Reborn as a Noble's Son

Duan Changgui was also taken aback; he had never seen Nie Zhenbang act like this. Without a word, they were arrested, and the reason given was this absurd one—blocking the way and vandalizing other people’s stuff.

He was certain that the public security bureau could indeed locate the car with its shattered glass. Moreover, the car’s owner wasn’t from Duan Clan Village and wouldn’t fear his vengeance, and would definitely tell the truth. In this case, he had to spend at least two or three days in the public security bureau. Without him ruling Duan Clan Village, he couldn’t trust his incompetent followers to take over. After this, there would surely be people from the oppressed Duan Clan Village who would step up to expose and denounce their oppressors.

Nie Zhenbang’s moves were interlocking and calculated, pushing him into a desperate situation. At the thought of this, Duan Changgui struggled and said, “Nie Zhenbang, what do you mean by this? Was it because I started insulting you? You are the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, but without any proof, who knows if you are impersonating? You are retaliating for personal grievances. I am a representative of the city’s People’s Congress, you have no right to arrest me. Even if you want to arrest me, you must inform the Standing Committee of Bazhou City People’s Congress and revoke my qualifications first.”

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang also laughed. The more agitated and furious Duan Changgui became, the more unsure he seemed. Following this, Nie Zhenbang calmly said: “Duan Changgui, why are you so excited? We’re not arresting you, we just want you to come back and assist in the investigation. Rest assured, we will have results for you within 24 hours. As a representative of the People’s Congress of the city, as the secretary of the Duan Clan Village Party branch, you, Duan Changgui, have the duty to cooperate with the government and the Public Security Bureau in their investigations, don’t you?”

At this moment, Chen Le’s face sank; he then said, “Comrade Duan Changgui, let me make it clear to you, nobody said they are arresting you. You are a representative of the People’s Congress. How dare we? We just want you to come back and assist us in our case investigation. Please understand.”

After Chen Le had all seven or eight people in Duan Changgui’s group taken to the police car, Nie Zhenbang turned to Sun Kewen and suggested, “Secretary Sun, why don’t you go with me to the home of the third brother Duan in Duan Clan Village?”

Nie Zhenbang then turned to Chen Le and said, “Director Chen, this comrade is a professional cadre of the Xibei Military Region and was originally assigned to Yun County. After the merger of Yun County into Lixian to form New Li City, there was no one to manage his position. Comrade Feng Kuang is very good, insisting on justice and truth. This kind of comrade is what our New Li City needs. Director Chen, you should go to the city armed forces department to inquire; I think it would be best to arrange Comrade Feng Kuang to work in the city public security bureau.”

When Nie Zhenbang had finished speaking, all the officials present including Sun Kewen were somewhat surprised. Nie Zhenbang’s strict standards for his subordinates were unprecedented, and during his long tenure in Lixian, hardly had he ever praised any official so highly, not even the head of the Investment Promotion Bureau, Fan Zhenming, who had made outstanding contributions to the development zone, nor his trusted aide, Lin Weimin. Even they had only received a praise. This just proved how precious Nie Zhenbang’s praise was, so Feng Kuang being commended by Nie Zhenbang now was a really big deal. With Nie Zhenbang’s attention, wouldn’t his promotion be as fast as taking a rocket?

Feng Kuang appeared very smart at this moment, which pleased Nie Zhenbang. This young man was very good, adhering to truth and justice yet not pedantic. He was indeed a promising talent. It remained to be seen whether he could maintain this character in the future.

Down a small branching path from the cement road of Duan Clan Village, about five hundred meters away, the house of the third brother Duan stood conspicuously. Upon seeing this house, Sun Kewen also frowned.

To describe it as desolate might seem an exaggeration. However, this kind of house, this kind of scene, if it were in a poverty-stricken village, might still seem commonplace. But when it appeared in Duan Clan Village, a wealthy model village, there was a sense of irony.

The arrival of Nie Zhenbang and his party made the third brother Duan’s family somewhat worried. There were also four new lambs in the originally empty sheep pen nearby.

Nie Zhenbang smiled and said, “Old third, I’ve come again. Let me introduce you, this is Mr. Sun Kewen, the Secretary of the Disciplinary Committee of New Li City. Secretary Sun is specifically in charge of these officials, supervising them. If you have any grievances or distresses, tell Secretary Sun about how Duan Changgui forced your family to kneel on the side of the road to apologize. The party and the government will support you. Those who trample on the law will receive the severest punishment.”

What Nie Zhenbang did not expect, however, was that the third brother Duan now had a hesitant look on his face. Behind him, his wife pulled at the hem of his clothes. Looking at his four children, who were eagerly looking at him, the third brother Duan sighed and said, “Secretary Nie, I know you are a good official, a good person. Please go back. This event has nothing to do with Secretary Duan. It was my fault, I dragged the village down. Now, the village has been lenient, and my lambs have been returned. Life will get better.”

As soon as he heard this, Nie Zhenbang knew that Duan Changgui was probably already prepared for everything. It’d be strange if third brother Duan dared to tell the truth after being oppressed and terrified by Duan Changgui for so long.

Next to him, Sun Kewen was somewhat surprised: “Secretary Nie, who is Secretary Duan? Is he an official of Yun County?”

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang also laughed, and then said, “Old Sun, you may not be aware, in the entire Duan Clan Village, Duan Changgui is Secretary Duan.”

As he spoke, Nie Zhenbang entered the house and said to the third brother Duan, “Old third, don’t hesitate. Isn’t Duan Changgui’s oppression of you enough? Making your whole family kneel by the road to apologize in this cold weather, how can he be a party member, a village branch secretary? Old third, don’t worry about anything. Report the real situation to Secretary Sun. The party and the government will stand up for you.”

Nie Zhenbang was hoping to make a breakthrough with Duan Laosan, hoping that the whole village’s resentment towards Duan Changgui would erupt like a mountain flood, fully evoking their grievances.

Duan Laosan was silent for a moment. As if he had made up his mind, he looked at Nie Zhenbang and Sun Kewen and said gravely, “Secretary Nie, Secretary Sun, you must stand up for us. Duan Changgui, for so-called honor, for his own selfish gain, has made us miserable.”

While saying so, Duan Laosan abruptly fell to his knees.

Nie Zhenbang and Sun Kewen both felt a pang in their hearts. From Duan Laosan’s emotional outburst, they could see the extent to which Duan Changgui has abused his power in Duan Clan Village.

After returning to New Li City, Nie Zhenbang rushed to Bazhou City, even though work wasn’t due to start for another two days. He was too eager to wait. Now that he had Duan Laosan’s confession, he had a legitimate basis for investigating Duan Changgui.

Very quickly, the next morning thanks to a special proposal from the secretary of the municipal party committee, Liu Wenqing, a special meeting was held by the standing committee of the Bazhou City People’s Congress. After hearing Nie Zhenbang’s statement and reviewing the confession documents provided by Duan Laosan, they unanimously voted to formally end Duan Changgui’s qualifications as a representative of the Bazhou City People’s Congress.

At this moment, in the interrogation room at the New Li City Public Security Bureau, Duan Changgui seemed indifferent and composed. He knew that because of his status as a representative, they could only hold him for a maximum of 24 hours. After that, nobody in Duan Clan Village would dare to speak up, he would still stand like a mountain. That was his biggest reliance.

Looking at Chen Le, the director of the New Li City Public Security Bureau, Duan Changgui’s face showed a trace of disdain. He boasted, “Director Chen, 24 hours are almost up. It’s time to let me go.”

Chen Le looked at his watch and said solemnly, “Duan Changgui, don’t be so smug. There’s still half an hour left.”

Just then, a police officer in uniform walked in. It was Feng Kuang, who had recently retired from his military service. With a jubilant expression, he showed Chen Le a document. Chen Le read it and laughed. He showed it to Duan Changgui and said, “Duan Changgui, take a good look at this. I announce that the special meeting of the People’s Congress of Bazhou City has ended your qualifications as a representative.”

Saying so, Chen Le placed Duan Laosan’s confession on the interrogation table and said solemnly, “Duan Changgui, based on the complaints from the villagers of Duan Clan Village, while you were in charge, you are suspected of organizing a gang of thugs, overburdening the villagers with unreasonable taxation, and intercepting the public funds for your own luxurious consumption. Just confess. Don’t hesitate. Think about those villagers that you’ve oppressed and injured and those villagers you’ve driven away from their hometowns.”

Soon, the investigation team of the Discipline Inspection Commission returned to Duan Clan Village. In front of the village department building, a public notice was posted. The bright red official seal of the New Li City Committee was stamped on the side. The bright national emblem seemed exceptionally striking at this moment.

The literate villagers started whispering, “Former village secretary Duan Changgui is suspected of serious violations of discipline. His qualification as a Bazhou City People’s Congress representative has been cancelled, pending investigation. The municipal Discipline Inspection investigation team has been stationed in Duan Clan Village… To report information, please call…”

Upon hearing this, many villagers were stunned. But when they saw unfamiliar officials setting up at the Village Committee, and the absence of Duan Changgui and his minions, they understood what was happening.

In an instant, thunderous applause burst from the crowd, followed by someone shouting, “Duan Changgui has fallen, there is justice in the heavens. I’m going to set off firecrackers to celebrate.”

At the same time, many villagers, filled with righteous indignation, rushed to the door of the village committee office, yelling at the Discipline Committee personnel, “Comrades, we have situations to report.”