Chapter 1794

Chapter 1794: Chapter 1794

Wu Qiangwei and Zhou Zheng don’t get along, and Cao Xiaolou is aware of it.

Her sudden inspection made Cao Xiaolou a bit uneasy, so he sought Zhou Zheng for advice.

Zhou Zheng, upon hearing this, merely said it was a routine inspection and advised full cooperation.

In Jiangzhou City, who doesn’t know that Cao Xiaolou is Zhou Zheng’s man?

Moreover, this time he gave Wu Qiangwei ample face, so he did not believe she would trouble him for no reason.

With Zhou Zheng’s assurances, Cao Xiaolou’s worries vanished instantly.

He turned to call his secretary and asked him to notify several deputy county magistrates for a meeting.

The secretary asked, "Should we inform Mayor Gao?"

"Call him over as well."

"Alright."

Half an hour later, all the deputy magistrates had gathered in his office. Except for Gao Qi, the others wore ingratiating smiles.

From their expressions, it was clear that Cao Xiaolou held absolute authority in the county government; no one dared to challenge him.

"Mayor Wu will be inspecting the county the day after tomorrow. Make sure to inform the department heads and let them prepare. During the inspection, if any department makes a mistake, they will pack up and leave immediately," Cao Xiaolou said sternly, his face serious, exuding authority.

"Don’t worry, County Magistrate Cao, there won’t be any mistakes."

"Our Gaoshui County is thriving, even if you didn’t say it, the mayor’s inspection will go smoothly," a deputy magistrate flattered.

Cao Xiaolou nodded in satisfaction, glanced at Gao Qi, and frowned, "Mayor Gao, don’t let things go wrong with what you are responsible for."

"Alright." Gao Qi replied indifferently, asking, "Is there anything else, County Magistrate Cao? If not, I’ll return."

His nonchalant attitude darkened Cao Xiaolou’s expression immediately.

Throughout the county government... no, the entire Gaoshui County, only Gao Qi defied him.

But it didn’t matter, Gao Qi wouldn’t last long.

By next spring, he would have Gao Qi transferred to a lesser position in the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference or the People’s Congress due to insufficient job performance.

Though he appeared influential in Gaoshui County, there was still a county party secretary above him.

Although Secretary Xie was about to retire, he hadn’t yet.

Some people still wouldn’t take orders, thinking he was overreaching, ignoring the county party.

Just right, after the spring, he would use Gao Qi as an example to demonstrate his influence and methods.

He would show them the consequences of opposing him.

After Gao Qi left, a deputy magistrate immediately turned around and swore in Gao Qi’s direction, "What an insolent thing!"

Then turned back to Cao Xiaolou and said, "County Magistrate Cao, Gao Qi is just too out of line, showing no respect toward you, but you magnanimously ignore it."

Cao Xiaolou snorted, "Like a dog that got lucky and became the number two, really believes he’s the number two? No mirror at home, surely a latrine, doesn’t even know to take a look at himself."

Several deputy magistrates echoed, "Exactly, lacking insight and talent. Without County Magistrate Cao, who knows what chaos Gaoshui County would be in."

"County Magistrate Cao, I’ve heard Secretary Xie is retiring next year?" someone curiously asked, and the other deputy magistrates watched him closely.

Cao Xiaolou acknowledged, "Probably by mid to late next year."

He swept his gaze over them, "Before that, I will have Gao Qi transferred. The positions of county magistrate and deputy county magistrate need to be vacated."

On hearing this, their eyes lit up.

Besides Gao Qi, there were four deputy magistrates.

But only two positions for county magistrate and deputy county magistrate.

Cao Xiaolou deliberately said this in front of all four of them.

Four people vying for two positions meant that two would inevitably miss out.

As for who would get them, it depended on how they performed.

These subtle manipulative tactics, Cao Xiaolou excelled at them.

...

"Inspection..."

Gao Qi returned to his office, contemplating this matter.

A week had passed since Yang Ling’s report.

But during this week, nothing had happened.

He suspected Song Guanchao might be investigating, but had no idea if there was an investigation.

Knowing Wu Qiangwei was coming for the inspection the day after tomorrow, he couldn’t help but wonder if the visit had anything to do with Yang Ling’s report.

Gao Qi was confused, his thoughts in disarray, yielding no answers.

After a long pause, he shook his head and sighed.

Overthinking was futile; all he could do was wait.

He still believed he had not misjudged Song Guanchao, who wouldn’t stand by idly.

...

The next day, as soon as Song Guanchao arrived at work, he called Tan Miao.

He requested Tan Miao to help spread the news about Yang Ling’s report to Bao Qi.

And requested not to let Bao Qi know that Yang Ling had first approached the city government.

To make Bao Qi mistakenly believe "Yang Ling had sent the report directly to the Disciplinary Committee."

Tan Miao, curious, couldn’t understand why he made such a request, but didn’t bother asking further.

Then, Song Guanchao picked up a rarely-used phone and called Yang Ling.

The call was answered swiftly, "Hello, who is this?"

"Mr. Yang, it’s me, Song Guanchao from Jiangzhou Municipal Government."

Yang Ling was evidently taken aback, then said, "Hello Director Song, what do you need from me?"

Since returning from Jiangzhou, she had lost all hope in her report, feeling anxious instead, fearing that Cao Xiaolou would find out and harass her, or even cost her her job.

Song Guanchao said, "I’ve forwarded your report to the Disciplinary Committee. County Magistrate Cao might receive the information soon, so you might be in some danger."

This statement frightened Yang Ling.

"I, I..."

"Mr. Yang, don’t panic, I just said it’s a possibility, a heads-up," Song Guanchao said.

"I’m contacting you to discuss certain precautions. I think since you risked bypassing levels to report to me, you want to resolve this thoroughly, correct?"

"Yes..."

"Then it’s straightforward," Song Guanchao continued, "Follow my instructions, I guarantee the issue will be resolved and ensure your safety."

After a pause, Song Guanchao asked, "Would you prefer to calm down first and call me back later?"

"No need, Director Song, please go ahead." Yang Ling managed to control her emotions, momentarily suppressing her turmoil.

Song Guanchao said, "County Magistrate Cao might send someone to approach you, claiming to assist in an investigation or accuse you of unauthorized bypass reporting and slander, to bring you back."

"If they question you, say you only sent a report to the Disciplinary Committee. Don’t mention you visited the city government or met me."

Hearing his depiction of possible events, Yang Ling’s recently subdued anxiety surged back.

"Why can’t I say it?" Yang Ling did not understand.

"If County Magistrate Cao knows you contacted me, then he wouldn’t dare arrest you," Song Guanchao explained.

"What?" Yang Ling almost thought she misheard.

Not daring to arrest me; isn’t that beneficial for me?

Listening to him, it seemed like he hoped I’d be arrested?