Reborn as a Noble's Son-Chapter 844 - 800 The Third Fire

Chapter 844: Chapter 800: The Third Fire

Chapter 844 -800: The Third Fire

For this matter, the official circles of Bashu Province once had a discussion like this. The first fire, Governor Nie set in Yangde City. That was indisputable and universally acknowledged. The second fire was set in Wuliang City, which also had consensus.

There was however a significant controversy over the third fire. Some people believed it occurred in Xingzhou City with the corruption case of the Xingzhou City flood dike. After the replacement of the secretary and mayor, and the death of a deputy mayor as well as the fall of several division-level and deputy division-level officials, the third fire surely qualified.

Yet, there were dissenting opinions, which considered the Xingzhou City flood dike case to be a matter of clean governance and disciplinary inspection. Even without Nie Zhenbang, it would have been dealt with. Perhaps even with greater intensity.

However, this night snack stall case, which affected numerous officials from the bottom up, truly constituted the third fire since Governor Nie took office.

…

Listening to Nie Zhenbang’s words, Tang Bingquan’s face showed no change. Under such circumstances, Tang Bingquan was very clear about one thing; in the presence of Governor Nie, at such a time, one must not show any resistance, otherwise, the situation would only escalate.

Stepping forward, Tang Bingquan began, “Governor, firstly, on behalf of Tianfu City Municipal Committee and government, I would like to present our self-criticism to you. In this matter, the Tianfu City Municipal Committee and government set out to improve city appearance from the perspective of urban management and designated several night snack stall concentrated areas across the city. However, the subsequent lack of a supervision mechanism led to such deplorable misconduct. I offer my self-criticism to the provincial party committee and government, and to you for this oversight in our work.”

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Nie Zhenbang waved his hand and said gravely, “Secretary Bingquan, there’s no need for such self-reproachful words. Tianfu is a sub-provincial city and the capital of Bashu Province. The Municipal Committee and government’s responsibility lies with Tianfu’s overall development and economic situation. This issue doesn’t reach you. However, Tianfu City Urban Management Bureau, as well as Shujiang District Committee, Shujiang District Government, Shujiang District Public Security Sub-bureau, and Urban Management Bureau, bear direct leadership and unavoidable responsibility. I suggest an immediate serious investigation and rectification of the entire matter. Within two days, I hope to see a report from Tianfu City.”

At this point, Nie Zhenbang turned to Huang Jin and said, “Vice Governor Huang, you are in charge of public security affairs in the province and also serve as the director of the Provincial Public Security Department. The Party discipline and integrity within the police lines of the entire province must be strengthened under the management of the Public Security Department. The Police Service and Police Discipline Inspection Office must take concrete action. A public supervision hotline must be established, similar to the ‘12315’ hotline. Listen broadly to the voices of the people, widely accept public opinion. Truly serve the people, be supervised by the people, and think of what the people need.”

As Nie Zhenbang finished speaking, the street echoed with several sounds of urgent braking, followed by several middle-aged men looking unnerved as they made their way through the crowd.

These were the District Committee secretary, mayor, and heads of the Public Security Sub-bureau and Urban Management Bureau of Shujiang District who had just received news.

The leading man, who looked to be around fifty years old, not tall, standing at about 1.67 meters, with a big belly, was the epitome of a standard official.

Scanning his surroundings, the man immediately headed towards Tang Bingquan, lowering his head like an earnest schoolboy, and said, “Secretary Tang!”

At this moment, Tang Bingquan looked at the man indifferently, and to some extent, with disdain, and said sternly, “Comrade Zhao Jiankang, take a look for yourself. I did not expect under the administration of Shujiang District and the People’s Government such a thing could happen. This is negligence, severe negligence, and I am going to penalize you.”

Watching Tang Bingquan speak, Nie Zhenbang remained expressionless. This Tang Bingquan was somewhat interesting; even now, still playing little maneuvers before him. This Zhao Jiankang was definitely his trusted subordinate. This way, by berating him first, it would make it hard for Nie Zhenbang to say anything later.

No wonder Tang Bingquan himself was also a standing committee member of the Provincial Party Committee and ranked fairly high. After all, being the head of a sub-provincial and capital city would warrant a standing committee membership even if held separately. In the past when a position was equipped with several deputies, Tang Bingquan would have carried the title of Deputy Party Secretary.

Though Tang Bingquan was very respectful to himself verbally, Nie Zhenbang was well aware that Tang Bingquan was not truly fearful of him to any significant degree.

“Secretary Bingquan, I think we should deal with the scene first,” said Nie Zhenbang indifferently.

Tang Bingquan paused for a moment but quickly grasped Nie Zhenbang’s meaning. His face showed no displeasure, as he had the capacity to remain composed. After a pause, Tang Bingquan said with a smile, “Yes, yes, Zhao Jiankang. Have the heads of Shujiang District Public Security Sub-bureau and Urban Management Bureau arrived?”

As the secretary of the Municipal Committee spoke, two middle-aged men standing next to Zhao Jiankang, both around their forties or fifties, suddenly grew nervous. One of them even looked so jittery that beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Next to him, a man with a slightly calmer demeanor stepped out and respectfully said, “Secretary Tang, hello, I am Su Jian, the chief of the Public Security Sub-bureau of Shujiang District.”

As Su Jian’s words ended, the trembling man next to him also stammered, “Secretary Tang… Secretary Tang, I am Song Zhiyong from the Shujiang District Urban Management Bureau.”

The moment the two men finished speaking, before Tang Bingquan could utter a word, Nie Zhenbang suddenly interjected, “You are Song Zhiyong, the chief of the Shujiang District Urban Management Bureau?”

That question made Song Zhiyong tense up immediately. The situation had blown up; it seemed he was doomed tonight.

Looking at Nie Zhenbang, Song Zhiyong’s forehead grew imperceptibly damp with large beads of sweat. A district sub-bureau chief of merely departmental rank was in any case unable to remain calm in front of a governor, especially after an incident like this.

“Governor… Governor, hello,” Song Zhiyong stuttered.

After he spoke, Nie Zhenbang said with a stern voice, “Hello, I’m very well. Comrade Song Zhiyong, what kind of chief are you at your Urban Management Bureau? Under your jurisdiction, your subordinates have been acting outrageously, bullying and intimidating. The entire night market, hundreds of vendors, have been pushed to the brink of despair by these people. As the chief, are you saying you had no idea?”

“You’re committing a crime. You are blatantly committing a crime,” Nie Zhenbang continued.

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang was also somewhat agitated, pointing at Mrs. Feng, who had been helped to her feet, and angrily said, “Comrade Song Zhiyong, look at this, take a good look at this elderly lady. Her husband has passed away, and she only has one son who is mentally disabled. A family like this, without any welfare support, without any income, all their living expenses depend on Mrs. Feng selling snacks at night, barely scraping by. This includes the monthly medical expenses for her son. Ask yourself, do you deserve your position?”

After speaking, Nie Zhenbang pointed at the now completely submissive and trembling Captain Hu and the others, and said with a heavy voice, “It is these people, Captain Hu and others among your subordinates, who out of selfish desires have committed outrageous acts, disregarding lives. They trample on other’s dignity and threaten, intimidate, beat, and insult. Their methods are utterly despicable. Are you as the chief just idling away?”

Speaking further, Nie Zhenbang said in a deep voice, “Secretary Tang, this is a matter of Tianfu City, and I will not be involved. Planning the night market, providing a livelihood for the citizens, this is a good deed. However, good deeds also need an effective monitoring mechanism, otherwise, a good thing may turn into a bad one like the current situation. Comrade Bingquan, we have a long way to go. Here, I have only one request: all the police officers and urban management officers present today should be dismissed from public service, never to be re-employed. In addition, I suggest that Tianfu City seriously considers the issue of cadre promotion and appointment, to ensure the purity and efficiency of the cadre team.”

Having said this, Nie Zhenbang raised his head, clasped his hands together, and exclaimed loudly, “Fellow villagers, fellow townspeople. Today, on behalf of the provincial committee and the government, I sincerely apologize to everyone. This is a lapse and dereliction in our work. Here, I assure you all that concerning the issue of night market fees, there will be no charges according to the policy of Tianfu City. For all unreasonable and rule-breaking charging practices, I hope everyone will actively stand up against them. If Tianfu City cannot resolve it, you can come to me.”

As his voice fell, the surrounding area immediately burst into deafening applause. The eyes of the people are clear, they know who is good to them and who is not. It’s like a mirror in their hearts.

Amid the crowd, some people shouted, “Governor Nie, well done. We need good officials like you.”

Those who were shouting were also perceptive, confident that no one there could touch them with Nie Zhenbang around.

Nie Zhenbang raised his hands to gesture, and said in a low voice, “Thank you, thank you for the deep affection from the common people. I have always said that our people are the most amiable and respectable, we are public servants, here to serve the people. This is not just a slogan. As long as I am in Bashu, this principle is not an empty promise.”

As he spoke, Nie Zhenbang had already walked over to Mrs. Feng, and whispered to Yang Anna, “An Na, how much cash do you have on you?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Anna understood Nie Zhenbang’s intention and promptly pulled out over a thousand yuan in cash. For people of Nie Zhenbang and Anna’s status, it is unusual to carry much cash on them.

He handed all the cash directly to Mrs. Feng, softly saying, “Mrs. Feng, please take this modest sum as a small gesture from my wife and me.”

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