Reborn as a Noble's Son

Chapter 328: 321 Political Compromise_1

This news left Nie Zhenbang standing still, speechless for quite a while. According to the regulations of the disciplinary inspection work, during the implementation of disciplinary actions against cadres, any possibilities that could lead to suicide, disability, or communication of news and other related matters, should be prevented and excluded. Moreover, there were two staff members with Fang Zhiqiang, taking turns to guard him around the clock. How could it be possible for him to commit suicide? This whole thing seemed suspicious.

Immediately, Nie Zhenbang didn’t dare to delay even for breakfast. He picked up his pace and headed towards the place where Fang Zhiqiang was detained.

When Nie Zhenbang arrived, Secretary Sun Daliang of the Jiangbei Province Disciplinary Committee had also already arrived at the scene. Standing beside, Deputy Secretary Zeng Youjie of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection looked serious and gloomy. A suicide under their noses was a blatant challenge and an attempt to destroy evidence.

At this moment, Sun Daliang also adopted a humble posture. He spoke in a low voice, “Secretary Zeng, I request punishment for the negligence and errors of our Jiangbei Province Disciplinary Committee staff. The two staff members who were on duty last night have been taken into custody. Currently, Nie’s team is interrogating them.”

Zeng Youjie wasn’t a young lad and was beyond the age of impulsivity. With his long-term experience in disciplinary inspection work, he had seen all situations, including this type of tricks. He even deemed it unworthy of comment.

Then, Zeng Youjie waved his hand and said in a deep voice, “Comrade Da Liang, there’s no need for self-blaming words. You have been doing disciplinary inspection work for more than a year or two. I understand your position. However, Niu Zhengfu has now become a key figure and must be well protected. I suggest your Provincial Disciplinary Committee take charge of the investigation, while the guards should be replaced with Nie’s team. In this way, it may relieve some of your pressures.”

Zeng Youjie’s words saved face for Sun Daliang and the entire Jiangbei Province Discipline Inspection Committee. Naturally, Sun Daliang had no reason to refuse.

At the same time, Sun Daliang also used Fang Zhiqiang’s death to strengthen the psychological pressure on Niu Zhengfu.

The action of the national media was swift. At this time, Xu Qi understood very well that the cover-up could not continue, even the Provincial Committee had decided to stop the cover-up. As a minor City Party Secretary, how could she keep the secret? Clearly, it was impossible.

So, Xu Qi very much cooperated with these journalists, fulfilling virtually all their requests. Want to visit Xiaxiang County and interview local farmers? No problem, the Qianzhou City Party Committee assigned a car, arranged everything from the beginning to the end, leaving the journalists free to do whatever they wanted in Xiaxiang County. The government officials would not intervene, the reporters were free to conduct their interviews, which greatly satisfied them, because this was the truest situation.

Want to see the resettled immigrant’s houses? Also possible, even the house that Nie Zhenbang and Yan Zhian smashed down was fully open to the public.

Seeing the raw bamboo exposed within the concrete, the reporters had a field day with their cameras. This was an explosive topic.

Soon, these articles were sent back to their respective headquarters. On the third day of their arrival in Qianzhou City, “Hope Daily” published a signed article titled ‘Reflections Behind the Bamboo-reinforced Concrete’. The article, with numerous photos and interview notes of locals, truthfully reflected the problems occurred in Qianzhou City’s immigrant resettlement project.

National TV’s “News Observation” started with the five hundred million resettlement funds and indirectly reflected the allocation of resettlement funds through the new luxury office buildings from Xiaxiang County to township committees and governments.

Once these news stories were broadcast, they immediately caused a huge response nationwide. President Yuan of the Central Party Committee personally inquired about the situation. After exchanging views with Zhuang Aiguo, Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, President Yuan personally gave a critical comment on the report submitted by Zeng Youjie, “Corruption and law-breaking, unbearable to morality and justice!”

These words were extremely serious. It meant President Yuan was already angered. Here in Qianzhou City, in room 304 of the Qianzhou Military Division Guest House, the room number had a dubious homophonic implication of desire for death.

However, no one cared, because this room was designated for interrogating Niu Zhengfu. At this moment, the staff members of Jiangbei Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee were under tremendous pressure. With the personal instructions from the Secretary-General, the supervision from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, and the entire nation paying attention to Jiangbei and this case, if they could not uncover the truth, there would be a great loss of face for Jiangbei Province as a whole.

“Niu Zhengfu, think carefully. Confessing is your only way out. If you don’t care for yourself, don’t you care about your wife and children? You know how Fang Zhiqiang died. Is Fang Zhiqiang, your partner of many years, someone capable of suicide? If you wish to follow Fang’s footsteps, it’s up to you. Think hard about it.” After saying that, the two stood up as if to leave.

At this moment, Niu Zhengfu hesitated, and then spoke: “Comrades, please wait. I confess!”

After his psychological defenses were broken, Niu Zhengfu spilled every bit of information he knew, like beans out of a bamboo tube. Tianhai Group was introduced to Niu Zhengfu by the deputy secretary and mayor of Qianzhou City, Han Ziqi. Suggestively hinting that Tianhai Group had powerful backing, Niu agreed to cooperate. The entire project bypassed the formal bidding process, and after a cursory walkthrough, the total contracting rights were handed over to Tianhai Group.

Five hundred million in funds. Xiaxiang County retained two hundred million, with one hundred million used to build new government office buildings, and the remaining hundred million distributed to various townships. Wealthier townships gave a portion of the funds to the locals as resettlement allowances, while poorer townships used the funds to repay back wages, debts and the like.

However, not much money actually ended up in the hands of ordinary folks. Amid the most severe uproar in Cangshan Town, Niu Zhengfu called in the town’s party secretary for a reprimand. Yet, the father of Xiong Changgui refused to acknowledge it. He insisted on organizing a mass visit to the city, but was killed at the police station after being stopped by Cangshan Town. Subsequently, Xiong Changgui’s mother was also killed at the entrance of the police station while trying to claim his body. His sister who sought justice at the town government was ludicrously raped in the party secretary’s office and later sent to the police station where she mysteriously died. This series of events triggered Xiong Changgui’s retaliation and exposed the dark secrets of Xiaxiang.

Within the Suite 402 on the fourth floor of the Military Zone’s guest house, Zeng Youjie sat in the main seat on the couch, with Sun Daliang and Yan Zhian to his left and Nie Zhenbang to his right.

After reading the materials submitted by Niu Zhengfu, Sun Daliang looks at Zeng Youjie, awaiting orders. Zeng Youjie contemplated for a moment then said, “Secretary Da Liang, begin the operation. Divide our forces. One team will be led by your comrades to take control of Han Ziqi. As for Ding Haitao of Tianhai Group, in consideration of the potential complications of direct involvement by your Jiangbei Province comrades, I think it’s best if Zhenbang’s men take care of it.”

Sun Daliang expressed some gratitude. It’s not that he feared Ding Guohong, but it was a bit awkward to arrest a fellow team member’s son. Letting the comrades of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission take action would spare him the uneasy feeling.

Immediately, Sun Daliang stood and said, “Secretary Zeng, then we will begin the operation.”

At this moment, as the situation continues to develop, unease creeps into Han Ziqi’s home. The doorbell rings. Han Ziqi exchanges a glance with his wife then opens the door. Arriving personally, Sun Daliang looks sternly at Han Ziqi and states solemnly, “Han Ziqi, you’re coming with me.”

Han Ziqi slumps at the emotionless command from Sun Daliang, earning further contempt from Sun Daliang. Without further ado, he orders, “Take him away!”

Meanwhile, at Jiangzhou City’s Jingshan Hotel, rumors hold that Ding Haitao would be staying the night. The comrades from Jiangbei Provincial Public Security Department, alerted by Sun Daliang, are ready to take action. However, Nie Zhenbang and his team draw a blank as Ding Haitao does not show up.

What Nie Zhenbang couldn’t predict is that at this moment, the respected standing member of the Jiangbei Provincial Committee, the executive deputy governor – Ding Guohong, is with his son at Nayi, the home of the deputy secretary of the Provincial Committee and governor Ning Shouchang.

In the living room of the Ning residence, the governor appears calm and composed. Ding Guohong glances at him, a flash of resentment in his eyes, which quickly subsides. Now is not the time for pride. He must swallow it.

Immediately, Ding Guohong takes the initiative to say, “Governor, on this visit, I mainly came to report and discuss certain matters. Recently, I’ve been feeling physically unwell. I intend to step down from my positions within the Jiangbei Provincial Committee and as the executive deputy governor. I’ve already submitted my resignation to the Central Organization Department and the State Council. I thought it necessary to inform you.”

The words surprise Ning Shouchang into opening his eyes. He didn’t expect Ding Guohong to give up his own position for the sake of his son. Such filial devotion is indeed admirable.

After a pause, Ding Guohong continues, “Governor, the scandal in Xiaxiang has a significant connection to my son. It is my responsibility and fault because I didn’t discipline him properly. I’ve severely reprimanded him. Our intention is that all the substandard resettlement houses be demolished, the reconstruction funds will be fully covered by Tianhai Group. Additionally, Tianhai Group is willing to contribute one hundred million to compensate the people of Xiaxiang County for the expenses imposed by the county government’s new office building.”

This is indeed another hard hit. Tianhai Group’s assets total to about nine hundred million, including a large long-term investment. Now, they have to contribute nearly four hundred million, which is about half of the group’s total value.

Considering this, Ning Shouchang stands, offering a placating smile, “Comrade Guohong, don’t worry too much. It’s never too late to mend your past mistakes. Correcting those errors makes you a good comrade. I’ll keep this matter in mind. You and Haitao can go home now. Tomorrow morning, I’ll give you a definitive response.”

PS: The third update is here, thanks for the strong support from all my brothers and sisters. (