Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 867 - 823 Stirring the Nation
Chapter 867: Chapter 823 Stirring the Nation
Chapter 867 -823 Stirring the Nation
The investigation team’s work in Bashu Province continued for nearly half a month, led personally by a Deputy Prime Minister who is a member of the Political Bureau in the State Council. Moreover, it was not just a cursory visit; it was a thorough on-the-ground investigation that really took close to half a month. This was a first in the country.
Within the system, there were various opinions about this matter, and all across the nation, the top leaders of various provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions turned their attention to Bashu.
Those familiar with Nie Zhenbang, those who had rallied around him, such as Tian Xujiang from Heishui Province, and others like Mu Dingjian and Li Taishi in Yu Province, as well as some classmates from the Party School’s training class for provincial and ministerial officials, all called one after another. Seemingly casual, everyone had but one goal: to probe for news about the situation.
Some who had disagreements with Nie Zhenbang or Su Xuan watched with the attitude of spectators waiting for Bashu Province to embarrass itself.
In the Provincial Party Committee Guesthouse, Suite 309 was the most luxurious suite in the guesthouse’s VIP building. In terms of luxury, it far surpassed the so-called presidential suites of five-star hotels.
The VIP building was specifically constructed by the Provincial Party Committee Guesthouse to welcome and host visiting leaders and distinguished guests from other provinces and cities; the VIP building does not operate commercially.
The VIP building had only three floors and, while not tall, covered a significant area of six thousand square meters.
Suite 309 was the most luxurious suite there. In Huaxia, there has always been a saying that nine is the supreme number. Nine is also the most revered.
In Room 309, the entire suite had an area of about four hundred square meters. Aside from a sixty-square-meter bedroom, the suite was fully equipped with leisure facilities such as a surf whirlpool bathtub, and more. Next to the bedroom was a study, which opened into a reception room of about one hundred square meters. The floor was covered with soft carpets, and there were sofas made of calf leather from Italy.
Artistic root carvings, large porcelain pieces, and various other decorations were all available.
At this moment, in the reception room, the heads and deputies of the various subgroups of the investigation team, along with the leaders from the relevant departments of the team, were all gathered here.
After a moment of silence, a deputy director from the National Tourism Administration spoke up, “Leader, the situation with the tertiary sector is roughly clear now. The data reported by Bashu Province actually shows some surplus. It seems that their intention is to leave some room for economic growth next year.”
As soon as he spoke, Deputy Prime Minister Yin thought for a moment and asked, “Tourism data is the easiest to falsify. What kind of work have you done in this area?”
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Tourism is considered a major part of the tertiary industry. Domestically, various provinces and regions are developing tourism vigorously, and this is closely related to the implementation of the Golden Week holiday by the state. This setting has spawned a unique economic model, which is the holiday economy.
However, in reality, the annual number of tourists visiting a tourist site and the consumption they generate are not on surface-level accounts; these are potential. Naturally, this is also where falsification is easiest. For instance, a tourist might visit a scenic spot and, aside from the ticket, might not do anything else, not spending any more money. But during an inspection, you can only go by what people say. If I claim there was consumption, can the investigation team really track down every tourist to verify?
After a pause, the deputy director of the Tourism Bureau elaborated, “Leader, regarding this, we were well prepared. On one hand, we investigated their ticket sales and printing. Based on financial and fiscal verification, we can basically confirm there is no falsification of tickets. At the same time, we dispatched undercover teams to major scenic spots to thoroughly investigate the welfare of the staff and the business conditions of the sales employees. According to what we have assessed, Bashu Province has indeed not fabricated anything in this respect.”
As the words fell, a deputy group leader next to him spoke up, “Deputy Prime Minister Yin, what do you think we should do next regarding the current situation in Bashu Province? Should we report truthfully, or…?”
Before he could finish, Deputy Prime Minister Yin gave the deputy group leader a glance and sneered inwardly, realizing they were trying to trap him. Cover up? He wasn’t that foolish.
It was no longer feudal times. In the past, with poor communication, whatever Jingcheng’s people investigated and reported could be two different matters. Nowadays, that wouldn’t work. To report a falsehood or a deliberate mistake would mean that within an hour, the true situation would be presented. Both Su Xuan and Nie Zhenbang were not easy opponents. These two had the ability to make their voices heard right up to the highest authorities.
After a pause, Deputy Prime Minister Yin said, “The situation in Bashu Province is very typical and unexpected. We originally assumed that the economic growth rate of Bashu Province was inflated. However, after actual investigation, not only is there no inflation, it’s actually even more impressive. In this regard, the practices of Bashu Province are worthy of being learned by the entire Party and leaders from all across the country. I believe we should be pragmatic and truthful. We should report the data we obtained truthfully and call on the entire Party and all provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions to learn from Bashu Province.”
Vice Premier Yin’s remarks seemed to be praising Nie Zhenbang. However, to the discerning eye, it was clear that it was really a backhanded compliment. This year, Bashu Province might enjoy the limelight. However, Nie Zhenbang had just been promoted to the full ministerial level, and as for ascending further, he still lacked a bit in age and experience.
In this way, the most that could happen was a round of praise and flattery, but with such actions, the hidden economic growth could no longer be concealed. If there weren’t such great achievements next year, then Nie Zhenbang would become the laughingstock of the nation.
There were many insightful people in the investigation team. Once they heard Vice Premier Yin’s words, quite a few understood the implied meaning.
Several people who had grievances with Nie Zhenbang also nodded and said, “I agree with the superior’s opinion. Acting in this manner is also a display of seeking truth from facts. We can’t conceal data just because we’re worried about next year’s economic growth rate. Personally, I absolutely do not approve of such actions. I believe that Comrade Nie Zhenbang, as well as the leadership of the Bashu Provincial Party Committee, having demonstrated such excellent governability, will surely achieve even more brilliant results next year.”
The investigation team soon left Bashu Province and returned to Jingcheng. At the airport, they watched as the entire team boarded the airplane.
Su Xuan sighed next to her, whispering softly, “Zhenbang, this time, Yin Weijun is trying to set us up with faint praise.”
Nie Zhenbang smiled indifferently. At this moment, Nie Zhenbang wasn’t concerned. It was common knowledge that a blank sheet of paper was easy to write on; the economic growth rate of Bashu Province previously was clearly not in line with Bashu’s regional positioning. Now, with his arrival, the economy had bubbled up in the first year, which was normal. However, the more developed the economic area was, the harder it was to grow. This was universally acknowledged.
As for this, Nie Zhenbang was quite clear what Yin Weijun was thinking, which was nothing more than wanting to take him off the pedestal as a proficient architect of economic construction.
In this regard, Nie Zhenbang usually didn’t care much; this was like a sports team that was always winning but consequently carried a heavy burden. Losing occasionally allowed them to enter the battle lightly burdened.
Turning around, Nie Zhenbang smiled and said, “Secretary Su, you worry too much. When dealing with the economy, one must still abide by natural laws. If there is growth every year, it would not be in accordance with natural laws; that would be reminiscent of the ‘Great Leap Forward’ or pompous exaggeration. Don’t you agree?”
Su Xuan, momentarily stunned, then burst out laughing and said, “Zhenbang, you see things clearly; I truly admire you, Su Xuan.”
The next day, there was significant news coverage on the national television. A series of special feature reports titled “The Bashu Miracle” began to air on the national television’s “Daily at Seven” program.
The entire series compared the past and present economies of Bashu Province in detail and conducted meticulous comparisons of the growth rates across various industries.
At the same time, the central government also officially held the new year’s “Three Rural Issues Conference.” During the conference, Director Shen officially proposed the slogan of learning from Bashu Province. Starting from the new year, the entire country would learn from Bashu’s successful experience in the centralized transfer of rural land and implement this practice.
With dual efforts from both the national media’s extensive coverage and formal recognition from central leadership, Bashu Province caused a national buzz. Learning the spirit of Bashu and the Bashu model became the hottest topic of the moment. Meanwhile, Nie Zhenbang became thoroughly famous—being the youngest provincial-level official in the country, one of Huaxia’s top ten economic personalities of the year, among other titles and honors.
Nie Zhenbang, however, did not pay much attention to these accolades. “A tall tree catches much wind,” and now, some people within the country harbored ulterior motives, seeking to hoist him with their praise. But relatively speaking, he also needed this opportunity to enhance his experience and political capital—an unavoidable passage.
In terms of interpersonal relationships, however, Nie Zhenbang became increasingly low-profile. This was the so-called “High-profile work, low-profile life.”
Now, Nie Zhenbang’s focus had already shifted to the end-of-year work. As the year-end approached, various districts and departments began their year-end greeting activities.
At the same time, the Bashu Province office in Jingcheng was also taking action. Central ministries and commissions, as well as former leaders and cadres from Bashu Province in Jingcheng, were all visits that had to be made; this was an indispensable procedure and a tradition of reciprocal courtesy among the people.
From outside the door, there came two knocks. Following that, Li Jupeng walked in from the outside, holding a stack of documents, which he placed on the desk before reporting, “Governor, Secretary Su called. He has confirmed that institutions like the People’s Congress and the CPPCC will be visited and consoled by Secretary Su. As for the military district and the Tianfu Military Region, Secretary Su would like you to go there.”(
