Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 733 - 689 Beneficial News_1
Chapter 733: Chapter 689 Beneficial News_1
Having Li Jupeng come in to report first wouldn’t be fitting when it’s Lin Mohan. That would only make Nie Zhenbang look aloof. As leader of the faction, a sense of affability is just as necessary as one’s own charisma and dignified bearing.
Nie Zhenbang got up in person and opened a door, warmly greeting Lin Mohan with a hug before guiding him into the room. He then cheerfully said, “Mohan, few years no see. It seems like you have lost weight. It appears the affairs of Gangcheng City have caused you much stress.”
Nie Zhenbang’s casual comments did not diminish his respectable aura, but instead seemed moving. Lin Mohan felt the same way.
Lin Mohan responded with a chuckle, “Mayor, we have met just before the New Year. It’s been less than a year. Your words are rather exaggerating.”
This content is taken from fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm.
Nie Zhenbang also laughed, “Mohan, it seems that you’ve started to find loopholes ever since you became Secretary of the Gangcheng City Committee. The development of Gangcheng City has been very rapid this year. It seems like your efforts over the years have not been in vain, you’ve started to reap the rewards of your persistence.”
When the development of Gangcheng City was mentioned, Lin Mohan seemed serious. No official could possibly achieve huge success in their first year of taking office. If such a situation occurred, there could only be two reasons. One, someone else reaping where they did not sow. The other reason could be that the area was extremely impoverished, so any slight achievement could be exaggerated tremendously when compared.
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Besides these two situations, any official who takes office would generally have to consolidate their position first before considering the direction of development. The development won’t show instant results. For instance, Nie Zhenbang completed the incubation period and reaped its fruits in Wanghai City only after five years. The city of Liangxi also achieved remarkable results by following Nie Zhenbang’s plan. The situation with Lin Mohan is no different.
“Mayor, the bit of success we had is due to taking you as an example. It’s not worth mentioning,” Lin Mohan humbly replied.
But Nie Zhenbang waved dismissively and said, “Mohan, that’s being modest. Gangcheng City is an old industrial base with stagnant industry and a lot of unemployed workers. It’s not easy for you to achieve such results. Mohan, can you introduce me to the situation in Liaodong Province? Although I’m new here, I feel something is off.”
Haering this, Lin Mohan showed a look of admiration. Nie Zhenbang’s astuteness in politics was one of the main reasons why Lin Mohan decisively decided to join Nie’s faction.
Without hesitation, Lin Mohan replied, “Mayor, you noticed it too?”
After a pause, Lin Mohan began to explain, “In the Liaodong Provincial Committee, it seems complex but it’s actually simple. There are only two factions: one is led by the Secretary of the Provincial Committee, Huo Siyuan, and the other is led by Governor Cao Dingkun, the latter being the local faction wielding great power in cities under Liaodong Province. The former has a stronger control over the Provincial Committee. These two factions are in constant overt and covert fight, yet they all hold back.”
Nie Zhenbang nodded. When it comes to provincial committee level, none is young and reckless. They all know what should be done and what shouldn’t be done. If things get too rigid, it will do no good for anyone. Guarding one’s own turf and local protectionism are not welcomed at the central level.
“Now, with the death of the vice governor responsible for industry in the Liaodong Provincial People’s Government, everyone eligible in both Huo and Cao’s factions are eying the vacant position. The atmosphere in Liaodong Province is tense lately,” Lin Mohan dropped another bombshell.
Nie Zhenbang was shocked by this news, it seems his timing was just right.
No wonder only Shi Jianshe came to meet him on behalf of Huo Siyuan. If Nie Zhenbang hadn’t come, Huo Siyuan could have nominated someone with his slightly stronger grasp of the Provincial Committee. The Central Committee would certainly give Huo Siyuan face, since his opinion is greatly respected in recommending candidates as the Secretary of the Provincial Committee.
However, now that Nie Zhenbang has arrived, even though the Three-Public Office is powerless, if they accidentally expose any scandal, it could disrupt the balance between the two factions.
In this way, Huo Siyuan’s attitude towards the Three-Public Office is complicated because the office may both help him or harm him.
Sending the Secretary-General of the Provincial Committee to pick up Nie Zhenbang at the airport is both grand and not negligent. This way, Huo Siyuan’s current attitude is fully demonstrated.
“Mohan, it seems I’ve arrived at an inopportune time,” Nie Zhenbang wasn’t particularly troubled by this. Since he was already here, he had no intention of concerning himself with whether one was the Provincial Committee Secretary or the Governor.
As for the work of the San Gong Office, Nie Zhenbang’s stance had always been not to create unnecessary conflict but also not to ignore any issues. That is, he never deliberately offended anyone nor did he plan to use San Gong Office to take down anybody. The awkward design of the San Gong Office often made Nie Zhenbang feel awkward. It has power but doesn’t; it doesn’t have power but does. If it wanted to, it could crush any province or city. Li Guobing being made a fool by Zeng Taiping in Bashu was a testament to that.
However, if someone broke the rules, once it fell into his hands, media exposure would inevitably follow. Under the pressure, disciplinary punishment for the offending officials from the regional provinces and cities would be necessary.
Hearing Nie Zhenbang’s joke-like utterance, Lin Mohan also laughed, “Mayor Nie, to be honest, this isn’t a good time. Prior to your visit, the two factions were arguing heatedly. In recent weeks, many city leaders, both number one and number two figures, have flocked to Shenjing. This time, because I came to Shenjing, there are probably quite a few people in Gangcheng who think I’m here for promotion. However, after learning of your arrival, this matter has been put on hold. It seems, Secretary Huo and Governor Cao have come to an unspoken understanding.”
An unspoken understanding was predictable. It wasn’t like some lower-level cities and counties where one could shout and bang on tables during meetings. At the provincial minister level, confrontations are subtle, and superficial harmony is required. Not only is Cao Dingkun mindful of this, but Huo Siyuan is also cautious. It appears that the two have reached an agreement and would resume their struggle once he leaves Liaodong. As for choosing candidates, that decision would only be made after his inspection.
Thinking of this, a flash of insight sprang up in Nie Zhenbang’s mind. His gaze then drifted towards Lin Mohan. Would this be considered good news, brewing a scene of the fisherman profiting in the fight between the snipe and the clam? The same as when Ning Shouchang unexpectedly rose in power and assumed the leadership role in Jiangbei Province?
Looking at Lin Mohan. In terms of seniority, Lin Mohan has held a high office for seven or eight years now. Four years as secretary of the Gangcheng municipal committee, and four years in Wanghai City. It would be entirely reasonable for him to be promoted to a deputy ministerial level. Judging by his career achievements during his tenure in Gangcheng, the city has made significant progress in various fields. Gangcheng is the largest heavy industrial base in Liaodong. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to have Lin Mohan succeed as the Deputy Governor in charge of industry.
With these thoughts, Nie Zhenbang carefully analyzed Lin Mohan’s advantages. And indeed, Lin Mohan was highly suitable, and his promotion would also facilitate Nie’s plans.
However, Lin Mohan also had his weaknesses. He was an outsider in Liaodong, without any strong local support. Although he had gained some subordinates and confidants during his four-year tenure in Gangcheng, they were at the lower levels. To become the Deputy Governor, the most crucial requirement is to have backing within the Liaodong Provincial Committee.
Nevertheless, it wasn’t an impossible situation to manage. The appointment of provincial-ministerial level officials is decided by the Central Committee. Even though Liaodong has the right to recommend candidates, the Central Committee can also directly appoint. It all comes down to maneuvering.
At this point, Nie Zhenbang turned to Lin Mohan and said, “Mohan, your words have given me a fresh idea. You should also prepare yourself. Let’s try to vie for this Deputy Governor’s position.”
Nie Zhenbang’s words took Lin Mohan by surprise. Lin Mohan had never entertained such thoughts before, but upon hearing Nie Zhenbang say this, anticipation began to stir within him. However, after a brief moment, Lin Mohan calmed down and replied, “Mayor Nie, am I really in a position to compete for this role? I don’t have the advantage.”
Nie Zhenbang was very pleased with Lin Mohan’s response – he hadn’t lost his head over the prospect of the position. This was the sign of a person who got things done.
He immediately nodded and said, “For now, this is just a preliminary idea. I’m telling you so that you have an understanding. Exactly how things will proceed, we’ll only have a rough idea after I’ve met with Huo Siyuan and Cao Dingkun. There might not even be an opportunity. However, with such a good opportunity at hand, it would be a shame not to try.”
Nie Zhenbang was quite decisive. Currently, the situation in Liaodong Province was very delicate. With the two parties at loggerheads, there was indeed a possibility of a third party benefitting. However, Nie Zhenbang hadn’t yet met with Huo Siyuan or Cao Dingkun, so he dare not make any definite statements.
They would definitely compete. The system was, in essence, a process of struggle. Without confidence in competing, they could hardly talk about the future.
Once Lin Mohan left, it was already around five in the afternoon. By that time, the sky in Liaodong was already dark. At this moment, Li Jupeng entered from the door, “Director, Secretary Shi Jianshe is here. Secretary Huo from the Liaodong Provincial Committee has prepared a welcoming banquet and invites you to attend.”
PS: This is the fourth update, finally catching up with what I owe. Brothers and sisters, I ask for a monthly vote, this is something you can definitely give! (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Starting Point (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
