Reborn as a Noble s Son

Chapter 618: Chapter 574 Tian Xujian Doesn’t Give Face (Additional Chapter for 1450 Monthly Tickets)_1
 

The auditorium of the Wanghai Municipal Party Committee was packed. The head of the Provincial Committee’s Organization Department, Sun Yuzhou, along with the Standing Committee of the Wanghai Municipal Party Committee, joined the newly appointed leaders, all seated onstage.

Above the stage, a banner for the Wanghai leadership meeting hung prominently. The venue was solemnly quiet, signifying the great importance of the event for Wanghai.

Following the Yuhai scandal, the leadership in Wanghai has been cut down repeatedly, like chives in a vegetable field. The city’s cadres have become somewhat numb to it all.

However, clear-sighted individuals could see that the political changes in Wanghai were linked to the central government’s recent changeover. National media reports confirmed this. Now that the dust has settled following the central government’s transition, the shake-ups within Wanghai’s system are expected to quiet down. Therefore, many shrewd department leaders were straight-faced and serious; those with support were naturally hoping for a good impression with the big boss, while those without support were hoping for recognition from the new leadership.

Transferred in officials needed people to make real changes, illustrated by those who sided with Mayor Nie, reaping numerous benefits. Isn’t this hard proof?

The city committee secretary, Yi Chang, was somewhat discontent. The reshuffling in Wanghai was too fast. Before he could get comfortable in his position, new leaders stepped in. Undoubtedly, Yi Chang was in an awkward situation.

As the host, Yi Chang controlled the pace and atmosphere of the meeting. After his opening remarks, he announced loudly, “Next, please welcome the Provincial Committee member and head of the Organization Department to announce the new appointments and promotions.”

Sun Yuzhou cleared his throat slightly, picked up the microphone in front of him, moved it around, and tapped it gently before saying, “On behalf of the Central Organization Department, and after careful consideration by the Provincial Committee, we have made the following decisions: We have appointed Comrade Tian Xujian to serve as a member, Standing Committee member, and Secretary of the Wanghai Municipal Committee. We hope that the team at the Wanghai Municipal Committee will closely unite around Tian Xujian and make greater achievements and contributions for the economic construction and development of Wanghai.”

The reason why Tian Xujian delayed taking office until this day, and had Sun Yuzhou, a Minister of the Provincial Committee organization, announce his appointment, was all for this singular announcement.

Don’t underestimate the power of these words. Among the many officials in the city, especially for a sub-ministerial city like Wanghai, which has more staff than other similar cities, not every official has insider information or knows about what happens at the provincial committee level. These mainstream words, although usual, can greatly influence the thoughts of some officials, and is beneficial for Tian Xujian to carry out his work.

Sun Yuzhou continued his job of announcing staff changes, as he looked around at everyone present. “Appoint Comrade Li Chaoyang as member, Standing Committee member, and deputy secretary of the Wanghai Municipal Party Committee, appoint Comrade Wang Jianhua as member and Standing Committee member of the Wanghai Municipal Party Committee, and nominate Comrade Wang Jianhua as the candidate for Executive Deputy Mayor of Wanghai Municipality.”

After announcing the staff appointments and dismissals, Sun Yuzhou looked around at all the officials of Wanghai, and sternly said, “The new team in Wanghai has been carefully considered by the provincial committee and the central government. I hope that all officials in the city will guard against arrogance and rashness, work steadfastly and build new achievements for the economy of Wanghai.”

As Sun Yuzhou finished speaking, the city committee secretary, Yi Chang, said, “Next, please welcome the municipal party committee secretary, Comrade Tian Xujian, to give a speech.”

The inauguration speech of a new official is a customary practice within the system. From this speech, one can comprehensively understand the quality and level of an official. Whether it’s an improvised speech off the cuff, or if it’s just reading from the script. Is it aggressive or conservative? Is it pragmatic or just window dressing? These can all be discerned from the speech.

As Yi Chang finished speaking, Tian Xujian stood up with a smile. He bowed deeply, show or not, at least in this occasion, his performance won a round of applause.

Then, Tian Xujian sat down, smiling and said, “Respected Minister Sun Yuzhou, and my comrades, when I first learned of my appointment in Wanghai, my initial reaction was fear. Wanghai is one of the fifteen provinces and municipalities in our country. It is a centrally administered city on the economic planning list. It is a special reform and opening up zone, as well as a bridgehead. Wanghai’s economic construction is at the forefront of our country. My worry was whether I, Tian Xujian, was capable enough. However, since the central government chose me, it means that the central government trusts and approves of me. I, Tian Xujian, will uphold the organization’s trust in me and will meet the expectations of the two million people of Wanghai…”

As Tian Xujian spoke, Nie Zhenbang’s face remained unchanged. Tian Xujian was indeed not an ordinary person. At least at this moment, his performance was enough to prove that he will be an incredibly challenging opponent in future.

Next, Li Chaoyang and Wang Jianhua delivered their inauguration speeches. Afterward, the city committee secretary, Yi Chang, announced the end of the meeting. The group then headed to the Wanghai City Hotel.

The three public regulations of Wanghai are famous throughout the province for their strict and thorough implementation measures. The outstanding results obtained from their execution over the past few months have also gained the attention of the Minan Provincial Committee and the Provincial Government.

In the banquet hall at Wanghai City Hotel, a total of six tables were set up, with the Standing Committee of Wanghai Municipal Party Committee, some former leaders of the Party Committee, major leaders of the Municipal People’s Congress, the Municipal Political Consultative Conference, along with Sun Yuzhou’s entourage, and assistants of various leaders.

The dishes on the table were also strictly prepared according to the Three Public Expenditures regulation. Each table had five bottles of white wine, all in accordance with the standard system.

Looking at the dishes, Sun Yuzhou was chuckling at the moment, “I have heard that WangHai City has a Three Public Expenditures regulation. It is said to limit everyone’s dining benefits, damaging their health. I think it’s all slander. Mayor Zhenbang, did you raise the standards for these dishes?”

Sun Yuzhou’s words made all the committee members in WangHai City laugh knowingly. At that moment, Nie Zhenbang also smiled and said, “Minister Sun, please rest assured. In the implementation of the Three Public Expenditures regulation, the Standing Committee of Wanghai Municipal Party Committee strictly follows the standards. We don’t deliberately raise them.”

After hearing this, Sun Yuzhou laughed again, “That’s good, that’s good. We need this kind of courage and broad-mindedness. We need this kind of strict attitude.”

Then, Sun Yuzhou looked around at everyone and sighed, “Comrades, our party has always had good policies, but it lacks a strict attitude and persistence in implementing these policies. Wanghai city’s attitude is commendable and worth learning and carrying forward by all provincial cadres. I have attended banquets in the whole province, big and small, but I think today’s banquet is the most comfortable and secure one I’ve had.”

The attendees took their seats according to their respective job grades. In the private room, a table was arranged. Sun Yuzhou sat at the main seat in the middle, Tian Xujian on the left, and Nie Zhenbang on the right, with the other leading members of the Party Committee lined up accordingly.

The wine for the banquet hosted by the Wanghai City Party Committee and City Government was ordinary Maotai welcome-wine, eighty yuan a bottle, which was considered low-grade wine for government receptions.

After everyone had been seated, the waitstaff poured a glass of wine for each of the present leaders. Sun Yuzhou then raised his glass and smiled, “To celebrate the new responsibilities of Comrades Xujian, Chaoyang, and Jianhua, let’s all raise a toast to the three of them.”

After the toast, Nie Zhenbang poured himself a glass of wine and stood up, “Minister Sun, I toast to you and thank the Provincial Committee for its support of our work in Wanghai City. I’ll drink up, you may do as you like.”

Nie Zhenbang’s tolerance for alcohol was not something to brag about, it’s just that he seldom drank. Although he said it in a casual manner, Sun Yuzhou would not take it lightly. In terms of job grade, both Nie Zhenbang and he were vice-ministerial cadres; the difference was in that he held the title of a standing committee member of the Provincial Party Committee. But considering Nie Zhenbang’s background and his weight in Secretary Qiao’s mind, Sun Yuzhou would not dare to neglect it and smiled as he raised his glass, “Mayor Zhenbang, let’s drink together.”

Nie Zhenbang then once again raised his wine glass, directing it towards Wang Jianhua, “Mayor Wang, from now on, we will be working on the same floor. I toast to you.”

At that moment, Wang Jianhua seemed somewhat flattered and nervous, stood up and smilingly said, “Mayor, you’re too polite. I toast to you.”

After Nie Zhenbang and Li Chaoyang finished another glass, Nie Zhenbang again poured himself a glass. Today, everyone was using two-ounce glasses. However, Nie Zhenbang had already downed a total of eight ounces of white wine at a quick pace, which impressed the other officials.

Then, looking at Tian Xujian, Nie Zhenbang smiled and said, “Secretary Xujian, I toast to you.”

Unexpectedly, Tian Xujian just shifted in his seat, didn’t stand up, and tersely said, “Mayor Nie, I’m sorry. I can’t hold my liquor. I won’t toast with you. I’ll just sip it.”

Right after he finished speaking, all the officials present turned stunned. No one expected that Tian Xujian would directly refuse to give face to Mayor Nie. Even the expression on Sun Yuzhou’s face darkened.

Nie Zhenbang, however, seemed very indifferent. He chuckled, “Secretary Xujian, do as you wish. I’m not one to force people.”

Nie Zhenbang paid no mind to Tian Xujian’s display at that moment. The more Tian Xujian acted like this, the less of a threat he was. What he feared was Tian Xujian not showing his feelings. That would be the toughest to deal with. This display, on the contrary, made Nie Zhenbang feel assured. (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation.)