Reborn as a Noble’s Son - Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Chapter 36 Another Article_l

Translator: 549690339

If it weren’t for the trouble in the South China Sea, Xue Ligong wouldn’t be so tense. However, things are different now. There has always been a dispute over the South China Sea domestically. Some people say that the South China Sea is a concession. If something happens in the South China Sea, he as the provincial party secretary, cannot divest himself of the blame.

“Why just came now? If you don’t come soon, the South China Sea will probably make international news.” Xue Ligong walked ahead with a glum look on his face, letting out a cold humph.

Before coming here, Xue Ligong had a discussion with Nie Guodong, the

Deputy Commander and First Political Commissar of Yuezhou Military Region. The meaning of Nie Guodong was clear. The one involved in this incident was his younger brother Nie Guowei’s son, Nie Zhenbang. How to let go of the situation, Nie Guodong said he couldn’t decide. It would have to be up to either Nie Guowei or Nie Zhenbang himself.

Xue Ligong was also somewhat shocked. He was clear about Nie Guowei, Ye Lao’s son-in-law. Considering his own affiliation to Ye Lao’s lineage, there was some affinity. However, from Nie Guodong’s words, Xue Ligong caught something useful. It seemed that the old Nie patriarch highly valued Nie Zhenbang. Otherwise, how could the core figure of the second generation of the Nie family, the heir of the Nie family, be unable to control a young member of the Nie family?

Watching Xue Ligong’s departing figure, the secretary of Nanhai Municipal Committee, Li Qianjin, glanced at Deputy Secretary Li. Although they were from the same clan, they didn’t have much relationship. Li Qianjin was from Chubei, while Deputy Secretary Li was from Longxi.

Moreover, on normal days, Deputy Secretary Li and Li Qianjin didn’t get along well. Hence, at this moment, Li Qianjin didn’t mince words, whispering bitterly as he passed Deputy Secretary Li, “Look at the mess you’ve made.”

Xue Ligong, who was already at the guard post, said to the guard, “Comrade,

I’m Xue Ligong, the Secretary of the Yuedong Provincial Party Committee. Please notify your Director Cheng of my arrival.”

As a high-ranking official of a province, especially a prosperous economic province like Yuedong, and given his position as a member of the Politburo, Xue Ligong naturally carried himself with a certain demeanor.

At this point, the guard did not dare to act arrogant and quickly replied, “Please wait a moment, leader. I will go in immediately to report.”

In the guest house room, Nie Zhenbang was resting with his eyes closed. He was planning his actions for when the dust settled. After this, the layout of Wal-Mart in Yuedong would basically be completed. He didn’t need to worry about the rest. With Yang Anbang involved, the development of Wal-Mart wouldn’t have too many problems. Now, it was time for him to make a trip to the Soviet Union.

But before leaving, he had to make another grand entrance for his old man. It was only by thoroughly aligning the Nie family with the reformist faction that Nie Zhenbang could feel at ease. After all, going overseas wasn’t something that could be finished in a day or two.

“Guowei, Shuxian, the Yuedong Provincial Committee Secretary Xue Ligong has come here personally. He’s currently outside the garrison. What should we do?” Cheng Mazi was getting rather flustered. He hadn’t expected that the arrest of such a small fish would draw out Xue Ligong.

Hearing that, Nie Zhenbang quickly stood up and said to Cheng Mazi, “Uncle

Cheng, did you prepare the things I asked you? It’s about time now.”

Cheng Mazi was somewhat confused, but nodded and said, “Of course, I didn’t know until I checked. I was shocked. This Wei Wenhai, ever since his brother took office, he has been using his power to seize a lot of businesses in the port area. Many people have been driven to bankruptcy and ruin by him. Some were even sentenced on charges of hooliganism. At least more than five million yuan has been amassed illegally.”

Hearing this, a smile appeared on Nie Zhenbang’s face. As expected, his speculation was correct. Even in the 21st century, few people dared to be so arrogant. If someone was this audacious now, there must be something shady behind him. Now that he knew the result, Nie Zhenbang was relieved. Things seemed to be going as planned now.

“Uncle Cheng, mother and father, since Secretary Xue of the Yuedong Provincial Committee has personally come, how about we go greet him together? After all, my dad is still one of Secretary Xue’s soldiers.” Nie Zhenbang said with a smile, with the demeanor of a great general.

Your son is barely 20 years old and still so immature. Why is the offspring of the Nie family so outstanding?

As the group approached the door, it naturally followed that Cheng Bangguo led them. Cheng Mazi, with a smile already on his face, stepped forward to greet them, shaking hands with Xue Ligong, saying, “I am truly humbled that Secretary Xue would visit in person. My neglect is to blame for this.”

Xue Ligong scanned his gaze over Cheng Mazi and Nie Zhenbang among others, then, with a laugh, said, “Old Cheng, you and I both come from military backgrounds. I’ve just served for a few more years than you. There’s no need to be so formal. And this young man here, he must be Nie Zhenbang. The lad looks quite promising. It only makes me feel just how old I’ve gotten when I see you.”

At this moment, Xue Ligong deliberately ignored Nie Guowei. This was his indirect method of expressing his discontent towards Nie Guowei. So what if you’re a descendant of the Nie family? So what if your brother is the Vice

Commander of the Yuezhou Military Region? This is Yuedong and you’re an official reporting to the Yuedong Province. I am still your direct superior.”

Nie Zhenbang smiled slightly. In terms of this matter, he did indeed go a bit too far. Regardless, he should have at least gave Xue Ligong a heads up. Then, Nie Zhenbang shot a glance at Ye Shuxian who was standing nearby.

Understanding his intent, Ye Shuxian nodded and stepped forward to greet, “Uncle Xue, we haven’t met for a long time. You’re still as spirited as ever. Do you remember Shuxian?”

As a former bodyguard of Ye Lao, Xue Ligong watched Ye Shuxian grow up. Now that she had addressed him in such a manner, Xue Ligong found it hard to keep a stern face.

The group followed behind Cheng Mazi into the military district guesthouse.

Once everyone had taken their seats, Nie Zhenbang began to speak: “Grandpa Xue, this incident was truly my fault. I did not expect it to alarm you. I have definitely overstepped in this matter. If there were any mistakes committed, I hope that you may vindicate me. Here, I apologize to you.”

First and foremost, Nie Zhenbang took a humble approach, which made it difficult for Xue Ligong to hold onto the matter. Immediately, he smiled and said, “Shuxian, you indeed have a good son.”

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang took out some documents that Cheng Mazi had prepared and handed them over to Xue Ligong, saying, “Grandpa Xue, please take a look at these. They are some pieces of information that I unintentionally acquired. You adults can continue your discussion. I’m going to step out for a bit.’

This was a strategic retreat on the part of Nie Zhenbang. Describing Xue Ligong as an old fox may sound derogatory, but it was a fact. With this situation, simply handing over the evidence should be enough to clarify the matter. Giving Xue Ligong the opportunity to handle this matter, rather than directly sending it to the central government, was a clear gesture. Xue Ligong knew full well what he had to do. After all, Ye Shuxian and Nie Guowei were still in the room; and he had already paved the way for the old man. If he couldn’t grasp this opportunity, it would be better if he resigned and retired early from this officialdom.

Sure enough, two hours later, even though it was then past three in the morning, a group of people emerged from the conference room. Xue Ligong appeared calm, while the expression on the face of Li Qianjin, the Secretary of the Nanhai Municipal Committee, remained inscrutable.

Seeing Nie Zhenbang approach him, Xue Ligong revealed a faint smile, patting Nie Zhenbang’s shoulder and said, “Zhenbang, isn’t it? You are quite good. If you get a chance in the future, you must come to Grandpa Xue’s house in

Yuezhou.”

With that, Xue Ligong turned to Li Qianjin and said, “Comrade Qianjin, this is a wake-up call. In the process of reform and opening up, we must never slacken our oversight of Party discipline and clean government. This is a lesson learned through blood and tears. The leading group of the Nanhai Municipal Committee must always keep this in mind. Regarding this Wei scandal, my opinion is to conduct a thorough investigation and enforce severe punishment. Any related officials should be reassigned. This time, I have decided to let

Comrade Guowei enrich the ranks of the Standing Committee of Nanhai

MuniciDal Committee.”

As Xue Ligong left, the political scene in Nanhai shifted the following day. Li

Qianjin immediately convened a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Nanhai Municipal Committee. At the meeting, after Li Qianjin reported the disciplinary violations of Wei Wenhai, the Secretary of the district committee of the port area, the Nanhai Municipal Discipline Committee immediately decided to suspend Wei Wenhai for investigation. At the same time, Li Qianjin, on behalf of the Provincial Committee, announced the resolutions of the Provincial Committee: Deputy Secretary Li of the Municipal Committee would be transferred to serve as Deputy Secretary of Yuehai Municipal Committee, and Nie Guowei, Mayor of Yuehai City, would be transferred to serve as a member of the Standing Committee and Deputy Secretary of Nanhai Municipal Committee.

In the residential area of the Nanhai Municipal Committee, inside the newly assigned house for Nie Guowei, Nie Zhenbang, holding a set of documents, emerged from the study. Seeing Nie Guowei and Ye Shuxian sitting on the sofa watching the news, Nie Zhenbang said, “Dad, this is an article that I wrote. I’d like to publish it using your name. Take a look.”

Nie Guowei, puzzled, took the document. Just a glance at the title was enough for him to jump up from his seat, exclaiming in surprise, “Zhenbang, aren’t you being too bold?”