Reborn as a Noble's Son

Chapter 805: Chapter 761 Wang Guofa’s Decision

This statement made the officials in Guonan City and those in Renzhang County somewhat embarrassed. Nie Zhenbang was in a good mood at the moment. He turned his head to look at Wang Guofa, Jiang Jingu, and others, and then said, “Secretary Wang, Mayor Jiang, it seems now that it was your work mistake, your work was not up to par. Look, Master Qiu has some concerns and worries. This fully shows how important policy continuity is. Changing orders overnight. One team, one model. One leader, one mindset. It’s a big taboo.”

In his great mood, Nie Zhenbang’s address to Wang Guofa had also changed. At least, he wasn’t addressing him as Comrade Wang Guofa like before. This made Wang Guofa somewhat pleased. A change was good; a change meant there was still a chance for him.

Immediately, Wang Guofa humbly nodded and said, “Yes, Governor’s criticism is correct. It’s our work that has not been sufficient. I will reflect on this.”

Next to him, Jiang Jingu also nodded and said, “I will definitely bear the Governor’s instructions in mind.”

Li Guangqiang also smiled and said, “Governor, your words remind me of something. I remember, a few years ago, during a visit to Chunan Province, a county there. After taking office, the previous leader, after careful research and investigation, launched a project for ten thousand acres of peach trees. But before the results could be seen, that leader was transferred. The successor, after detailed research, felt that peach trees did not fit the local customs and were not profitable. Upon taking office, he launched a plan for ten thousand acres of tangerines. In the end, it caused a great deal of public resentment.”

Nie Zhenbang nodded in agreement and turned to the colleagues from Guonan City, saying, “Governor Guangqiang’s words are worth reflecting on. Changing orders overnight, for a leader, is just a matter of a word. Yet, it has a significant impact on the farmers’ enthusiasm. It wasted a lot of finance and resources. Not only was there no result, but it also caused the people to be full of complaints. It’s a loss that outweighs the gain.”

As he spoke, Nie Zhenbang turned to Qiu Weimao and said, “Master Qiu, I want to make a clear promise to you here. The agreements you’ve signed with Guonan City and Renzhang County will remain valid no matter who comes into power. They’ll still matter. If someone tells you they’re no longer valid, come find me. Regardless of my position or location, I’ll take responsibility. That’s my promise to you.”

Nie Zhenbang making a promise was a rare occasion. He had great respect for Qiu Weimao, admiring his courage to be the first to try something new, a spirit of daring to be a pioneer. In Chunan, this spirit was often seen, but among the people of Bashu, Qiu Weimao was a rarity.

The policy on land transfer was very important to him. Qiu Weimao had been a great help. In this moment, Nie Zhenbang didn’t mind lending a hand.

After a pause, Nie Zhenbang continued, “Master Qiu, nowadays, with the increase in rural laborers going out to work, the lack of labor in rural areas is something we cannot ignore. On this front, it’s precisely the opportunity for those like you, the skilled grain growers, the big producers. In the future, it’s foreseeable. As the level of urbanization continues to rise, with large numbers of rural population becoming urban dwellers, agriculture will inevitably move toward a large-scale model. Mechanized, regular operations. You’ve taken the first step and you must seize the opportunity to find ways to increase the added value of agriculture. Go for a full-chain model of planting, processing, and selling. If you encounter difficulties in the future, you can ask Guonan City for help or coordination. If there are problems with financing, you can turn to the Agricultural Development Bank, and if it really can’t be resolved, you can also come to me.”

This statement by Nie Zhenbang was not without deep consideration. Although the idea was made after visiting Renzhang County and seeing some things, this decision was not hasty.

Through his many years in politics and his ability to judge people, Nie Zhenbang reckoned he had his method. Qiu Weimao had a kind of simple and solid quality of farmers in his bones, the kind of person who doesn’t forget his roots.

Moreover, at this moment, Nie Zhenbang also intended to set Qiu Weimao up as the leader of the province’s agricultural industrialization and as a star enterprise. This would be a huge boost for land transfer throughout the province.

Saying all this in front of everyone was not just to give Qiu Weimao an amulet. In the future, Qiu Weimao’s endeavors in agricultural industrialization would reap significant benefits. At the very least, policy support and preference were absolutely guaranteed.

Then Nie Zhenbang, in a cursory manner, took a look around the fifty thousand acres of land and then went to Qiu Weimao’s home. Qiu Weimao’s family had built several large warehouses, all storing various agricultural machinery and equipment. For tilling, transplanting, harvesting, they were neatly categorized—all this sufficient proof that Qiu Weimao was indeed a doer.

After lunch in Renzhang County, Nie Zhenbang and his team left Renzhang County, left Guonan City, and returned to the provincial capital.

After seeing off Nie Zhenbang, Wang Guofa also heaved a sigh of relief. At last, he was gone. Otherwise, with Governor Nie’s uncompromising criticism, Wang wasn’t sure if he could have withstood it. A few more days, and Guonan City might really have faced a big change.

As he mulled over the situation, his secretary walked in from outside with a hesitant look, causing Wang Guofa’s brows to furrow as he asked in a stern voice, “Zhi Yong, what’s with that look? What’s the matter?”

The secretary stepped forward and said, “Secretary, just now, I saw Secretary Shuangxi enter Mayor Jiang’s office. Also, about Wang Hui’s loan, the numbers are a bit off. Wang Hui didn’t take out a loan of three million. According to the news from the Agricultural Bank, Wang Hui and four others, five people in total, took out a loan of five million from the Agricultural Bank, averaging one million each.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Guofa stood up. It wasn’t the closeness of the deputy party secretary and Jiang Jingu that took him by surprise; after all, since Governor Nie’s intervention, it was normal for people’s attitudes within the city to change, because nobody held high hopes for him anymore.

What surprised Wang Guofa was the fact that Wang Hui had lied. The little bastard was probably exaggerating on purpose to gain sympathy from home and his own compassion.

Being played by his son enraged Wang Guofa; because of the issues caused by this little bastard, his own position was becoming unstable. Thinking of this, Wang Guofa commanded angrily, “Zhi Yong, go find that little bastard immediately and bring him to me.”

With the Party Committee secretary’s chief secretary taking action, it didn’t take long for Wang Hui to be brought to Wang Guofa’s office. At that moment, Wang Guofa closed the door, faced his son standing before him with towering rage, and slapped him across the face. A loud smack left Wang Hui completely dumbfounded.

With a face full of confusion, Wang Guofa then shouted, “You’ve grown bold, huh? Daring to deceive your own parents. Three million? Tell me honestly, how much did you really borrow? Do you know that because of this issue, I parted ways with Jiang Jingu on bad terms? Today, Governor Nie came down to inspect, and my face was completely lost, my authority swept away. Now, others in the city have already started to align themselves with Jiang Jingu. The fathers of those so-called good brothers of yours are also beginning to cozy up to Jiang Jingu. Aren’t you happy until you’ve killed me?”

This barrage left Wang Hui utterly baffled. Although Wang Hui was a scoundrel, he was not one to act recklessly; otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone to entertainment venues to look for women. At least he hadn’t committed acts such as bullying men and women. That was something Wang Hui had never done.

At that moment, his father’s words made Wang Hui feel like he had been set up, and he exclaimed angrily, “Those animals, I’m going to find them.”

“Find them, find what? Is it any use finding them? You listen to me, from now on, you need to keep your distance from these people. You don’t need to manage Jinjiang County’s affairs anymore. In a few days, you’ll go to the Public Security Bureau and work earnestly,” Wang Guofa scolded furiously. Indeed, sparing the rod spoils the child.

After sending his son away, Wang Guofa fell deep in thought. For the first time, he felt the strong assertiveness emanating from Governor Nie Zhenbang. At the very least, he realized that this was not someone he could afford to provoke. Even the power he relied on behind the scenes had to steer clear of Nie Zhenbang.

In the past, a squandered loan of three million was something he couldn’t afford. But now, a one million loan gave him some room for maneuver.

Thinking of this, Wang Guofa stood up, walked out the door and instructed his secretary, “Zhi Yong, I’m going out for a bit.”

There was a connecting corridor between the floors of the Party Committee office building and the Municipal Government office building. Soon, Wang Guofa arrived at the door of Jiang Jingu’s office. After hesitating for a moment, he knocked on the door and pushed open the slightly ajar door, smiling at the secretary and asking, “Secretary Zhang, is Mayor Jingui busy?”

Without waiting for the secretary to respond, the door to the inner room opened, and Jiang Jingu emerged with a smile, warmly greeting, “Secretary Wang has arrived, please come in.”

After receiving the cup of tea from Mayor Jingui, Wang Guofa was also brewing his own words in his heart. He paused for a moment before finally saying, “Mayor Jingui, my visit today is mainly to talk to you about the matter regarding Jinjiang County. I won’t beat around the bush. Mayor Jingui, I believe you are aware that the land there was poached. I won’t hide it from you; my son Wang Hui was involved. My main purpose here is to talk to you. I still have to learn from you regarding the education of our children. Additionally, regarding the land transfer pilot in Jinjiang County, I want to make my stance clear to Mayor Jingui. Whatever the price is, that’s what it will be. My son Wang Hui will not make a single penny of profit from this. Whatever the loss should be, it will be what it is. If there’s any excess, that benefit should still go to the original farmers. My only aim now is to hope that Mayor Jingui can carry out the pilot in Jinjiang County within a year. Because after a year, my son’s loan will be due. If we can’t complete it within this time frame, I truly can’t afford to lose this one million.”

Wang Guofa spoke with utter sincerity. He was straightforward, with no pretense or concealment. This attitude satisfied Jiang Jingu immensely. If Wang Guofa ended up losing everything, the resultant grievance would be substantial. If Wang Guofa got desperate, neither would reap any good. With this thought, Jiang Jingu nodded and said, “Secretary Wang, I promise you.” (