Chapter 304

Gao Peng,...? Actually 'Kuang Chaosheng', the Provincial Committee Secretary, Nanzhou. Also 'Jianglan Province'? Not mentioned in line one.

The waters of Jianglan run deep, and relationships at all levels are intricate and complicated.

When Zhou Yugang governed Jianglan, Gao Peng was the Provincial Committee Secretary, while Kuang Chaosheng was merely a junior staffer who had just begun his job.

Later, Gao Peng kept rising in rank, and Kuang Chaosheng clung to his coattails, willingly becoming his protégé.

If it weren't for Gao Peng's patronage, Kuang Chaosheng would never have had the chance to be transferred to the Provincial Committee Office; without getting into that office, he would not have the opportunity today to sit in the position of Provincial Committee Secretary.

Now that Gao Peng has run into trouble, Kuang Chaosheng is also feeling panicked.

He fears that pulling out the radish will bring up the mud.

Kuang Chaosheng rushed into the leadership office in a fluster and reported the urgent situation to Jiang Huantian: 'Secretary Jiang, something major has happened over in Nanzhou.'

'Speak slowly about what's happening; don't be all startled and jittery.'

Jiang Huantian was reviewing documents, tapping his pen on the paper; his work demeanor was as focused and calm as usual, without even lifting his head.

For someone like Jiang Huantian, a regional governor, it wouldn't be considered a major issue unless the sky fell.

But Kuang Chaosheng couldn't calm down.

He urgently reported to Jiang Huantian: 'Secretary Gao has been arrested.'

「！！！」 No.

Jiang Huantian, who had been composed, was suddenly startled, and his pen stopped moving.

The sky has fallen!

This time the sky has truly fallen!

Gao Peng has been arrested, yet he, the Provincial Committee Secretary, is not the first to receive the news, and no one had previously greeted him about it.

This left Jiang Huantian startled, realizing:

The superiors' approach of seeking stability through balancing left and right, which seemed not just mild dissatisfaction but strong disapproval, led them to disregard his personal opinions and directly take action against Gao Peng.

Jiang Huantian collected himself, looked up, and asked Kuang Chaosheng: 'When did this happen?'

'Just today, that's the news that just came from Nanzhou.' Kuang Chaosheng's face showed lingering fear, and he longed for Jiang Huantian to show some resolve.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Huantian replied in a low voice, 'I understand.' He then lowered his head to continue reviewing documents, showing no intention of turning the tide.

This made Kuang Chaosheng break out in a cold sweat; speaking up would be taboo, but staying silent is also not an option.

He hesitated for a moment.

Kuang Chaosheng then steeled himself to reveal another piece of information: 'Secretary Jiang, Lieutenant General Lin is going to Nanzhou in place of her father to pay respects to the deceased, but in reality he's going to back Lin Dongfan. People from Nanzhou have revealed that Lin Dongfan is a close grandson of the Jingcheng Lin family. Now we fear that Lin Dongfan will wreak havoc, stirring up Jianglan into chaos.'

「！！！」 No.

Jiang Huantian, his expression slightly startled, once again paused his work.

Everyone in Jianglan Province had thought that Lin Dongfan was relying on Chu Jinsong's support, never imagining that this young man was actually a member of the Jingcheng Lin family.

No wonder that young man dares to slay gods and buddhas alike.

Jiang Huantian hastily picked up the red desk phone and dialed Chu Jinsong's number: 'Secretary Chu, you must have heard that Gao Peng has been arrested, right?'

'I've just received the news as well.'

At this moment, Chu Jinsong could be said to be in high spirits, pruning flower pots at home.

But his tone was still regretful.

He sighed deeply on the phone: 'Secretary Jiang, to be honest, I still find it hard to believe that Comrade Gao Peng, the top leader of Nanzhou, could be suspected of multiple crimes such as murder and corruption.'

Hearing this, Jiang Huantian couldn't help but chuckle.

He thought, 'Chu Jinsong, stop putting on an act in front of me; you came from Nanzhou, and the hardships you endured there are etched in your heart like scars.'

To have Xiao Yun brought to justice and then topple Gao Peng—isn't that exactly what you wanted?

Your wife really has good taste!

Out of countless people, you somehow helped the Chu family select a fallen prince from the populace. You, Chu Jinsong, now govern Wuzhou—can you really say it's not thanks to the Lin family's support?

Jiang Huantian, holding back mockery, replied earnestly: 'Secretary Chu, there are things you didn't anticipate, nor did I. Anti-corruption and crackdowns are important, as are Nanzhou's development issues. Now cadres in Nanzhou are falling one after another, which inevitably harms the province's development.'

'Secretary Jiang, you wouldn't be thinking of transferring me back to Nanzhou, would you?' Chu Jinsong joked.

Jiang Huantian responded in kind: 'You are currently the backbone of Wuzhou; if I transferred you away, the people of Wuzhou would surely curse me.'

'Such praise truly leaves me flattered and astonished,' Chu Jinsong replied.

Jiang Huantian joked, 'I also believe in speaking truthfully and seeking facts.' As the conversation continued, the atmosphere warmed, and he felt that mutual rapport had been established.

He then got straight to the point: 'We'll discuss Nanzhou's affairs at the next Standing Committee meeting. I called you today mainly to talk about your son-in-law, Lin Dongfan.'

'Please go ahead, Secretary Jiang, I'm listening.'

'I once heard people from Nanzhou describe Lin Dongfan as a reckless brute, but now I see that assessment is unfounded—he's not rash, he's fearless. Virtually all officials in Nanzhou, big and small, have been toppled by him, and I greatly admire his boldness. However, I also hope you can talk to him, urging him to stay calm to avoid harming the innocent. Now the entire Jianglan Province is filled with people feeling insecure.'

'Everyone feeling insecure? Surely it can't be that bad?'

On the other end of the line, Chu Jinsong's tone was steady yet a hint of a smile played on his lips, as if he could sense a whiff of panic from afar.

The implication of everyone feeling insecure isn't that the whole Jianglan Province is panicking?

This truly proves the old saying: fortunes shift, and now it's my turn! As the head of a province and a proper regional governor, I never expected to be seeking calm myself.

If Dongfan heard this, he'd surely roll his eyes: 'My forty-meter anti-corruption blade would blind your dog's eyes—when have I ever harmed an innocent person?'

Too bad that young man isn't here.

Chu Jinsong, suppressing his excitement, politely replied to Jiang Huantian: 'I'll talk to him properly later and urge him to pay attention to the overall impact.'

'Then I'll leave this to you.'

'Secretary Jiang, you're being courteous; I'll report back to you later.'

I wonder if this calming pill can steady Jiang Huantian's old heart; Chu Jinsong himself was pleased, hung up the phone, and went inside shouting, 'Teacher Shen, join me for a couple of drinks tonight.'

Shen Junlan, who retired early and stays at home, spends her free time dancing and reading, growing younger with each passing day.

She closed the book in her hand.

She rose, smiling as she looked at her husband Chu Jingsong: 'What good news? You're so happy.'

'Gao Peng was captured by Dong Fan; now even Jiang Huan Tian is a bit restless, he just personally called me to ask me to persuade Dong Fan to stay calm—how could I not have a couple drinks?' Chu Jingsong, delighted, eyebrows flying: 'What is called the pinnacle of life? This is the pinnacle of life, having the feeling of holding life-and-death power.'

Shen Junlan, smiling, commented: 'Thanks to Dong Fan's blessing, you too can finally hold your head high today; you no longer have to watch Jiang Huan Tian's face while working.'

'As the saying goes, men vie for a breath, Buddhas for a stick of incense; today we have indeed held our heads high.' Chu Jingsong could not hide his excitement: 'It's a pity Dong Fan isn't in Wuzhou; I really want to get drunk with him and call it a day.'