Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 1205 - Chapter 1205 Chapter 1161 Heart-to-Heart Between Brothers

Chapter 1205: Chapter 1161: Heart-to-Heart Between Brothers Chapter 1205: Chapter 1161: Heart-to-Heart Between Brothers Watching Zhang Xu handle matters with such a businesslike demeanor, Nie Zhenbang also laughed, “Well, Zhang Xu, why have you become so mercenary? That’s not how a soldier should act.”

Next to him, Nie Jialei also said with a laugh, “Old Zhang, don’t you know Zhenbang’s personality? We’ll definitely not be at a loss.”

As the words fell, Zhang Xu waved his hand and said, “Old Nie, it’s about standing firm in one’s own position, now you are the chairman of Huaxia Group, not Nie Zhenbang’s elder brother. Business is business. The car project, that’s a major investment. It relates to the future direction and development of our Huaxia Group. We cannot be careless.”

This change in Zhang Xu also caught Nie Zhenbang by surprise. However, there was no denying that Nie Zhenbang felt a bit smug inside. After all, both individuals in front of him were of his own recommendation, and the success of Huaxia Group proved his ability to recognize talent.

Huaxia Group could be said to have been built from the ground up by himself, and Nie Zhenbang knew very well what kind of enterprise it was. With such a helmsman, Nie Zhenbang felt very assured.

Immediately following, Nie Zhenbang stated seriously, “All of Hummer’s production technology and research achievements. In addition, the exclusive production and operating rights for military vehicles, as well as the sales rights for military vehicles abroad. Civilian vehicles can collaborate with Huaxia Group, but a separate company must be established. Further, the domestic military products cannot continue using the Hummer brand. Military vehicles abroad are not subject to this restriction. Longxi Province can take a 20 percent stake in the civilian company by contributing land. Huaxia Group’s stake shall not exceed 40 percent.”

Nie Zhenbang had his own considerations for making such arrangements. He hadn’t conducted thorough in-depth research on LT Investment Group Company, but from some indicators of the company, it fit the automotive city project in Longxi Province so perfectly that it could hardly be a coincidence–ninety percent chance it was the Tenglong Consortium operated by Li Lixue and Dong Wan. Even if it wasn’t, Nie Zhenbang was confident in making the project succeed. This was a form of self-confidence.

This confidence partly laid in the vast financial resources of the Tenglong Consortium; if not, if the collaboration failed, at worst they could let Tenglong Consortium acquire the company. Moreover, such an arrangement was essentially win-win.

Dealing with military Hummers isn’t something a company can manage easily due to different national situations. The domestic military industry would not allow a company with foreign capital background to get involved. This was an ironclad rule. Hence, abandoning military products wouldn’t be an issue. On the civilian front, whether it was Huaxia Group, Longxi Province, or LT Investment Group Company, it could be said all three stood to benefit.

As for the demands made on Huaxia Group, there was consideration too; continuing to use Hummers for military purposes didn’t look good, purely a matter of face. The performance and craftsmanship of the vehicles were what mattered, the name was insignificant. Military vehicles for export could continue using the Hummer brand due to its influence overseas. Civilian matters needn’t be mentioned.

Zhang Xu was also reflecting at the moment, experiencing Nie Zhenbang’s astuteness deeply. Offering land shares for a 20 percent stake meant that Longxi Province’s development and revenue would be substantial, having a say in the car project would also facilitate the attraction of investment for downstream industries and their development.

Of course, Longxi Province hadn’t gained a great advantage. The land required for the joint venture was no small sum. A conservative estimate of one to two thousand acres was normal.

Even if it was in the countryside, reducing the resettlement costs to the lowest and lowering the land requisition charges to the most basic land price standard, the sum was not insubstantial. At first glance, Longxi Province seemed to be benefiting, but the extent of this advantage was limited.

After musing for a moment, Zhang Xu nodded and said, “Very reasonable.”

As he spoke, Zhang Xu turned his head to look at Nie Jialei beside him and asked, “Old Nie, what’s your opinion?”

Zhang Xu’s attitude and actions were all observed by Nie Zhenbang. After joining Huaxia Group, Zhang Xu had become much smoother than before, paying great attention to detail. Indeed, while the relationship between the two was harmonious, respect was another matter. That Zhang Xu could act in such a way showed that he handled this aspect very well.

At this moment, Nie Jialei waved his hand and said, “Heh, I have no objections. I said from the beginning, cooperating with Zhenbang, you can rest assured. How about now? Don’t you feel like worrying was unnecessary?”

This banter was quite casual, and it also indirectly showed the amicable relationship between Nie Jialei and Zhang Xu. Nie Zhenbang said with a smile, “Big brother, in the world of commerce, Old Zhang really takes no prisoners.”

The three of them had a meal, not many dishes, but it looked very exquisite. Three meat dishes, two vegetables, and one soup. The wine was Xifeng, as mentioned by Nie Zhenbang.

Upon opening the wine bottle and pouring a glass for Nie Jialei and Zhang Xu, Nie Zhenbang also picked up his glass and said, “Big brother, Old Zhang, let’s have a toast.”

After several rounds, although there were only three people, the atmosphere wasn’t cold. They were all acquainted with each other. The conversation was more casual, lacking the usual cunning and mysterious probing; the ambiance was actually quite pleasant.

Zhang Xu lifted his glass, took a sip, and then slowly said, “Zhenbang, when exactly can LT Investment Group Company come over?”

At the mention of this, Nie Zhenbang didn’t show any panic. The contact with LT Investment Group Company had already been in progress, and on behalf of the government of Longxi Province, he had already sent a letter to them and had received a response from LT Investment Group Company.

“The day after tomorrow, the day after tomorrow morning, the full representative of LT Investment Group Company will come over. Then, the three of us can engage in detailed negotiations,” Nie Zhenbang said with certainty, extending two fingers. The two fingers naturally referred to the two days.

Dinner went quite well, to the satisfaction of all. At that moment, Zhang Xu showed his tact by finding an excuse to return to his room after the meal.

Nie Zhenbang and his brother Nie Jialei were walking in the hotel’s garden. After pondering for a moment and glancing at Nie Zhenbang, Nie Jialei slowly said, “Zhenbang, what are you planning to do about Lingxiao Coal Mine? I heard that Ling Baodong went to the capital yesterday. It looks like he’s preparing to utilize his connections.”

Nie Zhenbang was also aware of Ling Baodong’s trip to the capital. His sources were not so out of the loop as to miss such information. Making a move against Lingxiao, he of course paid enough attention to Ling Baodong, and even to the Ling Family.

As a committee member too, Ling Baodong did have some connections and face. Searching for support and strategies by going to the capital was quite normal. Ling Baodong only had one son, it would be strange if he didn’t look for strategies.

Seeing Nie Zhenbang’s nonchalant demeanor made Nie Jialei a bit anxious. Ling Baodong’s connections were substantial. As the top official of Yuzhou City, even the higher-ups had to give him some face. Now, Jialiang had severely offended Ling Baodong. If this ended poorly, it would be a blow to Jialiang and a joke in their circles.

Nie Jialei believed that Jialiang’s enemies would not miss this opportunity. In such a situation, even if some people didn’t get along with Ling Baodong, they probably wouldn’t mind helping out.

And Jialiang’s complacent attitude was certainly not right, “Jialiang, don’t take it lightly. Ling Baodong’s tactics are not so easily dealt with. You know how it is within the system. If the higher-ups make a resolution and want to protect Lingxiao, there are plenty of ways, such as finding someone to take the blame, like dying without evidence, like oversight, and so on, there will always be excuses. By then, if you’ve already made an enemy and don’t have a result, it could greatly affect you.”

This concerned attitude and words made Nie Zhenbang quite moved. He nodded slightly and replied, “Big brother, I understand what you mean. But don’t worry, you know my temperament. Either I don’t act, but if I do, it’s checkmate. No one can resolve it. The case of Lingxiao has caused a huge stir both domestically and internationally. Ling Baodong’s scrambling won’t make any waves. You can rest assured.”

As he spoke, Nie Zhenbang paused, looking at Nie Jialei, “By the way, big brother, after these few years at Huaxia Group and doing such an outstanding job, have you ever thought about taking charge somewhere?”

As he said this, Nie Zhenbang wasn’t just speaking on a whim, but had his own considerations. Originally recommending Nie Jialei to take charge of Huaxia Group was partly due to his abilities, but more importantly because of the higher rank. Taking the route through Huaxia Group for a principal department-level position was a shortcut. To say capability, it might be difficult for Nie Jialei to join Jiuding, but other positions were not a problem, otherwise, he wouldn’t have been cultivated by the Nie family in the first place.

Now, with Huaxia Group’s good development over the years, plus the automotive project launch, big achievements had followed, accumulating capital. Moving to govern a region was not an impossible task. Moreover, within the system, within the government framework, the most fundamental positions are party and government leadership positions. That’s the proper path to promotion.

At that moment, Nie Jialei was somewhat shocked, while the longing and excitement in his eyes betrayed his inner feelings. Taking charge somewhere, how could he not have thought of that? He believed that anyone with ideals and ambitions would have such a goal.

It’s just that within the Nie family, Nie Zhenbang’s sudden rise overshadowed his light. Consecutive record-breaking promotions, this had been a miracle within the country. The youngest county and department-level official, the youngest division and bureau-level official, the youngest at the provincial and ministerial level; all these were achieved by his younger cousin.

Over the years, Nie Jialei had somewhat given up. After taking office at Huaxia Group, he had even settled his mind on it.

However, now, a word from Nie Zhenbang reignited the passion and drive within Nie Jialei. There was nothing to hide between brothers. Looking at Nie Zhenbang, Nie Jialei nodded and said, “A soldier who doesn’t want to be a general isn’t a good soldier; to put it another way, an official who doesn’t want to govern isn’t a good official. But, it’s probably quite difficult.”

(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it at Qidian (NovelFire.net). Your support is my greatest motivation.)