Official Career Storm
Chapter 369

Chapter 369: Chapter 369

Wu Qiangwei returned to her office, with Wu Ming tagging along excitedly.

"Big sis..."

"Get out."

"..." Wu Ming’s lips twitched twice, "Sis, it’s about Sister Bai."

This time, Wu Qiangwei didn’t send him away, instead she took out a cigarette and lit it.

"Sis, you’ve started smoking again? If mom finds out... I won’t say anything, I won’t, I promise."

Wu Ming hastily changed the subject, dodging the glare she shot his way, "I went to see Sister Bai yesterday, and something happened."

He carefully recounted the previous night’s events to Wu Qiangwei.

After listening, Wu Qiangwei’s frown deepened, "Land acquisition for the high-speed train?"

"Yes."

"Strange."

Wu Qiangwei muttered under her breath. The high-speed train project hadn’t progressed to Dujiang County yet, so why had the land acquisition started?

"Ru Yi’s factory got burned down?"

"Yep, it burned. Huge blaze. Sister Bai’s eyes were swollen from crying."

Wu Qiangwei took a deep breath and then asked, "The ones who took action, were they the people brought by Zeng Yingrong?"

"Yes." Wu Ming said, "First, Song Guanchao rushed in and rescued Sister Bai and me. When we were getting out, we were blocked by those hoodlums, and then Brother Yingrong came with his men."

"If it wasn’t for Brother Yingrong, our chances last night would’ve been slim."

"Did Song Guanchao fight?"

"No, at least he didn’t before I left."

Wu Ming feigned curiosity, "Huh, where’s Secretary Song? Hasn’t he come back yet?"

"Get out."

"Ah?"

"Get out."

"...Oh."

Wu Ming left with a pained expression, thinking all his words had been for nothing, and he still hadn’t managed to find out anything.

After he left, Zeng Li asked, "How did it go?"

Wu Ming shook his head, "She won’t say anything."

Then he asked, "By the way, did Secretary Song fight after I left last night?"

"No." Zeng Li queried, "I wonder why Sister Weiwei and Secretary Song were arguing."

"Who knows."

...

Wu Qiangwei had already sorted out her thoughts.

Song Guanchao hadn’t made a move.

The so-called brawl was just an excuse to frame him.

Tu Zhaorui wasn’t daring enough to provoke the military, so he took out his anger on Song Guanchao.

Song Guanchao ended up taking the fall for Zeng Yingrong this time.

What an undeserved calamity.

The problem was, this was not easy to handle.

Even though Minister Zhou had suggested that Dujiang County should investigate and uncover the truth, Tu Zhaorui was hardly likely to actually do that.

At most, it would be a token gesture.

And Song Guanchao was going to have to take the punishment.

If he didn’t, it would turn into a conflict between Dujiang County and the military.

The military was always strong-willed and would never compromise to the county government.

If the military were willing to stand up for Song Guanchao, then his disciplinary action might be revoked.

Wu Qiangwei shook her head, feeling she was thinking too much.

Zeng Yingrong had taken action yesterday for the sake of Zeng Li.

She could indeed reach out, but it was highly unlikely he would grant her this favor.

And if the military did get involved, it could easily draw the attention of higher-level leaders. A minor issue might become a serious problem, escalating to the point of being uncontrollable.

Wu Qiangwei massaged her temples. Now, there was one method left.

She could personally approach Secretary Tu, hoping he would spare Song Guanchao.

An inner-party warning sanction wasn’t severe, but it was still a sanction.

Anyone clear-sighted could see that Song Guanchao was competent and had limitless prospects for the future.

But carrying a sanction could affect his chances of rapid promotion.

She contacted Xu Xin, "Director Xu, please get in touch with Secretary Tu from Dujiang County and ask him to find time to come to the City Committee."

"Okay."

Ten minutes later, Xu Xin called back.

"Secretary Wu, Secretary Tu’s secretary says that Secretary Tu has gone on a business trip."

"Alright, I understand."

Wu Qiangwei’s expression darkened.

A business trip?

Ha.

Just an excuse.

Secretary Tu was determined to take Song Guanchao down a peg.

Wu Qiangwei scoffed, this Secretary Tu hadn’t even been promoted yet but was already throwing his weight around.

Having Xu Xin make this call was Wu Qiangwei’s attempt to make a big issue small.

But clearly, Secretary Tu wasn’t interested in saving face for her.

Since that was the case, Wu Qiangwei no longer intended to show him any courtesy either.

She found the numbers for Director Qin and Secretary Wang and called them separately, instructing them to come over immediately.

When both men arrived at the office, Wu Qiangwei went straight to the point, "Have you heard about the factory fire in Dujiang County last night?"

"I have," responded Director Qin.

"You will handle this case personally."

"Ah?" Director Qin said, "But that’s a matter for the county bureau..."

"Dujiang County is part of Lingjiang’s Dujiang County!" Wu Qiangwei cut him off, "Dujiang is currently in a critical stage of transitioning from a county to a city; this must be taken seriously! I want to know exactly who set the fire!"

Director Qin opened his mouth to respond, "Okay, I understand."

This matter was a tough one!

Wu Qiangwei then turned to Secretary Wang, "Secretary Wang, coordinate with the Disciplinary Committee. No matter who is involved in this case, I want a thorough investigation!"

"...Okay," Secretary Wang felt bitter inside.

What on earth is this all about!

How come it looks like Wu Qiangwei is at odds with the leadership of Dujiang County?

...

In just one day, the news that Song Guanchao was to be disciplined spread throughout the official circles of Lingjiang.

"It’s said to be a disciplinary notice personally issued by the Provincial Organization Department."

"Why are they disciplining him?"

"It seems to be for fighting and brawling."

"Ah? How could Secretary Song get into a fight? With whom?"

"That’s unclear."

Similar conversations quickly spread among the officials in Lingjiang.

Wu Yun couldn’t believe it when she heard.

Song Guanchao had been disciplined?

She went to the corridor and called Song Guanchao’s number, but no one answered.

The messages weren’t returned either.

She was frantically worried.

Liang Hao was also taken aback when he heard the news.

Song Guanchao had been disciplined?

For fighting and brawling?

The reason seemed far-fetched.

He realized that Song Guanchao must have offended someone.

It just wasn’t clear who he had offended.

"Why isn’t he answering his phone?"

After calling several times with no answer, Liang Hao grew increasingly anxious.

...

"That bastard, pick up the phone!"

Chu Xiao’e was pacing back and forth in her office, agitated.

When she heard the news, she thought it was a joke, but after asking around, it turned out to be true!

But now she couldn’t get in touch with Song Guanchao.

She didn’t know where Song Guanchao lived, and was extremely worried.

...

Song Guanchao was drunk.

In a bar closed for business, Lu Feng had been drinking with him all afternoon.

The table was covered with empty bottles and the ashtray was stuffed with cigarette butts.

Lu Feng was also feeling tipsy, but he hadn’t drunk as much as Song Guanchao and was still somewhat conscious.

Looking at Song Guanchao, who was fast asleep on the couch, Lu Feng sighed. He had never seen his squad leader drink so heavily before.

He found a blanket to cover Song Guanchao with and was about to lie down himself when he suddenly heard a buzzing sound from Song Guanchao’s pocket.

Taking it out, a call labeled "Liang Jiajia" was coming in.

"Hello, Song Guanchao he..."

As soon as Liang Jiajia heard a different voice, she immediately asked, "Where is Song Guanchao?"

"He’s sleeping."

"The address!"

"Um, who are you to the squad leader?"

"I am his woman!"

"???"

This voice was clearly not the same woman as last time.

Just how many women does the squad leader have outside?

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