Reborn as a Noble's Son

Shen Yanshuo wasn’t surprised at all. All members of the standing committee knew the ins and outs of the situation. They knew who was at the helm of the Tianhai Group, and that Ding Haitao was Ding Guohong’s son. Now, with such a major case at hand, it would be strange if Ding Guohong did not step forward.

However, Shen Yanshuo felt that Ding Guohong’s move at this moment was somewhat unwise. The case obviously involved the Nie family’s crown prince. Moreover, one of Nie Zhenbang’s comrades had died as a result. If no answer is given, Nie Zhenbang won’t let go, and the military won’t let go either.

Each issue has its own merit. That soldier killed someone, and he paid with his life for it. Besides, he has already committed suicide. Once a person dies, everything is over, and all sins are exposed. But how should the local authorities deal with the oppression and humiliation of the families of military personnel? If there isn’t an explanation given to the military, what would the other soldiers think? If they defend their homeland and borders with their lives but cannot protect their own families, who will still want to be a soldier? Thus, the military is certainly keeping an eye on this matter.

Ding Guohong, without considering the situation, is hastily jumping out at this moment. Isn’t this suicidal? However, considering they belong to the same faction, Shen Yanshuo did not refuse Ding Guohong’s request. He signaled and said, “If Governor Guohong has something to say, that is naturally acceptable.”

Ding Guohong pondered for a moment, and then said, “Comrades, I have heard a lot of experts study and verify this bamboo-fiber concrete. Bamboo is flexible, with sufficient tensile strength, much stronger than those inferior reinforcing bars. Moreover, bamboo is a renewable resource. I think, this bamboo-fiber concrete may not be a bad choice. It’s a new type of thing. So, it’s inevitable that there will be some overreaction to it. Particularly those local farmers who don’t understand science, the story naturally gets exaggerated the more it’s talked about. I believe, it’s entirely possible for us to lead an investigation by organizing experts and professors from several universities in Jiangbei Province to perform a field test on these houses. I believe that scientific practice will provide a clear and fair response.”

The words of Ding Guohong were just meant to deceive the public. As for the people present, they are not common people, and this was too obvious.

The difference in price between bamboo and rebar is so significant. If bamboo really could replace rebar, wouldn’t the state promote it on a large scale? As for expert inspections, it’s perfectly normal for someone of Ding Guohong’s status to get a few experts to speak out.

As soon as his words fell, Ning Shouchang also spoke up slowly, “Secretary Shen, I also have a few words to say.”

Glancing at everyone present, Ning Shouchang then began, “Regarding Comrade Guohong’s words, I feel they’re somewhat inappropriate. Construction is not child’s play. According to the materials provided by Qianzhou City, the resettlement houses in Xiaxiang County were divided into houses for leaders and houses for ordinary people. All the houses for the leaders were constructed with reinforced concrete. So I want to ask Comrade Guohong, if this so-called bamboo-fiber concrete is so superior, then why not simply switch? Let the ordinary people live in the houses currently occupied by the leaders. Let the leaders also enjoy this new type of building material.”

These words left Ding Guohong speechless. He glared at Ning Shouchang, then sat down reluctantly. At this moment, Shen Yanshuo was also deep in thought, considering the pros and cons of this matter. He decided not to get involved in this matter. Though they belonged to the same faction, it wasn’t necessary to act in unison on this issue. Especially as this was Ding Guohong’s personal matter.

After reflecting for a moment, Shen Yanshuo also said in a deep voice, “Alright, comrades, I don’t think these pointless arguments are necessary. How to properly receive Vice Secretary Zeng Youjie of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, and how to handle the investigation and aftermath of the Xiaxiang County case in Qianzhou City, how do we minimize its impact? These are the problems we should be thinking about now.”

After Shen Yanshuo’s statement, the Jiangbei Provincial Committee’s tune was quickly set. The matter had already escalated. The military was watching the development of the situation. It couldn’t be covered up anymore. There must be a clear and just interpretation. Also, someone from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection had arrived. It was Vice Secretary Zeng Youjie, who was in charge of the disciplinary inspection. This man was notoriously heartless. Regardless, Jiangbei Province’s attitude had to made clear.

Consequently, the Jiangbei Provincial Committee made the decision to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the Tianhai Group, while at the same time dealing harshly with the Xiaxiang County case, regardless of which levels of leadership were involved, and showing no mercy.

At this moment, in a secluded teahouse in Qianzhou City, a man around thirty years old was leisurely sitting in a chair, with a soft pack of Zhonghua cigarettes in his hand, wreathed in smoke. Then, the young man sat up straight and pushed a box in front of the middle-aged man opposite him. He grinned and said, “Mayor Han, it’s just a token of appreciation, hope you accept. You don’t need to worry about the Tianhai Group. My father has already said that all this is just going through the motions. Do not be afraid. Even if the sky falls, my father and I will support it. As long as I protect you, you can rest easy.”

The middle-aged man opened the box. Inside was a bank book, anonymous and without a password. It set his heart racing – ten million, quite a generous amount indeed. As he closed the box, he began to hesitate.

At this moment, the younger man had seemingly lost his patience. He stared at the middle-aged man’s indecisiveness then spoke out discontentedly, “Han Ziqi. What’s up? Don’t you trust me, Ding Haitao, anymore? With my grandfather backing you up, what are you still afraid of? Hear me out – you won’t be able to escape from this case. You are the one who facilitated Tianhai Group’s entry. Moreover, you’ve received quite a hefty benefit from it too, haven’t you? Or are you upset because of that bitch, Hong?”

Hearing Ding Haitao’s words, Han Ziqi’s expression changed. He severely regretted the step he had taken, but now, it was too late for regrets. He sighed and said, “Young Master Tao, you know I didn’t mean it that way.”

Ding Haitao smiled elegantly at this and said, “Mayor Han, it’s even better that way. As long as you can keep Niu Zhengfu and Fang Zhiqiang quiet. Better still, make them take full responsibility. You can continue being a mayor, and after the storm passes, my grandfather can help you transfer to another city. You might even be promoted to Secretary.”

At this point, Han Ziqi had no way out – and he had little time to consider. He eventually nodded and said, “Young Master Tao, I’ll do my best. As you know, both these men have been taken away by the provincial disciplinary committee for investigation. Except for Secretary Xu, no one in Qianzhou City can get in touch with them. We need to think of a solution for this.”

Ding Haitao understood that he couldn’t push too hard. The situation wasn’t as easy as he had alluded. Tianhai Group was currently under investigation and sealed off, with the investigators gathering evidence and clues. A slight misstep could lead to utter ruin. That’s why Ding Haitao was spending ten million to get Han Ziqi to handle this.

Then Ding Haitao nodded and said, “Mayor Han, I trust your abilities. Go arrange things, and I wait for your good news.”

Han Ziqi couldn’t recall how he got home. Upon arrival, he saw his secretary seated on the sofa. Rising up as Han Ziqi entered, he whispered, “Mayor, you’re back. There’s urgent news- Hope Daily and News Observation and several other major in-province journalists have arrived in Qianzhou City. It seems like the purpose of their visit is malicious.”

Hearing this, Han Ziqi shuddered. With national newspapers coming, especially the slot in the News Observation program, a leading program of the national TV station right after Daily at Seven. Many internal officials had been removed from their positions because of this program. It was known to be a curse and now it had arrived here.

Han Ziqi then turned around and said, “Let’s go to the municipal party family district.”

Han Ziqi intended to use Xu Qi’s connections to negotiate with the provincial officials to avoid exposure. If he could control the societal influence and nobody was watching, it would be easier to operate. But Han Ziqi did not know that all these media outlets were arranged by Nie Zhenbang. His goal was solely to pressure the Jiangbei Provincial Committee with the media to prevent any bias.

At the Number One Courtyard of the Municipal Committee, Xu Qi had also just returned home. With high-ranking officials all around Qianzhou City and the deputy secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, Zeng Youjie, personally presiding the situation, with the full-time deputy secretary of the Jiangbei Provincial Committee, Li Yuntian, and the secretary of the Jiangbei Provincial Discipline Commission, Sun Daliang, accompanying him, Xu Qi had lost all his power.

Seeing Han Ziqi enter and start talking about blocking the media, Xu Qi sighed and said, “Old Han, I’m afraid this is impossible. There is nothing I can do about this unless you can persuade Li Yuntian and Sun Daliang.”

Leaving the Number One Courtyard, Han Ziqi had a sudden inspiration. He quickly dialed a number and spent around 10 minutes speaking on the phone before hanging up satisfied.

The next day, as soon as Nie Zhenbang and others started work and entered the military guest house lobby, Zheng Gensheng approached him and whispered, “Director, things have turned for the worse. Last night, Fang Zhiqiang committed suicide.”

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