Chapter 554 - 511: Elder Nan’s Position (Additional 700 Monthly Votes) _1

Chen Renqing made a blind move. After he uttered these words, Qiao Yiren didn’t show any emotional fluctuation. On the contrary, there was a hint of disdain. As the provincial party secretary, such a rash stance was not a wise choice. If he were not careful, it would be disastrous if other standing committee members held different opinions, his authority as the provincial party secretary would be utterly swept away.

However, Qiao Yiren also understood that the reason Chen Renqing was so impatient was to influence the decisions of other provincial standing committee members.

That’s why it was said that Chen Renqing was a reckless move. If it were the situation in Wanghai City, where the secretary of the city party committee still held the title of the standing committee member of the upper-level party committee, this kind of deterrence might still make sense. However, within the provincial standing committee, Chen Renqing’s attempt at intimidation was somewhat insufficient. Moreover, Nie Zhenbang’s position was at the vice-ministerial level, which required central approval. Many provincial party leaders would not offend Nie Zhenbang over such minor matters, especially when the decision-making authority did not lie in their hands. What was the point of vetoing it? What if the central authority eventually chose Nie Zhenbang? Wouldn’t that be a slap in the face?

Following this, Sun Yuzhou, a member of the Provincial Party Committee and Minister of Organization, slowly said, “I think Comrade Nie Zhenbang could be a candidate, one of the choices we recommend from the Minan Province to the central government. Who the central government chooses, or if they directly parachute someone in from above, will depend on the central government.”

Sun Yuzhou took a middle-of-the-road approach, recommending two candidates from the Minan Provincial Committee, regardless of who they were.

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiang Qiurong, the Minister of Propaganda of the Provincial Party Committee, Deputy Governor Zhao Qiming, and member of the Provincial Committee, all expressed their support for Sun Yuzhou’s opinion. Qiao Yiren then slowly said, “I also agree with Minister Sun. Regarding the position of the Mayor of Wanghai City, we, the Provincial Party Committee, only have the right to recommend, not the decision-making power. If the dispute continues, we could consider leaving it for now. After discussing another candidate, we can recommend two candidates to the central authority for decision.”

For a moment, there was a deadlock in the standing committee meeting. On one side, the Provincial Party Secretary and the Executive Deputy Governor expressed their firm opposition. On the other side, the newly appointed Governor, along with the Deputy Governor of the Provincial Standing Committee, the Minister of Organization, and the Minister of Propaganda expressed their support.

This proposition was put forward by Li Taishi, the Secretary of the Wanghai City Party Committee, so he naturally supported it. This would bring the number of votes in favor of Nie Zhenbang to five.

Yi Mingyang had an amused expression on his face. Seeing the firm attitudes on both sides, he smiled and said, “Secretary Chen, Governor Qiao, how about we compromise? Let’s follow Minister Sun’s proposal and nominate two candidates.”

When Chen Renqing heard that Yi Mingyang was also in favor, he lost his temper. If even Yi Mingyang, the new guy, expressed his support, things would be tricky. In the end, it would be his own face that he would lose. Therefore, Chen Renqing gave in to save his face, nodded and said, “Well, since Secretary Yi said so, I think we should do it this way.”

Having said this, Chen Renqing gave Sun Yuzhou a casual look and said, “Minister Sun, you take the lead on behalf of the Organization Department to personally talk to the other officials in Wanghai City. When the candidate for the mayor of Wanghai City is finalized, you can announce it all at once.”

…

The resolution of the Minan Provincial Party Standing Committee was submitted to Yu Shengdong, the Minister of the Central Organization Department. As soon as he saw Nie Zhenbang’s name, he was taken aback. He was aware of Nie Zhenbang’s promotion and his significant contributions. However, being promoted to the deputy ministerial level before the age of thirty, and not just any deputy ministerial rank within the ministries, but the mayor of a deputy provincial-level city, was a decision Yu Shengdong found difficult to make.

After giving it some thought, Yu Shengdong picked up the documents on his desk, left his office, and instructed his secretary, “Xiaoxia, arrange for a car. I’m going to see Secretary General Yuan.”

Being a member of the Central Political Bureau and the Minister of the Central Organization Department, Yu Shengdong’s official car had all kinds of special passage licenses. Soon, after a series of checks, the car parked outside Secretary General Yuan’s residence.

The office of Secretary General Yuan was located inside the Forbidden City. As soon as Yu Shengdong got out of the car, Secretary General Yuan’s security guard, Qian, came up to greet him.

These security guards were from the Zhongnanhai Security Department, and their tactical training was top-notch in the entire army. More importantly, these elite guards were highly trained in defensive tactics, and could even use their bodies to block bullets in critical situations.

Upon seeing Qian, Yu Shengdong was rather polite and smiled, “Qian, is the leader busy right now? I have important work to report to him.”

Yu Shengdong, being a frequent guest of Secretary General Yuan, was quickly let in. At the moment, Secretary General Yuan was sitting at his desk, reading a thick book. Seeing Yu Shengdong enter, Secretary General Yuan jokingly said, “What’s with the Minister today? You’re in such a hurry. It doesn’t look like your typical style.”

At this moment, Yu Shengdong also felt the harmonious relationship between the General Secretary and himself. With a smile, he said: “Leader, there is a matter over which I’m having difficulty making a decision, so I’ve come to solicit your opinion.”

Yu Shengdong put the documents he was holding on the desk, explaining, “Regarding the appointment of the new mayor of Wanghai City, the Provincial Committee of Minan Province has recommended two candidates. One is Comrade Xia Hongbing, the current Secretary-General of the provincial government. The other is Comrade Nie Zhenbang, the current Executive Vice Mayor of Wanghai City.”

It was pretty clear from that point. The situation that left the Minister of the Central Organization Department, who managed the national organization and personnel work and oversaw the promotions of national department-level officials, unable to make a decision, must involve Nie Zhenbang.

At that moment, General Secretary Yuan was also pondering. Among the top nine leaders, Zhuang Aiguo would surely be delighted. After all, Zhuang Aiguo had some familial ties with the Nie family, and he would undoubtedly fully support Nie Zhenbang’s promotion. Moreover, Comrade Yun Bo probably also had a supportive attitude. During the parliamentary sessions, Comrade Yun Bo had specifically met with Nie Zhenbang, which was likely a signal.

Honestly, he was also supportive. Otherwise, Qiao Yiren would not have thrown all his weight behind Nie Zhenbang, and Nie Zhenbang would not have been nominated either.

However, political matters can’t just go the way one wishes. This time, the Li family suffered a great loss in Wanghai City. Even though the Li family had the courage to endure loss and pain, the rise of Nie Zhenbang, their dire enemy, to the deputy ministerial level was bound to stir up trouble. In Jingcheng, the balance among other family factions also needed to be maintained. Even General Secretary Yuan found this a thorny issue.

This time, the Nie family had reaped substantial benefits. Nie Guodong had joined the game and served as the vice-chairman of the Military Commission. Nie Guowei was appointed as a member of the Central Committee and took charge of Bashu Province—the most populous and economically undeveloped in the southwest—as governor. Clearly, this was to prepare for Nie Guowei’s future, as he was only 48 years old. All the families in Jingcheng understood this point well. If Nie Zhenbang were to be elevated to the deputy ministerial position now, would the other families gang up against him? It was hard to say.

To get approval from the Politburo was easy, but to mollify the desires of all the families in Jingcheng proved more challenging. After a brief moment of thought, General Secretary Yuan nodded and said, “Comrade Shengdong, let’s leave this matter here for the time being until I have given it some thought. A deputy minister-level official under thirty years old would be unprecedented in our country, excluding those founding national meritorious figures from the founding period. This warrants our careful consideration.”

Within the walls of the Forbidden City, by the seaside round pavilion, there was an inconspicuous quadrangle courtyard where Elder Nan lived out his twilight years.

Unlike other national leaders who moved out after retirement, Elder Nan had an unparalleled status and nobody could match or shake.

Elder Nan was like the nation’s anchor – as long as this simple old man was around, the direction of the country’s development would never deviate.

At this moment, in Elder Nan’s study, the elder had just woken up from his nap and seemed to be in good spirits. Even General Secretary Yuan, who was present, was cautious, waiting for the health check-up handled by a medical map to be completed.

Then, General Secretary Yuan said, “Leader, this time when I come to you, I have a problem that I find difficult to solve. It’s about your god-grandson, Nie Zhenbang.”

Upon hearing this, a sharp glint passed in Elder Nan’s eyes, and his tone was as calm as ever, “Oh? What’s happened with that child? Has he caused some trouble? I know Zhenbang’s character, he doesn’t actively seek trouble. I suppose some child from another family stirred up trouble with him. I think it’s time to discipline the children in this courtyard.”

Elder Nan’s words seemed unrelated and irreverent. To put it crudely, it seemed as if he was suffering from dementia. However, General Secretary Yuan picked up on the deep implications in these seemingly irrelevant words. At this moment, General Secretary Yuan was also surprised. He hadn’t expected Nie Zhenbang to hold such a status in Elder Nan’s heart.

Immediately, General Secretary Yuan also smiled and said, “Old leader, don’t misunderstand. It’s not what you’re thinking. The main issue is the proposal to appoint Comrade Nie Zhenbang as the Deputy Secretary and Mayor of Wanghai City Municipal Party Committee. Having a deputy ministerial-level official in his thirties is unprecedented and could upset several families in Jingcheng.”

Elder Nan then fell silent for a while, before saying slowly, “Comrade Kang An, you’re the General Secretary. Strictly speaking, this old man shouldn’t be interfering. But since you asked, I might as well express my opinion. As the saying goes, ‘Age does not determine ambition, multiple years of aimless living is futile.’ In ancient times, Gan Luo became a prime minister at the age of 12. Now, with our reform and opening up, I’ve also kept saying that we can make bolder steps, especially in the direction of youth in officialdom. As long as we operate within the rules, what do we have to fear about interference from others? As Taizu once said, ‘All reactionaries are paper tigers.'”

PS: Please support with monthly votes. Elder Nan said, “Give your steadfast support. Hand over your monthly votes.” (