Official Career Storm
Chapter 596

Chapter 596: Chapter 596

He had guessed that either Wang Changwei or Li Zhuang would invite him to dinner today.

The serious accident had just happened yesterday, and he was investigating the matter of farmers’ subsidies, which Li Zhuang surely knew about.

As long as he wasn’t foolish, he would definitely try to make amends.

This dinner was inevitable.

If he didn’t accept, Li Zhuang might very well take a desperate risk and flee.

"Alright, I’ll come over and take a look."

"I’ll wait for you at the entrance of the village."

After hanging up the phone, Song Guanchao said, "We can’t leave tonight, we’ll have to stay another day."

Wu Yun immediately said, "Then let’s stay another night."

She would love to be outside with Song Guanchao all the time, and it would be even better if Zhou Qian weren’t there.

Zhou Qian gave her a glance, sharing the same thought.

That afternoon.

In the An County Committee Building, Mr. Zhu was reading documents when his desk phone suddenly rang.

It was a call from the office: "Mr. Zhu, it’s Mayor Zheng from Lingjiang City."

Mr. Zhu sat up straight, "Put it through."

Seconds later, the voice of Zheng Bihui came through: "This is the Lingjiang City Government, Zheng Bihui."

"Hello, Mayor Zheng, may I know if there are any instructions?"

"I’ve received a report that Panlong Town Party Committee Secretary Li Zhuang is suspected of fraudulently diverting farmers’ subsidies. Mr. Zhu, I am now requesting that you arrest Li Zhuang. Remember, it must be a secret arrest, and there must be no injuries."

Mr. Zhu felt his heavy body tremble.

Song Guanchao had just mentioned last night that there were problems in Panlong Town, and today Mayor Zheng was calling.

Wasn’t this too quick?

"Okay, I understand."

After putting down the phone, Mayor Zheng took a cigarette to calm down, then he picked up the phone and called Director Liu, "Come to my office."

Twenty minutes later, Director Liu arrived, "Mr. Zhu, what is it?"

"The city has just called. They want us to arrest Li Zhuang."

"What?" Director Liu was taken aback.

Mr. Zhu said, "The city wants it done secretly. Find a way to call Li Zhuang here and detain him at the county."

Director Liu did not answer immediately but lit a cigarette and said, "Mr. Zhu, why would the city suddenly want to arrest him out of the blue?"

Mr. Zhu impatiently replied, "Who should I ask if you ask me?"

Director Liu said, "Mr. Zhu, our affairs wouldn’t have been exposed, would they?"

Mr. Zhu paused, frowning, "It should have nothing to do with us."

"Should? Maybe you should give a call to check."

Mr. Zhu took out his mobile phone and found a number, "Mr. Luo, hello hello, it’s me, Zhu Guangzhong, there’s something I want to inquire about..."

After he discussed the issue with Mr. Luo, Mr. Luo said he would call back later.

After hanging up, Mr. Zhu said, "Let’s wait."

The wait lasted over an hour, and finally, Mr. Luo called back.

"Good, good, I understand now, thank you for the trouble, Mr. Luo."

After putting down the phone, Mr. Zhu relaxed, "It’s not related to us."

Director Liu asked, "Did Mr. Luo mention why Mayor Zheng wants to arrest Li Zhuang?"

Mr. Zhu said, "It’s not Mayor Zheng who wants the arrest, it’s Secretary Wu conducting a secret strike. Moreover, Li Zhuang is one of Mayor Zheng’s people."

"Ah?" Director Liu was surprised, "Li Zhuang is one of Mayor Zheng’s people?"

This was the first he’d heard of it.

It was indeed a surprise.

In his day-to-day dealings, Li Zhuang kept a low profile, who would have thought he had such a connection with Mayor Zheng.

"So what does Mayor Zheng mean by this?"

"The specific situation is not clear, but Mr. Luo meant that we should not get involved in what we shouldn’t, and just follow the higher-ups’ orders."

Director Liu nodded, "I’ll call Li Zhuang."

The phone call went through, and Director Liu spoke in his usual tone, "Secretary Li, are you at the county?"

Li Zhuang said, "I’m in the village. Secretary Song has come, and I’m accompanying him to see the newly relocated graves. Director Liu, what do you need?"

Director Liu said, "Secretary Song has come over? Heh, I was thinking of arranging a meeting for you, but since you’ve already made the arrangement, there’s no issue then. Come over to the county when you have time; Mr. Zhu wants to discuss the position of Deputy County Magistrate with you."

"Okay, then tomorrow. I will come over tomorrow."

After hanging up, Director Liu said, "He will come over tomorrow."

Song Guanchao drove to Huangni Village for the second time.

When he got out of the car, he took a special look at the old woman’s house; the old couple had been released and were sitting in the yard.

Seeing him, the old couple were like avoiding plague, turning and hiding inside the house.

"Secretary Song."

Li Zhuang greeted him warmly, and when he saw Zhou Qian and Wu Yun, he couldn’t help but take a few more glances.

Especially at Zhou Qian, he had a strange feeling of familiarity but couldn’t remember where he had seen her before.

Li Zhuang led the three of them up the mountain.

As they walked uphill, the sky suddenly drizzled.

Battling the wind and rain, they finally reached the summit and indeed found a neat and pretty new grave.

The tombstone was freshly carved, with photographs of Xu Xin’s parents embedded.

Song Guanchao had not told Xu Xin about this, fearing that she would collapse emotionally and rush back to her hometown to fight with the villagers.

"The rain is getting heavier. Secretary Song, shall we head back down?"

"Alright."

After descending, Li Zhuang said, "It’s about time. I had Director Wang reserve a private room in the town, we can go and have dinner shortly."

"Fine."

"Secretary Song, ride in my car."

As they passed a courtyard, Li Zhuang took out his car keys and pressed the button.

A black Land Rover in the courtyard blinked its lights.

Song Guanchao’s eyelids twitched.

Director Chen had said Li Zhuang liked to show off, and today he saw it for himself.

This guy wasn’t just ostentatious—he was also somewhat mindless.

To flaunt a car worth over a million in front of him like this?

Completely unguarded?

Song Guanchao smiled and said, "Secretary Li’s car isn’t cheap, is it?"

Li Zhuang smiled back, "It’s alright, just two or three million."

"Heh, I’ll stick to my own car. Otherwise, I’ll have to come back here later."

"Sure, then let’s meet up in the town."

Li Zhuang opened the gate of the courtyard, stepped into the car.

Song Guanchao and the other two got into their vehicle, and Zhou Qian couldn’t help saying, "Are all local officials so brazen?"

Wu Yun also commented, "For a town secretary, how much could he have pocketed?"

"When we arrest him, we’ll know exactly how much."

He started the car and headed towards Panlong Town.

There weren’t many decent restaurants in the town, so the car stopped in front of a restaurant. Wang Changwei had already been waiting there.

Just as he was about to greet them, he stiffened when he saw Li Zhuang’s large Land Rover drive up.

He couldn’t help but criticize internally, this damn fool Li Zhuang, at least be a bit more discreet!

He escorted Song Guanchao and the others into the private room first, then pulled Li Zhuang aside outside, "Secretary Li, you’re too conspicuous!"

Li Zhuang replied with a secretive smile, "No worries, I’ll settle things with them tonight."

Wang Changwei was skeptical, "Secretary Song has seen the world, don’t make a blunder and get yourself in trouble with your gifts."

Li Zhuang’s smile turned mysterious, "Don’t worry, if I’ve invited him for dinner, I naturally have my confidence."

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