Reborn as a Noble’s Son - Chapter 613

Chapter 613: Chapter 569: Confrontation in the Province_1
 

Minnan TV News Channel

Every day at six-thirty in the afternoon, it’s time for the Minnan TV’s “Minnan News Broadcast” to start. After half an hour of news, it follows the routine practice of relaying the “Daily at Seven” national television news program.

As soon as the clock strikes six, the opening sequence of “Minnan News Broadcast” appears on the television screen, followed by the arrival of two hosts.

“Dear audiences, today is August 23rd, Tuesday. Today’s main subjects on Minnan News include…”

“Today, the Provincial Committee Standing Committee member and Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Committee, Yi Mingyang, along with his delegation, arrived in Quanhai City for an inspection research. Visiting the Jingjiang Industrial Park in Quanhai City, Deputy Secretary Yi highly praised the city’s economic work. He pointed out that the future industrial development direction and thinking are focused on the private economy, which should gradually establish brand awareness through large-scale, standardized operations, departing from the traditional family workshop-style economy…”

Next, another news report about the activities of the Provincial Committee’s leadership came up. “This morning, Lin Hourong, the Standing Committee member and executive Vice Governor met with visiting business people from Treasure Island at the Minzhou Grand Hotel. Lin Hourong believed that as the interaction between Treasure Island and Minnan across the sea becomes more and more frequent, economic ties across the straits should be further developed. The construction of Minzhou City’s Treasure Island Industrial Park has achieved obvious results and success, which is worth promoting…”

“Governor, recently, party personnel activities in our province have been getting more and more active. You see, the daily news is either about Deputy Secretary Yi or Governor Hourong.” Zhao Qiming, the Deputy Governor and member of the Standing Committee, said with a smile in the family compound of the Minnan Provincial Committee and Provincial Government. However, there was a clear hint of bitterness in his tone.

Qiao Yiren just smiled lightly, “Comrade Qiming, it’s just normal. Now, the Party Congress is going to be held in about a month, at which point Secretary Chen is definitely going to be appointed to a central position. So everyone is considering who will fill his position. It’s a natural part of progress. And at this time, who could restrain themselves from taking action?”

Qiao Yiren’s words made Zhao Qiming nod in agreement. Indeed, the position of Provincial Party Secretary is something that everyone covets. Looking at the Standing Committee of the Provincial Committee, there are only a few people who could potentially be successful now. Leaving aside Governor Qiao, there are Deputy Secretary Yi Mingyang, Lin Hourong, and if it weren’t for being implicated in the Yuhai case, Ding Jiashu might also not sit still. As for Zhao Qiming himself, he hadn’t even considered his chances, as he is too far away from the position. Within the Standing Committee of the Provincial Committee, as Deputy Governor, he doesn’t even rank higher than the Secretary of the Wanghaishi Municipal Party Committee, Li Taishi. So naturally, he didn’t have any ambitions there. This is why Zhao Qiming closely follows Qiao Yiren. Zhao Qiming believes that Governor Qiao has the best chance of succeeding as the Provincial Party Secretary. Once succeeded, he could rise with the tide. Becoming the Executive Vice Governor is inevitable. If things go well, he might even become the governor directly. Isn’t that what happened with Ning Shouchang of Jiangbei Province?

But now, both Yi Mingyang and Lin Hourong are increasing their exposure rates and acting proactively, seeking to raise their stakes.

At the provincial department level, every step forward isn’t easy. One needs to be promoted by superiors, supported by subordinates, and also requires momentum. All three conditions are indispensable. If any one of them is lacking, one could easily be squeezed out by others. Now that the other two are making moves, Governor Qiao appears to be fishing in calm waters without any standout actions. This is making Zhao Qiming anxious.

If Governor Qiao has no ambition, then Zhao Qiming’s chances of advancement are slim. After some deep thought, Zhao Qiming spoke, “Governor, you mustn’t be careless at this time.”

Qiao Yiren understood Zhao Qiming’s thoughts. This is what they call “the emperor is not impatient while the eunuch is”. Of course, comparing Zhao Qiming to a eunuch doesn’t fit well.

Indeed, the current situation in Minnan Province is just like this. Those who have the chance to vie for the position are just a handful. If others are moving, one would expect oneself to be equally busy. Zhao Qiming is understandably anxious. Without his own actions, he would be naturally anxious.

However, it is not the best time to act. The current situation in Jingcheng isn’t clear yet, and the Li family is also gearing up for its final struggle to affect the change of government. Everything is still up in the air. So it isn’t the best time to act in Minnan Province, with Wanghai City’s troubles complicating matters further.

At this moment, Qiao Yiren was somewhat distressed. In Wanghaul City, Nie Zhenbang, the big shot, was causing him dilemmas that weren’t easy to solve.

Nie Zhenbang was someone he had placed in Wanghai City. At that time, he planned to use the Nie and Yang families to deal with the Li and Chen families. Qiao Yiren was successful with this play, as Nie Zhenbang, inexperienced as he was, fell into his trap.

But now, Qiao Yiren felt that he had fallen into this game as well. Despite being watched over by Secretary-General Yuan, the Nie and Yang families didn’t say anything explicitly. But it’s known widely in the circles of Jingcheng that he had used families against each other.

Now, he had no choice but to cater to Nie Zhenbang’s side. If not, he would lose his reputation since credibility is the most valued asset in the officialdom. Once a reputation is gone, the basis for all cooperation would disappear. No one would want to work with someone not known for keeping their word. To cater to Nie Zhenbang meant to divert energy. At this time, Qiao Yiren was worrying about the personnel movement in Wanghaul city, and had no energy to deal with these affairs.

After pondering for a moment, Qiao Yiren said in a soft tone, “I think we should hold off on this for now. The time is not yet right.”

Zhao Qiming listened to Qiao Yiren’s words, his expression somewhat complex. Changing the hall was an inferior strategy and absolutely impossible. After a moment of silence, Zhao Qiming also nodded and said, “Governor, do you mean we should wait until the dust settles in Wanghai City?”

Zhao Qiming’s ability to sit in the position of Standing Committee Vice Governor and to gain Qiao Yiren’s appreciation shows that his abilities are quite competent. At this moment, Zhao Qiming quickly grasped the essence of the matter.

…

The regular meeting of the Provincial Committee of Minnan Province in the second half of August was held as scheduled on August 24. This was the last routine meeting of the Standing Committee before the party congress in September.

Although the National Party Congress is generally held in autumn, according to the management of past party congresses, there is no definite time limit or stipulation. Not counting the ones before the founding of the People’s Republic, there have been congresses held in July, August, and October. The specific circumstances are subject to the central government’s arrangement and discussion. The date for this party congress has been set, from September 5 to 12.

This final routine meeting of the Minnan Provincial Committee Standing Committee before the party congress has attracted the attention of cadres all over the province.

It’s not because this is the final meeting of the Provincial Committee Standing Committee. The main reason is that this meeting will decide a series of personnel appointments and dismissals. These decisions concern their personal interests and their official positions and this is why it is the focus of attention.

Inside the committee meeting room.

Under bright lights, large air conditioning units hummed away in the two corners of the room, maintaining the room’s temperature at around 25 degrees Celsius.

This temperature is the most comfortable and appropriate. People wearing short sleeves won’t feel cold and those wearing suits won’t feel hot.

In the Provincial Committee meetings, unlike the smoke-filled atmosphere of the grassroots committee meetings, everyone is a provincial or ministerial cadre. Image matters. Someone smoking without any regard in such a public setting would be considered inappropriate. Therefore, the Provincial Committee’s meeting room is clean, with fresh air and a faint fragrance. There’s a designated smoking room off to the side.

At this moment, all thirteen members of the Provincial Committee have basically arrived, with Li Taishi sitting in his place, silently gazing down at his desk, idly spinning his pen.

At 8:59.

Outside the meeting room door, Vice Secretary and Governor Qiao Yiren stepped in, followed by the Secretary of the Provincial Committee, Chen Renqing.

Seated, Chen Renqing looked serious and solemn, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the room, and declared in a deep voice, “Let’s begin.”

With these words from Chen Renqing, the meeting room door was shut by the staff. He then announced in a clear voice, “This meeting of the Standing Committee is of great significance. As the last Standing Committee meeting before the party congress and influencing the overall development of Minnan Province, the topics of this meeting, as I believe you all know, include several personnel arrangements.”

As his words fell, the Vice Secretary and Governor Qiao Yiren beside him raised his hand and said, “Secretary Chen, before we discuss, I have a few words to say.”

This unexpected move caused Chen Renqing’s face to momentarily betray a hint of embarrassment, but he quickly recovered and smiled, saying, “Of course, Comrade Yiren, feel free to speak.”

“Over recent times, unrest has rattled several cities within the province. This situation is unacceptable. Some comrades are considering their own interests, completely ignoring the overall economic construction. Doing as they please. In my personal opinion, they are doing a terrible job. What are they doing? This is not a competitive arena, nor is it a battlefield. Serving in office to benefit the people, this is what needs to be firmly implemented in the hands of the masses. I personally still reserve comments on the personnel adjustments in certain regions. That’s all from me.”

Simple, straightforward, incisive, and blunt. This was the full content of Qiao Yiren’s speech. The room fell silent. Are the Secretary and Governor now openly at odds with each other? (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it, subscribe or donate at . Your support is my greatest motivation.)