Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 824 - 780 Slum Renovation
Chapter 824: Chapter 780: Slum Renovation
Chapter 824 -780: Slum Renovation
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At 8 o’clock in the morning, Zeng Taiping and Nie Zhenbang arrived at the Central Organization Department building. Stone Jiandong’s confidential secretary had already been waiting at the entrance and warmly greeted them upon their arrival. In front of Zeng Taiping and Nie Zhenbang, Stone Jiandong’s secretary knew exactly what to do and didn’t put on any airs. Very enthusiastic and polite, after a brief exchange of pleasantries, he led the two of them directly into Shi Jiandong’s office.
Upon seeing Nie Zhenbang and Zeng Taiping, Shi Jiandong also stood up from his seat. Wearing a smile, he said, “Taiping and Zhenbang are here, please have a seat.”
After the secretary served two cups of tea, Shi Jiandong sat down on the sofa and looked at Zeng Taiping and Nie Zhenbang. He pondered for a moment before saying, “Comrades Taiping and Zhenbang, it’s good that both of you are in Jingcheng, saving me a procedure, otherwise I would have to go to Bashu. I asked you to come over because there is a matter on which I’d like to hear your opinions.”
Shi Jiandong’s words were straightforward and candid. Director Shen had sought him out specially the night before to talk about the affairs of Bashu Province. With Director Shen’s instruction, Shi Jiandong naturally knew what to do.
Seeing the puzzled look on Zeng Taiping’s face and the composed expression on Nie Zhenbang, Shi Jiandong also gauged internally. The support Director Shen gave Nie Zhenbang had exceeded his own expectations. At the same time, Shi Jiandong was quite envious. This indicated that Director Shen had already settled on a course of action.
Building a good relationship with Nie Zhenbang was now essential. After musing for a moment, Shi Jiandong continued, “This time, the Organization Department is also preparing to select a few provinces and cities nationwide to initiate a pilot reform of the provincial management of county systems. Bashu Province, located in the Southwest Frontier Region, is an important province within the strategy of the Western Region’s development. It is also the province with the highest number of cities like Dizhou City and has strong symbolic significance. Hence, after careful consideration and selection, the central government has decided to make Bashu Province one of the pilot provinces for this reform. The two of you, one as party secretary and the other as provincial governor, what are your opinions on this matter?”
Upon hearing this, both Nie Zhenbang and Zeng Taiping were somewhat stunned. Nie Zhenbang hadn’t expected that for this matter, Director Shen would make such a decision. It was certain that this matter had not been discussed through a meeting by Director Shen. It was a considerable risk.
While such initiatives had precedents in the country and various identities had carried out pilot attempts, without exception, they were all led by local authorities. Yet now, this was from top to bottom. Director Shen would inevitably face some pressure.
At that moment, Zeng Taiping also pondered for a while before speaking, “Minister Jiandong, I have no objections. The provincial governance of counties, based on the pilot results seen in Jiangnan Province and other provinces and cities, is very good. It reduces the intermediary management levels and enhances the direct communication between the province and the counties. Being able to implement this system in Bashu Province fully demonstrates the central government’s support for and emphasis on our work. I completely agree.”
Hearing this, Shi Jiandong’s face also showed a satisfied smile, and he nodded, “Comrade Taiping’s consciousness is still as high as ever. It’s very meaningful for Bashu Province to be at the forefront of this initiative among other provinces and cities. I’m looking forward to seeing Bashu’s achievements.”
After returning from Jingcheng, the work on the reform of the provincial management of the county system in Bashu Province officially began. The steps were not too large. With the support of the central government and Director Shen’s clear stance, Zeng Taiping was somewhat reluctant but had to compromise under such pressure and take a step back.
Of course, Nie Zhenbang was not too forceful either. The provincial management of counties reform wasn’t implemented throughout the province; instead, five or six cities were selected as the first batch of pilot cities to carry out the pilot reform.
Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government Office Building.
Nie Zhenbang was currently looking at the materials on the table. The materials were submitted by the Tianfu Municipal Government, about the application for the establishment of the Tianfu City old city district shantytown transformation project.
The whole plan was grand in scale. Tianfu City had set very high goals for itself. Looking at the planning in the report materials, Nie Zhenbang said with a smile, “Old Fang, Lu Chengdong of Tianfu City has grand visions. Basing himself in Tianfu City, he plans to spend five years transforming Tianfu City into the economic, cultural, and financial center of the Southwest Region. That’s quite the ambitious move.”
Nie Zhenbang’s words were spoken in a relaxed tone. Sitting across the big desk in a chair, Fang Yuan also smiled and said, “Governor, Lu Chengdong is also under tremendous pressure. Across the country, there are seventeen vice-ministerial-level cities. The Longxi Ancient Capital city has been an ancient capital for several dynasties. Ningzhou City in Jiangbei Province, Nanhai City in Yuedong, Wanghai City in Minan Province, they are all flourishing now. Tianfu City has already fallen behind the pace. It would be strange if Lu Chengdong weren’t anxious.”
Nie Zhenbang smiled and nodded in agreement with Fang Yuan’s statement. Tianfu City, in Bashu Province and in the entire Southwest Region, led in both economic and other aspects. However, it was not an appropriate comparison. Compared to the provincial capitals of Qianzhou Province and Caiyun Province, Tianfu City was inherently a league above. On this account, it wouldn’t be fair for a vice-provincial-level city to compare itself with other prefecture-level cities, would it?
Yet when compared to other vice-provincial-level cities, Tianfu City did indeed lag a bit behind. Cities like Nanhai City and Wanghai City, which are special administrative regions, needn’t be mentioned, as they could even rival municipalities like Hucheng City. Even the youngest vice-provincial-level city, Northwestern Lizhou City, trumped Tianfu City in development. As the mayor, Lu Chengdong was naturally anxious.
After pondering for a moment, Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “Lu Chengdong’s plan seems workable. However, I still want to hear Lu Chengdong’s thoughts.”
As he spoke, Nie Zhenbang picked up his pen and swiftly wrote a few lines on the report, ‘Please have the relevant comrades at the Provincial Development and Reform Commission support the project initiation.’ Then, he signed his name, Nie Zhenbang.
He passed the documents to Fang Yuan and instructed, “Old Fang, take these materials to the Provincial Development and Reform Commission. Though Tianfu City is a separately planed city with its financial affairs managed by the central government, it is still the capital of our Bashu Province. If Tianfu City develops well, it will have a significant impact on the entire Bashu Province. The province should still offer its support. Also, give Lu Chengdong a call and ask him to come over.”
When summoned by the governor, Lu Chengdong did not dare to be careless. He had also gathered considerable information from the Secretary-General. In this aspect, Lu Chengdong’s work was very thorough.
Having reached his current position, Lu Chengdong naturally wouldn’t be a novice in handling interpersonal relationships. He quickly gathered his materials, grabbed his briefcase, and in less than five minutes, Lu Chengdong appeared outside the governor’s office.
After Lu Chengdong was seated, looking at him, Nie Zhenbang smiled and said, “Comrade Chengdong, I called you here mainly to hear your detailed thoughts. Regarding the old city renovation and the urban village transformation projects in Tianfu City, does your city have a specific work roadmap?”
When it came to official matters, Lu Chengdong immediately nodded and took out his notebook. After opening it, he began to report, “Governor, the renovation projects for the old city and urban villages in Tianfu City should be considered together.”
“Speaking of renovation, it is also a historical issue of Tianfu City. At the beginning of the nation’s founding, the urban area of Tianfu City was very limited. After so many years of development and the establishment of the new provincial party committee and provincial government, as well as the new municipal party committee and municipal government, there is a region of about eight square kilometers, from Rongdong District in the east, Huian District in the south, the university town in the west, and Xichun Road to the north, which used to be the suburbs of Tianfu City and areas concentrated with bankrupt enterprises. The buildings are low, the roads narrow, and public welfare facilities are not fully equipped, all of which have severely affected the image and development of Tianfu City. After detailed investigation and careful verification by our city government, we believe it is necessary to thoroughly renovate this area. After renovation, it will become the CBD business center of the whole city, the new image, and the new business card of Tianfu City.”
Lu Chengdong’s report was fluent, and even though he had opened his notebook, there was no hesitation in his speech. His train of thought was clear and his purpose definite. This impressed Nie Zhenbang. What policymakers fear most is ambiguity.
However, Lu Chengdong’s report was clear and well-structured. He had a very clear notion about the main positioning for this area as the central business district, which would indeed fill a gap for Tianfu City.
But then again, the overall transformation of an area of eight square kilometers involved not only the demolition and expropriation work in shantytowns and urban villages but also the expansion and quality improvement of the road network, public utilities, water, electricity, gas, communication networks, and investment attraction during the renovation process. These were unavoidable challenges.
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Based on his own experience, this investment was no small sum. Whether or not successful investment attraction could be achieved would be a crucial issue.
With this in mind, Nie Zhenbang also wanted to hear about Lu Chengdong’s specific arrangements and implementation measures. Within the system, there are many leaders who can conduct macro planning and have big visions. Every year, so many local leaders travel south and north to learn from the grandeur and patterns of large cities, imitating without true understanding. However, numerous attempts at actual implementation turn out to be shoddy and chaotic.
The plan was excellent, but what mattered most was its execution. Whether it could be accomplished was the key. After a moment of contemplation, Nie Zhenbang looked at Lu Chengdong and said, “Mayor Chengdong, the large-scale renovation of an area of eight square kilometers is no small matter. Does Tianfu City have a specific implementation plan and concrete policies for investment attraction?” (
