Chapter 1276: Chapter 1231: Inspecting the Local Area Chapter 1276: Chapter 1231: Inspecting the Local Area Nie Zhenbang’s office was on the west side of the Government Affairs Council, neither large nor small. It couldn’t compare to the local offices that easily span over a hundred square meters, sometimes even several hundred, with their super luxurious accommodations. The higher up one went, the more detached they became concerning such external possessions.

The entire office, a renovated old room of about thirty-something square meters, had walls redolent of ancient charm. The rosewood furniture inside gave off a quaint and striking air.

The outer room was Xia Gang’s workplace. Inside was where Nie Zhenbang worked.

After the welcome meeting, Nie Zhenbang’s work entered a normal trajectory. In reality, the welcome meeting was more about the formality than the event itself. The deputies of the Government Affairs Council and the general mid-level officials were mostly familiar to Nie Zhenbang, who had had extensive interactions with the Council during his time in local offices. Thus, the welcome meeting was more about recognition and attitude. It signified to everyone that Nie Zhenbang was now one of their own.

Nie Zhenbang had a clear division of work, assisting President Mu with economic construction, and overseeing environmental protection, agriculture, industrial information industry, healthcare, and education.

If this were on the local level, it was hardly any different from a deputy mayor in charge of science, education, culture, health, and sports. However, this was undoubtedly normal; within the Vice Premiers of the Government Affairs Council, Nie Zhenbang was the youngest and least experienced. Among the newly added leaders, he was the only one. Under such circumstances, overseeing these areas was unlikely to cause resentment among others.

Yet, the situation was different from the local level, as Nie Zhenbang also held the title of Deputy Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Government Affairs Council. Moreover, he assisted President Mu in focusing on economic construction. This one word highlighted Nie Zhenbang’s status and would surely lead to future redeployment and readjustment.

Of course, there were deeper reasons for this arrangement. In promoting Treatment Sand No. 5 nationwide, the responsibility no doubt fell on Nie Zhenbang. Such an oversight was most appropriate at this stage, not provoking any dissatisfaction among colleagues while also reflecting Nie Zhenbang’s value and status.

The door was pushed open, and outside, Xia Gang walked in with a stack of materials in hand. He placed them on the table and reported, “Chief, this is your schedule. Please take a look.”

As he spoke, Xia Gang began to explain one by one, “Chief, our plan this time is to first visit Minan Province. After meeting the leadership of the Minnan Province Committee in Minzhou City, we’ll head south to WangHai to inspect the construction of the industrial park and the urban development situation, staying overnight in WangHai. On the second day, we’ll fly directly from WangHai to Hongjiang Province to observe the economic development there. Then we’ll proceed to Bashu Province for inspection. The entire process will last five days. We will not stay in Bashu Province; instead, we’ll embark on the return journey to Jingcheng that night to accompany President Mu to the East Asia Three Nations–ASEAN Summit Meeting.”

Nie Zhenbang nodded. He was satisfied with Xia Gang’s work, after all, Xia Gang had been his secretary for over a year. His own temper and preferred work styles were well understood by Xia Gang without need for reminders. Xia Gang also handled various matters quite appropriately.

Taking local inspections upon taking office was Nie Zhenbang’s wish as well as President Mu’s suggestion. It was impossible to guess President Mu’s thoughts. The arrangement for the entire trip covered three provinces where he had previously worked. Undoubtedly, this trip would be an opportunity to meet his former colleagues and subordinates, lending a sense of returning home in glory. However, more than that, it was about emotional connection and relationship consolidation in preparation for the latter half of the year’s Party Congress.

The way of working now also differed greatly from the past. In previous local positions, the job encompassed the overall situation–of the whole county, city, or province with a focus mainly on economic development and party and government personnel. But now, after transferring to the Government Affairs Council, the direction of work had changed. Current considerations must not be confined to a single area or city but should be approached from the standpoint of the country’s overall situation.

Moreover, problem-solving can no longer simply focus on the economy. Although Nie Zhenbang could inquire into these aspects, his main responsibility lay in his designated purview: environmental protection, agriculture, the industrial information industry, healthcare, and education.

Now, it is these sectors of oversight that truly reflect Nie Zhenbang’s worth and government achievements–the regulation of the national healthcare market, investment and progress in education, and development in agriculture, among others.

This trip was partly to connect emotions and exchange thoughts. On another level, it provided a comprehensive inspection and groundwork understanding of these sectors of oversight.

Without investigation, there is no right to speak. Only after delving into the grassroots and understanding firsthand information, could Nie Zhenbang develop corresponding strategies.

Outside the door, a voice could be heard. Nie Zhenbang also straightened up. Following that, a knock on the door came, and Xia Gang entered, speaking softly, “Leader, Director Chen has arrived.”

Standing outside the door, Director of the Government Affairs Office, Chen Tao, was already at the entrance. Seeing Chen Tao, a smile appeared on Nie Zhenbang’s face. It must be said, they were old acquaintances.

Back in the day, after the old patriarch of the Nie family had passed away, it was Chen Tao’s brother, Chen Bo, who had infuriated Nie Zhenbang, ultimately earning himself a scolding. Nie Zhenbang remembered slapping Chen Bo’s cheek and saying, “Kid, Nie Guowei is as impressive as ever; it would be more like it if your Chen family’s elder brother came, you’re not yet qualified.” The “elder brother” of the Chen family mentioned in his words was none other than Chen Tao.

Chen Tao was around forty-seven or forty-eight years old and was now serving as the Director of the Government Affairs Office in the central organs. This position was undoubtedly beneficial for Chen Tao, although he was not yet on the Politburo, as a member of the Government Affairs Party group, he was also an alternate member of the Politburo, and twelve years later, he would just be fifty-nine years old. It was perfect. Looking at it now, Chen Tao had a good chance of joining the core work of Jiuding in the future.

As Chen Tao entered the room, Nie Zhenbang also stood up and personally poured a cup of hot tea for Chen Tao, smiling and saying, “Comrade Chen Tao, I didn’t expect that we would meet here. From now on, I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you with work-related matters.”

Such a form of address was carefully considered by Nie Zhenbang. Calling him “Brother Tao” seemed not quite familiar enough, and “Elder Brother Chen Tao”? That also seemed somewhat inappropriate. “Little Chen”? Given their ranks and relationship, it didn’t quite fit. After some thought, “Comrade Chen Tao” was the most suitable.

Chen Tao also responded with a smile, “Nie Guowei, you’re being too polite. I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you yet for making it to where you are today. From now on, I’ll be at your service. Please look after me.”

Chen Tao’s position was clear. Any astute observer could see that Nie Zhenbang was not likely to finish his career as simply the third highest-ranking official. Just consider his age to know this; Nie Zhenbang was only forty-four years old this year, forty-five by traditional count, and twelve years later, he would be only fifty-seven. There had been no talk of retirement. Nie Guowei was an exception, his capabilities were there for all to see, and making it to Jiuding seemed unlikely, so for his son’s future, he had filed for retirement due to illness.

Such a person was extremely influential and had to be treated seriously. Therefore, even though Chen Tao was one or two years older than Nie Zhenbang, he still acted with great caution and care.

Nie Zhenbang also laughed, pleased with Chen Tao’s attitude. Having such a considerate Director of the Government Affairs Office in the Government Affairs Council would undeniably make his own work much easier. Nodding slightly, he said with a smile, “Brother Tao, we both come from the same government compound; I remember you’re from the Planning Commission’s compound, right? We’re practically from the same yard. I won’t get too sentimental. We’re all here for our work; let’s just work hard together.”

On his part, Chen Tao also nodded and said with emotion, “In the past I didn’t quite see it, but now I’ve come to realize, Nie Guowei, your capability truly surpasses ours.”

Pondering for a moment, Chen Tao then said earnestly, “Nie Guowei, please take a look over this. These are the accompanying personnel for the inspection of the local areas. Comrades Zhou Minghui from the Ministry of Agriculture, Han Liyang from the Environmental Protection Administration, and Guo Kui from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Moreover, since Comrade Lv Songguang from the Ministry of Education is on an inspection trip abroad, the Executive Vice-Minister Yao Weizheng will accompany us. These are the main leaders, plus the supporting staff and security detail. The total number is around thirty people. This is strictly in accordance with the spirit of the central document. There will be no exceeding the standard. No excessiveness.”

Thirty people, Nie Zhenbang pondered for a moment. Including himself, that made five leaders. One secretary per person. Plus the security guards. That adds up to fifteen people. With four ministries, an average of four people per ministry, two mid-level bureau-level officials and two general cadre, this arrangement seemed about right. Any further cuts would be unreasonable. When going down to the local level, it was necessary to achieve some results; with too few people, it wasn’t possible to attend to everything personally. In that case, not only five days but even fifty days might not be enough.

Considering this, Nie Zhenbang simply nodded with a smile and said, “Old Chen, you have more experience in this area than me, just arrange it as you see fit. Just keep to one overall principle–no elaborate receptions, no road closures, and no excessive hospitality, and that will do.”

Hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Chen Tao also nodded and replied, “Okay, I understand. Since that’s the case, I will make the arrangements.”

When central leaders travel, it is essential to arrange things in advance and to inform the localities by phone before the visit. It involves the local arrangements and the safety of the leaders. These are not matters to be taken lightly, and even Nie Zhenbang now would not resort to any secret inspections. Should such an approach be taken, it would only lead to complaints from the local officials, which would be counterproductive.

At this moment, Chen Tao felt somewhat moved internally. Nie Zhenbang’s performance had left Chen Tao thoroughly convinced. Nie Zhenbang’s style, it was clear, wasn’t just for show–it came from the heart. Now, Chen Tao somewhat understood that Nie Zhenbang’s success may be partly due to luck, partly due to background, but critically, it was his own abilities that played a larger role. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to cast recommendation votes and monthly tickets at . Your support is my greatest motivation.)