Secretary Gao and Governor Hou raised their eyebrows slightly, somewhat surprised.

Commander Ma said, "Secretary Gao, Governor Hou, it's getting late. Let's rest first. Whatever needs to be discussed can wait until you both wake up tomorrow."

The two nodded and spent the night at the guesthouse in the military district.

After settling the two in, Commander Ma turned to find Qu Xiangru and a few others, showing them the testimony.

He also informed them about Li Qingtang and Ji Lin's identities.

Having understood the causes and consequences, Qu Xiangru and the others looked towards Zheng Bihui.

This project was under his charge.

Now that such a major problem has occurred, the responsibility naturally falls on him.

Qu Xiangru stood up, "I'm heading back first."

Things were already clear, and now it was up to the military district to handle it; staying wouldn't serve much purpose.

Wu Qiangwei also stood up and left.

"Mayor Zheng, let's go back."

Jiang Yuan got up and walked out.

Zheng Bihui walked at the very end, expressionless.

Another good project went wrong!

The sons of these two high-ranking provincial officials got involved in the project without his knowledge.

Of course, he didn't need to know.

Projects of this scale inevitably involve second-generation officials; it's the way things are anywhere.

He was simply unlucky.

Now, he could only hope the two leaders wouldn't be overly concerned.

…

After showering, Governor Hou went to Secretary Gao's room.

He took out his phone, saying, "I'll make the notifications."

He first called Deputy Governor Li Zhen Ting.

It was already past three in the morning.

The call got through on the second ring.

Li Zhen Ting's voice was somewhat groggy, clearly not fully awake, "Governor Hou, what's the matter?"

Governor Hou briefly explained the situation to him, and Li Zhen Ting was fully alert.

After hanging up, he continued to call Provincial Development and Reform Commission Director Zhang Jie.

After making the calls, Governor Hou laughed and said, "I wonder how Commander Chen will handle this matter."

…

Early next morning.

After washing up, Chen Songbai was handed last night's testimony by Commander Ma, who also disclosed Ji Lin and Li Qingtang's identities.

Chen Songbai wasn't surprised, as he was already aware.

"Commander Chen, Secretary Gao and Governor Hou from Nanjiang Province came over last night."

"Moreover, Li Qingtang's father and Ji Lin's mother also rushed over overnight, hoping to meet Commander Chen."

Chen Songbai said, "Prepare breakfast and invite Secretary Gao and Governor Hou for a meal together."

Shortly after Commander Ma left, Pei Rongguang also came over.

The two chatted for a while in the room.

Once breakfast was set, Chen Songbai had a meal sent to Zhong Aimin before he and Pei Rongguang proceeded to the mess hall.

The military is a separate system, generally, officers of the same rank have far less power than local officials.

Moreover, the military cannot interfere with local government.

However, there are exceptions.

In situations like yesterday's—with a military district commander assaulted and his gun taken—this constitutes a major incident, where the military district can directly assume control of the local government.

If Chen Songbai decides to escalate the matter, even if Secretary Gao is the head of the provincial committee, he might not have any say.

Of course, anyone who rises to this level has good judgment and typically wouldn't take things to extremes.

Nonetheless, Secretary Gao and Governor Hou also knew that this time the local government was at fault.

A high-ranking commander was assaulted; the military indeed has the right.

If this escalates, sentencing Li Qingtang and a few others to several years wouldn't pose any issue.

Now, it remains to be seen how Chen Songbai will define the situation.

Secretary Gao didn't mention yesterday's events, instead, he asked after Chen Songbai and Pei Rongguang, and talked about Pei Yuqing.

After breakfast, Secretary Gao and Governor Hou wiped their mouths, stood up, and said, "Commander Chen, General Pei, we will take our leave now."

The two escorted them to the door before turning back inside.

Just as Secretary Gao and Governor Hou got into their cars, Zhang Jie and Li Zhen Ting, who had been waiting here all morning, quickly jogged over.

After receiving calls last night, they hurried over instantly, staying up all night.

"Secretary Gao," Li Zhen Ting asked, "What's the situation now?"

Secretary Gao was expressionless, only casting him a cold glance, before closing the car door and telling the driver, "Back to the province."

Li Zhen Ting could sense Secretary Gao's internal fury, though his own son now detained by the military district, he dared not show any dissatisfaction.

He was forced to approach Governor Hou's car with Zhang Jie, "Governor Hou, are the two leaders alright?"

Governor Hou's expression was equally cold, sweeping over the two, "You've raised quite a son."

Li Zhen Ting replied embarrassed, "Governor Hou, can you point us in the right direction?"

Governor Hou said, "I'm an old man soon to retire, not capable enough. This matter is now entirely under the military district's jurisdiction, the local government has no authority to interfere."

"How it's handled is up to the military district."

"Drive."

Governor Hou closed the car door and the car drove off.

Li Zhen Ting cursed angrily, "Damned…!"

Zhang Jie strode towards the guesthouse.

He approached the receptionist, saying, "I am the Provincial Development and Reform Commission Director, I need to see Commander Ma."

He might not be able to meet the two leaders, but Commander Ma, being the Lingjiang Military District Commander and also a Lingjiang Standing Committee member, was accessible.

In terms of administrative rank, they have significant leverage over Commander Ma.

Soon, Commander Ma arrived.

"Governor Li, Director Zhang."

Zhang Jie asked, "Commander Ma, what is Commander Chen's stance on this matter?"

Commander Ma replied, "The case is now handled by the military district's security department, I have no right to intervene."

Not very familiar with the army's system, Li Zhen Ting asked, "What does this mean?"

Commander Ma explained, "It means Commander Chen is escalating the matter."

Zhang Jie frowned, "Is it necessary to react like this over a minor altercation involving a few kids?"

Commander Ma raised an eyebrow, saying, "Commander Chen was transferred to the General Staff last year, and this incident has alerted both the General Staff and the Military Committee. Last night, the leaders of the General Staff's security department have already issued directives to thoroughly investigate the root causes and check for foreign organizational influences."

Their mouths opened, minds slightly dizzy, practically at a loss for words.

That such a trivial incident could be linked to foreign influences is simply absurd!

Zhang Jie said, "Commander Ma, can you arrange for us to meet the two leaders to express our apologies in person?"

"The two leaders are quite busy and don't have the time."

"This... "

"You don't need to worry too much."

Commander Ma said, "Commander Chen and General Pei are both reasonable people; one means one, and two means two, they won't exploit the situation. If it clarifies to indeed be a misunderstanding, everything will proceed according to normal procedures, maybe just a temporary detainment."

At this point, the two were anxious but powerless; unable to see their sons or the two leaders, they could only wait impatiently.

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