Official Career Storm-Chapter 1462

The matter exceeded Qiu Zhen Ting's expectations.

He had initially thought that by coming forward voluntarily, Song Guanchao would just go through the motions to categorize the issue and he'd be left out of it.

But now he wants to reopen old scores!

Guo Tong had said that if Song Guanchao got serious, he'd be looking at at least ten years in prison.

But he reckoned even ten years wouldn't settle it.

It seemed it was heading completely towards life imprisonment.

Honestly, he felt a bit hesitant.

If it were just ten years, he'd be willing to endure.

After all, with good behavior in prison, coupled with Guo Tong's maneuvers, getting out on medical parole later, he'd be out in at most three to five years.

But if it's life imprisonment, then it's over; he might just die in there.

He didn't touch the cigarettes on the table.

Looking down at the table, after a long time, he said: "If I cooperate, how long will I be imprisoned?"

Upon hearing this, Song Guanchao knew he had started weighing the pros and cons.

"I'll ask for you."

In front of him, Song Guanchao made a call.

"Director Zhou, which lawyer is quite famous in Jiangzhou?"

"Alright, please send Lawyer Lin's contact number to me; I need to consult him about something."

A moment later, he received the number and dialed Lawyer Lin.

"Hello, Lawyer Lin, I'm Director Song from the City Government Office, and I'd like to consult you about a matter."

He briefly outlined Qiu Zhen Ting's situation and directly asked: "If Secretary Qiu is willing to cooperate with the Disciplinary Committee and the police, how will the court sentence him?"

Having asked, he turned on the speakerphone.

Only Lawyer Lin's calm and powerful voice rang out: "Given the high amount involved, at least life imprisonment to start."

Qiu Zhen Ting's suspended heart completely sank.

Song Guanchao asked: "What if Secretary Qiu is willing to return the embezzled funds?"

Lawyer Lin replied: "Under fifteen years."

Song Guanchao asked again: "Can he apply for medical parole?"

Lawyer Lin hesitated for two seconds: "That depends on the intentions of the authorities, but he'd have to serve at least three years. Plus, he really must have an illness."

"Alright, I understand. Thank you, Lawyer Lin."

"You're welcome."

Song Guanchao put down the phone and said: "You explain in more detail and return the embezzled funds; serve three years with a real sentence, and after three years, I'll help you process medical parole." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Qiu Zhen Ting found it hard to believe: "Director Song, are you serious?"

Song Guanchao frowned: "What do you think?"

Qiu Zhen Ting swallowed his saliva: "I believe Director Song!"

Song Guanchao laughed coldly in his heart as if there were a choice for him.

"Like Director Song knows, in the past seven years, a total of nine state-owned enterprises have undergone restructuring, sold through underestimated market values."

"The companies buying these state-owned enterprises vary each year, and after purchasing, these enterprises are dismantled and sold off. Some state-owned enterprises are worthless but have valuable land beneath them."

"Some state-owned enterprises have valuable patents..."

He explained in great detail.

But Song Guanchao was not concerned with these things.

"Who exactly planned this matter?"

"It was... Mr. Guo."

"Who is Mr. Guo?"

"His name is Guo Tong, a private businessman, very generous, with extensive connections."

"Initially, he approached me, and I refused, but he offered way too much."

Speaking of being corrupted, Qiu Zhen Ting seemed a little embarrassed.

As he narrated, Song Guanchao also gained a relatively detailed understanding.

He noted down important points and, after he finished speaking, said: "Secretary Qiu should take a good rest now."

After Song Guanchao left, Qiu Zhen Ting exhaled, feeling extraordinarily relieved.

...

"Are you going to arrest Guo Tong?" Wu Yun asked.

"No rush for now."

Song Guanchao said: "First, go and arrest Zhao Jian."

According to what Qiu Zhen Ting said, every time Guo Tong acquired these state-owned enterprises, it was with a newly registered company.

This was clearly to evade legal risks.

Even if the person is arrested, short-term evidence is likely hard to find, and he'll have to be released.

So in this case, don't rush the arrest now; first catch those who can be caught, then thoroughly investigate this Guo Tong.

The two returned to the city government but did not immediately go to Zhang Yan's office.

Instead, they first went into their own office, and then Song Guanchao made a call, asking Wen Ru to send over two police officers.

After he hung up, Wu Yun asked: "Are you going to arrest someone directly?"

"Yes."

"Isn't that too high-profile?"

"It needs to be high-profile."

He wants everyone at the City Government to see Zhao Jian being taken away.

Wu Yun asked, "What about Mayor Zhang?"

"No rush." Song Guanchao said: "Right now, we only have evidence of Zhao Jian's crime; to arrest Zhang Yan, we need to have evidence first."

Wu Yun said: "But you're going to arrest Zhao Jian directly; won't that scare the snake, and if Zhang Yan runs away, what then?"

"I fear she won't run!"

If Wu Yun can think of it, wouldn't he be able to?

He's not arresting her now, because there's no evidence.

But if Zhang Yan panics and runs away because Zhao Jian is arrested, then he can directly arrest her.

Wu Yun listened, somewhat unsure.

After waiting for twenty minutes, Wen Ru personally brought two police officers over.

"Why did Political Commissioner Wen come over personally?" Song Guanchao was surprised.

"Let's go." Wen Ru didn't bother with small talk.

Song Guanchao touched his nose—this woman seems still angry.

It was just standing her up once; was it necessary?

He led the way, arriving outside Zhang Yan's office.

Zhao Jian, in the outer office, immediately stood up upon seeing them.

Seeing the police behind Song Guanchao, he felt a bit anxious.

What was such a big commotion for?

"Why is Director Song here?" Zhao Jian said with a hospitable smile.

Seeing Song Guanchao now made him a bit scared.

Song Guanchao smilingly asked: "Is Mayor Zhang here?"

"Yes, yes." Zhao Jian replied, "Please wait a moment."

He turned and knocked on the door: "Mayor, Director Song and Political Commissioner Wen are looking for you."

Zhang Yan was not surprised at all: "Bring them in."

"No need to go in."

Song Guanchao walked up, fully pushing open the half-open door.

Standing at the door, looking at Zhang Yan: "Mayor Zhang, I've come to inform you that your secretary, Zhao Jian, is suspected of embezzlement and bribery; the police need to arrest him."

Zhang Yan's expression darkened, but she said nothing.

Zhao Jian was stunned on the spot, until the two police officers came forward and twisted his arms back, cuffing him with handcuffs, then he reacted.

He turned his head to look at his seized hands, then looked at Song Guanchao and Wen Ru: "Director Song, are you mistaken?"

Song Guanchao ignored him and smiled at Zhang Yan, saying: "Mayor Zhang, we're leaving now, we won't disturb your work."

He thoughtfully closed the door gently, gave Zhao Jian a push: "Secretary Zhao, don't just stand there, let's go."

Zhao Jian wanted to ask more, but seeing colleagues in the corridor looking over one after another.

As he passed the office department, the staff inside stretched their necks to look.

Zhao Jian felt his face burning and his heart filled with humiliation.

He watched the back of Song Guanchao, gritting his teeth to the point of cracking.

This bastard is doing it on purpose, making me lose face!