Reborn as a Noble's Son

Chapter 532: Chapter 489: Tremendous Pressure (Second Update, Calling for 450 Monthly Tickets)_1
 

On the other end of the phone, there was silence for a while before a paced voice said, “General Lin. What can I do for you?”

The tone was very flat, without any surprise or fluctuation. It was a calmness that couldn’t be cultivated in just a day or two.

At this moment, Lin Zhengxing was completely devoid of his usual arrogant attitude in Wanghai City. Even while on the call with Minister Li, he was so composed. His tone and attitude revealed an equal relationship. But at this moment, Lin Zhengxing has lowered his stance.

He said with a smile, “Director Wang, why are you still so polite? This time, I’m bothering you mainly about Wanghai City. Early this morning, Deputy Commander Nie Jiamin from the Wanghai Military Region led a team to seize a batch of my goods and an oil tanker. Director Wang… ”

Before he finished his words, on the other end, Director Wang rudely interrupted Lin Zhengxing’s speech: “General Lin, I can only do so much for this matter. You are well aware of Nie Jiamin’s background. His father is the commander of the Jingcheng City Military District; this year, at the grand party, he may become a member of the military commission. For this matter, I think you have to find your own way. On my side, I will try my best to clear things up. After all, the Wanghai City Military District is still under the jurisdiction of the Minan Province Military District, which in turn is under the Jiangzhou Military District.”

“Alright, alright, alright. Director Wang, thank you for your trouble. With you intervening in this matter, success is surely at hand.” Lin Zhengxing hung up the phone with a smile on his face.

However, his face turned gloomy, damn it, when they needed money, they were all smiles. Now, when there’s trouble, they just want to wash their hands off it. Does Lin Zhengxing’s money come so easily? If I’m having a hard time, then everyone will.

After a moment of silence, Lin Zhengxing turned to the bedroom. With such a big incident, the woman in the bedroom had already gotten up. She looked to be in her thirties, of average looks and good figure. Quite easy on the eyes indeed.

As soon he entered the door, Lin Zhengxing said, “Lan, now, you need to pack up at once and take the afternoon flight to Donggang. Then you will transfer to Australia. As for staying in the country, it’s not possible for the moment.”

On the surface, Lin Zhengxing was extremely calm in front of his subordinates, but he knew his own situation well. At this moment, he was also starting to plan his retreat.

…

Early the next morning.

Wanghai City had just started to get lively. The attention of all the cadre in the city was focused on the entrance of the Municipal Party Committee and City Government.

At this point, at the front of the City Government building, hundreds of workers in dark-colored overalls had already blocked the entrance of the Wanghai Municipal Party Committee and City Government. With so many people, one side of the road has been jammed. The steady stream of cars has slowed down here, resulting in congestion on both sides in no time.

On both sides of the transparent fence of the city government, banners had been hung up saying, “We need to eat, we need to survive. We firmly oppose the government’s crackdown on private enterprises.”

There were also phrases like, ‘Protest against military interference in local government affairs. Some individual leaders have ulterior motives for revenge’, and so on.

These people were crying and complaining about the government’s wrongs. Their speeches were filled with praises for the Eastern Sea Group and aggrieved individuals. For a while, the crowd of onlookers, including those taking a morning walk, buying groceries, going to work, and just watching, grew more and more.

Shi Yiwu’s Bentley could only get to the front of the intersection as the way forward was blocked. Secretary Zhang Xiaohai turned his head and said, “Boss, I don’t know what’s going on, but we’re blocked.”

Zhang Xiaohai was very careful. In the past, if this kind of situation occurred, the boss would definitely berate the public security bureau for its incompetence. However, today, the boss simply glanced up and said, “Take a detour. Enter through the back door of the Municipal Party Committee and City Government.”

Nie Zhenbang also came in from the back. Standing by his office window, looking at the crowd and those slogans at the entrance, Nie Zhenbang sneered in his heart. Lin Zhengxing is now acting out of desperation and resorting to such a lowly tactic.

As a star entrepreneur in Wanghai City, he should understand government affairs. Now, this kind of collective visit to seek government help is illegal. Lin Zhengxing is doing this with just one intention, to portray himself as innocent through public opinion, to win the sympathy of society, and to exert pressure on the government from the public.

“Mayor, a moment ago, a call came from the Municipal Party Committee, requesting all standing committee members at home to attend an emergency committee meeting at the small meeting room of the Municipal Party Committee.” At this moment, Li Jupeng walked in from outside and spoke quietly.

Convening a standing committee meeting was expected. Major incidents had occurred at dawn, likely causing Shi Yiwu and others to be anxious. Coupling that with the mass demonstrations, today’s committee meeting is probably going to be yet another intense struggle.

When Nie Zhenbang arrived at the Municipal Party Committee, he happened to run into Shi Yiwu who was about to enter the small meeting room in the hallway.

At this moment, Shi Yiwu’s face was somewhat gloomy. Glancing at Nie Zhenbang, the light reflecting from his pupils could almost devour him. Nie Zhenbang, however, smiled and said: “Secretary Shi, what a coincidence. Let’s go in together.”

Shi Yiwu didn’t move nor did he speak. Nie Zhenbang didn’t mind. If Shi Yiwu could manage a smile at this time, that would be abnormal. The two entered the small meeting room one after the other. Right now, with the exception of Jiang Li of the United Front Work Department and Zhao Fei, Secretary of the High-tech Zone Work Committee, who were still on vacation and hadn’t shown up, all the other standing committee members had already taken their seats.

Once Nie Zhenbang had taken his seat, Shi Yiwu immediately started speaking: “Comrades, there were many occurrences last night. The Eastern Sea Group’s exclusive docks, warehouse one and warehouse six at Wanghai Port, were sealed off by the deputy commander of the Wanghai City Military Region at dawn today.”

Shi Yiwu paused for a moment before suddenly raising his voice: “What is going on here? Does Wanghai City still have party organization? Do we still have principles and discipline? The Eastern Sea Group is a key enterprise that our city protects, and it’s always been recognized at the provincial and even national level. Some comrades think this is not too much? Several leaders from the province have already called me to inquire about this matter. What am I supposed to say?”

As he spoke, Shi Yiwu’s gaze swept over Zhang Zhengguang, continuing to apply pressure: “Also, the Wanghai Military Region insists that these goods were all smuggled by the Eastern Sea Group. Ridiculous, it’s simply egregiously ridiculous. These two warehouses were leased out by the Eastern Sea Group, which is already clearly noted in their corporate records. What’s the aim of entrapping them this way?”

“Comrades, look at the Eastern Sea Group’s hundreds of workers outside the gate. Listen to the voice of the masses. The Eastern Sea Group has made significant contributions to our city’s economic construction, social development, and employment. Today, some leaders are falsely accusing and smearing them for their own interests. If one wants to slander, one would always find a way.”

As he said this, Shi Yiwu’s hand slammed down on the table, a clear indication of his inner rage.

It was the first time Shi Yiwu had slapped the table during a standing committee meeting in Wanghai City. As the city’s party secretary, his word is final, and Shi Yiwu had always maintained a calm and superior attitude. It was truly surprising to see him become so furious this time.

Frankly speaking, as a senior cadre within the Party, one should not only pay attention to politics but also to breeding and demeanor at Shi Yiwu’s current level. Unlike committee meetings at the township level, or standing committee meetings at the county level where disputes can degenerate into name-calling, such behavior would be perceived as incompetence by the higher-level leadership, and result in penalties at this level.

When everyone thought Shi Yiwu’s words were coming to an end and Zhao Dingguang, the full-time deputy secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and executive vice mayor, was preparing to severely condemn and criticize such behavior, Shi Yiwu’s narrative suddenly shifted and he looked at Nie Zhenbang: “Vice Mayor Nie, what are you trying to achieve? Whatever grudges there might be between you, the Eastern Sea Group, and General Lin, are your private affairs. However, I must remind you, Vice Mayor Nie, this world belongs to the Communist Party, Wanghai City is not entirely under your control. If you want to smear the Eastern Sea Group, I, Shi Yiwu, will not agree. And I will report this matter to the Central Committee.”

When this statement was made, the room fell silent. Everyone had assumed that Shi Yiwu was just insinuating a warning, they didn’t expect that he would speak so frankly and start a direct confrontation. Once these words were said, it permanently killed any possibility of a compromise between the two. It can be said that they were in a situation where neither can afford to lose. Either Shi Yiwu gets out, or Nie Zhenbang gets out, there are no other choices. Also worth noting is the fact that Shi Yiwu voicing his support for the Eastern Sea Group and expressing that he plans to report to the Central Committee is significant.

Everyone knew that as a vice-provincial cadre, Shi Yiwu indeed has the right to report directly to the Central Committee.

As his words finished, before Nie Zhenbang could speak, Zhang Zusi, the executive Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, spoke: “I agree with Secretary Shi’s remarks. As a party cadre, especially a cadre holding real power, one should always think twice before acting. The Eastern Sea Group, praised by the Central Leadership, occupies as much as 95% of the domestic market for plastic raw materials every year, and has made significant contributions to our country’s economic construction and development. Comrade Nie Zhenbang’s actions, I consider inappropriate. I suggest making a public clarification about the Eastern Sea Group right away, and I recommend that the organization reports to the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government, taking punitive action against Comrade Nie Zhenbang.”

His neighbour, Gu Dongliang coughed lightly and said: “Secretary Shi, comrades, before the meeting this morning, I received a call from the Ministry of Public Security’s office. The Executive Vice Minister of Public Security, Vice-Minister Li Chengfang is visiting Wanghai City for an inspection tomorrow.”

Hearing this, Nie Zhenbang sneered in his heart. Even Li Chengfang couldn’t keep calm and was coming to Wanghai to show his support. The pressure was indeed tremendous.

PS: Brothers and sisters, continue asking for monthly votes, already 435 monthly votes. Only 15 votes away from 450 monthly votes. As always, we are aiming for a big bang today!! At 450 monthly votes, it’s a seven-more explosion. If we can reach 500 monthly votes, it’s an eight-more explosion!! 550 monthly votes? Brothers and sisters, do you have faith? (.)