Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 1188 - Chapter 1188 Chapter 1144 Cooperation with Liu Zhentao

Chapter 1188: Chapter 1144: Cooperation with Liu Zhentao Chapter 1188: Chapter 1144: Cooperation with Liu Zhentao Thinking about this, Nie Zhenbang’s gaze swept toward Liu Zhentao beside him. In the team, Zhang Yongjun was closely aligned with Liu Zhentao. Could this matter be related to Liu Zhentao? Nie Zhenbang was weighing this possibility.

Outwardly, however, Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “Vice Governor Zhang, please continue.”

Zhang Yongjun nodded and then added, “Secretary Nie, I personally think this situation is completely accidental. It’s possible that the truck driver was driving while fatigued, suddenly veered off course, then, realizing the mistake, corrected back to normal. Or perhaps, there was some malfunction with the truck. All of these are possibilities. Since there are no scratches or marks from the collision with Comrade Hongyi’s vehicle, wouldn’t such an extensive search seem like an abuse of power? What would the ordinary people think, would they feel it’s only because the deceased was a provincial leader? Could this possibly cast a negative shadow?”

As Zhang Yongjun spoke, Nie Zhenbang observed Liu Zhentao out of the corner of his eye. From Liu Zhentao’s expression, the fleeting surprise that passed suggested that Liu Zhentao was unaware of Zhang Yongjun’s current performance.

At that moment, Wang Benchang raised his hand and said, “Secretary Nie, I would like to share my thoughts as well.”

Wang Benchang? A thought crossed Nie Zhenbang’s mind as he looked toward Liu Zhentao. Sure enough, the color drained from Liu Zhentao’s face, but the expression was momentary. Liu Zhentao still had his political savvy and composure, and he was adept at concealing his true feelings.

But it was that fleeting abnormality that revealed his thoughts. It was understandable — Zhang Yongjun could be considered his subordinate, someone who had always been close to him. However, at this moment, he seemed to have sided with Wang Benchang. Wasn’t this irksome?

In itself, Wang Benchang had never gotten along well with Liu Zhentao. Wasn’t this just adding insult to injury?

Wang Benchang then spoke slowly, “Secretary Nie, I think Vice Governor Yongjun’s point isn’t without reason. As we all know, Linzhou City has a high number of large trucks and heavy vehicles due to the several mining areas. And there are habitual issues with driving fatigued or overloaded. Traffic is also quite congested. Incomplete statistics show that Linzhou City’s accident rate is six percentage points higher than the provincial average every year.”

At this point, Wang Benchang looked around at the people assembled and said with a smile, “At that time, the traffic was heavy. It might be difficult to find the truck. Making a big deal of it, I feel, could lead to adverse effects such as wasting resources and causing hardship to the public.”

Nie Zhenbang couldn’t hide his disdain for Wang Benchang’s words. The so-called negative impact was just nonsense. Back and forth, all they were trying to do was to close the case.

If the traffic was indeed heavy, then why were there so few vehicles at the time of the accident, and no witnesses either? This was plainly inconsistent.

Liu Zhentao’s complexion darkened at this point. If earlier there was only a premonition, now he felt truly angry. His own people had unwittingly mingled with others.

However, the provincial committee team was not like the local city and county teams. After all, reaching the level of the provincial committee, one should be quite connected. Not to speak of how deeply rooted one’s background is, at least everyone should be familiar with the circles in Jingcheng.

How could that be, if the appointments to the provincial committee team were all up above, and not a few in Jingcheng had spoken well of one, could one attain this level? Thus, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee generally operates in a collaborative relationship. There were no issues of who was whose loyal faction or whose faithful subordinate.

Yet, Zhang Yongjun’s blatant behavior could have an immeasurable impact on Liu Zhentao. Liu Zhentao’s face was bound to look bad.

Just as Liu Zhentao was about to speak, Chen Tao coughed softly, drawing everyone’s attention, and then he slowly shifted his body and began speaking, “After listening to everyone’s discussions and the investigation team’s report, I think it would be better to bring the matter to a close for now. Though there are doubts, they can be addressed in future investigations. Currently, the most pressing issue is reporting to the higher-ups. We should close the case first, and if new doubts arise, we can continue our investigations.”

At first listen, Chen Tao’s words seemed quite fair. But in reality, they were full of ulterior motives and hidden agendas, which everyone present could understand.

By closing the case, it would signify that the matter had been concluded and categorized, and a report to the higher-ups had been made. Then, to go back and investigate, to find new doubts and evidence, and to attempt to overturn the existing conclusion, did he think everyone else was a fool? By trying to reverse their previous stance, what would the higher-ups think, and would they feel that the leadership in Longxi Province was inefficient?

It was astonishing that he could come up with such a thing. But at this moment, Nie Zhenbang didn’t have much of a choice with Chen Tao. He was leaving, and a report had to be made to the higher-ups; it couldn’t just be left hanging. It wasn’t right to rashly assume from these words that Chen Tao had a connection with Lingxiao Coal Mine, or to determine that Wang Benchang and Zhang Yongjun had any involvement with Lingxiao. That wouldn’t do.

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In a society governed by the rule of law, everything hinges on evidence. At the moment, no one can prove any connection between Lingxiao Coal Mine and this incident. Right now, it’s only possible to say there’s a difference in opinion within the team, but not to suspect that they’ve been bribed by someone. As for disagreement, that’s normal too; what matter doesn’t involve some dissent? No one is perfect. Just because you, Nie Zhenbang, don’t agree, doesn’t mean you can randomly slander others for having ulterior motives. Even an emperor wouldn’t have the power to do that, not to mention, this is a democratic society.

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang’s gaze fittingly met Liu Zhentao’s for a brief moment, a fleeting exchange flashing in their eyes. Immediately after, Nie Zhenbang chuckled and said, “Deputy Minister Chen’s considerations do make sense. Since the higher-ups are pressing for it, I think Deputy Minister Chen can take the current report to give his update. As for closing the case, I don’t see the need for it just yet. Currently, isn’t there one more party involved? I think it’s better to wait until Comrade Hongyi’s driver regains consciousness before we make a decision. Governor Zhentao, what do you think?”

The last sentence pressured Liu Zhentao to take a stand. In the current situation, acting alone could easily appear authoritarian and arbitrary. But bringing Liu Zhentao into it was different–he was also a newly added member of the Central Committee. With this status, plus his own as a standing committee member, they could completely overwhelm Chen Tao. If the two of them refused to budge, the decision to close the case wouldn’t be something Chen Tao could finalize on his own. Plainly put, Chen Tao was just passing through; this was still an affair of Longxi Province.

Liu Zhentao, with meaning in his gaze, silently cursed ‘old fox’ at Nie Zhenbang. But at this point, Liu Zhentao knew he had to stand with Nie Zhenbang. The sudden mishap with Zhang Yongjun was annoying Liu Zhentao enough as it was. Taking this opportunity to knock him down a peg would serve to remind Zhang Yongjun who really had the final say in Longxi Province.

He consequently nodded, saying, “I agree with Secretary Nie’s opinion.”

In any meeting, with the principal two agreeing, everything else becomes manageable. With both the Secretary and the Governor in agreement, others, even if they had thoughts, could only keep them to themselves. That is the iron law. That is the difference status makes.

With matters having reached this point, there was nothing left to say. Chen Tao’s expression remained unchanged, as always–indifferent, calm. In Nie Zhenbang’s eyes, this was no surprise; without this level of self-control and depth, Chen Tao wouldn’t deserve his position.

“Hehe, since Secretary Nie and Governor Liu have both said so, let’s leave it at that then. We’ll just go ahead and report using the current materials for now,” Chen Tao casually said with a laugh.

In the afternoon, Nie Zhenbang and Liu Zhentao both chose to recuse themselves. On Chen Tao’s side, Wang Benchang saw him off, with two Audi cars from the provincial committee in tow. Wang Benchang personally accompanied him to the airport.

At that moment, at the entrance of the provincial committee’s guesthouse, watching Chen Tao’s motorcade depart, Nie Zhenbang also stepped out.

“Secretary, off to the office?” Liu Zhentao had already caught up from behind.

Pausing, Nie Zhenbang smiled and said, “Governor Zhentao, shall we go together?”

Walking on the shaded path connecting the guesthouse to the provincial committee’s main compound, Xia Gang and Liu Zhentao’s secretary walked together, following discreetly behind them.

Looking at Liu Zhentao, Nie Zhenbang smiled and said, “Governor Zhentao, there’s no need to dwell on it. We must look ahead. Right now, the most important thing is the overall development of Longxi. Actually, I’ve been planning to discuss several issues with you. One is the selection of a site for the Automobile City project. One is the project for the Oil City in Shian City. Another is the province-wide tree planting and afforestation, and finally, the Qinyang Airport expansion.”

Liu Zhentao naturally understood what Nie Zhenbang meant by ‘no need to dwell on it,’ referring to the affair with Zhang Yongjun. He replied with a light chuckle, “Hehe, Secretary, you’re overthinking it. To each his own. It’s unavoidable. The great man has said, ‘Heaven rains, mothers marry off their daughters.’ It’s something that can’t be stopped. But I am in awe of your ambition, Secretary. The four big projects–you’ve made a rough estimate, I believe. Except for the smaller scale of the Qinyang Airport expansion, the other three are all huge undertakings involving hundreds of billions. Financing is indeed a big issue.”

Liu Zhentao’s capacity was undeniable, hitting the nail on the head as soon as he began speaking. Nie Zhenbang smiled and said, “Yes, financing is an issue. About that, I was actually planning to discuss it with you. I’m preparing to make a trip to Jingcheng soon to find funding. Furthermore, I’d like to leave you in charge of environmental improvement, to see if our provincial agricultural colleges and research institutes have any new fast-growing tree species.”

Hearing this, Liu Zhentao pondered for a moment; fast-growing forests could indeed be a powerful tool for environmental improvement. If truly high-quality tree species could be developed and grow into forests within three to five years, the impact on environmental conservation would be immediate and visible.

As he was mulling this over and considering whether there were such scientific achievements within the province or even the country, a voice came from behind, “Secretary Nie Zhen, Governor Zhen Tao.”

Liu Yueguang hurried over from behind and, upon reaching them, said with a grave expression, “Secretary, the ambulance transporting Comrade Hongyi’s driver got stuck in traffic on the way.”

(To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (NovelFire.net) to vote for it, cast your monthly ticket; your support is my greatest motivation.)

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