Chapter 1913

Chapter 1913: Chapter 1913

Song Guanchao first brewed a cup of hot tea, drained the tea leaves, and placed them on the cup lid, then went upstairs to find Wu Qiangwei.

"Director Song?" Shu Xue looked surprised to see him.

"Is the Mayor busy?" Song Guanchao greeted her, noticing her expression, and asked with a smile, "What’s wrong?"

Shu Xue bit her lip and said, "Everyone’s talking bad about you..."

"They can say whatever they want, it doesn’t matter. Don’t mind it."

Song Guanchao chuckled, patting her on the shoulder, and instead comforted her.

"I’m here to report to the Mayor, I’ll be out soon, no need for tea."

"Oh, okay."

Watching the office door open and close, Shu Xue muttered, "Director Song’s mindset is really good."

On second thought, she felt it might not just be a mindset issue.

"Could it be that the cooperation has succeeded?" Shu Xue’s eyes lit up, speculating in her mind.

...

"That’s basically it." Song Guanchao reported the results of his trip to Beijing to her, curious as to why she wasn’t surprised. "Everyone outside is saying I messed up this time, why aren’t you even a bit surprised?"

Wu Qiangwei smiled and said, "The corners of your mouth are almost smiling, how could it seem like you messed up?"

Song Guanchao was taken aback, then laughed, "You really know me well."

This remark was a bit ambiguous, causing Wu Qiangwei’s cheeks to flush slightly as she brushed her hair aside. "For now, don’t mention this to others. If anyone asks, don’t blurt it out foolishly. Wait until they’ve finished their inspection and the contract is signed, once everything is settled, then talk about it."

She had seen too many situations where people celebrated too soon and ended up sabotaged or exploited.

If Sam’s Supermarket could finally land in Jiangzhou this time, it would be a shining achievement on Song Guanchao’s resume.

By comparison, the hundred companies he brought over from Pinghai City last year paled in significance.

"I know."

When it’s time to keep a low profile, Song Guanchao does so very well.

"By the way, how’s the museum investigation going?" Song Guanchao remembered the matter.

Wu Qiangwei’s smile faded, and she said, "Hao Rongguang’s report is true. A large number of artifacts have been swapped at the Jiangzhou Museum, and several museum staff members have been arrested."

Song Guanchao asked, "Has Director Su confessed?"

Wu Qiangwei shook her head.

"He sure is tight-lipped." Song Guanchao laughed mockingly. The fact that artifacts were swapped instead of stolen was enough for Director Su Zhi to take the blame, even if nothing else was found out.

At this moment, there was a knock at the door, and Shu Xue entered: "Mayor, Mayor Liang is here to see you."

Liang Jianfeng had come at the right time.

He saw Song Guanchao was also there, and his normally stoic face showed a slight change, obviously having heard the recent rumors.

He pulled out a chair and sat down, saying, "The case has progressed."

"The warehouse manager has confessed, admitting that Director Su Zhi and Deputy Director Zhang Qu are the main suspects in swapping the artifacts. They’ve also provided corresponding evidence."

Wu Qiangwei asked, "Has Su Zhi confessed?"

"He has." Faced with the evidence, even these directors could not maintain their silence.

Wu Qiangwei asked again, "Does this involve any city leaders?"

"Yes."

Wu Qiangwei’s heart tightened: "Who are they?"

Liang Jianfeng said, "The Director and two Deputy Directors of the Cultural Relics Bureau, along with a local auction house responsible for fencing the artifacts, and also Chang Youcai."

"Chang Youcai was involved too?" Although Wu Qiangwei was surprised, she also breathed a sigh of relief.

She had originally been worried that the case would implicate Zhu Shixian or Xue Mingde.

Both of them were leaning toward her now, and if they were implicated, she would find it difficult to decide whether to act out of personal feelings or to handle it lightly.

Thankfully, their names were not involved in this.

On the contrary, Chang Youcai, who had always opposed her, finally gave her an opportunity.

"Have someone keep an eye on them until I call." Wu Qiangwei didn’t order an immediate arrest.

Arresting individuals who involved main city government leaders required due process to avoid criticism.

After Liang Jianfeng left, Wu Qiangwei directly called Zhou Zheng.

"Mayor Wu, what’s the matter?" Zhou Zheng was on a business trip in a northern city, busy with investment promotion activities.

"Secretary Zhou, there’s something I need to inform you about," Wu Qiangwei said, "A large number of artifacts have been swapped at the museum, and according to confessions from those involved and evidence held by the police, several city leaders are implicated."

There was a brief silence on Zhou Zheng’s end before he asked, "Who are they?"

"Vice Mayor Chang Youcai, and from the Cultural Relics Bureau..."

"How are you planning to handle it?" Zhou Zheng’s tone was somber.

"Arrest them."

"Are you certain the evidence is conclusive?"

"I’m certain."

"Once I’m done, I’ll report to the provincial authorities."

"Okay."

He’s the secretary, so it’s his job to report. Wu Qiangwei didn’t argue.

After hanging up the phone, Song Guanchao asked, "What did Secretary Zhou say?"

"He said once he’s done, he’ll report to the provincial authorities." Wu Qiangwei replied, "But his tone didn’t sound good."

Song Guanchao said, "What does this have to do with him?"

The involved members were either from the Cultural Relics Bureau or a Vice Mayor, having nothing to do with him.

Wu Qiangwei thought for a moment and speculated, "These people might have been promoted by him."

Other than that, she couldn’t think of any other reason why Zhou Zheng would feel affected.

"Let’s not talk about this." Wu Qiangwei looked at him, "Once Chang Youcai falls, a Vice Mayor position will open. Do you have anyone in mind to recommend?"

Song Guanchao half-joked, "If you ask me to recommend, I’d have to recommend myself."

Wu Qiangwei shook her head, "You don’t have enough seniority; the Standing Committee won’t approve."

Song Guanchao was just joking. He knew perfectly well he wasn’t eligible.

"What do you think of Fu Ying?" Wu Qiangwei asked.

Song Guanchao was taken aback, suddenly seeing a peculiar look in her eyes, realizing she was probing with her question.

Fu Ying is currently the District Chief of the High-tech Zone, and she was transferred from being the Mayor of Dujiang City.

In terms of rank and experience, she barely qualifies to be promoted to Vice Mayor.

Ignoring Wu Qiangwei’s probing, Song Guanchao seriously considered Fu Ying as a candidate.

Finally, he nodded and said, "I think it’s fine."

In the City Government, there are one Mayor and six Vice Mayors, and apart from Chang Youcai, the other six Vice Mayors all center around Wu Qiangwei.

But outside the City Government, across the nine districts and two counties, Wu Qiangwei doesn’t truly have much influence.

So, strictly speaking, Wu Qiangwei’s power is still primarily centered within the City Government.

Once it reaches the district and county levels, her influence wanes considerably.

Currently, the districts and counties genuinely aligned with her are only Gaoshui County and the High-tech Zone.

As well as Jinpings District, where the City Committee and Municipal Government are located.

With a Vice Mayor position suddenly open, the only person she can completely trust and who also meets the conditions is Fu Ying.

"I see." Wu Qiangwei didn’t express her opinion, which left Song Guanchao a bit frustrated.

He actually wanted to explain that he thought it was in her best interest to recommend Fu Ying for promotion.

But some things, coming from his mouth, would be hard for Wu Qiangwei to believe.

After all, he and Fu Ying had an ambiguous relationship, unclear and unresolved.