Reborn as a Noble's Son

Chapter 709: Chapter 665: Desperate Measures_1
 

Feng Tianqi was also extremely irate. After all, his father was still a figure of real power in the Xibei region, whose words carried weight. He was also one of the thirteen standing members of the Xibei Autonomous Region Party Committee. Just because they were from the central government, did it mean they could treat him with such disrespect? Weren’t they just making it impossible for him to save face?

However, Feng Tianqi hadn’t thought about the fact that at the central public spending regulation meeting, the duty of the public spending office was to supervise and inspect the execution of the public spending regulations in central government institutions, ministries, state-owned enterprises and the first batch of twenty-four pilot provinces and cities. In other words, not just the cities below, but also the various departments of the Xibei Autonomous Region Party Committee and Government, the People’s Congress, the Political Consultative Conference, all of these came under the supervision and inspection of the public spending office. Even if you were the vice chairman of the autonomous region, you would have to give some face to the public spending office, let alone if you were Li Yifeng.

Just as Feng Tianqi finished speaking, Nie Zhenbang walked in from outside. His face didn’t look good. It’s all well and good to be born into privilege, with powerful parents. But, if that privilege is used to commit nefarious acts, it’s utterly disgraceful. People like these were, in Nie Zhenbang’s eyes, the lowest of the low. Zhou Chen was one such person in the past, and now, this Feng Tianqi was yet another example.

Before Huang Xudong could speak, Nie Zhenbang said solemnly, “Those who are clean remain clean, those who are corrupted remain corrupted. Whether you pay the bill or not, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that these officials of Kulin County have violated the public spending regulations. Whoever pays, it’s a severe disciplinary violation. If you pay, it’s an even more serious disciplinary violation. Are you sure you want to pay?”

Nie Zhenbang’s tone and presence were obviously different from Huang Xudong’s. Looking at Nie Zhenbang, Feng Tianqi felt as if he was facing his father.

This statement made Deng Chunhe and Niu Zhian blanch. They had already more or less figured out who this man was. Judging by his demeanor and appearance, this man was none other than the once famous Mayor Nie of Xibei, now the head of the public spending office.

There was a trap in these words. If they admitted that the feast was hosted by the Kulin County Party Committee and its government, that would be a violation of the public spending regulations. Punishment would certainly follow. But if they accepted the meal from someone else, then they could be suspected of bribery and corruption.

If they violate the public spending regulations, at worst, they might be dismissed. If they handle the situation correctly, they might only receive a reprimand within the party. But if there are suspicions of corruption and bribery, that’s not so simple. If the Commission for Discipline Inspection investigates and finds evidence, detention wouldn’t be the worst-case scenario. If things were confirmed, they could even end up in jail.

With these thoughts, Deng Chunhe stood up, smiling awkwardly and said, “The leader is joking. We were just hosting a private banquet for President Feng of Rhea Group, to express our gratitude for Rhea Group’s support of Kulin County’s economic development.”

After some time, Deng Chunhe had regained his composure. You say we violated the public spending regulations? But those only apply to public expenses. Now, I’m paying out of pocket. You can’t say anything about that, right? Even though this meal cost tens of thousands, as long as we overcome this hurdle, it would be worth it to pay even a hundred thousand. As soon as these people leave, Kulin County, being remote and out of sight from the emperor, can easily find a reason to reimburse the expenses.

Deng Chunhe’s words enlightened Niu Zhian, the county governor of Kulin County People’s Government. He agreed, “Yes, Secretary Deng is right. Leader, you misunderstood. This meal was completely paid out of our private funds in the name of the Party Committee. The entire cost was shared among us.”

This kind of situation had occurred many times under the supervision and inspection of the public spending office. Gathering evidence for official receptions is always the hardest. This was the most frustrating part. Even though they knew these people were making excuses, there was nothing they could do about it.

Furthermore, they also knew that they would definitely balance the books afterwards using public funds, for example via office funds, maintenance funds, or under some other pretext. But the people from the public spending office can’t possibly all stay here, can they?

Nie Zhenbang sneered. He was already used to these tricks. There was no need to continue arguing over this. After glancing around at everyone from Kulin County, Nie Zhenbang turned his gaze to Deng Chunhe. “Are you Deng Chunhe, the Secretary of Kulin County Party Committee?” he said somberly.

Without waiting for Deng Chunhe to respond, Nie Zhenbang asked another question, “We’ll leave the issue of who’s paying for this meal aside for now. Whether you are paying privately or it’s a public expenditure will naturally be thoroughly investigated later. Right now, I want to ask you about the Touareg SUV with the license plate Xi K-00001 parked downstairs. According to data provided by the administrative office of the Xibei Autonomous Region Party Committee, that number plate belongs to a Pusang. Comrade Deng Chunhe, I would like an explanation.”

As he spoke his last sentence, Nie Zhenbang’s facial expression and attitude were absolutely serious. His eyes were sharp and he was devoid of smiles. He was staring intently at Deng Chunhe.

Under Nie Zhenbang’s intense pressure, Deng Chunhe’s mouth twitched. At this moment, he stood there like a primary school student who had made a mistake. The room was silent. The atmosphere became increasingly awkward and tense.

Seeing Deng Chunhe in this state, Nie Zhenbang sneered and then said, “Comrade Deng Chunhe, please send someone to take us to the Kulin County Party Committee. And please ask the comrades of the Kulin County Party Committee to cooperate with us and bring out the accounts of the public expenditures over the years.”

This was the source of the embarrassment of the Sango Agency. Whether it’s exceeding the standard for official receptions or official vehicles. It all falls under the category of lifestyle issues. In other words, under the current system, these problems can’t cause an official to step down immediately. In other words, Nie Zhenbang has no law enforcement powers. The only thing the Sango Agency can do is to find disciplinary issues and record them in the file, affecting career progression. If there is a serious disciplinary issue, and even economic or corruption issues are involved, then it’s handed over to the local provincial disciplinary committee for handling.

This was why Nie Zhenbang changed the topic after seeing Deng Chunhe was left speechless. If they continued to deadlock, Deng Chunhe would be very embarrassed, but the Sango Agency would be even more embarrassed.

Hearing this, a smile emerged on Niu Zhian’s face. He immediately stepped forward, bowing and nodding his head, saying repeatedly, “Yes, yes, the leadership’s criticism is correct. We will correct our mistakes. We will cooperate with the inspection work of the superior department. Director Ma, now, immediately notify the comrades from the reception office at the Kulin County Party Committee. Arrange for the leaders’ accommodations. And have the comrades from the office affairs bureau prepare the account books immediately.”

Of course, when they went downstairs, Nie Zhenbang’s side did not forget this highly conspicuous Touareg vehicle. Photos were taken of this vehicle and the several official vehicles next to it. It wasn’t ordinary photography. The local special passes issued by Kulin County, and various related evidences such as the vehicle’s driving licenses, were all photographed.

Watching Nie Zhenbang and the others drive away from the hotel, Feng Tianqi’s face darkened in the box. He waved his hand and said in a low voice, “Take all these away.”

When there were no outsiders left in the box, Feng Tianqi finally looked at Deng Chunhe and said, “Old Deng, don’t worry, this is not a big deal. When the time comes, with my grandfather behind me, at worst, I just won’t hold the post of County Party Secretary anymore. Once the storm passes, transferring to a new place would mean a promotion of a rank or half a rank.”

As soon as Feng Tianqi’s words fell, Deng Chunhe’s brow furrowed. However, he didn’t say anything. Instead, along with Feng Tianqi, they reassured the other members of the Kulin County Party Committee. After everyone had left,

Deng Chunhe turned to Feng Tianqi and said, “Younger Feng, I fear this matter might not be ordinary.”

“I’ve heard about Nie Zhenbang’s character and the way he does things, but today, Nie Zhenbang deliberately changed the subject to accounting. I think, the people of the Sango Agency are not here for the Sango regulations, could it be for the development and demolition of the new city?” At first, with many people present, Deng Chunhe didn’t openly state it. At this moment, with only him and Feng Tianqi left, he expressed his concerns without any apprehension.

As soon as Deng Chunhe finished speaking, Feng Tianqi’s brow furrowed as well. As the son of a high-ranking official, Feng Tianqi may be arrogant, but he is not unlearned. Deng Chunhe said as much, and Feng Tianqi’s expression became tense. He knew very well how many issues and violations were involved in the development of Kulin New City by his Rhea Group. If this really gets revealed by Nie Zhenbang, he feared not even his father could save him.

After a moment of silence, Feng Tianqi said with a serious expression, “Old Deng, are you suggesting that the old man reported to Nie Zhenbang?”

Deng Chunhe’s expression was also very serious, he nodded and said, “Younger Feng, this is just a suspicion and a premonition. Currently, I’m not completely sure. However, the Sango Agency has been conducting inspections in a regular and orderly manner. But here, instead of going to Atai City first, they secretly visited Kulin County, we have to be cautious.”

After a pause, Deng Chunhe continued, “Younger Feng, in my view, we can’t let the Sango Agency continue their inspection here freely, otherwise, I’m afraid there would be too many issues as the night goes on.”

Hearing Deng Chunhe’s words, Feng Tianqi abruptly stood up and said to Deng Chunhe, “Old Deng, we can’t wait anymore, indeed we can’t wait. In my view, we need to be the first to make a move against them, you send someone to detain that old man. Arrest those two children as well and put them under house arrest. They can’t be allowed any contact with Nie. If necessary…”

PS: Sorry, I had urgent matters and skipped an update yesterday. The updates this month are not satisfactory, there were just too much personal matters. In September, I will update three times daily. (.)