Official Career Storm

Chapter 1609:

As the leader of the Pinghai City Government, saying that Mayor Fang could cover the sky with one hand is hardly an exaggeration.

No one had dared to speak to him in this manner for a long time.

Let alone waving a knife in front of him.

But times have changed; one must bow when under another’s roof.

The guy in front of him could even get his hands on detonators, so he had no doubt that if he said one more pointless word, Song Guanchao would truly stab him.

His throat tightened, forcing a grim smile: "Mr. Xu told me."

Song Guanchao slowly folded the blade back: "Who is Mr. Xu?"

"The general manager of Lizhi Company."

Song Guanchao made a light sound of surprise; the name of this company was very familiar.

As he pondered, Fu Ying, beside him, said: "It’s Chairman Qiao’s company."

Suddenly, Song Guanchao realized and immediately frowned, was it Chairman Qiao who betrayed me?

No, that shouldn’t be the case.

Although he had only met Chairman Qiao once, he believed in his judgment of people; Chairman Qiao was definitely not that kind of person.

"Why would Mr. Xu know about my conversation with Chairman Qiao?" He stared into Mayor Fang’s eyes.

"There’s surveillance in Chairman Qiao’s office, Mr. Xu overheard your conversation."

So that’s how it is.

This makes sense.

"Mayor Fang really holds sway in Pinghai." Song Guanchao said with a smirk.

Mayor Fang wasn’t the least bit embarrassed: "Director Song, there’s no grudge between us, and there’s no need to push things to such an extreme. Let us go, and we can pretend this never happened. How about it?"

"No deal."

"Is Director Song determined to go against Secretary Xue?" Mayor Fang felt a chill in his heart.

He hoped to resolve it peacefully, even if it meant giving up some benefits.

As long as money can solve it, it’s not a problem.

Besides, if he could bind interests with Wu Qiangwei, if something happened in the future, there would be one more person to speak for them.

"What, are you trying to scare me by bringing up Secretary Xue?" Song Guanchao sneered, his face full of disdain.

"Director Song misunderstands, I didn’t mean it that way, I just thought..."

"Alright, shut up." Song Guanchao interrupted him, "Tell me about the illegal activities you’ve been involved in all these years."

Mayor Fang’s face suddenly changed, staring at him fiercely: "Director Song, do you really want to do this?"

"Smack!"

Song Guanchao slapped his head to the side: "I ask, you answer. My patience is limited, don’t talk nonsense with me."

Mayor Fang slowly turned his head back, anger surging in his eyes, unafraid of the slap.

Previously, whether Song Guanchao used force or a knife, he didn’t care.

Because he believed Song Guanchao was smart enough to know the limits.

But now, he’s actually trying to overturn the table!

Mayor Fang glanced past him, looking at Wu Qiangwei: "Mayor Wu, if you return to Jiangzhou now, I can pretend this never happened."

The implication was to urge them to stop focusing on the issues in Pinghai City.

Even a rabbit, when cornered, will bite back.

"Smack!"

Song Guanchao slapped again: "Mayor Fang must be getting old, forgetting what I just said?"

Mayor Fang glared at him with fierce eyes, his tongue rolling around in his mouth, spitting out a mouthful of blood, speaking with a sinister tone: "If you have the guts, just kill me."

Song Guanchao squinted his eyes and suddenly laughed: "Mayor Fang’s sudden display of courage is a bit out of character for me."

"But do you really think I don’t dare to kill you?"

"Then just kill me!" Mayor Fang shouted, not willing to lose face.

Song Guanchao reopened the blade, gesturing around his face as he said: "Once it’s confirmed that the City Secretary and Mayor of Pinghai City are involved in a systemic corruption case, it will be a high-profile case nationwide."

"During the arrest, Mayor Fang resisted with a weapon and was shot dead by the investigators."

"Do you think my report on this incident will be accepted by the higher-ups?"

Mayor Fang’s mouth twitched, furious, squeezing out his name from between his teeth: "Song Guanchao!"

He was angry, and beneath that anger was fear.

Because he knew very well that if Song Guanchao really killed him and submitted such a report, the higher authorities wouldn’t pursue it.

"Come on, Mayor Fang, have a cigarette to calm down."

Song Guanchao took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, and lit it for him, smiling: "You’re a mayor after all, you need to be more composed, not get agitated like a child over a few words."

"Compared to being alive, the things you did aren’t that significant."

"As the saying goes, as long as the green hills remain, there will be no shortage of firewood."

"And to be honest, even if you don’t confess, do you think we have no other way?"

"Can you clearly explain the source of those huge assets under your name? Those company owners you’ve embezzled from, they’re living witnesses."

"Giving you a chance to confess is your opportunity for leniency. If you cooperate, it’s considered a meritorious performance. I can’t promise much, but it definitely won’t be the death penalty."

"I’ve said what I needed to say, and once you finish this cigarette, you decide what to do next."

Mayor Fang’s brows knitted tightly, the smoke making him squint.

Song Guanchao’s words made him start to waver inside.

A cigarette’s time is very short.

Mayor Fang tossed away the cigarette butt, saying: "Give me another one."

Song Guanchao threw the whole pack and a lighter over.

He smoked several in a row, the living room filled with smoke, causing the women present to cough, and Wu Ming went to open a window for ventilation.

By the fifth cigarette, Mayor Fang said: "I have evidence of Secretary Xue’s corruption and crimes."

Song Guanchao knew he had more to say, so he hummed lightly and waited quietly.

Sure enough, Mayor Fang continued: "I can tell you all the evidence of crimes against Secretary Xue and others, but you have to let me go."

After speaking, he looked at Song Guanchao, feeling somewhat uneasy inside.

Song Guanchao laughed.

"I believe I made myself clear earlier; whether you cooperate or not doesn’t affect us catching them."

"If you choose to cooperate, it can save us some time. If you don’t, it won’t have much impact either."

"It seems I’ve been too accommodating, giving you the illusion that you can bargain with me."

Mayor Fang grew a bit anxious: "I’m willing to return the embezzled funds!"

"You don’t have to return them." Song Guanchao smiled slightly at him, standing up and saying: "Zhijun, take him inside and watch him. If he’s willing to talk, let him talk. If not, so be it."

Li Zhijun walked over, pushing Mayor Fang’s shoulder: "Get up."

At this moment, Mayor Fang was completely panicked, his previous ruthlessness vanished.

He thought when Song Guanchao said "doesn’t care" and such, it was just to deceive him.

He thought that as long as he was willing to cooperate, he could at least gain freedom.

But now he suddenly discovered that Song Guanchao wasn’t bluffing; he genuinely didn’t care whether he cooperated or not.

Mayor Fang gritted his teeth, saying: "You release me, and I’ll tell you a secret!"