To solve the first equation:

8x + 3(7 - 2x) = 4x + 3
8x + 21 - 6x = 4x + 3
2x + 21 = 4x + 3
21 = 2x + 3
18 = 2x
9 = x

Therefore, x = 9 is the solution to the first equation.

To solve the second equation:

23 - 4(3x + 8) = 1 - 17x
23 - 12x - 32 = 1 - 17x
-12x - 9 = 1 - 17x
-12x + 17x = 1 + 9
5x = 10
x = 2

Therefore, x = 2 is the solution to the second equation.