Reborn as a Noble's Son

Chapter 561: Chapter 518: Unfinished Building (Additional 750 Monthly Tickets)_1
 

Just as Yi Chang left the room, he saw Xiao Shanming, the deputy director of the Public Security Bureau who was in charge of its full operation, standing at the door drenched in sweat.

Upon seeing Yi Chang, Xiao Shanming started, “Secretary-General Yi, I’m really sorry to disturb you all under these circumstances.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Yi Chang paused for a moment, then replied with a smile, “Director Xiao, congratulations. You’re going to be promoted this time.”

By now, the decisions had already been made by the Municipal Party Committee and it was not something to be kept secret. Moreover, there was no way to keep it a secret; Liu Yafu would represent the organization tomorrow and talk individually with these proposed appointees. Could that be counted as a secret? Additionally, doing this would also help him develop a good relationship with the future head of the Public Security Bureau, which would be beneficial.

Xiao Shanming seemed surprised but immediately nodded and said, “Secretary-General Yi, there’s a big problem. Something big happened with the Yahai Building.”

Upon hearing these words, Yi Chang tensed up. As an old resident of Wanghai City, he was aware of Yahai Building. It was a large project left behind by the Eastern Sea Group. If something major happened that would make Xiao Shanming say there was a problem, it must have something to do with the unfinished building. The Eastern Sea Group went bankrupt, the funds were interrupted, and all the money was handed over to the national treasury. Now, with lack of funding, the construction of Yahai Building had been halted for some time. This issue involved the house buyers, which was a big, big problem.

Yi Chang, without delay and with a serious countenance, nodded, “Old Xiao, rush to the scene of Yahai Building immediately. You must stabilize the situation. These homebuyers are the victims, and their emotional outbursts are understandable. You need to reassure them and show plenty of patience.”

Saying this, Yi Chang returned to the meeting room. At this point, Li Taishi asked with a smile, “Secretary-General Yi, what’s going on?”

Without wasting any time, Yi Chang replied gravely, “Secretary Li and other leaders, something went wrong at Yahai Building. All the buyers are gathered there now. Judging from the situation, if we don’t intervene, they will approach the City Party Committee and City Government.”

At this, Li Taishi’s face darkened. He was aware of the issues with the Yahai Building, having paid particular attention to the Eastern Sea Group despite being new to Wanghai City.

The Yahai Building was a key project planned by the Eastern Sea Group. He remembered that when the Yahai Building was laying its foundation, the provincial Party Secretary Chen Renqing attended the foundation ceremony. After all, Yahai Building was touted to be the tallest building in the east, and such an iconic building was seen as a significant achievement for the Provincial Party Committee.

However, Li Taishi was truly unaware that so many homebuyers were involved in this Eastern Sea Group project. Afterward, he asked, “Secretary-General Yi, what exactly is going on with Yahai Building? How did homebuyers get involved? Isn’t it a building established solely by Eastern Sea Group?”

As the conversation concluded, the newly appointed member of the Municipal Standing Committee and Executive Deputy Mayor, Li Xiangtian, spoke up, “Secretary Li, let me explain the situation.”

Li Xiangtian appeared to be about forty-six years old. Apart from young officials like Nie Zhenbang and Li Taishi, he was younger than others such as Qi Siyuan and Gu Dongliang in the Municipal Standing Committee. However, with Wanghai City’s current official structure trending towards younger members, Li Xiangtian was considered older. He was of average stature, well-proportioned, and didn’t share the puffy face often seen among contemporary leaders. His words were concise and didn’t beat around the bush, exhibiting a straightforward working style. This was why Nie Zhenbang had chosen Li Xiangtian to be the Executive Deputy Mayor.

“Secretary Li, the issue with the Yahai Building was something decided by Shi Yiwu before his death. At that time, he allocated sixty acres of low-cost land in Wangxia, the busiest district of Wanghai City, to the Eastern Sea Group to construct Yahai Building. The designed height of the building was sixty-eight floors, and along with the tower antenna, it was touted as the tallest building in the east. It was seen as a project of significant political achievement. After the initiation of the project, Eastern Sea Group positioned Yahai Building as a comprehensive building integrating hotels, offices, and residences, which is why homebuyers are involved.”

After listening to Li Xiangtian’s explanation, Li Taishi looked grave and stood up, “Given the situation, I believe we should go and address it as it involves the vital interests of over a hundred homebuyers. This is something we must solve. Additionally, the implosion of the Eastern Sea Group leaving the mess behind isn’t limited to just the Yahai Building; there are similar problems in other places. This will be an obstacle that we can’t avoid and must face head-on.”

Nie Zhenbang also stood up and nodded, “Secretary Li, I think we, along with Mayor Li and Mayor Liu, should go.”

There’s no need for all the Standing Committee members to go, as this issue essentially needs to be handled by the government. This arrangement was deemed most appropriate.

Nie Zhenbang was very clear about the nature of this problem. It could not be avoided. Given the current situation, the aftermath of the Eastern Sea Group’s case must be dealt with. The issue of Yahai Building was merely the beginning. If Wanghai City wished to progress, then the mess left behind by the Eastern Sea Group needed to be properly managed by the City Party Committee and the City Government.

…

The distance from the Wanghai City Party Committee and the City Government to the construction site of Yahai Building was just three streets, and the convoy arrived at the entrance of Yahai Building quickly.

This place was also new to Nie Zhenbang. Before, when the Eastern Sea Group was still present, even though he knew of this place, he wasn’t on good terms with Lin Zhengxing and naturally wouldn’t visit for an inspection.

The expansive construction site was surrounded by walls that were painted white with various slogans like “Responsibility outweighs Taishan, Centennial Planning, Safety first. High-quality efficient construction of the East’s top building,” and others plastered on them.

At the entrance, a plaque hung above, reading “Eastern Sea Group, Eastern Sea Building Project Department.” After the Eastern Sea Group’s incident and eventual shutdown, the gates were locked, but at this moment they seemed to have been smashed open. Inside the construction site, a crowd of several hundred people had gathered.

Officers from the Wanghai City Public Security Bureau had temporarily blocked both ends of the street and had erected a barricade at the project’s entrance, setting up a guard post.

As soon as Li Taishi and Nie Zhenbang stepped out of the car, the already informed Xiao Shanming came to greet them. “Secretary Li, Mayor, the mood of the crowd is already very agitated. I’ve temporarily managed to calm them down, but I fear it won’t last long. This matter involves 116 households. Some have invested millions, and others five to six hundred thousand. Now, all the money has evaporated. Several old comrades have already passed out on the spot.”

At this moment, Li Taishi had a very serious look on his face. He glanced at Nie Zhenbang next to him and said in a deep voice, “Mayor Nie, we cannot delay. I believe it would be best if we resolved this matter as soon as possible. Let’s go in together.”

Under Xiao Shanming’s lead, a group of people strode conspicuously into the Eastern Sea Building construction site, and could see the complete mess it was in. The tower crane that was originally set up had already been removed. The construction company acted decisively; when the Eastern Sea Group encountered troubles and funds were cut off, they promptly evacuated without hesitation. A project of this size halted construction for a day results in no small losses, and the people from the construction company naturally wouldn’t wait around foolishly.

All the construction materials on the site were already cleared, and a sea of construction waste was scattered around the immense construction site. The workers’ barracks were also in a great state of disorder, with piles of garbage on the ground. Although it was still spring, a lingering stench could already be detected.

The whole building had only been constructed up to the seventeenth floor, but all steel frames had been dismantled. Stripped bare, the grey cement structure appeared extremely run-down.

At that moment, hundreds of people gathered inside the ground floor of the construction site, with a fair amount of police forming a perimeter on the side.

As soon as Nie Zhenbang and the others arrived, they heard someone in the crowd shouting, “What, does the government also want to control us? All my life’s hard-earned money was invested here, I have no way out. If I have to die, then so be it.”

Grief could not surpass the heart, and at this moment, this was the mentality of these people. They had lost all of their life savings and had also lost faith.

Xiao Shanming, however, stepped forward and raised his voice, “Everyone, please calm down, will the Party and the government act unreasonably? Comrades, Secretary Li, Mayor Nie, and several major leaders from the city have already come. They are here to solve this problem, let’s all calm down, and let off your emotions. This commotion cannot solve the problem.”

Xiao Shanming’s words calmed the initially agitated crowd. At this time, Nie Zhenbang also stepped forward and said with a smile, ” I understand everyone’s feelings. Hard-earned money being squandered is indeed hard to accept. However, getting agitated is not a good solution.”

“Mayor? Is it really Mayor Nie?”

“Yes, it certainly is, I’ve seen him on TV, it’s Mayor Nie!”

“Mayor Nie is here, we are saved. I heard that the case of Fei Xing was personally handled by Mayor Nie.”

Many people in the crowd started speaking. Those who could take out so much money at this time are all more or less wealthy. They have seen some things in the world.

At this moment, Nie Zhenbang nodded and smiled, “Yes, I am Nie Zhenbang, not only have I come, our newly arrived Secretary of Wanghai City, Li Taishi, has also come, as well as Deputy Mayor Li and Deputy Mayor Liu. With our guarantees, you all should be reassured.”

The statement sparked laughter amongst the crowd. A Secretary and a Mayor, along with two Deputy Mayors from the city government serving as guarantees, there could be nothing not to trust.

Li Taishi’s face also carried a slight smile. Nie Zhenbang’s capability was witnessed firsthand this time. He was calm and composed, his speech clear and organized, his tone light and humorous. Truly showing signs of a good general. (To be Continued. If you like this work, welcome you to come to and cast a recommendation and a monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation.)