Chapter 1808

Chapter 1808: Chapter 1808

Gao Qi knew the dirt on these two, which saved Song Guanchao quite a bit of effort.

"Call them and, in your name, ask them to come over."

"Now?"

"Yes."

"Okay." Gao Qi was curious as to why he wanted to see them now.

He couldn’t understand Song Guanchao’s actions. Even if he wanted to talk to them, shouldn’t it be after things had settled?

He didn’t ask further, just called the two.

After making the calls, Gao Qi asked, "Do you need me to stay?"

"Stay." Since he had him contact them directly, Song Guanchao never planned on keeping him away.

Secretary Luo and Secretary Shi were quite surprised to receive the call.

They didn’t yet know about the series of events that had occurred in the county, so although surprised, they didn’t overthink it, set aside their tasks, and headed to the guesthouse.

Secretary Luo arrived first, and on the phone, Gao Qi only mentioned he was needed, not that Song Guanchao wanted to see him.

So when he entered the room and saw Song Guanchao, he was quite surprised. It wasn’t until then that he realized it was actually Song Guanchao who wanted to see him, and he felt a tinge of apprehension.

"Hello, Secretary Luo." Song Guanchao pulled out a chair, "This isn’t a formal talk; you don’t need to be too nervous."

Secretary Luo’s expression became even stranger. Why should I be nervous?

Moreover, he was puzzled, you’re not someone from the Organization Department, what do you want to talk about?

However, he didn’t voice these doubts, instead cooperated and sat down, waiting for what followed.

Song Guanchao noticed a flicker of confusion in his eyes and said, "I almost forgot, there are some things you might not be aware of, Secretary Luo."

"Let me briefly explain, the city has established a task force concerning the issue of Gaoshui County defaulting on teachers’ salaries, and I am the leader of that group."

Upon hearing this, a flash of panic crossed Secretary Luo’s face, and his body subtly straightened in the chair.

Song Guanchao grabbed the teapot, poured a cup, and pushed it in front of him: "I asked you to come mainly to understand some things."

"I heard you have a brother who is a writer? Published several books and got them listed as designated extracurricular reading by the Education Bureau?"

Secretary Luo immediately looked at Gao Qi, it’s definitely this guy who told!

He was very angry, feeling tricked.

"I’m not really sure." Secretary Luo suppressed his anger, his tone neither hard nor soft, not daring to resist Song Guanchao, but also not admitting it.

"Oh, you don’t know." Song Guanchao’s voice was devoid of emotion: "Not knowing is good, then we’ll just follow procedure. If it violates the Education Bureau’s regulations, we must investigate whether there’s any vested interest connections here. See if your brother is exploiting your identity to profit under your name."

Secretary Luo became unsettled: "Director Song, I really was not aware of this, but since someone informed you, it must be true. Don’t worry, I will definitely provide a satisfactory explanation."

Song Guanchao shook his head: "Let’s not talk about this."

Not talk about this?

Secretary Luo was bewildered, what is this guy looking for me for?

Song Guanchao said, "Director Bai has turned himself in."

Turned himself in?

Secretary Luo was taken aback again, he actually used the word "turned himself in".

"Director Bai confessed about the education subsidies being misappropriated. It was County Magistrate Cao who violated regulations and used public funds."

"The issue has become quite significant, and internally within the City Government, initial opinions have been exchanged, believing that County Magistrate Cao is not suitable to continue in his role as County Magistrate."

Secretary Luo’s mind buzzed, momentarily losing the ability to think.

This news was too sudden and too shocking for him.

As prominent as County Magistrate Cao is, he’s actually going to be removed from office.

How could this be possible?

He couldn’t help but suspect whether Song Guanchao was deceiving him?

But thinking carefully, what reason would he have to lie to him?

"Remember to keep today’s conversation confidential." Song Guanchao’s voice pulled him back to reality: "Secretary Luo, you can go back."

"Oh..."

Secretary Luo seemed to be in a daze, unaware of how he got to the parking lot, with the memory in between becoming a blank.

Only after sitting in the car did he come to his senses, with a series of conversations with Song Guanchao flashing through his mind.

As he prepared to start the vehicle, he suddenly saw a familiar figure getting out of a car nearby.

It was Shi He, Secretary Shi!

What was he doing here?

Was he also summoned by Song Guanchao?

Secretary Luo gradually calmed down, regaining his usual meticulous thoughts.

He pondered the purpose behind Song Guanchao summoning him.

First bringing up the issue of his brother’s extracurricular books, then immediately switching topics to Cao Xiaolou being about to be removed.

These two matters seemed unrelated, with no direct connection, but Secretary Luo was certain there was a very close link between them.

Secretary Luo narrowed his eyes slightly; he roughly guessed what was happening.

Song Guanchao was paving the way for the next County Magistrate!

If the news came from elsewhere, he definitely wouldn’t have guessed who could be the next County Magistrate.

But just now in the room, besides Song Guanchao, Gao Qi was also there.

The next County Magistrate would be Gao Qi!

He deliberately brought up his brother, seemingly as a warning, but actually indicating that Gao Qi would soon take office as County Magistrate.

And for him and Shi He, who were close to Cao Xiaolou, it was a way to tell them to cooperate with Gao Qi’s future work.

Understanding the key issue, Secretary Luo instead breathed a sigh of relief.

Knowing the issue makes it easier to deal with.

However, he still doubted the authenticity of Song Guanchao’s claims.

He didn’t quite believe that Mayor Wu would risk offending Secretary Zhou to remove Cao Xiaolou.

He rolled down the window, lit a cigarette, and looked at the guesthouse.

After about twenty minutes, Shi He also came out. His state was no different from what Cao Xiaolou had been ten minutes earlier, looking bewildered and lost.

He got into his car, his mind in a vacant state.

Knock knock.

The sound of knocking on the window startled him.

He looked up to see Secretary Luo standing by the car.

He opened the car door and exclaimed, "Secretary Luo?"

Secretary Luo handed him a cigarette and asked, "Did Director Song speak with you?"

Shi He was startled, and then said, "Did Director Song also approach you?"

Secretary Luo smiled, not too dimwitted.

"What Director Song said, is it true?" Shi He sought a definite answer from him.

Secretary Luo shook his head: "Not sure, but better to believe it might be true. Don’t be too flustered; Director Song isn’t targeting us but giving us a preventive warning."

A preventive warning? Shi He thought for a moment, not grasping the meaning of his words.

Secretary Luo had to make it clearer: "With County Magistrate Cao being removed, who’s most likely to become County Magistrate?"

Shi He thought for two seconds and suddenly understood: "I get it!"

"Good that you know. Don’t go around talking about this. Finish this cigarette and head back." Secretary Luo flicked away his cigarette and turned to leave.

"Secretary Luo, wait."

"Hmm?"

Secretary Luo turned back.

Shi He caught up, asking quietly: "Will you continue doing the extracurricular books with your brother?"

The two of them, one with his brother’s extracurricular books, the other with his sister-in-law supplying milk to schools, both were quite profitable.

He wanted to know how Secretary Luo was going to handle it to have a reference.

Secretary Luo gave him a once-over and said, "Director Song brought it up to give you a chance to make amends; if you continue, do you still want to be Secretary General?"

This fool, blinded by profit, had lost even basic judgment.

Shi He gave an awkward smile: "I certainly won’t continue, just asking."

Secretary Luo initially intended to just leave, but worried this guy wasn’t thinking clearly, added a note: "Director Song is not a benevolent man. If he gives you a chance, grasp it well. If you can’t, being removed from office is the least of your worries."