Reborn as a Noble's Son

As a high-ranking official of Jiangbei Provincial Committee, Yan Zhian had some understanding of such matters. If this were to happen, it would not only create a stir in Qianzhou City, it would likely cause a seismic shift in the whole of Jiangbei officialdom.

Nie Zhenbang, who was standing by his side, looked determined. Yan Zhian speculated that even if he refused, Nie Zhenbang would probably demolish a house regardless. The local people knew clearly which houses were of good quality and which were not. Rather than refusing and creating a negative impression on Nie Zhenbang, it was better to accept for now and figure out a solution later on.

With some resolve, Yan Zhian nodded and said, “Alright, let’s demolish a house to see. I hope that these people haven’t gone completely insane.”

Under the guidance of the local villagers, the group moved further into the village. Past the model project houses at the entrance of the village, the resettlement houses inside were all vacant. From the outside, these houses appeared no different from the previous ones.

Several village officials began to explain, “Leaders, these are the resettlement houses. Not to mention their terrible quality, we watched these being built. Despite their attempts to hide their deeds, they couldn’t fool us. These houses, we wouldn’t even dare to live in them if they were free, let alone cover some difference in price. It would be too risky with so many fellow villagers nearby.”

Pointing casually, one of them said, “Leaders, from where we’re standing to the inside, these houses are all constructed with bamboo concrete. Feel free to pick whichever one to demolish.”

Yan Zhian and Nie Zhenbang looked at each other, and then Yan Zhian walked about several dozen meters to stand in front of a house. He then calmly said, “Let’s demolish this house.”

Upon hearing this, the local villagers who had been following behind promptly sprung into action. Dismantling a house is a task best left to the common folk as the officials, unaccustomed to hard labor, would be ill-suited for such a task.

Actually, the demolishing process was a little different. The immigrant resettlement houses in Xiaxiang County were all brick-and-mortar structures. Except for the load-bearing and stress-bearing walls that used concrete frame structures, the rest were constructed from red bricks.

Among the villagers were some skilled masons. Areas where concrete should have been used were quickly identified. They started to hammer away at the walls, and the pounding reverberated loudly.

Yan Zhian and the others were standing at a distance on the ground floor. The sound of hammering felt like it was making the entire house tremble. After about ten minutes, a job supervisor who had been overseeing the process from the sidelines ran over. In a low voice, he said to Yan Zhian and Nie Zhenbang, “Secretary Yan, Director Nie, please come and see.”

Following the supervisor into the house, they arrived at the area where the first and second floors connected. In this area, concrete should have been used. The snowy wall there had been broken up, revealing the interior. The concrete inside was mixed with green strips of bamboo, which shocked both Nie Zhenbang and Yan Zhian.

As they exited the house, a group of people came running from the other end of the resettlement area. Leading the group were Niu Zhengfu, the county party secretary of Xiaxiang, and the county mayor Fang Zhiqiang, both panting heavily from their jog over.

Before they could speak, Yan Zhian said, “You two, go take a look at the house yourselves. You are gambling with people’s lives. Have you no conscience, no morals? Would you dare to live in such a house?”

This matter, concerning the entire Xiaxiang County resettlement funds, required a detailed written report and explanation from the county party secretary and the county mayor. Where was the money used? Who received it? These questions all needed to be thoroughly investigated. They had such audacity to use thin bamboo strips as rebar substitutes. Infamy!

After delivering his outburst, Yan Zhian went to his car. The group did not stay in Xiaxiang County for too long.

The car drove straight to the Qianzhou City Committee. Yan Zhian immediately called for Xu Qi, the party secretary of Qianzhou City. Upon hearing that bamboo strips were used in the construction of resettlement houses as a money-saving measure, Xu Qi was taken aback. This situation was a shockingly vast underestimation of the audacity of these people. After pondering for a moment, Xu Qi asked, “Secretary Yan, what are you suggesting?”

With Yan Zhian present, Xu Qi consciously assumed a cooperative stance. The Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission had become involved. The duty of the Qianzhou City Committee was to fully cooperate with their investigation.

Yan Zhian thought carefully for a moment, then said, “Comrade Xu Qi. I suggest that Qianzhou City immediately convenes a standing committee meeting. As for Xiaxiang County, I recommend disciplining Secretary Niu Zhengfu and Mayor Fang Zhiqiang, according to Party rules. Additionally, as the primary contractor, the Tianhai Group’s accounts and correspondences at its Qianzhou branch should be investigated and sealed by an inspection team appointed by the municipal committee of Qianzhou City.”

Having said this, Yan Zhian added, “Comrade Xu Qi, please act as quickly as possible. I will take responsibility for any repercussions.”

At this point, Yan Zhian knew there was little value in hiding the matter anymore. Then, he looked at Nie Zhenbang and said, “Director Nie, I believe you’ve noticed too that not only me, even Secretary Sun Daliang seemed somewhat helpless when it came to the Tianhai Group. Now, things have spiraled far beyond my expectations. The audacity of the Tianhai Group is just overwhelming. It’s impossible to keep a lid on this any longer. I will be blunt. The chairman of the Tianhai Group is Ding Haitao. His father is our Jiangbei Province’s current standing committee member and the executive vice governor, Comrade Ding Guohong.”

Nie Zhenbang had already been speculating about the Tianhai Group. Initially, he had thought it was connected to some subordinate leader within the province. But he hadn’t anticipated that it involved the son of the executive vice governor of Jiangbei Province. No wonder even Sun Daliang was cautious. After all, unless it were a matter of life-and-death, they would want to save face for Ding Guohong and let the Tianhai Group off the hook. All Nie Zhenbang was pursuing were the officials in Xiaxiang County.

However, by now, the situation has spiraled out of control, especially with the bamboo-rod-concrete issue. Yan Zhian dares not to bear that responsibility. If anything happened following the occupancy of these houses, and since he’s the one who investigated this case, it would spell the end of Yan Zhian’s career. When it comes to his own political future, Yan Zhian wouldn’t care about the status or background of the Tianhai Group.”

Nie Zhenbang fell silent at that moment. He hadn’t expected that this incident would trigger such a significant case. It would not be an exaggeration to call it a shocking scandal. It implicated an executive vice governor, which was a rare opportunity indeed. And, from what he remembered being told by Ning Zhiyuan, this Vice Governor Ding Guohong, seemed to be under the patronage of the Jiangbei Provincial Party Secretary Shen Yanshuo, a core member of the Li faction.

This excellent opportunity should not be missed. Or else, he would not be Nie Zhenbang. So Nie Zhenbang stood up and said, “Secretary Yan, I suggest this: I will immediately report this case to the central disciplinary commission and Secretary Zeng Youjie. Handling matters at the Jiangbei Provincial Committee will be your responsibility, Secretary Yan. Let’s bring down the hammer simultaneously. No matter who is implicated, we should investigate thoroughly. Any obstructers will be dealt with severely!”

Feeling the killing intent emanating from Nie Zhenbang’s words, Yan Zhian had a chilling sensation. Nie Zhenbang’s intent was no joke.

The office building of the Jiangbei Provincial Committee and Government.

On the fifteenth floor of the office building, the Provincial Standing Committee Meeting Room was brightly lit even though it was already past seven in the evening. Around five, just before finishing work for the day, all the standing committee members had received word of an emergency meeting.

All the members of the standing committee had assembled. Shen Yanshuo, the Party Secretary of Jiangbei Province, was seated in the center with an extremely solemn look on his face.

After scanning the room, Shen Yanshuo said in a grave voice, “Comrades, at four o’clock this afternoon, I received a call from Comrade Zeng Youjie of the Central Disciplinary Commission. It is about a matter in Xiaxiang County, Qianzhou City. Just before I heard from Comrade Zeng Youjie, I received a call from Comrade Yan Zhian, who is currently in Qianzhou City. The situation in Xiaxiang County is terrible. It has made me both infuriated and shocked.”

The tone of Shen Yanshuo was severe, foreboding. The meeting room fell silent. One could have heard a pin drop.

Shen Yanshuo added gravely, “Comrades, the five hundred million-yuan resettlement fund was all used for houses made of bamboo-rod-concrete. What kind of behavior is this? Disgraceful! This is Jiangbei Province’s shame. The Tianhai Group, being the primary contractor for the resettlement project in Xiaxiang County, must bear irrefutable responsibility. Anyone and anything implicated must be thoroughly scrutinized. We will not tolerate any slackness.”

As he spoke, the face of Ding Guohong, Jiangbei Province’s executive vice governor who was seated on one side, turned cold instantly. His son Haitao had really stirred up trouble this time.

On another side, Governor Ning Shouchang looked at the stern-faced Shen Yanshuo and snickered inside. He put on such a righteous front. Hopefully, his actions matched his words.

PS: Many thanks to my dear readers for your unyielding support. Today, there will be at least four more updates. If I write faster and nothing else happens, be ready for a pleasant surprise. (