Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 684 - 640: The Person in Charge_1

Chapter 684: Chapter 640: The Person in Charge_1

The statement from Nie Zhenbang was intense and filled with aggressive determination. Tian Xujian felt as if he had been taken back to the times when Nie Zhenbang was spearheading the reform of Qingfang City in Jiangbei Liangxi City. Wasn’t Nie Zhenbang characterized by this strong conviction and fierce attitude during those times?

Back then, in Liangxi City, he had a difficult time understanding and accepting Nie Zhenbang’s way of handling matters. But there had been changes since then. Now, in Wanghai City, when Nie Zhenbang displayed that same determined attitude, he found his own perspective towards Nie Zhenbang had fundamentally changed.

After a moment of thought, Tian Xujian nodded and said, “I think it’s an excellent idea. In order to make our colleagues below us take the matter seriously, it is necessary to summon responsible comrades from these departments for a special meeting.”

After a pause, Tian Xujian added, “If necessary, we can join the meeting together. I believe that if we both emphasize the importance of this, the effect might be even better.”

Tian Xujian’s words somehow seemed overreaching. If not for their previous deep conversation, Nie Zhenbang would have definitely misunderstood Tian Xujian’s intentions as trying to steal the limelight and take credit for the initiative.

However, after their recent exchange, Nie Zhenbang had no more concerns on that front. He perceived sincerity in Tian Xujian’s words. Realizing this, Nie Zhenbang replied with a smile, “Old Tian, if both of us join forces on this, our domineering presence will definitely have a more impactful deterrent effect on those below us.”

...

…

In the city committee conference room.

The higher-ups from the Wanghai City Public Security Bureau, Urban Management Law Enforcement Bureau, Industry and Commerce Bureau, Health Bureau, Local Tax Bureau, State Tax Bureau, Construction Bureau, Labor Bureau, and Fire Brigade had all gathered together.

The sudden meeting summoned by the municipal government and municipal committee left everyone, the chief officers of these departments, somewhat surprised.

At this moment, Guo Renchang, the head of the Construction Bureau, whispered to Xiao Shanming, the director of the Public Security Bureau, “Director Xiao, what do you think is going on?”

Among the various municipal committee leaders, Xiao Shanming held the most peculiar position. In the city, it was well-known that Xiao Shanming, among all the municipal committee directors, had the greatest power and highest rank. But according to traditional practice, the Public Security Bureau’s director is usually higher-ranking.

Xiao Shanming was the only municipal-level cadre among the leaders present. And it was clear to everyone that he had been Nie Zhenbang’s one of the first allies during the Eastern Sea Group era. He was regarded as Nie Zhenbang’s trusted confidant and was privy to lots of inside information.

However, right now, Xiao Shanming could only reply with a smile, “Guo, I’m not sure either. I don’t have any more details about this situation than any of you. I only got the notification about this meeting this morning like everyone else.”

As Xiao Shanming finished speaking, the meeting room doors opened, and Tian Xujian, the Municipal Party Secretary, and Nie Zhenbang, the Mayor, walked in together.

This sight was not uncommon to the cadres of Wanghai City. Since Nie Zhenbang’s return from Jingcheng, the relationship between the Secretary and the Mayor had greatly improved. Their relationship became more cordial and harmonious, especially after Mayor Nie’s trip to America and subsequent interview with “Time Weekly.”

However, this change left many cadres in Wanghai City feeling deflated. For people like Zhao Fei and Jiang Li, members of the city’s standing committee, who hoped to profit from the conflict and contradictions, this was not good news.

But for most cadres, this was a positive change. It made things easier for them.

Among them, the happiest one was probably the Municipal Party Committee Secretary, Yi Chang. Yi Chang was affiliated with the former city party chief, Li Taishi. After Tian Xujian took office, Yi Chang had faced many difficulties due to his close relationship with Nie Zhenbang. As the saying goes, it’s risky to sleep next to a rival. Naturally, Tian Xujian harbored strong dissatisfaction towards Yi Chang. But now that the relationship between the two sides had improved, Yi Chang no longer had to play both sides, and Tian Xujian no longer had to worry about Yi Chang tripping him up. Hence, the life of the secretary general had become much easier.

Once everyone had settled down, Nie Zhenbang started the meeting with a serious tone, “Comrades, I have called you all here today because there is an issue that needs to be addressed. Last night, I witnessed a highly discordant scene at the Wal-Mart department store.”

With that, his tone became stern: “After work, the majority of the tax bureau personnel in Wanghu District, led by a certain Captain Fu, worked overtime at the Wal-Mart department store for official duties. It seems that this spirit is worth praising.”

Nie Zhenbang’s words rendered the entire room silent. Everyone could tell that this was nothing more than a sarcastic remark from Nie Zhenbang.

At the moment, Yao HeKun, the director of the tax bureau in Wanghai City, was feeling tense. Having just celebrated the New Year, it was still cold. He wasn’t sure if it was because the temperature in the meeting room was set too high. Now, he was sweating profusely.

Regarding the subordinate setup of the tax bureau, Mayor Nie might not be too familiar. The tax bureau in Wanghai City, unlike other units, uses a subordinate bureau management system. Wanghu District belongs to the first subdivision of the tax bureau.

Captain Fu? This person, Yao HeKun also had some impression, should be the captain of the tax inspection team of the first subdivision.

Upon thinking of this, Yao HeKun stood up and said, “Secretary Tian and Mayor Nie, this is my fault at work. I’ll criticize myself to the organization. Please punish me.”

Hearing Yao HeKun’s words, Nie Zhenbang’s brow furrowed, and he sternly said, “Director Yao, what do you know? Why are you self-criticizing so soon?”

The behavior of cadres like Yao HeKun is not uncommon within the system. As soon as the top leaders showed any sign of unease, he was quick to criticize himself, regardless of whether he was right or wrong. This behavior is clearly not genuine but a perfunctory attitude and style.

Seeing Yao HeKun rendered speechless, Nie Zhenbang didn’t speak much more about this, as it would be over correcting. Everything has to be taken one step at a time, especially in the education of cadres’ ideological quality. Obviously, this is not something that can be accomplished overnight.

Nie Zhenbang continued, “What kind of behavior is this Captain Fu demonstrating so brazenly? Accepting bribes?”

At this point, Nie Zhenbang began to tap his fingers on the table in a show of dissatisfaction. The meeting room was silent, and no one dared to provoke Mayor Nie’s authority in Wanghai City.

After a while, Nie Zhenbang spoke in a deep voice, “Comrades, what kind of behavior is accepting bribes? This is a stain on our city’s reputation, destroying the current favorable economic situation in Wanghai City. This is putting obstacles in the path of our city’s economic construction. If this continues, in the eyes of entrepreneurs and businessmen across the country and around the world, our city will be seen as a place where investments require bribes. With this impression, how will our city’s economic work and investment attraction proceed in the future?”

“I detest and firmly resist such behavior. Director Yao, I need the tax bureau’s party committee team to provide a handling opinion and investigation result regarding this ‘Captain Fu’ as soon as possible. I want to hear your report in person.” After giving this order, Nie Zhenbang added, “Considering this, last night, Secretary Tian and I urgently consulted and decided to convene relevant departments across the city to carry out a concentrated rectification campaign to improve the investment environment. Any willful obstruction, bribery, and other misconduct in our work will be strictly dealt with. If a problem is discovered during this operation, rectification must be immediately carried out. Those responsible will be recorded in evaluations depending on the severity of the situation. This will directly affect promotions and appointments. Those with serious offenses will be dismissed from public office.”

As soon as Nie Zhenbang’s words fell, there was an air of tension among the department heads present, and they couldn’t help but marvel. Accepting bribes, receiving small gifts, like a pack of cigarettes or a meal, were all too common at the grassroots level. However, it seemed that the mayor was serious about this issue now.

While they were still digesting his words, Nie Zhenbang continued, “Additionally, this rectification operation is initially planned to last for six months. Afterwards, we will decide on further steps based on the results and specific situations. During this operation, the ‘chief responsibility system’ will be implemented. If there are any problems at any level, the person in charge at that level will be held accountable. If there are problems with the leaders of your subordinate bureaus, then you might as well stop being the bureau director. Similarly, whichever level has problems, the person in charge at the higher level will be held responsible.”

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After a pause, Nie Zhenbang added, “If you have any problems, I will ask for punishment from the provincial party committee and the central government.”

This rule seemed extremely strict. This was like putting a spell on all officials. It would be impossible to shirk responsibility. No one would joke with their official hat.

When Nie Zhenbang finished speaking, Tian Xujian laughed and said, “Comrades, I believe everyone has understood Mayor Nie’s words. In fact, there is only one goal – to improve and rectify the investment environment in Wanghai City. Under this premise, everything else should make way. I hope that after returning, you will seriously study the spirit of this meeting and strictly implement the directives of the municipal party committee and the municipal government. Don’t wait until there’s a problem and then try to remedy it, as it would be too late.”

The cooperation between Tian Xujian and Nie Zhenbang is impeccable, with one playing the “nice guy” and the other playing the “bad guy”, smoothly pushing the whole process along. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to vote for it at Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)