Reborn as a Noble's Son

Next to the entrance gate of the State Taxation Bureau, there was a vacant plot of land. It was originally reserved for the Taxation Bureau. However, after Xing Wenbiao took office, he had no desire to extend the Bureau’s premises and the land was left unused. At the moment, a group from the Li County Sanitation Bureau stood on the edge of the plot, a large garbage truck from the same Bureau dumping its full load of rubbish there, disseminating wafts of putrid odor. The stench of the dumped urban waste became more potent as the day grew hotter. The climate in Xibei was such that the days were warm and the nights were cool. However, the foul smell was certainly intolerable.

The Sanitation Bureau workers, dressed in masks, could just about bear the stench. The Tax Office staff, on the other hand, rushed to cover their noses.

In an infuriated tone, Xing Wenbiao shouted, “What on earth are you doing here? Why is the garbage dumped here when we have a designated landfill?”.

Tang Jianhua, the Director of the Sanitation Bureau, regretfully explained, “Director Xing, I’m really sorry. The landfill is full, unheard and at this time, we can only use this spot temporarily. You know, if we throw the garbage in the countryside it will create significant problems. The villagers would become extremely agitated. We have no other choice, this plot of land is conveniently vacant. After consulting with the county party committee and county government, we decided to use it temporarily. Once the waste station is built on this plot, it won’t smell as bad.”

Hearing this, Xing Wenbiao’s anger escalated. Were they planning to build a garbage station next to his tax bureau that would turn the workplace into a dump? In response, Xing Wenbiao hastily objected, “Wasn’t this land to be sold to our State Taxation Bureau? Now, I demand that you stop immediately. We have bought this land to use. Dispose of your garbage anywhere else you please. You! All of you, go and stop them. What’s to happen if they build a garbage station here?”

A few male employees of the State Tax Bureau who heard Xing Wenbiao’s command, rushed forward to stop the sanitation workers. But, this led to the sanitation crew becoming agitated. A heated argument ensued immediately followed by a physical altercation. The office workers were no match for the sanitation crew, who were fully equipped with shovels and broomsticks. Within moments, the tax officers were overpowered. Now, even Tang Jianhua, with a grave look on his face, objected, “Director Xing, what is to happen here? We have all the necessary procedures from the county government to carry out this task. Isn’t it a bit highhanded of you to oppose this? This garbage will be dumped for sure. Bring in the rest of the garbage trucks, brothers, we need to speed up our work.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Director Ma Zhixian had already dialed the police. With their bureau staff overthrown, if not now, when would they call for help?

Within five minutes, a police car from Chengguan station had already arrived at the scene. Station Chief Wei Qiang stepped out of the car with a stern expression. After observing the hostile groups, he asked, “Who called us?”

At this point, Xing Wenbiao walked over with a smile. Even though his rank was equal to that of Wei Qiang, the station chief, he believed in maintaining cordiality as they belonged to different departments.

After listening to both parties, Wei Qiang sternly said, “Director Xing, I’m really sorry but this is an overstep on your part. The Sanitation Bureau has a permit from the county. That makes them legal. Moreover, the plot of land doesn’t belong to your Tax Bureau. The county has the right to dispose of it. We’re just dealing with minor injuries here. So, let’s move on from this and return to our tasks. I won’t tolerate any more fighting. Chengguan station has been a model of public security for years. I’m not planning to risk this under my watch.”

Wei Qiang’s words were clear. If anyone was to pick a fight, he would take action against them. It was common knowledge that the Sanitation Bureau would never incite anything. This was obviously biased, but Xing Wenbiao was helpless to do anything.

First, their office was cut off from electricity and water and now garbage was littered there. The station was under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Public Security, these were the same people causing their problems. The Lixian Government wasn’t under their jurisdiction; wherever the bureaucrats got the idea of dumping garbage here, they had succeeded.

“Old Ma, take care of this situation, try to purchase the land as soon as possible. Furthermore, the investigation team will be dispatched this afternoon. I will see who trumps whom. Director Wang, come with me to the city bureau.” Xing Wenbiao gave orders rapidly, his special Mercedes Benz quickly drove up and the two got into the car and left.

As they watched the tail lights of the car vanish into the distance, the middle-level officials cursed, “Damn, he only worries about his own comfort while we are left in this garbage dump without water or electricity. We’ll spend the night at our parents-in-law’s house.”

Ma Zhixian maintained a stoic demeanor. Though he was also slightly dissatisfied with Xing Wenbiao’s handling of the situation, he instructed sternly, “What are you all chattering about? Everyone get back to your work and be prepared. The investigation groups will be dispatched to their respective institutions for audits today.”

Meanwhile, Ma Zhixian had returned to his office and dialed the phone number of Huang Shuyong, a standing committee member of the county party and secretary of the Chengguan Town Party. As soon as Huang answered, Ma immediately cheerfully said, “Secretary Huang, busy as ever, I see. This is Ma Zhixian from the State Taxation Bureau, haha. I wanted to discuss something with you. What do you think about selling us the land in front of our Taxation Bureau?”

Huang Shuyong couldn’t help but chuckle at this moment. The entire county’s officials had already learned about the issues between Nie Zhenbang and Xing Wenbiao. Moreover, Xing Wenbiao had garnered quite a bit of public outrage. As you, Wenbiao, are not under the jurisdiction of Director Nie, we are. You’ve slapped Director Nie in the face, and although many officials are pleased about it, currently, more than half of the bureau chiefs in the county are directly subordinate to Director Nie. They say when the lord is humiliated, his subjects suffer. Now that the lord has been disgraced, aren’t his subjects bound to follow? You won’t be able to avoid it.

Nie Zhenbang had been prepared for this piece of land a long time ago. He had already anticipated that once the garbage was dumped, the Tax Bureau would be unable to stand still. Subsequently, Huang Shuyong also laughed and said, “About the land… Director Ma, you may not be aware of this. Now, all land within the city and development zone is not within our purview. All of it is handled by the County Construction Bureau and the Urban Construction Investment Company. This is a newly established department responsible for all urban construction in the county. However, the price of this plot of land, as far as I know, is not cheap.”

Ma Zhixian paused for a moment. He usually didn’t pay much attention to matters in Lixian, and hadn’t expected there to be some Urban Construction Investment Company. However, Huang Shuyong’s words filled him with optimism. Not cheap – this implied that Huang Shuyong must know something, otherwise, he wouldn’t say that. Ma then laughed and said, “Secretary Huang, could you give me a ballpark number for this plot of land? So I can prepare myself accordingly.”

Huang Shuyong chuckled, not holding anything back, and directly confirmed, “The price set by the Urban Construction Investment for this plot is Two and a half million. Not a penny less. For such a small plot of land, it’s not worth it for your office.”

Upon hearing Huang Shuyong’s words, Ma Zhixian completely understood. This was explicitly targeted at the Tax Bureau. Didn’t you just impose a fine of two and a half million? Here, we’re giving you another two and a half million. However, when the fine was imposed, 625,000 was deducted. There are no discounts on buying land. Adding and subtracting, the Tax Bureau would have to pay an extra 625,000, making the Tax Bureau the real fool.

Seemingly remembering that he was on the phone, Ma Zhixian immediately laughed, “Secretary Huang, thank you. I’ll invite you for a meal when I get the chance. I have something to attend to now, I’ll hang up first.”

After hanging up, Ma Zhixian was deep in thought. This time, the Li County Government quickly paid the penalty. This money will certainly have to be spit out. This time, a compromise may not suffice. In fact, Ma Zhixian did try to dissuade Xing Wenbiao from his actions. However, Wen Biao was firmly convinced that, considering Lixian’s financial difficulties, two and half million would be enough to make them back down. Now, it all depends on the investigation team. But at this time, Ma Zhixian was losing hope. Even if they discovered more problems, the Lixian government swiftly paid the fine and, by then, the Tax Bureau would have to cough up both the capital and interest. Nie Zhenbang plays hardball.

However, the head of the Tax Bureau is not himself but Xing Wenbiao. It would require Xing Wenbiao’s decision if they were to compromise. Knowing Xing Wenbiao’s nature, reaching a compromise on this issue would be difficult.

Outside, the office door suddenly opened. The other Deputy Director of the Tax Bureau, He Dashan, walked in angrily, flinging his briefcase onto the sofa. He poured himself a cup of tea, gulped it down, then vented, “Old Ma, I’m livid! This is sheer bullying!”

Ma Zhixian paused and thought to himself that He Dashan was usually very even-tempered. Why was he suddenly so angry today? He then laughed and asked, “Old He, didn’t you go to the development zone to look at the land? Why are you so angry?”

He Dashan had calmed down now and said to Ma Zhixian, “Old Ma, it’s exactly because of that land visit that I’m so angry. I think we, at the Tax Bureau, can forget about relocating. After all this, we might as well not move.”

Upon hearing this, Ma Zhixian immediately felt a sense of foreboding. He then asked, “Did something happen with the land?”

He Dashan nodded his head and said, “Who knows what’s going on in that woman Yan Fengjiao’s head, she’s the director of the development zone. It was all going so well – the Tax Bureau had acquired fifty mu of land for this relocation, after the construction of the office building, the rest of the land would be used to build a residential area. We had agreed on the land price and were waiting to sign the contract. But then this woman changed her mind. The land that was originally near the county town was relocated to the very outskirts, not to mention the price changed as well. Initially, it was based on the internal administrative allocation of land prices, 10,000 per mu. Now, it has increased to 100,000 per mu. Take it or leave it. Fifty mu of land amounts to five million. Not just us, even the city bureau might not be able to afford that.”

Hearing this, Ma Zhixian was stunned. Thinking over it from every angle, Ma Zhixian finally understood Nie Zhenbang’s severity – the true hardness was here.