Chapter 1805

Chapter 1805: Chapter 1805

After Director Huang left, Song Guanchao said, "Director Bai, please stay. Secretary Xie and Secretary Zhang, please wait outside."

After speaking, he picked up his teacup and took a light sip.

Director Bai looked at Cao Xiaolou, feeling uneasy, and said, "Director Song, would you like to grab a bite first?"

Song Guanchao smiled and said, "County Magistrate Cao, you go ahead and eat. I’ll handle things here first."

"Alright, I’ll ask the cafeteria to set aside some food."

Cao Xiaolou had no choice but to leave first.

Secretary Xie and Zhang Maohua exchanged a glance and also left the conference room.

As Gao Qi was about to leave, Song Guanchao said, "Please escort Mr. Yang."

Gao Qi replied, "Okay."

The remaining people left.

The conference room was left with only Director Bai, along with others from the city. Suddenly, Director Bai felt a sense of loneliness and helplessness.

"Director Bai, do you know why I asked you to stay?"

Director Bai shook his head.

Song Guanchao asked, "Has the special subsidy from the Ministry of Education been distributed?"

Director Bai knew he couldn’t avoid it, but he was really afraid to speak carelessly and chose to remain silent.

"Director Bai, don’t think I’m trying to hold you accountable. I’m actually trying to help you."

Help me?

Director Bai cursed internally, thinking, does he really take me for a fool?

No matter how much he cursed inside, he dared not show it on his face.

Song Guanchao said, "There are no outsiders here, so let’s not beat around the bush. Actually, this isn’t a big deal, but you’re just unlucky to have been caught on camera. Do you understand what I mean?"

If it wasn’t captured, Zhou Zheng wouldn’t have had to step in, and Wu Qiangwei wouldn’t have cared so deeply.

But since it was captured, procedures must be followed.

This was the message he wanted to convey to Director Bai.

"Now Gaoshui County must give the city an explanation for this matter."

"Who do you think will take responsibility if this becomes a big issue? County Magistrate Cao? Secretary Xie?"

"Neither, it’s you, the Director of Education."

"You are the most suitable scapegoat."

Song Guanchao’s words were like a red-hot dagger, easily piercing through his heart.

"So, I said I’m helping you, not fooling you, but genuinely offering you a chance."

"As long as you cooperate, I can guarantee you won’t face criminal charges."

"Consider it carefully and then get back to me."

Song Guanchao picked up his teacup, no longer speaking.

He had said everything that needed to be said, and the pressure had been applied.

Director Bai wasn’t a fool and could understand.

He truly could figure it out, and the more he thought along the lines of Song Guanchao’s words, the more alarmed he became.

As he said, this matter cannot be downplayed. Someone must step up to take responsibility.

And the most suitable scapegoat was indeed him, the Director of Education; no one else was more fitting.

As Song Guanchao was about to finish his cup of tea, Director Bai finally looked up and said, "The education subsidy hasn’t been distributed."

Song Guanchao asked, "Where did the money go?"

Even after making the decision, Director Bai still felt immense pressure as he prepared to confess everything.

After hesitating for a few seconds, he said, "It was misappropriated."

"Who misappropriated it?"

Director Bai fell silent again.

Once he uttered the name, he would truly have no way out.

"Director Song, may I ask how you plan to handle those who misappropriated the subsidy?"

If Song Guanchao only wanted to know without taking any action, revealing it now would only offend Cao Xiaolou, making life difficult for him in Gaoshui County in the future.

"Held accountable according to law." Song Guanchao uttered these four words, but it still didn’t reassure him.

Director Bai struggled internally for a long time and finally decided to speak out: "It was County Magistrate Cao."

Song Guanchao asked, "Besides County Magistrate Cao, who else?"

Director Bai hesitated for a long time before he could say anything. Song Guanchao asked, "Did you also take some of the money?"

Director Bai looked embarrassed, afraid to nod or shake his head. Song Guanchao asked, "Did County Magistrate Cao force you to take it?"

Director Bai was taken aback, meeting Song Guanchao’s eyes and seeing a hint of a suggestion, he was suddenly shocked and understood what he meant.

Was he supposed to step forward and put all the blame on Cao Xiaolou?

No, not blame—it was originally Cao Xiaolou’s doing.

Strictly speaking, he was indeed coerced.

After a brief thought, Director Bai nodded without hesitation: "Yes! County Magistrate Cao forced me!"

Aside from him, Zhu Shixian listened quietly. Song Guanchao played the game of divide and conquer expertly.

Song Guanchao nodded in satisfaction and asked, "Did Secretary Xie and Secretary Zhang participate?"

"No."

Song Guanchao felt somewhat reassured that these two hadn’t been involved; otherwise, it really would have been tricky to handle.

He said to Zhou Xingjian, "Director Zhou, please invite Secretary Zhang in."

Zhou Xingjian went to open the door and said to Zhang Maohua outside, "Secretary Zhang, Director Song invites you in."

Zhang Maohua glanced at Secretary Xie, and Secretary Xie said, "Go in."

He sighed internally; Song Guanchao was clearly meeting with them one by one to apply pressure.

What the previous person said was unknown to them. When it’s their turn, it’s difficult to gauge what to say and what not to say.

But for Secretary Xie, it wasn’t much of a problem.

He hadn’t been involved at all in the misappropriation of education funds.

Moreover, judging by Wu Qiangwei’s stance, it seemed like she wanted to remove Cao Xiaolou from his position as county magistrate.

Since it had come to this, he was happy to oblige and play along.

As long as it didn’t affect his retirement, he didn’t mind whatever Wu Qiangwei did.

Zhang Maohua re-entered the conference room, and Zhou Xingjian gently closed the door behind him.

He glanced at Director Bai and noticed a hint of relaxation on his face.

He couldn’t help but wonder what this guy had said to Song Guanchao.

"Secretary Zhang, have a seat." Song Guanchao’s voice pulled him back to reality, and he sat down.

"Director Bai, please explain the situation to Secretary Zhang."

Director Bai said, "Secretary Zhang, I want to report something."

Zhang Maohua had already anticipated: "Report what?"

Director Bai stated, "I want to report County Magistrate Cao’s misappropriation of public funds!"

As expected...

Zhang Maohua sighed internally, quietly listening to Director Bai’s account.

A few minutes later, Director Bai finished and looked at Song Guanchao: "Director Song, as the head of the special task force, please give your instructions."

Song Guanchao said, "First, gather evidence, and do not disclose this matter externally."

"Understood." Zhang Maohua felt slightly relieved; the fact that Song Guanchao hadn’t immediately decided to implement dual discipline on Cao Xiaolou indicated that the situation wasn’t dire enough, showing that he had some concerns.

Perhaps privately, Song Guanchao still intended to have a one-on-one talk with Cao Xiaolou; there might still be room for maneuver.

"You may leave now."

Song Guanchao stood up and opened the conference room door, approached Secretary Xie, handed him a cigarette, and walked down the corridor.

Once they were away from others, Song Guanchao said, "Director Bai just reported County Magistrate Cao to Secretary Zhang, and County Magistrate Cao’s situation is quite serious."

Secretary Xie didn’t offer an opinion, only expressed his stance: "The county firmly supports all the city’s decisions."

Song Guanchao replied, "A specific decision will only be made after I report to Mayor Wu."

He flicked the ash from his cigarette and changed the topic, asking, "Does Secretary Xie have suitable candidates for County Magistrate recommendation?"