Reborn as a Noble's Son

Chapter 853: Chapter 809 Investigation Group

Chapter 853 -809 Investigation Group

Having rushed back to Tianfu City from Huazhi City, even with the use of a helicopter, the round trip had taken until midnight. Stepping out of the Tianfu Military Region and getting into the car, Long Genghua fell into deep thought. Zeng Taiping had died, and in such an unexpected way. This was completely beyond Long Genghua’s expectations.

This time, with Zeng Taiping’s death, the position of head of the Bashu Provincial Party Committee was left hanging open, along with the position of the Provincial Party Secretary-General, and the spots for two standing committee members of the provincial party. That was an opportunity. An opportunity for promotion. Within the system, on the bureaucratic field, what is everyone competing for? They are competing for positions, for a rise in rank to the level of the central government. Any struggle could lead to irreversible serious consequences. Since Elder Nan, the domestic struggles among various families had all adhered to a basic bottom line. No matter how you compete, it must not go against the overall economic situation. This is an inviolable bottom line. So, now in Jingcheng, although different families overtly and covertly vie against each other, not acknowledging each other’s influence, to put it bluntly, they were competing for longevity. Whoever outlives the other becomes the final victor.

Now, Zeng Taiping had died, and upon a careful count, within Bashu Province, those with the qualifications to directly take the position of Provincial Party Secretary were only Nie Zhenbang and myself.

Granted, Nie Zhenbang was the governor, but Nie Zhenbang had significant disadvantages. Nie Zhenbang had been serving as a deputy ministerial-level official for just four or five years, and as a full ministerial-level governor for only one year. In terms of seniority, there was just no comparison with myself. Additionally, Nie Zhenbang’s age, all things considered, was only thirty-seven or thirty-eight years old. Age, at the prefecture and department level, is an advantage. But at the provincial and ministerial level, this age becomes a disadvantage.

This point was one of the bureaucratic oddities, where the young desperately try to dress themselves as mature, and the elderly work hard to dress younger.

Of course, Nie Zhenbang also had his advantages. Compared with myself, Nie Zhenbang’s background was more formidable. A great uncle who was a deputy head of the Military Commission, a father who was a deputy in the State Council, and on top of that, he was from a well-established and reputable lineage. In these respects, I simply could not compete.

With a sigh, Long Genghua absent-mindedly began, “Shouzheng, what do you think about how I’m doing?”

Long Genghua’s question left his secretary Wang Shouzheng feeling somewhat puzzled. After a pause, he said in confusion, “Secretary Long, what do you mean?”

At this moment, Long Genghua felt somewhat self-mocking and gave a wry smile, acknowledging that when matters concerned oneself, it was easy to become muddled, which was exactly the state he found himself in now.

After saying this, Long Genghua shook his head and asked, “What’s nothing? Shouzheng, where are we now?”

“We’ve reached Tianfu Avenue,” reported Wang Shouzheng after glancing outside.

One car after another entered the compound of the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government. As soon as Nie Zhenbang got out of the car, Long Genghua approached to meet him: “Governor, what do you think we should do about Secretary Zeng’s funeral and the subsequent matters?”

Returning to Tianfu City, the first objective was to immediately convene a meeting of the standing committee of the Provincial Party Committee. The death of Zeng Taiping was too sudden. Now, as the Provincial Party Vice Secretary and Governor, the primary task was to stabilize the situation within the province until further instructions from the central government were received, that was one aspect. The second objective was to report the incident in detail to the central government and await the arrival of the central investigation team. The third was to consult about the affairs after the deaths of Zeng Taiping and Lu Qingyu.

Looking at Long Genghua, Nie Zhenbang was well aware that Long Genghua’s purpose in stopping him at this time was probably to discuss and consult in advance.

After pondering for a moment, Nie Zhenbang with a grave face and in a deep voice said, “Vice Secretary Long, such a major incident has happened, with the head of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Party Secretary-General both unexpectedly involved. Such an event has never happened before in our country. This time, our Bashu Province is probably going to become infamous nationwide.”

Nie Zhenbang’s words were very to the point. Regarding the death of Zeng Taiping, he neither exaggerated the consequences nor minimized the facts, discussing the matter based purely on facts. This made Long Genghua deeply affected, and he nodded with a sigh, “Given this situation, even if this car accident were just a regular traffic incident, it would have alarmed the central government.”

Nie Zhenbang nodded in agreement and continued, “Vice Secretary Long, good timing, let’s communicate beforehand. Regarding this matter, my stance for now is that the Provincial Party’s propaganda department must take decisive action, any news about the car accident must be sealed up now, waiting for further instructions from the central government. Moreover, regarding the funeral affairs of Comrade Zeng Taiping and Lu Qingyu as well as other comrades, the Provincial Party’s office affairs bureau should prepare to establish a funeral committee. Begin preparations for the affairs that follow. For other aspects, I think it’s better to wait for the people from Jingcheng to arrive.”

After finishing, Nie Zhenbang walked towards the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government office building, where the small conference room on the top floor was already filled with other standing committee members at home.

When Nie Zhenbang entered, the atmosphere in the conference room was somewhat heavy. Bashu Province was not very large, and there was no need to mention Zeng Taiping’s incident; by now, those seated here probably already knew all about it.

Nie Zhenbang and Long Genghua sat down one after the other in their respective seats, while the seat that originally belonged to Zeng Taiping was deliberately left empty.

After a moment of contemplation, Nie Zhenbang looked around at everyone and said in a deep voice, “Comrades, I believe you have all learned about the incident through various channels. At about seven o’clock this evening, Secretary Zeng and Secretary-General Lu’s party met with a traffic accident on National Highway 29, in the Yun Cang Mountain section, while en route to inspect Huazhi City. The rescue efforts were in vain, and they have died.”

It’s one thing to be aware of the news, but a formal announcement is another matter entirely. The mood and expressions of the standing committee members became complex upon hearing these words. Those people from Nie Zhenbang’s faction naturally felt a sense of jubilation.

Next to him, Qin Linlin, the Minister of the Bashu Provincial Party Committee’s Propaganda Department, and Ning Bojun, the Secretary of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, were visibly saddened. As part of Zeng Taiping’s faction, his sudden death was undoubtedly a severe blow to them. Now, it was time to start preparing for their own future.

…

While the Bashu Provincial Committee was convening an emergency standing committee meeting, the situation had also erupted in Jingcheng. The death of Zeng Taiping had alarmed various families in Jingcheng.

What these people cared about was not Zeng Taiping the man, but the vacancy his death had created.

The State Council

Leng Yunfei surveyed the room and said in a stern voice, “A major incident has occurred in Bashu Province. A provincial party secretary died in a car accident during an inspection. What is going on here? What kind of incident is this?”

After pausing, he continued, “Regarding the media issue, we must have strict control. The propaganda department needs to come up with a practical plan. We should highlight the positive image and glorious deeds of Comrade Zeng Taiping during his life. Regarding the car accident, the State Administration of Work Safety and the Public Security Department Traffic Management Bureau should immediately form a professional investigation team and go to Bashu to investigate the causes of the accident and the factual truth.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Nie Guowei raised his hand. Leng Yunfei glanced at him and then nodded, saying, “Old Nie, do you have anything to add?”

Nie Guowei nodded and after a moment’s thought said, “Leng Yunfei, regarding the investigation team, I suggest I take the lead.”

At this point, Nie Guowei paused, then continued, “As for Bashu Province, I am quite familiar with it, having worked there for several years. I am also very familiar with the situation in Bashu, which will be of great help to the entire investigation work. That’s the first point. Second, now with the sudden death of Comrade Zeng Taiping, the situation in Bashu Province is very chaotic. If I go, I am quite familiar with the comrades at all levels in Bashu. Third, my relationship with Comrade Nie Zhenbang. I believe that at this time, my presence in Bashu Province would be quite appropriate.”

Nie Guowei did not shy away from mentioning his relationship with Nie Zhenbang at this moment, as this was not a matter of disciplinary investigation, nor was it a major incident requiring a recusal policy. The death of Zeng Taiping had nothing to do with Nie Zhenbang, and thus there was no need to talk about avoiding involvement.

Moreover, this was where Nie Guowei’s cleverness lay; by openly acknowledging the relationship, others would find it difficult to criticize. Although everyone was aware that Nie Guowei’s presence would inevitably be of help to Nie Zhenbang in taking advantage of the situation, at this point, others found it difficult to object.

After a moment of contemplation, Leng Yunfei also nodded and said, “In that case, let Vice Director Nie serve as the head of the investigation team. Tomorrow morning, he shall immediately head to Bashu Province.”

Inside the Tianfu Airport, preparations were already in full swing. At around two o’clock in the early morning, after receiving a call from his father, Nie Zhenbang immediately went into action, and departments such as Tianfu City public security, fire service, health, sanitation, and others were mobilized. The entire Tianfu City was thus refreshed.

At eight in the morning, just as work was beginning, the central investigative group’s plane had already landed at Tianfu International Airport. On the tarmac, Nie Zhenbang and all the members of the provincial standing committee were in attendance. Nearby, several Toyota Coaster business vans stood ready.

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As the cabin door opened, Nie Guowei was the first to disembark. After shaking hands with each of the Bashu comrades, he got into a business van. Accompanying him were Deputy Director Shao from the State Administration of Work Safety and Deputy Director Li from the State Council Office. Nie Zhenbang and Long Genghua, the current highest leaders of Bashu Province, accompanied them as the convoy swiftly set off and took the airport expressway.

Police sirens had already been sounded up ahead. On the car, Nie Guowei’s eyes were a bit swollen, an indication of his lack of rest the night before. After drinking a sip of strong tea to invigorate his spirits, his gaze fell on Nie Zhenbang, “Zhenbang, tell me, what exactly happened with Zeng Taiping?” (