Reborn as a Noble's Son

At the moment, at the scene of the Eastern Sea Group’s 10th-anniversary celebration, Zhou Qingguo hung up the phone, his face not looking too good.

“Director Zhou, what’s going on? Is Mayor Nie angry?” Standing beside him, Wei Zhenmin, the executive deputy director, began to ask with a smile.

This situation was something Wei Zhenmin had already anticipated. In such a grand event, among the city’s Public Security Bureau leadership team, only one was at home, the others were all here at the Eastern Sea Group event. It would be strange if there wasn’t any outcry. However, Wei Zhenmin’s tone seemed very relaxed. He was keen to see how things would unfold, how could Nie Zhenbang, an executive deputy mayor, dare to confront the secretary and General Lin?

“It was a call from Old Xiao, Nie Zhenbang blew his top at the Public Security Bureau. He said that since the Eastern Sea Group is holding a celebration, and considering that central and provincial city leaders are attending, it is only right for the Bureau to send police to ensure safety. However, if I should personally step in for such a minor matter. This suggests the incompetency of the bureau’s team. Now, he wants me to go back straight away,” Zhou Qingguo said with helplessness.

Looking around at the members of the Public Security Bureau’s leadership team, he said in a somber voice, “Mayor Nie has spoken, it suffices to have one deputy director in charge here. The rest of you, return immediately or bear the consequences.”

This statement made everyone fall silent. Despite Nie Zhenbang being a new leader who had just taken office, he was, after all, a leader and certainly had his ways. Rumors about him were many in Wanghai City, such as his strong relationship with Governor Jia, and him being a close subordinate of Secretary Qiao, and so on. Although these rumors were hearsay, no one within the system dared to deny their authenticity. The mere fact that Organizational Minister Sun Yuzhou personally escorted him was enough to prove Mayor Nie’s extraordinary standing. At this time, Zhou Qingguo and the others dared not defy this order. Otherwise, they could lose their positions unexpectedly.

“Director Qingguo, what’s wrong? You look quite worried.” At this moment, a voice came over, Secretary of the Municipal Committee Shi Yiwu, walked over holding a glass of champagne.

Right now, Secretary of the Municipal Committee Shi Yiwu, Mayor Wang Yaguang, along with the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Political and Law Commission Liu Guotao, Chairman of Eastern Sea Group Lin Zhengxing, and a group of people were surrounding an elder aged around sixty-five or sixty-six, walking over.

At this moment, Zhou Qingguo was delighted in his heart. With all these top leaders present, including the Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Yan, Nie Zhenbang would be insignificant if he could gain the approval and recognition of these people.

Immediately, Zhou Qingguo lowered his voice and said, “Leaders, General Lin, Deputy Mayor Nie just called, asking me to report back, which has put me in a difficult position.”

As his words fell, Shi Yiwu spoke solemnly, “What’s Nie Zhenbang up to? He conducts inspection neither late nor early, instead choosing to do so at this time. He utterly disregards the overall situation. Eastern Sea Group is the star enterprise of our city, and General Lin is a representative of the National People’s Congress. This is the leading enterprise of our Wanghai City, the key support project of the city and province. The development of Eastern Sea Group is more important than anything else. What does he intend to achieve by doing this? Let him be! If an issue arises while all these senior leaders are here, who will be held responsible? Nie Zhenbang?”

Just after his words trailed off, Yan, the vice chairman, laughed and said, “Comrade Yiwu, don’t get too excited. Deputy Mayor Nie is also working. I’m just an old man, this isn’t an official trip. We don’t need to be too formal, we still have to do what’s necessary. We can’t neglect official duties for personal reasons.”

Once Vice Chairman Yan spoke, Shi Yiwu’s expression eased a bit. He looked at Zhou Qingguo and said, “Director Zhou, since the elder leader has spoken, go back and give your report. Be quick about it. At this time, the overall situation must be our top priority.”

But at this moment, Lin Zhengxing walked over, smiling, “Old Yan is right, the public security environment and work in Wanghai City has always been a model for the Minan Province, Director Zhou’s contribution is commendable. How about, on this occasion, we all take a trip to the city Public Security Bureau.”

Even though Lin Zhengxing seemed amiable on the surface, in truth, he was extremely angry. Nie Zhenbang was truly disrespectful. Not attending the ceremony was fine, the network formed by the Eastern Sea Group didn’t depend on the inclusion or exclusion of one person. But such a direct call to have people return was equivalent to a slap in his face.

He had indeed intended to say those words earlier, simply put, he wanted to show Nie Zhenbang his networking background and give him a warning.

Vice Chairman Yan was taken aback for a moment, then he burst into laughter, “Since General Lin proposes this, it wouldn’t hurt to go have a look.”

Upon hearing Vice Chairman Yan’s words, Zhou Qingguo nearly jumped up in joy. He looked excited, with Old Yan’s intervention, what could Nie Zhenbang possibly do, regardless of how powerful he was?

A line of people, in a grand procession, their convoy passing through the urban area of Wanghai City, marched straight into the building of the Public Security Bureau. Zhou Qingguo and the others hustled into the meeting room on the ninth floor of the bureau. At this moment, Nie Zhenbang was seated in the middle of the room.

Seeing Zhou Qingguo and his party enter, Nie Zhenbang scoffed coldly, saying, “Director Zhou, you must be busy with official duties.”

At this point, Nie Zhenbang had no idea that he had already fallen into a trap set by Lin Zhengxing. His words, however, upset Shi Yiwu, who followed behind. Senior leaders and the deputy secretary of the Provincial Political and Legal Committee were visiting Wanghai for a celebration. Even though their visit was private, security was still essential. He had asked Zhou Qingguo to take charge, what was this meant to be? Was Nie Zhenbang trying to challenge him?

Immediately afterward, Shi Yiwu entered the room as well, his face grave as he sternly retorted, “Deputy Mayor Nie, that’s some official aura you’ve got there. Deputy Chairman Yan and Secretary Yang of the Provincial Political and Legal Committee are visiting Wanghai. Comrade Qingguo, as the Director of the Public Security Bureau, naturally needs to ensure good security. There’s nothing wrong with that, is there?”

Shi Yiwu’s words prompted Nie Zhenbang to stand up. Following behind Shi Yiwu were Deputy Secretary and Mayor Wang Yaguang, Full-Time Secretary Zhang Zusi, and two individuals Zhenbang did not recognize. The elder in the middle seemed to be the Deputy Chairman Yan from the Political Consultative Conference.

Using their power to suppress him, huh? If third brother doesn’t show some power, they would truly treat him like a sick cat. Subsequently, Nie Zhenbang asserted gravely,

“Secretary Shi, you are the secretary of the Municipal Committee, the leader of our team. But Secretary Shi, please mind your words when you speak. You can address me as Comrade Zhenbang, or Deputy Mayor Nie. As for the security work, of course it has to be done. However, shouldn’t you think it overkill for a minor security task to require the whole party team of the City Public Security Bureau to organize it? Is this distrust of the work of the Wanghai City Public Security Bureau, or is it that the work of the Bureau is actually not up to par? If it is the latter, I think Director Zhou should find an able cadre to take over his position.”

Shi Yiwu felt rather helpless. Nie Zhenbang’s words were fair and just. Referring to Nie as ‘Little Deputy Mayor Nie’ indeed carried a slight derogatory tone. Regardless of age, using ‘Little Nie’ in private is acceptable. Although he held deputy-provincial level rank, Nie Zhenbang held main hall level rank. Both of them were part of the Standing Committee. Shi Yiwu’s address was indeed problematic. What’s more, his remarks about the Public Security Bureau left Shi Yiwu indubitably cornered.

“How presumptuous! Nie Zhenbang, do you have any respect left for your superiors, for organizational discipline? Is this how an Executive Deputy Mayor should talk? Secretary Shi is the secretary of the Municipal Committee, and he is older than you, so there is nothing wrong with his addressing you as ‘Little Mayor Nie.’ When a superior returns to his hometown for an inspection, of course Wanghai City should provide thorough security. Are you saying… you’re not welcoming the superior?” From the side, the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Political and Legal Committee, Yang Jinke, couldn’t hold back any longer and began reprimanding him.

“And who might you be?” Nie Zhenbang retorted rudely. Nie Zhenbang was always a man who showed respect when he received it. Yang Jinke’s words, however, managed to infuriate him.

Turning to Deputy Chairman Yan beside him, Nie Zhenbang asserted, “Within the Party, there are no notions of age or size, everyone uniformly refers to each other as comrades. This is the glorious tradition of our Party. So, because Secretary Shi is older, I should respect him. That’s natural. But him continually addressing me as ‘Little Nie’, is this how you show respect to a comrade?”

His words made Shi Yiwu’s face turn ashen. Yet, he couldn’t find any argument against Nie Zhenbang’s retort, his words held a kernel of truth. His prior references did indeed contain tones of belittlement and contempt.

Nie Zhenbang continued in a serious tone, “The leader returns to his hometown to guide the work. Naturally, we must ensure security. However, the Municipal Committee and Municipal Government have not received any notice from the Office of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. Since the leader is returning to his hometown in his personal capacity, naturally he does not want big publicity and interference with the normal working order of the city. Given that the public security environment in Wanghai City has been advanced year after year. Do we still need to be so cautious?”

His words took everyone present aback. For his audacity was too great, too great, to the extent that he was disregarding even Deputy Chairman Yan. People wondered what gave Nie Zhenbang such audacity to be so brazen.

Deputy Chairman Yan’s face also darkened. The implications in Nie Zhenbang’s words carried a hint of ridicule towards him. A dignified leader of the nation, so eager to attend a banquet of a businessman in Wanghai, made it appear as if he was currying favor.

In fact, Deputy Chairman Yan had admiration for talents, and he himself led an honest and modest life.

As for Nie Zhenbang, Deputy Chairman Yan had a certain understanding of him. He was the grandson of Elder Nie, the son of Nie Guowei, the son-in-law of Elder Yang and Yang Shengli, the Secretary of the Jingcheng Municipal Committee—with an illustrious lineage and deep-seated family background.

However, he himself had his own position, his own status in Jingcheng. Even Secretary-General Yuan was respectful in his presence. The reason was simple: he was a card partner of Elder Nan and had a good relationship with him. To put it bluntly, Nie Zhenbang was striking him in the face.

Following that, Deputy Chairman Yan responded with a smile, “It’s normal for a young comrade to be a bit hot-headed. However, when speaking and doing things, one should still understand the order of seniority.” (