Reborn as a Noble's Son

Chapter 875: Chapter 831 No Sending Local Specialties

Chapter 875: Chapter 831 No Sending Local Specialties

Institution

Nie Zhenbang repeated the phrase and then fell silent. This topic was far too sensitive; they were all high-ranking officials at the provincial and ministerial level discussing this matter—it was akin to embarrassing the central authority and accusing the superiors of incompetence, wasn’t it? Knowing when to stop on certain topics was an experience that Nie Zhenbang indeed possessed.

With an indifferent smile, Nie Zhenbang said meaningfully, “Vice Governor Ma, institutions, after all, need people to carry them out. Even the best system is nothing but empty talk without proper execution. Moreover, like this time, if it weren’t for a stroke of luck, we might not have discovered the squalid affairs of Yan Shunan and his nephew. We’ve talked about governing the country according to law for so many years, yet the legal consciousness of the broad masses is still indifferent. In Huaxia, with its thousands of years of civilization, the people have never contended with the officials. It’s ingrained deep in our marrow; the road to change is long and arduous.”

With these words, Nie Zhenbang had made his point: It wasn’t purely a matter of the system. Ma Yuequn naturally understood; they were all insiders within the system, and switching topics was something they were adept at doing quickly.

Ma Yuequn nodded with a smile and then said, “Governor, speaking of which, I just remembered something. Bashu Agricultural University is celebrating its centennial anniversary. The school has extended a grand invitation to the provincial government. What do you think…?”

Bashu Agricultural University made Nie Zhenbang pause. He was clueless about when these schools were founded and their predecessors. Aside from his alma mater, Jingcheng University, Nie Zhenbang had little knowledge of other institutions.

After a brief hesitation, Nie Zhenbang readily replied, “Sure, agriculture is the foundation of state-building. Throughout history, agriculture has always been highly regarded. In ancient times, among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, farmers ranked second. Now, Bashu Province is carrying out rural land transfers. In the future, more and more land will have to move towards large-scale, mechanized farming. Collaborating with the Agriculture University offers broad prospects. Vice Governor Ma, remember to notify me when the time comes; I will surely attend.”

The conversation passed quickly, and time had flown by unknowingly. In the front, Li Jupeng also stood up and walked over to Nie Zhenbang, whispering, “Governor, Vice Governor Ma, up ahead, comrades from Wuliang City are waiting by the roadside.”

The distance from Changhong City to Wuliang City was not short, including a long stretch on the national highway. The construction of the expressway had only just begun recently.

Hearing Li Jupeng’s words, Nie Zhenbang and Ma Yuequn both looked up ahead. On the side of the national highway, in a slightly wider area, leaders from Wuliang City with about a dozen cars were parked by the side of the road—each person dressed in dark coats, standing in the cold wind, eagerly awaiting their arrival.

Seeing this scene, Nie Zhenbang turned to Vice Governor Ma and said, “Vice Governor Ma, take a look. Welcoming and sending off guests is so demanding; this Liu Bingyi from Wuliang City is going through hardships.”

Knowing the relationship between Liu Bingyi and Nie Zhenbang, Vice Governor Ma understood that Nie Zhenbang’s seemingly admonishing words also evidenced the deep connection between them, and he replied with a smile, “Governor, Secretary Bingyi is offering his genuine respect.”

When the car stopped, Nie Zhenbang, Ma Yuequn, and Li Yunhe got out of the car and after shaking hands one by one, Nie Zhenbang said, “The Lunar New Year’s Eve is approaching. At this time, comrades should be going home for family reunions. It’s very cold, everyone, please get back into the vehicles. Comrade Bingyi and Mayor Yang, come with me. Let’s not go to the Municipal Party Committee but visit a few major liquor factories instead.”

With the Governor’s order, naturally, no one wanted to dampen the spirits. The group re-entered their vehicles and the convoy roared towards the urban district of Wuliang City. Instead of stopping in the city center, the convoy went straight through. Ahead lay Wuliang Liquor City—the factory area of Wuliang Liquor Factory.

The whole factory covered a vast area, looking almost like a city itself. At the moment, at the entrance of the liquor factory, the factory’s leaders were already waiting on the side. On the square, elderly yangge dance troupes, waist drum teams, and the indispensable dragon and lion dance teams for the New Year were all set up in formation.

Observing this scene, Nie Zhenbang smiled, “It seems that the factory’s cultural and spiritual life is doing quite well.”

Local areas always follow a tradition of conveying good news and not bad news. Hearing the Governor’s praise, Liu Bingyi also smiled and said, “Governor, Wuliang City has four major liquor factories in total. To enrich the cultural life of retired employees and their families, the factories have invested millions of yuan to build libraries, gyms, swimming pools, and other public entertainment facilities within the factory areas, greatly enriching the retirees’ lives.”

Following that, Nie Zhenbang and his entourage visited the honor room of the Wuliang Liquor Factory, personally went to the production line workshop, and consoled the workers who were still working. After that, the party drove to the Wolf Liquor Factory.

After the whole tour, it was already afternoon. Inside the meeting room of the Wuliang City Municipal Party Committee, Nie Zhenbang and other provincial leaders, along with the leadership team of Wuliang City, all sat down in the meeting room.

Nie Zhenbang gave a high appraisal of the work done in Wuliang City. With its profound cultural heritage in Baijiu and several famous distilleries nationwide, Wuliang City should leverage this favorable condition to vigorously develop its Baijiu culture. In turn, this should promote the growth of the tourism industry, thereby driving the comprehensive economic development of Wuliang City.

Furthermore, next year, the Wuliang City section of the Tianwu Expressway will also officially commence construction. This is a significant event related to the economic development of Wuliang City. The whole city must unite and collaborate closely to handle the land acquisition, demolition, and resettlement work along the route properly.

After Nie Zhenbang finished speaking, the Secretary of the Wuliang City Municipal Party Committee, Liu Bingyi, also made a statement on behalf of the Municipal Committee, committing to the Provincial Party Committee and Government. He promised to follow the directions of Governor Nie with sincerity and unity in all the work in Wuliang City.

Nie Zhenbang nodded with satisfaction. After that mining accident, the work in Wuliang City had been done well over the past few months, which pleased him. He smiled and said, “Comrade Binyi, there’s no need for further declarations of determination. I am generally quite satisfied with the work of the Wuliang City Municipal Party Committee and City Government. Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve. On behalf of the Provincial Party Committee, Government, People’s Congress, CPPCC, and the Military Region, I would like to extend early New Year greetings to the officers, soldiers, police, medical workers, and staff from all walks of life who are sticking to their posts. I also wish everyone present here a joyful family reunion and a happy Spring Festival.”

After the work report meeting of the Wuliang City Municipal Committee was over, Liu Bingyi also smiled and said, “Governor, it’s getting late. Why don’t you rest in Wuliang City for the night and depart tomorrow?”

Nie Zhenbang was in a good mood and responded with a smile, “Comrade Binyi, my word doesn’t count for much in this matter. This is all managed by Comrade Yun He, the chief steward. I follow the command in all my actions.”

Li Yunhe stepped forward with a smile and said, “Secretary Liu, we were delayed for a day in Changhong City previously. According to the schedule, early tomorrow, the Governor still needs to visit units such as the Tianfu City Fire Brigade to express his regards to the officers and soldiers. If we leave tomorrow, we will not have enough time.”

Hearing this, Liu Bingyi understood that the real reason was the Governor’s attitude, which took precedence; it was just being voiced through Li Yunhe’s mouth.

The group walked out of the Municipal Committee building and, at that moment, next to the business van at the rear, several Wuliang City staff members were strenuously moving items into the trunk of the van. Side by side with the other cars, bottles of Wuliang Liquor and Wolf Liquor were lined up.

This scene made Nie Zhenbang furrow his brows instantly. Liu Bingyi had been observing Nie Zhenbang’s expressions all along. Seeing this development, Liu Bingyi expected trouble.

Liu Bingyi approached with a forced smile and said, “Governor, since we can’t convince you to stay, consider these local specialties as part of the benefits Wuliang City adds to the province.”

Liu Bingyi’s words were cleverly phrased, not stating that the gifts were for Nie Zhenbang or any particular person.

The idea is that ‘the law does not punish the masses,’ which describes the protocol. Calling the high-grade Baijiu, with prices ranging from hundreds to thousands of yuan per bottle, a local specialty in Wuliang City seemed quite amusing to Nie Zhenbang.

One could imagine, just from the sight of them carelessly moving cases of liquor onto the vehicle, at least a dozen had been loaded by now. The value of this shipment alone was already substantial. The liquor being given to the senior leaders, including himself, was certainly worth a considerable amount.

After a moment of contemplation, Nie Zhenbang spoke up, “This is preposterous, are these really local specialties? Comrade Binyi, have them immediately remove these ‘local specialties.'”

Turning to Li Yunhe, Nie Zhenbang said, “Chief Secretary, today I’ll set a rule right here, from now on, no matter what occasion it is, all local specialties will be refused whenever we come down for inspection.”

Let’s not dwell on the past gifts received before this year. But from now on, starting with the provincial government agencies, during New Year’s or any other festival, all local specialties are to be declined. Whoever accepts them will be responsible.

After a pause, Nie Zhenbang’s tone grew serious, “The regulations on public expenses have been in place for many years now. The costs of official hospitality, government vehicle use, and expenses on travels abroad have already decreased significantly. However, the public spending remains high, and these local specialties are quite revealing.”

By taking this stance, Nie Zhenbang was well aware that it would inevitably harm the interests of many people. Every year during the festive seasons, departments and units give gifts to superiors, various local specialties and presents – something that many staff members look forward to as a benefit. Cutting off this ‘route’ would surely offend a not insignificant number of people. However, decisions that need to be made should be made, a reflection of his steadfastness and attitude for many years – undeniably so. (