Reborn as a Noble's Son

Yet, this genuflection of his only stoked Nie Zhenbang’s fury. His eyes fixed on Xiong Changgui, Nie Zhenbang roared, “You’re kneeling now! Now you know to kneel. Where were you earlier? You got guts, tavern keeper. Knew how to use a gun, didn’t you? Used it well too. Even managed to kill your own countrymen. A headshot with each bullet, deadly with every shot. The skills that the country has taught you, well utilized indeed.”

“Crown Prince, don’t…” Xiong Changgui lamented, “I know, I know my sin is unforgivable. But these people, they deserved to die. They were all ready to bury me, my parents, and my sister. I had no other choice. No other choice!” Xiong Changgui wept bitterly.

“Men do not shed tears lightly.” Maybe this is true until their heart is truly broken. After seeing Nie Zhenbang, Xiong Changgui’s tightly strung nerves finally relaxed. Everybody has their vulnerabilities, their soft spots.

Just then, Nie Zhenbang made his move. Flashing forward, a small stone materialized in his hand and flew out, hitting a camouflaged armed policeman about a hundred meters behind him.

Nie Zhenbang’s face darkened, his voice thundering, “Get out of here. Go back and tell your Commander Long that this is a military matter. He should know better. If he still wants us to handle it, he should stop these antics.”

As Nie Zhenbang finished, Qin Lang and Yao Yuan also came forward. Qin Lang grabbed the armed policeman and shouted, “Coward! If we weren’t here, were you planning to snipe the tavern keeper? You should count yourself lucky if you can recognize him in death.”

“Sun, stop messing around. Let him go. Leave the negotiation to you, instructor. This is an internal matter of our Xibei Military Region, and I do not want any further complications. Otherwise, I would not hesitate to pull strings,” said Nie Zhenbang gravely.

Nie Zhenbang had never flaunted his connections or background in the army because he saw the army as pure and untainted, where status and family lineage should not be of relevance.

However, Nie Zhenbang’s anger was indeed triggered by the armed police from Jiangbei Province. If Xiong Changgui died in such an unclear manner, Nie Zhenbang would live his life in regret.

Yao Yuan was momentarily stunned. He only found out about Nie Zhenbang’s background later. The nephew of Nie Guodong, the former Vice-Commander of Xibei Military Region, and current Commander of Jingcheng City Military District. The son of Governor Nie Guowei of Yanbei Province. The grandson of Elder Nie. The legitimate member of the crown prince faction.

Upon realization, Yao Yuan nodded, saying in a deep voice, “Leave it to me. If anyone else comes up, Qin Lang, you’re authorized to arrest them for suspected espionage on a military secret, and take them back to the Xibei Military Region.”

His words held great weight. Given his standing among the top brass in the Xibei Military Region, it would be risky indeed to cross him. Qin Lang, despite his lawless ways, never committed a grave error. This time, he nodded seriously, “As long as they don’t die, there won’t be any issues, boss?”

Yao Yuan paused for a moment and nodded again, “Be mindful of the extent.”

After the episode, the folks from Jiangbei Province dared not act impulsively. When the opposing Colonel had made his threat, further agitation would lead to the higher-ups washing their hands of the matter. Although they would have to bear responsibility, Jiangbei Province couldn’t afford the consequences.

The jungle regained its calm. Nie Zhenbang looked down at Xiong Changgui, feeling a complex mix of regret and anger. He finally broke the silence, his voice solemn, “Changgui, have you ever thought about what your actions would mean for party discipline and state laws? What about our comrades? What about the boss?”

“He is your commander. He would not ignore such a grave matter involving his soldier. I reckon if he knew, he would have led his team here to apprehend you himself. You hold rank in the Tiger Group, and you’ve been awarded numerous first-class merits. Do you really think the country would abandon you?”

“Where would you put me? If you had called me, I could have helped you sort this out. Was it necessary for you to resort to such drastic measures? Do you realize that because of your rash act, four families have been destroyed, lives lost. How do you think others will feel? How could you ignore the training and trust the state has given you? You acted out of anger and revenge. Such behavior belongs to lawless men and vigilantes, not to military men. Do you understand the honor and beliefs of a soldier? You don’t deserve to be a soldier.”

These unbroken line of questions shattered Xiong Changgui. Even though Nie Zhenbang himself was tormented inside, he knew where the line was. If everyone were like Xiong Changgui, where would the country’s order and system be? Mistakes demand responsibility. This is not a childish fight. We are all adults and no one can shake off their responsibilities.”

Xiong Changgui’s face turned ashen. There was no worse sorrow than hopelessness. This was how he truly felt. As he looked at Nie Zhenbang, Xiong Changgui forced a bitter smile. In the solitude of the forest, his sour amusement seemed unbearably desolate. For a moment he stayed quiet, then he whispered, “Crown Prince, I understand. I am ready to pay for my actions. I have no regrets. I owe my training to the state and I will explain my actions to the state and to the people. If given another chance, I would kill these people again. Crown Prince, I have one last request. I know you can grant it.”

Nie Zhenbang in this moment couldn’t refuse, wouldn’t refuse. He nodded in agreement, stating firmly, “I swear, no matter what it is, I will fulfill it.”

Xiong Changgui laughed at this, a genuine laugh. He then whispered, “Do you know how my parents died? Our Xiaxiang County in Qianzhou City was undergoing a tourism development project. All over the county people were being relocated for the construction of new towns. Jiangbei province had earmarked nearly five billion funds for it. However, the relocation fund for our Cangshan Town-which has been delayed for two years- is still not in place. My father, together with the villagers, planned to petition the city authorities about it. But they were intercepted by the local officials midway. My father was detained and then died mysteriously. My mother, after going to argue for his release, died after falling from the fifth floor of the police station. My sister died after writing me a letter. The neighbors told me that she was humiliated before she died. What could I do, Crown Prince? I am just a soldier.”

In the Xibei Military Region, Xiong Changgui and his comrades held the rank of lieutenant, but in essence, they were still soldiers. It would only be after reaching the age of thirty that they would have the possibility to be transferred to other units to serve as officers.

Listening to Xiong Changgui’s story, Nie Zhenbang frowned deeply. “Changgui, I understand that those who are killed must have committed heinous crimes. But it is the law that should punish them. You sacrificed your life for this. Was it worth it? Rest assured, I will investigate this matter thoroughly. If I, Nie Zhenbang, break this promise, I am not worthy of being your brother.”

The relocation funds were obviously misappropriated; otherwise there would be no reason for the delays in payments to the people. It was impossible. With a sum of five billion at stake, it wasn’t just the matter of the town’s party secretary, but likely involved several officials from Xiaxiang County, and even Qianzhou City. Regardless of whether Xiong Changgui had made this revelation or not, Nie intended to investigate. The fact that it involved Jiangbei Province, which was under his jurisdiction, simply increased his resolve. If he didn’t investigate, wouldn’t that be negligence?

Hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Xiong Changgui felt relieved. At this moment, he stood up and walked towards Nie Zhenbang, handing over two guns to him. He lowered his voice, “Crown Prince, get me out of here.”

As Nie Zhenbang walked down the hill with Xiong Changgui, everyone from Qianzhou City was on high alert, with numerous armed police and local police converging on the scene.

Nie Zhenbang handed over the weapons in his charge to the local police of Qianzhou City, turned to the commander of the Jiangbei Province Military Division, Long Dianqin, and the Qianzhou City Committee Secretary, Xu Qi, and said: “Commander Long, Secretary Xu, I’ve got the man. According to the regulations of the military, Xiong Changgui will be taken back by the leading unit. Qianzhou City can send representatives to attend the military court hearing at the Xibei Military Region.”

Nie Zhenbang’s words silenced everyone in Qianzhou City. There was no disputing that Xiong Changgui was an active serviceman, and the local government didn’t have the right to review his case. This was a fact. The team of people got in the vehicles, left Cangshan, and headed straight back to Qianzhou City.

Originally, Yao Yuan and Qin Lang planned to take Xiong Changgui back to Xibei immediately. However, Nie Zhenbang proposed: “Chief, let’s rest in Qianzhou City tonight and leave tomorrow.”

As he spoke, Nie Zhenbang turned his head to Xu Qi, the secretary of the Qianzhou City Committee, and said: “Secretary Xu, do you have time? There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

Xu Qi was taken aback and curious, but he kept his composure and smiled as he nodded, “Director Nie, you’re being too polite. Let’s just talk at the military division’s guesthouse.”

Once they had checked into their accommodations, Nie Zhenbang led Xiong Changgui into his room. He did not mince words, recounting the realities that Xiong Changgui had told him before turning to Xu, “Secretary Xu, I can vouch for Changgui’s honesty. He is not a liar. Moreover, I suspect that not only Cangshan but also other towns are probably involved in similar cases. My opinion is that I’ll personally contact Secretary Sun Daliang of the Jiangbei Provincial Disciplinary Committee. Now it’s up to you, Secretary Xu.” (