Governor Hou and Hall Director Qi arrived at the office.

Secretary Gao explained the situation to them.

Even with the composure of these two high-ranking provincial officials, they showed expressions of surprise upon learning of such an event.

Governor Hou furrowed his brows and said, "I understand Lin Daoquan. Secretary Gao, I believe this matter needs a thorough investigation."

Secretary Gao replied, "An investigation is necessary, but I doubt the nature of the matter will change."

"Just now, a few key leaders from Lingjiang came together."

"There is video evidence."

"Judging by their demeanor, it doesn't seem like this matter will be easily downplayed."

Hearing between the lines, Secretary Gao pointed out that several leaders from Lingjiang had come.

They were all key leaders.

What does this suggest?

It suggests that in this matter, Lingjiang is united from top to bottom.

It's well known that Lingjiang's political scene has always been unstable.

Yet now, they are suddenly united.

This only indicates that Lin Daoquan's actions last night have crossed the bottom line of all of Lingjiang's top brass.

Getting them to act in concert generally means this matter is unlikely to be a setup.

When such events occur under normal circumstances, they would prefer to minimize the issue and not escalate it.

But they directly arrested Lin Daoquan.

Governor Hou pondered for a while and said, "There should be something else involved in this."

No matter why Lin Daoquan did such a thing to Qu Xiangru, the Lingjiang leadership shouldn't have reacted so strongly.

The four of Zheng Bihui coming together felt as if Lin Daoquan had past grievances with Lingjiang's officials.

Secretary Gao said, "Hall Director Qi, please get in touch with Lingjiang and, if possible, visit and ask Lin Daoquan about it."

"Alright."

...

Wu Qiangwei and the others returned at noon, and Hall Director Qi arrived at one in the afternoon.

He went directly to the police station where Lin Daoquan was held.

In the interrogation room, upon seeing the bruised Lin Daoquan, Hall Director Qi was quite taken aback.

The doubts in his mind grew heavier.

What kind of grudge or resentment beat a Deputy Governor to this state?

Upon seeing Hall Director Qi, the pent-up frustration that Lin Daoquan had been holding in all night transformed into tears of humiliation and poured out.

He actually cried.

Hall Director Qi, accustomed to serious situations, was somewhat at a loss.

"Governor Lin, this... don't cry, don't cry."

"Here, have a cigarette."

(inhale~)

Lin Daoquan took a few puffs, and his emotions gradually stabilized.

Hall Director Qi asked, "Governor Lin, tell me, what exactly happened?"

"I... I made a mistake."

Lin Daoquan stopped crying, but he kept sighing.

Hall Director Qi asked, "Last night's event—was it true?"

On the way here, he kept wondering whether Lin Daoquan was being set up.

Although all evidence pointed otherwise.

But Lin Daoquan's actions were too bizarre.

Without a setup, it's hard to explain.

Lin Daoquan nodded with a face of shame.

Hall Director Qi asked, "Do you have any conflict with these people from Lingjiang?"

Lin Daoquan repeatedly nodded.

"What kind of conflict? Could you share?"

Lin Daoquan fell silent.

After a night in custody, he thought it through.

This matter, he couldn't speak of.

If the Provincial Committee were to find out he intended to use Lingjiang's resources as political achievement to climb the ladder, the provincial leadership would not take it kindly.

By keeping mum, Secretary Gao and others might still consider the Provincial Government's reputation and try to keep the matter as contained as possible.

He shook his head and said, "It's some personal grudges."

Personal grudges?

From the monitoring room, Jiang Yuan and Minister Zhou just sneered upon hearing this.

They knew exactly what was on his mind.

But, if you don't say it, does it mean others won't know?

They weren't planning on keeping it under wraps.

Seeing no information was forthcoming, Hall Director Qi said, "Alright, I understand."

He stood up to leave when Lin Daoquan said, "Director Qi, you have to help me. Please talk to Secretary Gao and help me. I actually have always liked Qu Xiangru. Last night, I just wanted to talk to her, and in a moment of impulsiveness, I did something foolish."

"I will relay that."

Hall Director Qi sighed. He came to get to the bottom of things, yet Lin Daoquan wouldn't reveal anything he seemed to fear. Such a wasted trip.

Leaving the interrogation room and just about to leave, he suddenly spotted two familiar figures.

"Hall Director Qi."

"Mayor Jiang, Minister Zhou."

Hall Director Qi nodded and asked, "What brings you two here?"

Jiang Yuan said, "Hall Director Qi must be curious about why we escalated the matter so significantly?"

Hall Director Qi asked, "Isn't this a personal grudge of Governor Lin with you all..."

"Personal grudge?"

Jiang Yuan sneered, "Does Hall Director Qi think I'm stupid enough to risk provincial scrutiny over a personal vendetta just to bring down a Deputy Governor?"

Hall Director Qi raised his eyebrows, implying other reasons were involved?

"Mayor Jiang, please have a seat."

The three of them moved to a smaller meeting room.

Jiang Yuan explained the complete truth.

Throughout, Hall Director Qi's expression changed several times.

He had not expected this to be the reason.

Jiang Yuan said, "This matter is already past, and I originally didn't wish to pursue it."

"After all, self-interest is not unusual; Governor Lin's actions are rationally understandable."

"Besides, since Lingjiang eventually pulled through, we didn't want to hold onto it."

"But this time, Lin Daoquan went too far!"

"On the very first day that Governor Qu took office, and during the welcoming banquet!"

"He bribed the waiter to give Governor Qu the drugged wine."

"If not for Secretary Song's timely discovery, the consequences, Hall Director Qi should be able to imagine."

Jiang Yuan snorted, "One must accept loss gracefully when outmatched!"

"I let Lingjiang's past matter slide, yet he retaliated!"

"Even deliberately choosing the day Governor Qu took office, he's trying to drag Lingjiang down."

"Please relay all of this to Secretary Gao verbatim."

"Lest Secretary Gao thinks it's merely a personal grudge."

Understanding the full context, Hall Director Qi nodded solemnly, "I will."

He realized Lin Daoquan was doomed.

Not only would he not be dealt with leniently, but rather, face the highest penalties.

Four o'clock in the afternoon.

The Provincial Committee, in the office.

After listening to Hall Director Qi's report, Secretary Gao was silent for a long time.

Such a significant incident had occurred in Lingjiang.

He could understand why the city hadn't reported it to the higher-ups.

Faced with such significant interests, no one could resist.

The handling of this by Lingjiang was quite commendable.

No, it was Song Guanchao's handling that was commendable.

This young secretary indeed had strong abilities, always managing to surprise.

"Contact the Lingjiang City Bureau, and be sure not to let Lin Daoquan's status cause any undue concern. Let the law run its course."

Hall Director Qi nodded, understanding Secretary Gao's implication.

This was to punish severely.

After he left, Secretary Gao dialed Governor Hou's phone.

Governor Hou arrived at the office and, upon learning the ins and outs, rubbed his eyebrows.

He was about to retire, and should such an incident truly occur in Lingjiang, he wouldn't be able to retire peacefully as Governor.

"Lu Zhizhong..." Governor Hou said, "Before he went to Lingjiang, he was in Yunyang City?"

"I recall that Mayor Zhu of Yunyang City committed suicide by jumping while under investigation."

Governor Hou laughed, "Lu Zhizhong indeed has strong capabilities, being underutilized in Tongzhou."

Secretary Gao lifted his gaze slightly, "Old Hou, you are about to retire, so don't get involved."

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