Reborn as a Noble's Son

The third floor of the guesthouse was jam-packed with people. When Nie Zhenbang arrived, both the Forensic Identification Department and the coroners from Wanghai City Public Security Bureau were already at the scene.

Qi Siyuan is an old member of the Discipline Inspection Commission and his work experience is incredibly rich. He would never demonstrate such ignorance. Nie Zhenbang stood outside the door, briefly inspecting the arrangement inside the room.

At his side, Gao Wei, Deputy Secretary of the City Discipline Inspection Commission, spoke in a low voice, “Huang Liangwen’s room was arranged entirely by me. There’s nothing in the room that could be used for self-harm or suicide. In addition, to prevent anyone from smuggling something in the food, all the meals are examined by a dedicated person. And there are also staff from the Discipline Inspection Commission present in the room.”

Gao Wei’s words were meant to assure Nie Zhenbang that he took personal responsibility for these arrangements, so there should be no problems at all.

Nie Zhenbang’s face turned somewhat gloomy as he surveyed the room. Standing to the side, Qi Siyuan remained silent. He was well aware of Nie Zhenbang’s previous position as the head of the Fifth Discipline Inspection Department of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection—once his direct superior. Even Secretary Ding Jiashu of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission had to show respect to Mayor Nie.

“Secretary Qi, has the police’s death report come out? Based on the initial inference, what caused the death?” Nie Zhenbang asked in a grave voice.

At that moment, Qi Siyuan seemed a bit awkward. It wasn’t that he was in a difficult position, but the death report issued by the city’s Public Security Bureau was so surprising that he felt somewhat embarrassed to disclose it.

After a moment of silence, Qi Siyuan nodded and said, “Mayor Nie, according to the inference of the Criminal Investigation Detachment, they believe it was sudden death. They think it’s very likely that he choked to death while eating.”

Upon hearing this, Nie Zhenbang’s face also froze. No wonder Qi Siyuan looked like that. This cause of death was far too far-fetched. A child might choke to death on food, but Huang Liangwen was not a child; he was a grown man. Even if he choked on food, his body’s natural protective reflexes and subconscious reaction would have caused Huang Liangwen to cough it up. It’s impossible that he choked to death while eating.

Subsequently, Nie Zhenbang said in a serious tone, “Who is in charge of the Public Security Bureau this time? Huang Liangwen’s body must be dissected.”

As soon as his words fell, Gao Wei, looking rather distressed, said in a low voice, “Mayor, it’s not that we don’t want to carry out an autopsy. These past few days, under a tremendous amount of pressure, Huang Liangwen has confessed to his illegal and disciplinary violations. Moreover, he’s given up several important leads, implicating several mid-level officers and leaders from the Wanghai City Public Security Bureau. We fully understand that this must be a case of murder. The culprits are afraid. They fear that our continued deep digging will expose them all. However, Huang Liangwen’s family is currently very emotional and strongly opposes the autopsy. Furthermore, there have been some unfavorable comments made about our Discipline Inspection Commission. Our work has been put on the defensive.”

Watching Gao Wei report to Nie Zhenbang, Qi Siyuan laughed inwardly. With Gao Wei there, his job at the Discipline Inspection Commission has become much easier.

Nie Zhenbang’s face became even more serious at this moment. This move was one that only a skilled player could pull off. By eliminating Huang Liangwen, the Discipline Inspection Commission’s investigation has been put on the back foot, followed by initiating a public opinion assault, forcing the Discipline Inspection Commission into a passive state. By spreading rumors that the Discipline Inspection Commission’s harsh investigation drove Huang Liangwen to suicide, the commission is then busy dealing with the public opinion pressure. Even if they manage to overcome this, under such pressure, the city’s Discipline Inspection Commission would probably not dare to take any drastic actions in the future.

At this moment, the cries of several women suddenly erupted, “Liangwen, oh, how miserable your death was, tell me, how did you die so mysteriously, it’s so unjust. How are we, the widow and orphan, going to live?”

“Big brother, tell me, why did you have to leave us like this. Framed for something you didn’t do, even after death, you still have to bear a tainted name.”

As if on cue from these two women’s sobbing, several men standing in the corridor of the third floor were overcome with emotion and began to shout loudly.

“What is the government doing? What is the city’s Discipline Inspection Commission investigation team doing? This is obvious persecution!”

“Yes, we must petition. We’ll take our petition to the Provincial Party Committee, we need an explanation for the family of the deceased.”

Upon hearing these words, Nie Zhenbang’s face darkened, and he asked, “Who are these people and who let them in?”

At his side, the acting deputy director of the Wanghai City Public Security Bureau, Niu Chao, stepped forward, lowering his head and saying, “Mayor Nie, these are all family members of Comrade Huang Liangwen. The two ladies here are Huang’s wife and sister. These gentlemen are his brothers-in-law, uncles and brothers. They were allowed in after Secretary Qi and I had discussed the situation due to the gravity of the incident.”

Niu Chao’s response was impeccable. It would have been inhumane to keep the deceased’s family outside under these circumstances.

Nie Zhenbang’s brow furrowed. From their words, he sensed something unusual. Huang Liangwen was indeed willing to exchange his own life for the safety and comfort of his family. Unfortunately, Huang was mistaken. Regardless of who secretly informed Huang and made him change his course, the materials were enough to condemn him.

Then, Nie Zhenbang said, “Old Qi, the investigation into Comrade Huang Liangwen can be closed. The conclusion of the case should state ‘fear of punishment drove him to suicide.\'”

His words made the family members of the deceased stand up in shock. Huang’s wife yelled at Nie Zhenbang as if she were a market quarreler, “Nie Zhenbang, have you lost your humanity? Huang Liangwen is already dead, and yet you still want to throw filth on him.”

Nie Zhenbang looked intently at the woman with a fierce gaze and asked in a deep tone, “You are Huang Liangwen’s wife?”

The hint of murderous intent in Nie Zhenbang’s eyes frightened the woman. Trying to suppress her fear, she retorted angrily, “Yes, I’m Huang Liangwen’s wife. What of it? You not only drove my husband to death but now want to smear his reputation too? This matter is not over. I will go to the Provincial Party Committee to report your killing. I will report your elimination of dissent and violent revenge!”

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang turned to the side and said to Gao Wei, “Deputy Secretary Gao, may I borrow one of your offices? We should invite all of Comrade Huang Liangwen’s family over.”

In the room, seeing the angry faces around him, Nie Zhenbang said, “Even if you don’t report to the Provincial Party Committee, we have to. You all know whether Huang Liangwen has done anything wrong. Whoever incited Huang Liangwen matters not; our judgment of the case won’t change by anyone’s words.”

Upon seeing some relaxation on the faces of Huang’s family, Nie Zhenbang rejoiced internally. If they made a big fuss, the disciplinary committee would be put into a passive position. Once Huang Liangwen’s case was settled, they could follow the clue and continue their investigation.

Then he said again, “In the last few days, Huang Liangwen has cooperated with the disciplinary committee’s investigation and confessed to many things. According to our calculations of Huang’s violations, even if we investigated thoroughly, at most, he would only lose his job, be expelled from the party, and receive a maximum of three years in prison. But suddenly, something like this happens. Who could have instructed Huang Liangwen? You’re not considering these things; instead, you’re aiding and abetting him. Is this the right way to handle things? If you remain obstinate, we’re prepared to take this case to the Provincial Committee, or even the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, at which point Huang’s reputation will undoubtedly be ruined completely.”

After this mix of threats and scares, finally, Huang’s family seemed to understand. They left with their heads hung low. Nie Zhenbang turned to Qi Siyuan and Gao Wei, “Old Qi, Gao Wei, it seems our opponents are no ordinary opponents. We’ve just begun, and this kind of thing has happened, indicating that some people are already scared. Looking at this, we can’t use this place anymore. I suggest we move the investigative team to the military district. I just don’t believe they can really do whatever they want.”

Upon hearing this, Qi Siyuan nodded and said, “Mayor Nie, according to Huang Liangwen’s confession, he was introduced to a man named Chang through Director Jiang of the Exit and Entry Administration Department of the City Public Security Bureau. In the land approval process in Wangxia District, he accepted a bribe of more than one million. According to our information, this Chang is a trusted general under Lin Zhengxing of the Eastern Sea Group.”

From Qi Siyuan’s tone, it seemed he was excited about the case against the Eastern Sea Group. The successful prosecution of the entire corporation would undoubtedly be a great achievement, hence his excitement.

However, Qi Siyuan was ignorant of the significant resistance behind the Eastern Sea Group. If they were to take action against the group rashly, with just a hint of movement here, Qi Siyuan might be transferred.

Then, Nie Zhenbang took a deep breath and said, “Old Qi, haste makes waste. The Eastern Sea Group is not as simple as you think. We can’t act recklessly in this little commotion. We need to go step-by-step. I suggest, based on Huang Liangwen’s confession, we need to immediately detain Director Jiang of the Exit-Entry Administration Department of the City Public Security Bureau and put Niu Chao under double regulations.”

After a pause, he continued, “In times of crisis, we must resort to drastic measures. At this moment, if we involve the Standing Committee, it may alert the snake in the grass. Old Qi, you can take action directly. If anything happens, you and I will bear it together.” (