Reborn as a Noble's Son

Chapter 651: Chapter 607 Counterattack!_1

“Comrade Mingyang, facts have proven that it’s undesirable to chase after insubstantial matters. This can seriously dampen the enthusiasm of our comrades. WangHai City is a municipality directly under the central government, and Comrade Nie Zhenbang is a cadre directly managed by the central government. Granted, our Minnan Province, the Provincial Committee and the Provincial Government, shoulder the heavy responsibility of coordination and trusteeship. But without any reason, carrying out such an investigation on a deputy provincial-level cadre, how will others perceive this?” Qiao Yiren spoke sternly, his words sharp and piercing to the heart.

Yi Mingyang was also becoming nervous at this moment. Ever since the investigation team returned to Minzhou without results, Yi Mingyang had felt that Qiao Yiren would definitely take advantage of the situation. And so it turned out.

“Secretary Qiao, your criticism is correct, on this matter, I made a subjective judgment. I admit, that was my mistake and I request the organization to criticize me. I have been misled by some rumors from comrades at work. I will make a thorough review of my behavior.” At this moment, Yi Mingyang was straightforward, readily admitting his mistake.

Yi Mingyang had a clear understanding that in such a matter, Qiao Yiren would at most seize the opportunity to damage his reputation. Anyway, he did not have much prestige in Minnan Province to begin with. He didn’t care if this dwindled further because of this incident.@@novelbin@@

A true man should be able to yield or resist as necessary. The Prince of Yue, Goujian, could sleep on brushwood and taste gall. Han Xin could endure humiliation. What did a little grievance count for?

Seeing Yi Mingyang like this, Qiao Yiren didn’t quite know how to respond. He then nodded and said, “Comrade Mingyang, this matter, and the results of the investigation must be published in the Minnan Daily. Without doing so, it will not sufficiently show the sincerity of our Provincial Committee. As for Comrade Nie Zhenbang, he should be handled gently. Don’t let Comrade Zhenbang go back with feelings of resentment.”

Nie Zhenbang had known the moment the investigation team returned without results from WangHai City. Although he had been living in Minzhou during this time, he had never broken off contact with the outside world. As for Hu Jiawang, Nie Zhenbang had already made a comprehensive plan in his mind.

At this moment, there was a knock on the door. Opening it, Yi Mingyang and Municipal Party Secretary Tian Xujian were standing in the doorway.

Seeing the two of them, Nie Zhenbang’s face suddenly darkened. In terms of rank, the three of them were all at the level of Deputy Minister. However, Yi Mingyang and Tian Xujian were both members of the Minnan Provincial Committee Standing Committee, having higher positions within the party. However, administratively, they were equals.

Then Nie Zhenbang scoffed and asked, “Deputy Secretary Yi, Secretary Tian, what brings you here?”

The words were extremely cold, creating an unwelcoming atmosphere. Yi Mingyang and Tian Xujian felt an awkward loss of face.

Normally, as members of the Provincial Committee Standing Committee, their courtesy visit should show their higher status, Nie Zhenbang should not have shown such an attitude.

However, Nie Zhenbang did just that. The old saying ‘do not slap a laughing face’ was, to Nie Zhenbang, utter nonsense.

Yi Mingyang’s face grew awkward. He exchanged a glance with Tian Xujian. Yi Mingyang then smiled and said, “Mayor Zhenbang, this time we came specifically to report to you about the investigation.”

“Oh? Deputy Secretary Yi, didn’t you confidently claim that I, Nie Zhenbang, must be guilty? So, has the investigation made things clear now? Did I, Nie Zhenbang, really do something disgraceful? That’s alright, I’m here, waiting for the results and opinions of the authorities and the organization. I’ll say it again, I will firmly follow the decisions of the organization.” Nie Zhenbang subtly retaliated.

Yi Mingyang looked very embarrassed at that moment and couldn’t find anything to say. Back when he spoke to Nie Zhenbang supposed cautionary talk, Yi Mingyang’s attitude and aura were indeed too strong.

Meanwhile, Tian Xujian hesitated for a moment. The situation had come to a standstill. Daylight was waning, at this time, he knew if he didn’t say anything Yi Mingyang wouldn’t know how to proceed.

Then, Tian Xujian smiled and said, “Mayor Zhenbang, we are all advanced leaders of the Party. Let’s not get upset and confrontational, shall we? The organization’s investigation of you also represents a responsible attitude towards you. It shows the organization’s appreciation of you.”

Before he could finish, Nie Zhenbang snorted coldly, “Secretary Tian, if this is the organization’s appreciation, then I hope the organization would ‘appreciate’ you too.”

Seeing the conversation going in this direction, Yi Mingyang realized that Nie Zhenbang was now in a state of having no fear due to his strong backing. He was using this opportunity to vent his anger.

Yi Mingyang chuckled inwardly, but smiled outwardly, saying, “Comrade Zhenbang, it’s understandable to feel wronged by this unwarranted accusation. Comrade Xujian and I were also misled by some comrades. We were prejudiced. Here, I personally express my sincere apology to you, Comrade Zhenbang. As for those who spread rumors and create trouble, I suggest that the Wanghai City Party Committee and City Government must deal with them stringently.”

At this point, sacrificing Hu Jiawang was the only choice. Under such circumstances, one has to bow to the vicissitudes of the situation; otherwise, pacifying Nie Zhenbang’s anger would be virtually impossible. Now, Nie Zhenbang was on the side of righteousness. If the situation escalates and reaches the central government, Secretary General Shen, who has just taken office, would urgently have to make a couple of ‘chickens’ an example to warn all the ‘monkeys’ across the nation. Yi Mingyang definitely did not want to be one of those ‘chickens’.

At the side, Tian Xujian also nodded knowingly and said, “Mayor Zhenbang, in regards to Comrade Hu Jiawang, who intentionally defamed his superiors, although Comrade Hu is also a victim, he, as a senior official, is unable to discern right from wrong. I suggest that we should impose disciplinary punishments within the party on Comrade Jiawang.”

A party disciplinary punishment might seem irrelevant as it does not include demotion or fines but only inner party censure. However, those within the system understand that even a demotion is bearable because one can always rise again. A disciplinary punishment, on the other hand, signifies the end—it is marked in personal records and can hardly be dismissed, especially for a high-level official in the province like Hu Jiawang. Essentially, with this record, Hu Jiawang’s future prospects were deemed to have come to a halt.

Yi Mingyang also nodded and said, “That’s right, Comrade Zhenbang. You have been taking care of the work in Wanghai City. I think it’s high time for you to return and deal with the city’s affairs. The officials here in Wanghai are ready. They are waiting for your return.”

Yi Mingyang made the decision without consulting Tian Xujian. Tian was taken aback when he first heard about it, but he immediately understood.

The situation had already developed to this stage. Another problem wouldn’t make any difference. Nie Zhenbang’s return to his post would not only enhance his prestige in Wanghai City to a whole new level, but it would also allow him to serve his purpose.

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang also nodded, and after a short pause, he said, “Thank you, Secretary Yi, for clearing my name. May I return to work?”

Nie Zhenbang knew that in any situation, everything had to be done in moderation—doing too much might backfire. Neither Yi Mingyang nor Tian Xujian would initiate an investigation without reason. Yes, Nie Zhenbang felt wronged, but individuals must obey the organization, and the part should serve the whole. He couldn’t possibly negotiate terms with the organization.

Both Yi Mingyang and Tian Xujian were forced into this position, and most importantly, Hu Jiawang had been disciplined within the party, which was already a rare achievement. Naturally, at this point, Nie Zhenbang would stop at once when he saw his advantage.

…

Again on Minwang Expressway, and at the Wanghai City’s exit.

At this moment, the top four leaders of the Wanghai Municipal Party Committee, the Standing Committee members, and the City Government team members had all gathered here.

Hu Jiawang seemed a bit downcast. He had already received the document delivered by the Provincial Party Committee’s Organization Department in the afternoon regarding his disciplinary punishment. Evidently, this was the beginning of Nie Zhenbang’s counter-attack.

However, Hu Jiawang did not anticipate the resolute decision of Tian Xujian and Yi Mingyang. Without hesitation, they cut him loose.

On the road, all the leaders were standing by the highway exit. The area was temporarily blocked by dozens of police officers. Without realizing it, the leaders kept a certain distance from Hu Jiawang. He had done something contemptible. In the city government, Mayor Nie did not suppress him or single him out. But in return, Hu Jiawang had acted in a way that was somewhat ungrateful. He was the kind of official people were most wary of. They didn’t dare to befriend him. Who knew when they might be reported by him and bring trouble on themselves? In the entire Wanghai City, even Tian Xujian probably didn’t have as much courage as Mayor Nie, who confronted the Provincial Party Deputy Secretary to his face, was able to make Yi Mingyang apologize. Such an ability was not a common trait.

At this moment, the official vehicles of Nie Zhenbang and Tian Xujian, one following the other, exited the highway. But this time, Nie Zhenbang’s car was in front. As soon as it exited the highway, it slowly parked by the roadside.

Nie Zhenbang stepped out of the car and shook hands with the welcoming leaders, deliberately ignoring Hu Jiawang. This behavior made Hu Jiawang look even more bitter. It seemed Mayor Nie was ready for a counter-attack.

As soon as he got in the car, Li Jupeng waited and said from the passenger seat, “Mayor, I heard Jiang Ruoxuan is preparing to go abroad.”

Nie Zhenbang was slightly taken aback at those words and then nodded, sighing, “Going abroad? That’s fine, in the foreign environment, Jiang Ruoxuan should be like a fish in water. Let it be then.” (To Be Continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on . Your support is my biggest motivation).