Chapter 918: Strike!!!

At 9:55 a. m., the Provincial Party Committee office building.

The elevator was descending.

The floor number buttons jumped one by one, like a countdown of fate. The elevator walls reflected Wang Qigang's face, gaunt as that of a desperate man.

He loosened his slightly tight tie and took a deep breath.

Ten o'clock sharp.

He knocked on the door of the Provincial Party Committee office: 'Secretary Jiang.'

'Secretary Wang, come in and have a seat; I'll first finish this document at hand.' Jiang Huantian glanced up at Wang Qigang standing at the door, then continued to bury himself in approving documents.

Wang Qigang dared not speak further to disturb, and first sat down on the sofa.

The office was so quiet that one could almost hear the tense heartbeat; as a deputy minister-level official, Wang Qigang had not been this nervous for a very long time.

After waiting ten or so minutes, Jiang Huantian finally set aside his work, rose, and walked over.

'Comrade Wang, sorry to keep you waiting.'

Jiang Huantian wore a smile, always giving people an indescribable sense of approachability.

But Wang Qigang could not smile at the moment, and for a while he could not fathom Jiang Huantian's true purpose in making him wait here for ten minutes.

Was it to give him ample time to calm his emotions?

Or was it to test his patience?

No matter the purpose, today surely bodes no good. Wuzhou has been hit by one incident after another; as the head of the Municipal Party Committee, he cannot escape responsibility.

'Secretary Jiang.'

Wang Qigang rose to greet him, still a bit nervous.

Jiang Huantian raised his hand and pressed down on the air: 'Please sit.' Soon after, the secretary brought over two cups of tea and then withdrew, not disturbing further.

Jiang Huantian lifted his teacup and slowly blew on it.

Getting straight to the point, he asked: 'You know about last night's incident, right?'

'You mean... the arrest of Zheng Congwen? I know about that.' Wang Qigang spoke politely, but inside he felt a myriad of unpleasant feelings.

He thought, 'As the head of the Municipal Party Committee, I'm actually the last to learn the truth—you really gave me face.'

To stabilize the situation.

Wang Qigang forcibly suppressed his anger, collected his thoughts, and reflected: 'Regarding Zheng Congwen's case, I bear responsibility. Three years ago, I advocated transferring him to the City Bureau. I never expected that under my very nose he would commit so many illegal and disciplinary acts. In this matter, I am culpable for poor personnel selection and inadequate supervision.'

Upon hearing this, Jiang Huantian merely smiled and offered no comment.

Jiang Huantian said: 'Before the Provincial Department took action, I did not greet you in advance; this was my decision, and I hope you have no objections.'

Wang Qigang nodded to show understanding, but silence itself is an expression of displeasure.

This emotional fluctuation obviously did not escape Jiang Huantian's eyes.

Jiang Huantian again smiled and explained: 'It's not that the Provincial Party Committee distrusts you; rather, this matter is too sensitive. Zheng Congwen was once a cadre you valued highly. The Provincial Committee did not inform you also to avoid suspicion.'

'I understand.'

Wang Qigang nodded once more.

Jiang Huantian said: 'Zheng Congwen's problem is more serious than we imagined. He is not only corrupt; he also has ties to black and evil forces, implicated in several murder cases. What he has done in Wuzhou over the years is enough to warrant the death penalty.'

!!!

At this moment, Wang Qigang could truly be described as sitting on pins and needles, with thorns on his back and a bone in his throat! Even if he had a thousand mouths, it would be useless; some problems simply cannot be explained.

Jiang Huantian held his teacup, rose, and walked to the window.

Outside the window, Wuzhou's skyscrapers rose tall!

However, the animals surviving in the jungle know that the higher a building is built, the more likely it is to be struck by lightning! Those self-important humans in the world ultimately cannot break the laws of heaven.

Jiang Huantian suddenly turned and asked: 'Comrade Wang, how many years have you been working in Wuzhou?'

'Already three and a half years.' Jiang Huantian rose and walked to face Jiang Huantian.

Jiang Huantian nodded slightly: 'In these past three-plus years, Wuzhou's achievements are plain to see. The economy has improved, and urban construction has gotten underway. On this point, the province affirms it.'

He said.

Jiang Huantian suddenly shifted tone: 'But Wuzhou's problems are equally shocking. Zhao Tianyu, Huang Jintang, Zheng Congwen—one after another have emerged. And there is also the matter of your wife, Cheng Ying.'

Upon mentioning Cheng Ying, Wang Qigang's complexion changed abruptly.

Wang Qigang explained with a sorrowful tone: 'Secretary Jiang, regarding my wife Cheng Ying's matter, I truly know nothing at all! If I had known, I would certainly have dealt with her myself…'

'Don't rush, I believe you are unaware.' Jiang Huantian said calmly: 'I called you here today not to criticize you, but to report something to you.'

Saying this, Jiang Huantian returned to his desk, took out a document from the drawer.

He pushed the document toward Wang Qigang.

He added: 'You know the central government's attitude toward corruption—zero tolerance. Now Wuzhou's issues have drawn the central government's high attention. For this trip to the capital for the meeting, I too have been singled out for criticism.'

!!!

Wang Qigang stared at the red-header document before him; even without looking he knew it contained the central spirit.

But at this moment, Wang Qigang felt it was more like a stick in Jiang Huantian's hand! And the purpose of Jiang Huantian's stick was to strike him, Wang Qigang.

The implication is that you, Wang Qigang, made me lose face when I went to the capital!

Wang Qigang collected himself and emphasized again: 'Secretary Jiang, I am willing to reflect on myself and conduct a thorough self-examination.'

'Just reviewing is not enough; some problems need to be swiftly implemented in action.' Jiang Huantian said: 'The Cloud Peak Mountain Villa project is a key concern of the province. Outside, there have always been rumors that the project became a stalled construction because you and Comrade Lin Dongfan competed against each other.'

'I do indeed have differences with Mayor Lin on certain issues,' Wang Qigang argued strongly, 'but that stems from different perspectives on the problem, not the mutual rivalry outsiders claim.'

'If that's the case, then all the better.'

Jiang Huantian smiled, seeming somewhat relieved, and took a sip of tea to moisten his throat.

He continued: 'Initially, Comrade Lin Dongfan, to get that project back to work as soon as possible, had signed a military order at the Provincial Party Committee. Now the obstacles to resumption have basically been cleared by Comrade Lin Dongfan. I hope there will be no further unexpected developments; your Municipal Party Committee should take the lead in consolidating the phased achievements.'

!!!

Hearing this, Wang Qigang's heart was filled with mixed emotions.

He now realized that Jiang Huantian's recent soft-and-hard approach was truly intended to force him, Wang Qigang, to compromise with Lin Dongfan.

Can such a matter be compromised?

If anyone else were in Wang Qigang's position, they probably couldn't do this!

He is a member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee and the top leader of Wuzhou, the provincial capital! If he compromises with Wuzhou's number two, it's not just losing face—it means his power will be sidelined!

It also means that from now on, Wuzhou will be decided by the mayor, not by him, the Municipal Party Committee Secretary!

If things were to develop to that point,

Then Wang Qigang's career would basically be at an end, Wuzhou would become his final stop, and there would be no further room for advancement.

But……

If he doesn't compromise with Lin Dongfan, the club in Jiang Huantian's hand will likely come down mercilessly on his head.

Whether it's Zheng Congwen's issue or his wife Cheng Huang's issue!

Either would be enough to make Wang Qigang unable to get away with it.

This dilemma pushed Wang Qigang into the depths of despair; he gritted his teeth and worried for a while, with no solution.