Official Career Storm
Chapter 566

Chapter 566: Chapter 566

Liang Jianfeng was under enormous pressure.

Secretary Lu’s concerns were clear to him.

Just as he had said, this was no longer a simple hostage situation; it had escalated to a political level!

The daughter of the former ambassador absolutely could not be harmed.

If something happened, it wouldn’t be enough just to hold him, a Deputy Director, accountable.

He found Hu Zhengrong: "Captain Hu, contact the military and request a sniper!"

"Okay." Hu Zhengrong went to contact the military.

Liang Jianfeng redialed Lu Xiaotian’s phone.

"Has the food arrived?"

"The restaurant is three kilometers from here; it won’t be that quick."

Liang Jianfeng said, "Lu Xiaotian, we can meet any of your demands, but you also need to show us your sincerity."

"My sincerity?" Lu Xiaotian sneered, "You mean release a hostage?"

"Yes."

"Fine, once the food is delivered, I’ll release one."

Time slowly passed, and every person present was under immense pressure.

The number of parents coming to pick up their children from school was growing. Upon hearing that their children were taken hostage by armed criminals, some parents were so overwhelmed with emotion that they fainted.

The parents of this bilingual kindergarten had at least middle-class status, with many being company executives or within the government system.

Minister Zhou stepped forward to calm them, but he couldn’t offer many assurances, only delivering official platitudes.

Anderson’s wife had also arrived, her eyes swollen from crying, demanding that Liang Jianfeng ensure her daughter’s rescue.

The couple were both highly qualified individuals who did not use Anderson’s former ambassador status to apply pressure.

Firstly, they understood that the initiative lay in the hands of the criminals, who wouldn’t care who the hostages’ parents were.

Secondly, their principles led them not to exercise any special privileges.

...

Soon it was nearly six o’clock, and Song Guanchao had no idea how things were in Shilong Town.

He wanted to call but was afraid of disturbing Wu Qiangwei, so he sent a message to inquire.

"Secretary, has the situation been resolved?"

"It has."

"That’s good."

"Lingjiang has had an incident."

"What happened?"

"Lu Xiaotian is holding the Chairman of New City Company hostage and has stormed into the kindergarten..."

Reading Wu Qiangwei’s description, Song Guanchao’s pupils contracted slightly.

After a brief moment of thought, he immediately guessed that Lu Xiaotian was creating a diversion.

The original threatening message to Zhang Meilin was deliberately meant to mislead everyone’s attention.

His real target was Liu Lanzi!

"Damn!"

Song Guanchao cursed under his breath and immediately headed to the kindergarten.

At 6:17 p.m., the food hadn’t arrived yet, but Song Guanchao had.

The police stopped him outside the security zone. Song Guanchao saw Liang Jianfeng and called out loudly, "Director Liang!"

Liang Jianfeng turned around; what was this kid doing here?

It was chaotic enough already; why add to the confusion?

"Let him in."

Song Guanchao approached and asked, "Director Liang, how is the situation now?"

"26 children, one teacher, and Chairman Liu."

"Has Lu Xiaotian harmed any hostages?"

"Not so far... Hold on, I need to take a call."

Liang Jianfeng was very busy, coordinating with the armed police and special forces while continuously staying in contact with Secretary Lu and others.

Song Guanchao stood outside the kindergarten, peering inside.

By then, it had grown dark, and in one of the first-floor classrooms, the lights were bright, and all the curtains were drawn; it was impossible to see what was happening inside.

"How much longer for the food?" Liang Jianfeng growled into the phone, "Hurry up!"

He pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and began to smoke furiously, his irritation reaching a boiling point.

Song Guanchao wanted to ask more about the situation, but at that moment, a row of Audis drove into the security zone.

The car stopped, and Secretary Lu and others got out and walked over.

They had finally made it back.

After getting out of the car, Secretary Lu headed straight for the foreigner.

"Hello, Mr. Anderson," Secretary Lu said, "Rest assured, we will do our utmost to rescue your daughter. Please believe in the professionalism of the Lingjiang City police."

Anderson squeezed out a smile, as he now had no other choice but to trust the police.

Song Guanchao stood by, curious.

What was the status of this foreigner?

Without even asking about the situation, Secretary Lu went directly to appease him.

Wu Qiangwei whispered, "That’s the former ambassador of the British Embassy; his daughter is inside."

Song Guanchao suddenly understood, and then he was shocked.

This status, if not handled well, might lead to an international dispute.

Secretary Lu came over and asked, "Director Liang, how is the situation?"

"The hostage is currently safe."

"Has Lu Xiaotian made any demands?"

"None."

"Do you have a plan?"

"I do," Liang Jianfeng said. "Next, I will have the police go in to deliver food. If there is a chance to act, they will take it."

This was the only opportunity he had seen so far.

Secretary Lu asked, "You mentioned over the phone that Lu Xiaotian is willing to release a hostage?"

"He said he would release one."

"Then let’s not act yet. When delivering food, let him release someone first—free Anderson’s daughter first!"

Upon hearing this, Song Guanchao couldn’t help saying, "Secretary Lu, there are other kids inside too, and Chairman Liu of New City Company is there. I suggest we decide who to release first by drawing lots."

"Shut up!"

Secretary Lu scolded.

He could give Song Guanchao some face on a normal day, but that did not mean he would tolerate Song Guanchao’s behavior of speaking out of turn regardless of the situation.

Besides, what was the current situation?

The former ambassador’s daughter was facing a threat to her life!

Ensuring the safety of her daughter was the top priority!

Though Liu Lanzi’s status was no ordinary matter, it was not as important as this!

As a leader, one needed to have resolve at crucial moments, to take responsibility, to understand choices and sacrifices, to know what is more or less important.

Clearly, Anderson’s daughter was the most important!

As for the lives of the others, they could be set aside.

Song Guanchao was also angry: "Secretary Lu, if Lu Xiaotian is only willing to release one, is his daughter’s life a life while the others’ aren’t?"

Secretary Lu’s gaze turned fierce. Just as he was about to scold him, he noticed Lin Wanqiu and Zhou Qian were also present.

He took a deep breath, his tone cold as he said, "Liang Jianfeng, why is he still here? Is he part of the case team?"

Liang Jianfeng was equally furious.

As a police officer, he saw every life as equal.

He disagreed with Secretary Lu’s decision on who must be rescued first.

He found Song Guanchao’s words more agreeable.

But as a subordinate, he had to follow Secretary Lu’s orders.

Liang Jianfeng said, "Song Guanchao once performed exceptionally in an armored car robbery case; I specifically asked him for help."

Secretary Lu narrowed his eyes, knowing that Liang Jianfeng was protecting him.

"Song Guanchao, get out!"

Song Guanchao narrowed his eyes too, the rage in them nearly tangible.

Wu Qiangwei, afraid he’d act impulsively, said, "Secretary Song, you should leave first."

Song Guanchao really wanted to swell Secretary Lu’s face—a bastard who only cared about the hat on his head, to whom people’s lives were just cold numbers.

He admitted that Secretary Lu’s decision was not at fault.

Any leader coming here would do the same.

Perhaps if he reached that position one day, facing such a choice, he would make the same decision.

But at least for now, he had not been assimilated.

"Damn!"

Throwing down the word, Song Guanchao didn’t look at Secretary Lu’s unsightly expression and turned to leave.

The sourc𝗲 of this content is fre(e)NovelFire