Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 868 - 824 Inspection of the Slum Area

Chapter 868: Chapter 824: Inspection of the Slum Area

Chapter 868 -824: Inspection of the Slum Area

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Changhong City

Red Flag District of Changhong City

As the oldest historical district of Changhong City, the history of Red Flag District could be traced back to before the founding of the People’s Republic. Today, with the changing of the times and years passing by, Red Flag District, once the location of the Changhong Municipal Government and the most prosperous area during the birth of the nation, had now become notorious as Changhong City’s slum area.

It was already the twenty-ninth day of the last lunar month.

With the approach of the New Year, every household was brimming with festive spirit. In Red Flag District on the other hand, the narrow road that supposedly allowed two-way traffic with two lanes in each direction was in reality just five meters wide, making the claim of it being a dual carriageway somewhat overstated.

On both sides of the road were uniformly two-story low houses. Their exposed red bricks and green tiles highlighted the area’s dilapidation. On the walls of the houses, prominent ‘demolish’ characters were painted within white circles, further emphasizing the desolation here.

There wasn’t much festive atmosphere to speak of in this place. Before eight o’clock in the morning, many neighborhood committee cadres, community leaders, and street officials had arrived. Subsequently, police from Red Flag District’s Public Security Sub-bureau and staff from the Urban Management Bureau also showed up.

The shop fronts on both sides, that were usually free to display various items, were today without exception required to be moved inside the shops.

At nine in the morning, led by a police car, a motorcade slowly entered. The car doors opened, and the first to step out were Xu Aiguo, the secretary of the Changhong Municipal Party Committee, and Mayor Huang Zhenqiu.

This caused the surrounding common folk to take notice. These were high-ranking city officials, often seen on television.

Following them, Provincial Government Secretary-General Li Yunhe and Vice Governor Ma Yuequn also disembarked from the vehicles, and lastly, Nie Zhenbang, a member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Deputy Party Secretary, and Governor, stepped down from the car.

As soon as they got out, the community and street office workers around them spurred a deafening applause. Many people shouted, “Hello, Governor!”

“Welcome, Governor Nie.”

In response to this, Nie Zhenbang merely smiled lightly, turning to Xu Aiguo, who had a beaming face, and said, “Secretary Xu, the spirits of the citizens of Changhong are quite good.”

At the moment, Xu Aiguo’s smile blossomed, crow’s feet appearing at the corners of his eyes as he replied with a laugh, “Governor, this is all thanks to the wise leadership of the Provincial Party Committee and government, and the foresight of our superiors. With this tailwind, Changhong City has also developed rapidly. All of this is thanks to your efforts, Governor.”

Xu Aiguo’s words could be considered the essence of political flattery. Listening to Xu, Nie Zhenbang kept a faint smile on his face, but he was well aware that Xu Aiguo was not someone who could be easily dismissed.

After a short contemplation, Nie Zhenbang replied in a gentle voice, “Secretary Xu, I can’t agree with that. As a Communist Party member, how can we indulge in such idealistic nonsense? The economic boom in Bashu Province, the economic construction of Changhong City—indeed, this has some connection with the unified coordination of the provincial government, yet in the end, it relies on the commitment and hard work of our comrades below.”

The group, led by the principal leaders of Changhong City and Red Flag District, walked into a nearby alley. It was a typical shantytown.

A narrow path slightly more than a meter wide, with residents’ privately built shacks on both sides, some covered with asbestos tiles, others with iron sheets, and still others with plastic.

On the road, one could see pools of water. There was a faint stench.

Beside them, a man around forty years of age, the district committee secretary of Red Flag District, performed his duty as a senior official well at his prime. He introduced the situation to Nie Zhenbang, “Chief, this is a slum area in Red Flag District. The residents here have complex backgrounds, including migrant workers from the countryside and local laid-off workers. In accordance with the deployment of the Municipal Party Committee and government, after the start of next spring, this entire area will be demolished. The preliminary acquisition and compensation have all been agreed upon. Considering the residents’ need to celebrate New Year, we didn’t rush to relocate them.”

As these words were spoken, Ma Yuequn, the Vice Governor responsible for science, education, culture, and health, also nodded and said, “That’s right, being able to fully consider the actual situation of the common people and adapt flexibly is a very good approach.”

Nie Zhenbang nodded as well, seeing the dirt, disorder, and chaos, he felt that was nothing out of the ordinary. Such places, if they were spotlessly clean, Nie Zhenbang would actually be suspicious. Slums? Whether at home or abroad, slums are synonymous with poor areas, places most likely to breed public security issues. Dirt, disorder, and chaos, those were nothing to fuss about.

“Respecting people’s livelihoods, understanding public sentiment, this governing attitude is commendable. As the Spring Festival draws near, we must focus on the security and fire safety issues in the slums. We need to conduct a public security rectification campaign—the closer we get to the Spring Festival, the more we must focus on security. The living environment here is poor, and the composition of the residents is complex. The more it is so, the less we can afford to be negligent. Police across the district and even the entire city need to pay attention and ensure a peaceful and harmonious Spring Festival for the people,” Nie Zhenbang spoke calmly.

Beside him, Huang Zhenqiu quickly nodded in agreement, “We will surely implement the governor’s directive thoroughly. Previously, the municipal office for spiritual civilization, the municipal public security bureau’s public security brigade, and various branches across the city launched a month-long public security rectification campaign. During the Spring Festival, all our officers will work overtime to ensure that the people of the city can have a stable and peaceful Spring Festival.”

“Moreover, look at the blocked fire lanes in the slum area,” Nie Zhenbang continued while pointing towards a cluster of low houses crammed together. “These houses are all bungalows of the old brick-and-wood structure. Should a fire break out, the consequences would be unimaginable.”

Having said this, Nie Zhenbang turned to look at everyone, speaking earnestly, “I just looked around, and the roads here are too narrow for fire engines to enter. This is a serious fire hazard. During the Spring Festival, fireworks are the leading cause of fires, and this problem must be taken seriously and be well prepared for. The fire department must be fully ready, and colleagues from the streets, communities, and neighborhood committees must also pay attention.”

Nie Zhenbang’s words were plain and straightforward, rooted in reality, and in his speech, he fully considered the people and their welfare, yet he did not overly criticize the local party and government leaders.

Next, Nie Zhenbang and his party, led by the local community workers, arrived at a humble civilian home. The secretary of Red Flag District’s party committee had also stepped forward to introduce, “Governor, ahead is the home of Lin Sanqiang, a particularly impoverished household in our district.”

Comrade Lin Sanqiang was previously incapacitated due to a work injury. His parents had passed away, and his wife had walked out on the family due to the heavy burdens, leaving him to rely solely on his two children for support. Their life was quite tough.

After this introduction, the conversation took a turn, “After the district and city understood the family’s situation, they arranged low-income subsidies for them. The children’s schooling has also been given multi-faceted care.”

Nie Zhenbang understood this type of thing well. New Year’s visits and inspections were always representational. They either showcased the local government’s excellent economic construction, such as in prosperous and moderate prosperity villages, or its humane care, like the current scenario.

Nie Zhenbang wouldn’t cynically accuse these people of brushing him off. After over a decade of hardening, he had long passed that age.

No matter the era or society, there will always be light and shadow. That is inevitable.

Completely eradicating darkness is unrealistic. The most one can do is to enable the majority, the vast majority of people, to have a happy life. That would count as success. A perfectly harmonious world is just a dream, not reality.

After the community workers knocked on the door, a girl around thirteen or fourteen years old opened it. In the freezing weather, she still wore a blue and white school uniform without a thick cotton coat. Her cheeks were red with cold, and she appeared very shy, looking at everyone.

Nie Zhenbang approached her with a smile, “Young lady, we are from the government, here to visit you all.”

At this moment, as Nie Zhenbang spoke, the accompanying leaders from Red Flag District and Changhong City became rather tense and serious. At this time, everyone feared that the child might say something that would embarrass the governor.

Fortunately, the previous work of the neighbor committee was well done, and the child’s response was quite appropriate, welcoming Nie Zhenbang and his party into the room.

Lin Sanqiang’s home was just a single, disorderly room with two beds. After Nie Zhenbang placed the condolatory gifts of rice, oil, and meat, he sat down next to Lin Sanqiang and smiled, “Comrade Sanqiang, I’m here on behalf of the provincial party committee and government to see you.”

Lin Sanqiang could only lie in bed, but he appeared rather excited, reaching out his thin hand to firmly grasp Nie Zhenbang’s, muttering continuously with emotion, “Thank the Party, thank the government.”

Unexpectedly, Nie Zhenbang suddenly took out a stack of money from his pocket. He did not count how much it was, as he rarely carried cash with him; this time, it was An Na who had specifically instructed him to bring it.

Placing the money by Lin Sanqiang’s bedside, Nie Zhenbang smiled and said, “Comrade Sanqiang, take good care of yourself. Rest assured, the Party and the government won’t neglect you. Please accept this money. It represents a little gesture from me and my family.” (