Reborn as a Noble's Son

However, despite their envy, the scions of Yang family were well educated by Elder Yang. The Yang family, with numerous siblings and their offspring, had never had any improprieties. This was all thanks to their elder.

Inside Elder Nie’s study, the moment they stepped through the door, the two elders settled in chairs at the side. Looking at Nie Zhenbang, Elder Nie said with a smile, “Zhenbang, it’s safe to say you have had a hundred reasons not to want to come back this time.”

As soon as Elder Nie finished his remarks, Elder Yang listened attentively. Nie Zhenbang’s capabilities had been confirmed after his work in the Central Committee and Lixian County, there was no doubt about them. Politically, Elder Yang was generally satisfied. As for the issue with the People’s Congress skipping the ballot, as they stood at the level of Elder Yang and others, they saw it much more clearly.

On the surface, Nie Zhenbang had committed a major taboo. However, thinking about it from another perspective, this mishap demonstrated his young, impulsive, and immature side. Had he been flawlessly politician-like, he might have become a target for collective attack. Now, this incident, surprisingly hits the mark and has relieved him of considerable pressure.

Nie Zhenbang paused for a moment. Before his return to Jingcheng, he was in the dark, but the explanation from Nie Jialei helped clear things up for him.

Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “Grandfather, Grandpa Yang. If we look from the development perspective of Xinli, I’m reluctant indeed. Xinli is at a crucial period in its development. I feel that Xinli has not yet reached my ideal state, coming back now, it’s hard for me to understand. However, considering the period of the People’s Congress elections, I think my grandfather’s approach is correct. This is like he’s cleaning up my mess.”

Elder Nie was pleased with Nie Zhenbang’s straightforward explanation and, seemingly satisfied, nodded and said, “Zhenbang, your next assignment should be deputy director of the Fifth Inspection Division of the Central Disciplinary Committee. It’s roughly lateral move, considering you’ve made a mistake. There is no way your rank can be promoted. You should leave now to get prepared. You will be reporting to the Central Disciplinary Committee office tomorrow.”

Upon hearing Elder Nie’s words, Nie Zhenbang was stunned. He initially thought he would be appointed as a deputy mayor in some coastal city in the east, or a standing deputy mayor. After all, his reputation for developing the economy had already been established. Even if he were being transferred, he should remain in the local party and government leadership ranks. To his surprise, he was being sent to the Central Disciplinary Committee.

After Nie Zhenbang had left, Elder Yang contemplated thoughtfully. He admired Elder Nie’s strategy. On one hand, it silenced any argument from the Li family. Should they bring up this matter in future, Nie Zhenbang had already been punished. On the other hand, working at the Central Disciplinary Committee meant dealing with the dishonest and corrupt officials most frequently. It is incredibly difficult to extract evidence from these people. Through this experience, Nie Zhenbang’s political acumen would mature significantly. Elder Yang then smiled and said, “Old leader, your tact is just as sharp as it ever was.”

In their youth, Elder Nie was more senior and held higher positions than Elder Yang. However, Elder Yang later surpassed him. Still, when in private, they kept their original mode of address. When nobody was around, Elder Yang still habitually referred to Elder Nie as ‘the old leader’.

In reality, this was nothing more than a respectful title. Regardless of the past or present, Elder Nie has never been Elder Yang’s direct superior.

Hearing Elder Yang’s words, Elder Nie waved his hand and shook his head, saying, “Old Yang, to tell you the truth, my health, I reckon, won’t hold up for a very long time. You are well aware of the second generation of the Nie family. Neither Guodong nor Guowei have much potential for getting into the Political Bureau. As for the Xiao family, they’re not even worth mentioning. The Eldest, Guoping and her spouse, are too engrossed in their academic pursuits. The Nie family line is discontinuing. In the future, we will have to rely more on your support.”

Nie Zhenbang, having served for so many years, had a fair understanding of the workings of the Central Disciplinary Committee. Since the announcement from the central government early last year, the Central Disciplinary Committee and the Central Supervision Department had been working in the same office. The real power and influence of Central Disciplinary Committee now were much greater than before.

Aside from several departments including the Office, Comprehensive Supervision Room, Law and Regulation Room, Supervision and Inspection Room, Law Enforcement Supervision Room, the most important were the First to Seventh Rooms of the Disciplinary Inspection and Supervision inside the Central Disciplinary Committee.

The First Room was responsible for liaising with the Party, People’s Congress, the Political Consultative Conference, the Ministry of Politics and Law, Science and Education, Culture and Health, Sports and universities system. It was responsible for carrying out pre-investigation of disciplinary issues involving vice-ministerial level cadres and other cadres as confirmed by the Standing Committee of the Central Disciplinary Committee, and to handle cases of violation of party discipline. They guide, urge, and supervise the investigation of cases handled by the disciplinary inspection and supervision organizations they connect with and cases that are concerned by the provincial Disciplinary Committee and Provincial Supervision Office; accept reports on disciplinary issues and major case clues of vice-ministerial and higher-level cadre of the connected units from both inside and outside of the party; and supervise and inspect the implementation of the party line, policy, national laws, regulations, resolutions, and command situations, and the construction of party style and honest administration.

The Second Room was responsible for the disciplinary inspection and supervision work of major enterprises directly under the Central Government and some departments directly under the State Council. The duties of the Third Room are roughly the same as those of the Second Room.

The rest, Room Four, Five, Six, and Seven, are all responsible for the discipline inspection and supervision work in other provinces across the country.

Early the next day, Nie Zhenbang had already arrived at the Central Disciplinary Committee. Today, Nie Zhenbang dressed very formally and traditionally. A black jacket, with a deep-colored woolen coat on the outside. His leather shoes were brightly polished.

In Nie Zhenbang’s impression, the staff of the Discipline Inspection Committee always struck him as very traditional and stringent, not the kind to indulge in idle chatter.

However, seeing several staff members coming and going in the office building, some of them occasionally whispering and laughing, Nie Zhenbang found himself slightly amused. After finding the floor of the Disciplinary Committee’s office on the floor guide in the lobby, he went straight up and stood in front of the director’s office door. He took a deep breath and then knocked on the door.

A voice from inside said, “Come in.” Nie Zhenbang entered, and upon seeing him, Huo Qiuyuan, the director of the Central Disciplinary Committee’s office, had already stood up.

Nie Zhenbang didn’t recognize him, but he recognized Nie Zhenbang. Comrade Ouyang Xia, the standing deputy secretary of the Central Disciplinary Committee, had personally instructed him. Naturally, Huo Qiuyuan didn’t dare to neglect him.

“You must be Comrade Nie Zhenbang, who is here to report for duty. Please have a seat.” As he spoke, Huo Qiuyuan got up, poured a cup of hot tea for Nie Zhenbang, and then returned to his seat with a smile.

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang also replied with a smile, “Director Huo, you are too kind. We are colleagues now. I’m still quite ignorant about the work of the Disciplinary Committee, so I’ll need your support and help in the future.”

Upon hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Huo Qiuyuan also laughed, finding it rare to encounter such an unassuming cadre in Jingcheng, a place filled with connected and influential officials. He nodded and said, “Director Nie, you are too polite. Now that you have arrived, let’s discuss your work arrangements.”

When it came to work matters, Huo Qiuyuan’s expression became serious: “Director Nie, according to the arrangement of the Central Organization Department and the resolution of the Standing Committee of the Central Disciplinary Committee, you will serve as the deputy director of Room Five of the Central Disciplinary Committee. The main responsibility of Room Five is to supervise the discipline inspection work in six provinces and cities: Jiangbei, the South of the Yangtze River, Minzhou, Hucheng City, Polake, and Ludong. At present, Director Guo, in charge of Room Five, has been resting and recuperating due to health reasons. This time, by reassigning you to Room Five as deputy director, you are actually in charge of the full operations. During Director Guo’s absence, you will need to shoulder the responsibility for Room Five.”

Upon hearing Director Huo’s words, Nie Zhenbang didn’t show any surprise. The situation in Room Five seemed custom-fitted for him, most likely carefully arranged by Elder Yang and Elder Nan. Although his rank hadn’t been elevated, in reality, he was tasked with duties typically assigned to a department-level cadre. This was somewhat of a disguised promotion, even though the official rank remained that of deputy department level.

With these thoughts, Nie Zhenbang stood up, looking at Director Huo, “Director Huo, please rest assured, and so should the organization. I will certainly do my job well and take good care of discipline inspection.”

Although Huo Qiuyuan was only a department-level official, he represented the organization, so it was proper for Nie Zhenbang to say so.

The office of Room Five is located on the seventh floor of the Central Disciplinary Committee Building. The name ‘Room Five’ doesn’t mean they only have one office. In fact, among the various departments, bureaus, and offices under the Central Disciplinary Committee, the discipline inspection rooms have the most staff members.

Room Five occupies about one-fourth of the total area on the seventh floor. In total, there are eight offices. Apart from the director’s office and the deputy director’s office, there are six more offices, dividing into six groups, each corresponding to one of the provinces or cities supervised by Room Five.

Now, with Huo Qiuyuan’s arrival, all twenty-odd staff members of Room Five have gathered in one office. Seeing Nie Zhenbang, who is so young, many people were surprised.

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