Reborn as a Noble's Son

601  Chapter 557 Disagreements at the Standing Committee (Request for Monthly Ticket)_1

"Oh, Zhenbang, do you have any new plans here?" Li Taishi subtly complimented Nie Zhenbang. Across the courtyard, he took the scheme that Nie Zhenbang had brought out from the room.

Li Taishi's brow slightly furrowed as he glanced at the title, "Implementation details of the official reception standards in Wanghai City". After reading the entire document slowly and patiently, Li Taishi took a deep breath. This set of regulations struck too broadly, was Li Taishi's initial reaction. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Take the issue of public vehicle consumption and private use of public vehicles, for example. Throughout Wanghai City, and across the entire country, public vehicle consumption has maintained a high-growth trend. This stems mainly from human nature. For instance, if you were a leader and other leaders are driving big Audis and powerful SUVs, while you are still sitting in an old Santana, would you feel balanced psychologically? Discontent breeds desire, the demand for a car upgrade is a natural progression and almost impossible to control. This has already affected the interests of the leaders.

As for the issue of private use of public vehicles, according to the fine print of implementation, all public vehicles owned by party committees and government authorities should maintain driving records. Mileage must also be strictly registered and controlled, and the use of vehicles for private services for leaders during rest times is strictly prohibited.

This too is a difficult area to monitor. In the government system, even though there are weekends, it's hard to define the nature of the vehicle usage because sometimes, leaders must work on the weekends too when work begins to pile up.

These are all major challenges for the implementation of these regulations. Importantly, this scheme touches on the interests of leaders themselves and this is the fundamental reason Li Taishi didn't hold out much hope for it.

However, at this moment, Li Taishi didn't express his concerns plainly. He smiled and returned the scheme to Nie Zhenbang, laughing as he said, "This scheme is very good. I think we can bring it to the Standing Committee for discussion."

When Li Taishi returned to the room, his winfe, Director Peng handed him a cup of soy milk and a plate of fried dough. She whispered, "What's wrong? You seem to not think highly of Mayor Nie's scheme either. Why did you agree to let Mayor Nie take it to the Standing Committee for discussion?"

If anyone knew Li Taishi the best, it had to be Director Peng. Li Taishi laughed and said, "Oh Peng, you don't understand. Nie Zhenbang is a man of a big background. His father is the Governor of Bashu Province. His grandfather is Elder Nie, one of the founding fathers of our country. Can I compare to him?"

Director Peng was shocked by this revelation and murmured, "No wonder Mayor Nie holds such a high position at such a young age."

Li Taishi laughed again and said, "Peng, you are wrong again. Nie Zhenbang's meteoric rise at such a young age isn't largely due to his powerful family connections, but his own abilities and strength. Even though I do not think highly of the scheme, I will not voice my concerns. The harmonious relationship between Nie Zhenbang and I was not easily formed, and I will not casually destroy it. Let's take it to the Standing Committee, see the other committee members' views first, and then I'll make my decision."

...

At this moment, the meeting room on the top floor of the Municipal Party Committee office building in Wanghai City Municipal Party Committee and City Government complex is open. Right after work starts, the members of the Standing Committee received a call from the Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee, Yi Chang. An emergency meeting of the Standing Committee was to start promptly at eight-thirty in the morning. Xiao Shanming, director of the Public Security Bureau, Cao Fenglin, the secretary of the Tongping District Party Committee, and District Chief Liang Haibo were invited to attend the meeting.

This sudden change left the members of the Standing Committee somewhat baffled but after a moment of thought, it all became clear. The emergency meeting was probably in response to last night's event in Tongping District.

Cao Fenglin and Liang Haibo were seated on the side of the meeting room early in the day on two temporary chairs. The small conference room wasn't large. With the thirteen committee members seated, there were no available seats left in front of the conference table.

The Secretariat members who had entered the meeting room prior, Minister of the United Front Work Department Jiang Li, Secretary of the High-tech Zone Work Committee Zhao Fei, and Deputy Mayor Gao Hua were quietly exchanging information.

The Minister of Propaganda, Lin Mohan, remained silent. As the leader in charge of publicity, he was all too aware of the incident that happened in Tongping District last night.

At this moment he was discussing points of view with the Minister of Organization Liu Yafu and Executive Deputy Mayor Li Xiangtian. The secretary of the Municipal Political and Legal Committee, Gu Dongliang, looked calm and collected, occasionally speaking to the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, Qi Siyuan, seated next to him. Secretary of the Municipal Discipline Inspection Committee Jiang Huguang was meditating, maintaining to himself as always. As the leader in charge of city-wide disciplinary inspection, he had maintained a unique and independent style since he took office and never had close contact with the other committee members.

As the time passed, the Military District Commander Zhang Zhengguang entered and sat directly in his assigned seat.

At eight twenty-nine, Municipal Party Secretary Li Taishi and Mayor Nie Zhenbang entered the room laughing and joking, hand in hand, followed by Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee Yi Chang.

As soon as Yi Chang entered, he shut the conference room door, sat at the end of the table, took out the meeting minutes, and started to prepare.

After Li Taishi and Nie Zhenbang took their seats on either side, Li Taishi started the meeting: "Let's start with an issue. Last night, Tongping District was bustling and overflowing with people."

As indicated in the case documents sent over by Comrade Xiao Shanming from the Municipal Public Security Bureau. Comrade Zhao Zhuobin, the deputy director of Tongping District as well as the Chief of the District Public Security Branch, colluded with East Stream Company to serve as a protection umbrella for them. The situation is extremely serious and the impact is extremely bad.

As soon as he finished speaking, Qi Siyuan, the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Committee, raised his hand: "Secretary Li, may I say a few words."

Li Taishi slightly nodded and gestured, "Please speak, Secretary Siyuan."

Qi Siyuan's face was solemn. Although his role changed from the Disciplinary Committee to managing ideological awareness and organization personnel, his serious demeanor didn't change.

After a moment of thought, Qi Siyuan uttered, "Secretary Li, Mayor Nie, comrades, this year has been an eventful year for Wanghai City. First, there was the major smuggling case of Eastern Sea Group then the economic depression of Wanghai City. Now, this kind of incident actually happened in Tongping District, which proves that Zhao Zhuobin and Li Dongjiang are audacious to the point of recklessness. I suggest that the municipal disciplinary committee assign personnel to form a special task force to conduct a thorough investigation into Zhao Zhuobin's serious disciplinary violations."

Qi Siyuan's words made the committee members slightly nod, the dust from the Eastern Sea case had not yet settled, and this problem broke out in Tongping District again, which made the leaders of the standing committee of Wanghai City feel humiliated.

Li Xiangtian also raised his hand wanting to speak, and Li Taishi smiled and nodded, "Please speak, Mayor Xiangtian."

As the team leader, Li Taishi without refusal hosted the standing committee meeting. He was very competent in controlling the rhythm of the meeting.

Li Xiangtian also spoke out, "I agree with Secretary Qi's opinion. We should file a case and investigate Zhao Zhuobin. Besides, as for the evil forces led by Li Dongjiang, I suggest strict, heavy, and fast treatment. This time, the Tongping District Party Committee and District Government should take real action. I suggest carrying out ideological and political education throughout the district. Clear the moths and troublemakers from the cadres, and build an efficient and clean team."

After this matter, the two leaders of Tongping District, along with Xiao Shanming, the Director of the Municipal Public Security Bureau, left. Looking at the conference room door that was closed again, Cao Fenglin couldn't help but wipe the sweat off his forehead. The heavy stone was finally fallen from his heart as he had dodged a bullet. He wouldn't dare to ask for more.

After the main topic of today's standing committee meeting was covered, Li Taishi slightly changed the subject, smilingly said, "Mayor Zhenbang, I think, as the main planner of this matter, you should introduce the situation."

Nie Zhenbang nodded and immediately distributed the documents that he had printed out in the morning to all the standing committee members present.

After about ten minutes, Nie Zhenbang said, "Let's talk about the Tongping District matter first. From what happened in Tongping District, I feel very regretful and heartbroken. A cadre trained by the party lost his mind because of the sugar-coated bullets of society, which led to such brazen acts. This is a wake-up call for us. Don't think that after the Eastern Sea, WangHai is clear and bright. There is still darkness and injustice beneath. I suggest we strengthen ideological and political education for city cadres. In view of this situation, I formulated a rough plan last night. The issue of limiting 'three public' (public funds for overseas travel, vehicle purchase, and official receptions) expenses has become the root of the decay in the lifestyle of party cadres. Every year, according to incomplete statistical data, the annual national expenditure on the 'three publics' has reached a terrifying 400 billion yuan. This is a huge number. Public funds for eating and drinking, private use of public vehicles, and public-funded overseas travel have had a huge impact on local and central finance. This is also the purpose and original intention of my proposal to limit the 'three publics.'"

Seeing this plan, all the standing committee members had different reactions. Jiang Huguang was enlightened. He looked at Nie Zhenbang with a changed gaze. Jiang Li and Zhao Fei were surprised.

As Nie Zhenbang finished speaking, Zhao Fei raised his hand, "Secretary Li, Mayor Nie, let me say a few words."

After getting approval from Li Taishi, Zhao Fei continued, "Regarding this 'three public' spending issue, I personally think, isn't it a bit too harsh?"

PS: Brothers and sisters, you are awesome. Yesterday, I finally managed to increase the votes to 1150. Today, it's already 1303. It looks like we are headed for a burst of six updates today. No doubt, with the increased monthly tickets, Old Cai also needs to step up, do or die!!!! (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to qidian.com to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)