Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 1173 - Chapter 1173 Chapter 1129 The Grand Financial Strategy

Chapter 1173: Chapter 1129: The Grand Financial Strategy Chapter 1173: Chapter 1129: The Grand Financial Strategy This statement nearly scared Wang Zhaohai to death. On his forehead, a fine layer of sweat broke out. Nie Zhenbang’s authority and presence truly were extraordinary. After hesitating for a moment, Wang Zhaohai gathered his thoughts and didn’t dare to play any more tricks.

Wang Zhaohai could see the situation clearly now. Secretary Nie was not someone who could be easily fooled with one or two attempts. It seemed impossible to get by with vague concepts and perfunctory responses.

Clearly, Secretary Nie was not someone to be trifled with. At this point, real substance had to be presented; otherwise, if Secretary Nie was not satisfied, Wang Zhaohai’s position would be unstable.

Immediately, Wang Zhaohai took out a notebook from his briefcase. After flipping it open, he continued, “Yes, Secretary, you are right to criticize. Last year, the total fiscal revenue of the province reached 216.3 billion yuan, of which the local fiscal revenue was 145.7 billion yuan–an increase of 7.8% over the same period last year. In the first two quarters of this year, the cumulative fiscal revenue was 132.1 billion yuan, of which the local fiscal revenue was 91.2 billion yuan–an increase of about 22% over the same period last year…”

As he spoke up to this point, the expression on Nie Zhenbang’s face became even more difficult to read. Initially, when Nie Zhenbang saw Wang Zhaohai, he thought he was merely shrewd, without too many other thoughts. But now, looking at Wang Zhaohai again, he seemed somewhat slick.

Did he really think he could treat me like a fool? After pondering for a moment, Nie Zhenbang, not mincing words, sternly said, “Comrade Wang Zhaohai, get to the point. Is this how financial reports are always done in Longxi Province? There is income, but there must also be expenses. What is the situation with fiscal expenditures? I want to hear the key points!”

This statement instantly made Wang Zhaohai focus his attention, while inwardly cursing himself for being careless. Reporting had become second nature to him, and his thoughts had solidified. Always skirting the central issues in his reports. Such tactics might work with other leaders, but they were useless in front of Nie Zhenbang.

Immediately, he nodded and said, “Last year, the total fiscal expenditure was 278.2 billion yuan, an increase of about 20% over the previous year. The fiscal expenditure for the first two quarters of this year reached 180.83 billion yuan, about a 30% increase over the same period last year. The major fiscal expenditures were focused on livelihood issues, including the distribution of social security and medical insurance, financial subsidies for the healthcare system, environmental protection, and other areas.”

Hearing this, Nie Zhenbang’s brow furrowed even tighter. Longxi Province’s fiscal situation sounded good on the surface, but in reality, it was far from optimistic.

Looking at Wang Zhaohai, Nie Zhenbang said gravely, “Director Wang, how can there be such substantial growth?”

The health of a locale’s finances is not seen in anything else but the balance of fiscal revenue and expenditure. With balance, the province has money and can undertake more initiatives, such as environmental projects and infrastructure construction. Currently, Longxi’s finances were obviously characterized by spending more than the revenue–a highly unhealthy fiscal state.

More importantly, for Longxi’s development, financial support is indispensable. With ample finances, as the saying goes, having money makes things easier. Once funding is available and projects are well-selected, results will inevitably follow in a world where money is king.

However, the financial state in Longxi was just as described, which made Nie Zhenbang feel rather troubled and challenged. A good housekeeper can’t cook a meal without rice. I am human, not a deity who can create out of nothing. I am not the great God who said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Without funds, the difficulty of development is surely not small.

There, Wang Zhaohai appeared somewhat embarrassed and troubled, speaking in a low voice, “Secretary, you are aware that in recent years, the state has continuously raised the basic salary. Longxi Province is naturally no exception, so now our finances are falsely inflated.”

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang’s mood had also calmed down. The overall fiscal situation was not something Wang Zhaohai could control by himself; the root of the problem didn’t lie with the Finance Department.

After a moment of silent contemplation, Nie Zhenbang slowly said, “Director Wang, fiscal expenditures still need to be controlled with restraint. All localities and departments should adhere to the principles of urgency, reasonableness, and priority in the approval of finances. For urgently needed fiscal expenditures, such as disaster relief, funds must be distributed quickly. For reasonable fiscal expenditures, like national and public livelihood issues involving widespread public wages, funds must be distributed quickly. For priority fiscal expenditures, such as the provincial public security’s expenses and key project expenditures, funds must be distributed quickly. Moreover, in terms of fiscal expenditures, all localities and departments need to conduct self-examinations and corrections. Superfluous expenditure items should be cut, and ‘three public’ expenses must be strictly controlled, reducing administrative procedures to save fiscal expenses. You should convene a meeting at the Finance Department, producing a detailed plan and proposal. Later, I, along with Governor Zhentao, will visit the Finance Department to hear your report in person.”

At this, Wang Zhaohai’s face showed surprise, while deep inside he was utterly convinced. Indeed, with just a few words, Nie Zhenbang had deftly pointed out the pressing issues within fiscal work. Immediately, he nodded and said, “Secretary, please rest assured, I will convene a party group meeting immediately upon my return to discuss the fiscal issues. We will establish an investigation team as soon as possible to go to various localities and departments and rigorously scrutinize the fiscal expenditure problems.”

At noon, Nie Zhenbang, as usual, had lunch at the provincial party committee’s cafeteria. Compared to before, there was a significant change in the cafeteria. Previously, no leaders came to eat here, but now, since my appointment, provincial standing committee members like Liu Zhentao, Wang Benchang, Li Hongying, Zhang Fangwen, Guan Jianguo, and others who worked in the provincial party yard, would generally dine here as long as they were in town.

Moreover, there’s no need for the small cafeteria anymore. Now in Longxi Province, the Provincial Committee officials and ordinary staff members alike queue up for meals. Today, this has become a common sight in the Provincial Committee’s main cafeteria.

Seeing this, Nie Zhenbang’s face revealed a slight smile. Influencing subtly and silently. This was exactly the effect he wanted. Regardless of how others thought or what they thought, since he had taken the lead in doing this, and others followed suit, that was sufficient; the process was not important, much like the usage of official vehicles.

After he took the lead in cycling to work, Liu Zhentao also took up cycling, followed by the entire Provincial Committee standing committee leadership. Regardless of the atmosphere this created, at the very least, the usage of official vehicles had decreased significantly. That was the result he desired.

Today’s lunch was quite generous, thanks to Nie Zhenbang’s initiative; the small cafeteria was practically discontinued, concentrating all resources in the main cafeteria. Liu Xiaomin had seized the moment, significantly improving the quality of the food in the main cafeteria.

“Master Li, please give me a serving of potato and pork stew, a serving of pumpkin, one of chili-fried pork, and a bowl of kelp soup. Just four ounces of rice will do,” Nie Zhenbang said with a smile to the cafeteria’s chef.

Plate in hand, he turned around to see Nie Zhenbang’s gaze shifting towards Liu Zhentao, walking over and sitting down opposite him.

At that moment, Liu Zhentao also looked up and said with a smile, “Secretary, are you having just a little for lunch? As the saying goes, ‘eat a good lunch’.”

“Hehe, it’s enough, enough. I’m not doing any activities, eating too much wouldn’t digest easily, and I would easily put on weight. You should be careful too, Governor Zhentao,” Nie Zhenbang joked in reply.

Nie Zhenbang’s speed of eating in the Provincial Committee’s main cafeteria was unmatched, a skill honed in the military, no bluff. In less than five minutes, Nie Zhenbang had finished. At this time, Liu Zhentao had also just put down his chopsticks.

Looking at Liu Zhentao, Nie Zhenbang smiled and said, “Governor Zhentao, let’s go out for a walk, take a stroll to aid digestion.”

The scorching summer’s day was still quite cool under the shade of the trees. The main cafeteria of the Provincial Committee was located behind the Provincial Committee’s courtyard, with its entrance fronted by vast woods, offering a cool shade. The two walked side by side.

Nie Zhenbang organized his thoughts and slowly began, “Governor Zhentao, I’ve just listened to Wang Zhaohai’s report from the Finance Department. The fiscal situation in Longxi Province is not optimistic. Revenues fall short of expenditures. If this continues, Longxi’s finances will likely be tight year after year.”

The reason he took the initiative to speak with Liu Zhentao was not because he feared Liu Zhentao. The priority was still the issue of Longxi’s development. On this matter, all else could be compromised.

As for ego and hierarchy, who would capitulate to whom first, these were not concerns for Nie Zhenbang. It was Nie Zhenbang’s consistent style to prioritize the overarching goal of economic development above everything else.

Given the current situation in Longxi, Liu Zhentao was unavoidable. Of course, if anyone wanted to disrupt this larger picture, Nie Zhenbang was ready to let others know that he was not one to be trifled with.

Hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Liu Zhentao’s expression became serious. After pondering for a moment, Liu Zhentao slowly began, “Secretary, the situation in Longxi Province is just like this, with many poor counties and cities below. The provincial finances have always been under great pressure, and this is a problem that has given me headaches. But please rest assured, Secretary, I will give it my all and support your work.”

Observing the remorseful and guilty appearance of Liu Zhentao, Nie Zhenbang found it difficult to comment further. Regardless of Liu Zhentao’s sincerity or pretense, the attitude had been presented. Nie Zhenbang could not nitpick. After all, what kind of person Liu Zhentao was, neither his words nor Nie Zhenbang’s mattered. Time would prove everything.

Then, Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “Governor Zhentao, I appreciate your willingness. I’ve been thinking and would like to invite you to join me in a visit to the Finance Department to discuss the larger financial situation. How does that sound?” (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian (NovelFire.net) to cast your vote of recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)