Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 832 - 788 Unraveling the Cocoon

Chapter 832: Chapter 788: Unraveling the Cocoon

Chapter 832 -788: Unraveling the Cocoon

Listening to Ning Bojun’s analysis, Nie Zhenbang found it completely reasonable and nodded in agreement. Ning Bojun was a seasoned discipline inspector. He had spent his whole life working on this front, accustomed to dealing with all kinds of disciplinary officials.

After a moment of contemplation, Nie Zhenbang also spoke, “Secretary Ning’s analysis is very pertinent and accurate, truly befitting of an experienced discipline inspector. We do need to pay attention to this. A deputy director-level official, also a member of the municipal party committee, actually committed suicide right after the incident; this is certainly not ordinary. I have a premonition that the Xingzhou City flood dike corruption case will become the biggest case in the history of Bashu Province.”

Nie Zhenbang’s determination made everyone present feel somewhat oppressed. The atmosphere was tense and heavy. Beside him, Sun Jialuo, Zhou Yining, Ning Bojun, and Xiang Shuguang all wore solemn expressions and looked very serious.

After a pause, Nie Zhenbang continued, “We’re not going to figure out anything just by talking here. I think we should go to the scene first to see for ourselves and listen to the analysis of the professionals. Comrade Huang Jin will also be coming over after a while. He’s already on his way. Let’s head to the scene first.”

This suggestion was immediately met with agreement from the others, and the group left the Xingzhou City Party Committee Guest House. To receive Nie Zhenbang and his entourage, Xingzhou City had arranged for dedicated personnel to be on standby and provide 24-hour reception. The Secretary-General of the Xingzhou City Party Committee was personally overseeing the arrangements.

When the provincial leaders’ intention to visit the scene was known, several vehicles were quickly dispatched by Xingzhou City. Guided by police cars, the group rushed to the first scene at the Xingzhou City Military District Guest House.

Generally, there’s a standard pattern. The local discipline inspection commissions maintain long-term cooperative relationships with the local military districts. Throughout the investigation process, to ensure confidentiality and independence, they usually sign cooperation agreements with the military districts.

Hence, this time, Li Zigui was also arranged to stay here by the Xingzhou City Discipline Inspection Commission.

When the convoy entered the Xingzhou City Military District Guest House, all of the Xingzhou City Party Committee leadership were already present. At the front, Xingzhou City Party Secretary Li Yunhe, and Mayor Hu Baoguang had already been waiting in the courtyard in front of the guest house.

As Nie Zhenbang and the others got out of their cars, Li Yunhe and Hu Baoguang stepped forward to greet them, looking nervous and uneasy. The sudden death of Li Zigui had put tremendous pressure on both of them.

With such a big mess occurring in Xingzhou City, and now a standing deputy mayor committing suicide, it was enough to send shockwaves to the central government.

“Governor…” As soon as Li Yunhe began to speak, Nie Zhenbang cut him off by raising his hand and said straightforwardly, “Comrade Li Yunhe, let’s not discuss anything else for now. Let’s go to the scene first.”

Hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Li Yunhe immediately felt disheartened. At this point, he knew he had completely lost trust and hope in the eyes of Governor Nie.

On the second floor of the Military District Guest House, this place has been utilized by the Xingzhou City Discipline Inspection Commission for case handling for a long time. The entire second floor is usually open to the public, but typically it’s used internally. Several rooms are specially arranged as interrogation rooms and are not dismantled even when not in use.

Li Zigui’s room was located at the far end of the second floor. Currently, a crowd had gathered in the hallway, and the arrival of Nie Zhenbang and his group made the busy staff from the city’s discipline inspection commission and public security bureau pause in their work.

The room was simple. A standard single room with an attached bathroom. Inside the room, there were no electrical appliances.

At the moment, the room was cordoned off with police tape. Forensic experts were taking photographs of the room from every angle, and trace evidence specialists were also busy examining the room.

Li Zigui’s body had been laid flat on the floor of the room, covered with a white cloth.

At this time, a uniformed individual followed Li Yunhe over. Li Yunhe introduced him to Nie Zhenbang and the others, “Governor, Secretary Ning, and leaders, this is Comrade Chu Guang, the Deputy Director of the Xingzhou City Public Security Bureau in charge of criminal investigation. All of the subsequent investigation work following Li Zigui’s death has been handled by Comrade Chu Guang.”

After Li Yunhe finished speaking, Chu Guang snapped to attention and saluted, “Greetings to all the leaders.”

Nie Zhenbang and the others nodded their heads, and at that moment, representing the provincial leaders, Nie Zhenbang asked, “Comrade Chu Guang, after your careful investigation, did you find anything? What are the results regarding the cause of Li Zigui’s death?”

Listening to Nie Zhenbang’s words, Chu Guang didn’t panic. It was clear that Chu Guang was one of those who genuinely got things done.

After a moment’s thought, Chu Guang reported, “Governor, according to the careful examination by our bureau’s trace identification experts, the scene was secured with doors and windows closed, showing no evidence of anyone entering or leaving. We can preliminarily confirm that it was a locked-room death. It basically rules out the possibility of homicide. Additionally, the preliminary examination by the forensic doctor indicates that Li Zigui died from suffocation. There were distinct ligature marks on his throat. Moreover, the ceiling of the bathroom had been moved aside. Above the ceiling is a wooden frame, and the bedsheet was tied to this frame. The estimated time of death is around three o’clock in the afternoon.”

Hearing this, Nie Zhenbang seemed pensive, yet his expression remained unchanged as he nodded, saying, “Hmm, Comrade Chu Guang, go ahead with your work.”

Saying this, Nie Zhenbang turned to Li Yunhe and instructed, “Comrade Yunhe, with the exposure of the corruption case concerning the Xingzhou City flood dike, the situation is becoming increasingly serious. I have already exchanged views with Secretary Zeng, and from now on, the Xingzhou City Discipline Inspection Commission will hand over the entire case to the special investigation team led by Secretary Ning. Xingzhou City must fully cooperate with the work of the special investigation team. The death of Li Zigui is not the end of the case, just the beginning.”

Li Yunhe was now left with no ideas. With such a major incident happening in Xingzhou City, there would undoubtedly be an immeasurable impact on his career. That was certain. Whether he could continue in his position after this case was highly uncertain. The most important task at hand was to cooperate well with the special investigation team. Now, several senior officials from the provincial party committee were present, all watching.

With a nod, Li Yunhe said, “Yes, Governor, we will fully support Secretary Ning and cooperate with the special investigation team. We’ll provide all the necessary logistical support to ensure that the team can work without any distractions.”

Nie Zhenbang nodded. With such a mess occurring in Xingzhou City, Li Yunhe and Hu Baoguang would inevitably have to take leadership responsibility. That was unavoidable. It was certain that their positions were at risk. Once the case concluded, these two officials would surely be transferred.

Still, Li Yunhe’s current attitude did satisfy Nie Zhenbang somewhat. He then said, “As for Li Zigui’s family, the Xingzhou City Municipal Party Committee must take care of the follow-up work and clearly explain the facts and reasoning.”

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…

After returning from the military district to the City Committee Guest House, and having dinner in the guest house’s restaurant, Nie Zhenbang, Ning Bojun, Sun Jialuo, Zhou Yining, Huang Jin, Fang Yuan, and Xiang Shuguang all sat in the living room of the guest house’s Court No. 1.

Distributing cigarettes to those who smoked, Nie Zhenbang himself lit one and said to Ning Bojun next to him, “Secretary Ning, you don’t smoke, so this time you’re having to breathe in secondhand smoke.”

Ning Bojun smiled, waving his hand dismissively and said, “Governor, you’re too kind. Governor Nie, have you convened us here because you’ve found some problems?”

Ning Bojun’s capabilities were perfectly demonstrated at that moment, always speaking and acting within his professional scope. He introduced the topic of the case with his first words.

Hearing Ning Bojun’s words, Nie Zhenbang nodded and looked around at the others, seeing everyone’s gaze was fixed on him.

Nie Zhenbang slowly began, “Secretary Ning, I remember, around noon today, we received news that the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission had swiftly established the special investigation team after the afternoon work hours began, around two o’clock. I’m not mistaken, am I?”

Ning Bojun was somewhat puzzled as to why Nie Zhenbang would repeat this piece of information, but he still nodded, saying, “Correct, at noon, after receiving the news, their shift hadn’t begun yet; however, during my lunch break, I called the Discipline Inspection Commission’s office to quickly gather an elite force, and we rushed over here as fast as possible.”

Nie Zhenbang nodded again, and then said, “If I’m not mistaken, just now, Comrade Chu Guang from the Xingzhou City Public Security Bureau mentioned that according to the forensic doctor’s preliminary determination, Li Zigui’s time of death was also around three o’clock.”

Nie Zhenbang’s words seemed random, but everyone present was no fool. However, Huang Jin, who had just rushed over, was confused and asked, “Governor, are you implying that the special investigation team arrived in Xingzhou City between two-thirty and three o’clock, and that Li Zigui coincidentally died during that time? Do you suspect that someone received the news and passed it to Li Zigui, who, realizing the gravity of his crimes and unable to evade legal punishment, chose to commit suicide?”

Indeed, after hearing Chu Guang’s report, Nie Zhenbang had been considering this issue. He nodded along and was about to speak when Ning Bojun interjected, “Vice Governor Huang, I think the Governor’s speculation is absolutely correct. With the arrival of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission’s special investigation team, some things simply cannot be covered up. It’s likely that Li Zigui received the news or was coerced. We’ve seen such cases before, and I’ve encountered many instances where individuals take all the blame upon themselves. It seems that there is a powerful and influential force behind the corruption scandal at the Xingzhou flood dike.”

Nie Zhenbang nodded, saying, “Indeed, in this matter, Secretary Ning and Old Huang are the experts, so I won’t interject much. What I can do is to provide strong support for all of you. Should you need anything, I will fully support and cooperate.” (