Damn!

Those words were like a bolt of lightning igniting the fire in the earth, instantly sparking the desires that had been pressing down on Song Guanchao.

But Song Guanchao still didn't act recklessly.

He held Si Qingqing's buttocks, stood up from the sofa, turned around, and put her down, saying, "Go to bed early."

Then, under Si Qingqing's stunned gaze, he left.

Not until the sound of the door closing rang out did her drifting thoughts return.

She looked down at her body, beneath her there was already a flood.

Yet, Song Guanchao had rejected her?

Why?

She prided herself on having looks and a figure that were not inferior to Chu Xiao'e.

But why did he reject her?

Si Qingqing felt a moment of frustration, and for the first time, a sense of insecurity about herself.

…

Early the next morning.

Wu Qiangwei took the case report to the City Government.

She entered Jiang Yuan's office and put the report on the desk.

Jiang Yuan finished reading the report and frowned, "It has nothing to do with Lu Zhizhong?"

He wasn't concerned about the murder case; he only cared if Lu Zhizhong could be arrested.

Wu Qiangwei nodded, took the report back, and said, "Mayor Jiang, the Tax Bureau and Industrial and Commercial Bureau are currently lacking direct leaders. These two departments are quite important in the city; although Mayor Jiang can directly manage them, I think it's best to decide on new directors as soon as possible."

Jiang Yuan raised an eyebrow, understanding what Wu Qiangwei meant.

Is she looking for some benefits from me?

The Tax and Industrial Bureaus are real authoritative departments, their influence widespread, directly impacting a city's economy.

Director Yang and Director Feng are his people.

Wu Qiangwei wanted to take these two departments straight away using this chance.

Jiang Yuan said, "Secretary Wu, let's talk about these matters after the situation is resolved."

"If Song Guanchao can handle things, not to mention the Industrial and Tax departments, what harm in giving you two more departments?"

Wu Qiangwei said, "It's better to decide some things in advance."

To avoid the true resolution, he might temporarily backtrack.

Jiang Yuan also understood her intentions, asking, "Can Secretary Song solve it?"

Wu Qiangwei said, "Give it a try."

Jiang Yuan said sternly, "What I need is a definite answer."

"If he can solve it, whatever you ask, I can agree to. If he can't..."

Wu Qiangwei interrupted him, "Mayor Jiang doesn't need to say such things, if it really can't be solved, not just the Industrial and Tax departments, even if you give me a few more departments, what's the point?"

"I just want to set things in advance to avoid disputes once the situation is resolved."

Jiang Yuan pondered for a moment; what Wu Qiangwei said was indeed reasonable.

If it can't be solved, the entire city would be ruined.

The Industrial and Tax departments would be useless.

Jiang Yuan said, "Secretary Wu, decide on the candidates and send the list over."

Wu Qiangwei nodded, got up, and left.

…

The Industrial and Tax departments have been decided.

After receiving the call, Song Guanchao's face lit up with a smile.

He called Chu Xiao'e, "Tell Si Qingqing to prepare to go to the Industrial Bureau."

Chu Xiao'e was surprised, "What for?"

"To be the director."

"What?"

Chu Xiao'e was a bit shocked.

This was too sudden.

"It's inconvenient to explain the details right now."

"By the way, pick someone to take over the Judicial Bureau."

"I might go on a business trip soon, direct your matters to Secretary Wu."

"Alright."

Song Guanchao planned to make a trip to Hong Kong Island.

Zhu Qiushui, must be caught!

This woman is crucial!

But, it's not the time to go yet.

He had to wait for the personnel appointments for the Industrial and Tax departments to come down.

…

On the other side.

Wu Xinan came to the City Committee.

Upon learning of his latest appointment from Wu Qiangwei, he was quite surprised.

The Political and Legal Committee has more than one Deputy Secretary; although his rank wasn't low, he didn't have much actual power.

The Tax Bureau is different.

It's one of the highest-ranking departments in the City Government.

Whether in terms of rank or authority, it ranks near the top in Lingjiang.

In fact, he could be on equal footing with the current Secretary Lu of the Political and Legal Committee.

"Prepare yourself; the personnel appointment will come down in a day or two."

"Alright."

Wu Xinan wasn't too excited.

He felt something was off about Lingjiang lately.

But he couldn't quite put his finger on what exactly was wrong.

…

Monday.

The personnel appointments came down.

Wu Xinan became the Director of the Tax Bureau of Lingjiang City.

Si Qingqing became the Director of the Industrial and Commercial Bureau of Lingjiang City.

The Director of the Judicial Bureau was a middle-aged man named Fang Zhen, who was the former Vice President of the Intermediate People's Court of Lingjiang City.

These appointments were rather sudden, without any prior signs, surprising many bureau and committee members.

Moreover, everyone knew that Si Qingqing and Wu Xinan were people of Wu Qiangwei.

They couldn't help but speculate if Mayor Jiang's power had been divided by Wu Qiangwei?

After all, these two departments were central to the City Government.

Now, they had fallen under Wu Qiangwei's control.

No matter how one looked at it, Wu Qiangwei had a commanding advantage.

Subdivision.

In the meeting room, Song Guanchao, Wu Qiangwei, and Liang Jianfeng.

"Secretary, Mr. Liang, I'll head to Hong Kong Island tonight."

"You're going to catch Zhu Qiushui?"

Liang Jianfeng said, "That's Hong Kong Island, not the mainland; don't act recklessly."

"Rest assured, I know what I'm doing."

Both of them had peculiar expressions.

Know what you're doing?

Know what you're doing, yet you shot Ruan Baoyou?

Wu Qiangwei said, "I'll go with you."

"No need."

Song Guanchao said, "Secretary, you must stay behind to hold the fort."

"Many people know about this; even though the standing committee is aligned, those companies are not."

"You need to keep an eye on the publicity department and ensure they don't leak any information."

"Lingjiang cannot afford chaos now."

"Besides, I'm just going to catch someone; this is much easier than solving a case."

Wu Qiangwei was still a bit uneasy, having witnessed Song Guanchao's methods; she was really afraid he might go to Hong Kong Island and use some more shocking means to deal with Zhu Qiushui.

After all, that was Hong Kong Island.

If things got out of hand, not even the Wu Family behind her could clean up the mess.

Song Guanchao glanced at the time and said, "I have an afternoon flight booked, gotta go."

"Secretary, Mr. Liang, I'll take my leave."

After leaving the subdivision, Song Guanchao had just gotten into the car when his phone rang.

It was Qu Xiangru calling.

Hiss~ this woman, calling is nothing good.

"Governor Qu, to what do I owe the honor?"

"Secretary Wu and I have agreed, Industrial goes to her, Tax stays with me! Now, give me a reasonable explanation!"

Qu Xiangru's voice was like the thick ice of a bleak winter, the fury compressed to the extreme, just needing an outlet to explode.

Song Guanchao said, "If I remember correctly, I should have told Governor Qu before. Right now, I am helping you; you have no room to bargain with me."

"If this goes peacefully and secures your seat as Executive Deputy Governor, you owe me a favor."

"Helping me?" Qu Xiangru sneered, "If I'm unsteady, can your Secretary Wu be steady?"

She expected Song Guanchao to just take the Industrial department, but he secretly snatched both departments away.

Song Guanchao said, "Effort equals reward, an unchanging truth. Pray, Governor Qu, what effort have you put in?"

"If you have the skills, handle it yourself, but do you?"

Qu Xiangru remained silent, and Song Guanchao said, "I have nothing else to say. I'll hang up now; I'm busy."

Just as he was about to hang up, Qu Xiangru said, "You're right, effort equals reward. I'll bring Zhu Qiushui back; if you want her, exchange for two city departments!"

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