Reborn as a Noble's Son

Chapter 714: Chapter 670: Family Banquet (Second Update, Asking for Monthly Tickets)_1
 

Li Yifeng’s words served as an explanation to Nie Zhenbang. Simultaneously, they also signified a transfer of power.

After pondering for a moment, Zhenbang nodded, “Uncle Li, I will definitely be there on time.”

The next day, around half past five in the afternoon.

The sky in the Xibei was still slightly dark due to the time difference. In the Xibei Autonomous Region, it generally doesn’t get completely dark until eight or nine in the evening.

Due to the time difference, the working hours in Xibei have also been adjusted accordingly.

At seven in the evening, Nie Zhenbang entered the compound of the Xibei Autonomous Region Party Committee.

At this moment, in the first courtyard. The moment the door was opened, laughter could already be heard from the living room.

Upon entering the house, there were already four or five people sitting in the living room, who, seemingly, were the core figures in Li Yifeng’s circle. Three of them were old acquaintances of Nie Zhenbang.

As Nie Zhenbang entered, Li Yifeng, who was wearing an apron in the kitchen, came out, smiling, “Zhenbang is here. Let me introduce you.”

At this time, Cheng Xinhua also stood up, smiling, “Old leader. Zhenbang and I know each other well. Let me do the introductions.”

Hearing this, Li Yifeng laughed, “Good, Xinhua is indeed an old leader of Zhenbang. You are the most suitable person to give the introductions.”

Now, Cheng Xinhua is the Standing Committee Member and Minister of the Organization Department of the Xibei Autonomous Party Committee. After seven years, he had climbed from being a deputy secretary of the prefecture-level city to this position. Cheng Xinhua could be considered as having reached his pre-set goals.

As Li Yifeng’s main assistant, Cheng Xinhua naturally knew the old leader’s intentions. He then laughed and said, “Zhenbang, let me introduce you to Comrade Liu Aimin, the current Minister of the Propaganda Department of the Party Committee of the Autonomous Region.”

Liu Aimin, about forty-five to forty-six years old, was among the most vigorous officials in the room. Hearing this, he also stood up, smiling, “I’ve been curious about Pear State ever since my time in Kema City. I’ve seen you a few times at meetings in the Autonomous Region back then, but I’m sorry to say we never got to know each other. Today, I’ve finally settled my curious heart.”

In Nie Zhenbang’s memory, when he was in New Li City, the Secretary and Mayor of Kema City were not surnamed Liu. This Liu Aimin, at that time, likely held a vice position, just like Min Zhigao. Now, with Min Zhigao having left Xibei, Liu Aimin has been promoted to the Standing Committee Member and Propaganda Minister of the Autonomous Region. Liu Aimin’s abilities were undeniably exceptional.

Thinking of this, Nie Zhenbang would naturally not take Liu Aimin lightly. In fact, none of the five present today were ordinary figures. All those who caught Li Yifeng’s eye were far from trivial.

“Minister Liu, it’s an honor, truly an honor. You’re a senior figure, if it were otherwise, I would be truly ashamed,” Nie Zhenbang humbly said.

This attitude won him the favour of everyone present. Everyone was aware of Nie Zhenbang’s background and identity, as the youngest deputy ministerial-level official in the country, Nie Zhenbang had every reason to be arrogant. However, he showed no signs of arrogance, and this earned him everyone’s appreciation.

Next was a man about fifty-three or fifty-four years old, he was the Standing Committee Member and Executive Vice-Chairman of the Autonomous Region Party Committee. The other two, both around forty years old, one was the Director of the Public Security Department of the Autonomous Region, and the other was the Director of the Finance Department.

This was the core power of Li Yifeng. No doubt, Li Yifeng had a sharp political acumen.

At the provincial, city, and autonomous region level, the political dynamics weren’t like those at the county or prefecture level. At the county or prefectural level, one had major influence in the Standing Committee. Controling the Standing Committee was neither rare nor uncommon. However, at the provincial and ministerial level, any over-concentration of power was firmly not allowed, and was indeed frowned upon, by the central government.

Over-concentration of power was synonymous with corruption. Corruption was big trouble within the Party, which had always been advocating anti-corruption integrity. These were definitely not empty words.

No matter the province, if even the voices in the Standing Committee of a province were unified and there was only one voice, it was scary. There would even be the risk of division. From the perspective of the Central Government, this situation would absolutely not be allowed. Let alone in the case of Xibei Autonomous Region, a place with a large minority population and complex ethnic contradictions.

Li Yifeng’s choice was good, quite appropriate. As the leader, he had under him two standing committee members: one was the Minister of Organization, the other was the Minister of Propaganda. He controlled personnel and grasped the power of propaganda. Additionally, the executive vice chairman of the autonomous regional government ensured Li Yifeng’s voice in the government. With the added power of the Public Security Bureau and control of the financial lifeline, his position as Secretary of the Party Committee and Secretary-General of the Autonomous Region was secure. This guaranteed his dominant voice in the Autonomous Region and would not incur the central government’s prohibition.

“The older the ginger, the spicier it is.” This is the most genuine feeling that Nie Zhenbang had at the moment.

After acquainting himself with everyone, Nie Zhenbang sat down. They were all experienced individuals both in terms of communication and courtesy. In no time, the crowd appeared gathered and the atmosphere lightened.

At this point, Li Yifeng also started calling: “Dinner is served. Everyone, come and eat.”

Upon hearing Li Yifeng’s call, everyone stood up. Liu Aimin went in front of the dining table and exaggeratedly said: “Secretary, with so many dishes, the smell alone is enough to feel the aroma. They truly are a feast for the senses.”

This small flattery made Li Yifeng quite pleased. Everyone likes to be flattered. Even someone like Li Yifeng, a clean and upright leader, was no exception.

This was enough to prove that Liu Aimin truly understood the essence of this. Li Yifeng, at this moment, chuckled and said: “Well, Aimin, you’re flattering me. However, this flattery, I’ll accept.”

Upon saying this, Li Yifeng looked up to Nie Zhenbang and others and said: “Come on! Let’s sit down and eat.”

Li Yifeng also brought out his treasured Maotai . The meal was none but merry. Everyone had a slightly tipsy feeling.

Everyone took a seat on the sofa in the living room. On the coffee table was a cylinder of 50 special panda cigarettes. Li Yifeng passed one to each of the men and lit one himself.

“Indeed, a cigarette after a meal is divine. I don’t see it any differently,” Li Yifeng chuckled and laughed.

Nie Zhenbang was watching on the side and learning as well. As a leader, Li Yifeng’s ability to adjust the atmosphere was something worth observing and studying.

After some joking around, Li Yifeng turned the topic and looked around at the people and said: “Regarding the problem of the demolition and relocation of Xincheng in Kulin County. This issue was discovered in a timely manner.”

Upon reaching here, everyone knew that they were about to discuss the main theme. Suddenly, everyone became silent and serious. Li Yifeng continued: “Now, throughout Xibei Autonomous Region, various municipal constructions and urbanization processes are accelerating. How to ensure the fundamental interests of the masses during the process of urban expansion. I see that this is a big issue, and it is also an important issue. This time, the matter in Kulin County gave us a profound lesson.”

Upon hearing this, everyone understood that Secretary Li was expressing his attitude. Zheng Ning, the director of the Public Security Bureau of the Autonomous Region, nodded at this moment and took over the topic: “Secretary, after receiving the work report from Atai City Public Security Bureau, the Public Security Bureau immediately formed a special case team. We launched a detailed investigation into the Rhea Group. The investigation revealed that not only in Kulin County, but similar situations appeared in other regions of the Autonomous Region, all of which had a certain connection with the Rhea Group. Furthermore, some citizens reported that Feng Tianqi, the chairman of the Rhea Group, was suspected of multiple deliberate injuries and organizing crimes of a gangster nature.”

After pausing, Zheng Ning glanced around at everyone and, with a serious expression, said: “Secretary Li, what I mean is that the Rhea Group has caused a negative impact in the Xibei Autonomous Region. Moreover, the social harm is great and the circumstances are very serious. I suggest that strict measures should be taken against the Rhea Group and its responsible individuals.”

As his words fell, the living room was suddenly silent. Zheng Ning’s words were too serious. It sounded less like informal private talk and more like expressing opinions in a meeting room.

After his words, Liu Aimin next to him also nodded and said: “Secretary, what about Feng Xueliang’s side? Do you think it will…?”

Any involvement with the Rhea Group would inevitably involve Feng Xueliang. The saying goes that to beat a dog, you must first have a look at its master. Moreover, Feng Tianqi is Feng Xueliang’s son.

Liu Aimin’s words immediately quieted down the living room. After a long silence, Li Yifeng finally said: “If an emperor breaks the law, he should be punished as an ordinary person. If the ancients had this awareness, can’t we as the new generation of officials have the same? I think, we should have a standing committee meeting tomorrow to discuss the issue specifically. When it comes to violations of laws and disciplines, we cannot harbor luck or appease. They must be severely punished.”

Li Yifeng’s words showed his attitude towards the matter already. Upon hearing this, Nie Zhenbang also calmed down. This was paving the way for his future.

PS: Asking for a monthly pass, seeking comfort. (.)