Chapter 323 - 316: Brother, walk well (Seeking monthly ticket)_1

At this moment, Xu Qi was also deep in thought. This situation was quite tricky. Whether it was a suspicion about Xiong Changgui or just an excuse, Xu Qi had not given these issues a thought.

At this point, regardless of any reason Xiong Changgui might have, even a reason as big as the heavens would not spare him death. The old saying goes, “When a man is at the point of death, his words are good.” The fact that Xiong Changgui surrendered without resistance when he saw Nie Zhenbang suggested that he was not the type to lie. In fact, it seemed beneath him to lie. Therefore, it was highly likely that his actions were a true representation of the situation.

As for mass petitions, undoubtedly, they were illegal. Local governments maintain stability and their reputations by deceiving and physically confronting these petitions. They gain the trust of the common people by giving false promises to temporarily calm their anger and then suppress the instigators of the petitions by arresting them. This is a common method used by local governments across the country because the nature of mass petitions is illegal and this legality legitimizes their suppression and arrest.

However, this time, the situation got out of hand. Nobody expected that the Xiong family would have a son like Xiong Changgui. Before Nie Zhenbang’s arrival, Xu Qi and others had already learned about Xiong Changgui’s experience by contacting the Xibei Military Region through the Jiangbei Province Military Division. He was a military model soldier, the champion of the military skills competition in the Xibei Military Region, had represented Huaxia in the World Special Forces Competition held in Northern Ireland, and won the first place. He was also promoted from soldier to a junior officer due to his impeccable political ideology and party membership. A rising star in the military by all accounts, there might be another general in Qianzhou City in a few decades.

No one ever expected, his old comrade in arms would be a new star in political circle Nie Zhenbang. This was getting tricky. Earlier, Nie Zhenbang’s words were very straightforward, even carrying a hint of threat. This was normal, Nie Zhenbang was a deputy department level official, even if they served in the same place, Nie Zhenbang had no reason to fear him. Especially when Nie Zhenbang was under the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Earlier, Nie Zhenbang had made it very clear that this situation was definitely not baseless. There was definitely a problem. How would Qianzhou City deal with it? If Qianzhou City couldn’t handle it, then he, Nie Zhenbang, would go to the Jiangbei Province Disciplinary Committee. Even if the Jiangbei Province Disciplinary Committee didn’t care, he, Nie Zhenbang, would take care of it himself.

Xu Qi broke the silence and said, “Director Nie, as you know, Qianzhou City was approved by the State Council to be promoted from Qianzhou region to Qianzhou City this April. I’ve only been transferred to Qianzhou City for less than three months. I’m not familiar with the situation in Qianzhou City.”

Paying a pause, Xu Qi’s face became more serious, he continued, “However, my stance remains; regardless of who the issue pertains to or their level of involvement, my attitude is to carry on the investigation until the end. I will report this issue to Governor Ning immediately. As for the Disciplinary Committee Secretary Da Liang, I’ll have to trouble Director Nie.”

Xu Qi’s attitude eased Nie Zhenbang’s expression quite a bit. Whether Xu Qi was making excuses or trying to shirk his responsibility, at least, his attitude was good. Furthermore, from Xu Qi’s implication, it seemed like he was under Ning Shouchang, thus making Xu Qi nearly a part of Nie’s faction.

Nie Zhenbang nodded in agreement and said, “Secretary Xu, on behalf of Changgui, I want to express my gratitude to you. With your words, I believe, Changgui can leave without regret.”

Xiong Changgui, who had initially had an aggressive demeanor, had calmed down since Nie Zhenbang’s arrival. At this moment, Xiong Changgui had returned to his normal self, an honest and stable man who kept his head low and hardly spoke.

After leaving Xu Qi’s room and delivering Xiong Changgui to Yao Yuan, Nie Zhenbang called Yao Yuan out. The atmosphere was slightly oppressive and somber. Unlike Xu Qi and others who had no connection to the situation, Xiong Changgui was their comrade in arms and a good soldier. It was a pity that things had come to this point. Nie Zhenbang deeply regretted it and Yao Yuan felt some self-reproach.

“Chief, don’t blame yourself. Maybe, this is Changgui’s destiny.” Nie Zhenbang patted Yao Yuan’s shoulder and whispered, “Chief, these next few days, give Changgui some space. I believe, Changgui won’t run. He’s not that kind of person.”

Yao Yuan nodded and lifted his head. His expression was somewhat harsh as he said lowly, “Zhenbang, I’m leaving Changgui’s deep hatred and great vengeance with you. I believe you can give him an explanation. I won’t say much. We are comrades!”

Nie Zhenbang nodded in agreement and didn’t say anything more. He went back to his bedroom, picked up the phone on the table, and made a call. Once he and the others were placed in the guesthouse of the Qianzhou City Military Division, the division had already activated the telephone in their rooms.

This was essential. Otherwise, if someone wanted to make a call, they would have to first contact the switchboard. That would be embarrassing, wouldn’t it?

He took out the contact book of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection from his pocket, which contained the contact numbers of the heads of the disciplinary committees and relevant departments of the six provinces under his jurisdiction.

His first call was to Zheng Gensheng. As soon as Zheng Gensheng’s voice came through, Nie Zhenbang said, “Old Zheng, get the second division ready; prepare to depart. Be ready for my news at any time.”

Zheng Gensheng knew Nie Zhenbang’s personality. After hearing these words, he didn’t ask any questions and immediately responded, “Alright, I’ll prepare as soon as I start work tomorrow.”

After hanging up with Zheng Gensheng, Nie Zhenbang dialed the home number of Sun Daliang, the secretary of the Jiangbei Provincial Disciplinary Committee.

Considering the time, it was already night, and Sun Daliang should have already returned home. A woman’s voice came from the other end of the phone, “Hello, may I ask who you are looking for?”

Nie Zhenbang then courteously said, “Excuse me, is this Secretary Sun Daliang’s home? I’m Nie Zhenbang, the Director of the Fifth Inspection Office of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Sorry to disturb you at this hour. Could you please ask Secretary Sun to take the call?”

On the other end, upon hearing Nie Zhenbang’s self-introduction, without any hesitation, knowing that they were looking for Sun Daliang, it was clear that this was no ordinary person, nor someone who had dialed the wrong number. After a moment’s pause, a resounding voice came through: “Ha ha, Director Nie, hello, hello. Calling so late, is there any instruction?”

This sentence sounded somewhat amusing. Here was a deputy ministerial-level official asking a deputy department-level official almost as a subordinate. On one hand, this was because of Nie Zhenbang’s status in the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, and on the other hand, it was Sun Daliang being polite.

Nie Zhenbang chuckled, “Secretary Sun, you’re being too polite. If I may, it seems rather formal. I’m sorry for the late call, but there is a matter I’d like to report to you.”

Nie Zhenbang respected those who respected him. As Sun Daliang had lowered his status, he would not act high and mighty in return, which would be foolish. With such an approach, Sun Daliang was at least satisfied. From the other end, Sun Daliang chuckled back, “Director Nie, no need to be so formal. What’s this about a report? What’s the matter?”

Subsequently, Nie Zhenbang informed him that he was currently in Qianzhou City and reported about the situation in Xiaxiang County and the circumstances surrounding Xiong Changgui. After covering everything impartially, Sun Daliang, on the other end, fell silent before speaking again, his tone noticeably stern, “Director Nie, this is a failure on the part of our Jiangbei Province Disciplinary Committee. I will report this matter to Secretary Yanshuo and Governor Shouchang right away and no later than tomorrow afternoon, I will be in Qianzhou City. We can discuss the specifics once I arrive. How does that sound?”

Secretary Yanshuo referred to Secretary of the Jiangbei Provincial Committee, Shen Yanshuo, the actual power figure of Jiangbei Province. Sun Daliang’s statement affirmed the importance that the Jiangbei Province placed on this matter.

No matter whether it was out of regard for his rank or as a matter of courtesy, possessing such an attitude was sufficient. Investigations could not be completed overnight. At that point, Nie Zhenbang had no issues, and promptly nodded, “Okay. Secretary Sun, see you tomorrow.”

Just as he hung up the phone, Nie Zhenbang got up, took a shower in the bathroom and as he came out, the door was being knocked thunderously. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

As he opened the door, Qin Lang, his eyes bloodshot, looked at Nie Zhenbang in a deep voice, “Soldier King, the boss… the boss is gone.”

“Gone?”

Nie Zhenbang repeated, with Xiong Changgui’s character, he would absolutely not flee under these circumstances. Everyone originated from the same military unit and even if he, Nie Zhenbang, was not present, Yao Yuan and Qin Lang were. Escaping would be an unspoken insult to Xiong Changgui.

At this moment, the word ‘gone’ carried only one meaning: Xiong Changgui was dead.

Without any hesitation, the two rushed to the room across the hall. There, Xiong Changgui lay flat on the floor, displaying no signs of life.

Yao Yuan, standing at the side with tears streaming down his face, stared out of the window, trying hard not to cry. Alongside, were the city’s police officers as well as Xu Qi, the Secretary of the Qianzhou City Committee, and the commander of the Jiangbei Province Military Division, Long Dianqin.

Upon seeing Nie Zhenbang enter, Yao Yuan whispered, “Changgui committed suicide. This is his suicide note.”

On a piece of hotel notepaper were written a few simple sentences: ‘I have failed the nurturing of my country and military. I cannot face the leaders of the military region and my comrades. I’m leaving!’

A well-trained special forces soldier, a famous soldier king in Xibei Military Region with deadly combat skills and expertise, honed to perfection. If he intended to commit suicide, no one could stop him. In fact, Xiong Changgui had been prepared to die. Nevertheless, he was waiting for Nie Zhenbang. He waited to see the Crown Prince for the last time, waiting for Nie Zhenbang to seek justice for his deceased parents and sister, for his fellow villagers.

Nie Zhenbang, at this moment, quietly walked over to Xiong Changgui’s side, squatted down, and lightly brushed his palm across Xiong Changgui’s face. He whispered, “Brother! Farewell!”

PS: Ahem, big brother tclan6495 has hit the top again. And has advanced to become the alliance leader of this book. As a result, another chapter is added. Which means, today there’s a four-chapter burst. Tomorrow, there’ll continue to be a four-chapter burst. Seeking monthly votes, brothers and sisters. Our ratings have dropped out of the top six in the Metropolitan category amid explosions, seeking support with monthly votes to retain our top six position. Could you guys support us?(.)