Chen family?
Regarding this, Nie Zhenbang had some deeply ingrained memories, as if a sluice gate in the depths of his memory had been opened. At the most painful point in his recollections, didn't Nie Ziyu compromise and marry into the Chen family?
As for this Chen Xuechun, Nie Zhenbang actually wasn't very familiar with him; he hadn't heard much about him before. Perhaps, he was a newcomer.
Don't think that at the provincial and ministerial level, one would know everybody. You must realize that Huaxia is vast, with over thirty provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, plus seventeen sub-provincial cities. Originally there were sixteen, but Lizhou City was newly promoted to sub-provincial level.