Chapter 1888

Chapter 1888: Chapter 1888

Secretary Xu and County Magistrate Qin felt a little uneasy.

It was only now that they belatedly realized that Wu Qiangwei invited them over, probably not to discuss official business as Song Guanchao had said.

What kind of official business requires the Public Security Bureau Chief to take the lead?

Liang Jianfeng spoke and acted decisively. He didn’t have time to explain the background and directly asked, "County Magistrate Qin, the Lishan County Police Department handled a gang rape case, the victim’s name is Wang Fang. Are you aware of this case?"

County Magistrate Qin’s heartstrings tightened suddenly. After a brief pause of two seconds, he nodded immediately, "Yes."

Liang Jianfeng asked, "I checked the files; the gang rape was found to be unfounded, and the three suspects were released, with the victim Wang Fang being prosecuted for false accusation. Is that so?"

A cold sweat broke out on County Magistrate Qin’s back.

It seems Wang Fang’s family took the case to the city level.

The Mayor personally called them over to ask specifically about this case; clearly, this case cannot be suppressed.

Understanding the gravity almost instantaneously, County Magistrate Qin promptly said, "I have heard of the case, but I haven’t inquired personally. I am not clear about the specific handling details."

Liang Jianfeng asked again, "The matter of the Lishan County Museum relics being swapped, are you aware of this?"

Damn!

This time even Secretary Xu cursed to himself.

How could it not be just one issue?

What the hell is going on here?

Who on earth reported this?

The two exchanged glances and quickly made a decision in their minds.

Mayor Wu only called them, not Qi Siming, which itself is a signal.

Moreover, they indeed had no involvement in this.

"There were rumors," Secretary Xu calmly said, "later Secretary Qi clarified them."

County Magistrate Qin also feigned confusion, "Could the relics have truly been swapped? Mr. Liang, do you have any evidence? If there’s concrete evidence, we will definitely investigate."

This attitude, they had to show.

Liang Jianfeng said, "There’s no substantive evidence yet, but there was a report, and the suspect confessed. However, a confession alone is not enough."

"Mayor Liang, let me handle this," Song Guanchao urged eagerly, as Liang Jianfeng had been probing everyone’s mindset all along.

Liang Jianfeng grunted and remained silent, while Song Guanchao smiled and detailed the received reports to the two.

Learning that it was Qi Siming himself who confessed, the two were dumbfounded.

They never expected Qi Siming to do such a foolish thing.

"Director Song, are you saying Secretary Qi confessed himself?" They still felt there must be something fishy here.

"Yes," Song Guanchao didn’t mention that the group disguised as the Discipline Commission had abducted Qi Siming.

Since Wu Qiangwei wanted to handle this discreetly, the fewer people who knew about it, the better, since it could easily become big news.

"Secretary Qi’s problem is quite serious," Wu Qiangwei summarized and began directing, "The city won’t establish a task force, but the case will be supervised by the city bureau. Secretary Xu, County Magistrate Qin, collaborate with Mayor Liang to investigate thoroughly."

"Investigate the relationship between Secretary Qi and the county police chief, possible collusion between the two, and if the museum relics were indeed swapped, find out who on the inside and outside cooperated."

The two immediately responded, "Mayor Wu, rest assured, we’ll begin the investigation right away."

Wu Qiangwei nodded and looked at Liang Jianfeng, "Mayor Liang, please take care of this case. Secretary Tan, you also supervise it, and if it only involves disciplinary violations, handle as you see fit."

Liang Jianfeng nodded and said, "I’ll have Director Ma lead a team to Lishan County. County Magistrate Qin, please cooperate as much as possible."

Tan Miao forced a smile and nodded repeatedly.

"Certainly, certainly!" County Magistrate Qin dared not utter a word of defiance.

Wu Qiangwei had already stated that the city would not establish a task force, clearly wanting to handle this discreetly.

She likely hoped not to escalate the situation.

For them, this was exactly what they wanted.

"Alright then, Mayor Liang, liaise with them, and update Director Song as soon as there’s progress."

"Okay," Liang Jianfeng stood up, "Gentlemen, come with me."

The two promptly got up and followed quickly.

Tan Miao shot a resentful glance at Song Guanchao and quietly exited.

By the time he was called, he had no idea what was going on, and it wasn’t until before Secretary Xu and County Magistrate Qin arrived that Wu Qiangwei briefed him.

Upon learning that Qi Siming was to be arrested, Tan Miao was filled with despair.

He just knew that being called meant no good could come of it.

...

Secretary Xu and County Magistrate Qin each got into a car and followed Liang Jianfeng to the city bureau where they met Director Ma.

After assigning tasks to Director Ma, Liang Jianfeng departed, showing no intention to host Secretary Xu and County Magistrate Qin.

Neither dared to utter a word of complaint.

Forget that Liang Jianfeng ranks as a top mayor, even without the vice mayor title, given his role as the Provincial City’s Police Chief, and standing on his turf, they dared not show the slightest dissatisfaction.

"Please have a seat; I’ll gather some people, the latest we leave is tonight."

"No hurry, Director Ma, take your time," the two laughed warmly, not daring to rush him.

After Director Ma left, County Magistrate Qin exhaled, then quietly cursed, "Do you think Qi Siming’s brain is fried? How could he go around blabbing?"

Secretary Xu shook his head, "Why complain now? Anyway, it’s not our business. Qi Siming brought it on himself, he should have seen this coming."

Quietly, County Magistrate Qin asked, "Secretary Xu, you didn’t get involved in the museum matter, did you?"

Secretary Xu smiled calmly, "He did approach me, but I ignored him."

Then he glanced at County Magistrate Qin, "What about you, were you involved?"

County Magistrate Qin shook his head vigorously, "No, no, no, you know me; I’m cowardly. Besides, Qi Siming is overbearing. During the Wang Fang gang rape case, I instructed Director Zhu not to shield anyone. But Director Zhu was Qi Siming’s man and didn’t listen to me at all."

"Later, I found a chance to mention to Qi Siming that he shouldn’t go overboard and at least make those second-generation rich kids pay a bit. None of them were short on money; offer a million or two, and the girl might not have pursued further charges. But see how Qi Simin responded? He had the girl arrested for false accusation."

"With his approach, having trouble only now is a miracle of his ancestors."

Secretary Xu chuckled, saying nothing.

They waited in the office for over two hours, during which they finished their tea, and as there was no one to refill, they fetched another pot of hot water themselves.

Fortunately, Director Ma had given instructions in advance, and when mealtime arrived, they were served takeaway. Though not tasty, at least they weren’t hungry.

"Sorry to keep the two leaders waiting. Let’s proceed," Director Ma finally wrapped up close to 8 PM.

He had changed into casual clothes, his hair still damp, clearly just washed.

Even up close, one could catch a faint whiff of a scent not quite his own.

He had taken the opportunity to fulfill his domestic obligations.

The job was demanding, and with this business trip potentially lasting ten days to half a month, he surely had to fulfill those duties.

In the parking lot, several plain vehicles awaited.

Director Ma mobilized a total of seven people.

"Secretary Xu, County Magistrate Qin, ride with me. We’ll discuss some specifics on the way."

The two boarded his car and en route, Director Ma said, "Tonight, we’ll rest well. Early tomorrow, County Magistrate Qin, you’ll summon Director Zhu to the city government under the pretext of a meeting, at which point, we’ll arrest him."

"Secretary Xu, please have Qi Siming come to your office where we’ll apprehend him."

The two were taken aback at hearing this.

Wait, are we just going to arrest them like that?

Wasn’t it said there’s no evidence? Shouldn’t we first quietly investigate, collect evidence, and then arrest them once we have it all?