Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 1184 - Chapter 1184 Chapter 1140 Sudden Incident

Chapter 1184: Chapter 1140: Sudden Incident Chapter 1184: Chapter 1140: Sudden Incident In the morning, Nie Zhenbang inspected Qinglin County, a poverty-stricken county under Shian City, which relies entirely on agriculture and animal husbandry as its main industries.

As is well-known, in today’s society, commerce is the fundamental element of circulation, and only when commerce thrives can the economy live. However, looking across Qinglin County town, the sparse shops and the few enterprises present are all in a state of near paralysis, a situation that is truly worrisome.

It’s understood that both agriculture and animal husbandry require water resources. Water for crops, water for livestock, these are all major consumers of water. But the crux of the problem is that Qinglin County is already lacking in water. The annual rainfall is less than five hundred millimeters, while evaporation reaches two thousand millimeters.

Moreover, the development of agriculture and the grazing of livestock have led to the extensive destruction of vegetation. Soil erosion has become even more severe. The groundwater level has plummeted, leading directly to a most pressing issue: even when it rains, the water cannot be retained on the surface.

This has created a vicious cycle. The poorer the county, the greater the destruction; the more the environment is damaged, the more severe the drought becomes.

In the meeting room of Qinglin County Committee, Nie Zhenbang immediately raised the provincial party committee’s opinions and demands. The local government must devise strategies and open new avenues for development. They should carry out the work of returning farmland to forests and grazing land to grasslands and strengthen the construction of tree planting and afforestation. Soil and water conservation must be treated as a long-term project.

Midway through the meeting, suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Then, Xia Gang entered from outside: “Secretary Nie, sorry for the interruption. Here’s an urgent call from the Secretary-General.”

Hearing Xia Gang’s words, Nie Zhenbang felt an ominous premonition surge within him. How could Liu Xiaomin’s call be relayed by Xia Gang–could it be that Liu Xiaomin’s secretary had asked Xia Gang to pass on the message?

Once outside, upon seeing Xia Gang’s very solemn and grave expression, Liu Xiaomin said, “Secretary-General, it’s a call from the provincial government, from Governor Zhentao. Just a moment ago, Vice Governor Li Hongyi’s car met with an accident on the way back from Linzhou City. He was unfortunately killed. The secretary accompanying him also died, and the driver is critically injured. The specifics are still under further investigation. It’s said that Vice Governor Li Hongyi was very dissatisfied during the inspection of Lingxiao Coal Mine in Linzhou and lost his temper publicly.”

“What?”

When Liu Xiaomin heard this news, she immediately exclaimed in shock. This news was incredibly stunning. A vice-provincial level cadre had just vanished like that. This was a monumental event.

No wonder Xia Gang went to her indirectly instead of to Secretary Nie. It indeed wouldn’t be appropriate to mention such a thing in front of the officials from Shian City and Qinglin County.

At the same time, Liu Xiaomin picked up on an extremely unusual piece of information from Xia Gang’s words. Liu Xiaomin knew very well who Li Hongyi was, a vice governor responsible for industry, energy, and safety production and other areas in the provincial government, someone who had come up from the grassroots. It could be said that Li Hongyi’s current status was earned step by step through his own efforts and struggle.

In her daily work, Liu Xiaomin was quite familiar with Li Hongyi. He wasn’t someone who would lose his temper easily. For senior leadership, maintaining composure is a fundamental requirement. Li Hongyi’s background meant he was not the type of person with a fiery temper.

If it were a trivial matter, Li Hongyi certainly would not have lost his temper. What on earth happened that made Li Hongyi so agitated, to the point of losing his composure and causing a scene?

Furthermore, was the car accident in any way necessarily connected to Lingxiao Coal Mine, a coincidence, or a deliberate arrangement? All of these were matters that currently required clarification. If it was merely a coincidence, then let it be, but if it was a deliberate arrangement, then the matter was serious. To attempt to assassinate a vice-provincial level cadre required immense audacity and courage.

After a moment’s reflection, Liu Xiaomin looked around solemnly and said, “This matter must be kept strictly confidential. We must do a good job with the secrecy. Before the provincial party committee issues an official decision, no one is allowed to gossip. Did everyone hear that? Secretary Xia, you are in charge of handling this matter. I’ll report to the Secretary immediately.”

Having said that, Liu Xiaomin turned and with a now composed expression on her face, she opened the door and quietly returned to her seat.

While Wei Haoyang was speaking in between topics, Liu Xiaomin also leaned into Nie Zhenbang’s ear and whispered, “Secretary, a major incident has occurred in the province. Comrade Li Hongyi encountered a fatal car accident on his way back from a coal industry research trip in Linzhou City. Just now, Comrade Zhentao called to ask you to rush back to the province to take charge of the situation.”

Hearing this piece of news, Nie Zhenbang’s heart suddenly skipped a beat. He was familiar with the name Li Hongyi; after all, he had been in Longxi for almost a month now. He knew the main leaders of the provincial committee and government, as well as the heads and deputies of various local departments.

The sudden accident of a sub-provincial official, no matter the circumstances, necessitated an explanation for the cause of death. Encountering such an incident, it was inevitable for him to return.

After settling on a course of action, Nie Zhenbang hastened the meeting process and pace. Once Wei Haoyang had finished speaking, Nie Zhenbang directly summarized the discussion and then declared the meeting adjourned.

At that moment, however, Nie Zhenbang called out to Wei Haoyang, “Comrade Haoyang, please wait a moment.”

Wei Haoyang, with a smile, said, “Secretary, Qinglin County has already prepared a working meal. We invite you to honor us with your presence, as it’s a gesture of goodwill from your comrades…”

Before he could finish, Nie Zhenbang interrupted him abruptly. Looking at Wei Haoyang, Nie Zhenbang spoke in a low voice, “Comrade Haoyang, I’m afraid there’s no time for a meal. Just now, Governor Zhentao called from the province–Comrade Hongyi has died in a car accident. We must return to the province immediately. You, being a member of the Standing Committee, will come with me. Also, arrange for a police car to clear the way for us. We must make it back to Ancient City as quickly as possible.”

“What? Comrade Hongyi…” Wei Haoyang was also shocked. This was an unnatural death. Regardless of the reason, the sudden death of an incumbent provincial-level leader was classified as such. The cause of death could only be determined after further investigation. But for now, this was indeed a grave matter. After a moment of shock, Wei Haoyang nodded, “Alright, I’ll arrange it right away.”

Wei Haoyang acted swiftly, promptly extracting a police car from the Qinglin County Public Security Bureau. Rather than taking the route through Shian City, the convoy traveled directly from Qinglin County through the mountains to Jinan City, which was significantly faster.

Nearly an hour later, led by the police car, the convoy entered the Gujin Expressway. Due to the mountainous terrain earlier, the signal had been sporadic. Therefore, Nie Zhenbang had not called Liu Zhentao. Now that they were on the expressway with a clear signal, Nie Zhenbang took out his phone.

“Governor Zhentao? This is Nie Zhenbang. What’s the general situation with Comrade Hongyi’s incident?” As soon as the call connected, he went straight to the point.

At that moment, inside the office building of the Provincial Committee and Government, Governor Liu Zhentao was extremely busy. Sitting directly opposite him was the Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee, Liu Yueguang, who had come to discuss the car accident.

“Secretary, the provincial public security department’s traffic police corps has urgently dispatched an accident investigation team to the front line. At the scene, the Linzhou City traffic police squad has already sealed off the area. The cause of the accident is still under further investigation. Currently, the known facts are that Comrade Li Hongyi and his secretary died on the spot. The driver, who was wearing a seat belt, is seriously injured and unconscious. He has been rushed to Linzhou City Central Hospital for emergency treatment,” said Liu Zhentao’s voice over the phone.

“Alright, ensure meticulous arrangements are made on the scene. Also, inform all members of the Standing Committee to prepare for a meeting. I should be able to return by around five o’clock in the afternoon. As for the central authorities, we must report the situation promptly and seek guidance,” Nie Zhenbang arranged, without saying much more. According to the information transmitted by Liu Xiaomin, there were many doubts concerning the accident. However, at this moment, since he was in the car, talking any more would be futile–it was better to say less.

Liu Zhentao’s voice came again, “A detailed report has already been made to the organization. Deputy Minister Chen Tao of the Organization Department of the Central Committee is on his way to Longxi, and it is estimated that he will arrive around five or six o’clock as well.”

Chen Tao? Hearing this name, Nie Zhenbang was taken aback for a moment. After his own father had passed away, this man was the older brother of Chen Bo, whom he publicly slapped twice at the dynasty. Was he the pride of the Chen family?

Indeed, a remarkable person. In just a few years since they last met, Chen Tao had silently risen to the position of Deputy Minister of the Organization Department of the Central Committee. Although he was not the Executive Deputy Minister and might rank lower within the department, this central-level identity, even as a deputy position, was nearly as significant as a principal position compared to local officials. It was indeed a place tied to power.

“Okay, I understand. Then, let’s set the Standing Committee meeting for six o’clock. Once Deputy Minister Chen arrives, we will hold it together. Also, make sure to console and comfort the families. Before a formal resolution is made, I suggest we keep a lid on this matter,” Nie Zhenbang said, quickly making the most sensible arrangements after a brief moment of contemplation.

After hanging up, Liu Zhentao looked at Secretary of the Political and Legal Committee Liu Yueguang and said, “Secretary Yueguang, it seems like Longxi is indeed facing a troublesome autumn.”

As a fellow scion of a prominent family, Liu Zhentao’s insights were not easily matched by others. He couldn’t discern the profound intentions behind the decision to send Chen Tao here, but, he was aware of the discord between Nie Zhenbang and the Chen brothers. The two sides were inherently at odds, and now, with the mysterious death of Li Hongyi, the entire situation had become ambiguous. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (NovelFire.net) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)