Reborn as a Noble's Son

He glanced indifferently at Zhang Zusi and Liu Sicun, a glance, however, that made the two men feel as if they were being scrutinized. Nie Zhenbang’s playful smirk seemed to ridicule and mock them.

“I think that since someone has reported it, there must be some issues. If it’s a false accusation, it wouldn’t be claimed so confidently. The number of properties, whether there’s a problem with the lifestyle, doesn’t require an investigation, it’s clear from a single question. As for the problem of anonymous reporting, it can also be considered from another point of view. The informer is worried about being attacked and retaliated against, so adopting such a safe method is quite normal. I agree with Secretary Qi’s opinion, let’s investigate. If there’s an issue, correct it; if there isn’t, then strive harder. Furthermore, if Comrade Guo Liangwen is innocent, an investigation from the organization could help clear his name,” Nie Zhenbang stated casually.

Shi Yiwu’s face looks a little gloomy. What’s the matter with Zhang Zusi and Liu Sicun? Why did they stop talking after just one sentence? Seeing the somewhat oppressive atmosphere in the conference room, Shi Yiwu said solemnly, “Deputy Mayor Nie, you speak so lightly. Investigate? Don’t you know the impact you’ll have on the cadres below once you decide to investigate, and the psychological burden to them? You’re taking these issues so lightly. As a leader, you should concern and care for the leaders at the base level. You can’t make a big fuss out of a simple denunciation letter. How are we supposed to lead a team if things go this way?”

These words sparked considerable commotion among the other standing committee members in the conference room. Shi Yiwu’s ability to stir up emotions is indeed remarkable. There’s another aspect — the reason why Shi Yiwu’s word carries weight in Wanghai City, and why his commitments are binding, mainly lies in his position.

Being the Secretary of the Wanghai Municipal Party Committee and holding the post of Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, he is a member of the Provincial Party Committee’s Standing Committee. He has some sway in the personnel affairs of Wanghai Municipal Party Committee’s standing committee. This is his deterrent power.

Other standing committees, unless necessary, would not casually offend Shi Yiwu. At this moment, if I don’t have a strong counterattacking attitude, I’m afraid, this so-called investigation would just be empty talk.

Then Nie Zhenbang responded solemnly, “Secretary Shi, I think you might be overreacting. A single whistleblower’s letter, and you take it so lightly. Our party has always paid attention to the work of handling petitions, which is an important channel to get intimate knowledge of public opinions. Indeed, we have to consider some cases which defame and falsely blame others. Therefore, the existence of the party committee’s discipline inspection department is to make up for this situation.”

His words made many standing committees nod subtly. The base-level cadres are afraid of the discipline inspection committee because the inspection of cadres is very cautious. Basically, the discipline inspection committee starts to investigate when things are on the verge of exposure. This, in turn, has led to the powerful deterrent force of the discipline inspection committee.

In fact, the discipline inspection committee is just the disciplinary inspection department of the party. It practices the regulations of the party and does not have legal significance. When the disciplinary inspection committee handles a case, it must ultimately transfer it to the judicial prosecution department.

Seeing that Shi Yiwu looked displeased, Nie Zhenbang didn’t care. Others might fear Shi Yiwu and his identity as a member of the Provincial Standing Committee, but he did not. He did not speak about his main purpose for coming here—to investigate the Wanghi case. As for his own background, unless he makes fundamental mistakes, Shi Yiwu will not be able to move him.

Then Nie Zhenbang said solemnly, “As a Party member and cadre, if you are afraid of and fear investigation by the Disciplinary Committee, can you still be a Communist Party member? In my opinion, such people aren’t qualified to be regarded as competent party members. Are they willing to live under the reputation of corruption and dereliction of duty? Isn’t the investigation by the Disciplinary Committee a good chance to vindicate themselves?”

As the sound of his voice fell, the Secretary of the Political and Law Committee, Gu Dongliang, also nodded and said, “I think Mayor Nie’s opinion is good. The investigation of the discipline committee is not a definitive judgment. It’s a responsible attitude towards the comrades below. I think, we can launch necessary investigations on Deputy District Chief Huang Liangwen, to return his innocence.”

Commander Zhang Zhengguang, who had been keeping silent and observing the proceedings during the Standing Committee Meeting, also resounded strongly at this moment, “I agree to investigate. Mayor Nie is right. If we are upright in our actions and sit properly in our conduct, why should we fear investigation by the Disciplinary Committee? All the slanderous remarks are paper tigers that can’t stand scrutiny.”

“Alright, since there are divergent views, let’s vote on it. Those in favor of carrying out an investigation on the Deputy District Chief of Wangxia District, Huang Liangwen, please raise your hands.”

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang decisively raised his hand first. Then, Qi Siyuan, the secretary of the municipal discipline inspection committee, also raised his hand. The Secretary of the Political and Law Committee, Gu Dongliang, and the commander of the military subdistrict, Zhang Zhengguang, also raised their hands. Just now, the three of them clearly took their stances. If they don’t raise their hands now, wouldn’t they be contradicting themselves and slapping their faces? On another note, other committee members began to hesitate. The impact of Nie Zhenbang’s words is enormous. This almost escalated the issue. If they don’t raise their hands, wouldn’t they be deemed unfit to be qualified party members?

After hesitating for a while, Liu Yafu, the Minister of the Organization Department, and Lin Mohan, the Minister of Propaganda, also raised their hands. There were six votes now.

Shi Yiwu watched this unfold with a furrowed brow. Nie Zhenbang was truly ruthless, using such words to pressure everyone.

Sure enough, at this moment, the Minister of the United Front Work Department, who was also the only female member of the standing committee, Jiang Li, also raised her hand.

Mayor Wang Yaguang, a typical good guy and a fence-sitter, also smiled and said, “Well, I think an investigation would be a good idea. If we clear up the details, it would prove comrade Huang Liangwen innocent.” As he spoke, Wang Yaguang also slowly raised his hand.

At this point, unless Shi Yiwu used his veto as the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, there was simply no way to counter Nie Zhenbang’s move. However, it was absolutely impossible to use the veto in such a situation. If word got out to the provincial committee, who knows what pressure it would put on Shi Yiwu. Furthermore, it might also spread some unfavorable rumors to further damage Shi Yiwu’s credibility.

After a moment’s silence, Shi Yiwu raised his hand and said, “Since this is the consensus among us, I will go with the flow and proceed with the investigation.”

…

Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the Eastern Sea Group, on the fourth floor, there was a large private KTV club. This place, known as the Hongyun Building, had become famous nationwide since the Eastern Sea case broke out.

The entire building was designed and decorated by Lin Zhengxing, with a KTV club, billiard room, cinema, bathhouse, massage parlor, and more.

This place, however, was not open to the public. Instead, it was used by the Eastern Sea Group to win over and corrupt officials. Here, as long as you wished and had the means, you could meet B-list singers and actors, and even A-list celebrities.

In a KTV room on the fourth floor, Teresa Teng’s “Small Town Story” was playing at a moderate volume on the screen.

A few men sat silently on the black leather sofa, and a man next to them spoke solemnly, “Old Zhao, we can’t let Nie Zhenbang carry on like this. Huang Liangwen, although we don’t know much, if he can’t withstand the pressure and confesses, that could implicate a lot of people. It’s possible they may trace it back to us.”

The face of Zhao Dingguang was rather gloomy at the moment. He was well aware of the methods and thinking of the Disciplinary Committee, having previously worked there himself. This was the reason why he and his group had strenuously resisted at the standing committee meeting earlier.

After a moment, he spoke in a low voice, “Sicun, in this situation, what is most important is for us to remain calm. We must not panic. With Secretary Shi and General Lin on our side, we have nothing to fear. The sky is not going to fall in Wanghai City.”

These words made Lin Zhengxing burst into laughter. He turned to Liu Sicun and said, “Old Liu, you have been the Secretary for too long. You are too cautious. I reckon the investigation will be assigned either to the military region or the armed police. Both sides have my people, who can inform me at any time. If Huang Liangwen knows what’s good for him, we have nothing to worry about. Otherwise, rest assured, I know what to do in this situation.”

With that, Lin Zhengxing turned to Liu and laughed again, “Old Liu, Old Zhao, and Mr. Zhang, we recently brought in a new group of girls here. They are indeed quite good. What do you think? Let’s go up to the fifth floor and have some fun together.”

Nie Zhenbang had no idea that Huang Liangwen was currently under the watch of Lin Zhengxing and the others. At this moment, Nie Zhenbang was in his office reviewing some documents when his secretary, Li Jupeng, walked in and whispered, “Mayor, the Police Chief, Xiao Shanming, is here from the Municipal Public Security Bureau.” (