Chapter 375: Chapter 366: Capsize in the Ditch_1
This statement is a show of force from Nie Zhenbang. It also signifies the end of Zhenbang’s low-key strategy in Liangxi City, making a high-profile entrance was inevitable.

This is also a strategy of Nie Zhenbang. The sudden death of Elder Nie upset the plans of the whole Nie family. The blow was heavy to the family. As for the second generation of the Nie family, none of them were in the Political Bureau, which was a disadvantage. Even with Zhuang Aiguo on their side, that was only a helping hand. On this level, only their own people can be trusted. The so-called faction was just an empty phrase. The people of the Nie family could fight fervently for the family. But the people of the Nie faction could only take care of the Nie family while preserving themselves. This was the difference.

Elder Nan’s advice, keeping a low profile and being straightforward. Nie Zhenbang understood it profoundly. Keeping a low profile doesn’t mean Zhenbang should walk on eggshells. On a deeper level, it might refer to the obstacles Nie Zhenbang faced on his career path. A 27-year-old mayor. This was unprecedented in the country. This was what people were averse to. With Elder Nie around, it was not a big deal. But now that Elder Nie was gone, Nie Zhenbang stood out too much. He could be targeted any time.

On this level, it would take several years. When you’re not in the spotlight, gradually rise up. This was what Elder Nan meant by keep a low profile.

Nie Zhenbang’s high-profile strategy was very clear. It won’t work anymore to be calculated from now on. The reason was simple, there was no one ahead of him. Going that way, he could be strangled at any time, so Nie Zhenbang decided to strike out openly. Everything was out in the open, making it impossible for people to hinder.

…

Liangxi City Public Security Bureau

The staff quarters of the city’s Public Security Bureau were behind the office building, covering more than two hundred acres. This newly built area had modern facilities and management.

Security guards were stationed at each entrance of the quarters, which was a fairly common occurrence for the Public Security Bureau. Not having police officers there was good enough.

In the center of the area, there was a park covering four to five acres. Around the park, there were detached villas. These villas were the residences of the bureau’s party committee leaders.

Villa 003 was the residence of Guo Zhenbao, the executive deputy director of the City Public Security Bureau. At the moment, in the living room of the villa, Guo Zhenbao was sinking into the sofa. His weight had formed a nest-like shape in the sofa.

To the left of Guo Zhenbao, a middle-aged man sat quietly, staring at Guo Zhenbao’s unmoving figure. The man looked somewhat awkward and hesitant.

After a long silence, the man was struggling internally. After a while, he gritted his teeth and braved himself to speak, “Director Guo, about my son…”

As soon as these words were uttered, Guo Zhenbao’s eyebrows furrowed, and he could no longer keep his eyes closed. He opened his eyes slightly and looked at the man, “Old Zhang, why are you so impatient? This takes time. Joining the Public Security Bureau is not a simple matter. And now, with the new bureau chief taking office, I have my hands full. Personnel and finance have all been taken over by the new bureau chief, you have to give me some time to work on this. Old Zhang, don’t worry. I will arrange your son’s matter as soon as possible. When there is news, I will let you know. How does that sound?”

There was some dissatisfaction in Guo Zhenbao’s tone. Old Zhang heard it and felt rather awkward. Guo’s excuse seemed too far-fetched to Old Zhang. He had requested this a year ago, before the new bureau chief came. He had put all his life savings into this hoping his son could join the Public Security Bureau, instead of working a lifetime at the Textile Factory No.2 like him. Old Zhang had struggled a lot for this.

After a while, Old Zhang sighed and said, “Director Guo, we’ve been colleagues since I joined the Textile Factory No.2, and you’re my superior. I’m entrusting my son’s matter to you. I know you understand my family’s circumstance, he’s our only child, and I don’t want to see him wasting away his life at the Textile Factory No.2.”

At the moment, Guo Zhenbao felt a headache coming. Indeed, he and Old Zhang both came from the Textile Factory No.2, and he knew Old Zhang’s son well. He was spoiled and incompetent, and that was why Guo Zhenbao had not yet settled the matter. He would have arranged it a long time ago if he were a talent. Even for such a person, Guo Zhenbao needed to wait for the right opportunity.

However, before the opportunity came, Nie Zhenbang and Chen Le arrived. After that, with the support of the city’s Political and Legal Committee secretary Huang Jiang and Nie Zhenbang, Chen Le made sweeping changes and took control of the City Public Security Bureau. After that, this matter became even more difficult to handle.

After a moment of silence, Guo Zhenbao made a decision in his heart and slowly said, “Old Zhang, now that you’ve said all this, I’ll tell you the truth. Your child’s matter, it might be difficult for the next year or two. So, out of the fifty thousand yuan you gave me, I’ve spent over three thousand for a meal. I used ten thousand for my child’s education. I’ll give you back thirty-five thousand and I’ll return the remaining twelve thousand to you later.”

Old Zhang’s expression changed upon hearing this. He pleaded, “Director Guo, you aren’t upset, are you? Don’t worry, I won’t rush you anymore. As long as you’re aware of the situation, it will be fine isn’t it.”

However, Guo Zhenbao was resolute. Dragging the issue out would always be a bother to him. Moreover, who knew how long Chen Le could stay in power. Guo Zhenbao didn’t dare promise any more uncertain outcomes. When it came to money, Guo Zhenbao wouldn’t back down. To help others and fail, and still have to pay out of pocket? Is he a fool?

With that, Guo Zhenbao decisively stood up, withdrew thirty-five thousand yuan from his bedroom, placed it on the coffee table, and pushed it towards Old Zhang. He said again, “Old Zhang, take this money back for now.”

Seeing Guo Zhenbao’s firm expression, Old Zhang agreed hesitantly, then stood up with the money. When he returned home and told his wife about the situation, she immediately started complaining, “Zhang Debao, you useless creature, Guo is playing with you. Fifty thousand out, the task not done, and it became thirty-five thousand. He said he’ll give you the remaining twelve thousand, and you actually believe him? When will we ever see that money? Zhang Debao, let’s sue him.”

Old Zhang hesitated, and at this time, his wife roared again, “Zhang Debao, are you going or not? If you don’t, I won’t stand for this.”

Three days later at Chen Le’s office, Feng Kuang walked in, holding a letter in his hand, and said to Chen Le, “Chief, this is a letter we received this morning. It doesn’t have an address.”

Hearing Feng Kuang’s words, Chen Le was stunned. A letter without an address? Upon receiving the letter, Chen Le opened it and broke into a smile. It was as though someone had handed him a pillow just as he was dozing off. He had been looking for an opportunity, but unexpectedly, the opportunity had just presented itself.

Taking bribes to abuse his official position was no minor offense. Furthermore, Chen Le could say with certainty that knowing Guo Zhenbao’s character, if there was one incident, there must be more. Using this as a breakthrough and further investigations, Guo Zhenbao will definitely be exposed.

Chen Le immediately stood up and walked out of his office desk, and said to Feng Kuang, “Feng Kuang, let’s go to the municipal government immediately.”

With the relationship between Chen Le and Nie Zhenbang, they were allowed to pass unimpeded and entered Nie Zhenbang’s office directly. Seeing Chen Le’s smiling face, Nie Zhenbang also laughed and scolded, “You don’t seem to maintain the dignity of a bureau chief while wearing such a playful smile. What good news has made you so happy?”

These words didn’t scare Chen Le. The more Nie Zhenbang behaved like this, the happier Chen Le was. He knew Nie Zhenbang’s character well and knew that Nie Zhenbang would only talk like this to people he trusted. Chen Le then walked up to the desk with the envelope in hand, handed over the letter, and said, “Mayor, there’s a potential breakthrough in the Bureau of Public Security.”

Nie Zhenbang glanced at the letter and stood up in excitement. After reading the letter, Nie Zhenbang looked up and asked, “Chen Le, did you find the person who wrote the letter?”

Chen Le was a bit embarrassed at the moment. The incident had caught him off guard and he had rushed over as soon as he got the letter. Seeing Nie Zhenbang’s gaze, he chuckled and said, “The situation was too sudden. I received the letter and came straight here. But, rest assured, Mayor, we will immediately make contact with the whistleblower and ensure their protection. Absolutely nothing will happen.”

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang nodded. The contents of the letter were quite clear – it was about Guo Zhenbao failing to get a job done after accepting money and not refunding the full amount. Unexpectedly, Guo Zhenbao actually ended up in hot water over this.

However, Nie Zhenbang saw a deeper implication. Guo Zhenbao, despite only having the small position of executive deputy director of the city’s Public Security Bureau, was Li Guohua’s man. Seizing this opportunity to take down Guo Zhenbao would be a severe blow to Li Guohua. This was what Nie Zhenbang deemed important. Moreover, amplifying this issue to divert the attention of Li Guohua and Fan Changsheng, and then investigating Qingfang City, would face much less resistance. It would be a win-win situation.

Thinking of this, Nie Zhenbang stood up and said to Chen Le, “Chen Le, take action immediately and ensure the full protection of Zhang Debao and his entire family. Now, I’m going to see Secretary Lei Dingguo. This time, we must strive to bring down Li Guohua and his associates at once.” (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)