Reborn as a Noble's Son

Chapter 191: Knocking Off Together_1

Translator: 549690339

Upon hearing Cui Jinsheng, Zhao Weihong was also a bit troubled. This matter had already caused a great commotion in Bazhou. It was front-page news on the Bazhou Daily. It was evident that someone was fueling the flames. Not to mention the relationship of that girl He Xinyan, who after all is from the United Front Work Department and the daughter of Bu Yuzhen.

But Zhao Weihong absolutely did not believe that Nie Zhenbang did not take advantage of the situation. Regardless, this matter was indeed difficult for Zhao Weihong. Last year, when Nie Zhenbang made a high-profile move and overthrew Mo Zhihai, he didn’t give Zhao Weihong any face. Now, this is a clear-cut case. Making Zhenbang step back would prove difficult.

After a moment of silence, Zhao Weihong eventually said: “Old Cui, we were classmates back in the party school for the department-leveled courses. I will not talk in circles. Your nephew can’t get along with people. Of all people to offend, he has offended Zhenbang. Perhaps you don’t know yet, at the end of the year, Mo Zhihai, the secretary of Li County, under my supervision, was sent to prison by him. My words might not have any effect. I think, you still need to find connections. If you can persuade Liu Wenqing or Ding Aiguo to intervene, that would be better. Moreover, the background of this young county head Zhenbang, is enormous. I heard his relationship with Secretary Qian’s son Qian Jin is not bad. You can also find some ways to reach Secretary Qian.”

After hanging up the phone, Cui Jinsheng calmed down. The information revealed by Zhao Weihong on this end was already plentiful, and quite reliable. Cui Jinsheng kept this in mind. But Liu Wenqing and Ding Aiguo do not take the same path as he does. It seems that now, he can only find other connections, to see if there is someone familiar with Liu Wenqing.

At the same time, Cui Jinsheng ordered someone outside: “Little Zhu, come in. Let Director Yao from the inspection department come over.”

Within five minutes, Yao Saifu, the director of the inspection department of the Autonomous Region’s Tax Bureau, came in from outside and respectfully said, “Director, did you call for me?”

Cui Jinsheng nodded, signaled Yao Saifu to sit down, and then continued: “Saifu, this time, I have a task for you. I am planning to let you lead an inspection team to Li County in Bazhou City, and conduct a comprehensive examination of all the businesses and units in Li County. If problems are found, that is not a problem. The main goal is to strictly implement the national tax policy and defend the national tax payment system.”

Cui Jinsheng was indirectly exerting pressure on Nie Zhenbang, suggesting compromise and release, everything else was negotiable. Now, Cui Jinsheng’s stance was quite simple. Without his position, that could be put aside, the most important thing was that the last scion of the Xing family cannot go to jail. This was Cui Jinsheng’s bottom line.

Now, he was very aware of the chaotic affairs taking place in the subordinates’ units, and he chose to turn a blind eye. Yet, if a genuine investigation were to be triggered, none would dare to withstand it.

Now was the time to face a desperate situation and make a do-or-die attempt. He must make Nie Zhenbang, a small county official, witness the resolve of his honorable department-level official. This was the best approach Cui Jinsheng could come up with in response to the situation.

At the Bazhou City Party Committee Office Building, inside Liu Wenqing’s office. At this moment, Liu Wenqing was reviewing building blueprints sent over from Bazhou City Planning Bureau. Li county was planning to move its government offices. The design of the new county party committee government building had already been placed on Li Wenqing’s desk. As a prefectural-level city, the office of Bazhou City had been in use for almost twenty years and it was time to consider relocating it. Moreover, Liu Wenqing also had the idea of developing a district. The new office building of the Bazhou City Party Committee and Municipal Government, including its relocation spot, had already been chosen. Heading south, closer to Li county, the development zone of Bazhou city would also move in this direction, trying to reduce the fifty kilometers distance in between as much as possible. Then, when conditions were ripe, Ku City, where the Bazhou Municipal Government is located, could be relocated to this end of the development zone. Thus, the distance between Li County and Bazhou City could potentially be shortened to about twenty-five kilometers. This project was an ambitious blueprint, but for Liu Wenqing it could potentially be the biggest highlight of his career in politics. Naturally, he was extremely focused on it.

At this moment, the phone on his table rang. The secretary Feng answered it outside and after a short moment, Feng walked in, whispering: “Secretary, it’s a call from Xiang Yong, the Party Secretary of Ka State City.”

Xiang Yong? Liu Wenqing was stunned for a moment. His relationship with Xiang Yong traced back to when they were both county party secretaries. Back then, they were classmates at the district party school. However, they hadn’t had much contact over the years, and their relationship wasn’t particularly close, so why was he calling at this time?

Had he heard that Xiang Yong and Cui Jinsheng had a good relationship? Could it have been about the incident in Li County? Liu Wenqing was already aware of the incident in Li County. For this matter, Liu Wenqing had adopted an observant attitude, neither opposing nor supporting it. As for that Xing Wenbiao from the National Tax Bureau, Liu Wenqing was quite repulsed. Entities under vertical management should maintain a good relationship with the local government. His disdain for people was evident and now that he was in this situation, he deserved it.

Liu Wenqing then picked up the phone and signaled to Secretary Feng to close the door. He then laughed and said, “Old Xiang, you’re a rare guest. Why, do you have some free time to call me today?”

Xiang Yong smiled at that moment, too: “Wenqing, I have been watching and anxiously concerned about the development of Bazhou. When we are all still exploring, you have run ahead. Once things in Bazhou are well managed this time, I’m afraid we will have to address you as the district committee leader, Wenqing.”

After some pleasantries, Xiang Yong went directly to the point: “Wenqing, this time, I really accepted someone’s request. You know Old Cui from the district tax bureau, right? He and I have a good relationship. I heard that his nephew is the director of the tax bureau in Lixian under your jurisdiction, and he has made a mistake this time. Old Cui and I had a long talk, meaning that I still have to ask your brother to help brush some favors, it’s enough to be appropriate. Old Cui has also made his stance clear. Dismissal and dismissal from public service are definite. He would never put you in a difficult position. Also, this year, the taxation system will give Bazhou special care and arrangement. What do you think? Since Cui and I have a good relationship, I had no choice but to ask you for a favor.”

After hanging up the phone, Liu Wenqing began to ponder. Xiang Yong is also a city party secretary. Compared to Bazhou, whether in terms of population or basic facilities, Kazhou City is a major city in Xibei much stronger, second only to Urumqi in the whole region. Xiang Yong is quite arrogant. Today, he lowered his posture and even talked about asking for a favor. This shows that Xiang’s relationship with Cui Jinsheng isn’t ordinary.

This matter caused a dilemma for Liu Wenqing as well; whether to help or not was a big problem. After some deliberation, Liu Wenqing decided to make this call. After all, Cui Jinsheng had already made his position clear: dismissal and termination. Looking at it from another perspective, this was already a compromise on Cui Jinsheng’s part.

However, he had no choice but to compromise. Nie Zhenbang went hard, either not making a move, but when he does, it’s airtight. The evidence was like a mountain, if he insisted on persevering, going to jail was certain.

It was already past nine in the evening. Nie Zhenbang worked very efficiently in his office. Zhao Xinglong and Liu Kun, both of whom rushed overnight from Jingcheng, looked at Nie Zhenbang without a word. They received a call from this side in the morning and arrived at Urumqi in the afternoon. They only rushed to Lixian at this time.

Liu Kun took out a packet of special panda cigarettes from his pocket, threw one to Zhao Xinglong at the side, and then said: “Third Brother, will you deal with it or should we? What a shit Cui Jinsheng, he even investigated me. Once word gets out, I, Liu Kun, won’t be able to mix around anymore. I’ve lost all face.”

Zhao Xinglong took the cigarette, then smiled and said: “The special pandas have a nice flavor, especially the ones that come in barrels. Kun, the next time I’ll smuggle a few barrels from my old man for you. Nowadays, he’s limited to three a day by his health doctor, so it’s a waste to keep them at home. You’d be the perfect recipient.”

Zhao Xinglong didn’t say anything, but it was clear what he meant. The two of them had paid their taxes properly under the advice of Nie Zhenbang, but now they had attracted tax auditors. The audit was a minor issue; the face was a big deal. What these people care about is their reputation.

Liu Kun continued: “I think we can consider making a move in the general administration of taxation. This Cui Jinsheng, so blatantly defending his nephew, is no good bird himself. Let’s take them down directly, uncle and nephew together. You don’t have a good face, Third Brother, the big ones will be handled by us. The small ones, well, anyway, you’ve already taken action.”

Just as he said that, the red phone on Nie Zhenbang’s desk rang, causing Nie Zhenbang to pause. Who would be calling from the city committee at this hour? Could it be someone calling to plead for mercy?

Nie Zhenbang then picked up the phone and said: “Hello, how can I help you?”

On the other side, Liu Wenqing’s voice came through: “Nie, this is Liu Wenqing. I knew you would be working late. Even at this hour, you’re still not off work. Health is the capital of revolution, you need to take care of yourself.”

Nie Zhenbang smiled and then said: “Secretary Liu, I appreciate your concern and care. Is there an urgent matter you need at this late hour?”

Liu Wenqing wouldn’t beat around the bush at this point. Nie Zhenbang was his subordinate, not a peer. Liu Wenqing had no need to be so indirect. Then Liu Wenqing laughed and said: “Well, there is actually something. You know Xing Wenbiao, whom you arrested in Lixian this time? His uncle is the director of the district tax bureau and has some connections in the autonomous region. This time, he reached out to a friend of mine, asking me to plead for him. Cui Jinsheng’s intent is clear; Xing Wenbiao will be dismissed from his work. This is considered giving you an account. Furthermore, the land outside the land bureau, along with the compulsory land acquisition by the land bureau in the development zone, Cui Jinsheng agrees to handle it according to Lixian Government’s intent. What do you think?”

Hearing this, Nie Zhenbang sighed. To this phone, he said: “Secretary Liu, I am willing, but I’m afraid it’s too late. Now, two major business owners from Min Nong Company and Longhua Mining are here, and they are determined to take down Cui Jinsheng. What do you think about this…?”