Chapter 290: A Clash Between Number One and Number Two!

Wang Xingjian lowered his voice to offer Xu Zongchao a suggestion:

"I have carefully studied Du Chengfeng's rise to success recently. Rumors outside say he climbed step by step over the past two years by relying on his wife's family connections, but that is merely a superficial phenomenon. The key lies in his son-in-law, Tang Ye, who is currently the secretary to the Executive Vice Mayor. This kid has many devious ideas; he has given Du Chengfeng plenty of advice and even helped him establish connections with the 'parachuted' faction like Zhou Chengwu and Jiang Jing."

Xu Zongchao's eyes sharpened, and he immediately asked, "You mean to say, you want me to start with Du Chengfeng's son-in-law?"

Wang Xingjian nodded meaningfully:

"It is much safer than moving against Du Chengfeng directly. Tang Ye is currently just a Section Chief-level official; the risk of taking action against him is much smaller than dealing with a Deputy Department-level official. If we can get a hold of his leverage, are you afraid Du Chengfeng won't comply? By then, we'll see if he can still maintain his stance of 'upholding justice over family'."

Xu Zongchao rubbed his chin, a hint of malice flashing in his eyes: "I will arrange for people to watch Tang Ye immediately and investigate carefully to see if he has any leverage. If we can't find any, then we'll find a way to manufacture some for him."

Wang Xingjian continued, lowering his voice: "Du Chengfeng also has a capable subordinate named Wan Ming. By sucking up and flattering, this kid climbed from a Township Police Station Chief to the position of Suiyuan County Public Security Bureau Chief in just one year. He and Tang Ye are like Du Chengfeng's right and left arms. If we can eliminate these two people, Du Chengfeng will become a toothless tiger."

Xu Zongchao let out a cold snort, his tone full of resentment.

"I have heard of this Wan Ming for a long time. Wasn't Chen Bo arrested by him? I had people investigate him a long time ago. Now Suiyuan County is being turned upside down by him; I will settle this score with him sooner or later. I found out his wife works at a bank and his daughter attends the Tianling County Experimental Primary School..."

He paused, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.

"As long as the timing is right, I will let him know the consequences of offending me."

Wang Xingjian sensed the bloodthirst in his words, felt a tightness in his chest, and hurriedly advised: "President Xu, some things still need to be handled with a sense of proportion..."

Xu Zongchao sneered, his eyes full of madness: "People die for wealth, birds die for food. Instead of throwing five hundred million to fill the hole, wouldn't the matter be solved by spending a few tens of thousands to hire a few desperate thugs?"

In the hospital garden, the sword tassel fluttered.

Jiang Jing was dressed in a plain practice uniform, performing a set of Taiji Sword with fluid grace; by the time she finished, fine beads of sweat had already seeped onto her temples.

Tang Ye stepped forward quickly to hand her a towel: "Mayor Jiang, your swordsmanship is becoming increasingly refined."

Jiang Jing wiped away the sweat, her gaze cast toward the camphor trees in the distance: "When will Dean Tang be willing to let me 'out of prison'?"

Tang Ye said with a smile, "The recovery period was originally estimated at four months, but your recovery has exceeded expectations; you can be discharged in three months at most."

Jiang Jing gave a helpless, bitter smile, "You kid are getting more and more cunning with your words. It was clearly scheduled for three months originally, yet you insist on saying four months and then shortening it. Do you take me for a three-year-old child?"

Just as Tang Ye was about to reply, his cell phone vibrated at the right moment:

"Bureau Chief Cao will arrive in ten minutes, saying he wants to report on his work."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jing's expression instantly turned cold, her sword-like brows slightly furrowed: "Perfect, I want to hear how he explains the five-hundred-million hole."

Recently, the Municipal Party Committee Investigation Team has regarded this case as a top priority, and the Municipal Finance Bureau is also facing tremendous pressure.

At ten o'clock sharp, Cao Zhengchun pushed open the hospital room door, his face piled with a formulaic smile, greeting Tang Ye, "How is Mayor Jiang's mood? Is there anything I should be aware of during the report?"

Tang Ye said with a smile, "The recovery is going quite well."

Cao Zhengchun lowered his voice, "Is there anything I need to pay attention to when reporting work later?"

Tang Ye calmly reminded him: "The focus is on the five-hundred-million appropriation for the Suiyuan County Industrial Park."

Cao Zhengchun's smile instantly froze on his face, and he let out a heavy sigh, "Sigh, what a muddled account!"

Jiang Jing did not even look up, her fingertips quickly annotating the documents: "Wait a moment, let me finish approving these few."

Tang Ye noticed a flash of dissatisfaction in Cao Zhengchun's eyes.

Although Jiang Jing is the Executive Vice Mayor in charge of finance, Cao Zhengchun, as the Director of the Finance Bureau, is an extremely unique existence among all Division-level officials in Hanzhou.

It is somewhat similar to characters in fantasy novels who are invincible at the same level and can even kill experts across levels.

Firstly, within the Hanzhou officialdom, Cao Zhengchun has a solid background.

Secondly, in Huai Province and even the Central Committee, Cao Zhengchun has connections that cannot be underestimated.

Jiang Jing leaving him hanging at this moment made him quite uncomfortable.

The air felt as dead and still as if it had frozen.

Twenty minutes later, Jiang Jing finished approving all the documents, took off her glasses, and glanced faintly at Cao Zhengchun.

"Comrade Zhengchun, Secretary Zhou has repeatedly emphasized the need to thoroughly investigate this appropriation. The report you submitted is full of loopholes; why don't you report directly to Secretary Zhou?"

Cao Zhengchun's forehead was covered in sweat, and a bitter smile appeared on his face, "Mayor Jiang, this fund spans a long period of time, and many enterprises have already gone bankrupt. I must admit my mistake; I did not make sufficient projections before the appropriation. But this fund was handed over to Suiyuan County to handle, and after the funds were in place, they did indeed achieve good results."

Jiang Jing suddenly interrupted him, her voice as cold as an ice pick.

"As the Finance Bureau Director, you are only responsible for the appropriation, not whether the funds are used for their intended purpose? Whose head do you intend to dump the hat of poor supervision on?"

Cao Zhengchun flushed red and argued: "I have only been in the position of Municipal Finance Bureau Director for two years. Since taking office, I have been trying my best to sort out the previous problems. Although I haven't achieved great results, I have definitely done my utmost."

Jiang Jing brushed off the problem with a few words from Cao Zhengchun, "The five-hundred-million hole must be filled. I only want results."

The corners of Cao Zhengchun's mouth twitched twice, and he stood up with a forced smile: "I will certainly complete the task. If there are no other instructions, I will take my leave."

The moment the door closed heavily, Tang Ye noticed Jiang Jing unconsciously rubbing the edge of the folder with her fingertips.

—This is her habitual action when she is angry.

This seemingly ordinary report was actually a clash of undercurrents between the government's number one and number two.

Tang Ye watched from the side, his heart pounding.

Jiang Jing intended to use the issue to make a point and knock Cao Zhengchun down a peg.

This was mainly because for many things, he bypassed Jiang Jing and reported directly to Xiao Jingyu.

The five-hundred-million hole exposed many problems within the Hanzhou government.

The afternoon sun slanted across the grey-green walls of the Municipal Party School.

Tang Ye stepped into the classroom for the Section Chief-level Study Class.

Among the scattered desks and chairs, he quickly spotted two familiar faces—Chen Ping and Hu Zhongping.

He saw Hu Zhongping chatting warmly with the Class Teacher, his every gesture revealing intimacy.

Before long, he was announced as the Class Monitor for this term's study class.

During the subsequent opening ceremony, Hu Zhongping took the stage as the student representative to speak.

He stood in the center of the podium, his tone rising and falling, speaking eloquently from theoretical insights to work prospects, drawing waves of applause from the audience.

Chen Ping shifted closer to Tang Ye, lightly bumped his shoulder against him, and teased in a low voice, "Judging by this momentum, Hu Zhongping is likely to pocket the title of Excellent Student for this session."

A smile curled at the corners of Tang Ye's mouth as he teased back, "That's not necessarily true; in my view, this title of Excellent Student belongs to none other than you, old Chen."

Chen Ping burst into loud laughter and gave Tang Ye's shoulder a firm pat: "Just for those words, I'm hosting tonight, and you must drink your fill!"

Night fell.

There was a food street around the Party School, where warm yellow lights were lit.

At the dinner party organized by Chen Ping, besides a few familiar students, there were also several unfamiliar faces.

Tang Ye picked up his teacup and took a light sip, his gaze sweeping over everyone without leaving a trace, and he already understood in his heart.

—This dinner party was not as simple as just a meal.