Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 743 - 699: The Lian Da people are not enthusiastic_1
Chapter 743: Chapter 699: The Lian Da people are not enthusiastic_1
Lianda City, the second largest city in Liaodong. It is one of the sixteen sub-provincial cities in the nation and the important sea port of the three northern provinces. At the same time, it is a city with special economic plans from the central government. Its privileged seaport advantage has made its economic development very rapid. The total population of the city exceeds six million.
Nie Zhenbang’s convoy arrived in Lianda City around five in the afternoon.
The convoy consisted of three vehicles, two medium-sized Jinlong commercial vehicles and one off-road police car; the latter being the Liaodong Provincial Public Security Bureau’s Number One car.
Since the decision had been made, Zhu Lijun was straightforward enough to even dispatch the Number One car.
The last vehicle was a normal business vehicle, where the regular employees of the Three Public Offices sat. The business vehicle at the front carried Nie Zhenbang, Huang Xudong, and the secretary Li Jupeng. Despite its exterior resemblance to a regular bus, its interior was quite special.
The whole vehicle had only seven seats, each one designed and installed based on the design a first-class aircraft cabin. In front of each seat, there was a folding table. At the entrance, two seats were opposite each other. Inside the vehicle, there was a built-in fridge and TV. This type of vehicle was low-key yet more comfortable than a small car, making it popular among provincial and national leaders.
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As the convoy slowly exited the northern toll station of Lianshen Expressway into Lianda City, Li Jupeng intuitively leaned forward.
He immediately turned around and reported, “Director, it seems that there is no leader coming to greet us in Lianda City?”
Upon hearing this, Huang Xudong also frowned and said under his breath, “Director, what’s going on? Lianda city is really putting on airs. The Liaodong Provincial Committee even sent Secretary-General Shi Jianshe to welcome us, but there is no one from Lianda City.”
The complaints of the two suggested that they wished to condemn Lianda City. As though not welcoming them was some great, unforgivable sin.
Instead, Nie Zhenbang let out a chuckle, the corners of his mouth slightly lifting. It seemed that this trip to Lianda wouldn’t be so lonely.
He then jovially said, “Xudong, Jupeng, I’m wondering why you two are becoming increasingly bureaucratic. Are you now concerned about appearance? It’s normal to not receive a welcome. From the moment the Three Public Office inspections were established, it was declared that they would not disturb the people. Isn’t it good that no one came to greet us? This fully demonstrates that people in Lianda City are more politically engaged than the national average.”
Admittedly, everyone knew that Nie Zhenbang’s words were nothing more than empty talk and small talk. However, the implied warning within his words served as an awakening for both Huang Xudong and Li Jupeng.
Li Jupeng immediately bowed his head, “Yes, the criticism from Director is correct. I do indeed feel uncomfortable about this issue, I am guilty of bureaucracy. I ask for a self-criticism.”
Beside him, Huang Xudong nodded, “I also agree, Secretary Li is right, I was also acting bureaucratic. The director’s criticism is right.”
Seeing the looks on Li Jupeng and Huang Xudong’s faces, it was clear they weren’t truly accepting their faults. Nie Zhenbang, however, felt that he needed to provide some guidance. He smiled slightly and said, “It seems the Secretary Li and Director Huang are still somewhat reluctant.”
“Haha, I can understand. An inspection from the Three Public Offices is essentially representation from the state, from the central government. If this was in the past, you would have been treated as imperial envoys. Local officials naturally had to line the roads in welcome. My comrades, I find this way of thinking quite dangerous. The higher you are lifted, the harder you fall.”
Nie Zhenbang’s voice wasn’t loud and his tone was calm, but his words resounded in their ears like a morning bell or an evening drum, shaking their hearts.
Transitioning from frugality to extravagance is easy, but from extravagance to frugality is hard. This saying didn’t come from nowhere; it’s the result of a long history of practice and lessons learned by the ancients.
After almost half a year of inspections, each place they visited kicked up a fuss in welcome and they had become used to it. It seemed to them that was the treatment they should receive. Without such treatment, it’s as if they weren’t being respected, as if the Three Public Offices were being overlooked. However, they never thought about how when the inspections first started, many places didn’t send welcoming parties either. Back then, they could practice self-discipline and carry out their work fairly and impartially. Now, their frustration meant that emotions may be carried into their work. If a problem arises or they encounter a tough situation, then the reputation of the Three Public Offices will suffer across the entire country.
Thinking through this crucial point, a sincere expression appeared on Huang Xudong’s face, and he nodded, saying, “Director, I ask the organization to criticize me.”
Next to him, Li Jupeng also seemed prepared to request disciplinary action. Nie Zhenbang waved his hand and said with a smile, “Enough. Let’s not talk about punishments or criticisms. I’m just reminding you that no matter when or where, or what position you are in, you cannot lose your humble and prudent work style. Regardless of what work position you are in, being pragmatic is most important. Respect, is not to be won through superficial shows of power but rather by winning the recognition of the people. That is the essential, the core. Don’t just look at the surface. Doing so means you’ve already fallen into a lower position.”
Over these past six months, Huang Xudong’s abilities had been recognized. This is why Nie Zhenbang did not avoid direct speech.
The arrival of the convoy was very low-profile. Nie Zhenbang appeared unconcerned about the lack of reception. After entering the city area, the convoy did not go to the Lianda City Committee’s guesthouse but instead settled in a three-star hotel located in a bustling central area of the city.
As soon as he got out of the car, Nie Zhenbang instructed Huang Xudong, “Xudong, arrange for a small conference room from the hotel and summon all the staff for a meeting. Let’s unify our thinking first. If the two of you are already like this, I’m afraid the comrades below have the same idea too.”
These words made Huang Xudong somewhat embarrassed. He nodded and immediately began making arrangements. Dinner was simple and held in the hotel’s restaurant. They followed the standard of Lianda City and ordered two work meals. No alcohol was involved, and they quickly finished dinner.
Everyone gathered in a small conference room on the eleventh floor of the hotel. Holding a cup of tea, Nie Zhenbang was the last one to enter the conference room.
As he walked in, the previously lively conference room immediately fell silent. All eyes were on Nie Zhenbang.
At that moment, Nie Zhenbang, with a smile on his face, sat down, looked around at everyone, and then laughed, “Comrades, I can feel it. The people of Lianda City aren’t very enthusiastic about our arrival.”
This opening remark made all the staff laugh and seemed to lighten the atmosphere in the conference room. However, Nie Zhenbang then changed his tone and said with a grin, “Comrades, over the past six months, since our Three Public Office’s constant strict inspections throughout Xibei, Jiangbei, and other places, the local governments have become progressively courteous towards us. Now, aren’t the city committee and city government of Lianda City showing they don’t regard us highly?”
Despite Nie Zhenbang’s harsh words, the conference room fell silent. The staff who had been relaxed moments ago sat straight and serious. Everyone knew that what Director Nie was saying was actually ironic.
“Comrades, regardless of how the local comrades treat us, in my view, fairness, justice, not using authority for personal gain, and not being vengeful are all the moral qualities and professional ethics that each one of us in the Three Public Office should have. We should always rely on facts and evidence.”
Upon saying this, Nie Zhenbang paused intentionally to observe everyone’s reactions. This time, Nie Zhenbang was very satisfied, there was a look of shame on everyone’s faces. It seemed that after getting used to the grand receptions, everyone was indeed not very accustomed to, and a bit displeased with, the way Lianda City acted. This didn’t matter, the important thing was that they could recognize their mistakes and felt ashamed.
“I know you guys won’t like me saying this, but during my tenure in WangHai City, I was very critical of these officious displays within the system. I often did not participate in official visits by higher authorities. But what does that prove? Does it show disrespect to superiors? Nonsense!”
Nie Zhenbang swore, which was unusual considering his position. This showed that there was actually an undercurrent of anger in his heart.
“Comrades, our supreme leader’s motto is ‘serve the people.’ An ancient saying also goes, ‘benefit the people with each office one holds.’ What are we? We are public servants. Society is developing, humanity is progressing, the establishment and improvement of the civil service system is the manifestation of political progress. As civil servants, we must also have this progressive mindset and readiness. Gaining the widespread support and recognition of the masses, I believe, is more important than any grand reception by an official. During our upcoming inspections in Lianda City, I hope you all will not allow your emotions to affect your work, stay true to your original intentions. Inspect diligently, do not wrong a good person, and do not let a bad person escape.”
Nie Zhenbang’s speech served as a wake-up call for all the staff of the Three Public Office, resulting in fewer instances of arrogant behaviors during work.
The neglect by the city committee and city government of Lianda City had no impact on the Three Public Office after the meeting. The following day, the staff of the Three Public Office threw themselves into their work. Using the contact list provided by the Liaodong Provincial Committee, Huang Xudong, in the name of the Three Public Office, contacted the city committee and city government of Lianda City. The working group of the Three Public Office officially began settling into various departments and getting to work.
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Seeing that none of the Three Public Office’s staff brought any negative emotions to their work, Nie Zhenbang breathed a sigh of relief. In his hotel room, looking out at the skyscrapers in the city center of Lianda City, Nie Zhenbang murmured, “Zuo Zhonghua, you must be struggling to bear it, too.”
PS: I remember that I owed two chapters the day before yesterday, please rest assured, I will definitely make up for them. (To be continued. If you like this piece, I invite you to vote and recommend at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
