Zhenbang immediately took out the Li County Development Zone’s planning proposal from his bag, respectfully gave it to him and explained, “Director Zheng, this is the Li County’s economic development zone planning proposal prepared by The Li County Committee and County Government. Please review it.”

Truth be told, this plan of Nie Zhenbang’s could only be considered a personal plan of his, since it hadn’t been discussed by the Standing Committee of the Li County Party Committee yet. So, without their collective resolution, it couldn’t be considered as Li County’s plan. But for the sake of the funds, Nie Zhenbang used it. He hadn’t considered how Zhang Chubin’s ideas might differ from his own when it came to the development zone plan. Given their increasingly close cooperative relationship, Nie Zhenbang never thought Zhang Chubin would flip flop.

Deputy Director Zheng carefully looked through the planning proposal. Once he finished reviewing it, he expressed his admiration for Nie Zhenbang. It’s no wonder that he had won the recognition of Jiang Zhenquan. Director Nie’s abilities were indeed beyond doubt. The handwritten planning proposal was backed by data, with practical operational plans and measures as the backbone of the development zone, plus the predictions for the economic situation. It could be said that this plan is a model for development zone planning.

However, recalling the call he received from the director of the Planning Committee last night, Deputy Director Zheng was somewhat troubled. After some thought, he returned the planning proposal to Nie Zhenbang and smiled, “Director Nie, the planning proposal is very good indeed. But viewing it from the region’s perspective, we should not rush to stimulate the county-level economy. Ah, as a young man, you must be modest and cautious. Excessive firmness can easily lead to breakage.”

Between the executive vice-chairman and the secretary of the Urumqi Party Committee, Deputy Director Zheng wisely chose the former. The contempt that Cao Yangming had for Nie Zhenbang, the younger county-grade official in Xibei, was well-known among the top Xibei politicians. But ensuing difficulty with a junior like this, Deputy Director Zheng felt it was a bit much. However, the situation was what it was, and all he could do was to apologize.

Listening to Deputy Director Zheng’s words, Nie Zhenbang instantly understood. It seemed that Cao Zhuangzhi had already taken action. He didn’t expect him to have already settled things with the Planning Committee.

As soon as he stepped out of the office, Qian Jin came up to him, “Third Brother, how did it go? How much funding did they approve for you?”

Nie Zhenbang smiled and said, “Money lover, it seems that the little devil Cao Zhuangzhi was up and about last night. I reckon, we might really get stuck this time.”

Just then, Qian Jin’s phone rang. As soon as he answered it, Guo Chang’s voice came through, “Brother Jin, I’m sorry. This morning I mentioned Third Brother’s matter to my father. As soon as I uttered “Li County”, he blew his top. It seems that Cao Zhuangzhi had his father making the inquiries yesterday. What should we do about this…?”

Guo Chang felt a little embarrassed at this moment, but Qian Jin was not in the mood to worry about Guo Chang’s state of mind. He hung up the call, and looking at Nie Zhenbang beside him, Qian Jin also apologetically said, “Third Brother, it seems you were right. We’ve really been blocked by Cao Zhuangzhi this time. Or, Third Brother, I could go to my father and get him to allocate some funds from Urumqi to you.”

Nie Zhenbang sneered, waved his hand, and promptly rejected Qian Jin’s gracious offer. Shifting funds from Urumqi definitely wouldn’t work. If Li County were under the jurisdiction of Urumqi, it might be possible. But, Li County was not. What kind of maneuver would that be? Instead, Nie Zhenbang softly laughed, “No need. Transferring funds from Urumqi is not quite right, and it would only bring more trouble for your father. You don’t need to bother with this. I will think of a solution myself.”

PS: After a whole day, ten monthly votes. The gap has quickly narrowed and the two geniuses behind are only a few dozen votes behind. During this time, with three more chapters, Old Cai couldn’t bring myself to ask for more monthly votes. However, writing these three chapters is even more exhausting than writing four or five chapters in a day, it makes my brain feel heavy and my typing speed can’t keep up. I hope my brothers and sisters can cast a monthly vote. It can also give us hope. Even if we fall out of the top three in a few days, it’s okay. (