Official Career Storm

The next day.

A piece of news spread across the Provincial Committee and Provincial Government, as well as the City Committee and Municipal Government in Jiangzhou City.

Director Song Guanchao of the City Government Office was arrested cross-provincially.

It is said he committed intentional injury, was arrested by police sent from Xu City, and taken back overnight.

But anyone with a keen eye knows Song Guanchao offended people he shouldn't have.

"I've always said, someone like Song Guanchao is bound to get into trouble sooner or later!"

"Indeed, his character is too flamboyant."

"If I had his backing, I'd be even more flamboyant than him."

"What backing does he have? He was only a secretary to the Mayor before. But this time, even Mayor Wu can't protect him."

"Cross-provincial arrest, huh? Mayor Wu's influence is limited."

"It's not just Mayor Wu. Remember, last time at the consulate, it was Governor Lu who stepped in."

At these words, the office suddenly grew silent.

But quickly, someone sneered, "Governor Lu is the Governor of our Nanjiang Province, while Xu City is in Wu Province."

The implication being that even with Governor Lu's high status, outside this province, it may not be useful.

...

The first thing Liang Jianfeng did upon arriving to work was contact Director Chen of the Xu City Bureau.

"Director Chen, is the investigation clear?" Liang Jianfeng asked calmly.

Director Chen said indifferently, "Oh, I inquired, and Song Guanchao's actions are not light. He almost beat someone to death."

Liang Jianfeng asked, "When did it happen?"

Director Chen replied, "That's inconvenient to disclose."

Liang Jianfeng was silent for a few seconds, then directly asked, "Are you sure you're not releasing him, Director Chen?"

Director Chen raised an eyebrow: "Mr. Liang, what do you mean? Even if Emperor breaks the law, there is no exemption for ordinary citizens; Song Director can't just be exempt from punishment because he has a guise."

Liang Jianfeng ignored his useless rant: "I only ask you, will you release him or not?"

"Hah." Director Chen chuckled lightly, then directly hung up the phone.

In terms of rank, he indeed was lower than Liang Jianfeng, the Vice Mayor and City Bureau Director of a provincial city.

But rank is rank.

He was not serving in Jiangzhou, so he didn't have to give him face.

Liang Jianfeng didn't get angry. He called Wu Qiangwei: "Xu City is unwilling to release him."

Wu Qiangwei said: "Governor Lu will step in."

Liang Jianfeng agreed with an "hmm," without further comment.

If worse comes to worst, and Governor Lu can't resolve it, he'll have to resort to his methods.

For example, he could also send people to Xu City to detain someone.

If you use such dirty tactics, you must consider that the other side may use the same tactics against you.

...

Lu Zhizhong is in his office, talking on the phone with Governor Li of Wu Province.

Upon receiving the call, Governor Li felt a bit bewildered.

He seldom has dealings with Nanjiang Province; this call came unexpectedly.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Lu Zhizhong moved to the main topic, discussing the issue concerning Song Guanchao.

Governor Li realized suddenly, and his brow furrowed slightly.

It wasn't about the cross-provincial arrest.

As a governor, it's impossible to manage every affair thoroughly.

What displeased him was the unusual status of the person arrested by the other side.

It even alarmed the governor on the other side.

"Let me look into it first."

"Thanks, Governor Li."

"Governor Lu, you're too kind."

After the formalities, Governor Li found Mayor Qiu of Xu City's phone number and dialed it.

"Governor Li." Mayor Qiu was very surprised.

Governor Li said a few useless words first, then asked about the main issue.

Upon learning it was about Song Guanchao, Mayor Qiu was quite startled.

He hadn't expected Governor Li to approach him for this.

Mayor Qiu said: "Indeed, this matter exists."

Governor Li narrowed his eyes: "Were you involved?"

Initially, he thought it was done by the lower police officers. But from Mayor Qiu's immediate reply, it appeared the arrest of Song Guanchao was ordered by Mayor Qiu himself.

Mayor Qiu said: "Governor Li, this is the Xu Family's intention."

Governor Li paused: "Which Xu Family?"

Mayor Qiu lowered his voice: "Beijing, the Xu Family."

Governor Li's eyelid twitched lightly: "The Xu Family that used to hold a committee position?"

"Yes."

Governor Li took a deep breath, his expression unusually serious: "Tell me the details."

A few minutes later, upon learning the backstory, Governor Li rubbed his forehead vigorously.

The Beijing Xu Family, which once had a committee member.

Even if that was in the past, even if the current Xu Family members in the government haven't reached that committee level.

But a scrawny camel is larger than a horse.

If requested by the second generation of the Xu Family, the courtesy must still be extended.

Moreover, the person has already been detained.

At such times, wavering is the most taboo; once committed, don't change mid-course, or neither side will be pleased.

Besides, it's a matter involving someone from another province city.

Even if Governor Lu steps in, it's ineffective.

Lu Zhizhong waited about fifteen minutes or so, and Governor Li called back.

"Governor Lu, I've just looked into it; this Song Guanchao acted excessively."

From this, Lu Zhizhong understood that Governor Li didn't intend to release him.

He was starting to suspect whether Song Guanchao was hiding something from him?

Is this Xu Chengcheng really just a forsaken second generation?

"Haha, alright, I understand." Lu Zhizhong didn't argue fiercely over the phone.

Realizing his attitude was enough.

He fetched a number, which was Lin Wanqiu's phone number that he had someone investigate especially this morning.

"Ministry of Propaganda..."

Lu Zhizhong muttered to himself and dialed through.

...

When Lin Wanqiu received the call, her expression turned exceptionally unpleasant.

Song Guanchao had been arrested.

Her first impulse was to go to Jiangzhou.

But she quickly suppressed this impulse.

Governor Lu told her it was a message from Song Guanchao for her.

Smart as she was, even though momentarily clouded by emotions, she calmly pondered and roughly guessed Song Guanchao's intention.

Did he want me to inform others of this matter?

She thought of Song Guanchao's connections in Beijing, of being led by Song Guanchao to Diaoyutai No. 7 Courtyard to meet the Minister of the Ministry of Public Security, of influential figures who came to support him when her fiancé Xiao Zheng arrived to cancel the engagement...

She understood.

Lin Wanqiu opened her contacts, looked at the names like Li He and Jiang Wangshan, contemplated briefly, and dialed Jiang Wangshan's number.

Jiang Wangshan was in a meeting, with his phone set to silent.

He prepared to hang up after hearing the vibration, but when he saw Lin Wanqiu was calling, he was rather surprised.

"Director Chu, I'll take a call."

He informed Director Chu at the head seat, and Director Chu, noticing his grim expression, knew the phone call was unusual.

Jiang Wangshan stepped out of the meeting room: "Miss Lin, what's up?"

"Director Jiang, Song Guanchao has been arrested."

Lin Wanqiu concisely recounted the situation.

"Xu Chengcheng?" Jiang Wangshan mulled over the name: "Okay, I got it. Wait for my call."

After hanging up, Jiang Wangshan returned to the meeting room, quietly waiting for the meeting to end.

Director Chu remained seated, knowing Jiang Wangshan might have something to discuss with him.

After others had left, Director Chu asked, "What's up?"

Jiang Wangshan replied, "Song Guanchao has been arrested."

Director Chu was taken aback.

He had a significant impression of Song Guanchao, knowing his background, and had always wanted to build familiarity with him. But since he wasn't in Beijing, the opportunity never arose.

Now, Director Chu realized the opportunity might have come.

He excitedly asked, "Tell me what exactly happened."