Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 726 - 682: Nie family’s turnaround _1

Chapter 726 -682: Nie family’s turnaround _1

Upon seeing the caller ID on the phone screen, Ning Shouchang knew it was Nie Zhenbang. It seemed that the investigation in Pengcheng City was drawing to a close. Otherwise, given Nie Zhenbang’s character, he would never call him.

He picked up the phone, and Nie Zhenbang’s voice came through on the other end. “Uncle Ning, are you busy?”

Ning Shouchang also replied with a smile, “Not too bad, I have a signing ceremony for a project at around ten o’clock. How is it, Zhenbang? Has the investigation in Pengcheng City entered its final stage?”

Nie Zhenbang didn’t beat around the bush. Ning Shouchang was one of their own, hence no need for unnecessary formality. He then laughed and said, “Uncle Ning, you can’t be fooled. Yesterday, I received a whistleblower letter reporting Wen Saiying, the secretary of the Pengcheng City Committee. The letter has been handed over to the special team of the Jiangbei Province Disciplinary Committee. This time, Wen Saiying will undoubtedly lose his position.”

The attitude and tone Nie Zhenbang took while talking to Ning Shouchang was just right. Although Ning Shouchang was part of the Nie faction, this wasn’t the same. Strictly speaking, Ning Shouchang should be considered part of the old man’s faction, after all, he was taken in by the old man before his death. After the old man passed away, the relationship between Ning Shouchang and the Nie family became less hierarchical and more equal.

Now, the relationship between Ning Shouchang and the Nie family is more akin to mutual benefit and interdependence.

...

As for himself, if he were to act pretentious in front of Ning Shouchang as the future heir of the Nie faction, it can be assured that even if Ning Shouchang doesn’t articulate it, he would definitely feel uncomfortable.

The current attitude was perfect; neither humble nor arrogant. It showed his respect for Ning Shouchang and demonstrated the demeanor of the future Nie family leader.

On the other end of the line, upon hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Ning Shouchang was silent for a moment, then nodded, saying: “Zhenbang, I understand.”

Ning Shouchang’s attitude made Nie Zhenbang laugh. He was indeed a senior-level official. Now it seems that Ning Shouchang, who rose from deputy governor to his current position, did not achieve his success by sheer luck.

The investigation of a prefecture-level city committee secretary was a serious matter, which needed to be discussed and voted on at a provincial committee meeting. If Ning Shouchang had made any big claims at this point, it would be unrealistic.

…

At two o’clock in the afternoon, Ning Shouchang had just arrived from his home when his secretary, Su Jinguo, stood up and reported, “Governor, just now, Secretary Chen of the Provincial Committee called. Secretary Shen announced that there will be a committee meeting at two-thirty in the Provincial Committee meeting room, specifically to discuss the situation in Pengcheng City.”

Ning Shouchang nodded. The fact that a committee meeting was to be held was obvious. The situation in Pengcheng City, which had escalated from a minor incident, now involved many problems with Wen Saiying. It would have been odd if a committee meeting had not been called.

He glanced at his wristwatch and said thoughtfully, “Jinguo. It is now two o’clock and five minutes. Remind me in twenty minutes. Five minutes is enough to get from here to the Provincial Committee meeting room.”

At two twenty-nine, Ning Shouchang was right on time. Just as he arrived at the corridor outside the Provincial Committee meeting room, Shen Yanshuo was coming from the opposite direction, hands clasped behind his back, looking solemn.

At this moment, the two heavyweights of the Jiangbei Provincial Committee were looking at each other. Behind them, their secretaries were doing the same, both holding notebooks and teacups.

However, Ning Shouchang began to smile and greeted Shen Yanshuo, “Secretary Shen, please.”

Having bided his time for several years, Nie Zhenbang had now come, stirring up the situation in Jiangbei. This was a golden opportunity for the Nie faction to turn things around and vent their frustrations. However impatient they were, a day or half a day wouldn’t make a difference.

Shen Yanshuo’s gaze lingered on Ning Shouchang, a complex look on his face. He looked him over, grunted lightly, then nodded, “Governor Shou Chang, let’s go in together.”

At this moment, the Jiangbei Provincial Committee meeting room was filled with a solemn and quiet atmosphere. Inside the simple and dignified meeting room, two computers were humming away on opposite corners. It was only April or May, yet the room felt stifling and hot.

Seeing the two heavyweights from the Provincial Committee arriving together was a surprise to all the standing committee members. All officials in Jiangbei Province knew that the relationship between Secretary Shen and Governor Ning was not harmonious. There were even many contradictions. So why were they now suddenly so amicable, even arriving at the meeting together?

Shen Yanshuo took his seat at the center of the table. To his left was Ning Shouchang and to his right was Wang Daan, the full-time deputy secretary of the Provincial Committee. The other standing committee members took their seats according to their rankings in the committee.

Shen Yanshuo looked serious and after glancing at everyone, he gently placed his left hand on the notebook before slowly announcing, “Comrades, this time, in convening this urgent meeting, the main issue to address is regarding the situation involving Comrade Wen Saiying from Pengcheng City. Let’s discuss and set the tone.”

As he spoke, Shen Yanshuo shifted his gaze to the secretary of the Provincial Disciplinary Committee, Sun Daliang, and asked in a deep voice, “Comrade Da Liang, please provide an update according to whatever you and the Provincial Disciplinary Committee have gathered about the situation in Pengcheng City.”

Following Shen Yanshuo’s command, the secretary of the Provincial Disciplinary Committee, Sun Daliang, shifted in his seat. After scanning the room, he announced, “Secretary Shen, leaders, and comrades, regarding the case in Pengcheng City, after the involvement of the three departments and under the close attention of Secretary Shen and Governor Ning, our disciplinary committee and political and legal committee have attached great importance to this. An investigation team made up of the provincial disciplinary committee, supervision department and public security department was immediately established and dispatched to Pengcheng City. In the subsequent days of investigation, the progress of the case has been rapid with many leads and several key pieces of evidence.”

Truly, the main evidence for the Pengcheng City task force came from the reports transferred by the three departments. However, Sun Daliang couldn’t say it like that in such a meeting. This was not about applying a veneer of gold to oneself, but was a question of the prestige of the disciplinary committee as a team.

“Through the investigation, Pengcheng Municipal Party Committee Secretary, Comrade Wen Saiying, provided considerable facilitation and protection for his son, Wen Long’s criminal activities during his tenure as deputy director, director, deputy mayor, executive deputy mayor, deputy secretary, and secretary of the Pengcheng Municipal Construction Bureau. This has caused serious damage to the fundamental interests of the state and the people and has had an extremely adverse impact on the party and government.”

As Sun Daliang paused, the members of the provincial standing committee were no longer sitting upright. They were more or less surprised. Wen Saiying has overstepped the mark; he acted as if he was a local emperor.

Continuing on, Sun Daliang added, “Further, according to the investigation, Comrade Wen Saiying has provided conveniences to some companies during his tenure as Deputy Mayor, who was in charge of the Department of Land and Construction. He accepted huge amounts of bribes, amounting to more than ten million yuan. I propose that immediate action be taken against Wen Saiying to remove him from the positions of Pengcheng Municipal Party Committee Secretary, Standing Committee member and committee member. We should implement a dual designation for investigation, and after the case ends, transfer it to the procuratorate for indictment.”

At Sun Daliang’s conclusion, the room fell silent. If it was about discussing the progress of the case and analyzing the case, contributions would have been enthusiastic. However, Sun Daliang’s final summation and his decisive handling suggestion were rather sensitive.

At this time, none of the standing committee members dared to voice their opinions. If it was still speculative and only required a dual designation for investigation, that would have been acceptable. This was because that would have been speculation and not an actual fact, and it could be seen as protecting comrades below. By using this excuse, diverse opinions could have been expressed. But now? Under the circumstances of established factual evidence, which standing committee member would be foolish enough to absolve Wen Saiying at such a juncture?

“I think Comrade Da Liang’s opinion is good. For such disrespectful behavior to party discipline and national laws, we should show such courage and resolution. I agree with Comrade Da Liang’s handling of Wen Saiying’s case,” Shen Yanshuo looked around at everyone and unexpectedly interjected.

Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freewebnσvel.cøm.

However, Shen Yanshuo then provided a twist, speaking more slowly, “However.”

In the officialdom, within the system, the most feared is this kind of twist in the words. Once such words appear, even though it may start with praises, it could possibly be followed by something lethal.

Ning Shouchang frowned upon hearing this. He was wondering what Shen Yanshuo meant or what his intentions were.

Continuing on from earlier, Shen Yanshuo spoke with a smile, “Pengcheng City is an important industrial city in our Jiangbei. As the saying goes, a country cannot be without a ruler for a day, and a house cannot be without a host for a day. The work in Pengcheng City cannot be left in chaos. I propose transferring Deputy Secretary Comrade Hu Yong of Huaizhou City to Pengcheng City to serve as the Party Committee Secretary.”

Upon hearing Shen Yanshuo’s words, several standing committee members of his faction nodded in agreement. Wen Saiying belonged to the Li faction, and so did Hu Yong. Although Wen Saiying had fallen, the promotion of Hu Yong did not represent a loss for the Li faction.

However, the other standing committee members frowned. Shen Yanshuo’s proposal was too outrageous. It was like he wanted to monopolize the benefits and not share them with others.

Upon seeing this, Ning Shouchang cleared his throat and said, “Secretary Shen, I want to say a few words.”

At Ning Shouchang’s words, Shen Yanshuo had a uneasy feeling, but he gave Ning Shouchang the space to speak. He nodded slightly and indicated, “Governor Shou Chang, if you have something to say, please speak!”

“Secretary Shen, comrades. On the subject of the Pengcheng City Party Committee Secretary, I think, right now, Pengcheng City is in a sensitive period. The investigation into Comrade Wen Saiying has not yet reached a clear conclusion. I think it’s best to have a cadre from Pengcheng City temporarily leading the work. Personally, I believe it would be most suitable to have Comrade Zhou Taian, the Deputy Party Secretary and Mayor of Pengcheng City, take overall responsibility for the work of the Pengcheng City Committee.”

The moment his words ended, an idea surged in the minds of many standing committee members of the Jiangbei Provincial Committee – with the arrival of Nie Zhenbang, the Nie Faction is preparing to make a comeback.

PS: This chapter is auto-updated. Later, I’ll be visiting my uncle’s house and might be able to squeeze out another chapter, so the update time will be uncertain. Brothers and sisters, check back tomorrow. (