Reborn as a Noble's Son

Chapter 659: Chapter 615: Old Dong’s Will_1

Everyone in the Dong family looked down upon Nie Zhenbang, especially Dong Wan’s parents who never spoke to him. The fact that their cherished daughter, who was considered as precious as a gem, had become someone else’s lover was something the Dong family could not accept.

Despite this situation, under the suppression of Elder Dong, out of respect for his authority, no one in the Dong family dared to object. However, it was self-evident that they didn’t hold any fancy for Nie Zhenbang.

The head of the Dong family, Dong Xiangyang, was no exception. Around sixty years old, he was now a member of the Central Political Bureau and Vice Premier of the State Council. The second and third generation of the Dong family, though not despicable, were somewhat mediocre in ability. These inherent shortcomings had limited the development of the Dong family’s offspring.

In a side room, Dong Xiangyang was sitting on a sofa. Looking at Nie Zhenbang standing next to him, he said solemnly, “Sit down, a guest is a guest. We, the Dong family, are not inhumane. I still understand how to treat a guest.”

The words clearly revealed the Dong family’s dissatisfaction with him. Nie Zhenbang could only respond with a bitter smile to this situation. He could neither fight nor curse. Otherwise, it would only make Dong Wan more embarrassed when caught in the middle.

While speaking, Dong Xiangyang took out a sealed envelope from his pocket and handed it to Nie Zhenbang, saying, “This is a will written by the old man before his death. He specifically instructed me to give it to you.”

Dong Xiangyang’s words made Nie Zhenbang somewhat puzzled. A will specifically written for him by Elder Dong? It sounded somewhat inconceivable. Nie Zhenbang wasn’t welcomed by the Dong family. He wondered why Elder Dong would make such a decision on his deathbed.

With this doubt, Nie Zhenbang opened the letter. The paper was quite common, the logo of the Central People’s Government on the heading was striking. The text was written in brush, which was more satisfying to the older generation like Elder Dong and Elder Nie than writing in pen.

The handwriting was neat, beautifully written in small regular script. Seeing this, Nie Zhenbang was extremely shocked. He was very familiar with Elder Dong’s physical conditions. When his health deteriorated, Elder Dong had developed Parkinson’s disease. Writing became difficult since his hands were always trembling. Under such circumstances, being able to write in such neat script demonstrated the effort and devotion Elder Dong had put in.

Just this attitude alone was enough for Nie Zhenbang to take it seriously. The letter was not long, around three or four hundred characters. As he read through it, Nie Zhenbang’s brow furrowed. After finishing the letter, he laid back on the sofa, took a deep breath, and then turned to look at Dong Xiangyang. He handed over the letter, whispering, “Brother… Uncle Dong, please take a look.”

Originally, Nie Zhenbang intended to address him as an uncle, just like Dong Wan did. But he changed his mind mid-sentence.

Dong Xiangyang read quickly. About three minutes later, he looked up and asked in a deep voice, “What do you think?”

Nie Zhenbang felt somewhat bitter. According to Elder Dong’s final arrangement, after his death, Dong Wan was to go abroad immediately, and she could not return until the time was ripe. This was the first point. In fact, the current situation of Dong Wan was the price she had to pay for her own choices. If she hadn’t followed Nie Zhenbang, would she need to endure such humiliation? Definitely not. Therefore, the expressions of the Dong family were naturally glum.

As to when the time would be ripe, Elder Dong probably meant that the day Nie Zhenbang rises to the top was the time for Dong Wan to return to the country.

Because, once Nie Zhenbang has ascended the throne, he will be firmly seated. Then these issues could no longer be used as obstacles or excuses to his rise. Now, what Elder Dong was doing was clearing all obstacles in his way.

“Elder Dong, do you really hold such great faith in me, Nie Zhenbang, to be able to reach the the final step?” Nie Zhenbang questioned himself. His heart felt immensely heavy. He had sacrificed too much to get to this point.

Another arrangement was regarding Wan and his son, Nie Zhiping. According to Elder Dong’s suggestion, from now on, Nie Zhiping would change his surname to Dong and be called Dong Zhiping. Moreover, the Dong family promised to rigorously supervise Zhiping’s upbringing, and Elder Dong’s condition was that Nie Zhenbang must provide undivided support and assistance in Dong Zhiping’s future political career.

At the end of the day, this meant that Elder Dong still held high hopes for Nie Zhenbang’s future prospects. This was where Nie Zhenbang felt most pressured.

After a moment of silence, Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “Regarding the issue of Zhiping, I agree with the ideas of Elder Dong. It’s not impossible for him to follow Wan’s surname. As long as Zhiping himself is interested and talented, I would be very happy and willing to do my utmost to help and support him to advance in his political career. However, regarding the issue of Wan…”

Before Nie Zhenbang could finish, Dong Xiangyang said decisively, “Wan must go abroad. There is no room for negotiation on this issue. If Wan does not leave the country, the rest is all moot. The current situation in Jingcheng is not as simple as you believe.”

This statement left Nie Zhenbang quite surprised. On the sidelines, Dong Xiangyang declared gravely, “Now with Director Shen in charge and cadre members from the League faction being promoted one after the other, this has become a thorn in the side of the long-established families in Jingcheng. The Li family, assessing the situation, has gradually leaned towards Director Shen’s political orientation. Regardless, with Wan still in the country, she’s a ticking time bomb. It’s imperative she leaves.”

Hearing this, Nie Zhenbang was momentarily dazed, not anticipating that the Li family would make such a decision at this moment.

In Jingcheng, these time-honoured families had been established since the founding of the nation, passing on their legacy step by step. People like Elder Dong were founding fathers of the nation who, when it came to seniority and prestige, were considered heavyweights. Cooperating was acceptable, but allegiance indicated a different story.

Now, for the future of the Li family, the elderly head of the Li family intended to pledge allegiance to Director Shen, an enticement Director Shen would find hard to resist.

Nie Zhenbang was very aware of the resilience of the Li family. If given even the slimmest chance to recover, as their archenemy, the first person the Li family would target was likely him.

After pondering for a while, Nie Zhenbang could only nod his agreement, saying, “If this is the case, I have no objections.”

Hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Dong Xiangyang also nodded, quite pleased. His attitude also relaxed considerably. He intoned deeply, “In love’s long lane, what matters is not the morning and evening but the underlying emotion. You and Wan must not focus on the present alone. Your vision must be far-reaching. Taizu once said ‘Look far and wide, friendly with the world’. This matter, depending on perspective, can be a big deal or a small matter, and at any moment, it could become a ticking time bomb. Seeing how much regard and trust the old master has for you, you should not disappoint his expectations. The descendants of my Dong family are stiff-necked and single-minded. Now, all our hopes rest on the shoulders of their generation, Zhiping and the others. Wait, don’t leave. Let me introduce you to some people.”

This was the Dong family’s way of supporting him. In terms of connections, Nie Zhenbang was far weaker than other department-level or deputy department-level officials. To Nie Zhenbang, among the high-ranking officials, he was still a rising star. To reach the top, unlike elections at the provincial or prefecture-city level, two conditions were indispensable: have a wide network of connections at the local level, and obtain the recognition and support of most of the military.

Dong Xiangyang was not afraid of Nie Zhenbang breaking his word. After all, Zhiping was Nie Zhenbang’s son. Although he didn’t carry the Nie surname, this was acceptable. As long as Zhiping was well, he was content. Dong Xiangyang was laying out the plan for the future in great detail.

In the afternoon, the memorial continued. Delegates from places where Elder Dong had once served, from the earliest Longxi Sacred City, to Yanbei Province, and then to Ludong Province, had all arrived to lay wreathes for Elder Dong and express their sentiments.

In the side hall, Nie Zhenbang was entertaining young Zhiping. As the door to the side hall opened, Dong Xiangyang entered with two middle-aged men in their fifties.

Looking at Nie Zhenbang, Dong Xiangyang smiled and said, “Old Zhang, Old Zuo, let me introduce you. This man is Nie Zhenbang, a standing committee member of the Wanghai Municipal Party Committee and Mayor of Wanghai City. He is Wan’s husband.”

Continuing, and pointing at Old Zhang and Old Zuo, Dong Xiangyang said, “Zhenbang, allow me to introduce you to the two of them. This is Comrade Zuo Yan, the Communist Party Secretary of Ludong Province. Next to him is Comrade Zhang Xiting, the Deputy Director of the National Development and Reform Commission.”

Both men were extremely astute individuals. On hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, the two understood. The Dong family was preparing for the future.

Immediately, Zuo Yan and Zhang Xiting extended their hands with a smile, exchanging greetings. @@novelbin@@

Zuo Yan chuckled, saying, “The great name of Comrade Zhenbang is legendary indeed. You turned Lixian into what is now Lizhou City, the sixteenth vice-ministerial level city recognised by the central government. For this accomplishment, Comrade Zhenbang, you cannot but accept credit.”

Afterwards, they exchanged pleasantries without much substance. Nie Zhenbang took the initiative to say, “Director Zhang, now that I’ve seen you, I’ve rather a favour to ask you to assist me with.”

This left Zhang Xiting surprised. Rumour had it that Nie Zhenbang was distinctly independent and unconventional, a claim Zhang had found doubtful. However, after meeting him in person, Zhang indeed believed it.

They had just met and, despite the involvement of the Dong family, somebody like Nie Zhenbang was still a rarity. Couldn’t he discern courtesy when he heard it?

Zhang Xiting chuckled, replying, “Mayor Nie, please proceed. As long as it is within my purview, I promise to try my best to assist you.” (