Chapter 476: Chapter 441 The Liangxi Airport_1
 

Going to the grassroots?

This suggestion of Nie Zhenbang made the other members of Nie family fall into contemplation, including Nie Jialei who was also thinking. He was now a deputy director of a department, and at the deputy ministerial level. According to Nie Jialei’s own plan, he should endure for another year or two, get promoted to full ministerial level, then after a few years, go down to the local level when he was thirty-six or seven. This was the most basic model for scions of Jingcheng.

On the side, Nie Guodong deeply and affirmatively nodded, “Going down, indeed, even Taizu once said, the vast countryside, presents great opportunities.”

These words touched the nerve of Nie Guowei, who sat nearby uncomfortably. Was it not these words that landed him in the rural areas of Yanbei years ago?

Nie Zhenbang also felt deeply. Among the second and third generation of Nie family, Nie Jiamin was indeed a political idiot. Fortunately, Nie Jiamin also knew what could be done, and what could not be done. This was his merit. Although Nie Jiamin did not get a chance to enter high-level politics, he also did not face the danger of failure.

Nie Jialei’s political consciousness was actually quite good. Unfortunately, this eldest brother, brought up under Nie family’s mainstream education, was a bit too conservative, always too strict in everything. The political field still demanded some time for him to adapt.

As for the second generation, his father, and his uncle, Nie Zhenbang did not feel comfortable giving opinions. Compared to them, Nie Guodong was much better.

At this moment, Nie Jialei also understood and nodded, “Zhenbang, do you mean to steer clear of the muddled waters of Jingcheng and come back when the situation becomes clear?”

Nie Zhenbang nodded and then said, “Yes, elder brother is now a deputy minister. To rise from this position to a full ministerial level is a hurdle. In Jingcheng, there are opportunities, but it is not under one’s control.”

These words precisely broke down the essence of Jingcheng’s current situation. With every family having its plans and arrangements in this situation, the positions in Jingcheng’s departments had become a battlefield of many soldiers for a bowl of rice. Instead of waiting for chances in this status quo, it’s better to seek opportunities locally.

Then, Nie Zhenbang looked up and said, “Uncle, I have a favor to ask. We’ve had some talks with the Jiangzhou Military District about Liangxi Airport, but the results have not been satisfactory. Could you help me with it?”

Regarding the matters that might help Nie Zhenbang, Nie Guodong appeared very pleased. Without any hesitation, he readily nodded and said, “The conversion of Liangxi Airport from a military one to civilian use, is a good thing. Commander Fang Dajun also mentioned it when I worked with him in Jiangzhou. Too many military airports cause a lot of small airports to struggle. Our national military spending is limited – these are practical issues. To change your thinking and be able to find a new approach is certainly a good thing.”

However, Nie Guodong did not say out loud what he really thought: civil airports can be easily converted to military use in times of war.

The days passed quickly. After seeing his granddaughter, Nie Guowei named her Nie Fei, a very simple name.

This revealed Nie Guowei’s attitude. He wanted her life to be simple, and she need not carry too many responsibilities and burdens.

On Nie Zhenbang’s side, as the mayor of Liangxi City, he was getting busy with work. The Eastern Development Forum was of particular importance, so he decided to return to Jiangbei immediately.

The conversation with his uncle, Nie Guodong, was intentional. The City Government of Liangxi City had been in talks with the relevant airport authorities regarding the conversion of Liangxi Airport from a military airport to a civilian one, and although the communication between them had been smooth, the issue of conversion was still unsettled. This time, capitalizing on the momentum prior to the Eastern Development Forum, Nie Zhenbang wanted to resolve the issue once and for all. If the Liangxi Airport could be transformed into a civilian airport, it would greatly boost the city image and economic development of Liangxi City.

His uncle had already contacted Commander Fang Dajun of the Jiangzhou Military District. As Liangxi Airport was under the jurisdiction of the Jiangzhou Military District Air Force, their opinions were paramount.

For his first visit, Nie Zhenbang was quite concerned about the gifts. Although he had brought two limited-edition Panda cigarettes and several bottles of thirty-year-old Maotai – these were the very gifts that his uncle Nie Guodong had brought as presents for Commander Fang.

Nevertheless, Nie Zhenbang was well aware of his uncle’s intentions. Aside from establishing a relationship based on the airport issue, his uncle was also making connections for his future. Nie Guodong wanted to be promoted to deputy chairman of the military commission, and without the support of the major military districts, his ascension would be impossible.

He did not dare to offer cigarettes, cash, gold, or jewelry as gifts. Instead, Nie Zhenbang eventually found an appropriate gift at a military goods store.

He arrived at the gate of the Jiangzhou Military District by taxi. Getting out of the car, Nie Zhenbang took out his phone and dialed a number. Soon, a voice came through on the other end, and he said, “Excuse me, is this the Commander’s office? This is Nie Zhenbang.”

Commander Fang Dajun’s hearty laughter soon came from the other side of the phone, “Haha, Zhenbang, you arrived so quickly. Your uncle just called, and now you’re here. Are you at the gates? Alright, I will have Staff Yun come pick you up.”