At this moment, Nie Zhenbang was intently observing the leader in front of him, who held ranks and glories such as a standing member of the Political Bureau, secretary of the Central Secretariat, principal of the Central Party School, and Vice President of the country. According to his memory, at the end of this year or the beginning of next year, during the Two Sessions, he would be appointed as the Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and the National Military Commission.
This was President Yuan preparing for the transition at the turn of the century. By then, President Yuan would also step down as General Secretary and retain his position as Chairman of the Central Military Commission. After a year of transition, President Yuan would retire, and the stage would then be Shen Xiuchao's.
