Chapter 228: Reporting to the Youth Corps_1

Translator: 549690339

“Dear comrades from the armed police, I am here to…” Nie Zhenbang stepped forward to greet, but didn’t get a chance to finish his sentence.

The guard at the door, upon glancing at Nie Zhenbang, quickly interjected, “You’re here to deliver something to the leader, right? Have you telephoned him? If not, please wait a while.”

The armed police spoke with decorum. Standing guard at the Party School, armed police were generally vigilant. The people coming and going were either leaders, secretaries, or family members. One couldn’t afford to offend any of these individuals.

Currently, Nie Zhenbang was mistaken for a leader’s secretary by the policeman, understandably so. Nie Zhenbang looked too young, just in his twenties, and had arrived alone driving his car. If he were a party leader, wouldn’t there be people doting on him from all sides?

Nie Zhenbang chuckled and handed out his official introduction letter, “I believe there was a misunderstanding. I have come to register here for the young cadres’ training course held by our autonomous region. Can you tell me where the registration office is?”

Listening to Nie Zhenbang’s words, the policeman hesitated. He had heard about this officers’ training programme, a cadre training program initiated by the autonomous region, with strict age and rank limits. According to rumors, this programme could potentially breed future core cadres of the autonomous region. Even the future Secretary of the Party Committee of the autonomous region and the Chairman of the autonomous regional government could be among them.

Observing Nie Zhenbang’s introduction letter, the policeman was even more astonished. As a twenty-four-year-old official heading the county government, Nie Zhenbang was taking part in a deputy bureau-level cadre training program. Promptly, he saluted, “Hello, Officer. It’s straight ahead from here. Look for a two-story office building. That’s the administration building of the party school. The first office on the left of the first floor is where you will complete your enrollment process.”

Nie Zhenbang’s car was parked nearby. As soon as he got out, a chubby man walked out from the office on the left, somewhat discontented, followed by a young man.

The young man, carrying several bags, seemed to be serving his master and proposed with some hesitation, “Secretary Min, should I rent a room nearby and help you tidy up in a few days?”

Min, who was the chubby man, calmed down. After all, those who could attend the training program were not riff-raff. Taking the luggage from his secretary, he gestured dismissively, “Never mind, Xiao Wang. Go back first. Everyone’s in the same boat. If I seek special treatment, I’ll stand out.”

Catching sight of Nie Zhenbang, Secretary Min advanced to greet him, “Comrade, are you also here to register for your leader? If not, you should probably have him come over.”

Min paused for a moment before pointing to Nie Zhenbang, “Wait, it seems I’ve seen you before.”

Min’s outgoing personality made Nie Zhenbang laugh. He was straightforward, if not exactly a gentleman, and definitely not devious. Getting along with someone like Min was easy. In turn, Nie Zhenbang extended his hand and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Secretary Min. This is Nie Zhenbang, the county head of Lixian, Bazhou City. I’m looking forward to being your classmate over the next year.”

Hearing Nie Zhenbang’s self-introduction, Min slapped his forehead and burst out laughing, “I knew I had met you somewhere. Buddy, you’re famous. I bet everyone in the whole of Xibei knows you by now.”

Following this, Min struck a serious pose, “I am Min Zhigao, deputy secretary of Kema City Committee. As we are classmates, let’s not focus on ranks. If we start comparing posts and ages, you are the youngest among us. Let’s keep the relationship at a student level. Call me Brother Gao, or Fat Gao if you like.”

Min Zhigao’s words surprised Nie Zhenbang. Deputy bureau-level officials with Min’s kind of aura were rare. Despite this, Nie Zhenbang didn’t look down on him. Each of the attendees at the training programme carried their own weight. He was here to keep a low profile. Laughing, Nie Zhenbang replied “Great, I’ll call you Brother Gao then. You carry on and I’m going to complete my enrollment process. When I have time tomorrow, I’ll invite you for lunch, Brother Gao.”

The office staff were very enthusiastic. Nie Zhenbang was a known personality in Xibei, well known to the faculty at the Party School. His appearance at the Party School this time was due to an explicit invitation by Principal Li Yifeng, deputy head of the Party Committee of Xibei. A young official of his rank who could attract the attention of such high-ranking officials was clearly of considerable repute.

After quickly getting all the registration procedures done, Nie Zhenbang received his dormitory number. As this was an advanced training program lasting for one year, comprehensive arrangements had been made by the Party School. With a total of thirty-two attendees in the entire class, excluding six women, the remaining twenty-six male students were assigned to dormitories, with four in each room.

Nie Zhenbang’s dormitory number was 207, which suited his liking. People in the system usually prefer ascending numbers, seeking luck.

By the time Nie Zhenbang entered the dormitory, everyone else had already settled in. Perhaps because it was the first day, they were all sitting together, talking and laughing. Everyone here is smart and they understand that this was more than just a training class but an opportunity to establish networks. Who knows, someone might get promoted faster than you, be transferred and turn out to be your immediate supervisor. So, building relationships now would be a huge help in the future.

In life, there are three types of crucial friendships; those you went to school with, those you have been through battles with, and those you’ve visit the brothel with. Schoolmates have always been a very solid kind of network. For this reason, everyone chose to stay and communicate instead of going out.

As soon as Nie Zhenbang walked in, he broke into laughter. It’s really ironic how coincidences work out. He didn’t expect to be grouped with Min Zhigao.

At this moment, Min Zhigao also stood up, laughing boisterously, “Elder brother Nie, talk about luck. Who would’ve thought that we would end up being roommates?”

“Brothers, let me introduce you to my buddy here.” Min Zhigao’s way of speaking at that moment was like a character from a Wuxia novel, nowhere near the decorum expected from a city deputy secretary.

Nie Zhenbang started sizing up the other two men. One of them was wearing a very traditional suit, probably the Kim Lee brand, with a red tie that had a tie clip attached. He had gold-rimmed glasses and neatly combed hair. He acted prudently. This kind of man is a scholarly type of official. The other one had a clean-cut flat-top hairstyle, with a height of 1.85 meters and a muscular build, making him look somewhat formidable.

Before Min Zhigao could introduce them, the flat-top man came forward, extending his hand, “Director Nie, it’s a pleasure. I’m Zhou Chun Lei, the secretary of the Law and Order Committee of Yu City. I used to be a soldier, a former military officer in the Xibei Military Region. Now I’m slightly affiliated with the military. Let’s stay in touch.”

Zhou Chun Lei, true to his name, had a booming voice. It really is ear-piercing when he speaks. Nie Zhenbang also laughed and extended his hand, “Secretary Zhou is too polite. In the future, I’ll be relying on the help and support of all the older brothers.”

Finally, the man with the glasses greeted Nie Zhenbang with a restrained smile. “Director Nie, hello. I am Qiao Yuan, the Deputy Mayor of Yihah City’s People’s Government. I admire Director Nie’s economic construction achievements. I’ve been wanting to visit Lixian to learn more, and it seems my wish is fulfilled now.”

Qiao Yuan’s demeanour always gives people a refined feeling. Moreover, he always carries a warm smile on his face, making him hard to figure out. Just when Nie Zhenbang was about to reply, Min Zhigao interjected with a chuckle, “Okay, let’s drop the formalities. Looking at the time, it’s almost time for lunch. I’ll treat everyone. This can be our dorm’s first mini-gathering. We’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other later. If we keep up with the pleasantries, I wouldn’t know how to continue.”

There are many restaurants around the party’s autonomous region school. The local cuisine of Xibei isn’t a novelty to the bureaucrats from Xibei, but this time, Min Zhigao specifically chose a Sichuan restaurant.

A Sichuanese spicy hot pot, boiled slices of pork, and eggplant in garlic sauce, with a few other seasonal dishes. A plate of peanuts but no alcoholic drinks as they still had a full class project in the afternoon. All of them were people of status, and it wouldn’t look good if they got drunk.

At this moment, seizing the chance while the dishes were being served, Min Zhigao started to speak, “Brothers, I’ve inquired a bit. This time, our class has got quite a few impressive figures.”

With a personality like Min Zhigao, although it appeared to undermine his image superficially, this kind of behaviour is quite appealing among peers. Initially, when the secretaries were present, Min Zhigao had maintained a different attitude. This is a skill, a technique of interpersonal communication. Judging by the circumstance, Min Zhigao seems to get along quite well with his classmates.

Otherwise, there’s no way he could have gathered information in such a short period. Zhou Chun Lei also intervened with a laugh, “Gao Pangzi, don’t keep us in suspense. Do tell. I have no interest in class leadership. I know myself well. I’m a simple man, just being in this class makes me content.”

Now Qiao Yuan chimed in with a gentle smile, “The first impressive figure is probably our Nie Brother here. As for the others, I’m not so clear.”

Min Zhigao nodded immediately, “We don’t need to mention our brother here. I heard that Lin HaiKun’s son, who has just been appointed as the standing deputy chairman, and Kema City’s deputy mayor Lin Yang, are also in the class. He’s a vice-ministerial level official at just thirty. Besides Lin Yang, the son of the former party committee secretary Xu Maochai, Xu Jianhua, has also entered. It seems like the position of the branch secretary will be fiercely contested this time.”

PS: I recommend Qu Feng’s new officialdom novel “I am an Officer”.”

I’m quite embarrassed this month. From last night until now, there’s only been one monthly ticket. Please, I’m asking for a monthly ticket, a recommendation. Please give Old Cai the motivation to write. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to qidian.com to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)