Official Career Storm

Chapter 1625

Huang Ronghua’s words were like a bucket of ice water in the depths of winter, drenching Chen Jie Ming from the inside out.

When he saw the two people who had been handcuffed, a surge of unease rose in his heart, yet he still held onto a sliver of luck.

Until now, that luck vanished into thin air.

He knew he was finished!

Secretary Xue had been arrested and had implicated him.

Even though he didn’t understand why, the facts were just so.

"Mr. Huang, did you... make a mistake?" A young woman beside him was even more agitated than Chen Jie Ming.

Huang Ronghua glanced at her and said, "Su Rong, you go up first."

Su Rong seemed not to hear, instinctively shielding Chen Jie Ming: "Xiao Chen is not that kind of person, there must be a mistake!"

"Go up!" Huang Ronghua’s tone intensified.

He knew that Su Rong and Chen Jie Ming had an unclear relationship in private.

But that was their personal life. Although he was the team leader, it wasn’t his place to interfere, nor did he wish to interfere.

As long as work was not affected, Huang Ronghua wouldn’t meddle in their business.

"Sister Su, you should go up first." Chen Jie Ming calmed down and forced a smile.

Su Rong bit her lip, glanced at the plainclothes officers, and lingered her gaze on Song Guanchao for two seconds.

She felt that this man looked somewhat familiar.

But now wasn’t the time to delve into such matters, she said to Chen Jie Ming: "Xiao Chen, if it’s not you, don’t confess!"

After speaking, she walked toward the elevator.

After she left, Huang Ronghua said, "Let’s go."

He followed along to the city bureau.

On the way, Song Guanchao received a call; Hall Director Qi and Liang Jianfeng and others had already arrived.

Just after finishing the call, Lu Zhizhong’s call came in.

"Governor Lu..."

"Governor Li’s men have arrived in Pinghai."

"Hmm?" Song Guanchao didn’t understand: "Weren’t they still in a meeting?"

Lu Zhizhong: "Governor Li arranged for Xu City Public Security Bureau’s police to come over early."

Song Guanchao was quite surprised.

He understood that Governor Li had secretly made these arrangements.

After all, if they really waited for Secretary Zhuang’s side to finish their meeting and set the tone, it would be too late.

In contrast, Governor Li was more aware of the seriousness of the situation, so regardless of the meeting outcome, he sent people first.

"Does Governor Li know about Pinghai’s situation?"

"I just talked to him on the phone, he already knows."

"And Secretary Zhuang? What’s his stance?"

"He agreed, and Wu Province Public Security Department has already dispatched people on the way."

"Ha..." It’s like trying to eat shit but missing the heat.

With such little acumen, it’s hard to fathom how he managed to stay put as the Provincial Committee Secretary.

...

Wu Province, conference room.

After a continuous afternoon and evening meeting, it finally came to an end.

All the Standing Committee members were utterly exhausted.

Meetings like today’s were not commonly seen, but they had occurred several times.

Whenever such major issues arose, Secretary Zhuang would convene all members for discussion and voting.

Typically, it shouldn’t be time-consuming.

After all, they just needed to vote.

However, after each vote, he would tactfully suggest everyone rethink and vote again.

Initially, everyone thought he had a bias, letting them revote because the outcome didn’t match his preference.

Yet after the second vote, he would again urge them to rethink and vote...

At that point, everyone realized Secretary Zhuang had no personal opinions; he simply felt all voting outcomes carried risks.

It was very taxing, but since he was the leader, no one wanted to make the situation awkward, so they stayed silent.

Today’s meeting ended rather early.

Thanks to Governor Li.

He had received a call from Lu Zhizhong, learning that the Pinghai City Secretary and Mayor intended to transfer funds and flee the country, fortunately stopped by Wu Qiangwei.

Upon learning this, Secretary Zhuang showed unprecedented decisiveness, immediately ordering the Public Security Department to dispatch people overnight to handle the situation in Pinghai.

Governor Li also informed him that coincidentally, Xu City’s Public Security Bureau Chief was nearby on duty, so he could assist Nanjiang’s Provincial Public Security Bureau first.

Everyone knew it was prearranged by Governor Li; otherwise, such coincidences couldn’t occur.

Secretary Zhuang surely knew too.

But no one pointed it out.

As long as everyone understood, exposing it would only embarrass Secretary Zhuang.

...

After ending the call with Lu Zhizhong, Song Guanchao phoned Wu Qiangwei, briefing her on the situation and asking them to come to the city bureau.

About twenty minutes later, arriving at the city bureau, he saw several taxis parked outside.

Hall Director Qi and others paid the fare and got out of the cars.

"Hall Director Qi." Song Guanchao went to greet him.

"Director Song." Hall Director Qi smiled at him.

Although Song Guanchao was only a deputy director, this kid had made quite a name for himself recently.

What left the deepest impression on Hall Director Qi was Lu Zhizhong’s relationship with him.

Behind this kid stood Governor Lu.

And behind Governor Lu was a mysterious and powerful backing.

Furthermore, Governor Lu held him in high regard.

Since Hall Director Qi’s view of him wasn’t bad, he didn’t display the superiority of being the chief of the provincial department.

"You’ve done well," praised Hall Director Qi, looking at the people behind him.

Song Guanchao introduced, "This is the head of the inspection team, Huang Ronghua. Mr. Huang, this is Hall Director Qi from our Nanjiang Provincial Public Security Bureau."

What’s the inspection team doing here?

Hall Director Qi hadn’t heard about this before arriving.

"Hello, Hall Director Qi." Huang Ronghua shook hands with little enthusiasm and said to Song Guanchao, "I’ll head in first."

"Okay."

Watching Huang Ronghua and the three handcuffed individuals head into the city bureau, Hall Director Qi slowed his pace and asked, "Who were arrested?"

Song Guanchao lowered his voice, "The inspection team has three inspectors who were embroiled by local officials."

Hall Director Qi understood.

Entering the city bureau, Song Guanchao saw Wu Qiangwei and others who arrived ten minutes earlier.

"Hall Director Qi, Director Liang."

Wu Qiangwei stepped forward, shaking hands with them, then providing an overview of the situation.

After hearing, Hall Director Qi turned to Director Ma, "From now on, the city bureau will be managed by me... and Mayor Wu."

Secretary Xue and his people were apprehended by Wu Qiangwei’s small team. Frankly speaking, without Wu Qiangwei, the situation wouldn’t be as it is.

The main credit for this Pinghai City’s corruption case undoubtedly goes to Wu Qiangwei and Song Guanchao.

He was just there to put on a show.

Not to mention, it was Lu Zhizhong who sent him here, so getting a face in this case was already a bonus.

After all, it was unearned credit.

Wu Qiangwei said, "Let’s have a meeting first to briefly discuss the situation in Pinghai."

They walked into the conference room, and Wu Qiangwei said, "Director Song, please explain."

Song Guanchao nodded and began recounting a series of events in Pinghai City.

From the initial receipt of a complaint letter, encountering Lin Wanqiu, discovering Ministry of Propaganda journalists being held, to learning they were to be silenced, forcing them to take action...

The more they listened, the more serious their expressions became.

After listening, placing themselves in the narrative, they concluded that if it were them, they certainly couldn’t handle it as well as Song Guanchao did.