Reborn as a Noble s Son

Chapter 750: Chapter 706 National Grief_1
 

The first day of the Lunar New Year

Early in the morning, Nie Zhenbang had already arrived at the inner courtyard of the house. After a strict inspection at several checkpoints, he finally followed Elder Nan’s secretarial aide into the seemingly ordinary courtyard.

“Zhenbang, go on inside. The elder’s health isn’t that good. I suspect he can manage about five minutes of conversation at the most. Hurry along now.” The secretarial aide’s face betrayed his worry.

As Elder Nan’s secretarial aide, his position is equivalent to that of a deputy department-level official. With Elder Nan’s approaching death, the impact on him will be profound. More importantly, due to his unique position, he doesn’t have much standing in the establishment. His future prospects are not likely to be so smooth and bright.

Nie Zhenbang nodded and stepped into the courtyard. Two Red Wall Guards from the Central Security Bureau were stationed haphazardly in the yard.

At the entrance of the main hall, Elder Nan’s wife was already waiting. Seeing this, Nie Zhenbang quickened his pace, greeting her respectfully: “Grandmother!”

The elderly woman nodded and managed a weak smile: “Zhenbang, you’re here. Come in. When your grandpa found out you were coming, he got up early. It was just past six in the morning.”

Her words made Nie Zhenbang’s heart twinge. Entering the main hall, he noticed the simple wooden furniture. The temperature in the room was maintained around twenty-two degrees celsius.

At the moment, Elder Nan lay on a wooden reclining chair by the sofa, draped in a wool blanket. His peaceful expression belied his frail condition.

His hair had turned fully white. His face, covered with age spots, seemed more frail than a few years ago. Wrinkles crisscrossed his skin.

He had aged!

That was Nie Zhenbang’s first impression. The healthcare doctor next to him whispered, “Elder’s health is not good. He isn’t seriously ill; the main problem is caused by the decline in multiple organ functions due to old age.”

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Nie Zhenbang wasn’t versed in medicine, but he understood the doctor’s words. It wasn’t any disease causing Elder Nan’s decline, but rather a natural progression toward the end of his life.

After a moment of hesitation, Nie Zhenbang remained silent.

Surprisingly, Elder Nan, who appeared to be asleep, shifted his position and slowly opened his eyes. Seeing Nie Zhenbang, the old man’s face softened into a small smile. His voice hoarse and weak, he said, “Zhenbang, why such a somber mood? You’ve always struck me as different from the rest. Don’t get mired in such worldly sorrow. Birth, old age, sickness, and death are the natural order of things. There is nothing to mourn.”

After a slight pause, his breath became ragged. The doctor on hand quickly stood and inserted an oxygen tube into the elder’s nostrils. In a low voice, he advised, “Sir, you should be resting.”

Ignoring the doctor, Elder Nan turned his gaze back to Nie Zhenbang: “Zhenbang, we communists always strive to be practical and realistic. We respect science and the laws of nature. As the chairman once said, it is inevitable for a person to die. Some deaths are as light as a feather, others as heavy as Mt. Taishan. Though I dare not say that I have made tremendous contributions in my life, I have lived truthfully, with no regrets toward my party or people. Being joyous in life and unafraid in death, broadening the mind to accommodate all things—these are the virtues you should remember as you move forward.”

The old generation of proletarian revolutionaries always held a magnanimous and positive attitude, actively facing the various difficult and harsh circumstances in life. This, Nie Zhenbang realized, was the greatest wealth.

With a slight smile, Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “I understand, Grandpa.”

Seeing Nie Zhenbang’s reaction, Elder Nan seemed relieved. He nodded and continued, “Good, that’s the kind of realization you need. A couple of days ago, Comrades Xiao Yuan and Xiao Shen were here. We spoke about you. You’ve been a deputy department-level official for six years, beginning at the age of 36. You should consider strengthening your studies at the Party School, enriching your thoughts and knowledge, and nourishing your soul.”

Nie Zhenbang was deeply moved by these words. He hadn’t expected that even on his deathbed, the elder was still thinking about his future. Such kindness was truly more profound than the depths of the sea, higher than the skies above.

The elder cut off Nie Zhenbang, turning his gaze to the doctor at his side. He said, with a smile, “Go now. Work well. That’s all I ask.” He knew Doctor Huang would forbid further conversation.

After a bit more than five minutes—no more than seven, Nie Zhenbang left. After exchanging a few words with the elder’s wife, he took his leave.

The second day of the Lunar New Year is when people often visit their relatives. But this otherwise ordinary day would be remembered as extraordinary.

January 30, 2006. The second day of the Lunar New Year.

The ordinary day would be marked by the passing of a great man, Comrade Nan Xun, in Jingcheng City Military Headquarters Hospital, after unsuccessful resuscitation attempts. He was 98 years old.

News of his death spread across the nation, causing a wave of grief. That evening, the central government held an emergency expanded standing committee meeting attended by all members of the Politburo.

A mourning committee, headed by the Party [Central] Secretary-General, was swiftly formed. All over the country, various party and governmental organizations, societies, schools, and businesses, lowered their flags to half-mast.

The international community was also greatly shocked by the elder’s passing. The United Nations convened a general meeting and decided to lower their flags in respect and in mournful tribute to the extraordinary contributions the elder made for Huaxia and world peace.

It was a moment of honor when the world lowered their flags in mourning. It was a worldwide affirmation of respect for the elder.

The memorial service took place as scheduled at the Treasure Mountain Revolutionary Cemetery. The nine core members of the country, one by one, went to mourn. Across the country, in various places, many people spontaneously mourned, and banners reading “Rest well, Nan Xun” were displayed. It was a tribute to the elder from all ethnic groups around the country. The usually lively and joyful Spring Festival suddenly became a nationwide day of grief due to the elder’s passing.

Nie Zhenbang, as the elder’s adopted grandson, along with the descendants of the Nan family, were fully involved in the elder’s funeral affairs.

After receiving the condolences from all sectors of society, the elder’s body was cremated at the Treasure Mountain Funeral Parlor as per his will. Parts of his ashes were buried in the Treasure Mountain Revolutionary Cemetery. The other part was taken by the elder’s family to Bashu Province for burial in the land of his birth. Though he never experienced a triumphant homecoming, his spirit returned to its roots, a sentiment shared among all people of Huaxia.

…

The eighth day of the Lunar New Year.

The country officially returned to work that day. The work of the San Gong Office fell back into regular order after almost half a month’s break. Last year, the San Gong Office, exhausted from a year’s labor, regained its vibrancy.

In the conference room of the San Gong Office, the members of the party group of the San Gong Office and the heads of each department began by reviewing the work situation of the previous period.

In view of the large workload of Gao Wei’s team, the meeting decided to pull personnel from Wang Haojun’s team and Nie Zhenbang’s team to reinforce Gao Wei’s team, thus accelerating the supervision and inspection work on state-owned enterprises nationwide.

This was expected. Wang Haojun’s diligent work style and attitude over the year earned Nie Zhenbang’s trust. Nie Zhenbang was confident in his own team’s ability, and so personnel were dispatched from both teams to reinforce Gao Wei’s team.

As for why Li Guobing and Chen Bo’s teams were not used, the reasons were obvious and needed no explanation.

As the work of San Gong Office restarted, and the teams of Huang Xudong, Wang Haojun, and Gao Wei left Jingcheng one after another, Nie Zhenbang’s work suddenly became less burdensome. For a period, Nie Zhenbang lived a relatively leisurely life, working regular hours. He took advantage of this time to be with his family as much as possible.

After the Lantern Festival, Dong Zhiping was sent back home by Dong Wan. This time, An Na made a surprising decision and let Pan go with Li Lixue to Dragon Island.

The seventeenth day of the Lunar New Year.

At Jingcheng City International Airport, Nie Zhenbang could not help but hug Yang Anna tightly as they watched the Tenglong private jet gradually take off.

At this moment, Yang Anna was feeling somewhat down, and Nie Zhenbang whispered, “I told you not to let Pan go. Now you feel upset, don’t you?”

Yang Anna grumbled, “You just know how to provoke me. Didn’t Wan have to bear the pain of separation too? Compared to her, I’m luckier because I still have you by my side.”

The two of them got into the car, and without any instructions, the driver started the car, entered the airport highway, and sped up.

At this moment, the mobile phone of Li Jupeng, the passenger in the front, rang. Instead of answering, he handed it directly to Nie Zhenbang, reporting, “Director, it’s Minister Jiandong’s call.”

Jiandong, the Minister? You mean [the Organization Department Minister Shi Jiandong, right? What’s he calling for at this time?” Yang Anna was somewhat curious.

Nie Zhenbang had a guess in his heart. He answered the phone, and before he could speak, Shi Jiandong’s voice came from the other end of the line: “Zhenbang, I suppose you should have some idea why I’m looking for you.”

“Minister Jiandong, stop playing riddles with me. I really don’t know anything,” Nie Zhenbang playfully replied.

Shi Jiandong laughed and scolded, “You naughty boy, don’t try to be clever with me.”

With that, Shi Jiandong turned serious and said, “Comrade Zhenbang, I’m officially notifying you, after careful consideration by the organization, it has been decided that you will be formally nominated to attend this semester’s spring training course for provincial and ministerial-level cadres. On the Lunar New Year’s twentieth day, or February 17th, this coming Friday—you will report to the Central Party School for one month’s training.” (To be continued. If you like this novel, please go to qidian.com to vote and support me. Your support is my greatest motivation.)