Reborn as a Noble's Son

Ever since Zhang Chubin had returned from Liu Wenqing’s place last time, he had gradually adjusted his mindset. His ideas were already reflected in the development zone, which was enough for him. After getting his state of mind right, Zhang Chubin now understood that the greatest political achievement in Li County was Nie Zhenbang’s and nobody could take it away. It was useless for anyone to want to contend for it. With Liu Wenqing and Ding Aiguo watching over the situation, no one in Bazhou dared to steal the limelight. Therefore, Zhang Chubin was now quite relaxed.

Regarding the infrastructure construction in Li County, the Wal-Mart Group took on such a big project. Furthermore, Yan Fengjiao and Nie Zhenbang did not keep the contents of the agreement a secret from him. Seeing this, Zhang Chubin had even more admiration. He admitted that he did not have enough capability to have a nationally renowned private enterprise like the Wal-Mart Group pay for the development. Therefore, Zhang Chubin had given up the idea of getting involved in the development zone.

At this moment, Fang Gushan was smiling, saying: “Secretary Chu Bin, Director Zhenbang, thank you for the gracious invitation from the Li County Party Committee and County Government. But I’m afraid I can’t make it today. The remaining cadres can stay here directly. I’ll handle the others, there are many things to do in the city, like the official election, that’s a big deal in Bazhou. Also, I need to issue a summary report to the District Party Committee. Let’s skip the meal today. When the new town of Li County is completed, I’ll come to your celebration party.”

After sending off Fang Gushan, the director of the County Party Committee Office, Qu Feng, stood before Zhang Chubin and Nie Zhenbang: “Secretary Zhang, Director Nie, the banquet has been arranged. Eight tables have been set up at the VIP building of the County Party Committee guesthouse. The deputy leaders of the County Party Committee and government, as well as the heads of various bureaus in the county, and some retired cadres. Do you think we need to add more tables?”

Qu Feng also noticed that it was not enough to just please the secretary in Li County, both the secretary and director had to be satisfied.

“Hmm, let’s arrange it like that. It will be a small welcome banquet. After the official appointment from the organization department and the team of the development zone Working Committee and Management Committee has arrived, we can hold a more grand event. Director Nie, how do you see it?” At this moment, Zhang Chubin demonstrated the demeanor of a county party secretary.

As for this, Nie Zhenbang did not have any objections. Public expenditure, public reception, it had been a common practice in Huaxia’s officialdom since ancient times. This had become a tradition.

However, Nie Zhenbang was opposed to lavish public expenditure. As a state government department, impoliteness among superiors and subordinates, and between brother units, could not be avoided, but if lavish public expenditure was taken for granted, with extravagant and luxuries, it would be wrong. Moreover, Nie Zhenbang believes it is a crime.

Nie Zhenbang also pondered for a while, then said, “Hmm, I agree with Secretary Zhang’s opinion. Let’s do it this way. Also, don’t exceed the standard in terms of reception. Let’s stick to the usual practice. Li County is short of money everywhere. When we become affluent, we can hold a high-standard celebration.”

A crowd of people, Entered the Li County Hotel, a.k.a the County Party Committee Guesthouse. Naturally, Nie Zhenbang and Zhang Chubin were seated at the main table, surrounded by deputy leaders of the County Party Committee and government according to their ranking.

At this moment, a voice came from outside: “General Liu, where’s your General Liu? Let him come out and see me right now. What the hell is this shitty dish he served me? Is Xing Wenbiao out of money or what? Change it, change it! Bring the finest dishes and wine, now!”

At this time, another voice rang out: “Haha, Fat Liu, did you hear our boss’s words? Money isn’t an issue. Even a lady is fine.”

Hearing these words, Nie Zhenbang stood up abruptly. He was familiar with the name Xing Wenbiao. The head of the Li County Tax Bureau and the secretary of the bureau party group, undoubtedly the top official in Li County Tax Bureau. But such arrogance, extravagance, and wastefulness, clearly, this was not the first time.

What was more serious was the words of the voice next to him, which annoyed Nie Zhenbang further. He’s a civil servant, calling someone “boss”, not to mention asking for a three-accompaniment. Almost everyone in the room heard this. Isn’t this tarnishing the reputation of the Li County Party Committee?

Next to him, Zhang Chubin gently tugged Nie Zhenbang and whispered: “Chill Zhenbang, sit down. I know about Xing Wenbiao. He’s quite young and was parachuted down here. The Tax Bureau, which is a vertically managed organization, has its staffing, personnel salaries, and organizational relations all handled by the superior charge department. One could say that our county Party Committee and county government only have nominal leadership. We really can’t manage it. I heard that Wenbiao’s uncle is the secretary and director of the District Tax Bureau party group. He’s quite infamous in Li County for his high-handedness. You’d better not deal with it.”

Zhang Chubin’s good intentions were clear. In typical departments like the Tax Bureau, vertical management is the norm and the Li County Party Committee and County Government had no authority to interfere. To put it bluntly, you are the county party secretary, the county director, but if you are not given respect, in front of Xing Wenbiao, you are nothing. You cannot do anything about his position or salary unless he commits a fundamental mistake. These two crucial things are beyond your control. Whether or not they listen to you depends on their mood.

At that moment, Nie Zhenbang’s stubborn temperament flared up. He stiffened his neck and said in a deep voice, “I must meet this Xing Wenbiao. He is just a section-level cadre. What makes him live such a luxurious and unabashedly extravagant life?”

Upon seeing Nie Zhenbang leave, Zhang Chubin also stood up, and then said, “Alright, everyone sit down and continue eating. Director Qu, you and Director Chen should go with him and check on the situation. Given Xing Wenbiao’s character, I’m afraid he might confront Director Nie.”

With only a wooden partition separating the banquet hall from the private rooms of the VIP building, Nie Zhenbang quickly found VIP room 888. Upon entering, he saw seven or eight men at a round table, their faces flushed with alcohol. They were surrounded by several bottles of Maotai liquor, and several newly opened bottles of foreign spirits, with the capital letters “XO” noticeably pinned on the table.

Seeing Nie Zhenbang, Xing Wenbiao was startled for a moment, and then stood up with a beaming smile on his face, swaying a bit as he moved towards Nie Zhenbang and said, “Director Nie, what a surprise to see you here. It’s a coincidence that you’re also dining here today. Would you like to join us?”

Nie Zhenbang was someone that Xing Wenbiao recognized. Disregarding everything else, when Mo Zhihai fell from power, Nie Zhenbang was the key figure. Subsequently, when Wu Zhixiong was transferred away from Li County, Nie Zhenbang rose to prominence, followed by the development zone, and the huge amount of money involved. Xing Wenbiao, being here in Li County, couldn’t help but know who Nie Zhenbang was. Though he didn’t answer directly to Nie Zhenbang, it was necessary to maintain a good relationship with him.

Looking at Xing Wenbiao’s overly familiar gestures, Nie Zhenbang frowned slightly and stepped back. He said solemnly, “Director Xing, please remember your status. You’ve been drinking quite a lot during your working hours. Aren’t you going to work in the afternoon? I see the dishes on your table are all signature dishes of the Li County Hotel. They are quite expensive. Do these things matter to you, Director Xing?”

Xing Wenbiao was completely drunk by now. He thought that Nie Zhenbang was praising him and laughed loudly, “What’s so expensive about these things? They’re not even the best. The best dishes are the delicacies from the mountains and the sea. As for the red wine, it’s Lafite from ’82. Director Nie, have you ever had it? That’s the real deal. What’s this compared to it? Here in Lixian, it’s fine, but in Urumqi, this would be considered fit only for a beggar.”

One of the staff members, who was still relatively sober, immediately stood up and said a bit apologetically, “Director Nie, please don’t take it to heart. Our Director Xing has a bad habit of bragging whenever he gets drunk.”

“Bragging? I don’t think so. Director Xing seems quite practiced at it, and I don’t think he’s just making it all up. You guys seem to have no regard for discipline. Is this how you spend public funds? I think I need to convey my views to your senior management departments.” Nie Zhenbang said seriously once more.

At this moment, Xing Wenbiao finally understood the situation. He straightened up forcibly. This time, however, he didn’t stand up. Instead, with a look of contempt in his eyes, he stared at Nie Zhenbang and said, “Director Nie, what do you mean by this? Do you want to report me?”

Xing Wenbiao’s face turned and he casually picked up the bottle of XO, casually filled a cup for himself, and drank it in one gulp. Then he said, “Director Nie, this is no way to live in Li County. I truly don’t want to stay. I would prefer it if you reported me. It would be best if you could get me transferred. That would be a relief. Go ahead. Oh, do you need the phone number of Director Huang at the Bazhou City Tax Bureau? I have it, it could save you the trouble of looking for it.”

This was an outright show of contempt. With a sneer at the corner of his mouth, Xing Wenbiao said sternly, “You think very highly of yourself, Nie Zhenbang. Others might fear you, but I, Xing Wenbiao, do not. Please feel free to report me. I would like to see what you can do. Have I violated party discipline or the laws of the country?”

“Xing Wenbiao, shut your mouth! Look at yourself, there’s not a trace of professional conduct left in you. If you think you can use public funds at will, you’re mistaken. I, Nie Zhenbang, despise people like you who take advantage of their positions, neglect their duties, and waste the hard-earned money of the public like it’s nothing. Today, I’m putting my words out here. I don’t care who you have backing you. Here in Li County, I assure you, you won’t be able to continue as director.” At this moment, Nie Zhenbang was also furious. This was the first time he has spoken so assertively in public, which showed how genuinely angry he was.