Reborn as a Noble s Son

Chapter 779: Chapter 735 A Big Fire_1
 

After hanging up the phone, Huang Jin was somewhat perturbed. His suspicions had indeed been confirmed; after He Zhengwu informed Wu Debao’s mistress about Wu Debao’s current situation, the response was as expected. Certain items had not been kept at home, and only the password to a bank safe deposit box had been given to his mistress. This confirmed that whatever was inside the box must be extremely important.

It can be said that Wu Debao is an irredeemably bad man. Given his nature, it can be inferred that he would surely have made arrangements for his own escape. While colluding with the underworld, he surely would have left himself a way out.

“Governor, in my opinion, there must be some unspeakable secrets in there. Perhaps, the case will be completely clarified within the next day or two.” Huang Jin couldn’t hide the joy that was apparent on his face.

After a brief pause, Nie Zhenbang laughed and said, “Well, Old Huang, it’s not time for all this to be completely exposed.”

Huang Jin, who was initially quite delighted, immediately calmed down. With his current position, he wasn’t a fool but rather very clever.

He clearly understood Nie Zhenbang’s intention. He was aware of the countless officials implicated in this immense case of Yangde City.

However, Huang Jin understands one fact very well: if everything becomes public, almost all members of the provincial party standing committee, except for Nie Zhenbang, might be offended.

Nie Zhenbang’s words made Huang Jin somewhat grateful. He nodded and said, “Governor, I will follow your instructions. I will abide by the organization’s arrangement.”

This was a blatant pledge of allegiance. Yet, Nie Zhenbang didn’t put much faith in such words. This wasn’t child’s play where one’s word meant everything. Commitment at this level demanded serious consideration.

Nie Zhenbang could see that Huang Jin wasn’t truly submitting himself, but merely in this affair, Huang Jin would have to rely on him to withstand the pressure from the Provincial Party Standing Committee.

Nie Zhenbang had become used to this. It was quite normal for this level, where alliance and confrontation often switched in a split second. The dynamics at the provincial-ministerial level were very different from the county or municipal level.

At the lower level, local grassroots officials depended on these provincial committee bigwigs. Clashing without compromise, for their level, was normal.

However, the dynamics at the provincial-ministerial level are different. According to the central people’s decision at the Cadre Work Conference in the eighties, deputy-ministerial level and above are considered senior officials in the party.

As senior officials, they need to maintain the dignity and image of such a rank. From a national perspective, senior officials are judged based on their ability to maintain harmony within their teams. This is a major benchmark to measure the maturity and capability of an official.

At the grassroots level, table banging and shouldering people are common. However, this is different at higher levels, while there are cases of intense confrontation, they are a rare phenomenon. In the team, different opinions and voices can be tolerated, but the principle must be adhered to in an overall situation.

Such a guideline, collectively, ensures that the atmosphere of the standing committee at the provincial level is harmonious, at least on the surface.

Therefore, Nie Zhenbang didn’t pay much attention to Huang Jin’s attitude. Of course, Nie Zhenbang wouldn’t assume that Huang Jin and he himself had become best buddies.

After some consideration, Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “Old Huang, the situation is crucial. The special investigation team needs to be careful throughout the investigation process. Let me know if there’s any situation.”

After receiving instructions from Nie Zhenbang, Huang Jin immediately swung into action. Considering the importance of the deposit box, he personally led a team to the bank. Inside the box, they found materials left by Wu Debao. As expected, apart from some property ownership and equity proof, the most critical items – a notebook and a CD – recorded Wu Debao’s backdoor dealings with Zhang Zhongxiong’s son, Zhang Liqiang, after Wu Debao made his fortune.

In the process of real estate development, Zhang Liqiang, utilizing his father’s connections, obtained the land at an extremely low price. Then, through Dingsheng Group, he used all means, both threats, and inducements, to force the individuals needing relocation to sign cheap relocation clauses.

Simultaneously, Zhang Liqiang was also Yangde City’s biggest drug dealer. This fact alone astonished everyone in the special investigation group.

Everyone couldn’t figure out why Zhang Liqiang, who had wealth and power with the backing of his father, Zhang Zhongxiong, would get involved in such activities.

Huang Jin, wearing a stern expression, scanned the crowd before him, rose to meet their eyes, and commanded in a deep voice, “Comrades, there’s no need to speculate. People like Zhang Liqiang, their psyche has already been completely twisted, beyond the scope of normal reasoning. I order all of you to confiscate your communication devices and prepare to move out. We’ll leave in half an hour and take immediate action against Zhang Liqiang.”

In Zhang Liqiang’s residence, right when the members of the provincial SWAT team were storming into the villa, Zhang Liqiang was still lost in his reverie, gazing at the sternly armed police before him. As worldly as he was, Zhang Liqiang knew the end was near for him this time.

While Huang Jin and his team were executing a surprise overnight interrogation of Zhang Liqiang, Nie Zhenbang handed the latest progress report of case 403 to the Provincial Party Committee. This very case, based on undeniable facts, left people speechless. Concurrently, Zhenbang’s submission to relieve Zhang Zhongxiong from his tenure as the Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and mayor of Yangde City was advanced without any objection by the standing committee of the Provincial Party Committee.

With the developments proceeding as they have, there was no need for Zhang Zhongxiong to undergo the disciplinary committee procedures. Double-discipline, after all, is a safeguard measure for officials when the truth has not yet been fully investigated. Now, the facts are clear, there is no need for that step. The intervention of the judiciary directly was called for.

…

Yangde City First Detention Center.

The tall walls stood erect, guarded heavily.

At the moment, on the road to the Yangde City Detention Center, police cars were leading the caravan followed by a luxurious Jinlong business vehicle, which stopped at the entrance of the center.

At this moment, the leaders of the detention center, from top to bottom, had already lined up at the entrance. From the car, Nie Zhenbang, accompanied by Huang Jin, alighted the vehicle.

After shaking hands with the officials of the detention center, Zhenbang, led by the deputy director of the Yangde City Public Security Bureau, He Zhengwu, went inside.

Half a step behind, Huang Jin said in a low voice, “Governor, Zhang Zhongxiong’s mood is currently very unsettled. When we revealed his son’s criminal facts to him, he nearly crumbled. From yesterday until now, he hasn’t spoken a word. Just this morning, he requested to see you.”

Hearing this, Nie Zhenbang’s brow creased in a frown. After a pause, he said gravely, “Ensure Zhang Zhongxiong’s imprisonment is handled securely. His cell must have a person in charge and be well guarded at all times. His meals must be inspected regularly. Moreover, make sure his room does not provide him the opportunity to commit suicide. As the saying goes, ‘No greater sorrow than a heart that’s desolate’. Zhang Zhongxiong is currently mourning the loss of his child. We must prevent him from choosing a dead end.”

Zhang Zhongxiong is a crucial figure in the entire Yangde City case. Nie Zhenbang had to deal with him carefully and prudently.

Huang Jin, though experienced, was surprised to hear this from Nie Zhenbang. These words were highly professional, and while government leadership might, over the years, encounter many episodes like this, others at most would give warnings to take precautions to avoid suicide. Zhenbang’s detailed instructions, considering all aspects, were rare indeed.

Looks like Governor Nie has some stories of his own. After interacting with him for these few days, this was the impression Huang Jin had of him. Governor Nie moved with the force of a dragon and ferocity of a tiger; his demeanor exuding a charisma highly resembling that of a soldier.

He then nodded and said, “Governor, rest assured. Zhang Zhongxiong is currently living in solitary confinement in a cell with attached restrooms. The room is equipped with air conditioning and under surveillance of rotating personnel round the clock. Furthermore, these staff have all been temporarily transferred from the department at the province level, ensuring political reliability. Please rest assured, Governor.”

After crossing through the office area of the detention center and passing the blockading gate, there laid the walled-in area of the Yangde City Detention Center. High walls and wire netting emphasized the prevailing authority, and the high voltage electricity network erected on the barriers further reinforced it.

Guard towers were stationed around, each housing armed soldiers with stern expressions. Moving up to the second floor of the detention area through a corridor that stretched for about a hundred meters, and through another iron gate, lay the core area of the detention center.

A room was specially cleared on the side. Nie Zhenbang entered. Nearing him, Huang Jin also explained, “Governor, please rest here for a while. I’ve arranged for someone to bring Zhang Zhongxiong. His cell is towards the end and needs three iron gates to be passed. Please wait for a bit.”

He had barely sat for three minutes when the sound of heavy shackles could be heard from outside. The door opened, and Zhang Zhongxiong appeared at the entrance.

Looking at Zhang Zhongxiong, who he hadn’t seen for a day, what used to be the spirited Mayor Zhang, overseeing the entire work of the Yangde City Party Committee firmly and being a prominent leader, now had a face drained of all energy. His hair seemed to have suddenly turned white overnight. His eyes were weary and looked like he hadn’t had a good night’s sleep.

Nie Zhenbang waved his hand towards the people standing beside him and said, “Everyone steps out, I want to talk to him alone.” (To be continued. If you like this work, we welcome you to vote for it at Qidian.com. Your support is our greatest motivation.)

Source: Webn𝘰vel.com, updated on Novg𝘰.co