Chapter 415: Chapter 397: Drawing the Fire From Under the Pot_1
 

Nie Zhenbang was going to investigate at the Finance Bureau, that afternoon, Liu Weijun just passed the message to Ren Yong from the Finance Bureau. Ren Yong rushed to the City Committee Office Building.

Ren Yong was about thirty-four or five years old. He was not tall, about 1.7 meters, his body proportion was very well balanced. Overall, he looked very sharp. His looks were quite appealing. His eyebrows were very thick, in this respect, he was somewhat similar to Fan Changsheng.

Seeing Ren Yong come in, Wang Mingxuan stood up smiling, pointing to the door: “Mr. Ren, in you go, there’re not many people in the Secretary’s office right now.”

Ren Yong pushed the door and went in, he did not have the usual awe for the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, he sat down on the sofa. Looking at Fan Changsheng who was as steady as Mount Taishan in front of the table, Ren Yong spoke up: “Uncle, it seems like you’re not even bothered. Nie Zhenbang is probably going to make a move against me. He blocked Chen Le’s funds yesterday. Looking at that guy Chen Le, he would love to tear me apart. This time, Nie Zhenbang’s coming on strong, I suppose he’s going to make a move against me.”

Fan Changsheng’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, he spoke very seriously: “What are you panicking about? You’re way past thirty, yet you’re still so impetuous. If he’s strong, let him be, a gentle breeze grazes the mountain ridge, you neither steal nor rob nor are you corrupt, what are you afraid of him for? To pick a bone, there needs to be a legitimate reason.”

They always said nephews resemble uncles. He was satisfied with his sister’s son, Ren Yong; unlike his own son, who always stays in Jiangzhou, and hang around a group of yamen born, also planning to establish a company. This annoyed Fan Changsheng a lot.

In Fan Changsheng’s view, all the rich and wealth were illusions, only power was real, having power meant having everything.

Seeing as his son was simply not cut out for the officialdom, Fan Changsheng put all his thoughts on his nephew, Ren Yong. He was quite pleased with Ren Yong. An outstanding student from Jiangbei University who, after being assigned to Liangxi City and with Fan Changsheng’s nourishment, has done several big things. With a successful career, he became a Deputy Level official at just thirty-two. This time, hopping over to the Finance Bureau, taking on a position of the Bureau Chief which is a Director Level, and he’s just thirty-five. Apart from people who have deep backgrounds like Nie Zhenbang and Li Guohua, he really demonstrated great promise. He could still hold this position for a couple more terms and by the time he retires, he reckoned his nephew would at least reach his current position. There was also a chance for the young to outdo the old.

After some thought, Fan Changsheng still decided to give his nephew a heads up. Even though, in terms of age, Nie Zhenbang was younger than his nephew. But Fan Changsheng was very clear, the two were not even on the same level in terms of ability.

“Xiao Yong, be careful with the matters of the Finance Bureau. Nie Zhenbang is not an easy person to deal with. If anything comes up, push it to me. No matter how aggressive Nie Zhenbang is, there’s not much he can do against me.” Fan Changsheng’s words had a naturally domineering tone. The Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee didn’t hold his position for nothing. His actions naturally exuded a kind of dignity.

Upon hearing this, Ren Yong was overjoyed, he immediately stood up and shyly said: “Uncle, I’m reassured with your words. No matter how aggressive Nie Zhenbang is, what can he do against you? Alright, I’ll go back and make arrangements first. Nie Zhenbang doesn’t like ostentatiousness, right? I’ll make sure to give him a lavish welcome.”

The next day.

Sunny and bright, a rare day.

In this rainy season, the sun rarely came out in Liangxi City.

Nie Zhenbang’s car drove straight into the courtyard of the Finance Bureau. Looking at the scene ahead, Liu Weijun furrowed his brows.

As the Secretary-General of the municipal government, Liu Weijun must maintain unity with Nie Zhenbang. Although, Liu Weijun knew very well that he wouldn’t have this position as the Secretary-General for long. Allegedly, he would be transferred to Liangxi Medical School to serve as the Secretary of the Party Committee. Liu Weijun was quite anxious. How could an educational and health unit compare to the Party and government agencies? With his qualifications, he could also serve as the head of a county. So, Liu Weijun was quite eager.

“Mayor, this Ren Yong is really out of line. I clearly informed him yesterday. Yet he behaves like this. Or, you wait a moment, I’ll go down and arrange.” Liu Weijun’s expression looked furious.

Nie Zhenbang laughed, Liu Weijun was not a bad person at heart. If it weren’t because Yi Jun was waiting for this position, Nie Zhenbang wouldn’t mind letting Liu Weijun continue his duty.

“Weijun, let it be. Let’s go down together. Respect does not lie in appearances, let’s not be too formal. I think, the arrangement of the Finance Bureau is quite good.” Nie Zhenbang started speaking.

At this moment, Liu Weijun was stunned, but he couldn’t help feeling overjoyed in his heart. Mayor Nie called him Weijun, this intimately warm address, this is something that has never happened before. In the past, Mayor Nie would address him as Secretary Liu, or comrade Weijun. Now, this means that he has already won the recognition of Nie Zhenbang.

Yi Jun got out of the car first and opened the door for Nie Zhenbang. After getting out of the car, Nie Zhenbang was also looking around at the Finance Bureau office building, which is a new office building in use since last October.

A white ceramic tile wall, a long rectangular office building, slightly bent. In the center is the lobby of the office building, on the columns on either side, on the left hangs a row of signs, the Liangxi City Finance Bureau.

There were no welcoming banners on the building, no welcoming team at the entrance. Underneath the building, there was only one person waiting.

Liu Weijun quietly introduced, “Mayor, this is Ren Yong, he is Secretary Fan’s nephew.”

These words stunned Nie Zhenbang for a moment. It seemed, his change of attitude towards Liu Weijun was worthwhile, at least he was unaware of this connection. Liu Weijun, after all, was an old hand in Liangxi city, he was very clear about some of the city’s inner connections.

Nie Zhenbang then stepped forward. Seeing Nie Zhenbang approaching, Ren Yong also greeted him, “Mayor Nie, welcome, welcome.”

Hearing Ren Yong’s words, Nie Zhenbang’s expression was very calm and serious. He said casually, “Director Ren, I’ve heard that the city’s finances are tight and funds are scarce. I’m shocked that it’s only March, not even April yet, and you’ve run into this situation. There are seven or eight months left in the year. How do you plan to get by? I couldn’t sit still and I came to see how the finance bureau manages the hundreds of millions of annual income and funds, all of which have run out in these three months.”

These words were rather harsh. At this moment, Ren Yong, hearing these words, was clearly embarrassed, his face didn’t look good. Fortunately, Ren Yong didn’t call the others down. He wasn’t losing face at the moment.

After adjusting his mentality, Ren Yong also smiled and said, “Mayor, this way please, everyone in the meeting room is waiting for you.”

With Ren Yong leading the way, Nie Zhenbang and his entourage entered the meeting room of the finance bureau. At the moment, the members of the leadership team of the finance bureau’s party group had already waited here.

With a glance, he caught Liu Qingquan’s gaze. He nodded slightly, and then Nie Zhenbang sat down. On his left was the secretary-general of the city government, Liu Weijun, and on his right was Yi Jun. Ren Yong sat next to Liu Weijun, while the other leaders of the Finance Bureau took their respective seats.

After a quick look around, Nie Zhenbang kept a straight face and said, “I came to the Finance Bureau this time with a pair of ears. Mainly, I want to listen to the Finance Bureau’s arrangements and budget for this year’s finances. Director Ren, who is in charge of this aspect? Please introduce.”

Raising an eyebrow, Ren Yong explained with a strained smile, “Mayor Nie, I personally oversee this aspect of the work. In our Liangxi city, we follow the one-stroke policy, and so does the Finance Bureau. The main work is handled by me.”

Following that, Ren Yong elaborated on the overall financial situation and planning for the whole Liangxi city, touching on estimated revenue, expenditure, and such matters. To be fair, Ren Yong was quite a talent. In terms of finance, he had a very solid foundation. All kinds of data came off his tongue easily, showing that Ren Yong wasn’t one to idle.

After the report, Nie Zhenbang’s tone shifted, and he said, looking at Ren Yong, “Director Ren, a few days ago, the city’s public security bureau needed an allocation of two million funds to purchase police cars and other equipment. How come I heard that you stopped it here, and finally, like squeezing toothpaste, squeezed thirty thousand for them?”

“After a pause, Nie Zhenbang said gravely, “Comrades, don’t underestimate the role of the public security bureau. At present, although economic construction is the focus, a good public security environment is also necessary. While developing the economy, we should take care of the logistical support work for the public security department and let all the city’s public security officers have no distractions. This is worthwhile. This is also necessary. Imagine, if the safety of life and property of the people in the city can not be guaranteed, everyone is in a state of panic. The rich would run to other cities. How could our Liangxi develop then? What is there to talk about development?”

As soon as his words fell, everyone at the Finance Bureau fell silent. Mayor Nie was furious at the moment. His personal directive had no effect. It was already very good of him to be so calm. Moreover, this matter was handled by Ren Yong alone. Naturally, other party members wouldn’t voluntarily take the blame.

Ren Yong knew that at this time, he had to step up. If he won, his position in the Finance Bureau would be further consolidated. From then on, this would be his territory, it would be difficult for Nie Zhenbang to intervene. If he couldn’t hold on, there would be internal frictions within the Finance Bureau. Even worse, he might be sidelined.

Following what he and his uncle Fan Changsheng had agreed on beforehand, Ren Yong now shifted all the issues to him. He explained with a strained smile, “Mayor Nie, concerning this matter, allow me to explain. It’s not that our Finance Bureau wasn’t allocating funds. The fact is, we at the Finance Bureau also have difficulties. Most of the money is stuck in the account, Secretary Fan has given a dead order, this money, cannot be moved, it’s for the Liangxi Airport.”

As soon as his words fell, Nie Zhenbang slammed the table and said in a deep voice, “Ridiculous, the city’s finances control the whole city’s economy. It’s not just for one job. The Liangxi Airport project is being taken over by the city government. It won’t be successful in a short time. Could it be said that all the cadres and masses in the city don’t need money, that it should be kept in the bank to get moldy? What are you doing, Ren Yong? When did it become your concern what the city’s resolution was? You just need to manage the financial expenditures and income. How exactly it should be used in the city, naturally, the city would coordinate.”

After a pause, Nie Zhenbang said indifferently, “Director Ren, as far as the work of the Finance Bureau is concerned, I see that you are very busy. Although it is true that the capable should do more, it’s not necessary for you to do everything. I think letting Comrade Liu Qingquan be responsible for financial allocations can also help share your workload.”

These words were absolutely ruthless. Ren Yong was stunned. He hadn’t expected Nie Zhenbang to be so direct, giving him a low blow. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to cast your recommend votes and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support, is my greatest motivation.)