Official Career Storm

Chapter 1725: Chapter 1725

Wu Qiangwei put down her phone, looking slightly agitated.

Song Guanchao asked, "What’s wrong?"

Wu Qiangwei gradually lifted her gaze to look at him.

From her eyes, Song Guanchao saw confusion and a hint of panic.

He suppressed his impatience, waiting for her to calm down.

"A call from Secretary Xu," Wu Qiangwei said.

Song Guanchao quietly looked at her.

Who knows what Secretary Xu said on the phone that caused such a fluctuation in Wu Qiangwei’s emotions.

Wu Qiangwei seemed hesitant to speak, paused for a long time before saying, "Come with me to the Provincial Disciplinary Inspection Committee."

"Me?" Song Guanchao sensed something amiss: "What’s the matter?"

"Secretary Xu wants to see you." Wu Qiangwei didn’t clarify, even though there was no third person present, she still didn’t explain.

Realizing the seriousness of the problem, Song Guanchao didn’t press further and nodded, "Let’s go."

As they left the office, Shu Xue immediately stood up.

"Prepare the car," Wu Qiangwei instructed.

"Okay."

Shu Xue grabbed her phone and followed, calling Wu Ming.

When they reached the parking lot, Wu Ming had already driven the car over.

Shu Xue went over to open the car door, watching as Wu Qiangwei and Song Guanchao entered the back seat in order, and she then sat in the front passenger seat.

Shu Xue sensed sharply that Mayor Wu wasn’t in good shape; although her face was calm, her despondent eyes betrayed her inner turmoil.

Wu Ming also noticed it and occasionally glanced at the rear-view mirror, secretly pondering whether the two were in conflict.

The office of the Provincial Disciplinary Inspection Committee wasn’t far from the City Government, and it wasn’t rush hour, so they arrived in ten minutes.

Shu Xue followed them to Secretary Xu’s office, where Wu Qiangwei said, "Wait for me outside."

Shu Xue acknowledged with a "Oh," waited until they entered the office, then went ahead to pull out a chair and sat, pondering Mayor Wu’s purpose for coming today.

...

"Here," Xu Wu said softly, looking at Song Guanchao.

He hadn’t interacted much with Song Guanchao and had had only one formal meeting.

This was the second time.

Two years had passed; the young secretary had now become the Director of the Provincial City’s City Government Office.

His promotion speed was quite fast compared to the national average.

Nanjiang Province’s leadership was quite interested in him; countless bigwigs had pulled up his file.

From the file, it showed that Song Guanchao, with a military background, had a spotless record.

This caused confusion among the leaders.

How did a young man without any background, transitioning from the army to civil service, rise to power?

If only looking at the file, each step of his promotion was traceable, his strong capabilities evident in handling several major incidents.

However, no matter how capable he was, lacking networks, climbing to the rank of Director in two years was considered fast.

Yet he cut through obstacles, arduously reaching the Deputy Director level.

A position of actual power in the Provincial City.

It’s simply incredible.

Even in a small county, leadership positions are scarce.

Not to mention Jiangzhou City, the power hub of Nanjiang Province.

Any vacant position would draw a crowd of contenders showing off their skills, leaving unlikely any chance for Song Guanchao.

Xu Wu collected his scattered thoughts, throwing a bombshell: "The Central Disciplinary Inspection Committee is coming to the Provincial City this afternoon, needing you to cooperate with the investigation. Before that, you have to stay here."

The Central Disciplinary Inspection Committee?

Song Guanchao drew his breath, his thoughts swirling, unable to understand why the Central Disciplinary Inspection Committee would seek him out for no apparent reason.

"Hand over your phone," Xu Wu said, his tone still quite gentle.

Song Guanchao took out his phone and placed it on the table.

Seeing his calm demeanor, Xu Wu asked, "Are you not curious why the Central Disciplinary Inspection Committee is looking for you?"

Song Guanchao shook his head, "Not curious."

At this point in time, the Central Disciplinary Inspection Committee suddenly arrived, except for the pollution incident, what else could it be?

He stood with integrity, fearing no scrutiny.

Xu Wu’s gaze was appreciative, he said to Wu Qiangwei, "Mayor Wu, you can go back now. Secretary Bao will notify you of any news."

"Alright." Wu Qiangwei stood up expressionless, and before leaving, she said, "Cooperate well with the investigation by the Central Disciplinary Inspection Committee."

"Understood."

After Wu Qiangwei left, Xu Wu took out a cigarette, tossed one to him, and after lighting his own, he threw the lighter to him.

Song Guanchao accepted and also lit a cigarette.

Before the Provincial Disciplinary Inspection Committee head, he neither showed any servility nor displayed youthful sharpness.

Xu Wu pushed a letter to him, "Take a look."

Song Guanchao grabbed the letter, unfolded it, and skimmed through.

As he expected, the Central Disciplinary Inspection Committee was indeed investigating him because of the pollution incident.

However, the reason surprised him.

It turned out a journalist who privately investigated the pollution incident reported him to the Central Disciplinary Inspection Committee.

The journalist claimed that ever since she released an interview video about the pollution online, she had faced threats from Song Guanchao.

The journalist felt her personal safety was threatened, so she reported to the Central Disciplinary Inspection Committee, seeking severe punishment for Song Guanchao.

Song Guanchao smiled slightly, putting down the report letter.

Xu Wu said, "I’ve heard about the chemical park issue. The pollution indeed has severely impacted nearby residents. But have you thought about how to resolve it?"

Song Guanchao couldn’t decipher the other’s stance, whether he was casually asking or siding with the entrepreneurs.

"Closure and reorganization," Song Guanchao replied.

"How to close and reorganize? Do you have a detailed handling plan? Have you invited experts to research each polluting enterprise’s specific situation? Have you understood these enterprises’ revenue models and profit-and-loss statements?"

Xu Wu posed a series of questions, to which Song Guanchao said, "Closure and reorganization might encounter difficulties and obstacles, but it’s the only solution. No difficulty or obstacle can change that."

Xu Wu frowned: "You’re just the City Government Office Director, making specific decisions isn’t your place. You can offer suggestions, but they must be logical and have solid data support. It’s not just a rash decision to shut this or that down. According to your standards, very few companies could survive in Jiangzhou."

Song Guanchao sensed it, Xu Wu indeed seemed to stand by the polluting enterprises.

It’s uncertain whether he’s worried about Wu Qiangwei getting into trouble or if he has ties with those entrepreneurs.

He decided to test the waters.

"What Secretary Xu says is valid, but I think, before a specific handling plan is determined, these enterprises must first halt operations to prevent more severe pollution."

Xu Wu flicked the ash but didn’t continue this topic: "For now, just accept the investigation. You don’t need to be responsible for the pollution incident."

This statement sounded a bit odd.

He’s the Provincial Disciplinary Inspection Committee Secretary; city government decisions aren’t his place to meddle.

Whether or not he is responsible isn’t for him to decide.

It could also be interpreted that he thought Song Guanchao’s approach was too radical, and by using the Central Disciplinary Inspection Committee’s investigation, he would take a temporary pause.

These leaders, being older, often prefer to handle such incidents more gently.

At noon, Song Guanchao rarely ate lunch in Secretary Xu’s office, delivered personally from the cafeteria by Xu Wu’s secretary, Chen Hongyuan.

Around half-past one in the afternoon, Chen Hongyuan knocked on the office door, opened it, and said: "Secretary Xu, the Central Disciplinary Inspection Committee members have arrived."

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