Chapter 1203 - 1200: Framing
Lin Chuan immediately shared the method Xiao Ling suggested with Feng Lingfeng, who was astonished upon hearing it.
After their union, the relationship between the two had grown much closer. Not only could Lin Chuan hug Feng Lingfeng freely now, but he could also kiss her little lips and do other things.
Experiencing love between a man and a woman for the first time, Feng Lingfeng felt indescribably delighted.
While the two were enjoying themselves carefree in Kunlun Mountain, far away in Jiangbei City, Tang Yumeng was facing a dramatic change.
Since having dinner with Xie Tianyi that day, Tang Yumeng hadn't contacted him again.
Xie Tianyi hadn't reached out to Tang Yumeng either, so she gradually put the matter out of her mind.
Ever since that big argument with Mayor Chen Mingguo, meeting between Tang Yumeng and him had become somewhat awkward, but as Tang Yumeng was always his superior, Chen Mingguo had to maintain outward politeness despite any internal dissatisfaction.
That morning, a routine standing committee meeting was to be held, and Tang Yumeng arrived at the conference room at 9:10.
The atmosphere in the conference room seemed no different than usual, and Tang Yumeng walked to her place as Chen Mingguo stood up and greeted her with a smile.
At 9:30, the standing committee meeting officially commenced, and Tang Yumeng was the first to speak, making some remarks about the recent work of the Jiangbei City Committee.
After Tang Yumeng finished speaking, it was Chen Mingguo's turn to speak.
Chen Mingguo cleared his throat, first discussing some issues with the recent work of the City Committee, then suddenly changed his tone and said, "Our Jiangbei City Committee leadership is a unified group, and as mayor, I cannot allow certain people in the group to misuse the powers entrusted by the country and the people."
Although Chen Mingguo's words did not specifically name anyone, his statement immediately sparked discussion among the committee members present.
At this moment, Tang Yumeng also didn't understand who Chen Mingguo's words were targeting. She slightly furrowed her brows and sipped from her teacup.
Chen Mingguo continued, "Even though I don't want our team to have issues, since there are problems, as mayor, I cannot ignore them." At this point, he turned to look at Tang Yumeng and said, "Don't you agree, Secretary Tang?"
Tang Yumeng replied with a smile, "Mayor Chen is right, if there are issues within our group, they must be resolved. I support Mayor Chen; whoever has issues must be investigated thoroughly."
Chen Mingguo, hearing Tang Yumeng's response, showed a barely noticeable smile and said, "Great, since Secretary Tang has said so, I feel relieved. Secretary Tang, are you aware of the garment factory situation?"
At the mention of the garment factory, Tang Yumeng felt a jolt in her heart and said, "Of course I know about it, which of the committee members here isn't aware?"
The committee members started discussing it; indeed, everyone was aware of the garment factory. This bankrupt state-owned enterprise hadn't been settled for years, with not only enterprise issues but also many problems concerning the employees.
Chen Mingguo cleared his throat again, causing the committee members to quiet down. He looked at the group and said, "Indeed, the garment factory issue has been a headache for the City Committee for several years, but just in the past few days, it has suddenly been resolved."
A few days ago, Xie Tianyi had approached her about the garment factory's land. She had refused him at that time, so it was very strange to her how, in just two days, Chen Mingguo was saying this.
Chen Mingguo glanced at Tang Yumeng and continued, "The fact that the garment factory issue could be resolved so quickly indicates that someone in our leadership team put in significant effort."
Clearly, Chen Mingguo's words carried another layer of meaning. Initially, he spoke about someone in leadership abusing power, and now he brought up the garment factory situation, finally getting to the main point.
"Mayor Chen, if you have something to say, just say it, don't beat around the bush," Tang Yumeng said while giving Chen Mingguo a sidelong glance.
Chen Mingguo chuckled and said, "Secretary Tang, don't be anxious." He then turned his eyes back to the others and said, "As everyone knows, although the garment factory was a bankrupt enterprise, it was also a state asset of Jiangbei City. According to the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission's valuation, the garment factory, including equipment, factory buildings, and the land area, should be valued at 160 million."
Tang Yumeng was aware of this situation, and there was indeed no exaggeration in what Chen Mingguo said.
Chen Mingguo's earlier words were nothing special, but what followed shocked everyone. He said, "Just yesterday, a wealthy person from Beijing bought the garment factory for less than 80 million, and there's evidence indicating that someone in our City Committee leadership made the introduction."
Even if Tang Yumeng were oblivious, she could now understand that Chen Mingguo's words were directed at her. In the City Committee leadership, she was the only one who knew this so-called wealthy person from Beijing, who was Xie Tianyi.
"Mayor Chen," Tang Yumeng interrupted Chen Mingguo, saying, "without evidence, you shouldn't make false accusations."
Chen Mingguo seemed confident, looking at Tang Yumeng and saying, "Secretary Tang, if I didn't have solid evidence, I wouldn't dare to speak such words at the City Committee meeting. It's precisely because I have irrefutable evidence that I dare to say this."
Several committee members realized that there was a problem between Jiangbei City's top two leaders.
Despite hearing what Chen Mingguo said, Tang Yumeng wasn't angry; instead, she smiled and said, "Mayor Chen, I'd like to see what your so-called irrefutable evidence is."
Chen Mingguo chuckled again, looking at Tang Yumeng and saying, "Secretary Tang, this is a standing committee meeting. Do you really want me to present solid evidence?"
Chen Mingguo's words carried a hint of provocation, but Tang Yumeng, feeling no guilt, wasn't afraid of his tactics and said, "Mayor Chen, as I said earlier, regardless of who it is, if there's an issue, it mustn't be indulged."
Chen Mingguo's smile deepened, and he said, "Secretary Tang, your assurance is enough. Everyone, please look, this is my solid evidence."
With that, Chen Mingguo pulled out several photos from his coat pocket and tossed them onto the table.
A glance at the photos from the corner of her eye made Tang Yumeng suddenly furious. The photos showed her dining with Xie Tianyi at the Fuqing Building.
If they were just photos of the two eating, it wouldn't have made Tang Yumeng so angry. The infuriating part was that two of the photos showed Xie Tianyi handing her a paper bag with a smile.
That day, all she had with Xie Tianyi was a meal, and he didn't give her anything. These photos were clearly fabricated, which left Tang Yumeng angry.
The committee members sitting at the front saw the photos, and their expressions froze. They all had the same thought: why would Chen Mingguo openly present these photos at the committee meeting?
After all, Tang Yumeng was the City Committee Secretary of Jiangbei City. What Chen Mingguo was doing not only violated procedures but was an outright overreach of authority.
"Mayor Chen, isn't this inappropriate?" Secretary Xu from the municipal discipline inspection commission was the first to openly challenge Chen Mingguo's actions.
"Secretary Xu is right; Mayor Chen, you can't do this," agreed Director Xiao from the municipal office below Secretary Xu.
Those seated in the back hadn't seen the photos but could guess the situation.
Seemingly well-prepared, Chen Mingguo looked at Secretary Xu and Director Xiao and said, "Don't get worked up, you two; Secretary Tang asked me to show them."
Indeed, Chen Mingguo was clever, passing the ball directly to Tang Yumeng, to see how she would respond.
Though furious, Tang Yumeng didn't lose her composure. She calmed herself and said slowly, "Since Mayor Chen has presented the so-called irrefutable evidence, let everyone take a look."
Chen Mingguo was slightly surprised that Tang Yumeng remained so calm at this point. Adjusting his glasses, he instructed the secretary taking notes, "Pass these photos around for everyone to see."
The secretary stood up, glanced at Tang Yumeng, hesitated for a moment, and then distributed the photos.
Upon viewing the photos, the committee members started whispering among themselves.
"I don't believe Secretary Tang would accept bribes; this is clearly a false accusation."
"Secretary Tang has done so many practical things for Jiangbei City over the years. I also don't believe she'd do such a thing."
"Secretary Tang has done a lot of good for the citizens of Jiangbei City, but people do change..."
There was quite a bit of discussion below, with varying opinions. However, most committee members still supported Tang Yumeng, refusing to believe she had done such a thing.
After all the committee members had seen the photos, Tang Yumeng tapped the table with her finger and said, "As the City Committee Secretary of Jiangbei City, I will remain silent on this matter and request that the relevant departments investigate the issue. Meanwhile, I hereby formally announce that until this matter is thoroughly investigated and my name is cleared, I will temporarily step down from all my duties."
By saying this, Tang Yumeng effectively announced her temporary resignation as City Committee Secretary, prompting Secretary Xu to immediately stand and say, "Secretary Tang, you can't do that. Even if an investigation is opened, you're still the City Committee Secretary."
Tang Yumeng softly smiled, showing neither discontent nor distress, and said, "Secretary Xu, there's no need to say more. I have made up my mind; I will report to the Provincial Committee, and that's settled. Please continue the meeting; I will go now."
The committee members all watched as Tang Yumeng walked out of the office, and no one spoke a word.