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However, at this moment, Luo Guozhong waved his hand in refusal and said, “Let it be. There are still a lot of things at the provincial level that are piled up and need my attention. These days, there has been frequent movement of personnel between the national and local levels. There is also plenty of work in the Organization Department. Minister Xingan has been really busy lately. As deputies, we naturally cannot sit idle.”

This statement made Fan Changsheng’s complexion not look good. Even though Fan Changsheng knew that Luo Guozhong was undermining him, he could not find any excuse to refute as Luo Guozhong’s reason was quite sound.

However, everyone knew that no matter how busy, fitting in a meal was not a problem. After returning, did not they need to eat as well?

Luo Guozhong’s face didn’t look good either. Everyone knew about Fan Changsheng’s assertive nature. No wonder. As the Secretary of the Municipal Committee of the city that has the highest economic output in Jiangbei Province, and its economic value surpassing the provincial capital Jiangzhou City, Fan Changsheng had always thought that he should be elected to the standing committee of the provincial committee. Of course, his nature was to be proud and domineering.

Well, he did not greet him himself, leave it be. Considering other aspects, Luo Guozhong could understand. But just now calling him so directly as Deputy Minister Luo had gotten Luo Guozhong somewhat angry. Initially, it might have been to put down Nie Zhenbang, but now, was not this demeaning himself? Everyone knew he was the Executive Deputy Minister, but did they really need to refer to him in that way? Therefore, Luo Guozhong also rudely specified that he was one of the deputies.

When Luo Guozhong’s car left the courtyard of Liangxi City Municipal Party Committee and Government under the guidance of the lead car, although there were a few meters of distance between Nie Zhenbang and Fan Changsheng, Nie Zhenbang’s hearing was still good. Fan Changsheng’s face was grim and he muttered a curse in a low voice, “What is he thinking, does he really believe he is a provincial party leader.”

Fan Changsheng thought no one heard what he just said. Little did he know Nie Zhenbang, who was four to five meters away, heard every word clearly.

Turning around, a smile appeared on Fan Changsheng’s face and he said to Nie Zhenbang, “Mayor Nie, let’s go to the Liangxi Grand Hotel together. This time, we have specifically prepared a welcome banquet for your accession. Today, you are the protagonist.”

At these words, Nie Zhenbang frowned. It seemed that these minute shifts in manners of addressing have become the most common method within the bureaucracy to belittle others. But at this moment, Nie Zhenbang did not care much. It was just a form of address, and moreover, considering his new arrival, the necessary low profile should be maintained. This was not something that violated principles. If he really cared about this, it would give others the impression of being petty.

Consequently, Nie Zhenbang also nodded with a smile and said, “Secretary Fan, you’re too kind. Let’s go together.”

Liangxi Grand Hotel, originally the guesthouse of the Liangxi Municipal Committee, was renamed due to the economic development in Liangxi city. The new hotel still carried out its function as the guest house of the Municipal Committee, and kept its original administrative level. It was under the jurisdiction of the Affairs Bureau of the Municipal Committee, and directly led by the Municipal Committee reception office.

On its original site, some old buildings were demolished and a 37-story tower was built as the main operation site of Liangxi Grand Hotel. The few courtyards at the back of the hotel, which were originally used for small gatherings by the municipal committee, were preserved. After interior and exterior renovations, they were still used as the place for accommodating central and provincial leaders.

At this moment, at the gate of Liangxi Grand Hotel, a long line of Audi cars was entering. The bellboys wearing red uniforms had already come forward. The secretaries were the first to get out of the cars, then they opened the door, sheltering their heads. At this moment, all the secretaries were trying their best to show off their performance, as it was a moment to prove whose secretary was better, and also an opportunity to show their faces.

A large group of people walked into the banquet hall on the second floor of the hotel. At this moment, in the spacious banquet hall, there are eighty-eight tables set up. The tables were covered with a dazzling array of dishes.

Beside, Hu Youquan, the Secretary-General of the Municipal Committee, smiled and said, “Mayor Nie, the city has prepared this banquet to welcome Mayor Nie and it also serves as a housewarming for you. We have set 88 tables. Basically, all the leaders at the departmental level or above are present. Please, Mayor Nie, have a seat.”

The scene made Nie Zhenbang somewhat shocked. Fan Changsheng played this hand beautifully. He was transferred from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Regardless of how illustrious his accomplishments in New Li City were, his previous post was not at New Li City, but at the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. In the eyes of others, the impression he gave was of someone who was in disciplinary work. However, no sooner had he arrived locally, he was being so ostentatious. Dozens of tables were set, and all the city’s leading officials came to the banquet for a feast. Once word got out, what would the ordinary people think, what would the local people’s representatives think? This move was too crafty.

Moreover, if he did not attend the banquet, it would also give the impression of being aloof and not fitting in, which would mean not respecting all the city’s leading officials, making it a predicament. This was indeed a harsh move.

After a moment of silence, Nie Zhenbang laughed and said, “Secretary Fan, Secretary Hu, I have only ever heard that Liangxi City was an economically developed city, but I never had a chance to experience it. This time, I have seen it firsthand. Setting up eighty-eight tables is quite the grand scene. Isn’t it a bit wasteful?”

Fan Changsheng laughed heartily, waved his hand and said, “Mayor Nie, this is a gesture of respect from the city leaders, welcoming you to Liangxi City. How can you say it’s wasteful? That would dishearten our city cadre.”

Nie Zhenbang’s expression subtly changed. Fan Changsheng’s statement was extremely malicious, leaving him in no position to advance or retreat. No matter what he did, he was bound to suffer negative repercussions. Fan Changsheng had successfully undermined his confidence, and the other city leaders had witnessed it all. From now on, not only would his work be difficult, but even the tasks of Chen Le and Yi Jun would be impeded. This was akin to sidelining him.

It seemed Fan Changsheng and Li Guohua’s plan was to make him lose face and credibility through this incident. Subsequently, Li Guohua could sideline him, rendering him a powerless mayor, even if he was elected.

As Nie Zhenbang was caught in hesitation, he caught sight of the dishes on the tables. Eighty-eight tables of sumptuous dishes, all identical. Each table had at least sixteen plates showcasing a variety of seafood and crispy suckling pig, along with some exotic dishes. Inspired by the sight, he said, “Well, since Secretary Fan suggested it, and the Municipal Committee arranged it, as a member of the committee, I should obey. After you, Secretary Fan.”

As the line of leaders sat down, the rest of the city officials gradually entered the banquet hall and took their seats according to their ranks.

Once seated, Nie Zhenbang noticed that the spread on the tables clearly exceeded the newly-implemented public service reception standards. Given Liangxi’s economic level, a boxed lunch would cost eight yuan. The reception standard of twenty yuan per person didn’t go far in Liangxi.

Regardless, Nie Zhenbang was unperturbed. He had agreed to come in because he had spotted a loophole. Since Fan Changsheng and his allies were being ruthless by setting this trap for him, he wouldn’t hesitate to exploit this opening. As for skipping the vote in the People’s Congress, he believed they wouldn’t dare to.

Fan Changsheng wouldn’t jeopardize his future by doing anything foolish. If he did so, Shen Yanshuo might not be able to dissociate himself either.

Suddenly, Nie Zhenbang stood up and asked, “Secretary Hu, did you oversee the arrangement of this spread?”

His question caught Hu Youquan off guard. He glanced at Fan Changsheng, who made no move, before nodding and saying, “Mayor Nie, considering you’re from the north and might not be used to southern cuisine, we kept this in mind when ordering the dishes. We balanced northern and southern flavors. Also, the Liangxi Grand Hotel has a few chefs specializing in Shandong cuisine. I don’t know if these dishes to your liking, if not, we can change them.”

Another trap was set for Nie Zhenbang. If he suggested removing the dishes, Fan Changsheng probably wouldn’t object, and all the spread on the tables would be removed. Not just from one table, but from all the eighty-eight tables. The purpose now was not to eat, but to tarnish Nie Zhenbang’s image and cause a scandal, leaving him in a bad light.

Nie Zhenbang’s face darkened, and he bluntly said, “Secretary Hu, by your explanation, these dishes were set up by you. I want to ask, have you recently studied the ‘Interim Regulations on Public Service Reception Standards for Party and Government Organs’ issued by the Central Committee and the State Council?”

As his words echoed, silence reigned in the hall. Although Nie Zhenbang’s voice wasn’t loud, it was clear to ninety percent of the people present amidst the quiet.

Everyone was unsure of Nie Zhenbang’s intentions. Hu Youquan’s face turned red, unsure how to respond. If he said he had studied it, it would imply that he knowingly violated the regulations. If he hadn’t, it would appear even worse – not studying such important instructions by Secretary General Yuan would mean he was unfit to serve as an official.

Fan Changsheng responded calmly, “Comrade Nie, don’t get worked up. While the standards are indeed above the regulations, we have to consider the circumstances in different regions. Being economically developed, Liangxi’s standards are still relatively low.”

Nie Zhenbang was waiting for Fan Changsheng’s response, and he immediately retorted, “Comrade Changsheng are right. Given Liangxi’s economic strength, a city with high prices, surely the standard isn’t suitable. But doubling it to an average of 40 yuan per person for official reception should be sufficient. Yet, I fear these dishes exceed that amount.”

Then, Nie Zhenbang stated firmly, “I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to eat this meal.”

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