Chapter 1798

Chapter 1798: Chapter 1798

Listening to Song Guanchao’s words, Zhu Shixian felt a chill in his heart. Is he really pushing Cao Xiaolou to the brink?

Zhu Shixian was silent for a few seconds and said, "County Magistrate Cao did indeed illegally misappropriate educational subsidies, but defining it like this harms the image of the City Government. Personally, I find it somewhat inappropriate."

She said this not to plead for Cao Xiaolou.

She had no interaction with Cao Xiaolou; she simply felt that Song Guanchao was too ruthless in his actions.

In the political arena, the most taboo thing is doing something ruthless when your ability is insufficient to support it.

Furthermore, the accusation he made isn’t significant enough.

If you want to be ruthless and eliminate completely with one strike, just this point isn’t enough.

Song Guanchao nodded in agreement, "Mayor Zhu’s concerns are warranted. Simply removing his title for misappropriating funds doesn’t sound good upon spreading."

Zhu Shixian felt a bit surprised by his tone... it seemed a bit off.

From his expression, it seemed like there was other evidence besides this matter?

"The teacher who reported to me has been arrested," Song Guanchao said.

Zhu Shixian was taken aback, then suddenly realized, so that’s how it is.

Song Guanchao asked, "Does Mayor Zhu think this is enough?"

Zhu Shixian shook her head, then nodded, "If it’s about raising issues on principle, no problem. But Secretary Zhou won’t let this pass, nor will the Standing Committee."

As soon as she finished speaking, she clammed up and glanced at Wu Qiangwei.

She really shouldn’t have said that. Speaking in front of Wu Qiangwei about failing to handle the Standing Committee could aggravate those with a smaller tolerance.

Fortunately, Wu Qiangwei didn’t mind.

"Mayor Zhu’s concerns are not unfounded, but there won’t be much of an issue with the Standing Committee," Wu Qiangwei said calmly, with confidence.

Zhu Shixian was quite curious, how was she going to handle those committee members?

Firstly, on the City Committee side, two secretaries plus a secretary general wouldn’t agree, and the Disciplinary Committee secretary is also Zhou Zheng’s person.

That’s already four votes.

On the City Government side, whether Sun Jiajun might defect at the last minute is uncertain.

Looking at Wu Qiangwei’s side, the only definite votes come from Commander Wang of the Military District and Wang Jinming from the Organization Department.

It’s only three votes total.

Moreover, her sudden move to take down Cao Xiaolou is a behavior that would instill fear in other committee members.

They would think, Wu Qiangwei can take down Zhou Zheng’s person today, tomorrow she might take down my person.

If they support Wu Qiangwei today, others will support her next time in a similar situation.

That’s why Wu Qiangwei’s action against Cao Xiaolou is what she doesn’t have much hope in.

"Let’s leave it at that. Everyone go home and rest," Wu Qiangwei stood up to see them out.

Seeing she had no intention of explaining further, Zhu Shixian didn’t probe further.

Moreover, her expression showed she was indeed confident, it wasn’t a deliberately put on act.

If Wu Qiangwei could truly pass the resolution against Cao Xiaolou with full votes at the Standing Committee, then boarding Wu Qiangwei’s boat wouldn’t be impossible.

Soon, the others left, leaving only Song Guanchao.

With others present, Wu Qiangwei couldn’t act too warmly towards him.

Now with only Song Guanchao, Wu Qiangwei took off her jacket and coldly said, "Anything else?"

Song Guanchao sat heavily on the bed and said, "Let’s discuss tomorrow’s process."

"What process?"

"File the petition," Song Guanchao said. "I plan to have Yang Ling’s family come to the county town tomorrow and intercept you on your inspection route."

Wu Qiangwei wondered, "Aren’t we going directly to the town for inspection?"

Song Guanchao shook his head, "I thought going to the town for inspection seemed too deliberate. Filing a petition instead would be better, it’s less deliberate and more explosive in effect. Oh, and we also need to arrange for reporters to follow in advance. On this aspect, County Magistrate Cao would probably handle it himself."

Wu Qiangwei thought over his revised plan for a few seconds and agreed.

Their aim was to remove Cao Xiaolou from his position as county magistrate.

But how to achieve that is a delicate technical task.

Directly inspecting the town would be tantamount to telling Cao Xiaolou they already knew he was lying.

This would make Zhou Zheng feel like Wu Qiangwei’s apparent goal of addressing teacher salary arrears is actually targeting him.

Whereas letting Yang Ling’s family file a petition would mean Wu Qiangwei was responding passively.

The nature of the two actions is vastly different.

Wu Qiangwei hummed approvingly of his plan.

"It’s getting late, you should rest," Wu Qiangwei said.

"The moon is so full tonight," Song Guanchao looked out the window, changing the subject.

Wu Qiangwei rolled her eyes but gave him no chance, "Want to gaze at the moon? Go back to your room and take your time."

Feeling the comment might be too cold, harsh, and hurtful, Wu Qiangwei added, "This is Gaoshui County, don’t complicate things."

Elsewhere, if Song Guanchao wanted to linger, she might agree.

But in Gaoshui County, where Cao Xiaolou holds sway, even though Song Guanchao checked there’s no surveillance indoors...

But who can say for sure if Cao Xiaolou wouldn’t have someone secretly watching?

Moreover, there’s surveillance in the hotel corridors.

If someone with interest noticed Song Guanchao stayed in her room for hours, even a fool could guess there was an affair.

Of course, neither of them was married, even if sparks of love flew, it would be normal.

But ultimately they have a superior-subordinate relationship, and they must consider the implications in the political sphere.

Hearing her speak, Song Guanchao knew tonight’s plan was off. Slightly crestfallen, he said, "Then you sleep early."

Seeing his disappointed look, Wu Qiangwei felt a bit of sympathy, and she ran up, "Wait."

Song Guanchao had reached the door, stopped upon hearing her.

Just as he turned around, Wu Qiangwei suddenly switched off the light.

He turned his head, and darkness engulfed him.

Yet the next second, a fragrant breeze enveloped him, followed by softness.

Instinctively, he hugged Wu Qiangwei.

Wu Qiangwei stood on tiptoe and planted a kiss on his lips.

As she wanted to retreat, she felt Song Guanchao stubbornly hold her, and the lips parted now pressed together again.

"Mmm~"

She twisted lightly, but couldn’t break free and let him be.

Embraced and kissed for minutes, she felt suffocated before Song Guanchao slowly loosened his grip.

Both were breathing heavily, she sensed a fire burning within Song Guanchao.

If not for the inappropriate setting, she might have wished Song Guanchao stayed.

"Alright," Wu Qiangwei gently said.

She feared if Song Guanchao held her longer, she might relent and allow him to stay.

"Mhm," Song Guanchao released his grip, turned on the light, and saw her flushed face like a blooming rose—radiant and charming.

Wu Qiangwei looked shy, turned and walked indoors, Song Guanchao chuckled, pushed the door open, and left the room.