Reborn as a Noble's Son

Chapter 700: Chapter 656: Each with Their Own Thoughts_1

After a round of self-introductions, they had officially met each other. Despite having already known of each other, this was regarded as having gone through a formal procedure.

Nie Zhenbang looked around at the four people with a smile, and then said, “The San Gong Bureau is officially established. Personnel at all levels have also been duly assigned. Given this, our priority is to start working as soon as possible. This is the main responsibility of our San Gong Bureau. This is the only way we can live up to the Central Committee’s expectations. Comrades Chen Bo and Guobing, do you have any opinions or thoughts?”

As the director, the flow and progress of the meeting were naturally in Nie Zhenbang’s hands.

Upon hearing this, both Chen Bo and Li Guobing were taken aback. They exchanged a glance at Nie Zhenbang’s direct nomination.

To Chen Bo, joining the San Gong Bureau was completely unexpected. It was not a good job in his opinion. But the interests of the clan were paramount, and he didn’t dare to oppose the family’s arrangements. If the family sent him, they must have a good reason.

Chen Bo clearly understood that Nie Zhenbang was the future star of the group, and had the backing of being the heir apparent to the Nie family and son-in-law to the Yang family. Nie Zhenbang was not someone to be crossed, a consensus among all young nobles in Jingcheng.

...

Hadn’t those who played against Nie Zhenbang ended up lowly and humiliated? What happened to the Zhou family, once a power not to be underestimated in Jingcheng? Now, the Zhou family was out of the ranks of Jingcheng’s noble families. The younger generation of Zhou family, although still mingling in Jingcheng, was only allowed to undertake trivial matters. The Zhou family was no longer a concern.

And what about Old Li’s family? Upon this thought, Chen Bo glanced at Li Guobing. Old Li’s family was deemed a top-level noble family nationwide. Their connections in the government were impressive, with proteges and old servants all over the country.

However, what did that matter when the man right in front of them had engaged in a battle of wits with Old Li’s family, resulting in Li Guohua, the rising star of the Li family, resigned in sorrow. Moreover, it caused Li Jiangshan, the central power figure of the Li family who had the highest possibility of attaining one of the Nine Pinnacles, to lose this chance. Later, Li Chengfang fell. Now, the Li family lacked any direct power and had degraded to relying on side branches as their main force. All of these were credited to the man in front of them.

After pondering for a moment, Chen Bo laughingly said, “The San Gong Bureau is a completely new department. We are all feeling our way across the river by touching the stones. We’re inexperienced. Does Director Li have any insights?”

Chen Bo’s plan was very shrewd. His intent was straightforward: to listen more and speak less, and adopt a wait-and-see attitude. His words made Li Guobing curse inwardly. How clever Chen Bo was at playing his cards.

However, it was his turn now, and Li Guobing was somewhat embarrassed. He gave an awkward laugh before saying, “Director Chen is right. As a new department, we’re all novices with no hands-on experience. I believe that we need to rely on the director for guidance on this matter.”

Those who could be arranged by their respective families to enter here were not stupid. In fact, they were individuals adept at various social interactions, Nie Zhenbang understood the attitudes of Chen Bo and Li Guobing well. Their purpose was to react accordingly, first probing his ideas, then striving for their interests. However, they forgot that this was a new unit. Though this approach could adapt to changes, it failed to seize the chance to establish authority.

Nie Zhenbang then said with a smile, “In that case, let me throw out a brick to attract a jade by presenting my views?”

His question took Chen Bo and Li Guobing by surprise. Chen Bo was the first to react, and he replied with a smile, “Director, you’re too polite.”

Li Guobing also said, “Director Nie, I remember that you used to be the head of the Youth Civilization Award inspection team and worked in the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. You must have a firm grasp on this kind of inspection work. As for the direction of the San Gong Bureau’s work, I believe that Director Nie must have a well-thought-out plan.”

While Li Guobing’s words appeared to be standard and included considerable flattery to Nie Zhenbang, they also conveyed quite a bit of information.

The title alone revealed that Li Guobing was not as respectful as he appeared. According to unspoken rules within the system, subordinate leaders usually omit the word “deputy” when referring to each other. For example, Chen Bo and Li Guobing earlier referred to each other as “Director Chen” and “Director Li”. However, when referring to the leader holding the primary position, they usually omit the surname, which differentiates them from the deputy leaders.

Liu Guobing’s reference to “Director Nie” carried Nie Zhenbang’s surname, which implied that he was putting Nie Zhenbang at the same level as themselves.

Don’t think there’s no problem with addressing me in that way. That’s exactly where Li Guobing’s cunning lies, it’s a kind of test. Testing Nie Zhenbang’s attitude. And, if Nie Zhenbang shows no attitude, it’s bound to give the staff in the San Gong Office an impression that he is easy to deal with, easy to push around. @@novelbin@@

With a cold smile in his heart, Nie Zhenbang slowly responded, “Deputy Director Li, you are too polite. In that case, allow me to speak.”

Here, Nie Zhenbang turns the tables on Li Guobing using his own methods. Just as Li Guobing calls him Director Nie, he emphasizes the “deputy” in Li’s title. The people who heard this naturally understood what he meant.

This made Li Guobing’s mouth twitch slightly. Nie Zhenbang’s sense of retaliation was too strong. A quick counterattack was made on his end.

However, Nie Zhenbang didn’t bother with these. He paused for a moment and his gaze turned official and solemn. He knew when to show what attitude, and what expression. Before, he could smile and be relaxed, which didn’t matter, on the contrary, it demonstrated the unity and harmony of the team. But now, as they started discussion of work, such casual manner might seem frivolous.

“For the task of the San Gong Office, I believe, everyone present has some understanding and research. My view is that the current primary responsibilities of the San Gong Office are supervision and inspection. Supervising and inspecting the public funds expenditure in all provinces, autonomous regions, and central ministries, conducting inspections on the twenty-four pilot provinces and municipalities under the central government. Therefore, I believe that supervision is secondary. The main focus and direction of the work, I think, is on inspection. I suggest, the five departments under me be divided into five work groups. One team to be responsible for various ministries directly under the central government. The other three teams would each be responsible for eight provinces. The last team would be responsible for enterprises directly under the central government. Additionally, five members of our team, one person leading each group. What do you think?”

Nie Zhenbang’s speech left the other four members of the team deeply astounded, while they gained a straightforward insight on him.

Chen Bo also felt a profound shock at this moment. Indeed, Nie Zhenbang’s reputation was not undeserved. His allocation was precise and appropriate. It was probably the most suitable allocation plan. Specific areas assigned, there would be no duplication, and each member of the team was catered to.

Next to him, Gao Wei thought for a moment, then nodded, “I completely agree with the leader’s plan.”

At this time, Gao Wei obviously expressed his support. Li Guobing then asked after a moment, “Director, how will this allocation be arranged?”

Noticing a slight change in the way Li Guobing addressed him, Nie Zhenbang understood his style of work. Indeed, one who caused successive losses for the Li family wasn’t easy to mess with.

Speaking of the allocation, everyone perked up their ears as it related to their own performance. Even Gao Wei turned serious at this point.

Regarding the allocation, after some consideration, Nie Zhenbang spoke, “For the central ministries directly under the central government, I think Comrade Haojun can lead. For state-owned enterprises, I recommend Comrade Gao Wei.”

Nie Zhenbang had weighed his options thoroughly before making this decision. He was not very clear about Wang Haojun’s background, but to be in the San Gong Office one needed a significant background. However, comparatively, Haojun’s might be a bit lesser. Plus, having Wang Haojun, the Secretary-General of San Gong Office, taking charge of the various ministries in Jingcheng was the most suitable. This way, Wang Haojun could manage the work of San Gong Office. Moreover, handling the ministries directly under the central government, was relatively simple as they dared not behave improperly under the watch of the Party Central Committee and State Council.

The state-owned enterprises were quite tricky, being affluent and structurally different from the party and government departments, they tended to fall through the cracks in discipline supervision. Assigning Gao Wei, who was from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, ensured smooth inspection proceedings.

As for himself and the other two deputy directors each being in charge of eight provinces, it was more or less the same situation, it also highlighted a comparative aspect.

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Bo asked, “Director, how will the twenty-four provinces be divided among the three of us?”

Next to him, Li Guobing shifted a bit and said slowly, “Director Nie, I think this division plan might be a bit unreasonable.” (.)