Reborn as a Noble's Son

Chapter 678: Chapter 634: Decisive Ban_1

After hanging up, Zhao Fei began to ponder. He was well-aware of the situation at the Red Star Chemical Factory. Going over there at this moment, he was sure to face Mayor Nie’s fury. He had a fair understanding of Mayor Nie’s character – domineering and assertive. However, as far as every situation was concerned, Mayor Nie stood on the side of justice. If he were to go over now, he was bound to receive a scolding. Being chastised was small matter. What mattered far more was the potential impact on his future prospects.

At this moment, it would be better to wait and let the Red Star Chemical Factory experience the wrath first. When the time comes, there will still be room for him to manoeuvre.

Almost immediately, Zhao Fei picked up the phone again and dialed Tian Xujian’s number: “Secretary Tian, this is Zhao Fei. Are you free right now? I have an important situation to report to you.”

When Tian Xujian received Zhao Fei’s call, he chuckled. His attitude was quite amiable: “Comrade Zhao Fei, you sound so anxious. That’s unlike you at all. What’s going on? Is there anything urgent?”

Tian Xujian always treated Zhao Fei politely. On one hand, Zhao Fei was one of the first officials who allied with him after he took office in WangHai. On the other hand, Zhao Fei held the position of a standing committee member of the Municipal Party Committee. Considering these factors, Zhao Fei held substantial weight in Tian Xujian’s view.

“Secretary Tian, here is the situation.” Zhao Fei then proceeded to explain about what Nie Zhenbang had been dealing at the Red Star Chemical Factory in the high-tech zone, immediately adding, “Secretary Tian, I admit that the High-tech Zone Work Committee and Management Committee have made mistakes in their work. I request the organization to punish me. Also, about the case of the Red Star Chemical Factory, I will absolutely obey the organization’s decision.”

...

Hearing Zhao Fei’s words, Tian Xujian also began to consider. Even though Zhao Fei tried his best to remove himself from any blame, he couldn’t possibly deceive Tian Xujian. As the secretary of the High-tech Zone Work Committee and knowing that the villagers of Zhangshugang Village were strongly opposed, it was impossible for him not to have been aware of the Red Star Chemical Factory that has been operating for nearly eight years.

Moreover, Tian Xujian was clear about Nie Zhenbang’s determination and vigor in investigating pollution. Back when Nie Zhenbang was in Liangxi City, he didn’t even fear international disputes over pollution issues, would he be afraid of a standing committee member now?

This situation posed a dilemma for Tian Xujian. If he didn’t support Zhao Fei, Nie Zhenbang might take this opportunity to bring down Zhao Fei. In times past, while in Liangxi City, Nie Zhenbang had done such things before. Losing a standing committee member would be a loss for Tian Xujian. The power he had fought so hard for could be left hanging. On the other hand, every official city-wide knows that Zhao Fei had joined his camp. If he didn’t rescue Zhao Fei, other officials would definitely notice. That would be another problem. Disappointing Zhao Fei would be a small issue, but if the entire body of officials were to be deterred from him, that would be a significant issue.

But if he intervened, there would be considerations as well. Over time, his relationship with Nie Zhenbang had been quite intimate. However, could this situation have an impact on their relationship? With Nie Zhenbang’s strong background, if things came to life and death, Tian Xujian might not end up on the winning side. That was the difficult part for Tian Xujian. @@novelbin@@

After considering for quite some time, Tian Xujian ultimately picked up the phone.

By this moment, having received the news, the owner of the Red Star Chemical Factory had already hurriedly reached the factory gate, with dust all over his face.

Upon seeing the grim expression on Nie Zhenbang’s face, Zhao Li also nodded and walked over to greet him. Nie Zhenbang didn’t show any pleasantries and asked sternly, “You are the owner of the Red Star Chemical Factory?”

As Zhao Li nodded, Nie Zhenbang sternly stated, “Your factory has no pollution prevention measures, do you know that? You will have to face legal consequences. This is attempted murder!”

Just as he finished speaking, his assistant, Li Jupeng, came over from behind and whispered, “Mayor, Secretary Tian’s call.”

Upon hearing this, Nie Zhenbang was taken aback. It seemed the rumors were indeed true. The factory owner was indeed connected to Zhao Fei. Otherwise, how could Secretary Tian’s call come so rapidly? And yet, Zhao Fei was nowhere to be found. It takes merely three steps to get to here from the High-tech Zone Management Committee. By car, it wouldn’t take more than five minutes. But now, almost half an hour had passed and Zhao Fei was still absent. This was evidence enough that Zhao Fei was deliberately avoiding him.

If it had been the old him, he would have refused to answer such a call. But since the teachings of Secretary Shen and Secretary Qiao, Nie Zhenbang’s style of work had become much more restrained. He ordered in a serious tone, “Ju Peng, you are to cooperate with the villagers and keep proper records. We must investigate this matter completely.”

With this, Nie Zhenbang answered the call, moved aside, and said, “Secretary Tian, what can I do for you?”

In these words, Nie Zhenbang’s fiery temper clearly shone through. Upon hearing this, Tian Xujian was deep in thought. Nie Zhenbang was indeed cunning, for with these words, Tian found it difficult to plead for mercy. This was indeed a form of psychological pressure on Tian.

However, at this moment, Tian Xujian could only brace himself and ask: “Mayor Zhenbang, I heard that you are now at the Red Star Chemical Factory in the High-tech Zone?”

“Secretary Tian, indeed, I was just about to report this to you. You did not see the site. The entire Dachang River is polluted, deeply stained, and the fish and shrimp in the river have all been polluted to death. The entire vicinity of the Red Star Chemical Factory, including the neighboring villages, have long been suffering immensely. On this matter, I suggest that we must severely punish the boss of the Red Star Chemical Factory and resolutely ban the factory.” Nie Zhenbang declared resoundingly.

On this matter, at this time, coincidentally, Tian Xujian called, which surely could not hide any dirty tricks. The purpose must certainly be to plead for Zhao Fei. Therefore, Nie Zhenbang had already determined his attitude and tone before Tian Xujian made his move.

Listening to Nie Zhenbang’s words, Tian Xujian felt considerably at ease. With these words, Nie Zhenbang had already made his stance clear.

Immediately afterwards, Tian Xujian stated righteously: “Mayor Zhenbang, I agree with your views. Nowadays, our Wanghai City is vigorously introducing high-tech industries. Internet high-tech industries from all over are also settling down in Wanghai. As for companies like the Red Star Chemical Factory, I agree with banning them. Moreover, on the issue of Zhao Fei, the secretary of the High-tech Zone Work Committee, I suggest having a stern talk with him. How about you, Mayor Zhenbang, representing the organization and having a chat with comrade Zhao Fei?”

This cunning old fox surely knows how to make light of the situation. Hearing Tian Xujian’s words, Nie Zhenbang couldn’t help but curse internally. In theory, it wouldn’t be a big problem to take down Zhao Fei, considering the factory had been operating for eight years and the High-tech Zone was responsible.

However, since Tian Xujian proposed it, if Nie Zhenbang insisted at this time, relations on both sides would become estranged.

After some thought, Nie Zhenbang nodded: “Secretary Tian, I think it would be better if you talk to Comrade Zhao Fei. Moreover, I believe that the High-tech Zone’s Environmental Protection Department and the High-tech Zone Management Committee should also bear the corresponding responsibilities. What do you think?”

Having secured Zhao Fei’s position, and moreover, with Nie Zhenbang giving him the opportunity to have a stern talk, it was clear that while Zhao Fei could be spared, those responsible must be held accountable. Tian Xujian fully understood this. For such a significant matter to have occurred without official support and cover, it was impossible not to hold some officials accountable. The main goal had been achieved, and Tian Xujian was not bothered about the underlings. He nodded immediately: “I think that’s fine. Let’s proceed according to Mayor Zhenbang’s suggestion.”

After hanging up the phone and rejoining the crowd, Nie Zhenbang overheard the boss of Red Star Chemical Factory, Zhao Li pleading to the villagers of Zhangshugang Village: “Fellow villagers of Zhangshugang Village, your actions are highly unjust. It’s true that the well water of your entire village has been polluted. However, our factory has taken remedial measures, assisting in the process of draining and purifying the well water. You cannot turn your backs on us now.”

Upon hearing these words, the villagers of Zhangshugang became agitated: “Boss Zhao, you must have a conscience when you speak and act. Yes, it is true that you cleaned our wells. However, this is merely a temporary solution to the root cause. In the past, we could understand some pollution, but these past few years, we were unable to grow crops and use the water from the Dachang River for irrigation. You are driving us down a dead-end.”

At this time, a convoy of vehicles arrived from afar, carrying staff from the High-tech Zone Environmental Protection, Industry and Commerce, and Public Security departments. Under the leadership of Work Committee Secretary Zhao Fei, they finally arrived here.

Zhao Fei was out in front and immediately after getting out of the car, he jogged over to Nie Zhenbang: “Mayor Nie, I sincerely apologise for arriving late.”

Nie Zhenbang merely scoffed at this moment, saying: “Secretary Zhao, it isn’t too late. After all, as the Secretary of the High-tech Zone Work Committee, it’s only normal to be busy. So, Secretary Zhao, what are your thoughts on the Red Star Chemical Factory?”

At this point, Zhao Fei had already received Tian Xujian’s instructions. Without any hesitation, he said: “Mayor Nie, as for the Red Star Chemical Factory, the intention of our High-tech Zone Work Committee is to immediately cease operations and to urge the Red Star Chemical Factory to relocate.”

“That’s not enough.” Nie Zhenbang, at this moment, looked around at everyone and said solemnly: “Comrades from the Environmental Protection Department, immediately collect samples from the riverside and the discharge point for examination. As for the Red Star Chemical Factory, my opinion is that the city’s Environmental Protection Bureau and relevant departments should immediately form a joint assessment team to evaluate the surrounding villages and hold the Red Star Chemical Factory accountable, and immediately ban the Red Star Chemical Factory. The relevant responsible persons must be dealt with strictly.” (