Chapter 251: At a Critical Juncture

You think it's over?

When the timber market fell into chaos,

In the city, over ten furniture warehouses simultaneously announced a shutdown.

It was a critical period for the real estate industry's development.

The furniture market suddenly joined the fray.

Causing home purchase rates to plummet.

This loss also concerns the interests of the city hall's high-ranking officials.

That night,

The city hall was brightly lit.

The mayor's office.

Changshulin's face turned grim as he pulled out his phone and called Wang Zhen.

The call was answered.

Changshulin asked in a low voice: "Are those furniture warehouses that halted operations related to Li Jiaci?"

Well, this...

Wang Zhen's hesitant voice came through.

Without needing to say it outright, Changshulin already knew.

He rubbed his throbbing temples and ordered: "Go tell him that Li Jiaci should stop!"

"Mayor Chang, aren't you misunderstanding?"

Wang Zhen said over the phone: "This situation is your doing—you seized my brother's timber, forced his lumber mill to shut down, then sent the fire brigade to order him to cease operations for rectification; my brother merely followed your instructions, yet now everything is blamed on him."

Hearing this, Changshulin's face darkened.

"Those are just outside rumors!"

Wang Zhen gave a faint smile: "Whether it's a rumor or not, you'll know by asking the relevant authorities!"

"Don't slander the good officials who serve the people!"

"'You've only been here a short while—how can you be so certain they're good officials? Do the words 'good official' written on their faces?'"

"'Wang Zhen, watch your words and actions!'"

"'I take responsibility for every word I say, every character—what about you?'"

"..."

Changshulin felt like a bone stuck in his throat.

As Wang Zhen said, he had only recently been transferred to Pingzhou and had only a basic understanding of its leadership.

As mayor, defending his colleagues was a matter of course.

But faced with Wang Zhen's repeated questioning,

Changshulin couldn't help but waver in his heart.

Just when he couldn't save face,

Suddenly, Wang Zhen's laughter came through the phone.

Hehe.

"Mayor Chang, my remarks are about the matter, not personal—I didn't mean to target you!"

"I just want you to see the facts, not wrongfully accuse my brother—your partner!"

"After all, we still need to rely on him to make money in the future!"

"'You agree, right?'"

Changshulin let out a deep sigh.

That counted as acquiescence.

A moment later.

The city hall's leaders gathered in the conference room.

Changshulin puffed on smoke, his brows tightly furrowed, saying nothing.

The atmosphere in the conference room was gloomy.

Now it's not just a matter of market chaos.

Shiqiang Mucai Chang and the Furniture Factory gained great fame, not only letting them reap substantial profits themselves but also greatly boosting Pingzhou's customer flow and consumption levels.

For a private enterprise to achieve this is truly no easy feat.

But now, because of them, Pingzhou finds itself at the forefront of controversy, becoming a topic of after-dinner chat for people nationwide.

Dozens of factories cumulatively announced a shutdown.

Who can withstand such a situation?

The early spring weather.

Yet Changshulin's forehead was covered in a fine sweat.

He stubbed out the cigarette.

He looked at each person present.

"'Who among you can give me an explanation?'"

Everyone looked at one another.

They were also completely bewildered by this situation.

Everything seemed as if it had been planned.

One step after another.

Push them into a bottomless abyss.

A pot-bellied subordinate hesitated, then spoke up: "Mayor Chang, I think to undo the bell you need the one who tied it; we need to talk to Li Jiaci, see what medicine he's selling in his gourd!"

Hehe.

You think I haven't looked for him?

People said, someone made him do this!

Or it's someone from within us!

Changshulin's words had just fallen.

Discussion rose in the meeting room.

Everyone's glances at each other were filled with suspicion.

That's utter nonsense!

Suddenly a woman spoke up.

She adjusted her glasses, gave a cold snort: "Our own people wouldn't lift a stone to drop on their own feet; I think he's shirking responsibility, deliberately stirring up trouble between Mayor Chang and us, disturbing the superiors!"

Changshulin asked: "What reason does he have to do this?"

Who knows!

The woman turned her face away and said.

Since you don't know, don't jump to conclusions!

Changshulin's tone grew colder.

Hearing that, the woman gave a disdainful pout.

Seeing the problem fall into a deadlock again.

Changshulin shook his head.

I called you here to solve the problem!

Not to exacerbate the conflict!

It looks like some people are determined to cover it up to the end!

Then I don't need to give them a way out!

Having said that, Changshulin gave everyone a cold glance.

Suddenly he rose to his feet.

The solemn atmosphere made everyone tense up.

Is the person in charge of the Customs Checkpoint here?

Only see a middle-aged man in a suit and tie stood up.

Mayor Chang, I'm here.

Changshulin narrowed his eyes, asked in a deep voice: "Outside rumors say the Customs Checkpoint illegally seized Shiqiang Mucai Chang's timber; is that true?"

Hearing this.

The other party's expression was urgent.

It's true, but also not true!

Changshulin's face turned cold: "Say something I can understand!"

The matter is like this!

Recently, a subordinate of mine suddenly claimed illness and resigned; not long after, the higher-ups assigned a new person down!

That guy, on his first day in office, started giving Shiqiang Mucai Chang a hard time!

I thought about asking a few questions, but instead got scolded by the higher-ups!

They also repeatedly ordered me to just do my own duties!

With my sesame-seed-sized authority, how dare I oppose the higher-ups!

So I can only turn a blind eye!

This remark caused an uproar.

Changshulin sternly asked: "The 'higher-ups' you mentioned, do you mean the provincial level?"

Exactly!

The other party nodded.

Another uproar ensued.

Changshulin pointed at his nose, gritted his teeth: "With such an incident, you should have reported it to me immediately!"

The other party shrank his head.

He muttered: "They didn't even put you in their eyes, inside or out..."

What did you say?

Nothing... nothing!

The other party gave a fawning smile, then added: "I also have no choice; I've been targeted by the higher-ups, Shiqiang Mucai Chang is so famous locally, I wouldn't dare meddle with their business even if you lent me ten guts!"

The implication is.

If there's a problem, go tell the higher-ups.

Anyway, it's none of his business.

Changshulin clenched his fists, his whole body emanating a domineering aura.

The other party merely glanced and immediately lowered his head.

After all, he still felt guilty.

Changshulin forcibly suppressed the anger in his heart.

There was no immediate outbreak.

He then asked again: "Has the fire brigade's person in charge arrived?"

Soon, someone stood up.

"Mayor Chang, I'm here."

Before Changshulin could even speak.

This person immediately cut in: "I've seen the recent news; the rumor that the fire brigade ordered Mu Cai Chang to suspend operations for rectification is completely baseless—I never issued such an order, nor do I have that authority!"

Changshulin placed his hands behind his back.

He said coldly: "Before answering me, you'd better first investigate your subordinates!"