Official Career Storm
Chapter 464

Chapter 464: Chapter 464

Director Liang’s eyes narrowed as he asked, "Are you sure you saw it correctly?"

"It’s impossible to make a mistake. The pistol was right next to the pillow."

Director Liang pondered for a moment, then asked, "Only two people on the first floor?"

"Yes."

"And on the second floor?"

"We checked with a drone. There’s no one on the second floor."

Director Liang thought for another moment, then said, "Breach violently. If the target grabs a gun, shoot immediately! If necessary, you may kill on sight!"

"Understood!"

Captain Hu immediately issued orders through the walkie-talkie. The detectives’ tiny earpieces relayed his clear voice.

A few minutes later, a team of detectives approached the house again. Five of them quietly entered the courtyard, while the others circled around to the outside of the windows.

When Captain Hu saw that everyone was in position, his deep voice resonated in the earpieces: "Proceed!"

"Bang!"

The door burst open, the windows shattered violently, and over a dozen detectives stormed in through the openings, their dark gun barrels aimed at the man sleeping on the bed.

Xiao Wu was not in a deep sleep, but these detectives were too professional. He was just a petty criminal, hardly a match.

His first instinct upon waking was to reach for his pistol.

His hand hadn’t yet touched the gun.

"Bang!" A gunshot rang out, and blood blossomed in the darkness. Xiao Wu grunted, his arm now sporting a bloody bullet hole.

He clenched his teeth and managed to grab the pistol.

Just as he grasped it, more gunfire followed.

His entire right arm was nearly shredded, no longer able to hold the gun.

Captain Hu was the first one to rush forward, snatching the pistol and swiftly pulling Xiao Wu off the bed.

He flipped him over, pressed him to the ground, and quickly searched him to ensure there were no other dangerous weapons, then reported, "Target secured, no casualties."

In the next room.

Yao Jinsheng was awakened by the gunfire, opening his eyes to find that the room light had been turned on.

Liang Jianfeng and Wu Xinan stood by the bed.

Seeing them, he first froze, then joyfully exclaimed, "Mr. Liang, you’ve come to rescue me!"

Liang Jianfeng ignored him, turning instead to say, "Handcuff him and search the room."

...

Song Guanchao received the call; they had captured him.

"Don’t contact Dujiang County, bring them directly back to the detective squad."

"Without my permission, no one is allowed to see them, including Director Qin!"

"If Director Qin has objections, let him come to me directly."

Some people wanted Yao Jinsheng dead, others wanted him alive.

Song Guanchao didn’t care whether he lived or died. Whether alive or dead, it made no difference to him.

He just didn’t want to escalate the situation further.

The next day.

9:00 AM.

Jiang Yuan had just arrived at his office, and his secretary had left after serving tea, only to return after a few minutes, knocking on the door: "Mayor Jiang, He Sen is looking for you."

He Sen?

Jiang Yuan had almost forgotten that name.

"Please let him in."

The silver-haired He Sen, in good spirits and standing straight, entered.

Jiang Yuan stood up to greet him: "Mayor He, what brings you here?"

It’s common in the officialdom for leaders who have stepped down or retired to seek help from current officials due to personal matters.

This situation is quite common.

Some people, unsure how to handle such situations due to etiquette, find it challenging.

But it’s actually easy to manage.

Firstly, one must show respect to former city-level officials, even if they are retired.

You might not be able to help with their requests, but you must show respect or else it might reflect poorly on you, as it could be said that you lack manners.

Secondly, when dealing with requests such as finding a good school for their children or adjusting a job position for their son or daughter, simply use delaying tactics.

"To sum it up in one sentence: enthusiastic, polite, but just can’t get things done."

"Put more directly, always available when called, always laugh when spoken to, but know nothing when asked."

"Generally, after a few visits, people understand and would stop bothering themselves."

He Sen had sought him out before, expressing a desire to get along well with him, which Jiang Yuan always met with the same attitude.

"If you come to chat, once or twice is okay, any more is not, as I don’t have the time.

"If you come to me with business, just refer to the city’s rules and regulations. If it complies, whether you come to me or not makes no difference; if it doesn’t comply, coming to me is useless."

"As for wanting personal connections, well, too busy with work to have time for drinks and dinner."

He had his own circle, and He Sen had his own as well.

The two didn’t interact with each other, and Jiang Yuan didn’t want to interfere in his circle.

Who knows what dirty trail this old mayor might have left behind.

Don’t want to end up cleaning up his mess without even getting any benefit.

"Mayor Jiang, I apologize for disturbing you so early in the morning."

He Sen’s attitude was very humble, being a retired mayor and not having any immediate family who were high-ranking officials.

Money, he had made plenty over the years.

But money can’t directly convert into power, which meant nothing in front of Jiang Yuan.

After some polite small talk, He Sen revealed his intent, "Hou Wen is willing to cooperate with Mayor Jiang and surrender the entire 70 billion he transferred."

Jiang Yuan’s eyes flickered slightly, sipped his tea, pondered for a moment, and said, "Life without parole."

Dealing with smart people is really quite simple.

As soon as he said this, Jiang Yuan instantly understood the underlying implications, no need for him to elaborate further.

He Sen forced a smile, "What Hou Wen wants isn’t life without parole."

Jiang Yuan said, "Let Director Qin meet him, and have him call me."

"Okay."

In front of him, He Sen called Director Qin.

Half an hour later, Director Qin arrived at the interrogation room and dialed He Sen’s number.

He Sen said, "Let Hou Wen take the call."

Then he handed the phone to Jiang Yuan.

Jiang Yuan took the phone, without speaking.

It was only when Hou Wen’s voice came from the other side, "This is Hou Wen,"

that Jiang Yuan repeated those same two words, "Life without parole."

Hou Wen fell silent for a few seconds, then said, "Not enough."

Jiang Yuan asked, "Got a cigarette?"

Hou Wen didn’t reply.

Jiang Yuan said, "Light one up."

A few seconds later, he heard the sound of a lighter flicking.

Jiang Yuan continued, "If you have a better option, there’s no need to come to me. Even if you do have a better option, at this stage it can only be life without parole. The case is too big, it’s already escalated to the highest levels. No one dares make a move at this time, not even the Provincial Committee."

"Within ten years, there’s no chance your sentence will change, and no one dares to temper with it. You should know, it’s not the city going after you, it’s Tu Zhaorui."

"I’ll try to find a way for you, but I can’t guarantee success."

"Finish this cigarette and give me your answer."

Jiang Yuan was not Director Qin, nor was he Mayor He.

Hou Wen was high-ranking and shrewd, but Jiang Yuan was no less so.

Moreover, the one seeking help now was Hou Wen.

Jiang Yuan was willing to step in, eyeing the merit of 70 billion.

This merit was significant, enough for him to aim for a position in the Provincial Committee.

Even though he wasn’t planning on it, it still amounted to a valuable addition to his resume.

He might not use this addition, but he had to have it.

After the cigarette was finished, Hou Wen said, "Okay."

Handing the phone back to He Sen, Jiang Yuan said, "Mayor He, you can go back first."

He Sen smiled as he stood up, "Mayor Jiang, when you have time, why don’t you come over for dinner at my house?"

"Sure, I’ll definitely come when I’m free."

Watching He Sen leave, Jiang Yuan picked up the landline and dialed his office, "Connect me to Secretary Gao of the Provincial Committee."

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