Official Career Storm
Chapter 594

Chapter 594: Chapter 594

Li Zhuang spoke with such emotion, and with tears that even fell, that Song Guanchao couldn’t help but admire him a bit.

"Secretary Song, you mustn’t tell my cousin about this."

Li Zhuang said, "My cousin is a girl who values relationships deeply. If she knew about it, she would definitely want to come back and thank me, and that would unavoidably delay her work."

"Relocating a grave only costs tens of thousands of yuan, and although it requires saving up a few months’ salary, as a younger family member, it’s what I ought to do."

"Secretary Song, you also know that my cousin is the director of the City Committee Office, and even the leaders in the county aren’t clear about our relationship. I don’t want too many people to know, lest it leads to preferential treatment at work, which would put pressure on me."

After he finished speaking, Song Guanchao, who rarely found himself at a loss for words, simply had to nod awkwardly, "Mm."

After coming down from the mountain, Director Liu said, "Secretary Li, you should take greater charge of the village. I hope that what happened today will not occur again."

Li Zhuang solemnly replied, "Director Liu, rest assured, such incidents will never happen again!"

Director Liu hummed and then looked toward Song Guanchao, "Secretary Song, let’s go to the county."

"Alright."

After getting into the car, he then called Liang Jianfeng, "Mr. Liang, things are settled here."

Director Liu, with his ears pricked up, relaxed upon hearing this sentence.

Then, Song Guanchao made another call to Lu Feng, "Are you in the county? Good, find a place to settle down first; I’ll come to find you later."

After hanging up the phone, Director Liu said, "Secretary Song, Mr. Zhu would like to invite you to dinner tonight. Do you have the time?"

"If Mr. Zhu extends an invitation, I’ll make the time even if I don’t have it."

Song Guanchao gave such face, which made Director Liu feel very pleased.

Upon reaching the county town, Director Liu drove straight to a restaurant.

Not sure of Song Guanchao’s preferences, Mr. Zhu didn’t dare to be too extravagant or wasteful; the restaurant was of average class, costing only about two hundred per person.

It was only a little past five in the afternoon, not even six o’clock yet.

After the two sat down, Director Liu began to order food, "Mr. Zhu will take a while to arrive."

After ordering, Director Liu asked, "Secretary Song, would you like wine or tea?"

"I’ll follow the host’s lead, Director Liu; whatever you arrange, I’ll drink."

"Hahaha, Secretary Song is quite the character; then let’s have a couple of drams."

He ordered two bottles of white liquor.

When the liquor was served, Mr. Zhu also arrived.

Mr. Zhu was about one meter seventy tall, weighed a hundred and seventy kilos, shiny with oiliness, and had a plump face that squeezed his features together.

As he entered the room, Mr. Zhu scampered forward with an outstretched hand, "Secretary Song, I have long admired you, and I’m finally meeting you in person."

Song Guanchao, without any pretension, stood up to shake hands with him, giving him due respect.

After seating themselves, the dishes were served, and each person toasted three cups of wine as a gesture of respect.

With the wine flowing, the atmosphere at the table became more relaxed, and the conversation followed suit.

Mr. Zhu and Director Liu were both probing with their words, trying to find out the real purpose of his visit to the countryside.

Although he said it was to check on a grave for Xu Xin, both of them didn’t really buy it.

To check a grave and then get into a conflict with the villagers?

The people of Huangni Village might be brash, but they are mainly motivated by money.

The kind of scuffle involving shovels and hoes was extremely rare.

Song Guanchao took a drink and then asked, "Mr. Zhu, how well do you know this Secretary Li?"

Mr. Zhu replied, "As for Secretary Li, I actually don’t know him too well. I only know that he has a pretty good relationship with County Magistrate Xu."

"The one who went to Dujiang City?"

"Yes, Xu Wenchang used to be the top official in Panlong Town. It was after he moved to the county that Li Zhuang took over."

Mr. Zhu’s tone had a hint of sourness when mentioning Xu Wenchang.

A Deputy County Magistrate, and now he had transformed into a Vice Mayor in Dujiang City.

Song Guanchao asked, "This Magistrate Xu, does he have a very good relationship with Li Zhuang?"

"The two have always worked together seamlessly. When he was a Deputy County Magistrate, the Organization Department even talked to Li Zhuang about him. His appraisal of Magistrate Xu was very high."

Song Guanchao stared into their eyes for a few seconds and said, "Mr. Zhu, I’ll let you in on something too, but this cannot be spread."

With a serious face, both of them sat up straight.

"Absolutely confidential, Secretary Song, you speak!"

Secretary Song rhythmically tapped his fingers on the table, "There’s a problem with Panlong Town."

Mr. Zhu asked, "What problem?"

"The specific situation can’t be discussed right now; Mr. Zhu, please understand."

"Understood, understood. Then, is there anything we need to do?"

"Nothing for now, but Mr. Zhu, rest assured, if there is a need, I will definitely trouble you."

"No trouble at all. I’ll surely complete any task assigned by the organization, no matter how difficult it is!"

Mr. Zhu didn’t continue to probe, considering he didn’t really have any connection with Li Zhuang.

After the meal was over, Director Liu wanted to invite them for a second gathering, but Secretary Song declined.

He also rejected his offer to drive him to the hotel.

The county wasn’t large; it only took an hour or so to cycle from the south to the north on an electric bike.

As he walked, he called Wu Qiangwei to give her a brief report of the day’s events.

Then he changed the subject, saying, "Secretary, I have an idea."

"What idea?"

This guy, always full of different ideas.

"It’s now confirmed that Li Zhuang surely embezzled the state subsidies meant for the farmers. I asked around today, and it seems that Li Zhuang has a good relationship with County Magistrate Xu. I suspect that during Xu’s tenure in Panlong Town, he might have also been involved in corruption."

Wu Qiangwei said with a headache, "Dujiang City has just started to settle down..."

How has this now involved Dujiang City!

Secretary Song continued, "Secretary, Mayor Zheng is definitely more anxious than you about this. After all, it was Mayor Zheng who recommended County Magistrate Xu for his position in Dujiang City!"

"If he gets into trouble, it’s Mayor Zheng who will be affected!"

"Moreover, once Xu Wenchang is removed from office, we can do a favor at the right time and offer the position to Qu Xiangru."

"What do you think of my idea, Secretary?"

A light flashed in Wu Qiangwei’s eyes.

This move was quite clever!

But she was also worried.

"She might not want your favor."

They suspected that it was Zheng Bihui who wanted to transfer Secretary Song out, and it was Zheng who had recommended Xu Wenchang.

If Qu Xiangru took that position, it would be like telling Zheng Bihui that she and Secretary Song were also cooperating.

Would Zheng Bihui collaborate with someone who plays both sides?

Would Qu Xiangru give up her cooperation with Mayor Zheng just for a Vice Mayor’s spot?

Secretary Song said, "Secretary, as I’ve said before, Qu Xiangru is the type of person with no bottom line; you can’t apply conventional thinking to her. If she wants the position, she can take it. If not, there are many others who do. Is there a shortage of favors to exchange?"

She pondered for a moment: "Contact Jin Rong right now!"

Since they were going to act, they needed to move fast!

Before taking control of the situation, they had to promise the Vice Mayor position to Qu Xiangru.

Otherwise, once someone was caught, the favor wouldn’t be worth much.

Qu Xiangru needed to know that it was they who made the arrest.

And it was they who offered the position.

Only then would it truly have value!

"Secretary, I’ll contact Zhang Meilin first."

"Alright, do as you see fit!"

Wu Qiangwei had long been accustomed to leaving things entirely in Secretary Song’s hands.

Initially, she had been worried he might not handle things well or make some mistake.

But as Secretary Song gradually demonstrated his capabilities, she became more and more reassured.

If it had not been for her previous instruction that he should never keep her in the dark about anything, he might not even report to her and instead sort everything out before discussing it with her.

After hanging up, Secretary Song intended to call Zhang Meilin. He hesitated for a moment and then decided to call Director Chen first.

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