Reborn as a Noble's Son

Nie Zhenbang was also satisfied with this atmosphere. Regardless of different factions or personal motivations, in the face of greater issues and trends, everyone had to make an all-out effort. This was the way to promote normal social and economic development.

Having said that, he turned to Li Xiaoqin, the only female official among the committee members, the permanent committee member and head of the Municipal Committee’s publicity department, asking, “Minister Li, your department is managing and planning the opening ceremony and the gala. How are the preparations going?”

According to the plan of Liangxi City, a grand opening gala will be held at 8 pm on October 5th. At midnight, a heavyweight leader will announce the opening of the Eastern Development Forum after the bell rings. Since the Gala is related to performing arts, it’s most suitable for the publicity department, which is in charge of news media, to handle it. The gala is crucial as it marks the beginning of the Eastern Development Forum. All local resources are tilting towards it, with the expenditure reaching 20 million yuan. Nie Zhenbang was a bit worried at that moment.

At Nie Zhenbang’s words, Li Xiaoqin looked a little uncomfortable. As a member of the Municipal Committee and the head of publicity, why should she be scolded by Nie Zhenbang? However, she didn’t dare to utter these words.

Occupationally, Nie Zhenbang was the deputy secretary of the Municipal Committee, and thus he technically had the authority to supervise her work. Moreover, Nie Zhenbang was a full-rank official, while she was only a deputy-rank official.

On top of that, even Secretary Fan was taking orders from Nie Zhenbang. How could she challenge that? Consequently, Li Xiaoqin nodded, opening the notebook in front of her and said, “Secretary Fan, Mayor Nie. The municipality is co-hosting the gala with Jiangbei TV Station.”

When she mentioned this, Li Xiaoqin seemed very proud of herself. It’s not an ordinary feat for a prefecture-level city to collaborate with a provincial satellite TV station. Of course, with the involvement of high-ranked officials like the secretary and the mayor, it was easier since they were the superiors of the TV station’s chief. However, her ability to negotiate this collaboration was a testament to her capability.

Seeing that all the committee members around her were listening attentively, Li Xiaoqin suddenly felt bored as no one expressed admiration.

Then she continued, “In terms of the lineup of performers, it can be said to be quite luxurious. Two nationally famous TV presenters will host the gala. The top domestic team from Hucheng City will be in charge of lighting and stage design, ensuring international standards on the hardware side. As for the performing stars, we invited four top folk singers in the country and other first-line stars from recent years, including powerful singers from Hong Kong and Taiwan such as Andy Lau and Jacky Cheung. The lineup is undoubtedly strong.”

Hearing this, Fan Changsheng frowned. What was Li Xiaoqin up to? Was she behaving like a star-struck youth, chasing after celebrities, without any focus on promoting the main theme with large-scale song and dance performances? Then, he coughed lightly and said, “Minister Li, regarding the singers and movie stars, it would be best if we keep it moderate. This is the Eastern Development Forum. The Gala should stick closely to the theme. We should focus more on promoting the main theme of the program.”

“Yes, Secretary Fan, we indeed have programs in that regard. We’ve enlisted a professor from the Central Dance Academy to guide the choreography of several large-scale dances. Furthermore, dancers from the city dance troupe, the Jiangbei Armed Police Force Art Troupe, and provincial song and dance troupe will participate,” Li Xiaoqin replied, looking somewhat embarrassed, as her lengthy explanation was negated by one sentence from Secretary Fan.

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang interjected, “Secretary Fan, it’s not as serious as you think. In this era, we advocate a diversity of talents. I think Minister Li’s ideas are very good. She not only upholds the main theme but also considers international influence. This is commendable.”

Fan Changsheng’s face changed, thinking to himself, “You’re feeling smug now. Just wait and see, in less than a month, you’ll be kicked out of Liangxi City.”

…

On October 4, the entire leadership of the Liangxi Municipal Committee and Municipal Government gathered at the Liangxi exit of the Hujiang Expressway. As time went by, under the guidance of the patrol car from the Jiangbei Provincial Public Security Department, the convoy slowly drove out of the expressway exit and parked nearby. This time, almost all the leading cadres of the provincial committee were present.

Everyone didn’t take individual official vehicles, but instead used two Toyota Coasters. Just then, the window of the vehicle in front rolled down, and Shen Yanshuo, the Provincial Party Committee Secretary, appeared in the window. Looking serious, he glanced at everyone and said sternly, “You all like to make a show of force and enjoy formalities. Comrade Changsheng, get in.”

Having said that, the convoy started again. Nie Zhenbang scoffed at this moment. It was normal for Shen Yanshuo to be hostile towards him.

In the afternoon, the members of the Liangxi Municipal Committee, in essence, had been sidelined. The primary reception duties had been handed over to the Jiangbei Provincial Committee.