Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 901 - 857 Shi Jiandongs Analysis

Chapter 901: Chapter 857: Shi Jiandong’s Analysis

Chapter 901 -857: Shi Jiandong’s Analysis

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In first class, there are a total of eight seats. This time, Shi Jiandong’s entourage consisted of only three people, leaving three seats empty and making the cabin feel more spacious.

Each of the eight seats was set up individually, with an aisle in the middle. Shi Jiandong’s entourage seemed to understand the nuance and left the row of seats behind Shi Jiandong and Nie Zhenbang empty. In this way, they provided a slightly private space for the two leaders.

Shi Jiandong asked for a cup of green tea, Biluochun. He wasn’t particularly fussy about his tea. He placed his teacup on the side table and smiled, “Zhenbang, over the years, you’ve consistently been full of surprises. I didn’t expect that in such a short time in Bashu Province, you would earn such high prestige. That’s very impressive.”

Nie Zhenbang smiled slightly and replied, “Minister Shi, you flatter me. Actually, the common people are the easiest to satisfy and also the most discerning. They are very clear about who truly cares for them. It’s just a pity that my time working for the people of Bashu was so short. Especially now, after such a huge disaster, I have to leave. I feel somewhat reluctant.”

Shi Jiandong could fully understand Nie Zhenbang’s words. He was quite familiar with Nie Zhenbang’s character – a man of sincerity. Such words might seem a bit pretentious to outsiders, like a show of false modesty after gaining an advantage. But Shi Jiandong knew that wasn’t the case with Nie Zhenbang; he genuinely wished he could stay in Bashu.

After a moment of silence, Shi Jiandong smiled and said, “Zhenbang, as the saying goes, ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’ The organization’s arrangements for you have been carefully considered and extensively reviewed. Huaxia Group, this is a brand-new conglomerate. The pressure on you is not small.”

Nie Zhenbang felt a stir in his heart upon hearing Shi Jiandong’s words. Shi Jiandong’s position was extremely eminent, and if this were ancient times, he would be akin to a senior imperial official in charge of personnel appointments. He was a man who could be said to stand at the very nexus of power, with insight into many secrets and insider information.

Immediately, Nie Zhenbang replied with a smile, “Minister Shi, with your vast experience and broad knowledge, I’d like you to give me a thorough analysis.”

Shi Jiandong regarded Nie Zhenbang completely as an elder would a promising younger generation. He had great admiration for Nie Zhenbang’s abilities and scholarship. After a brief pause, Shi Jiandong spoke softly, “Zhenbang, the establishment of Huaxia Group this time, as a brand-new conglomerate, has been injected with a huge amount of capital by the state. It has also incorporated many military factories into the group, propelling it to the forefront of the nation’s military industry. However, the mission of Huaxia Group is not a small one.”

After pausing again, Shi Jiandong continued, “You are aware that from the establishment of our country to now, Western societies—especially led by the current superpower, the United States—have consistently been wary of us, imposing economic sanctions and technological blockades. These actions have put our country’s cutting-edge technology behind the world in many respects. The purpose of Huaxia Group is to break through the technological barriers and blockades of foreign countries, thereby promoting the comprehensive surge of our country’s economy, science and technology, military, and other fields.”

Hearing this, Nie Zhenbang was completely stunned. From that moment, it seemed as if history had completely shifted. In fact, history had already changed when Nie Zhenbang started as an international arbitrageur.

In the memories of his past life, Huaxia had not assimilated so much technology and expertise from the Soviet Union. But in this life, under Nie Zhenbang’s management, Huaxia had embraced about sixty percent of the technology and experts from the former Soviet Union. In this life, Huaxia’s military strength was much stronger than in his past life. Having benefited, the higher-ups in Huaxia also saw the immense potential here. This time, after the documents were declassified, Director Shen and his peers saw this potential, and that’s what sparked the idea to establish Huaxia Group. And as the most experienced figure in the mix, it only made sense for Nie Zhenbang to take the reins as Chairman of Huaxia Group.

However, at this moment, Nie Zhenbang’s brow was already furrowed. The more he delved into understanding the situation, the more he felt it was a thorny issue.

Huaxia Group might sound like just another major central enterprise under direct national jurisdiction, but it was certain that the mission of Huaxia Group was far from as simple as that of an ordinary state-owned enterprise. Every technology within, whether industrial or military, even those for civilian use, was closely monitored and tightly controlled by foreign countries. In fact, Huaxia Group had partly taken on the role of a special agency.

Moreover, unlike the typical special service departments that only handle intelligence and data collection, Huaxia Group was truly an end-to-end operation, from gathering foreign technology to collecting physical samples, to analysis and research, and finally to production and standardization.

After a pause, Nie Zhenbang also spoke up, “Minister Shi, this burden is indeed too heavy. Just hearing about it, I feel an overwhelming pressure. I fear I may not be up to the task.”

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Nie Zhenbang’s words were in no way modest. This was not a formal occasion; it was a private conversation between the two men. Nie Zhenbang had no reason to be falsely modest in front of Shi Jiandong, and his words were genuinely heartfelt.

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Looking at Nie Zhenbang, Shi Jiandong also smiled. Indeed, the burden was not small; in fact, it could be said that the rise of the nation was pressed onto the shoulders of Huaxia Group, or in other words, onto Nie Zhenbang himself. To say there was no pressure would certainly be unrealistic.

At that moment, Shi Jiandong also said with a smile, “Zhenbang, you shouldn’t underestimate yourself. On this matter, the organization has considered multiple aspects and made a careful selection. Within our country, there’s no one more capable or suitable for the job than you. Besides, you shouldn’t feel too much pressure. Since the organization has chosen you, they naturally won’t leave you unsupported.”

Having said that, Shi Jiandong paused for a moment, then continued with a smile, “Previously, at the higher-level meetings, Comrade Qiao Yiren raised the point that we can’t expect the horse to run without letting it graze. Therefore, in the end, Director Shen made a decision, that nationwide, regardless of the unit or institution, anyone below the rank of vice-ministerial level needed by Huaxia Group is at your disposal to choose from. Initially, Huaxia Group has been given six months to establish itself; with this buffer period, you should have some confidence now.”

When Shi Jiandong said this, a clear hint of envy was present in his tone. Yes, envy. In the country, one would be hard-pressed to find another person who, like Nie Zhenbang, had earned the trust and care of several generations of leaders, with the exception of Nie Zhenbang himself. Coupled with Nie Zhenbang’s own work capability, he was a truly unique presence within the system.

Seeing Nie Zhenbang’s thoughtful expression, Shi Jiandong wasn’t too worried. He knew Nie Zhenbang’s character well—Nie Zhenbang had never feared challenges. As for whether Nie Zhenbang would accept the position, Shi Jiandong was even less concerned.

On one hand, there has always been a strict organizational discipline within the system, no matter whether Nie Zhenbang would like it or not, Shi Jiandong had the confidence that Nie Zhenbang would never dare oppose the organization’s arrangement. Moreover, due to Nie Zhenbang’s character, he wouldn’t do so. Right now, Nie Zhenbang’s demeanor was simply a way for him to find out more information, to increase his bargaining chips.

After a pause, Shi Jiandong said with a smile, “Zhenbang, this time, I believe that you will definitely be able to accomplish the mission entrusted to you by the organization and make a significant contribution to the rise of our country and the resurgence of the Huaxia nation in the oriental world.”

The several hours of flight passed in midst of such casual conversation. When the plane slowly landed at Jingcheng City International Airport, Nie Zhenbang’s mind probably already had a vague outline.

As soon as they disembarked the plane, what surprised both Nie Zhenbang and Shi Jiandong was that on the tarmac, Director Shen’s confidential secretary, Huang Yunshan, was already waiting there.

Huang Yunshan’s status was very special. As Director Shen’s confidential secretary, both Shi Jiandong and Nie Zhenbang dared not show the slightest negligence and went up to greet him together.

Without waiting for the two to speak, Huang Yunshan smiled and said, “Minister Shi, Comrade Zhenbang, the leader knew the timing of your flight and specifically sent me to pick you both up. The leader is now waiting in his study for Comrade Zhenbang.”

Led by Huang Yunshan, they went directly into the Inland Sea, and the car stopped in front of Shen Xiuchao’s yard.

Following Huang Yunshan into the study, at that moment, Director Shen was standing in front of the desk, full of enthusiasm in his calligraphy. Seeing this scene, Nie Zhenbang seemed to recall past events—once, right here, Director Shen had written the words “establish life’s purpose” to give to him, to encourage him. Now, Director Shen was writing again.

When Director Shen saw Nie Zhenbang, he put down his writing brush, smiling and asked, “Zhenbang has returned. What do you think about the new position? Do you have any opinions of your own?”

As soon as his words fell, Nie Zhenbang appeared extremely determined. He was very clear about the implications of Director Shen’s words—if, at this moment, he said as much as that he would have difficulties bearing the responsibility, Nie Zhenbang believed that Director Shen, being the man he was, would never make things difficult for him.

But then, aspiring for further opportunities would become all the more challenging. After a pause, with an absolutely firm tone, and imbued with an indomitable spirit, Nie Zhenbang said, “Chief, I personally have no issues. Individual subordination to the organization is our tradition. I will firmly comply with the organizational arrangement, and I also have full confidence in doing well in the new job, dedicating my life’s energy for the country and for the nation.”

At that moment, Nie Zhenbang rather clichédly began to chant slogans. (