In the office.

Qin Yuejin told Jiang Yuan about the theft at his home.

He wanted to get some advice from Jiang Yuan.

Jiang Yuan feigned surprise, then his expression darkened: "It seems the real target was indeed you!"

He looked up and asked, "Did you put a tracker in the safe?"

"I did."

"Have you found the location of the other party?"

"Yes, I have."

"Who is it?"

"Song Guanchao!" Qin Yuejin said through gritted teeth.

"Him?"

Jiang Yuan appeared very surprised as if that name was unexpected to him.

His acting was so good that Qin Yuejin didn't notice anything amiss.

Jiang Yuan took a deep breath, furrowed his brows tightly, and only after a long pause said, "Director Qin, you are in a bit of trouble this time."

"If it truly was Song Guanchao, it means Secretary Wu might be moving against you."

"No, it's not just Secretary Wu."

"I'm guessing Secretary Qu is involved here!"

His face was very serious, then he suddenly sneered: "I thought when they took several departments from me, they would stop. Now it seems I underestimated them. Their target is not just me but also you!"

"They want to eliminate all threats to them in one go!"

"Director Qin, I'm sorry, I can't help you with this matter."

Listening to him, Qin Yuejin's heart sank to the bottom.

He was well aware of how significant Jiang Yuan's loss was this time - as many as four departments, all key ones!

In addition, Tongchi District also fell, taken by Song Guanchao.

Just like Jiang Yuan, he was also a victim.

Qin Yuejin's mood was at its peak of distress; Jiang Yuan passed him a cigarette and lit it for him.

Qin Yuejin took a few heavy puffs, suddenly asked, "Mayor Jiang, do you have any suggestions?"

Although he couldn't help him directly, maybe he could offer some advice.

Jiang Yuan said, "There's really no good way."

"If Secretary Qu and Secretary Wu are determined to remove you, then you basically have no chance of recovering."

"All you can do now is pray they don't show no mercy."

"My suggestion would be to turn yourself in and hope for a dismissal with possible reinstatement."

Turn himself in...

Qin Yuejin clenched the cigarette in his palm, the burning tip scalded his hand, but he didn't feel a thing.

"Or..." Jiang Yuan added, "you could try talking to Secretary Wu."

"Before Secretary Qu came to Lingjiang, Secretary Wu didn't have any intention of moving against you. This matter is likely led by Secretary Qu, with Secretary Wu just cooperating."

"If you can gain Secretary Wu's trust, there might be a turning point."

Qin Yuejin's eyes flickered slightly.

Jiang Yuan's analysis made a lot of sense.

However, he couldn't make up his mind.

After all, there was nothing in the safe that was stolen yesterday.

Which means Qu Xiangru still hasn't obtained any evidence of his unlawful conduct.

Even if they wanted to arrest him, they couldn't do it immediately.

"I'll think about it."

"Thank you, Mayor Jiang."

Qin Yuejin expressed his gratitude sincerely.

He and Jiang Yuan were in the same situation, they were like brothers through adversity.

Coming out of the office, he gave Song Guanchao a cold glance and left without saying a word.

Song Guanchao frowned, planning to spend some time investigating what had happened to that guy recently.

Who was it that set him up, leading to the blame being placed on himself?

He walked into the office, chatted with Jiang Yuan for half an hour before leaving.

On the way back to the City Committee, he called Liu Zhonghe, the executive deputy district chief of Tongchi District, instructing him to notify the other deputy district chiefs for a meeting at the City Committee.

There were six deputy district chiefs in Tongchi District; originally, with District Chief Li being removed, the district chief position was supposed to go to the executive deputy district chief, Liu Zhonghe.

Unexpectedly, it landed on Song Guanchao's head.

However, this Liu Zhonghe was a smart person, showing no resentment, speaking very politely over the phone.

Song Guanchao had been worried whether being thrown into a difficult situation, his colleagues in the district government would cooperate, and whether he needed to make a strong impression.

It seems he overthought it.

Back at the City Committee, his temporarily cleared-out office had been cleaned and equipped with a computer.

Song Guanchao sat down, leaned back in his chair, suddenly feeling a bit dazed.

He was now a district chief.

In a short time, he hadn't transitioned from his role as secretary.

He hadn't even figured out what a district chief should do.

"Looks like I need to quickly get familiar with this role."

Song Guanchao lit a cigarette; according to his plan, once he became district chief, he would start applying to build a subway.

Before building the subway, he needed to sell those two plots of land.

He had already discussed it with Liu Lanzi, and of course, it would be an open bid.

However, since news of the subway construction hadn't spread, no one was currently interested in those two plots.

Even with an open bid, no one would compete with New City Company.

After finishing a cigarette, there was a knock on the door.

The deputy district chiefs had arrived.

Song Guanchao didn't put on airs, went over, shook hands with each of them, quickly sizing them up.

The youngest of the six deputy district chiefs was thirty-four or thirty-five, the oldest was forty-two or forty-three, not too much of an age difference.

"Please, take a seat."

Song Guanchao invited them to sit, making tea for them with disposable cups.

"District Chief Song, you're too kind, we could have done that ourselves."

"From now on we're colleagues, no need to stand on ceremony for these things."

Song Guanchao sat down and said, "I'm not one for speaking pleasantries or official talk; when there's nothing going on, I won't look for you, and when you have nothing, don't come looking for me."

"If there are unnecessary meetings, let's avoid them. Everyone's time is valuable and should be spent on actual work."

Listening to Song Guanchao's words, they were a bit surprised.

Evidently, they hadn't expected him to say that.

Some leaders love having meetings, after all.

It's only during meetings that a leader's authority becomes apparent.

Song Guanchao, however, seemed to act like a hands-off manager, which left them wondering if he was just going through the motions for show.

"When District Chief Li was around, I wasn't sure how he operated."

"But let me tell you about my work habits."

"First, from now on, for any matter, report it to me first, never bypass me to the city government."

"I know some of you may have some connections at the city government."

He slowly swept his gaze over them: "Whoever you're connected with, I won't pry. But as long as I'm the district chief, I am in charge of managing Tongchi District."

"If anyone tries to sabotage me, play tricks or pull stunts, don't blame me for being harsh."

"I'm actually a reasonable person, once you get to know me."

Song Guanchao spoke directly and bluntly.

Although these deputy district chiefs appeared harmless, Song Guanchao knew they were somewhat connected to Jiang Yuan.

If they listened, everyone could coexist peacefully.

If not, Song Guanchao didn't mind sending a few in as an example to others.

The position of deputy district chief was highly desirable; many would vie for it.

They exchanged slightly uncomfortable glances, clearly not expecting the young district chief to be so straightforward and assertive.

"Now, onto business."

Song Guanchao said, "The plots of land from Tongchi District government and the police department, contact the National Assets Bureau and the Housing and Construction Bureau, have them rezone it for commercial use, then put it up for public bidding."

"Who will be responsible for this task?"

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