Official Career Storm
Chapter 449

Chapter 449: Chapter 449

Wu Qiangwei could only think of the impact the incident might cause once it was exposed.

But she forgot that if it were truly exposed, she would actually be the biggest beneficiary.

In doing so, Song Guanchao was not only weakening the capabilities of Secretary Lu and Mayor Zheng, but also allowing Wu Qiangwei’s abilities to be fully demonstrated.

"Mm, go ahead and do it. If you need my cooperation, just let me know."

Wu Qiangwei wound a strand of hair around her fingertip, tucking it behind her ear.

Song Guanchao had long noticed that Wu Qiangwei would make this habitual gesture when she was nervous inside.

He hummed in acknowledgment and left the office.

As he descended the stairs, he dialed Zhou Qian’s number: "Miss Zhou, are you busy?"

"What’s up?"

"Do you remember what I told you last time?"

"Last time..."

"The documentary on corruption."

"Oh, I remember."

"Come over."

"Now... okay, where should I go?"

"Come to the City Committee, conference room on the fifth floor, and bring the filming equipment."

"Okay!"

Zhou Qian was somewhat excited and also very curious, wondering which high-ranking official in the city was about to be taken down without a whiff of news leaking out beforehand.

She had asked before, and Song Guanchao said, it wasn’t someone from the city.

But if it wasn’t a city official, then even documented, it wouldn’t carry much weight.

Of course, she didn’t mind that; what she cared about was that Song Guanchao was thinking of her.

Song Guanchao stopped at the entrance to the fifth floor corridor, found Zhang Meilin’s number, and called.

Zhang Meilin had been lying in the hospital for a week, almost developing issues from lying there doing nothing.

He was quite surprised to receive a call from Song Guanchao.

"Hello, Brother Song..."

"Brother Zhang, I have something to discuss with you."

Song Guanchao briefly explained the situation in Dujiang City, and after he finished, Zhang Meilin was taken aback.

How could such a big thing happen in Dujiang City?

Zhang Meilin calmed down and asked, "Why are you calling me about this..."

Song Guanchao said, "I’m offering Brother Zhang two choices."

"Go on."

"First, check out of the hospital immediately, proceed to Dujiang City to take up your post, and take responsibility for this matter, claiming publicly that you’ll definitely recover the 7 billion."

Zhang Meilin’s hand gripping the phone trembled, nearly dropping it onto the bed.

Song Guanchao gave him a few seconds to think before continuing, "Second, continue lying in the hospital, waiting for me to resolve the matter, then you can take up your post in Dujiang City at ease."

"Brother Zhang, you can discuss it with Minister Zhou. Whatever you decide, please give me a response as soon as possible."

Zhang Meilin took a deep breath: "Okay!"

After hanging up, Zhang Meilin immediately contacted Minister Zhou and relayed the conversation he’d had with Song Guanchao.

Minister Zhou had been speculating why Song Guanchao would do such a thing.

It didn’t seem like his style.

Plus, he was too confident.

This call clarified some of his doubts.

Song Guanchao must truly be confident that he could recover the money.

Even though, from an objective standpoint, it seemed impossible to recover.

Yet intuition told him that Song Guanchao really did have a solution.

He wasn’t just trying to make a good impression in front of the leadership; he indeed had the capacity to turn the tide.

Zhang Meilin anxiously awaited Minister Zhou’s advice.

"Xiao Zhang, what do you think?" Minister Zhou did not give direct advice.

Zhang Meilin was about to take up his post and needed to be able to stand on his own.

He will have to deal with some matters himself, and he couldn’t possibly help him analyze and solve everything.

Otherwise, he would never grow.

Zhang Meilin said, "I think Secretary Song is holding some cards close to his chest. Although I can’t see what they are, based on my understanding of him, he wouldn’t act without being sure."

Minister Zhou said, "Your thinking aligns with mine, but there is still risk involved."

"Even if you ask him directly, he won’t tell you."

"Maybe he really is sure, has the upper hand, but he won’t tell you. So for you, it’s still a gamble."

"Make your own choice. I can’t make this decision for you."

"Yes, I understand."

Zhang Meilin leaned back on the bed, weighing the pros and cons.

If he chose to join Song Guanchao and the 7 billion was really recovered, his career would be marked with a significant achievement.

And it would be a notable achievement at that, one that would put him at the top of the list for future promotions considered by the province.

If he chose to stay in the hospital, he would not be affected at all, he could simply wait for the storm to pass before taking office.

In other words, this matter could end up with him having neither credit nor blame.

On the other hand, if he chose to get involved, he might end up with a penalty.

Zhang Meilin’s thoughts became slightly sluggish, but he quickly realized that he couldn’t afford to be sluggish!

A sluggish mind is subconsciously avoiding making a choice.

Because he didn’t know what to choose, because he was afraid to choose, he didn’t want to think about it.

He shook his head.

He was soon to become the City Secretary, he couldn’t afford such inert thinking.

When faced with an issue, a decision must be made in the shortest possible time.

Regardless of whether this decision was good or bad!

As his thoughts cleared, he made up his mind.

"Brother Song," Zhang Meilin grasped the phone and said, "I’m heading to Dujiang City right away!"

Seven minutes.

Only seven minutes had passed from when Song Guanchao hung up the phone to when he got a callback.

Song Guanchao was surprised.

"Good," Song Guanchao said. "After Brother Zhang takes office, immediately promote Fu Ying as the acting county head, and then arrange for the reporters to interview her. Brother Zhang, remember, you must declare on camera that you will resolve this matter! 7 billion, it must be recovered! If it’s not, you and Fu Ying will resign to accept the blame!"

Although he knew Song Guanchao played big, this... was playing extremely big.

Taking a deep breath, Zhang Meilin said, "Good!"

What he was betting on now was not just a penalty; it was his entire future!

...

In the office.

Su Zhengwei had already arrived; he left right after the meeting and got in the car when he received the call.

He didn’t really want to get involved, but Song Guanchao had directly called him out, and he could not refuse.

Besides, he was actually part of Wu Qiangwei’s faction.

"Minister Su," Song Guanchao said, "I’ve invited the media here. The media will record our actions in full, and Minister Su, I need to ensure that the media’s reporting is unobstructed."

"Media..." Minister Su’s pupils constricted, and the others were also shocked.

Are you crazy?

Secretary Lu and the others were trying their best to keep this matter from becoming widely known, and you freaking went ahead to call the media over.

What are you trying to do?

Want the whole world to know about it?

Minister Su’s throat felt dry as he said, "Secretary Song..."

Song Guanchao interrupted him, "Minister Su, I’m in command now, and I hope you can cooperate with me."

"I..." Minister Su struggled to make this decision.

He was already being pressed down by Vice Minister Shao Jingsheng in the Propaganda Department. If something went wrong with this matter, Shao Jingsheng would definitely not miss the opportunity.

He would take advantage of it to squeeze him out and legitimately replace himself as the head of the Propaganda Department and enter the permanent committee.

But conversely, if Song Guanchao could complete this mission successfully, then his strong promotion against pressure would be a political achievement for him.

Moreover, Shao Jingsheng’s power would be weakened in this incident.

To gamble, or not to gamble?

That was the question.

Minister Su closed his eyes to think for a moment, then opened them again with a determined expression.

"Good!"

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