Reborn as a Noble's Son

But what about now? Although the Xiashang Immigration Case had nothing to do with Ding Guohong himself and wouldn’t be traced back to him, his son was deeply implicated, which would greatly impact his future career and political prospects.

Ding Guohong saw the situation clearly. Since his political future was gone, he might as well make a bold and drastic move, give up his position directly, and let the Tianhai Group actively compensate, return the illegal gains, and eliminate the impact of the incident. He proposed to exchange these two conditions for his son Ding Haitao’s exculpation.

Moreover, the cleverness of Ding Guohong lay in not seeking out Shen Yanshuo, but himself. Logically speaking, Shen Yanshuo and Ding Guohong were of the same faction and Ding Guohong should have sought him out based on the principle of not letting benefits flow to outsiders. But this was exactly where Ding Guohong showed his smarts.

He didn’t find Shen Yanshuo because he knew that even if he did, other factions, including his own, would hold on to this matter. In that case, Ding Guohong’s severing of the limb would be in vain. However, if he approached him, the Li faction would need the case to be quietly resolved to maintain their positive image, and, having benefited, he wouldn’t say anything. This was the logic of a wise man.

Including Xiong Changgui’s murder case and the Xiashang Immigrant Resettlement Case, this case was broadly referred to as the Xiashang Scandal by the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission.

With Han Ziqi being placed under dual regulation and a considerable amount of gold, silver, and jewelry being seized from his home, Han Ziqi’s mistress was also exposed. A large amount of illicit money was also found in the mistress’s house. The bank deposit slip of ten million cash was destroyed by Han Ziqi, attesting his determination.

The development of the case led to this point where everything was basically clear, and now, the only complication was the Tianhai Group.

Because of the special status of Ding Haitao, the special case team was temporarily at a stalemate, or rather, everyone was waiting for a response from the higher level.

Politics is always the art of compromise, seeking a state of balance. There is a balance on a local level and a balance at the center. At any time, neither the political system nor the military system will tolerate the dominance of a single powerful entity. Should such a situation occur, other families would face the most ruthless and harsh crackdown.

So, as soon as any family shows signs of dominance, the other families quickly band together and suppress it, even if they used to be enemies with a grudge. They would cast aside their prejudices and unite in this instance.

The Xiashang Scandal

Not only is it a confrontation and redistribution of interests in the political arena of Jiangbei Province, but, due to the involvement of a deputy-ministerial level official, or more specifically, an executive vice governor with real power, it has also attracted the attention of the center.

Forbidden City

Nanhuai Warm Pavilion

There stood a row of single-story buildings backing onto Zhonghaizi.

This was the heart of the Huaxia center. From here, orders and plans regarding national affairs and development were issued. This was the nerve center of Huaxia.

At the moment, inside Nanhuai Warm Pavilion, the air conditioning was at a comfortable temperature.

The air in the room was infused with a faint floral and elegant scent. This was the office of Huaxia Party Secretary General, Yuan Kangan.

Secretary General Yuan does not smoke, so everyone who came to report to him always bore this in mind. There was never smoke in the Nanhuai Warm Pavilion.

“Old Yun, this time, Zeng Youjie submitted the dossier of the Vice Premier scandal case. Have you read it? What are your thoughts?” President Yuan Kangan sits on the sofa, his burly body steady and imposing, exuding an air of authority.

After more than two years as the Party’s General Secretary, Yuan Kangan has managed to arrange all political families under his control and retained a tight grip on the military forces. It is high time to reveal his strength.

Prime Minister Yun Bo, the caretaker of the Republic and the helmsman of domestic economic development. At present, he looks significantly more exhausted than Yuan Kangan.

After a moment of contemplation, Prime Minister Yun Bo spoke slowly, “Party Secretary Yuan, with the ongoing deepening of reform and opening up, and the continuous development of the economy, the domestic promotion of anti-corruption and integrity is becoming increasingly serious. This trend is not only present in Jiangbei, but instances of corruption have also been found nationwide. Under the current economic conditions and trends, with the rise of many wealthy private business owners, our civil servants are not content to hold their positions with meager wages. We need to consider how to motivate grassroots civil servants and how to control macroeconomic policies. Additionally, adjusting and enhancing the national wage system should be considered. I believe that the time has come for a firm resolution.”

At the level of Party Secretary Yuan and Prime Minister Yun, they undoubtedly stand at the peak of success. Naturally, their focus lies on state affairs, with a broader and more strategic perspective that transcends individual people and places to encompass the country as a whole.

After a moment of pondering, Secretary Yuan nodded, “Indeed, high remuneration for integrity, I think, is necessary. Concurrent with our rapid economic growth, it’s crucial to elevate the income levels across all social strata making it align with current economic development. This seems to be the right move. Internationally, the policy of high remuneration for integrity has been widely practiced. However, I believe strengthening moral education against corruption should also be bolstered. We need to form a national atmosphere and spirit of advocating honesty and against corruption. Nie’s implementation of certain official reception standards in Xinli City, for example, is commendable. The standards prevent waste and extravagance to a large extent. I propose that comrade Aiguo lead a delegation to investigate and formulate a feasible plan that can be introduced nationwide.”

Starting from a Vice Premier scandal case, they managed to infer a large-scale national movement, a direct manifestation of their high-level thinking.

Simultaneously, after discussing large-scale actions, it is time for the substantive matter. Looking at Prime Minister Yun Bo, Party Secretary Yuan pondered for a while before saying, “Old Yun, this time, such a massive incident occurred in Jiangbei Province. Ding Guohong of Jiangbei Province submitted his retirement application to the organization. Furthermore, after the incident, Tianhai Group actively faced the consequences. They have pledged the funds for rebuilding the resettled housing and have already deposited them into the Jiangbei Province financial account, while also actively carrying out subsequent compensation. I think, their attitude is admirable.”

Upon hearing Yuan Kangan’s words, Yun Bo knew that Yuan intended to let Ding Guohong off the hook. No, it should be said that he was letting the Li family off the hook.

Now, the other families in Jingcheng have come forward to suppress the Li family on the basis of not only Ding Guohong’s position, but Shen Yanshuo was also now being implicated with leadership responsibilities. This is a standard model of opportunistic attacks.

However, Party Secretary Yuan’s current attitude is clear, this matter stops at Ding Guohong, without involving anyone else.

This is a move to preserve the resources of the Li family. Politics is all about balance. After this incident, the Li family will naturally improve their behavior. In return, they will also be able to restrict other families for Yuan. This is the balance.

Although Party Secretary Yuan and he were not from the same faction, their interests had always aligned. At this time, letting off the Li family would benefit both of them. Therefore, Prime Minister Yun Bo also smilingly said, “I agree with your opinion, Secretary Yuan. We live in a new era that naturally outgrows the practice of collective punishment. Ding Guohong is Ding Guohong, Shen Yanshuo is Shen Yanshuo, and the Jiangbei Provincial Committee, on the whole, is good. I think that this matter should not be magnified.”

At this moment, Party Secretary Yuan nodded and said: “In terms of the personnel selection for Jiangbei Province’s executive deputy governor, the Central Organization Department recommended to me several candidates. I quite like Hu Yuesheng, the current Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade.”

This is another balance. Who is Huang Yuesheng? He is the son of former Deputy Prime Minister Huang, the elder brother of Nie’s daughter-in-law Huang Yuerong. Appointing Huang Yuesheng as the Executive Deputy Governor of Jiangbei Province is a disguised way to increase the decision-making power of the Nie family within the governmental system, which again serves as a check and balance on the Li family. Looking meaningfully at Party Secretary Yuan, Prime Minister Yun Bo realized that Yuan’s political balancing act is nothing short of masterful.

Regarding the possible promotion of Huang Yuesheng, who has close ties to the Nie family, Prime Minister Yun Bo would not oppose him. Opposition would mean going against both Yuan Kangan and the Nie and Huang families, a grave mistake for the sake of a single provincial deputy’s position. Consequently, Prime Minister Yun Bo also nodded and said, “I think it is acceptable.”

Soon thereafter, Minister of the Central Organization Department Yu Shengdong personally rushed to Jiangbei Province. In the Jiangbei Province Leadership Cadre Conference, facing members of the four teams of the Jiangbei Provincial Committee, top officials from various districts and cities in Jiangbei Province, and leaders of various provincial units and middle-level cadres in Jiangzhou City, Yu Shengdong, on behalf of the Central Committee and the Central Organization Department, announced personnel appointments. He dismissed Ding Guohong’s roles as member of the Jiangbei Provincial Committee and Standing Committee member. He also proposed to the Jiangbei Provincial People’s Congress Standing Committee to dismiss Ding Guohong from his roles as Deputy Governor and Deputy Secretary of the Jiangbei Provincial People’s Government Party Group. He then appointed Huang Yuesheng, the current Deputy Director of the National Foreign Trade and Economic Commission, as a member and Standing Committee member of the Jiangbei Provincial Committee, as the Deputy Secretary of the Party Group of the Jiangbei Provincial People’s Government, and as a nominee for the position of Executive Deputy Governor.

Upon hearing this news, Nie Zhenbang knew that the Vice Premier scandal case was probably over.

PS: The fourth chapter is here. (