Chapter 41: Nie Zhenbang is Mine_l
Trantor: 549690339
The title of leader is a unique one. The soul of the army, the mastermind behind the reforms and opening-up. Whether in terms of status or position, it is extraordinary.
Ordinarily, a person of the stature of the leader wouldn’t act this way, not even in the course of alliance building.
For Nie Zhenbang, and even Nie family, this is a monumental honor. Superficially, Nie Zhenbang, at this moment, can be said to have firmly established his position as the crown prince of Jingcheng. With the influence of his title as the adopted grandson of the leader, coupled with the backing of the Nie family, no one in the country could touch him unless hemitted murder or arson.
Seeing Elder Nie and Nie Zhenbang with their mouths wide open in shock, the leader humorously said: “What’s the matter, Old Nie? Are you displeased about having to share this great grandson? You’ve always had a small-minded temperament. During the Anti-Japanese War, you hoarded Japanese canned food. Now you’re treating your own grandson like a valuable treasure.”
At the remarks from Elder Nan, Elder Nieughed too. The wisdom of the leader was indeed extraordinary. With such a humorous statement, even if he disagreed, he could defuse the awkward situation.
Elder Nie was also weighing the pros and cons of his present situation. If agreed, he would have joined fully the Faction of Reformists. Also, given the leader’s stance, the status of the Nie family is now elevated. The Nie family couldn’t avoid this; they had no more choices. With the current political climate, refusing to cooperate was obviously not an option; Nie Zhenbang’s ns, though not bad, were premature.
Afterwards, Elder Nieughed as well and said: “You’re quite the talker, if not for my canned food back then, you might not have survived the Anti-Japanese War. My grandson is practically your grandson already, isn’t he? Whatever you say goes. I have no objections.”
Upon hearing this, the leaderughed heartily, saying: “Good, good. You are indeed my good old war buddy, with such a generous character. We shall have a small gathering at my ce in five days to celebrate our new bond.”
Turning to Nie Zhenbang, he added: “Zhenbang, after the ceremony we’ll discuss your trip to the Soviet Union.”
Five days passed quickly. Those days, inside the Jingcheng circle of influence, all the prominent families received invitations from the leader. The news of the leader adopting Nie Zhenbang as his grandson had spread among them.
On the morning of the gathering, decorations filled Mei Xiang Park. An open-air venue was set up in therge courtyard in the style of a Western buffet. Many employees from the Forbidden City were bustling around.
The courtyard, known as ‘Red Wall’, derived its name from the ce of residence and office of central leaders, formerly the Imperial Pce, enclosed within a red boundary wall.
Inside the courtyard, faces of all the prominent Jingcheng families showed up.
The patriarch of the Yang family arrived with the second and third generations of the Yangs. Elder Li from the Li family soon joined inughing: “Old Yang, what a sight we are in for today. Young people are to be respected indeed.”
Elder Yang noticed the arrival of the Li family and Guo family, the stalwarts of the Conservative faction. Members of the Neutral faction, the Zhou family were also present. However, none of them looked particrly pleased.
As soon as it was nine o’clock.
The leader, Elder Nie, Elder Li, and Elder Dong, who had long since retired, walked out together. The leader wore a smile on his face.
ording to Chinese customs, various items needed for the ceremony were ready. Elder Dong served as the presider and the host. Although Elder Dong was already 87 years old, his vigor was evident when he announced loudly, “Today, let us all witness the ceremony of the leader and Nie family forming an adoptive bond. Now, let’s invite the leader to take a seat.”
Under the direction of Elder Dong, the leader and Elder Nie took their seats together, and Nie Zhenbang bowed to Elder Nie before he knelt in front of the leader. After the solemn ceremony of bowing three times and kowtowing nine times, Nie Zhenbang called out “Grandpa”.
The ceremony was thuspleted. Everyone was a typical atheist. The traditional formalities were only a formality in nature. The various families in Jingcheng were more interested in the implications behind it.
The leaderughed, “Good, good. It seems I’ve taken advantage of Old Nie this time and got half of this good grandson. Zhenbang, get up now.”
After the ceremony, it was time for the free reception. At this time, the circle was formed. The Conservative faction quickly took their leave. The Neutral faction gathered together, discussing something from time to time. But regardless of their faction, everyone shared the same understanding – they should warn their children not to mess with Nie Zhenbang after returning home.
At this time, Elder Nie and the leader were also gathered together. Elder Dong was also smiling at Nie Zhenbang. He had attended Nie family’s ancestor recognition ceremonyst time, however, he hadn’t paid any more attention after a brief nce. Moreover, he didn’t expect Nie family’s grandson to be so remarkable.
As the saying goes, observers have clearer minds than those in the field. As an outsider, Elder Dong saw it more clearly than anyone else. Everyone else thought the transformation of the Nie family was due to the change in Elder Nie’s attitude. But only Elder Dong knew that given Nie Elder’s personality, he wouldn’t flip-flop so much-bining the changes before and after, all of these alterations began after Nie Zhenbang entered the Nie family. This was not a simple matter.
Thinking of this, Elder Dong smiled and said, “Leader, Elder Nie. Having met Zhenbang today, it is clear he is an extraordinary young man. I would like to propose a match for him.”
Not only were Elder Nie and the leader taken aback at his words, but Elder Yang was also stunned. Elder Yang was an extraordinarily intelligent man and he whispered to Yang Shengli, “Shengli, quickly bring Anna over here.”
Elder Dong looked at everyone’s shocked expressions andughed, “Zhenbang is seventeen this year, isn’t he? My youngest granddaughter, Dong Wan, happens to be sixteen this year. She is indeed a beauty that can be presented before the crowd. If Elder Nie has no objection, we could use this asion to arrange a betrothal between them, how about that?”
Everyone knew that Elder Dong’s granddaughter was the youngest child of the famous Dong family’s sixth son. Downing’s sixth son, who had married amoner woman, was undoubtedly an important figure in Jingcheng. More importantly, the sixth son was clearly favored in the Dong family. Dong’s sixth son was now only forty-three years old, but he was already the Secretary of the Xueyu Provincial Committee. With such qualifications and abilities, he was definitely the core figure of Dong family’s future.
As for the daughter of Dong’s sixth son, she was known as a beauty in Jingcheng. If being described as ‘nation-shaking beauty’ would be a bit exaggerated, then ‘national beauty’ would not be an overstatement.
Nie Zhenbang was standing next to them and frowning. Dong Wan? Nie Zhenbang was unfamiliar with the name because Dong Wan, who was just like her name, was gentle and quiet. She tended to avoid matters rted to the circle and naturally wouldn’t have many people know about her. In addition, Nie Zhenbang himself disliked this kind of arranged political marriage.
“Third brother, you’ve definitely hit the jackpot this time. Dong Wan is the top Ice Queen in Yu Ying School.” Li Wen whispered to him.
Looking at Li Wen’s envy, Nie Zhenbang already knew that Dong Wan must be good-looking, otherwise, Li Wen wouldn’t react this way.
Just then, before Elder Nie could say anything, Yang Anna jumped out angrily: “Grandpa Dong, you can’t y matchmaker. Brother Zhenbang is mine. No one can take him away..”