Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 863 - 819 Looking for Trouble
Chapter 863: Chapter 819: Looking for Trouble
Chapter 863 -819: Looking for Trouble
In preparation for the arrival of the investigation team, the Bashu Provincial Committee had made very thorough preparations. As soon as they had received prior notifications from the Office of the State Council and the Central Committee, and learned that the investigation team would be led by Vice Premier Yin, the provincial authorities in Bashu had made meticulous and detailed arrangements.
At an emergency standing committee meeting held a few nights earlier, they had made an elaborate division of labor concerning every aspect of the reception for the investigation team.
The appearance of the city naturally fell to Tang Bingquan, the Secretary of the Tianfu City Municipal Committee. That night, Tianfu City had deployed more than a dozen water-spraying and road-sweeping vehicles, the city’s entire sanitation workforce had their leave canceled and were all on duty to clean and wash the roads and replace and clean the railings and street lamps on each overpass. The median barriers on the city’s roads had all been repainted. Tianfu City had truly taken on a new look.
Additionally, various streets, neighborhood committees, and community centers had all swung into action, with all kinds of enterprises, public institutions, hospitals, and schools mobilizing their staff to carry out a city-wide cleanup.
At the same time, in choosing the hotel for the team’s stay, the Provincial Committee Guesthouse was naturally the top choice. The several major suites in the guesthouse underwent thorough cleaning.
Additionally, considering that the investigation team would not only inspect Tianfu City but other cities in the province as well, corresponding preparations had been made all over. For this, both Su Xuan and Nie Zhenbang had issued strict orders: the principle of the person in charge taking full responsibility would be employed, and whoever’s jurisdiction had an issue would be held accountable.
A convoy of more than a dozen vehicles, formidable in size, emerged one after the other from Tianfu International Airport. Up front, the lead vehicle had switched on its police lights, with red and blue lights flashing, as the convoy proceeded with its hazard lights on, preceded by four or five police cars, which intermittently used their loudspeakers to instruct vehicles ahead to keep to the left.
As the convoy entered the urban area, on the roads of the city with one-way, four-lane traffic, the innermost left lane was temporarily under traffic control. Along the route, a traffic officer or armed police stood every thirty meters, starting from the airport expressway exit and extending all the way to the courtyard of the Provincial Committee, covering a distance of nearly twenty miles, with personnel on duty throughout.
Upon entering the courtyard of the Provincial Committee, Vice Premier Yin stepped out of the vehicle with a rather unhappy expression, surveying Nie Zhenbang and Su Xuan, and said bluntly, “Comrades Su Xuan and Nie Zhenbang, what is this? A waste of labor and money. Such a fuss. What’s the meaning of this? Our Party has always cherished the bond between the army and the people, believing in coming from the people and going to the people. The relationship between the Party and the masses, the officials and the populace, is the magic weapon for our Party’s success. This behavior, isn’t it detaching from the masses, from the grassroots?”
Such blunt public criticism already revealed that Vice Premier Yin was picking holes. Normally, even in the case of dissatisfaction, such words would not be spoken in such a public setting.
At this moment, Vice Premier Yin’s words put everyone in an awkward position. Su Xuan was momentarily stunned but then smiled and said, “Yes, Vice Premier Yin’s criticism is valid. In this regard, we have made a bureaucratic error. Please rest assured, Vice Premier Yin. Next time, we will surely travel lightly and simply.”
While Su Xuan’s words surprised Nie Zhenbang, admitting to the error in such a way was unexpected to him, implying that Su Xuan was directing all the firepower at himself—in the eyes of the officials from Bashu Province, it seemed as if Vice Premier Yin was targeting him personally.
Since Su Xuan could do such a thing, regardless of his intentions, at least for now, he had provided Nie Zhenbang with a way out. After a pause, Nie Zhenbang also smiled and said, “Vice Premier Yin. Would you prefer to go to the guesthouse to rest now or go to the Provincial Committee conference room?”
This was also a standard procedure for leadership inspections. Generally, when leaders visit a place, the first thing to do is either to offer hospitality or to give a work report. Nie Zhenbang was following protocol in saying this.
However, Vice Premier Yin paused for a moment, then looking up at Nie Zhenbang, said, “Governor Nie, no need for the report. Just compile Bashu Province’s economic work report for this year, along with all other relevant data and statistics, and send them to where we are staying.”
Continuing, Vice Premier Yin looked at Su Xuan and Nie Zhenbang with a business-like demeanor and stated gravely, “Comrades Su Xuan and Nie Zhenbang, the Central Committee has organized this investigation team, led by me, with the main task of conducting a comprehensive assessment and investigation of Bashu Province’s economic growth rate this year. Before coming here, the leadership made clear instructions that this investigation must be conducted solely by the investigation team, ensuring fairness, justice, and independence. I think it’s unnecessary for the officials from Bashu Province to get involved. So, just hand over the annual economic report to us. Also, arrange four business vehicles for us; that will be enough.”
Having said this, the atmosphere turned heavy, as all the officials from Bashu Province had an unhappy look on their faces. Vice Premier Yin’s remarks had provoked their anger.
Wasn’t this a clear display of distrust in Bashu Province’s ability to achieve such remarkable results this year? At this moment, the factional entanglements within the province were disregarded by everyone—the situation had become one where everyone would share glory or disgrace together.
Yet, as angry as everyone was, they dared not speak out. Although Vice Premier Yin held a deputy position, after all, he was a deputy state-level official. Furthermore, as a member of the Politburo, he was ranked higher than Su Xuan, a full member of the Central Committee, and Nie Zhenbang, an alternate member.
There was a moment of silence before Nie Zhenbang, who had previously looked stern, relaxed and said with a smile, “Whatever Vice Premier Yin says, we will follow. We will strictly adhere to the spirit of the instructions from the nation and the organization.”
Having said that, Nie Zhenbang turned to Li Yunhe beside him and said, “Secretary-General Li, please make arrangements for the comrades in the archives department to assist the comrades from the investigation team. They should move all the annual economic reports and statistical data collected this year and get everything ready for transfer to the investigation team.”
After finishing, Nie Zhenbang looked at Vice Premier Yin and said with a faint smile, “Vice Premier Yin, since that’s the case, I happen to have some other matters to attend to and won’t be able to accompany you. If there’s anything the investigation team needs our assistance with, we will certainly provide full cooperation.”
That was Nie Zhenbang’s confidence, the advantage of having a strong background and powerful support. If it had been someone else, another official in this situation, even if Vice Premier Yin had put on an air of conducting official business, they would have had to stay cautious and attentive. But Nie Zhenbang was different. Such confidence isn’t something just anyone could possess.
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As the words fell, Su Xuan nearby said with a smile, “Vice Premier Yin, the Provincial Committee also has a lot of work. As you know, I haven’t been in my position for very long, and many things are still being sorted out. Therefore, for the investigation team’s work, I think it’s best to have Vice Secretary Long accompany them throughout. Whenever you have time, you can directly contact Vice Secretary Long.”
Su Xuan also had his own backing, and at present, when both bigwigs of the Provincial Committee had shown their stance, it was also Nie Zhenbang and Su Xuan’s indirect way of expressing their dissatisfaction.
You, Vice Premier Yin, are afraid we’ll interfere with your investigation, right? Well then, we in Bashu Province will simply not handle any of it. You do it. We won’t involve ourselves at all.
…
In the government building of the Provincial Committee, Nie Zhenbang and Su Xuan were entering one after another. In the lobby, Su Xuan approached with a smile while Nie Zhenbang was waiting for the elevator, “Governor Zhenbang, how about coming to my office for a visit?”
Nie Zhenbang hadn’t expected Su Xuan to take the initiative to invite him. After a moment’s surprise, he nodded and said with a smile, “Sure, Secretary Su extends such a gracious invitation, and since I have nothing scheduled for the afternoon, I will pay a visit to your office.”
Following Su Xuan into his office, Nie Zhenbang took the chance to look around. Compared to Zeng Taiping’s era, there hadn’t been much change in the layout of the office, just some minor details had been adjusted. From this, it was evident that Su Xuan was a very pragmatic person.
Zeng Taiping had met a violent death. Such a manner of death was rather taboo in officialdom, second only to being removed from office or making mistakes. Generally, successors didn’t like to use the same office. Most would have it dismantled and renovated.
Su Xuan had not done so, which on one hand showed that he wasn’t much for superstition, and on the other, that he was not someone who indulged in luxury.
Accepting the tea cup Su Xuan passed to him, Nie Zhenbang smiled and said, “Secretary Su, how have you adapted to working in Bashu Province?”
After exchanging pleasantries, Su Xuan’s expression changed, and he became serious. Looking at Nie Zhenbang, he said earnestly, “Governor Zhenbang, this time, with the investigation team coming and Vice Premier Yin showing such an attitude, it seems they are not here with good intentions.”
Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “Looking for faults is definite, but I have confidence in Bashu Province’s economy. I also believe that the development of all the cities in the province is there for all to see, and we can withstand the scrutiny. Since the investigation team wishes to act independently, I won’t crowd them. By doing this, I intend to clear myself. I want to show certain people that I, Nie Zhenbang, have never stooped to dealing in any sort of deceit.”
Listening to Nie Zhenbang’s assertive speech, a slight smile appeared on Su Xuan’s face. He had previously gained a detailed understanding of Nie Zhenbang, who had a characteristic as an official: those who went against him often did not end well, yet those who supported his economic development and work would ultimately share a great deal of credit.
This was also the reason why he took the initiative to stand with Nie Zhenbang. After a pause, Su Xuan added with a smile, “Excellent, Governor Zhenbang. That’s exactly the sentiment I wanted to hear.” (
