Official Career Storm
Chapter 423

Chapter 423: Chapter 423

Hou Wen had actually been to the city!

Song Guan Chao was completely unaware of this.

Even Wu Qiangwei didn’t know.

"When did he come?"

"He came the day after you were released."

Zhang Meilin said, "Minister Zhou thought he was here because of the military issue, to plead for Director Yao."

"Impossible!"

Song Guan Chao immediately denied this speculation.

Director Hou isn’t new to being an official.

The military was so assertive that night, how could he not know that pleading would be pointless?

Would he do something so futile?

His visit to the city was definitely not to plead.

Song Guan Chao asked, "Did he only see Mayor Zheng when he came to the city?"

Zhang Meilin said, "I only know that he met with Mayor Zheng, he might have met with others too, but I’m not clear on that."

Song Guan Chao sipped his drink and was about to speak when his cell phone suddenly rang again.

It was Xu Xin.

"Director Xu..."

"Secretary Song, he’s here again." Xu Xin’s voice was full of panic and helplessness.

"Your cousin, or Mayor Zheng?"

"Zheng, Mayor Zheng."

"At the door?"

"Yes." Xu Xin said, "He seems drunk, kept banging on the door, I told him to leave, but he won’t go."

"Don’t open the door, I’ll be there shortly."

After hanging up, Song Guan Chao said, "Brother Zhang, I have a situation to deal with... Are you busy, Brother Zhang? If not, come with me."

"Sure!"

Zhang Meilin had heard him mention Mayor Zheng.

It was definitely related to Mayor Zheng.

As for what exactly they were going to do, he didn’t know.

Whether it was good or bad, he was also unclear.

But he could sense that it seemed to be a private matter.

Song Guan Chao was willing to involve him in a private matter, clearly considering him one of his own, so he naturally wouldn’t refuse.

Both had been drinking, so they didn’t drive. There was no time to call a designated driver, so they took a taxi straight to the residential complex where Xu Xin lived.

As they went upstairs, Song Guan Chao quickly explained the situation to him.

Upon hearing about Mayor Zheng and Xu Xin’s situation, Zhang Meilin wasn’t surprised, obviously having heard about it.

"Brother Zhang, if it’s inconvenient for you to show up later, just wait for me outside."

"Okay."

Soon, they arrived at the floor where Xu Xin lived.

Just as they emerged from the stairway, they heard the "bang, bang, bang" of someone pounding on the door and Mayor Zheng’s coarse curses.

He didn’t go over immediately but called Xu Xin instead.

"Open the door."

"Huh?" Xu Xin said, "But he..."

"Don’t worry, I’m already here, right outside. Let him in first, otherwise, it’d be bad if people see us getting into a fight in the hallway."

"Oh, okay."

Knowing he had already arrived, Xu Xin felt relieved.

She put away her phone, grabbed the door handle, and opened the door.

"Stinking bitch, you..." Mayor Zheng had cursed halfway when the door suddenly opened.

Seeing Xu Xin at the door, Mayor Zheng was infuriated, charging into the entryway and grabbing her shoulder with a fiery look in his eyes, "Did you go deaf when I told you to open the goddamn door?"

"Clap, clap, clap!"

Suddenly, the sound of clapping came from behind.

Mayor Zheng’s movement froze, slowly turning around.

His eyes, reddened by liquor, sobered up instantly upon seeing Song Guan Chao.

He quickly let go of Xu Xin, instinctively stepping back, "You, what are you doing?"

Song Guan Chao continued clapping as he stepped forward, smiling, "Mayor Zheng, didn’t I tell you last time not to harass Director Xu anymore?"

"It seems you’ve taken my words lightly, haven’t you?"

After saying this, Song Guan Chao swiftly moved forward, drastically closing the distance between them, suddenly appearing in front of him.

Mayor Zheng was slow to react, and by the time he thought to retreat again, his sparse hair had already been grasped by Song Guan Chao, who yanked it forcefully.

"Tell me, are my words no longer effective? Huh?"

"Or do you think I really wouldn’t dare do anything to you?"

"Let go, let go..."

"Slap!"

Song Guanchao delivered a hefty slap to the face, the crisp sound of the slap ringing through the door for Zhang Meilin to hear.

Zhang Meilin’s eyes widened in shock. Had he just hit Mayor Zheng?

How damn ferocious was this guy?

"Slap!"

More slaps from Song Guanchao followed swiftly, jolting the receiver to full alertness.

His eyes now exceptionally clear, his slightly chubby body trembled uncontrollably.

Furious inside, he dared not utter a harsh word.

Never within the system had he encountered such disregard for the rules.

Song Guanchao, grabbing the hair, asked, "Awake, are you?"

"Awake, awake I am."

"Good that you’re awake."

Releasing the hair, Song helped him straighten his clothes. "Awake now, so let’s talk about something serious."

He walked over, pulled out a chair, "Come, sit down, Mayor Zheng."

"Song..."

"You won’t give face?"

Gulp.

Mayor Zheng walked over and sat down obediently.

Song Guanchao sat beside him, took out a cigarette, and offered him one.

His hand trembled as he took the cigarette, which Song Guanchao lit for him.

Then a cloud of smoke was blown in his face, an action that filled him with humiliation.

In all his years as an official, he had endured such humiliation only twice, both times courtesy of Song Guanchao.

"You’re the one who reported me, aren’t you?" Song Guanchao asked indifferently.

Mayor Zheng shook all over, and he immediately denied, "Report? Secretary Song, I have nothing to do with this."

Such things one could never admit, even under threat of death.

"Heh, Mayor Zheng, don’t be nervous, we’re just chatting casually."

He took out his phone and placed it on the table, "Look, I’m not recording or filming. Today’s talk stays between you, me, and Xu Xin."

At that, Zhang Meilin walked in, "And me."

Seeing Zhang Meilin, Mayor Zheng was baffled.

Why was he here too?

Had Minister Zhou completely sided with Wu Qiangwei?

Song Guanchao was also surprised; he thought that Zhang Meilin would keep hiding and not show his face.

He said to Mayor Zheng: "Impressive tactics, Mayor. With just one complaint letter, you managed to strip away my position."

"It’s really not me..."

"Cutting off one’s livelihood is like killing one’s parents! Surely, Mayor Zheng, you understand such a principle?"

Song Guanchao’s eyes grew increasingly colder, making him tremble with fear.

"Secretary Song, I really didn’t report you," Mayor Zheng was nearly in tears.

"Not you?" scoffed Song Guanchao. "Then tell me, how could Director Yao of Dujiang City dare to detain me?"

Mayor Zheng was confused; how did Yao’s detaining you have anything to do with me?

Song Guanchao continued, "If not for the army intervening, who knows how long I’d have been locked up! And right after I was released, Hou Wen went looking for you. Explain to me, Mayor Zheng, why else would Hou Wen come to you around that time, if not to plan against me?"

Mayor Zheng forgot to wonder how Song Guanchao even learned that Hou Wen had come to see him.

He explained, "County Magistrate Hou came to me wanting to recommend some people for Dujiang City, offering me some positions in exchange."

Song Guanchao inquired impassively, "Why would he curry favor with you?"

"He—he probably wants Dujiang City to break away from Lingjiang’s jurisdiction and come under provincial management directly, hoping to use these positions to gain my support."

"Did you agree?"

"Of course not!"

"Did he visit Secretary Lu?"

"I don’t know, but he likely did."

"Who else did he visit?"

"I don’t know, I didn’t ask him."

"How did you refuse him?" Song Guanchao asked.

"I refused straight away," said Mayor Zheng hesitantly. "The situation in Dujiang City is a bit complicated, I didn’t want to get involved."

"Get out."

"Ah, okay, fine."

Like a man reprieved, Mayor Zheng scuttled away.

Once he’d left, Song Guanchao was about to speak when his phone suddenly began to vibrate non-stop.

He snatched it up—it was a call from Lu Feng.

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