Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 877 - 833 Su Xuan Pays a New Year Visit

Chapter 877: Chapter 833: Su Xuan Pays a New Year Visit

Chapter 877: Chapter 833: Su Xuan Pays a New Year Visit

On the first and second days of the Lunar New Year, as soon as Nie Zhenbang turned on his phone, it buzzed non-stop with New Year’s greeting text messages from leaders in the lower levels of government.

Nie Zhenbang had anticipated this. The reason he had turned off his phone was to enjoy a New Year’s without disturbances.

Those two days could be said to be the happiest days for the children and the most satisfying for the wife, free from the hassle of New Year’s visits and the intrigue within the system. What they had was the warmth of home and the joyous harmony of the family.

Seeing Nie Zhenbang flipping through his phone, Yang Anna teased, “Once the governor turns on his phone, the New Year’s text messages flood in like the waters of the Dajiang river, endless and unstoppable.”

Nie Zhenbang smiled wryly and shrugged his shoulders, feigning helplessness, “It’s a longstanding custom among our people to exchange courtesies. There’s no helping it.”

Afterwards, Nie Zhenbang also made calls to wish a few leaders in Jingcheng a happy New Year. This was also indispensable—Director Shen, Director Leng, and Comrade Qiao Yiren, none of them could be omitted. Additionally, he called his uncle, father-in-law, and his own father.

After hanging up, his phone rang again. Nie Zhenbang was startled when he saw the number—it was from Su Xuan. Su Xuan hadn’t spent the New Year in Bashu but had gone back to Jingcheng. Why would she suddenly call him?

Musing over it, his hands were quick to answer the call. Nie Zhenbang spoke up, “Secretary Su, happy New Year.”

As soon as he finished, Su Xuan’s laughter came through the phone, “Hehe, Governor Zhenbang, happy New Year. Are you at home right now? I just got back from Jingcheng and am planning to pay a visit to your house.”

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Su Xuan’s words caught Nie Zhenbang off guard. Su Xuan’s intent to visit was something worth pondering.

Strictly speaking, as the secretary and leader, it’s complicated to determine who should make the New Year’s call first between the secretary and the governor during the New Year. However, a personal visit signifies a much lower stance from Su Xuan.

Frankly speaking, it could affect Su Xuan’s authority within the province if word got out. Of course, guiding that influence would still require his own efforts.

From the time Su Xuan had taken office, she had proven to be quite perceptive and tactful, at least in terms of not hindering his initiatives for economic construction and development.

Considering this, Nie Zhenbang also responded with a smile, “Secretary Su, you are too kind. How could I accept this?”

Having been in officialdom for so many years, Nie Zhenbang naturally picked up some of its airs, and he knew how to exchange pleasantries.

Although Courtyard One of the Provincial Party Committee and Nie Zhenbang’s Courtyard Two were numerically adjacent, in reality, the residences of the two were not next to each other. In fact, none of the houses of the provincial committee standing committee members living in the family area were close to each other.

When constructed, the housing design cleverly used rockeries, fountains, trees, or architectural features as dividers.

This was also a good way to avoid awkwardness. If they were right beside each other, it would be uncomfortable whether subordinate officials visited the secretary or the governor first, wouldn’t it just make matters difficult for the local people?

Within less than five minutes, Su Xuan, accompanied by her spouse, walked over from outside the courtyard. In her hands, she carried some gifts and handed them to Nie Zhenbang quite naturally, “I brought some tea when I came back from Jingcheng. It’s quite presumptuous of me to visit during the New Year.”

Nie Zhenbang also smiled. At their level, the value of the gifts wasn’t important; what mattered was the intention behind them.

As the leader, Su Xuan displayed such humility; this alone spoke volumes. Nie Zhenbang’s nature was to reciprocate respect twofold. With Su Xuan acting this way, Nie Zhenbang naturally had to give sufficient face to Su Xuan.

Welcoming Su Xuan and her spouse into the house, the two naturally sat down together in the study. On the tea table, Nie Zhenbang also set out the tea set.

Nie Zhenbang’s skill in making Gongfu tea was not particularly good—barely passable. Observing Nie Zhenbang preparing the Gongfu tea, Su Xuan smiled and said after a moment’s contemplation, “Zhenbang, on this trip back to Jingcheng, I managed to learn some news.”

Su Xuan’s words made Nie Zhenbang’s actions pause for a moment, but it was just that, a momentary pause. Su Xuan saw this unfold before her eyes.

Then, without trying to hide anything, she got straight to the point, “Governor Zhenbang, this time when I returned to Jingcheng, I paid a visit to some former leaders and superiors, and also had discussions with several ministry heads in Jingcheng. From what I learned, next year, it’s highly likely that several major projects will be launched in the country. For instance, the Jiang-Yue High-Speed Rail Line. I was thinking, perhaps our Bashu Province could also vie for it. A high-speed rail project, if brought to Bashu, would greatly accelerate the connectivity between regions, shorten distances, and significantly boost our province’s economic development.”

Upon hearing Su Xuan’s words, Nie Zhenbang was stirred, recognizing that although Su Xuan seemed easy to talk to, from this small incident, it was clear that Su Xuan’s ambitions were anything but small. A high-speed rail project.

After musing for a moment, Nie Zhenbang responded, “Secretary Su, a high-speed rail project, for Bashu, I’m afraid it won’t be easy.”

Looking at Su Xuan, Nie Zhenbang continued, “The old saying goes, ‘The road to Shu is hard, harder than climbing to the sky.’ Since ancient times, transportation in Bashu has been a big issue. Within the province of Bashu, transportation isn’t much of a concern. However, transportation with other provinces is relatively backward. But a high-speed rail project, with all the mountains surrounding Bashu Province, would require at least one-third more investment than in other provinces. Is there a chance for this opportunity?”

Nie Zhenbang was somewhat worried, as he was all too aware of the operational approaches and patterns of other domestic ministries. Provinces like Chunan, Chubei, and Yue State are situated on major railway arteries, comprising crucial north-south transportation hubs included in national planning, generally without the need for lobbying.

Whereas other provinces, when it comes to transportation development, have to lobby the relevant departments. But with so many provinces eyeing the opportunity, and all officials who have reached the provincial and ministerial levels having connections and a background in Jingcheng, it’s a classic case of too many monks for too little porridge. And for Bashu Province, the mountains are a barrier. The cost of transportation development is significantly higher than in other central areas. Not to mention other factors, this alone puts Bashu at a disadvantage.

At this moment, Su Xuan nodded in agreement, “Indeed, this is a major disadvantage for us. However, the country is now vigorously developing the Western Region, and Bashu Province serves as the bridgehead for economic development in this region, which we can use to our advantage. Also, with regard to the Ministry of Railways, I have some connections. The main issue now is with the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Transport.”

At this point, Su Xuan said with a smile, “I know that the former Deputy Prime Minister Nie came from the National Development and Reform Commission, and also has a good relationship with Director Shen of the Ministry of Transport. So, that’s why I’ve come to you, right? Success depends on human effort. I believe that with you and me joining hands, along with the initiative from Ancient City in Longxi, constructing a dedicated passenger high-speed rail line from Ancient City to Tianfu City, with two provinces working together in solidarity, and both Tianfu and Ancient City being vice-provincial-level cities, along with the shared Western Region background, it’s not an impossibility.”

Hearing Su Xuan’s words, Nie Zhenbang had somewhat of an epiphany; it seemed that Su Xuan had made plans and then taken action.

It had to be said, Su Xuan’s reasoning indeed made sense. Bashu and Longxi Province both belong to the Western Region. Now, with the country actively promoting the development strategy for the Western Region, this is an advantage, given the national policy support and preference.

At this time, if they could secure the project approval from the National Development and Reform Commission, backed by support from the Ministry of Transport as well as the Ministry of Railways, the high-speed rail project was not impossible.

Thinking this, Nie Zhenbang also nodded, “Secretary Su, it seems you’ve come fully prepared.”

Su Xuan, upon being addressed by Nie Zhenbang this way, laughed awkwardly. Instead of dwelling on that, she simply smiled and asked, “What do you think of this proposal, Zhenbang?”

Nie Zhenbang was silent for a while. A successful high-speed rail project would not only open up a major artery leading north from the Guanzhong area, but also bring immense benefits to the economy of Bashu Province. After a pause, Nie Zhenbang spoke in a serious tone, “Good, Secretary Su. Since you have this ambition, let us work hard together and give it a try.”

After discussing this matter of business, Nie Zhenbang and Su Xuan chatted casually. As two heavyweights in Bashu Province, they then exchanged ideas about the economic development of Bashu Province and spoke about the educational corruption case in Changhong City at the end of last year. It was after having lunch with Nie Zhenbang that Su Xuan finally took her leave.

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang’s views on Su Xuan had completely changed. When Su Xuan took office, Nie Zhenbang had worried that she might somehow hinder his work, but such worries had now vanished. With this thought, Nie Zhenbang felt much more at ease.

The eighth day of the first lunar month

As soon as work resumed, Nie Zhenbang immediately summoned people from the Department of Transportation and the Provincial National Development and Reform Commission. The initial preparatory work for the high-speed rail project definitely needed to be refined.

Having decided to strive for the project, they needed to establish contact with Longxi Province, while also making concrete proposals when heading to Jingcheng. Without tangible propositions, how could they expect support?

Therefore, such preliminary preparations were naturally indispensable.

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, after celebrating the Lantern Festival, on the very next day of work, Nie Zhenbang stepped into his office, and Li Jupeng followed, placing a stack of documents and newspapers on the desk, reporting, “Governor, there was a call from Secretary Su’s side just now. Secretary Hu Shangzhi of the Longxi Provincial Committee, Governor Liu Qiuhe, and Secretary Luo Chuncui of the Ancient City Municipal Committee will be arriving in Tianfu City tomorrow morning. Secretary Su suggests that you join them in the welcome.” (To be continued. If you like this work, I invite you to vote for it with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)