Reborn as a Noble's Son

At this moment, Sun Daliang began to speak: “The situation in Xiaxiang is not that simple. Director Nie, before coming here, I already had a discussion about the Xiaxiang incident with Secretary Yan Shuo and Governor Shou Chang. Comrade Yan Shuo’s idea is that, about this case, we in Jiangbei Province also need to reflect and repent on it. While we are strongly advocating for the support to the military, we cannot ignore the local party members’ care for the military workers, which has led to this tragic incident. It’s both devastating and regrettable.”

After a pause, Sun Daliang continued to say: “Director Nie, on behalf of the Jiangbei Province Disciplinary Committee, we have sent an investigation team headed by the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Disciplinary Committee and the Director of the Jiangbei Provincial Supervision Department, Comrade Yan Zhian. They are stationed in Qianzhou City and investigating the Xiaxiang case. Please rest assured, Director Nie. In regards to this case, we will find out the truth. In addition, I would like to invite colleagues from the Fifth Department of the Disciplinary Inspection and Supervision Department to participate in the investigation of this case. We hope our superiors will give full support to the disciplinary work of Jiangbei Province.”

The meaning of Sun Daliang’s words was already very clear. Nie Zhenbang could understand that Sun Daliang, as the secretary of the Disciplinary Committee, would naturally not be able to stay here for a long time. Assigning a deputy secretary of the Provincial Disciplinary Committee was already a favor to Nie Zhenbang; otherwise, the Qianzhou City Disciplinary Committee’s investigation would have sufficed.

Furthermore, Sun Daliang’s initiative to invite Nie Zhenbang to participate in the investigation meant that although the case might be led by Jiangbei Province, they could also send someone to supervise.

There was another phrase, which was a promise from Sun Daliang to Nie Zhenbang. Sun Daliang had already understood the relationship between Xiong Changgui and Nie Zhenbang, which was a gesture of goodwill. If the investigation did not go well, Nie Zhenbang would certainly not be satisfied. By saying this, he was assuring Nie Zhenbang that he would do his best to satisfy him.

Then, Nie Zhenbang also smiled and said: “Secretary Sun, you are too kind. We are not guiding at all; we are here to learn from the comrades of Jiangbei Province. I will call them right away. Comrades from our Fifth Department and the Second Department will come over soon. However, Secretary Sun, as agreed, we are just here to learn. Jiangbei Province is still the main party in this case.”

Hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Sun Daliang also laughed. He was quite satisfied with Nie Zhenbang’s attitude, and immediately stood up and said, “Director Nie, I will have to take leave shortly. After this case is closed, please visit our capital of Jiangbei Province, Jiangzhou City, and let me show you some local hospitality.”

Upon hearing this, Nie Zhenbang also laughed and nodded, “Secretary Sun, I will definitely visit you.”

The next day, after Sun Daliang left in his official car, Zheng Gensheng was fast on his feet. Three people from the second office arrived in Qianzhou City the same afternoon.

At the same time, the official investigation of Xiaxiang County had begun. Yan Zhian, about fifty years old with a common look and slim figure, had sharp eyes.

Early in the morning, Zheng Gensheng had already entered Nie Zhenbang’s room and said, “Director, The Chairman of Jiangbei Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission, Yan Zhian, has invited us to Xiaxiang County today.”

There were four cars in total, none of which were the popular Audi or Mercedes-Benz official cars. They were all ordinary Santana cars.

The drive from Qianzhou to Xiaxiang County took only about twenty minutes. Soon, they were already in Xiaxiang County. At the moment, Nie Zhenbang was sitting in the same car as Yan Zhian, with Yan Zhian’s secretary, Little Wu, at the front.

Just as the car was about to enter Xiaxiang, Little Wu, who was upfront, received a call and then turned around and said, “Director, the working group in Xiaxiang County just called. The four main leaders of the county are waiting at the county border right now. All the primary and secondary schools in Xiaxiang County have suspended classes and are preparing to welcome us.”

Hearing these words, Yan Zhian’s face turned gloomy as he angrily said, “Absurd. It’s all for show. Little Wu, find out if there is another way we can take. We need to go directly to Cangshan Town.”

Just as the car with the investigation group took a detour and hit a small road to Cangshan Town, at that moment, Niu Zhengfu, the Secretary of Xiaxiang County Party Committee, and County Governor Fang Zhiqiang, were waiting at the border of Xiaxiang County.

Both appeared ragged at the moment, disturbed by the case that had spiraled out of control. Psychological torment was the worst. It would be strange if they weren’t haggard.

“Secretary Niu, why haven’t they arrived yet? Director Yan and his group left in the morning, they should have arrived by now according to the schedule. Could something have changed? Do you think Chairman Xu might have…?” Fang Zhiqiang kept checking his watch and uttered worriedly.

Niu Zhengfu glanced at his watch and calculated it had already been an hour and a half since the investigative team set out. They ought to have arrived by now for some reason, but Niu Zhengfu was unclear. Nevertheless, speaking of Chairman Xu, Niu Zhengfu truly didn’t believe the man would dare to step forward amidst the Xiaxiang case that now people fear. If he did, that would be as if the sun had risen in the west.

At that moment, Niu Zhengfu’s Ericsson mobile phone rang. Without a word, he hung up the call and walked towards his vehicle, declaring in a deep voice, “You may all head back. The investigative team has already arrived at Cangshan.”

Cangshan Town, a district developed for tourism and immigrants. Nestled amongst verdant mountains and clear waters, the stream that flowed exhibited the charm of the South of the Yangtze River along with houses representative of the rich southern atmosphere. Rows of houses, well ordered in their layout, appeared with their dark tiled roofs against the snow-white walls, fully displaying the southern scenery.

At the moment, staff from the initial teams stationed here were already walking over. Yan Zhian and Nie Zhenbang led the way, while a staff member explained, “Department Head Yan and Director Nie, according to our preliminary investigation. The entire Xiaxiang county’s relocation funds are all centrally planned, arranged, and coordinated by the county. The houses were all constructed uniformly by the county. As explained to us by Xiaxiang County, central planning is beneficial for the town’s planning and layout, helping form a scaled and cohesive layout.”

Pausing for a moment, the staff member hesitated before continuing, “However, through our different investigations of several townships in Xiaxiang County, we found the misuse of resettlement funds across the various localities. In addition, during the investigation, we discovered that the well-constructed houses, situated in prime locations, were invariably allocated to the leadership body of the Xiaxiang County Committee, as well as their affiliated units and township leaders. The rest, the houses genuinely intended for the common people, were of inferior quality. Moreover, according to many local residents, an additional construction fee is required to receive a house, which can vary from a few thousand to twenty thousand. The situation differs among the villages. These funds, they say, are for… they say they’re for over-budget construction costs.”

Upon hearing the staff member’s report, Yan Zhian and Nie Zhenbang froze, with Yan Zhian especially showing an upsurge of anger, exclaiming, “Outrageous. The refugee resettlement housing was used for Xiaxiang County’s tourism development expenditure. What does this have to do with the officials of Xiaxiang County? What rights do they have to distribute houses?”

Just then, roughly a dozen local residents noisily approached them.

Upon seeing this scene, many of Jiangbei Province’s staff members grew tense, stepping before Yan Zhian and Nie Zhenbang in order to protect them.

Yet, Yan Zhian now angrily ordered, “Move aside, I believe that our common people won’t harm us.”

At that moment, four burly men, holding two manhole covers, had already approached Yan Zhian and the others. Facing these officials, the leading man stepped forward, saying, “Leaders, old honest men, please come and take a look, this is our house.”

Upon finishing speaking, the men beside him swung two eight-pound hammers, smashing the manhole covers to pieces with two blows. The contents revealed left Nie Zhenbang and Yan Zhian completely stunned.

With what seemed to be disbelief, Yan Zhian hesitantly asked, “Are… are even the houses made from this material?”

On the ground, amidst the destroyed cement chunks, a hint of green was revealed. For such a cement concrete cover, instead of steel inside, there were bamboo strips.

The question arose as to whether a house of such kind could even be lived in with such construction material. Living inside would be akin to moving into a house with a time bomb. There’s always the prospect of mortal danger.

At that moment, Nie Zhenbang squatted down, picking up a piece of cement to examine it more closely. Based on the texture, this wasn’t something that was cast onsite, it reflected the reality of the situation. Could such a house exceed construction standards and still require extra payment? No wonder these common people didn’t want to live in such houses as nobody would want to unknowingly sacrifice their lives in their sleep.

Nie Zhenbang then stood up, suggesting, “Department Head Yan, I recommend we demolish one house for further inspection. If it’s really like this, then we’ve got a major problem on our hands.”

PS: I’d recommend a new officialdom novel, “Humble Officer.” The author, Lonely Reading Nanhua’s new officialdom novel, “Government Policy,” code: 2270778

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