Reborn as a Noble's Son

Chapter 192: The Dust Settles_1

Translator: 549690339

The Farmer Welfare Company? Longhua Mining?

Upon hearing these names, Liu Wenqing felt a jolt in his heart. He wasn’t familiar with Longhua Mining, but the fact that the Farmer Welfare Company had managed to get Jiang Zhenquan and a deputy minister from the Ministry of Agriculture to attend their foundation-laying ceremony spoke volumes about the strength of their backing. His attention was also piqued by Li County’s economic data for the quarter, which showed that the Farmer Welfare Company had invested a cumulative total of four hundred million. A four hundred million contribution was a sum far beyond what Bazhou city had attracted in investment over the entire previous year. This alone was enough to prove something was amiss.

As for Longhua Mining, Liu Wenqing didn’t know who was behind it, but it was clear that any company introduced by Nie Zhenbang couldn’t be trifled with. It likely had the backing of some substantially influential people.

Besides, Nie Zhenbang had made it quite clear: it wasn’t him who refused to let go, but rather, the bosses of these two companies wanting to get rid of Cui Jinsheng. If this were the case, then Xing Wenbiao was indeed an expendable character. Without Cui Jinsheng, who else would care about an official of his rank.

“Zhenbang, what’s going on? How did old Cui manage to offend the two gods of your Li County?” Liu Wenqing was somewhat puzzled. Could it be that Nie Zhenbang’s backing was truly unshakeable?

Nie Zhenbang could see that Liu Wenqing was faltering. If Liu Wenqing had persisted in trying to save Xing Wenbiao, it would have put him in a tough spot. It would have been disrespectful to go against his superiors. So, Liu Wenqing’s wavering reaction brought relief to Nie Zhenbang. He chuckled, “Secretary Liu, you might not know, but on the day of Xing Wenbiao’s incident, the district tax bureau immediately dispatched a tax inspection team headed by Yao Saifu to carry out an audit on all businesses in our county. The Farmer Welfare Company and Longhua Mining were also within the scope of the inspection. These two businesses are model taxpayers in our Li County, exemplary taxpayer companies in Bazhou City. Of course, the bosses were unhappy about this sudden inspection…

This was undoubtedly a blunder. It’s no wonder, considering Cui Jinsheng’s position, was supposed to focus on issues at the national taxation level or matters directly related to the leaders of the provincial party committee. He likely wouldn’t know much about smaller, local issues. However, this inspection of the two companies was akin to a slap in the face for them. Even if there were tax evasion or tax avoidance, they would fight back, but now that this inspection happened while they were running their businesses by the books, they were naturally unhappy.

After a moment of silence, Liu Wenqing chuckled, “Nie, given the circumstances, I will not say much more. However, in the future, you should communicate with the city committee beforehand. Otherwise, they might be caught off guard.”

Liu Wenqing’s last statement was a subtle warning. Nie Zhenbang either did nothing or made significant moves, such as removing the county party secretary and relegating a standing deputy chairman to the political consultative conference for retirement. While the former had nothing to do with him and latter was a high-level power game, the increasingly complicated matters in Li county were starting to keep the Bazhou City Committee in the dark. This left Liu Wenqing in a difficult position.

In response, Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “Yes, you’re correct. In future, I’ll report any issues to you as soon as they arise. This time, things happened so suddenly. Please overlook any shortcomings on my part.”

After hanging up, Liu Wenqing immediately dialed Xiang Yong’s number. Over the phone, Xiang Yong was greatly pleased. “Haha, Wenqing, you’re indeed Bazhou City’s number one man. When you take action, it’s different. Do you have good news already?”

Liu Wenqing felt somewhat embarrassed and said, “Old Xiang, I won’t question the nature of your relationship with Cui Jinsheng. Despite the circumstances, however, I don’t think I can be of much assistance. The County Mayor and Secretary of Li County don’t object, but Li County is a deep pool with unfathomable depths. Have you heard of the Farmer Welfare Company? Cui Jinsheng has taken a major misstep by sending an inspection team to audit the Farmer Welfare Company and Longhua Company. Now, the two companies are dissatisfied, and Cui Jinsheng himself is likely in trouble.”

As soon as Xiang Yong heard this, he was taken aback. He knew about the Farmer Welfare Company – an investment of several hundred million, the attendance of Jiang Zhenquan and the deputy minister of the Ministry of Agriculture. Just the foundation-laying ceremony was already high profile. If the projects were completed and put into operation, there would probably be an even grander celebration, and the magnitude of it was unthinkable.

“Old Xiang, you should contact Cui Jinsheng about looking after his own affairs. If he collapses, his nephew will be meaningless anyway. As long as Cui Jinsheng can ensure he stays standing, we won’t have any problems on this side,” promised Liu Wenqing.

Xiang Yong nodded his head. What Liu Wenqing said was a fact. If Cui Jinsheng couldn’t even maintain himself, there was no point in trying to save his wife’s nephew. Now, people were taking action out of respect for Cui Jinsheng, and because of the high position he held. It might sound opportunistic, but it was the reality. Soon after, Xiang Yong also nodded and said, “Wenqing, now I can empathize with your feelings. It’s not easy being in a position like yours with that kind of county mayor underneath you. Thank you. If you ever have a chance to come over to our Ka city for an exchange visit, I will personally host a banquet for you.”

After hanging up the phone, Xiang Yong immediately dialed Cui Jinsheng’s number. At the time, Cui Jinsheng was at home. His wife, Xing Yue’e, answered the phone, but when she heard it was Xiang Yong calling, she immediately called Cui Jinsheng over and sat down next to him. She was also deeply concerned about her nephew’s affairs.

“Old Cui, there’s something you need to mentally prepare yourself for. This time, when things got personal, you lost your head, and it’s turned into a big problem. You sent someone to check your books. It was a stupid move. Now, someone’s not happy. I’m afraid your position may be in jeopardy.” Xiang Yong got straight to the point.

After chatting for a while, Cui Jinsheng himself became somewhat disoriented. After hanging up the phone and thinking about the call he had earlier that day from the deputy director of the National Tax Bureau, Cui Jinsheng was only more certain that the trouble was real.

Beside him, Xing Yue E appeared greatly worried and asked, “Old Cui, what’s happening? Has Wen Biao been released?”

Upon hearing this, Cui Jinsheng also erupted and stood up abruptly, bellowing, “Wen Biao, Wen Biao! All you know is your nephew. Now, I can’t even protect myself anymore, let alone have the leisure to care about him. I’m about to be dismissed from my position. Are the Xing family happy now?”

Hearing this, Xing Yue E was also startled. In the past, if Cui Jinsheng dared to talk like this, Xing Yue E would likely have kicked up a fuss. But looking at Cui Jinsheng’s solemn face, Xing Yue E was shocked and disbelievingly replied, “Old Cui, don’t scare me. Is it really so serious? Can a county mayor have you removed?”

At this point, Cui Jinsheng no longer had the mood to explain and replied heavy-heartedly, “There are many things you don’t know about. As for this matter, it should end here. As for Wen Biao’s situation, you’d best stay out of it. If I really go down, it’s the end for Wen Biao. Even if he’s in jail now, if I’m still here, I can make arrangements. He could be out in a year or two. Your nephew really needs to be taught a good lesson. I must hurry to Jingcheng tonight.”

At this point, Cui Jinsheng had to maintain connections at the National Tax Bureau. For now, Xing Wen Biao’s matter was no longer important. What was crucial was to keep his own position secure.

Meanwhile, in Li County, Bai Weimin acted swiftly without any interference. The disciplinary investigation team he had sent out quickly obtained all the facts regarding Xing Wenbiao’s illegal activities. While he had not committed major crimes, dereliction of duty, misappropriation of public funds, and moral degradation were established.

Swiftly, the disciplinary committee transferred the case file to the Bazhou City Procuratorate. Xing Wen Biao was formally transferred from Li County Public Security Bureau to Bazhou City’s First Detention Center.

Following the suggestion of the Bazhou City Committee, the Bazhou City Tax Bureau also issued an appointment and removal notice. Xing Wen Biao was relieved of his position as Director. Wang Lili was also removed from her position as Office Director, and both were expelled from public service. Ma Zhixian faced a administrative demotion, and received severe disciplinary punishment within the party. The new Director of the Li County Tax Bureau would be He Dashan, the former Deputy Director.

In Jingcheng, Cui Jinsheng found himself standing in front of his mentor, Deputy Director Ouyang of the National Tax Bureau, looking like a schoolboy despite being over fifty.

Deputy Director Ouyang looked at Cui Jinsheng. Having nurtured him from the start, he still held affection for him. Breaking the silence, Deputy Director Ouyang said in a deep voice, “Jingsheng, you’ve been careless this time. I know your character well. Though you may not be the most capable, you’re down-to-earth and free from corruption. Your downfall can be chalked up to your nephew. Now, many members of the party committee in the bureau are against your promotion of relatives, and your unilateral actions. Your position can’t be saved. At this time, your only choice is to apply for retirement.”

Deputy Director Ouyang held back further words. Being able to retire with dignity was already no small feat. This was a result that he had strenuously fought for.

Stunned, Cui Jinsheng found himself at a loss. At only 57, he was neither old nor young among high-ranking officials. He was good to go on for several more years. But now, it seemed impossible. He knew his mentor’s character well. His mentor was one to favor his apprentices, and this outcome was already hard-won. He nodded after a silence, “Old leader, it seems this is the only way. Looking back, my downfall was caused by this rotten nephew of mine. Sigh, it’s fate. I suppose I can count myself fortunate that I didn’t commit any illegal or rebellious acts in my life. In a way, this is a decent ending. If I were guilty of anything, I would probably be behind bars now.”

Soon, the National Tax Bureau issued an announcement about appointments and dismissals. Comrade Cui Jinsheng, the Director of the Autonomous Region Tax Bureau, had voluntarily resigned from his position as Director of the Tax Bureau due to health reasons, and was now an Inspector of the Tax Bureau. He was formally moved to a non-executive position. The former Director of the Tax Department of the National Tax Bureau was called Chang Haitao. He was transferred to the Autonomous Region Tax Bureau to serve as a member of the bureau party group, secretary, and director of the tax bureau.

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