Official Career Storm-Chapter 1461

On the car ride back to the City Committee, Zhou Zheng's emotions slowly calmed down.

Having been within the system for almost thirty years, climbing to his current position, he had forgotten the most crucial aspect of the bureaucracy.

That is, understanding the leadership.

If the leader likes grand gestures, then, as a subordinate, one must cater to that.

If the leader is pragmatic, he mustn't be ostentatious.

Only by discerning the leader's thoughts and governance philosophy can one navigate smoothly.

Yet he had overlooked this point.

Fortunately, it's not too late.

After a discussion with Secretary Gao, he suddenly realized.

Secretary Gao is evidently pragmatic, whereas he is somewhat eager for quick success and centralized power.

With such a character, Secretary Gao surely has opinions.

But since he isn't one of Secretary Gao's people, even if Gao has opinions, he wouldn't express them directly.

This time, it was a fortunate mishap, Zhou Zheng thought with relief.

Still, whenever Song Guanchao crosses his mind, he feels a burning anger.

And Wu Qiangwei.

Ever since she became Mayor, Jiangzhou City has been thrown into chaos.

She has repeatedly opposed him.

Previously, he hadn't realized Jiangzhou City had so many issues; how come as soon as she took office, problems started appearing like mushrooms after the rain?

In the past, he would have thought that Wu Qiangwei was deliberately antagonizing him.

After talking with Secretary Gao, he came to understand that Wu Qiangwei is a blade wielded by Secretary Gao.

The problems in Jiangzhou City have always existed, and Secretary Gao is aware of them.

Thinking of this, Zhou Zheng sighed lightly, realizing how challenging it is without a backing.

...

Disciplinary Committee, inside the office.

Deputy Secretary Tan Miao, who was suddenly summoned, is currently reporting to Secretary Bao Qi.

"Why didn't you report such an important matter to me immediately?"

Bao Qi's face was stern, his gaze exceedingly hostile.

Tan Miao looked slightly embarrassed: "Secretary Bao, it wasn't my intention not to report, I didn't expect the situation to be so serious."

"You didn't expect it?" Bao Qi chuckled: "I see you're deliberately withholding information."

"There's no such thing, you've misunderstood, Secretary Bao."

"Leave."

Bao Qi knows that saying more is futile; the matter has already occurred, and losing his temper won't change anything.

Tan Miao closed the door, and as he stepped out, the respectful forced smile on his face disappeared, and his posture straightened.

He deliberately withheld information.

But what of it?

What difference does it make if Bao Qi is displeased?

In politics, it's most taboo to hedge bets on both sides.

His relationship with Bao Qi was ordinary at best; now that he could connect with Wu Qiangwei, he must cultivate this relationship.

As for what opinions Bao Qi might have, it's outside his consideration.

However, he was indeed quite surprised, not expecting Song Guanchao to cause such a significant stir this time.

The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission was practically caught in one net.

This time, several department-level officials might end up being sent inside.

I wonder if Secretary Bao was involved in any of it.

Tan Miao felt a little stirred; it would be great if Secretary Bao were involved too, and could be sent in along with them.

With Mayor Wu's support behind him, he might be able to rise in rank.

...

"Qiu Zhen Ting is willing to confess."

Wu Yun received a call from a colleague and told Song Guanchao.

"He's come around so quickly?"

Song Guanchao was rather taken aback; he thought it would take Qiu Zhen Ting three to five days to agree to cooperate.

Yet in just half a day, he's willing to confess.

"It's a good thing indeed."

"Yes, it's good, but it's a bit too fast."

Logically, if he's willing to confess, he'd do so immediately once apprehended.

If he's unwilling to confess, and with uncertainty about the current situation, short-term cooperation would seem unlikely.

Qiu Zhen Ting's reaction is rather unusual.

Song Guanchao drove to the hotel, found the Disciplinary Committee officers on duty, and asked, "After I left, has anyone come by?"

"No."

"Has any of you gone inside?"

"No."

Song Guanchao nodded, pushed the door open, and entered.

Qiu Zhen Ting was sitting at the table smoking, seeing him, he forced a smile, "Director Song."

Song Guanchao sat down and asked, "Secretary Qiu came around quickly?"

Qiu Zhen Ting sighed: "I was blinded by greed, unable to resist the corruption of money. I've come to my senses; I shouldn't stubbornly resist, I only hope the organization will treat me leniently."

Hmm, he certainly has some awareness.

Yet the more compliant he is, the more suspicious Song Guanchao becomes.

He hadn't even tried intimidating him yet, and he confessed directly, leaving no sense of achievement.

He glanced at Wu Yun, who turned on the nearby camera.

Song Guanchao opened his notebook, "Do tell."

Qiu Zhen Ting extinguished his cigarette and began confessing, "Last year, someone approached me, hoping to transform Tengxiang Company from a state-owned enterprise to be sold off…"

He mentioned some matters rather vaguely; Song Guanchao didn't interrupt, waiting for him to finish before asking, "Who approached you?"

"Zhao Jian."

"Which Zhao Jian?"

"Mayor Zhang Yan's secretary."

Song Guanchao perked up, indeed related to Zhang Yan.

"Did the Tengxiang Company executives know?"

"They knew." Qiu Zhen Ting stated: "All of them accepted benefits."

"Who offered the benefits?"

"I'm not sure."

"Then who gave you your benefits?"

"Secretary Zhao."

"Are the benefits given to other deputy secretaries also from Secretary Zhao?"

"Yes."

"Who acquired Tengxiang Company?"

"Red Peak Company."

"Who is the legal representative of the company?"

"I'm not sure." Qiu Zhen Ting gave a bitter smile, "I won't hide from Director Song; I was merely taking money to do the job. I haven't grasped the specifics. After all, the more you know, the deeper you sink."

His words have no issue; what he said can withstand scrutiny, logically flawless.

But Song Guanchao still feels he's hiding something, not entirely truthful.

"How much money did you receive in total?"

"Seven million yuan, along with some shopping cards and gold bars, totaling less than ten million yuan."

Qiu Zhen Ting asked, "Director Song, given my involvement, what's the likely sentence?"

Song Guanchao replied, "If you haven't hidden anything and are willing to return the embezzled funds, given your level of cooperation, it won't be a custodial sentence."

Qiu Zhen Ting exhaled a long breath: "Thank you, Director Song."

"Why thank me?" Song Guanchao said with a faint smile: "I mentioned no hiding. But Secretary Qiu, you're not very honest."

Qiu Zhen Ting's heart tightened, feigned confusion: "What does Director Song mean?"

Song Guanchao tapped the table, hinting, "Aside from Tengxiang Company, how many other companies have been sold over the years?"

Once more, Qiu Zhen Ting felt his heart constrict; he thought Song Guanchao was merely following a routine, targeting examples.

Who would have guessed he wanted to delve deep and uncover everything?

Can this matter be investigated so thoroughly?

"Director Song…"

"Let me give you a hint." Song Guanchao said: "Nine state-owned enterprises, involving three hundred billion yuan.

"Now, based on these facts, organize your response and confess again."

"These nine state-owned enterprises, who approached you for each, how much benefit did you receive, and who bought them."

Song Guanchao tossed him an entire pack of cigarettes: "Don't rush, take your time."