Chapter 1229: Chapter 1184: Arriving in a Profusion of Color Chapter 1229: Chapter 1184: Arriving in a Profusion of Color Jiang Yonghua’s words, although not explicitly expressed, had made his underlying attitude clear.
By naming the company, his intention was clear: he rely wanted Nie Zhenbang to take care of Dingsheng Group during the bidding process in Ancient City.
At this mont, Nie Zhenbang felt put on the spot. He had always disliked such matters. In Nie Zhenbang’s view, a competent and powerful company should not need to rely on connections; if you are better than others, either in terms of price or technology, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting projects.
In Nie Zhenbang’s opinion, those who tried to secure deals through connections or backdoor channels were usually shell companies. They leveraged their networks to get pri contracts only to subcontract them, skimming off a layer of profit before passing the work on to others, which inevitably affected the quality of the projects.
However, Jiang Yonghua’s face still had to be considered. After pondering for a mont, Nie Zhenbang opened his mouth and said, “Old Jiang, this is putting in a difficult position. With your network and influence, under the Ministry of Transportation, there are so many projects every year. Just a fraction slipping through your fingers is already more than this.”
“Haha, good one, Nie Zhenbang. You’re ribbing ,” Jiang Yonghua laughed. Then he said seriously, “You’re not wrong. In terms of the volu of projects, there aren’t many across the country that can match the Ministry of Transportation. However, I don’t interfere with the projects under the ministry, no matter who it is.”
At this point, Jiang Yonghua paused and said, “Brother Zhenbang, in fact, Dingsheng Group has really good qualifications and various other aspects. More importantly, I hope to give Dingsheng a fair environnt.”
Hearing this, Nie Zhenbang breathed a sigh of relief. If Jiang Yonghua really had other intentions, it would have been quite difficult for Nie Zhenbang. However, since it was just about fairness, Nie Zhenbang didn’t feel burdened and imdiately responded, “A fair environnt is only natural. Even if you didn’t ntion it, Longxi Province would do so. This ti, the bidding for the Ancient City project will be conducted with fairness and justice as the principle — absolutely open and transparent.”
…
As the Ancient City urban redevelopnt project officially kicked off, Nie Zhenbang’s side began to bustle. Jiang Yonghua’s call was just the beginning; after him, a number of leaders from various ministries and commissions made their calls. There were calls from ministers, and calls from deputy ministers. After so pleasantries, the roundabout talk all pointed towards the urban redevelopnt project. So were about securing construction bids, others about investnt opportunities. In any case, they all hoped that Secretary Zhenbang could take care of them.
Beyond the ministry leaders, there were also calls from other provinces and cities. Most comrcial companies have intricate connections with local leaders. The growth of companies has boosted local economies and brought achievents to local leaders. At the sa ti, local leaders provide policy support to help companies grow. This is a mutually beneficial relationship.
Now, Nie Zhenbang was so overwheld with requests he couldn’t be bothered – one sheep is to mind, five sheep also to mind. Facing the relentless lobbyists, Nie Zhenbang gave the sa reply: under equal conditions, he would certainly take care.
From outside the door ca a knock, followed by Xia Gang entering, “Secretary, Secretary Luo Qiuliang has arrived.”
Hearing Xia Gang’s report, Nie Zhenbang also stood up, “Please, invite him in.”
Soon after, Luo Qiuliang walked in from outside. Having not seen him for a few days, Luo Qiuliang looked sowhat haggard and listless.
After sitting down, Luo Qiuliang gave a wry smile and said, “Secretary Nie, I can’t take it anymore. Since the Ancient City urban redevelopnt project started, it’s like sharks that have slled blood, and all sorts of ssy people have co over. These past two days, I’ve received several calls for favors each day. One more influential than the next, and now I don’t even dare to answer my phone.”
Looking at Luo Qiuliang’s condition, Nie Zhenbang could empathize with his current feelings. Not to ntion Luo Qiuliang, even himself, as a mber of the Political Bureau and a leader at the vice-national level, felt sowhat clumsy when facing requests for favors. And Luo Qiuliang, being only a deputy ministerial level official, was under even greater pressure.
After pondering for a mont, Nie Zhenbang slowly said, “It’s all about interests, the issue of interests. The Ancient City urban redevelopnt is such a big project, like a huge cake, and everyone is eyeing it. This situation is unavoidable. What we can do is to be fair and just. We don’t refuse anyone, but all bidding and tender processes must be open and transparent. That is my bottom line. Anything beyond that, it doesn’t matter who it is; no one gets special treatnt. If anyone is dissatisfied, they can co to .”
Nie Zhenbang’s words were decisive, carrying an air of unchangeability. After Jiang Yonghua’s call, Nie Zhenbang had already prepared himself. It was clearly improper to simply refuse; such a response might leave a bad impression.
Over the years of his political career, Nie Zhenbang was no longer the green youth he once was. He naturally had his own way of being tactful or direct when the situation called for it.
Take the current matter, for example. In fact, in Nie Zhenbang’s plan, the Old Town renovation project and investnt attraction in Ancient City remained unchanged; it wouldn’t be altered for anyone in particular. However, in terms of rhetoric, “giving priority under equal conditions” is entirely different from an outright rejection.
To flatly reject soone would leave them with grievances in their heart, even if they didn’t voice them, because you, Nie Zhenbang, did not give them face. In the future, when you need sothing from them, they’re likely to make things difficult for you, or even obstruct you. But with the approach taken now, you’ve preserved the other party’s dignity. If they don’t win the bid later, it can only an their people didn’t et the requirents. Generally, they wouldn’t say much about it. And if soone unreasonable takes offense, so be it—if you mix within the system, who doesn’t have a few adversaries?
Luo Qiuliang’s face lit up as if he had been injected with a shot of adrenaline upon hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words. If he had to handle it, he would inevitably be apprehensive. But now, since Secretary Nie had taken the initiative, there was nothing for Luo Qiuliang to fear—the sky could fall and he’d have soone taller to bear it.
“Secretary, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head back first,” Luo Qiuliang stood up to leave.
Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “Hmm, focus on the Old Town renovation project, do your best. The upliftnt of Ancient City’s urban image and status is a matter that concerns the overall situation of Longxi Province; it must not be taken lightly. Report to at any ti if there’s anything. The Provincial Committee is still supportive of your work.”
As Nie Zhenbang saw Luo Qiuliang out, a silver Rolls-Royce Phantom slowly approached the entrance of the Longxi Provincial Committee courtyard. The vehicle’s license plate was extrely impressive—a Jingcheng prefix followed by five sevens. This detail alone was enough to demonstrate that this person’s influence was no small matter.
The car was stopped at the gate by ard police guards. In the rear seat, a young man in his mid-twenties wore a hand-tailored suit from Milan, Italy. On his finger, he wore an imperial green jade ring, exuding an aura of luxurious opulence.
Frowning, the young man said in a deep voice, “Wuzi, what’s going on? Take out our special pass. It’s really bizarre—being able to move freely through various departnts in Jingcheng but to be stopped here. It truly is a small place that hasn’t seen much of the world.”
Wuzi, the driver, a bulky man over 1.8 ters tall, who doubled as a bodyguard, handed over a red pass from beneath the dashboard and said firmly, “Have a look. This is a special pass from Jingcheng. Can we go in now?”
At the ard police post, the young guard carefully examined the pass. After a long pause, he returned it to the driver and nodded, “You may enter, please.”
The car drove directly into the Provincial Committee courtyard without looking for a parking space and arrogantly parked right in front of the Provincial Committee and Provincial Governnt office building.
As the car door opened, the young man stepped out, the gleam of his leather shoes suggesting the ground should have been covered with a red carpet.
To the driver beside him, he said, “Wuzi, open the trunk. Take the stuff out and co up with .”
Heading directly to the Provincial Committee’s building and going up to the top floor, the young man’s actions betrayed his familiarity with the layout of the governnt office. He didn’t hesitate but went straight to Nie Zhenbang’s office door, knocked, and then pushed the door open saying, “Comrade, is my Uncle Nie in here?”
Xia Gang frowned at this. Ever since he beca Secretary Nie’s assistant, who didn’t politely address him as Director Xia? At the very least, calling him “Big Secretary Xia” or “Secretary Xia” was expected. But now, this young man who looked even younger than himself was calling him “Comrade.”
Nevertheless, considering Nie Zhenbang’s status and how affectionately the young man referred to “Uncle Nie,” Xia Gang restrained himself and rose to his feet, asking, “You’re looking for Secretary Nie? Do you have an appointnt?”
“What a joke, I need an appointnt to see my Uncle Nie? Just let him know Yuan Yi is here,” the man said grandiosely.
The door to the inner office opened, and Nie Zhenbang stood at the entrance. He was taken aback upon seeing the young man, wondering why President Yuan’s grandson was there. (
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