Reborn as a Noble’s Son - Chapter 143

Chapter 143: Chapter 143 Fierce Village Chief (With Today’s 15,000 Word Release)_1

Translator: 549690339

At this moment, the entire Kuli Street was completely blocked with thousands of people of all ages gathered. This was not the few hundreds initially reported.

“Come on, Xiaoyi, let’s climb over the wall from the back of the county government.” Upon seeing the scene, Nie Zhenbang made a decisive decision.

In such a situation, Wu Zhixiong was still in the dark about Ma Ergou’s matter. If they don’t mention it, Ma Ergou might be released. Now, Nie Zhenbang was certain that someone must be scheming behind Ma Ergou and was determined to root out these people. There was no way he would let Ma Ergou go.

With Nie Zhenbang’s agility, the wall of the county government was no problem at all. As for Yi Jun, if it weren’t for the help of Nie Zhenbang, he might have had some difficulty.

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang was in no mood for jokes. He promptly jumped off the wall and instructed Yi Jun, “You go ahead and help, I’ll go and meet Mayor Wu.”

At the entrance of the county government building, Wu Zhixiong, Ma Yunfang, and other leaders were already standing at the door. While Wu Zhixiong was fervently addressing the crowd: “Everyone, please calm down, trust the county party committee, trust the county government, we can solve any issues, this reckless approach is not right, everyone needs to calm down.”

“Mayor, could you come here for a moment?” Nie Zhenbang, who was now behind Wu Zhixiong, tugged at his clothes.

Upon seeing Nie Zhenbang’s behavior, Wu Zhixiong was somewhat puzzled. The two went into the government office building, where Wu Zhixiong inquired, “Zhenbang, why the secrecy? Is something up?”

Nie Zhenbang did not conceal the situation, “Do you know why all these people appeared, Mayor? Just a short while ago, Ma Ergou from the Muli Muslim District organized some thugs and went to the Farmer Welfare Company’s construction site. They claimed they wanted to take over as contractors. He was arrested by the county’s public security bureau for possible public disturbance. These people, they’re demanding the release of Ma Ergou. I believe there is someone behind the scenes.”

Wu Zhixiong was startled, he had only heard about people demanding the release of someone named Ma Ergou and couldn’t quite work out why. Now, hearing Nie Zhenbang’s explanation, he understood and anger crossed his face. The Farmer Welfare Company was personally endorsed by Secretary Jiang of the district party committee. That alone was a prestigious label for the company. Now, people were forcefully seizing their construction site and causing commotion. This was akin to slapping the face of the Li County Party Committee and County Government. The sign outside the construction site marking it as a key protected area of the county public security bureau had become a big joke.

“Do you have sufficient evidence about who’s pulling the strings behind the scenes, Zhenbang?” Wu Zhixiong asked seriously.

“There isn’t sufficient evidence yet. But Mayor, I have seen Ma Ergou before. When I was conducting my field investigations, I encountered him collecting tolls on the national highway. He didn’t seem to be such a bold person then. Moreover, Ma Ergou’s home is in the countryside. It just doesn’t make sense for him to seize a construction site over here. So, I am making a bold guess that there is a manipulator behind him.”

Under such circumstances, Nie Zhenbang naturally wouldn’t lie about having evidence. If they had some, they’d say so, if not, they’d say they hadn’t. After all, this was no child’s play. Even if Ma Ergou proves to be unyielding, or Ma Ergou truly has no one behind him, then they’re done.

After a pause, Nie Zhenbang continued, “Mayor, there’s another thing that doesn’t add up. Ma Ergou’s home is at least ten miles away from here. When Ma Ergou and his bunch were arrested, it should’ve taken several hours for the news to reach the village. Yet, these people arrived so quickly. Don’t you find that strange? Only an hour has passed since the arrest.”

After pondering for a while, Wu Zhixiong also concluded seriously, “By your account, it’s clear that there are people directing Ma Ergou from behind. We can’t let this person go. Zhenbang, immediately call Secretary Zhao to reiterate the importance of this Ma Ergou.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Wu Zhixiong seemed to have second thoughts and added, “Zhenbang, I’ll call him myself. You go and help control the situation outside. Make sure it doesn’t escalate from stalemate to assault. If that happens, things will get much worse. I will try to solve this issue within half an hour.”

Nie Zhenbang nodded. Stalemate and assault might seem similar, but they’re entirely different in nature. If it became an assault, even if the situation calms down, the leadership team of Li County wouldn’t be able to evade responsibility. They would, to some extent, bear the blame for inefficiency.

Back outside, Ma Yunfang and others were already sweating despite the cool early spring temperatures, proving the severity of the situation.

Upon seeing Nie Zhenbang come out, Ma Yunfang heaved a sigh of relief, “Director Nie, you’re here. You first stabilize things. The crowd is getting more and more agitated.”

Nie Zhenbang’s gaze is somewhat sharp at the moment, stemming from his time with the Tiger Group. It’s not a joke. A quick glance, soon found many people hidden amongst the crowd, constantly inciting.

Almost immediately, Nie Zhenbang raised his voice and shouted, “Folks, quiet down, everyone, calm down. Don’t be blinded by some people with ulterior motives. Think about this carefully. Does Ma Ergou really warrant this level of commitment from you? Look around you, those who are clamoring to have Ma Ergou released, are they your neighbors, are they people you know?”

Nie Zhenbang’s voice is loud and strong. His exhortation brings some quiet to the crowd, but as soon as he finish, voices in organized opposition began to call out from amongst the crowd. “Lord Mas, let’s not believe this puppet Mayor’s words. At the start, we all saw him. It was his orders that got Ergou arrested. This time, they are taking advantage of us. If we keep tolerating this, we won’t have space to exist in Li County.”

These words stir the crowd again. Simultaneously, voices rise from below, “Lord Mas, let’s push our way in, let’s sit in their government. If they do not release Ergou today, we will not leave. We won’t believe they dare arrest all of us.”

The law does not punish the many, this is the people’s consensus, and herd mentality is a sort of cognitive inertia. Under this provocation, the crowd quickly becomes agitated again.

At this time, suddenly, police sirens blare from outside, causing everyone to stop. The deterrent power of the police is still strong.

The crowd spontaneously settles down, opens up a path from outside in. In its centre, a man about seventy years old, leaning on a cane, and donning a Muslim caps characteristic of the Hui people, tremblingly walks into the county government compound.

At this moment, Wu Zhixiong also steps out from the government building. Seeing the old man, Wu Zhixiong hurriedly approaches, extends his hands, and saying earnestly, “Patriarch Ma, I’m really sorry for disturbing you like this.”

This elder is really domineering. With so many people, his arrival has managed to quell the situation. Not long ago they were an anxious mob, now, they are docile puppies. Nie Zhenbang is taken aback and quietly asks, “County Chief Ma, who is this old man? He’s so imposing.”

Having seen Patriarch Ma arrived, Ma Yunfang also sighs with relief, and whispers, “He is the old mayor of Muli Muslim District. Started his role since the 50s. He has worked his whole life there, humble and selfless, and holds the respect of locals. With Patriarch Ma here, the situation won’t get out of control.”

Although the Patriarch Ma in question is now in his seventies, other than some physical limitations, he is clear-headed. At the moment, he smiles and says, “So you are the new young County Chief Nie. Good, good, as expected of someone from Jingcheng. Farmer Welfare Company is excellent, it truly takes farmers and pastoralists into consideration.”

Turning around, Patriarch Ma adopts a serious tone, his voice may not be loud but it echoes distinctly against the surrounding silence, “What are you folks doing? This is embarrassing. Storming the County Government, a national institution, it seems you folks are getting more and more daring.”

“Village Chief, please calm down, our folks here were incited by some instigators. They can’t be blamed.” At this point, Wu Zhixiong steps forward. The secretary of the County Party Committee, Mo Zhihai, also walks over from the opposite side. Having shaken hands with Mayor Ma, he laughs and says, “Old leader, haven’t seen you in two years, you’re still so spirited. Please don’t be angry, our folks are also under a spell. They’re confused. Disperse. Everyone disperse and go home.”

However, Mayor Ma thumps his cane, continuing, “Spell? Don’t make excuses for them. They are not children anymore, can’t they distinguish right from wrong? It is that easy to stir them up, what will happen in the future? This time, you should really reflect on this.”

This village chief is really formidable, even disregarding County Committee Secretaries and Mayors. At this moment, Nie Zhenbang’s mobile suddenly rings. Under the prevailing quiet, it seems a little off.

Mayor Ma then turns his attention to Nie Zhenbang, he laughs, “County Chief Nie has something to attend to? Go ahead.”

Nie Zhenbang, slightly embarrassed, excuses himself and walks into the government building. As soon as he picks up the call, a strange male voice can be heard, “County Chief Nie, this is Deputy Director Chen Le of the County Public Security Bureau. If County Chief Nie is free, please come to the Public Security Bureau immediately. Secretary Zhao has decided to release Ma Ergou.”

PS: Saw the number of monthly tickets this morning, 516 votes. Old Cai is grateful for your support. I can only make it up to you by guaranteeing quality release. Now, we are just 145 votes away from the fourth place. The other author’s readers have already issued a challenge to our position. Brothers and sisters, the time for our glory has come. Push the monthly ticket up! (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to qidian.com to vote, your support is my biggest motivation.)