Official Career Storm

Chapter 1763: Chapter 1763

Chairman Fang flipped through the contact list for Director Huang of the Judicial Bureau. As he prepared to call, he realized it was already late, so he resisted the impulse.

He waited until the next morning to call, smilingly asking if Director Huang was in the office, mentioning that he had some matters to discuss in person.

Once granted permission, Chairman Fang arrived at the Judicial Bureau, retrieved a prepared tea gift box from the car, and entered the office.

Director Huang smiled and shook his hand, his peripheral vision already catching sight of the tea box, yet he refrained from mentioning it.

"This is Huangshan Maofeng, knowing that Director Huang has good taste, I specially brought it for you to try."

"Chairman Fang, you’re too kind. Please, have a seat."

Director Huang poured him a cup of tea but did not proactively ask, waiting for him to speak first.

After some casual chit-chat, Chairman Fang revealed his intention: "Director Huang, do you think you could unfreeze our company’s accounts?"

Director Huang shook his head and said: "This is beyond my control, Chairman Fang. Please don’t put me in a difficult position."

Chairman Fang asked: "Director Huang, how old are you this year?"

"53."

"Have you thought about life after retirement?"

Director Huang looked at him, realizing the implied meaning in his words.

Chairman Fang raised a finger: "Ten million."

Director Huang smiled and continued drinking tea.

The batch of companies slated for pollution-related penalties was being closely watched by the City Committee and Municipal Government. If he dared to unfreeze the accounts privately, he’d certainly face disciplinary action.

Should the funds be transferred during the unfreezing, it would escalate from disciplinary action to possibly being dismissed and handed over for judicial processing.

Were Zhou Zheng in charge or Sun Jiajun responsible, he might consider it.

But the current mayor is Wu Qiangwei, and if he dared to act rashly, he wouldn’t meet a good end.

"Twenty million!"

Director Huang’s gaze shifted subtly, clearly tempted.

But thinking of the consequences, he still held back.

His facial and eye movements, however minute, were observed by Chairman Fang.

Sure enough, for these officials, money remains a strong passport.

"Thirty million! It’s the best I can offer. If Director Huang truly finds it difficult, I’ll let it go." Chairman Fang decisively concluded.

Director Huang kept sipping his tea for several seconds before placing down his cup: "I want encrypted currency."

"No problem." Chairman Fang relaxed internally, the deal sealed.

...

Ten o’clock in the morning.

The City Committee, in the meeting room, was holding a special session on shutdown and transformation discussions.

At the outset, Wu Qiangwei directly stated her stance: "I propose that Director Song take charge of this matter."

Just as others prepared to comment, Wu Qiangwei continued: "Director Song understands the pollution-related companies well and has prepared a plan. Moreover, he was nearly kidnapped and injured by assailants recently. Although the police haven’t yet identified the perpetrators, I believe everyone knows what’s going on."

"Director Song, considering the impact, hasn’t publicly spoken about this incident."

Listening to Wu Qiangwei emphasize Song Guanchao’s assassination attempt, everyone understood the underlying message she wanted to convey.

If Song Guanchao isn’t appointed to take charge, he’ll publicize the assassination attempt.

Bao Qi and Lv Jie subtly glanced at Zhou Zheng.

Zhou Zheng smiled and said: "Everyone acknowledges Director Song’s contributions, as do the City Committee and Municipal Government. However, I think this requires careful consideration. You mentioned Director Song already has a plan?"

"Why not review the plan first? If Director Song’s ideas are actionable, then we should follow his lead."

"How does Mayor Wu feel about that?"

He appeared to compromise, yet was evidently stalling.

Wu Qiangwei assertively said: "The plan can be discussed step by step, but let’s first appoint the lead person. Prolonging this isn’t good for the companies either."

Zhou Zheng didn’t respond immediately, he lit a cigarette, took several puffs, and glanced around at others before landing his eyes on Lv Jie: "What does Secretary Lu think?"

Lv Jie cursed internally, you cunning bastard, pushing this mess onto me.

He maintained his smile: "Mayor Wu knows Director Song better, and since she recommends him, there should be no issue. But Secretary Zhou makes a good point—I also think we should review the plan first."

"Director Song, after all, lacks experience in handling such events. His contributions are genuine, but shutdowns and transformations require professionals for coordination."

Zhou Zheng was pleased, pretending to think, nodding: "Secretary Lu has enlightened me; indeed, such an important matter requires extensive experience. Director Song is so young, perhaps he’s not up to the task."

Wu Qiangwei initially thought raising Song Guanchao’s assassination attempt would lead Zhou Zheng to capitulate, yet he remained steadfast and unyielding.

Just as she prepared to call for a vote, Wang Jinming suddenly spoke: "Director Song’s assassination attempt has a very negative impact. We must prevent ill-intentioned individuals from using this incident to tarnish Jiangzhou."

After that, he added: "I think Mayor Wu’s proposal is quite good. Though young and inexperienced, Director Song is capable! And he’ll mainly handle the coordination work, while the specialized tasks will ultimately fall to the professionals."

Taking the assassination as a focal point, to Zhou Zheng and others, this implied a concern that if they didn’t appoint Song Guanchao, he’d publicize the assassination attempt.

Due to this concern, he supported Wu Qiangwei.

This shift wouldn’t seem abrupt to Zhou Zheng and others, and they wouldn’t suspect he’d already privately made deals with Wu Qiangwei.

Furthermore, with Wang Jinming being the Minister of Organization, given he’s voiced such hidden risks, Zhou Zheng and others had to seriously consider.

Is blocking Song Guanchao from handling this matter really the right choice?

For a few seconds, the room fell silent, then Hu Yaling spoke: "Minister Wang’s concerns are indeed justified."

Liu Peihua from the Propaganda Department also nodded solemnly, lightly agreeing.

At this moment, supporting Wu Qiangwei were already three committee members, plus Wu Qiangwei herself and Commander Wang from the Military District—making five votes.

However, though Wu Qiangwei now accounted for half of the committee seats, Zhou Zheng and a few others didn’t suspect they’d pre-discussed with Wu Qiangwei, merely assuming they feared Song Guanchao would exploit the assassination issue, affecting Jiangzhou and their futures.

The remaining committee members said nothing, quietly awaiting Zhou Zheng’s decision.

Zhou Zheng had only taken two puffs, letting the cigarette burn to the end, then smiled: "Then let Director Song be responsible."

...

Song Guanchao checked the time—it was 10:40.

He presumed the meeting had concluded.

While musing, a knock suddenly echoed.

"Come in." Song Guanchao lifted his head, watching Xiao Chenlei push open the door and enter.

He raised an eyebrow, wondering why this guy was here.

"Director Song." Xiao Chenlei approached with a sunny disposition, exceedingly enthusiastic, laced with unobvious flattery.

"Mr. Xiao." Song Guanchao shook his hand, poured him some tea, then sat observing him quietly.

Xiao Chenlei raised his tea cup, asking: "Director Song, the pollution-affected companies have suspended operations for quite a while. Is there any indication from the city on when they’ll take over?"

Song Guanchao knew he wasn’t inquiring about the industrial park, but rather when Mayor Chang might step down, allowing his promotion.

Since he skirted around the issue, Song Guanchao didn’t raise it either: "The City Committee met today; specific guidance should follow soon."

Xiao Chenlei nodded, then asked: "I noticed Mayor Chang hasn’t visited the district or park lately, is he..."

Song Guanchao shook his head: "I don’t interact much with Mayor Chang, so I’m unsure."

Xiao Chenlei subtly frowned while sipping tea, puzzled whether Song Guanchao genuinely didn’t realize his purpose or was purposely evasive.

If it’s the former... it would make sense; in his understanding, Song Guanchao is impulsive and irritable—a young man lacking strategic thinking.

If it’s the latter, it means Song Guanchao never considered him for the district chief role.

His stance represents Wu Qiangwei’s position.

Realizing this, Xiao Chenlei felt a sudden pang of worry, silently praying the outcome wouldn’t be so bleak.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!