Official Career Storm
Chapter 446

Chapter 446: Chapter 446

Except for the people arranged by He Kang who had continuously surveilled Hou Wen, Liang Jianfeng had also sent individuals to monitor.

Moreover, it was Liang Jianfeng’s people who first noticed the disappearance of Hou Wen.

But they didn’t report it immediately; instead, they searched first. Only after they confirmed that he couldn’t be found did they report it.

Song Guanchao quietly said, "I know," and then hung up the phone.

He glanced at Wu Qiangwei, who also happened to look at him, with their gazes meeting across the table.

Then, he slowly stood up from his chair, looking towards Secretary Lu and Mayor Zheng.

His movement attracted the attention of everyone present.

Jiang Yuan secretly raised his eyebrows—what was this young man going to do?

Minister Zhou’s frown was barely noticeable.

"Secretary Lu."

"Hmm?"

Secretary Lu perked up, thinking he needed to step out for something.

The meeting had indeed dragged on too long and, although there were still some topics unaddressed, he no longer had the mood or energy for them.

His voice, tinged with fatigue, said, "Let’s adjourn."

Everyone rose to their feet, their movements light, trying not to make too much noise.

"Secretary Lu," Song Guanchao said, "It seems that Secretary Sun is not competent enough for the high-speed rail project."

At this statement, the people who had just stood up paused.

What did he mean by saying this now?

Adding fuel to the fire?

Rejoicing in the misfortune?

Kicking someone while they are down?

Beating the fallen dog?

Secretary Lu felt a surge of annoyance; he too shared that opinion.

He was usually amiable and avoided harsh words.

But given the current circumstances, it was difficult for him to maintain that composure.

billion in financial funds would have a severely adverse effect on his political future.

If mishandled, within three years, he would inevitably be asked to take a back seat.

Under multiple pressures, he lost his usual calm, his tone unpleasant, "There is a problem with the project; those responsible should bear the responsibility, Secretary Song, you are just a secretary, take care of your own duties."

Then, looking towards Wu Qiangwei, he said, "Secretary Wu, control your people!"

He sternly expressed his displeasure.

Many people also felt that Song Guanchao had gone too far.

During the standing committee meeting, in front of so many leaders, he openly made it difficult for Secretary Lu.

Song Guanchao certainly had solved many issues and was very capable, but he perhaps took himself too seriously.

However.

Some astute individuals believed that this was not Song Guanchao’s intention; rather, it was likely instructed by Wu Qiangwei to purposefully make it hard for Secretary Lu to step down.

Song Guanchao appeared oblivious to his anger and dissatisfaction, "Secretary Lu, what I mean is, since Secretary Song lacks the capability, we should replace him with someone capable of managing the high-speed rail project."

"Like me."

Everyone seemed to hear something unimaginable.

They all thought this Secretary Song must be out of his mind.

billion meant for high-speed rail construction had been diverted.

At such a time, what’s needed most is a scapegoat.

Anyone would think to avoid it.

Yet, there was someone not avoiding it.

Not only not avoiding, but also actively volunteering to take on this responsibility.

How was this Secretary Song thinking?

How odd were the workings of his mind?

Even Secretary Lu and Mayor Zheng looked utterly bewildered, frozen in place for several seconds, utterly failing to react.

Jiang Yuan sipped his tea, also somewhat puzzled.

"Don’t mention him, even someone as scheming as Minister Zhou can’t understand why he would intervene in this matter at this time."

He is confident he can apprehend Hou Wen?

Can he recover those 7 billion?

Impossible.

Minister Zhou immediately denied it.

From Hou Wen’s disappearance, it can be concluded that he must have already fled.

And that 7 billion is also very likely to have been transferred out of the country.

In such a case, don’t mention him, even if the Ministry of Public Security stepped in, it wouldn’t be possible to recover it.

This is an impossible task.

Otherwise, Secretary Lu wouldn’t have lost his composure like this.

"Are you sure?" Secretary Lu regretted his words as soon as he said them.

Someone was willing to take the blame, why ask further? He should just agree right away.

Today, he had really faced too great a shock; his emotions could barely remain calm.

Mayor Zheng said, "I have always had high hopes for Secretary Song. In fact, when Secretary Wu just mentioned this matter, I had already considered having Secretary Song join the project team."

"But with this sudden incident, letting you join now would actually harm you."

"Although Secretary Song is now volunteering, I can’t just agree either. Otherwise, if word gets out, they’ll say I dragged you in to take the blame. I can’t shoulder that kind of accusation."

He wanted to agree right away, but he had to put on a show of reluctance.

Moreover, he had dealt quite a lot with Song Guanchao and knew this young man was proud at heart.

He couldn’t possibly be unaware of the seriousness of this matter.

But he still proposed to intervene now.

Clearly, he was very confident.

Even if he pretended to decline, he would still firmly hold onto his idea.

Mayor Zheng sneered inwardly: typical of young people, no matter how capable, their experience is ultimately limited.

Anyone with a bit of understanding knows that money transferred out of the country is impossible to recover.

But he wasn’t about to remind him.

If Song Guanchao wanted to destroy himself, he was willing to facilitate that.

"Mayor Zheng exaggerates," Song Guanchao said. "I simply feel that Secretary Sun is still more suited to handling clerical work. It’s best to leave such specialized projects to professionals."

Secretary Sun’s lips twitched, cursing inwardly.

But at such a moment, silence was the best option.

Don’t stoop to his level!

If he could avoid responsibility by enduring a few insults, he was willing to be humiliated.

He wouldn’t even mind if Song Guanchao insulted him more harshly.

"Secretary Song!" Wu Qiangwei finally spoke up, as if she too had been stunned by Song Guanchao’s words and forgot to stop him earlier.

Her pretty face was expressionless as she said, "Stop fooling around!"

"Secretary, I’m not fooling around. Moreover, Dujiang City is directly governed by Lingjiang, and now that Dujiang City has encountered problems, we must find a solution!"

"If Secretary Sun can’t resolve it, then let’s switch to someone who can!"

Wu Qiangwei snorted, "Can you resolve it?"

Song Guanchao replied, "I’m not sure, but I want to try."

"Try?" Wu Qiangwei seemed very angry. "Do you think this is child’s play? If you join the project team, you’ll have to take responsibility! If the money isn’t recovered, you’re responsible; if the person isn’t caught, you’re also responsible! Tell me, can you bear that responsibility?"

Song Guanchao didn’t back down: "It’s just a job!"

"I promise Secretary Lu and Mayor Zheng that if I’m given this task and can’t catch Hou Wen or recover the money, I, Song Guanchao, will take full responsibility! Take my cap, dismiss my position, I accept it all!"

"Good!"

Mayor Zheng clapped vigorously, his face showing admiration, "Well said, Secretary Song! I see the youthful vigor and boldness that a young person should have in you! However, we don’t need to make a military decree for this; even if the money really can’t be recovered, I will still appeal to the provincial authorities, ensuring that a person of ambition is not wronged!"

Secretary Lu also said, "Let’s not say angry words at the moment, such as dismissing from position and demotion. Since Xiao Song you have this idea, it’s not appropriate for me to keep declining."

He looked at Wu Qiangwei: "Secretary Wu, your secretary, wow, really great, I see that he will eventually be capable of standing on his own, in the future if dispatched, he could at least be a County Party Secretary."

The corners of everyone’s mouths twitched.

Secretary Lu and Mayor Zheng, in their turn, kept flattering Song Guanchao, throwing one slick remark after another.

And poor Song Guanchao, taking all of it seriously, kept jumping into the fire pit willingly.

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