Official Career Storm

Chapter 1715: Chapter 1715

Wu Qiangwei was slightly surprised and asked, "Leverage?"

Her relationship with Song Guanchao had long surpassed that of a superior and subordinate, extending beyond ordinary friendship.

If it were a normal relationship, Song Guanchao wouldn’t be so open, and Wu Qiangwei wouldn’t ask about everything.

There were practically no secrets between them.

To anyone else, this conversation might seem strange, but for them, it was just a routine matter.

Song Guanchao said, "Do you remember the food poisoning case at No. 1 High School?"

Wu Qiangwei nodded, and Song Guanchao continued, "There’s a vice principal at No. 1 High School, surnamed Liu, who’s involved with Chang Youcai."

Wu Qiangwei felt a sudden realization, then a bit of disgust, and couldn’t help but think of the women entangled with Song Guanchao, which changed her gaze toward him momentarily.

Song Guanchao twitched the corner of his mouth, realizing he’d been too frank unnecessarily, and now had put himself into a predicament.

Luckily, Wu Qiangwei didn’t pursue the matter further. She called in Shu Xue and instructed her to notify Chang Youcai to come over.

Before long, Chang Youcai arrived.

He glanced at Song Guanchao, guessing the reason for the summons; it seemed they intended to tackle each person individually.

But Chang Youcai had already resolved that regardless of whether Wu Qiangwei was soft or hard, he wouldn’t engage and definitely wouldn’t get involved in the district matters.

"I hope Mayor Chang can make a statement at the meeting three days later," Wu Qiangwei spoke directly.

Chang Youcai sighed with a wry smile and said, "Since Mayor Wu is straightforward, I’ll be straightforward too. I don’t want to get involved in the district issues."

"Tap, tap."

Song Guanchao tapped the table with his finger, and Chang Youcai looked at him.

"Mayor Chang," Song Guanchao smiled and said, "The pollution in the district is severe. Although it’s not your jurisdiction, as Vice Mayor, how can you shirk responsibility when your stance is needed?"

Chang Youcai replied, "Director Song, no need to use my Vice Mayor role against me. You’ve already said, this isn’t my field of expertise. Asking me to comment and take a stand on an unfamiliar area is genuinely putting me in a difficult position. To be frank, the district was built by Governor Yang, and I don’t wish to offend Governor Yang."

"Of course, I fully support Mayor Wu’s work. If it eventually pertains to my jurisdiction, I’ll absolutely cooperate with Mayor Wu. But for this matter, I hope Mayor Wu doesn’t put me in a tough spot."

He believed he had made himself clear, maintaining a friendly attitude, leaving Wu Qiangwei no reason to press him further for a stance.

Song Guanchao chuckled, "Alright, since Mayor Chang doesn’t want to get involved, I’ll go and have a chat with Principal Liu later."

Chang Youcai’s face changed dramatically, he sat up rigidly and glared at him, "Song Guanchao, what do you mean by this? Are you threatening me?"

The smile vanished from Song Guanchao’s face, his gaze as sharp as a knife, meeting his eyes, "In the City Government, there are one main and six deputy mayors, yet only Mayor Liang supports the resolution during the special meeting vote. You said you’d cooperate with Mayor Wu’s work, so let me ask, Mayor Chang, what exactly is your way of cooperating?"

"You say I’m threatening you? Isn’t your inaction also a threat to Mayor Wu!"

Chang Youcai’s face was as dark as water, anger boiling in his chest, yet he was speechless.

"Since Mayor Chang has spoken so clearly, let me be blunt as well," Song Guanchao tapped the table lightly with a finger, speaking slowly, "In all future meetings, follow Mayor Wu’s lead. Cooperate well, and you’ll remain as Mayor Chang. If you refuse to cooperate, you can apply for a transfer with the organization department. As long as you’re part of the City Government, you better learn to toe the line first."

"Have I made myself clear enough?"

Song Guanchao’s knife-like gaze made Chang Youcai hard to maintain eye contact.

And the authoritative tone made him almost unbearably furious.

In terms of rank, he was higher than Song Guanchao.

In terms of power, he wielded more than Song Guanchao.

Yet, in that moment, he felt as if their roles had been reversed, creating a sense of humiliation from insubordination.

Chang Youcai took a deep breath, restraining the impulse to confront him, to storm out in anger.

At his level, personal conduct wasn’t that big of an issue, but if Song Guanchao seized on it, even publicizing it, like how the district’s pollution issue was exposed online.

Even the smallest matter blown up online would be magnified infinitely.

The flood of public opinion would force government departments to respond.

By then, even if he wasn’t transferred, he would be criticized, punished.

Besides, once it reached that stage, would Song Guanchao stop at just targeting his conduct issues?

Considering the potential chain reaction of consequences, Chang Youcai took a deep breath, forcing a smile, "Next time there’s a meeting, could Director Song please inform me in advance."

"Certainly," Song Guanchao’s smile returned in a flash, the previous tension evaporating in the blink of an eye.

After Chang Youcai left, Wu Qiangwei was slightly worried, "Be careful."

The method of threats, while effective, had considerable side effects.

As Vice Mayor, how could he tolerate being threatened like this? He would inevitably retaliate afterward, seeking ways to regain the upper hand.

Song Guanchao simply smiled, knowing what Wu Qiangwei was concerned about.

He was well aware that using threats to draw Chang Youcai’s support was risky.

It was only because time was pressing, and to quickly garner votes from these Vice Mayors, he resorted to such a measure.

But if threats were made, then so be it.

From the moment he resorted to threats, he planned it all along. Once this matter settles, he’d find a way to sort out Chang Youcai.

Either be an obedient subordinate or step down and vacate the position.

"Notify Xue Mingde," Song Guanchao said.

Wu Qiangwei nodded.

Xue Mingde wasn’t in the City Government and returned only by evening.

As soon as they met, Wu Qiangwei repeated the same request.

Xue Mingde was already prepared, stating, "Mayor Wu, you’ve put me in a difficult position..."

But before he could continue, Wu Qiangwei interrupted, "Aside from Mayor Sun, the other Vice Mayors have all agreed."

Xue Mingde was momentarily stunned, suspicion filled his eyes, unsure if she was telling the truth or bluffing.

He took a sip of tea, his downcast gaze flickering, and said, "If the others agreed, then naturally, I’ll agree too."

If Wu Qiangwei wasn’t bluffing, in this case, Xue Mingde wouldn’t really need to do anything; he could just follow the majority and cast a supporting vote.

After all, being out of sync with the group is a serious issue.

Being out of sync means being unsupportive.

This implies being marginalized, pushed to the edges over time.

No sensible official would allow themselves to be excluded from the team.

If she couldn’t garner the Vice Mayors’ support, Wu Qiangwei would be alone with no backup.

But if others aligned with Wu Qiangwei and Xue Mingde stood apart, he’d become the leader’s labeled "relationally challenged with colleagues." Such individuals can’t be relied upon for major responsibilities.

Xue Mingde seriously suspected if Wu Qiangwei used the same line with the other Vice Mayors.

So, after leaving her office, Xue Mingde immediately called Chang Youcai.

"Mayor Chang, I heard from Mayor Wu that there’s a special meeting in three days to finalize the pollution decisions. Do you have any thoughts on this?" Xue Mingde probed.

Chang Youcai knew what he was getting at, but didn’t respond directly, "Shall we have a drink tonight?"

It seemed that there was something he wanted to discuss, so Xue Mingde agreed, "Alright."

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