Reborn as a Noble's Son

“You two, continue the interrogation. Be thorough and don’t overlook any detail. The County Education Committee issue is of great concern to the county party committee and government. Secretary Zhang and Director Nie are all attentive to this matter. No neglect is allowed. More importantly, Secretary Liu and Mayor Ding from the city committee are also paying attention. Secretary Bai also called me and issued important instructions. Under the current economic development situation, disciplinary committee inspectors must demand a lot from themselves. Be fair and trustworthy. Firmly eliminate corruption. Safeguard the economic construction of socialism. This matter is of great importance. I’ll step out for a moment.” Sun Kewen instructed the two staff on the side, then immediately walked out.

Once he stepped out of the room, Sun Kewen reported the progress of the case to Zhang Chubin and Nie Zhenbang via phone calls. After sharing what Huang Pingan confessed, particularly the matters related to Bayaer, Sun Kewen hung up the phone. The issue had extended to the jurisdiction of the city disciplinary committee. Sun Kewen no longer wanted to be involved.

Sun Kewen temporarily put aside considerations about Deputy Mayor Zhou’s background. He focused on the work he ought to do and would absolutely not take on what he shouldn’t.

In a bureaucratic system, it wasn’t rare for small transgressions to be magnified. Sun Kewen wasn’t a newcomer to the political arena who knew nothing. Under these circumstances, the fate of Bayaer was in the hands of Zhang Chubin and Nie Zhenbang. The top two officials of the county party committee could bring the issue up if they wished to pursue it. If they took the vice mayor into consideration and ended it here, it wouldn’t be something out of the ordinary.

Over here, just as Nie Zhenbang hung up the phone with Sun Kewen, his face showed no joy. He had already anticipated Bayaer’s situation. Now, it merely confirmed his intention to take action against Bayaer.

Just then, the phone on his desk rang again, and Nie Zhenbang didn’t need to guess who was on the other end.

Sure enough, as soon as he picked up, Zhang Chubin’s voice came through: “Hehe, Director Nie, are you busy right now?”

Zhang Chubin’s tone made Nie Zhenbang frown. It was unusual for Zhang Chubin to speak like this. Zhang Chubin must have received a call from Sun Kewen as well. Could it be that Zhang Chubin also intended to let Bayaer off? Otherwise, he wouldn’t have sounded like this.

Immediately, before Zhang Chubin could say more, Nie Zhenbang sternly said, “Secretary Zhang, I was just about to call you. Secretary Sun reported a situation where Bayaer accepted a bribe of 300,000 yuan from Huang Pingan. This is a serious offense, involving a vast amount of money. In such a case, my stance is clear – to eliminate anyone involved, without lenience or compromise, regardless of who is backing Bayaer. I suggest we handle this matter with utmost urgency.”

Listening to Nie Zhenbang’s words, Zhang Chubin was somewhat taken aback. Nie Zhenbang had made a smart move by stating his stance first, putting the difficult decision onto Zhang Chubin.

In fact, when Zhang Chubin was calling Nie Zhenbang, he did intend to let Bayaer off. After all, there is a huge difference between the deputy mayor of a city and the deputy chief executive of a county. Moreover, considering Bayaer’s transfer, it must have been a result of comprehensive consideration by the city. Since the city had reached a consensus, Zhang Chubin reckoned there was no need to hold onto this matter. It’s also good to show mercy when possible.

However, if he was the one to first suggest letting Bayaer off, the one in a dilemma would be Nie Zhenbang. Regardless of Nie Zhenbang’s thoughts, he would certainly have to consider the face of Zhang Chubin, the secretary of the county committee. Nie Zhenbang was a complicated person. Offending his principles made him formidable, but generally speaking, he was easygoing and humble.

If he was the one to propose letting Bayaer go, Nie Zhenbang would be placed in a difficult position. To let go? Nie Zhenbang would certainly be unwilling. Not to let go? Nie Zhenbang would also have to consider his feelings and attitude.

But now, it was Nie Zhenbang who spoke first. As a result, all the pressure was on him. Zhang Chubin sighed inwardly, Nie Zhenbang’s move was indeed a clever one. After pondering a bit, Zhang Chubin also replied in a softer voice: “Hmm, I agree with your opinion too. Since Comrade Bayaer has such serious disciplinary problems, I believe we should not let it slide, nor tolerate it. I think we should immediately report this matter to the city committee and city government and follow their arrangement.”

Nie Zhenbang couldn’t help but smile. As he thought, in this matter, whoever seized the initiative would win. Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “Secretary Zhang, I have the same opinion. Comrade Bayaer’s problem is very severe. I think we should have a discussion in Lixian first, then report to the city committee and city government.”

After hanging up with Zhang Chubin, Nie Zhenbang immediately called Liu Wenqing from the city committee. On the phone, Nie Zhenbang detailed the findings from Lixian’s investigation. Liu Wenqing was also enraged. Any leaders, even if they themselves were corrupt, would have to show certain attitudes when confronted with such matters. It was an issue of principle.

Liu Wenqing then sternly said, “Nie, have you reported this matter to Mayor Ding?”

Nie Zhenbang replied respectfully, “Secretary, not yet. After receiving the report from Comrade Sun Kewen from the County Discipline Inspection Commission, I discussed it with Secretary Zhang and reported to you immediately. I’ll report to Mayor Ding afterwards.”

This answer satisfied Liu Wenqing. Nie Zhenbang’s attitude showed that he was still in his primary role. Liu Wenqing nodded, “Hmm, you should report to Mayor Ding first. The city will handle this. You just focus on your work in Lixian.”

Liu Wenqing moved swiftly in this matter. The position of Nie Zhenbang dictated that Liu Wenqing could not shirk responsibility in this issue either. Bayaer had irrefutable evidence against him; there was nothing more to say. It didn’t matter who was backing him up if he violated party and national laws.

Very soon, the city disciplinary committee responded rapidly. In fact, Bai Weimin had also received Sun Kewen’s report. Even before the city committee made a decision, Bai Weimin had already gathered a team. As soon as the order was given, the inspection team would go directly to the City Education Committee and take away Bayaer.

Soon, under the stringent actions of the municipal discipline inspection commission, in the face of Huang Pingan’s testimony and his own financial accounts, Bayaer had no mind to continue his cunning denials or to remain silent. He straightforwardly admitted to accepting bribes.

Simultaneously, the discipline inspection commissions of Lixian and Bazhou City transferred Huang Pingan and Bayaer to the inspection authorities.

Bayaer was formally charged with corruption and bribery. He was expelled from the party and ousted from office. Huang Pingan, however, received an even harsher punishment — a ten-year sentence.

As the sentence was pronounced, the whole of Bazhou City was shaken. At this moment, Zhou Chen, sitting in his office, was filled with rage.

With a bang, a cup smashed against the floor. The secretary, Zhou Wang, carefully stepped into the office, picked up a broom and dustpan, and swept every fragment of ceramic into the dustpan. He then fetched a fresh cup from the inner office, cleaned it, poured a cup of hot tea for Zhou Chen, and placed it on the desk.

“Xiao Zhou, do you reckon our reputation is ruined? Hereafter, will anyone in Bazhou dare to align with me? Now I cannot even protect one subordinate,” Zhou Chen sat down and questioned his secretary.

Zhou Wang hesitated. The question was truly challenging to answer. Misconduct among lower-ranking officials was not exclusive to Zhou Chen’s subordinates. However, the recent conduct of both the city’s discipline inspection commission and Lixian was blatantly disrespectful towards Zhou Chen. In other words, Zhou Chen’s reputation was tarnished.

Nonetheless, Zhou Wang did not dare to voice this. After a moment’s thought, Zhou Wang whispered, “Mr. Mayor, it all depends on how you see it. It is true that Bayaer and Huang Pingan have indeed violated the discipline. Try not to worry too much about it.”

Over in Lixian, once Bayaer and Huang Pingan were jailed, the rampant rumours came to a complete halt. Nie Zhenbang had no involvement, instead, he entered merrily. This was noticed by all the officials of Lixian.

The Construction Bureau’s Xiong Jianming regretted his choices. Initially, he believed that Nie Zhenbang was truly in trouble. Therefore, once he saw the pressure Lin Weimin, Chen Le, and others were facing he gradually distanced himself from their circle. However, now it was too late for Xiong Jianming to regret.

After some reflection, Xiong Jianming stood up, drove into the compound of the county government, and headed straight for Nie Zhenbang’s third-floor office.

After knocking on the door, he heard Yi Jun’s voice echo, “Come in.”

Upon entering, Xiong Jianming greeted Yi Jun with a smile, threw a packet of Zhonghua cigarettes into Yi Jun’s drawer, and chuckled, “Director Yi, is the director busy? I would like to report on my work.”

Yi Jun, bearing a gloomy expression, retrieved the Zhonghua cigarettes and thrust them back into Xiong Jianming’s pocket, then said, “Director Xiong, please wait. I will report this first and see if the director has time. However, I reckon the Director doesn’t have much time. It’s the end of the year, the key economic data of Lixian will be out soon, which is a busy period.”

When Yi Jun entered Nie Zhenbang’s office, Nie Zhenbang was in the middle of reviewing the summaries submitted by various units. Upon seeing Yi Jun, he paused before asking, “Xiaoyi, is there something you need?”

“Director, Xiong Jianming is here again, do you think…” Yi Jun nodded and stated the matter.

On hearing that Xiong Jianming had arrived, Nie Zhenbang furrowed his brow. Xiong Jianming was indeed persistent. Since Huang Pingan’s case was publicized, Xiong Jianming had showed up to report for four consecutive days.

However, it wouldn’t be so easy for Xiong Jianming to join again. For the past few days, Nie Zhenbang had been ignoring Xiong Jianming. Individuals like him, once they miss an opportunity, will never be able to enter Nie Zhenbang’s system again. Nie Zhenbang not causing trouble for him now can be considered quite fortunate.

Nie Zhenbang then nodded and said, “Alright, let him in for a while. Give him ten minutes. I have to go to the Finance Bureau later for an investigation.”