Chapter 538: Chapter 495: Remove Nie Zhenbang (8th update, ask for monthly ticket)_1
 

Looking at this list, even Zhuang Aiguo, with his status, inhaled sharply. The entire task force, with a total of 762 people, hit an unprecedented scale in history. It could be said to be the largest task force since the establishment of the country. Even within the five thousand years of Huaxia’s civilization, through all dynasties, even in the era of supreme imperial power, there was no such large team.

The entire task force, led by the Central Discipline Inspection Commission, drew elite forces from various departments of other provinces and the Central Discipline Inspection Commission itself. Together, they formed a team of about two hundred people. Together with the professionals from public security, military discipline inspection departments, oil, banking, and other industries and departments, the total number was over seven hundred. They took four charter flights of Eastern Airlines the next day, flying directly to Minzhou City, Minan Province.

The leader of the task force was Liu Wei, the deputy secretary of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission. Despite being a woman, Zhuang Aiguo was well aware that Liu Wei was a well-known iron lady. For this case, having Ouyang Xia or Zeng Youjie take the lead was inappropriate; only Liu Wei was the most suitable. Sometimes, a woman’s identity could give people a natural sense of trust.

…

Mzhou International Airport in Minan Province.

At this moment, all members of the standing committee of the Provincial Committee of Minan Province were standing on the tarmac. The provincial party secretary, Chen Renqing, was in front, with the Governor, Jia Minfu, and the full-time deputy secretary of the provincial party committee, Qiao Yiren, on either side. The other standing committee leaders were arranged in order behind them. Notably absent was the deputy secretary of the provincial party committee, Shi Yiwu, who was also the Wanghai city party secretary.

Everyone present had varying expressions and thoughts. The Wanghai City smuggling case was a stain on the provincial party committee of Minan Province. Such a major incident had occurred within their jurisdiction, and the provincial committee leaders had also to bear corresponding accountability. Worse yet, this could impact their future careers.

“Secretary Chen, the plane is about to land,” said Yang Jiye, a member of the Standing Committee and Secretary-General of the Provincial Party Committee, speaking softly to Chen Renqing at this moment.

The chartered Eastern Airlines plane circled slowly before landing. After a period of taxiing, it came to a steady stop in the center of the tarmac. Liu Wei, the deputy secretary of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission, was in the front, followed by Yang Taishan, the discipline inspection secretary of the Ministry of Public Security. Following them was a military officer in the uniform of a major general, a representative of the Military Commission’s Disciplinary Committee.

Chen Renqing put aside his doubtful thoughts. He had missed the signals when Jia Minfu and Qiao Yiren went to Jingcheng to report on their work. He should have realized then that some people in the provincial committee did not want to cover up the case in Wanghai City. As it turned out, it wasn’t that they didn’t want to, they simply couldn’t.

Jia Minfu and Qiao Yiren had no choice but to choose the route of investigation in order to protect themselves. As a result, they would not only avoid wrongdoing, but they would also be credited for their actions.

Regrettably, Chen Renqing missed this opportunity. Now that the task force had arrived, even if he cooperated fully, his future prospects were likely dim.

Then, Chen Renqing stepped forward and said with a smile, “Secretary Liu, welcome. I apologize for the serious incident that occurred in Wanghai City. It is a direct result of negligence and mistakes in our provincial committee’s work and poor supervision. I request the organization to discipline me.”

Chen Renqing’s words in front of Liu Wei were unorthodox, for both of them held positions at the ministerial level, and Liu Wei definitely did not have the power to represent the organization.

At this moment, Liu Wei also smiled and said, “Secretary Renqing, there are bound to be problems in managing such a large population. Even families could have unfilial sons, let alone public affairs. Wanghai is a centrally planned city, and the Provincial Committee of Minan has limited oversight. Its finances are directly handled by the central government and Wanghai. It’s normal to have problems under these circumstances, Secretary Renqing, don’t be too hard on yourself.”

Such was Liu Wei’s eloquence that the members of the standing committee of the provincial party committee of Minan Province nodded in agreement. It was always difficult to manage municipalities like Wanghai, especially those directly administered by the central government. The province had little financial control and limited jurisdiction over personnel. This is what power dynamics are like.

With that sentence, Liu Wei had successfully shortened the distance between the task force and the provincial committee of Minan Province. Smiling at everyone, Liu Wei continued, “Secretary Chen, this time we won’t stay in Minzhou. We kindly request the provincial party committee to provide us with fifteen fifty-seater buses and two business vehicles.”

A team of more than seven hundred people would fill these vehicles perfectly, and many leaders would even have to share large buses with ordinary workers. This showed Liu Wei’s pragmatic attitude.

At this moment, Chen Renqing didn’t hesitate and didn’t try to dissuade her. Under the current circumstances, any action would arouse the suspicion of the task force. Chen Renqing decided to give whatever was requested and cooperate fully.

He immediately nodded and said, “Secretary Liu, you’re too polite. The vehicles have been prepared in advance. Also, the lead cars from the Provincial Public Security Department are ready to go at any moment. Even though the Minan-Quan highway is not yet officially open to traffic, some sections of it are already passable. We’ve arranged it so we can use that route. We just have to take about twenty kilometers of unfinished road in Quanhai before getting back on the highway. This will save a lot of time.”

The reason why Liu Wei and her team came to Minzhou first instead of directly flying to Wanghai City was to report to the local upper-level authority. They also needed the support of the provincial committee of Minan Province for certain necessities.

About half an hour later, several other chartered planes from Eastern Airlines landed one after another at Minzhou Airport. A fleet of shuttle buses prepared by the Minnan Province Committee had also been lined up, ready for the task force members to board. Under the guidance of police vehicles, they headed straight out of the airport towards Wanghai City.

At this moment, all members of the Fifth Discipline Inspection and Supervision Room of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection had boarded one of the buses. Minnan Province is part of their jurisdiction.

This time, the entire Fifth Discipline Inspection and Supervision Room was called over. Liu Bin, the director of the Fifth Discipline Inspection and Supervision Room, had just gotten on the bus when he stealthily took out a cell phone. Sitting next to Liu Bin was Zheng Gensheng, and with the rest of the members of the Fifth Discipline Inspection and Supervision Room around, there wasn’t much to worry about.

This phone had been deliberately kept hidden by Liu Bin. As per the task force’s rules, from the moment the task force was established, all members had to surrender all their communication devices. They also could not inform their families, and the standard public excuse was that they were on a training mission. The primary purpose was to prevent any attempts at eliminating witnesses in desperation from Wanghai.

Despite Liu Bin’s audacity, he did not dare to make a call, and instead, sent a brief message: “Arrived!”

…

In the Wanghai City Party Committee and City Government’s office building.

At this moment, a special Standing Committee meeting was being held. Nie Zhenbang’s phone vibrated with a new message. Upon reading it, a hint of a smile appeared on his face.

Looking at Shi Yiwu, who was relentlessly criticizing him, a trace of pity flickered in Nie Zhenbang’s eyes.

Nie Zhenbang’s faint smile infuriated Shi Yiwu. Immediately, Shi Yiwu said sternly, “Deputy Mayor Nie, what are you doing? Aren’t you aware of the seriousness of a meeting?”

The situation in Wanghai City is not good, some people harbor ulterior motives, stubbornly clinging to minor issues. Mayor Nie, as for the smuggling cases handled by the military, the Wanghai City Public Security Bureau has already investigated based on this lead. These actions are the illegal behaviors of a group of illegal businessmen. I suggest that you understand the situation and immediately hand over these people to the Municipal Party Committee.”

Saying this, Shi Yiwu raised his voice: “Commander Zhang, the party commands the military, this is explicitly stipulated in the party constitution and the constitution. So what does it mean when your military district is holding on to suspects? What is your attitude? Is the Wanghai Military Region still under the leadership of the Wanghai Municipal Party Committee? Am I still the first political commissar of the Wanghai Military Region?”

After a pause, Shi Yiwu turned his head and said, “I suggest that Comrade Nie Zhenbang’s work be temporarily suspended for deep self-reflection. I will personally report this matter to the Provincial Committee in detail.”

If Shi Yiwu were just an ordinary Municipal Party Secretary, he would not have this kind of authority. However, Shi Yiwu is the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and the Secretary of the Wanghai City Municipal Committee. He is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Committee. Therefore, it is appropriate for him to say this. It’s just that the occasion for bringing this up is not appropriate.

If this was proposed at the Provincial Standing Committee meeting, perhaps it would be more appropriate. However, at this moment, no one would say anything. Any discerning person could see that Shi Yiwu was getting ready to take action. At this confrontational juncture, anyone who stands out would only provoke him.

Aside from Nie Zhenbang, who had received the news of the task force’s arrival, the other Standing Committee members were unaware. Moreover, with no movement from above after three days, it was inevitable that they would have some illusions.

As he finished speaking, Qi Siyuan then said, “Secretary Shi, isn’t it a bit too much to suggest Mayor Nie suspend his duties and self-reflect?”

Next to him, Lin Mohan hesitated for a moment, looking at Nie Zhenbang’s indifferent expression. He was also struggling internally. He gritted his teeth and said: “I also think it might be better to wait for the Provincial Committee’s opinion first. Isn’t it a bit hasty to suspend Deputy Mayor Nie’s duties so abruptly?”

Risks always go hand-in-hand with fortune, and sincerity is all the more essential during times of crisis. It’s the only way to win people’s hearts. Right now, Lin Mohan has put all his bets on Nie Zhenbang.

As the words of these two men fell, Zhang Zusi, the full-time Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee sitting next to Shi Yiwu, suddenly stood up, then sat back down and said: “Secretary Shi, please excuse my excitement. Minister Lin, Secretary Qi. What’s hasty? I think both Nie Zhenbang and Nie Jiamin, holding on to the smuggling case suspects without conducting an investigation, are the ones acting suspiciously. I completely agree with Secretary Shi’s view.”

PS: At 11 o’clock, I was still saying in the group that this might be it for today. Less than two minutes later, a brother told me we had reached 502 votes. Brothers and sisters, you are mighty. Old Cai keeps his word, and here’s the eighth update. Currently, we have 515 votes. If we reach 550 votes, we will update more. (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to qidian.com to vote and support. Your support is my greatest motivation.)