Reborn as a Noble's Son

Chapter 348: Chapter 339 Mayor Nie Slams the Table_1
During the conversation, Fan Changsheng changed the topic and said, “The issue with the Elderly Activity Center is a historical problem. Although the city’s finances seem good, the larger the stake, the more expenses there are. I think we should not discuss this issue today.”

Upon hearing Fan Changsheng’s words, a smile appeared at the corner of Nie Zhenbang’s mouth. The more Fan Changsheng acted this way, the more it proved that his own thinking was correct. Under the table, no one seemed to be managing or questioning the issue of the Elderly Activity Center. But once it was brought to the table, none of these former officials wanted to offend them.

Immediately afterwards, Nie Zhenbang laughingly said, “Secretary Fan, your words don’t seem quite appropriate. The Elderly Activity Center’s affairs are also of major concern to the city. Retired, old leaders and officials are also a wealth to our Liangxi City. I think, fully considering and taking care of the old comrades’ later life is what we current leaders must do.”

After a pause, Nie Zhenbang’s gaze swept over the crowd and he continued, “Comrades, what is meant by ‘caring for the youth of others as for our own youth, caring for the elderly of others as for our own elders.’ We all, including myself, will have that day when we grow old and retire. At that time, putting ourselves in their shoes, treating others as we would have them treat us, I don’t think anyone would want the then leaders to ignore us.”

After a pause, Nie Zhenbang continued, “Colleagues, you can flip through this document. According to the detailed budget, the total investment for the entire Elderly Activity Center, including the purchase of five Santana cars from Volkswagen Company and the construction of a new Elderly Activity Center, is only about 1.02 million. This isn’t a big deal for our Liangxi City’s finances. However, it is a big deal for the old officials of the Elderly Activity Center. My opinion is, this matter should still be discussed in the executive committee meeting.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Zhuozhen, the deputy secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, also spoke up, “Secretary Fan, I agree with Mayor Nie’s views. The matter of the Elderly Activity Center is indeed not a big deal. I think it can be discussed in the executive committee meeting to completely resolve the worries of the old comrades.”

Zhu Zhuozhen, after all, had served as the secretary to He Dingbang for a year. Although it wasn’t very long, there were still some feelings involved. In the past, Zhu Zhuozhen didn’t understand these things under the suppression of Fan Changsheng in the executive committee meetings and never went to the Elderly Activity Center for research. Now that Nie Zhenbang mentioned this matter, Zhu Zhuozhen naturally agreed.

“Caring for the elderly is a priority of the central leadership, I agree with Mayor Nie and Deputy Secretary Zhu’s views.” Lei Dingguo also slowly spoke up.

At this point, Fan Changsheng knew that this topic had basically been decided. In the Secretariat Meeting, out of five people, three were in agreement, making up the majority.

The Secretariat Meeting, unlike the Executive Committee Meeting, as the Municipal Party Secretary, can, in a case of a compelling situation, utilize the ultimate power of the Municipal Party Secretary and finally veto. However, the routine Secretariat Meeting is just a preparatory meeting for the Executive Committee Meeting, and Fan Changsheng had no choice but to accept it unwillingly.

Moreover, even if he could exercise a veto. Fan Changsheng had to be careful. If a Municipal Party Secretary vetoed everything, on the one hand, Fan Changsheng’s own prestige would be gone. A prestigious Municipal Party Secretary, reduced to having to use this power for everything, would only show ineptitude. There would be no prestige to speak of. On the other hand, how would the superiors view this, and would they approve? These are the restrictions on the Municipal Party Secretary’s right to veto.

Subsequently, Fan Changsheng also nodded and said, “If that’s the case, since Mayor Nie is so persistent, and Comrades Zhuozhen and Dingguo also agree, let’s settle it. We’ll discuss it further at the next Executive Committee Meeting.”

…

On January 20, 1997, which is the twelfth day of the twelfth month of the lunar calendar and also the Great Cold solar term on Monday.

This day was the routine conference of the Liangxi City Party Standing Committee, which was held twice a month, on the second Monday of the first half of the month and the fourth Monday.

Inside the small meeting room of the Liangxi City Party Committee.

In the rectangular conference room, many Standing Committee members had already taken their seats on the oval conference table and the leather chairs.

In the conference room, the heating was on, making the temperature inside warm as spring. A few chain smokers were puffing away, the exhaust fan working non-stop.

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang was sitting in his seat. Nie Zhenbang arrived very early. For his first Executive Committee Meeting, Nie Zhenbang didn’t come just in time to show his status and identity. In Nie Zhenbang’s view, respect is not displayed in this way, but is truly from the heart.

Almost on cue, the conference room doors opened, and Fan Changsheng and Li Guohua walked in one after the other.

At that moment, Li Guohua’s gaze swept across the room, momentarily locking with Nie Zhenbang’s.

The meeting officially commenced. Of the two previous topics, one involved the restart of operations at Liangxi Airport. Naturally, it was unanimously approved.

Being primarily a military airport, Liangxi Airport had briefly opened up for civil aviation due to cooperation between Liangxi City Government and military authorities. Restarting it would provide a substantial boost to Liangxi City’s economic growth, hence the lack of opposition. However, restarting civil aviation services still required communication and agreement with Jiangzhou Military District.

The second topic, concerning the party committee and government of Liangxi City prioritizing the Organization Department’s recruit selection, was also unanimously approved. This served as a mere sign of attention – the actual work would still be handled by the Organization Department of the City Committee of Liangxi City.

Satisfied, Fan Changsheng nodded slightly. The unanimous agreement indicated that he was still firmly in control of the standing committee meeting.

As the secretary general, the standing committee formed the most essential part of his responsibility. If he could control the standing committee, that implied control over the entire city – a fact Fan Changsheng fully comprehended.

Then, clearing his throat, Fan Changsheng calmly said, “Comrades, onto our final topic. In our prior meeting, Mayor Nie suggested that we add five Santana vehicles and build a new Elderly Activity Center for our retired comrades. I welcome any opinions or views.”

Fan Changsheng’s statement was tactfully worded. On the surface, it appeared as if he was retelling the discussion, yet exaggerating Nie Zhenbang’s role in proposing it, stirring the other standing committee members to rethink their positions. Despite having six votes for the proposition (including both Fan Changsheng and Li Guohua), he readily seemed ready to reject it, should even one member oppose it.

True to Li Guohua’s prior statement, the proposal held more symbolic than actual benefits. If Nie Zhenbang’s proposal succeeded, it could increase his popularity and rally numerous local officials. This was not good news for Li Guohua and others. Long term-wise, though facing criticism from fellow veteran comrades, the situation could still be remedied later.

“Let me add a few points,” Li Guohua slowly began as Fan Changsheng’s voice faded.

This remark immediately filled Nie Zhenbang with a sense of foreboding. Just as he suspected, Li Guohua added, “Secretary Fan, esteemed leaders, it is understandable that Mayor Nie, being new to our city, is unfamiliar with the situation here. Speaking from my experience serving as the executive deputy mayor and holding the full responsibility of city government after Mayor Jia Cheng’s transfer, it is truly said that ‘One cannot appreciate the cost of living without being a householder.’”

Li Guohua’s words pointed towards the same implication – Nie Zhenbang, as a newcomer, was hastily making decisions.

“My comrades, upon first glance, Liangxi City appears to be the province’s top economic performer. However, this means that our expenses simultaneously increase. The reinitiation of Liangxi Airport will inevitably lead to an estimated investment of over 300 million this year. Besides, there are other matters, such as the renovation of old Liangxi city, living support for struggling workers, and the burdensome Liangxi City Textile Factory. So, in reality, our city’s finances are extremely strained. We should give careful consideration to this sum of money,” Li Guohua concluded, his words indirectly yet clearly implying the city’s lack of funds, despite the topic of retired officials not being raised.

With Li Guohua leading the discussion, the situation built momentum against the proposal. Li Xiaoqin, standing committee member and Minister of the Propaganda Department, echoed, “I agree with Mayor Li’s points. Our city’s finances have always been tight. It has taken a long-term loan of over 500 million for the city government’s shining facade to remain intact. Personally, I believe that while the proposal is good, we should delay it.”

The rest followed suit. Once someone took the lead, others followed – a well-known social phenomenon: “Don’t stick your head out.” Following Li Xiaoqin, Organization Department Director, Huang Junshan, and Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee, Hu Youquan, voiced their opinions. Their views mirrored the previous sentiment – the city’s tight financial situation required more time to sort out this issue.

This was the strategy established by Li Guohua and Fan Changsheng – to veto the proposal in the standing committee meeting, but to fulfill Nie’s suggestion for the Elderly Administration as soon as possible to appease the anger of the veteran comrades. However, this proposal could not pass at today’s standing committee meeting.

Suddenly, there was a bang in the meeting room, drawing everyone’s attention to Nie Zhenbang. Mayor Nie had just banged his fist on the table. (