Reborn as a Noble's Son

Chapter 663: Chapter 619: Two Markets at Loggerheads (Requesting Monthly Tickets)_1

The atmosphere in the lounge of the plane heading to WangHai was rather heavy, with Dong Wan and Yang Anna sitting by the side. Both women appeared somewhat exhausted, having endured great sorrow. The deaths of their loved ones had plunged them into a deep gloom.

After a long silence, Nie Zhenbang looked at Dong Wan beside him and said, “Wan… how about you stay here for a while? Bring Zhiping over from Jingcheng…”

Nie Zhenbang’s words were interrupted. Dong Wan raised her head, looking at him, resolutely shaking her head saying: “Zhenbang, don’t say any more.”

The pain of being separated from her child is more than anyone could bear. Although Nie Zhiping changed his name to Dong Zhiping. But no matter how the name changes, the fact is the fact, the child is still her own. Although this is not a permanent separation. As soon as Dong Wan settles abroad, she can come and go. Yet, this kind of separation is also hard to accept.

However, Dong Wan seemed gentle on the surface, but she was incredibly determined and stubborn. Otherwise, Dong Wan would not have decided to be with Nie Zhenbang, even if she had to be the other woman, years ago.

At this moment, this stubborn side of Dong Wan appeared again, looking at Nie Zhenbang, Dong Wan said softly: “Zhenbang, I can handle this hardship. Without going through storms, how can one see the rainbow. I just hope that this waiting period won’t last a lifetime.”

These words weighed heavily on Nie Zhenbang, adding tremendous pressure. Perhaps, only when there are no more obstacles in his path, or when he reaches the peak of his career with nowhere else to go, could they live happily together. Because at that time, these issues will no longer be used as an excuse for political enemies to attack. Just like many of today’s sons of prominent families.

Thinking of this, Nie Zhenbang nodded firmly and said: “Wan, please believe me. This period won’t last long.”

Then, Nie Zhenbang said solemnly: “Wan, this private jet. I intend to leave it for you and Li Xue. I have instructed Tenglong to make a record of this aircraft in several major countries around the world. In the future, it will be more convenient for you two sisters to come back. In the South Pacific, Li Xue is building our own home. I think it would be beautiful.”

Now, this is all Nie Zhenbang could do.

At this moment, knocking was heard from outside, followed by a flight attendant entering with a smile, “Mr. Nie, we will be landing soon. Please prepare.”

With Nie Zhenbang’s plane slowly descending, Nie Zhenbang and Yang Anna both stood up. Yang Anna, with tears welling up, hugged Dong Wan and said softly: “Sister Wan, I’m sorry!”

Dong Wan, on the other hand, forced a smile and replied, “Silly girl, there’s nothing to apologize for. Li Xue and I are willing to do this. Haven’t you also given up a lot for Zhenbang?”

Nie Zhenbang and Yang Anna got off the plane while Dong Wan stayed. After a brief stop for refueling, the jet took off again, headed for Donggang. From there, Dong Wan would go to America to meet up with Li Lixue.

As soon as Nie Zhenbang and Yang Anna stepped out of the airport, their secretary, Li Jupeng, was already there to meet them, his expression slightly solemn. After taking the luggage and placing it in the trunk of Nie Zhenbang’s car. @@novelbin@@

The driver, Old Guo, started the car. In the front passenger seat, Li Jupeng turned his head and said: “Mayor, the investigation into Feitian Company has ended. Hu Fei, the chairman of Feitian Company, has been formally handed over to the Prosecutors Office. Besides, there are two opinions on the issue of Hu Jiawang. Tian Xujian openly opposes it.”

Hearing this, Nie Zhenbang’s expression turned serious. Although he had been given advice by his father-in-law Yang Shengli and Secretary Shen during his time in Jingcheng, he still knew what had to be done. It wasn’t in Nie Zhenbang’s nature to disregard the law for his own career advancement.

After a moment of silence, Nie Zhenbang nodded and replied, “Let’s discuss this after work tomorrow. Has anything else happened in the city recently?”

As his words fell, a troubled expression appeared on Li Jupeng’s face. He reluctantly replied, “In fact, Mayor, there is one more issue. The construction of the intercity trunk road from WangHai to Zhangdong City has now reached its final stages. However, there is a stretch of approximately ten kilometers between the two cities that has not been built. Now, both WangHai and Zhangdong City are passing the buck to each other, neither wants to build this stretch. The issue has even been escalated to the provincial level. I heard that Secretary Qiao was so furious he slammed the table.”

Nie Zhenbang was well aware of the Zhang-Wang City Trunk Road project. This was a project decided on when Qiao Yiren was still serving as the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Committee.

The goal was to boost the economic development of the entire Minan Province. However, at this point, the intercity highway construction was only halfway done and it looked like it would soon be completed. But, there was a hiccup. The two cities in question had a falling out. They kept passing the buck and as a result, construction had stopped. Wasn’t this adding stress to Qiao Yiren’s plate?

The thing about this intercity highway was that it was unlike the many toll roads currently in use, such as national highways, first-class highways, and expressways. This was the first fully free intercity highway in the history of Minan Province. The design was to adopt two-way eight-lane traffic.

Without tolls, naturally, there would be no vested interests. From the start, both cities were not particularly interested in its construction. It was a project entirely devoid of potential benefits.

Now that this infighting phenomenon had occurred, it was naturally to be expected. However, the intercity highway was a critical route for Wanghai City to reach the Yuedong region to its east. It was a vital link in Wanghai’s overall plan.

Upon contemplating this, Nie Zhenbang also furrowed his brow, saying in a solemn voice: “Who has jurisdiction over the stretch of road that hasn’t been built yet?”

Hearing Nie Zhenbang’s question, Li Jupeng immediately nodded and said, “The section of road in question lies in Guo Clan Town, Zhangan District, Zhangdong City. According to administrative divisions, it indeed falls under Zhangdong City’s jurisdiction. However, the problem is that Guo Clan Town is two hundred kilometers away from Zhangdong City proper, and eighty kilometers from the Zhangan District county seat. Conversely, it is only forty kilometers away from our Siping District. Therefore, utilities like water, electricity, and communications in Guo Clan Town are all supplied from our end. This is where the crux of the issue lies. Zhangdong City argues that since Wanghai City has already taken care of these municipal facilities for Guo Clan Town, there should be no issue in bearing the responsibility for constructing this section of the road. However, no city leader is willing to sign off on the construction of this section of the highway.”

Hearing Li Jupeng’s report, Nie Zhenbang also started to feel a slight headache. Indeed, it was not about whether or not Wanghai City could afford it. It mainly boiled down to pride. If they agreed to it, then Wanghai City would become a laughing stock among other cities. Whoever approved it would be made responsible and would be treated like a traitor. No one would want to undertake such political risks.

It was an unsavory part of Huaxia’s bureaucratic system to shirk responsibility. No one wanted to take it on, a common occurrence in various departments, and there is a strong correlation with the lack of administrative efficiency.

After mulling it over, Nie Zhenbang then nodded and said: “I see. Take me home now.”

…

The next morning, as soon as Nie Zhenbang clocked in for work and entered the office building, the Executive Vice Mayor, Wang Jianhua, followed him in.

Wang Jianhua took the initiative to greet him, saying, “Mayor Nie, welcome back.”

Nie Zhenbang nodded and asked, “Old Wang, what’s the stance of Ma Guohui from Zhangdong City on the Wang-Zhang highway issue?”

The Ma Guohui Nie Zhenbang was referring to was the Party Secretary of Zhangdong City, the top official of the city. If Ma Guohui approved it, there would basically be no problems at all.

Upon mentioning the Wang-Zhang intercity highway, Wang Jianhua couldn’t help but grimace. When he was the mayor of Puzhou City, Wang Jianhua had also dealt with Ma Guohui. He then said with a bitter smile, “Mayor, you may not have had much interaction with Ma Guohui. This fellow is notorious in the province for being tough to deal with. He’s been around for a while, without much room for promotion. He’s never played by the rules and there is no exception in regards to the Wang-Zhang highway. According to him, as Wanghai City is a sub-provincial city and doesn’t rely on provincial finance, it’s financially well-off, so supporting Zhangdong City somewhat is quite normal. Isn’t this just a typical rogue tactic?”

Upon hearing Wang Jianhua’s comment, Nie Zhenbang’s face remained expressionless, but inside, a slight dissatisfaction was stirring. A two-way eight-lane intercity highway – from land requisition and demolition to roadbed construction, road surface hardening, sidewalk paving, and green belt construction, etc., would cost at least 1.5 million per kilometer. A ten-kilometer section would cost 15 million. The key is, this road cuts straight through the heart of Guo Clan Town. The figure involved in the demolition and relocation is staggering. An additional 20 million would have to be added to the resettlement cost. That totaled up to 35 million. Although Wanghai City’s finances were directly settled by the central government, the city’s financial situation was not affluent. Several major construction projects in Wanghai City required substantial funds. Even if the city had the finances, the money wasn’t just blown in by the wind. It was quite reasonable that none of the city leaders dared to make decisions.

Then Nie Zhenbang sneered, “Ma Guohui certainly knows how to dream. He really sees us as a fat sheep ready to be slaughtered.”

Hearing this, Wang Jianhua also chuckled bitterly, “Tell me about it. The matter has been taken to the provincial level and Secretary Qiao has already spoken. Once you return from Jingcheng, a coordination meeting will be held to discuss the issue.”

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