Chapter 420: Chapter 401: Everyone is Running to the Province_1
Silence, like the deep stillness of the night. At this moment, Nie Zhenbang also silently realized that something was off. He looked at Fan Changsheng’s confident expression. This old man, he probably was prepared a long time ago. This was the so-called “not being able to save face” characteristic of Huaxia people.

Nobody held grudges as severe as vendettas, and though they had differing political stands, they hadn’t experienced a life and death situation, relatively, their relationship was harmonious. But now? To rashly oppose Li Xiaoqin’s appointment as head of the organization department in front of these standing committee members? This is something that just couldn’t be brought up.

Even Nie Zhenbang felt the same way. If he were to voice his opinion, others would see it as him being unnecessarily oppressive. Others would then worry about whether they too would be the target of Nie Zhenbang’s heavy hand in the future. Therefore, Nie Zhenbang also did not dare to act recklessly.

Fan Changsheng appeared calm on his face, as if, he has achieved a state of neither joy nor sorrow. In fact, whether Li Xiaoqin’s nomination to be Minister of Organization could pass, Fan Changsheng didn’t have the slightest worry, and now it seems that this is indeed the case.

He subsequently spoke slowly, “Since everyone has no objections, let’s settle this matter. Comrade Li Xiaoqin will be our Liangxi City Committee’s recommendation to submit. As for the specifics, it will depend on the attitude of the provincial committee.”

The attendants all knew the implications of what Fan Changsheng said, and his air of triumph wasn’t hidden. Aside from the top four posts in the city committee, under normal circumstances, unless there is a stir from the province, the province would often consider the local opinions.

Subsequently, Fan Changsheng stood up, he told in a deep voice, “Zhu, concerning the appointment of staff to the Finance Bureau, I think you should take more interest. Now that the position of Organization Department Head is vacant, you’ll be responsible for discussing this with Comrade Liu Qingquan, as you’re the Deputy Secretary in charge of Party Mass Line and organization personnel. The competent take on more work. As for other matters, it will be left to the new Head of Organization Department once they start, the meeting is dismissed!”

“Mayor Nie, shall we walk together?” Looking at Fan Changsheng leaving the conference room with his hands behind his back, Li Guohua, Li Xiaoqin, Hu Youquan and Wen Yuhe also began to leave, but Zhu Zhuozhen stopped by Nie Zhenbang’s side and initiated a conversation.

Watching Zhu Zhuozhen’s appearance, Nie Zhenbang also replied with a smile, “Secretary Zhu, I’m honored. Please lead the way.”

Ye Zhengwen is a trusted follower of Zhu Zhuozhen. Among the standing committee, Zhu Zhuozhen only has Ye as a close crony. Now, compared to him, he is a bit weaker, yet, Zhu Zhuozhen still straddles between himself and Fan Changsheng’s forces. Zhu Zhuozhen’s intentions and calculations, though unspoken, were well apparent-

However, to gain advantages while straddling between conflicting forces was no easy task. Soon, Nie Zhenbang lightly smiled, “Secretary Zhu, it seems like managing personnel organization might not be an easy task for you.”

Zhu Zhuozhen’s face darkened. As the Deputy Secretary who oversaw the party-mass ideological work and personnel organization, his respect, repute and stature within the city, though not surpassing Secretary and the Mayor, should at the least be in the top three. But Zhu Zhuozhen did not get the respect and status he deserved. He had no part in the personnel organization work.

Nie Zhenbang’s words were clear to Zhu Zhuozhen who sighed, “Mayor Nie, a Secretary is the head of a family. He’s the class monitor, and what are we? Concubines. However, appointing Comrade Liu Weijun as the Deputy Secretary of Liangjiang District, I believe, is very appropriate. Comrade Liu Weijun is capable and experienced. If he can work in the Liangjiang District, he would be an invaluable assistant to Comrade Zhengwen.”

“Haha, Secretary Zhu, your praise is too kind. I’d like that too. However, I wonder if Weijun is fortunate enough to be on the same team as Comrade Zhengwen.” Nie Zhenbang chuckled, paused for a while, and continued, “Secretary Zhu, tonight, I plan to head to Jiangzhou overnight. There are some things that I need to report to the seniors. Thus, I won’t be accompanying you for long.”

Watching Nie Zhenbang leave, Ye Zhengwen approached Zhu Zhuozhen and whispered in a low voice, “Secretary, Nie Zhenbang seems to be getting more and more tricky. I think, we should just cooperate with him.”

Despite the conversation appearing normal on the surface, in reality, it revealed a lot. Firstly, when Nie Zhenbang said the organization personnel work was hard, he indirectly expressed that the Organization Department Secretary was not on the same page as him, thus rendering his position as Deputy Secretary useless. Afterwards, Zhu indicated support for Liu Weijun as Deputy Secretary of the Liangjiang District, immediately after which, Nie Zhenbang mentioned going to Jiangzhou to report to the seniors.

It was quite apparent. This was Nie Zhenbang’s negotiating condition, heading to province for lobbying, in order to prevent the Organization Department Secretary’s position from falling into Fan Changsheng’s hands.

“Indeed, it’s not simple. Zhengwen, Mayor Nie is a man with a broad mind and mature tactics, someone who won’t be confined to Liangxi. He has endless prospects. Fan Changsheng was wrong in his judgement. Relying on Shen Yanshuo and pulling rank due to age to think he can cover the whole sky, it’s comical, sooner or later, Fan Changsheng will fall in this city.” At this moment, Zhu Zhuozhen, like an outsider, was observing the confrontation between Fan Changsheng and Nie Zhenbang. But he was the one who was seeing it the clearest. For this reason, Zhu Zhuozhen could make the wisest decision based on the situation.

After sighing, Zhu Zhuozhen left the conference room quickly alongside Ye Zhengwen, and took the elevator downstairs. At the entrance, Zhu Zhuozhen’s official car was already waiting. As soon as he got in, he said to his secretary Tian Jiawen, “Tian, call Secretary He and see if Secretary Daan is free today. I plan to go and report to Secretary Daan’s office in the afternoon.”

Tian Jiawen had been Zhu Zhuozhen’s secretary for many years and was well-aware of these official matters. Secretary He referred to Secretary Wang Daan’s secretary, He Xintian.

Immediately, Tian Jiawen instructed the driver, “To Jiangzhou.”

Just as Zhu Zhuozhen’s official car had left the city committee and government office building, Nie Zhenbang also came down from the building. Unlike Zhu Zhuozhen, Nie Zhenbang didn’t bring anyone with him and even drove his own car, quickly departing from the city committee and government offices.

At this moment, on the eleventh floor of the city committee office building, Fan Changsheng was standing by the window watching this scene. The huge floor-to-ceiling window offered a bird’s-eye view of part of Liangxi City, where the number of skyscrapers was increasing. Although it was not as panoramic as before, Fan Changsheng quite enjoyed this perspective.

Then, the phone on the desk rang. Without moving, Fan Changsheng let his secretary, Wang Mingxuan, answer it. After a short while, Wang Mingxuan walked over to Fan Changsheng and whispered, “Secretary, we just got news that Zhu Zhuozhen’s car has entered the toll booth heading towards Jiangzhou.”

No sooner had he finished speaking, the phone rang again. Following a brief conversation, Wang Mingxuan coolly said “Got it” into the phone before hanging up. He then turned back to Fan Changsheng and reported, “Nie Zhenbang’s car has also hit the highway. He’s also going to Jiangzhou.”

At this news, Fan Changsheng unclasped his hands from behind his back and made a gesture as if receiving something. Wang Mingxuan promptly fetched a pack of ‘Zhonghua’ cigarettes from his pocket, took one out, and lit it for Fan Changsheng.

Fan Changsheng didn’t smoke much, having no heavy addiction. As he grew older, he became more cautious about his health.

Enjoying the nicotine stimulation as he inhaled, Fan Changsheng gazed into the distance, murmuring to himself, “What a bunch of fools. Do they really think they can change their fate by running to the province?”

As he spoke, Fan Changsheng turned away from the window and walked briskly back to his desk, crushing the cigarette butt forcefully into the ashtray. He then ordered in a deep voice, “Xiao Wang, get the car ready. We’re going to Jiangzhou.”

As Nie Zhenbang hit the highway, he immediately accelerated, quickly overtaking Zhu Zhuozhen’s official car. Driving on his own held its own pleasures, as the vehicle would maintain a standard speed only if it was being driven by an official driver to ensure safety. But Nie could drive as he pleased.

Upon leaving Zhu Zhuozhen’s car in his rear mirror, Nie Zhenbang took the first exit, knowing that the municipal government’s official car would be let through at the toll booth because it was still within the jurisdiction of Liangxi. He u-turned outside the toll booth and ascended the ramp once more. This time however, he chose to park at the edge of the highway entrance where other cars on the main road could not spot him, promising his own safety while also maintaining a view of the oncoming traffic. As expected, five minutes later, he saw the number one car speeding past him, causing a smile to appear on Nie Zhenbang’s face. As he foresaw, Fan Changsheng just couldn’t sit still.

Seeing everyone run off to the provincial government, the next moves would depend on the face-off between the Standing Committee members of the Provincial Party Committee. On his side, Nie had the support of Governor Ning, while Zhu Zhuozhen had the backing of Wang Daan. It was still uncertain who would come out on top.

When Nie Zhenbang arrived in Jiangzhou, it was still early, only noon. Before his arrival, he had already contacted Ning Shouchang. Instead of proceeding into the provincial government complex, he directly entered through the back door of the residential area behind the provincial government offices and stopped right at Ning Shouchang’s doorstep.

Opening the trunk, he fetched a pair of special supply Maotai. This was Nie Zhenbang’s gift for Ning. The villa’s door was open, and in Ning Shouchang’s place, Nie could relax. He stepped in, changing into slippers as soon as he got inside.

At this moment, Ning Shouchang was sitting on the sofa, dressed in a white shirt and a grey vest. Wearing glasses and with his hair neatly groomed, he put down the newspaper he was reading as he saw Nie walk in.

“Governor Ning, I thought about what to bring, but I know you don’t smoke. So I brought you a pair of Maotai,” Nie said, positioning the Maotai on the tea table. He then took a seat.

Ning Shouchang picked up the Maotai, inspected it, and then smiled, “Thoughtful of you, Zhenbang. This is a thirty-year-old special cheniu. Not easy to get your hands on these days.”

Although Ning Shouchang had joined the Nie clan only a couple of years ago, he made his loyalties clear. If an average official were to come bearing gifts, Ning would not be this gracious. As for the gifts— it was already a big favor if they weren’t tossed out the door.

Ning’s affable attitude was his way of assuring Nie that even though the old patriarch of the Nie family was gone, Ning was still part of the Nie clan.

“Hehe, Uncle Ning, you really understand liquor. If it were me, it’d be wasted,” Nie affectionately addressed Ning in a friendly manner, pausing for a moment before continuing, “Governor, I’ve rushed all the way from Liangxi primarily to update you on some work matters.”

Before he could finish, Ning Shouchang interrupted, smiling, “I was wondering why the three top leaders from Liangxi are all here in the province. So, you guys have an agenda, huh?” (To be continued. If you like this story, please come to boxnovel.com to vote and support it. Your support is my greatest motivation.)