Reborn as a Noble's Son

After so many years within the system, now, Nie Zhenbang is no longer the clueless rookie he was when he first entered the central leadership. Politics is about balance and compromise.

This case, up to this point, is already clearly defined, with the facts and main subjects apparent. It is a typical case of official-business collusion and corruption. The entire leading group of Xiaxiang County is fundamentally rotten, albeit to varying degrees. Even in Qianzhou City, several deputy bureau-level officials, including the mayor of Qianzhou People’s Government, Han Ziqi, have fallen from grace. This is clear evidence.

However, afterwards, the investigation and progress of the case came to a sudden halt. As if there was no such case at all, even Zeng Youjie fell into silence. This is a big problem.

After that, with the personnel changes in Jiangbei Province and receiving the news that his uncle Huang Yuesheng was transferred to Jiangbei Province, Nie Zhenbang knew that the superiors had made a compromise on this case.

Indeed, immediately after this appointment was officially announced, Zeng Youjie quickly arranged things on his end. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection investigation team closed the case and returned to Jingcheng. The follow-up matters were handed over to the Jiangbei Province Disciplinary Committee for further processing. Nie Zhenbang had no means to oppose this arrangement at this moment. He had no choice but to accept it. After all, he was not the one in power. If he insisted on using Nie’s power to investigate, it would instead become an excuse for the Li faction to attack him. With his relationship with Xiong Changgui, who could guarantee that Nie Zhenbang would not bear personal grudges in the case.

Less than half a month after Nie Zhenbang returned to Jingcheng, news came from Jiangbei Province that Ding Haitao, the chairman of Tianhai Group, was involved in the Xiaxiang case, suspected of bribing local officials in Xiaxiang County. Using his power, he cut corners. Given that he took responsibility after the incident and paid compensation, his attitude towards admitting his guilt was relatively good. He was sentenced to thirteen years in prison.

This verdict was simply a formality. Although Ding Guohong had completely stepped down, his connections in the official circles of Jiangbei Province were still there. Although Ding Haitao was in prison, the embryo of the Tianhai Group was still there. With a little effort, Ding Haitao would come out in a few years by taking the measure of medical parole.

After returning to Jingcheng, Nie Zhenbang’s days became quiet again. This case had a profound impact on Nie Zhenbang. There were too many instances of reality’s helplessness and his own limited power. Subtle changes were the only possible way to affect any real change. If he wanted to take things further, he would have to climb to a higher position. He might even have to reach the top.

A month after the Xiaxiang case, the central government published a speech by Secretary-General President Yuan at the Central Discipline Inspection Work Conference. The speech emphasized the issue of preventing officials from corrupting in the current economic environment.

Major national media such as “Hope Daily”, Huaxia News Agency, and Huaxia, published articles signed by commentators, endorsing and praising the central government’s decision. In particular, the commentary in the “Hope Daily” highly praised the issuing of this speech, expressing expectation for the anti-corruption storm that was about to rise in the Huaxia officialdom. This would be a policy benefiting the general populace.

Two months later, the State Council officially issued the Interim Regulations and Standards on Huaxia’s official reception system. Upon its promulgation, the regulations once again caused a huge sensation across the country. They provided clear rules on the standards and systems for leadership travel and set explicit limits on official receptions.

Even foreign media published articles, proclaiming this as the most determined step on Huaxia’s anti-corruption road.

Nie Zhenbang was paying attention to these developments. As far as his memory could recall, Huaxia didn’t issue such regulations and policies in his previous life. It seemed that the course of history had already begun to change slightly.

However, Nie Zhenbang wasn’t worried about this. Whether it was in his previous life or this one, it was his first run in political life. It wouldn’t significantly affect him if things were to change.

Besides, Nie Zhenbang had no time to worry about these things as he was about to get married. At the beginning of ’95, he was transferred from the Xibei Autonomous Region to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. During these two years, Nie Zhenbang had encountered many officials during his disciplinary inspection work. It was already the end of ’96, and it would be ’97 after the New Year. He was now 27 years old. After several years of delay, Anna was now 24. It was time for them to get married. The date was already set, on New Year’s Day of ’97.

December 28th, ’96.

All members of the Nie family had gradually returned from outside. The Nie household was once again filled with lights and colourful decorations, presenting a lively scene.

The Nie family patriarch’s health was deteriorating sharply. He could not attend even such an important matter, I’m afraid the old man would only appear on the wedding day.

At this moment, in the main guest hall of the Nie house. The second generation of the Nie family, Nie Guodong, Nie Guowei, Nie Guoping, and Nie Guorong had all arrived.

As the protagonists of this occasion, Nie Guowei and his wife naturally became the focus of the family.

Huang Yuerong’s attitude has changed quite a bit now; she has seen clearly the matters within the Nie faction. Among the second generation, although her husband remains the primary figure, no one from the second generation of the Nie family could enter the Politburo, which is undoubtedly a loss for the Nie family. On the Yang side, Yang Shengli has already successfully entered the Politburo.

At present, it was only because the old man was still around that others didn’t dare to take liberties with the Nie family. However, once the old man was gone, the prestige of the Nie family would be lost, and things would probably not be so easy anymore.

Among the third generation, the one with the most potential was still Nie Zhenbang. In spite of his humble youth, Huang Yuerong was aware that Nie Zhenbang had a promising future, and she knew what to do.

Looking at Ye Shuxian next to her, Huang Yuerong felt a bit envious. Then she laughed and said: “Shuxian, this time, Zhenbang has married a good wife. An Na, we’ve all watched her grow up. Her looks and character are impeccable. After Zhenbang’s wedding, you can wait to become a grandmother. As for Ziyu, do you have any suitable person in mind? My brother’s son, Huang Chengbo is not bad. He’s just 28 this year, and he’s already a division-level cadre…”

Huang Yuerong’s words made Nie Guorong, who was sitting next to her, sneer a little. Her sister-in-law was truly boasting about her own side. Huang Yuesheng’s son, Huang Chengbo, was decent in character and appearance, but his abilities were questionable. Everyone in the family knew how Nie Zhenbang treated Nie Ziyu. Whoever becomes Nie Zhenbang’s brother-in-law is likely to receive his care, which is indeed a good opportunity. But it’s laughable to think that Nie Zhenbang was a deputy department-level cadre at 27, and has held that position for three years, whereas Huang Chengbo, at 28, is just a division-level cadre. What’s there to be proud of?

However, her own husband, Xiao Zhenchang, was appointed as the deputy chief of staff of the Xibei Military Region last year, and his military rank was at least promoted to a lieutenant general. It was a kind of progress, and it was not a problem for him to retire as a general. On this account, Nie Guorong didn’t introduce anyone, but she said: “Sis-in-law, do you still not know Ziyu? Years ago, our old man said that Ziyu can make her own decision regarding her marriage. As long as it’s not a foreigner, even if it’s a commoner, the old man will approve. From what I see, Shuxian, you can’t control Ziyu.”

Ye Shuxian also paused for a moment. Huang Yuerong proposed a marriage for Ziyu on the spot, and she really wasn’t sure what to say. To refuse would give the impression of looking down on the other party, especially since the introduced party was from the Huang family. However, with Nie Guorong’s diversion, Ye Shuxian found an excuse, smiling and saying, “Sis-in-law, Guorong is right. Not only her grandfather, but Zhenbang also holds the same attitude. Ziyu will decide on her own about her marriage. You all know Zhenbang’s character, and even the old man has difficulty changing anything he’s decided on. He, of all people, certainly doesn’t lack money. So, Ziyu will have no problem leading a decent life.”

At the side, Nie Guoping smiled and said, “All of you, worry about unimportant matters while eating heartily. It’s beyond a mother’s control when her child grows up. It’s better for them to handle their own matters. Now, let’s prepare for Zhenbang’s wedding. Both the old man and the Yang family hope for a low-key event; no feasts, no guest invitations. I think we have a lot to do.”

At this moment, Ye Shuxian was somewhat pleased. Nie Zhenbang’s performance left no room for criticism. Although he was not her biological son, over the past eleven years, their affection had grown deeper and deeper. Now, Ye Shuxian could say that, although he was not her biological son, he was indeed better than a biological son. Not only towards her but also towards her brothers and nephews, Nie Zhenbang was very considerate. All this was clear to Ye Shuxian.

Then, Ye Shuxian also laughed and said, “Sis, you don’t have to worry about the wedding. Zhenbang himself said that although he wants it to be low-profile, he still wants to give An Na a unique wedding. He said it’s called ‘low-key luxuriousness’.”

Women had their own circles, and so did men. On the side, in the study, the heating was turned up high, and the room was filled with smoke. Nie Guodong, Nie Guowei, Xiao Zhenchang, and Deng Xianping were all sitting in the study.

“Brother, the military has been moving frequently lately. Here in the Northwest, all the troops have entered the first level of combat readiness. The Guangzhou military region is even on high alert. Among the four of us, three are active-duty military personnel, although one is in a technical civilian position. Still, the primary topic is the military; after all, the Nie family is a traditional military family at heart.”

Nie Guodong waved his hand, seeming very relaxed, and smiled, “Zhenchang, don’t make random speculations. This sort of thing is normal for ordinary people to guess about, but you’re a high-ranking military officer. Isn’t it laughable that you’re speculating like this?”

Nie Guodong was a bit helpless. Xiao Zhenchang’s ability was really lacking; his perspective was too small. As a high-ranking general, he shouldn’t be speaking such words. If word got out, it would turn into a joke. The military movements were partly due to President Yuan’s overall planning and also as a response to the current situation. With last year’s strait crisis and this year being a return year, some reaction was normal.

Luckily, he had a good son-in-law and father-in-law. Without the support of the Yang and Nie families, Xiao Zhenchang would only have had the ability to be a regiment-level cadre in his life.

While all the elders of Nie family were gathered in the Nie mansion, Nie Zhenbang and the younger generation were gathered at the Dynasty.

As the wedding was imminent, he finally had to take this step. Nie Zhenbang was also feeling a bit excited. The entanglement between him and An Na, in Nie Zhenbang’s perspective, lasted more than thirty years combined in his past and present life. Was he finally going to have a happy ending? (.)

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