Official Career Storm

After leaving the Military District Guesthouse, the two headed to the City Committee.

Qu Xiangru is now the top leader in Lingjiang, and they hoped he could mediate the situation.

"Governor Qu, can you talk to the Military District, and transfer the case to the local judicial authorities for handling, what do you think?"

Qu Xiangru waited calmly for them to finish speaking and then said, "Governor Li, do you know what happened last night?"

"I know, two children accidentally collided with two commanders."

Qu Xiangru smiled lightly, "If it was just an accidental collision, it wouldn't be too serious. But this wasn't a simple collision."

"This matter is related to Fengmen Building's demolition."

"It seems like you don't understand, let me explain briefly."

She carefully shared the detailed sequence of events and their purpose in visiting Fengmen Building last night.

"Your sons wanted to assault the old comrades of the two commanders."

"This veteran merely made normal requests, but the demolition team retaliated overnight."

"This matter can be big or small."

"If Commander Chen really pursues it, even I would be affected."

"The central authority has repeatedly ordered absolute prohibition against forced demolitions, forbidding police involvement in demolitions. But this prohibited action occurred in Lingjiang."

"If the case escalates to higher authorities, even as the newly appointed City Secretary, I would face punishment."

At this point, Qu Xiangru's face turned cold, "Governor Li, Director Zhang, can you tell me, were you aware of this beforehand?"

The two, having understood the sequence of events, realized the situation was worse than they had imagined.

Moreover, Qu Xiangru was beginning to suspect that they were intentionally causing trouble.

Governor Li said, "Governor Qu, I was absolutely unaware of this matter."

Zhang Jie also assured him, "Governor Qu, this was an accident; no one would use such a situation for leverage."

Qu Xiangru responded with a sound, "I also hope it's an accident."

"You should go back; I will try to contact the Military District. But I don't guarantee that Commander Chen will meet me."

The two opened their mouths but knew further talk was futile.

In this matter, they were extremely passive.

Moreover, now they had offended not just the two commanders of the Military District but also subtly offended Qu Xiangru.

As they stood up to leave, Qu Xiangru suddenly added, "The son of General Pei is Secretary Pei of Jiangnan Province. Yesterday, your sons pinned down Secretary Pei's father, scraping his face."

Their bodies trembled, their minds almost dizzy.

Damn!

They had yet another person they had offended!

If Ji Lin and Li Qingtang were in front of them, they would definitely have kicked them hard.

They truly caused too much trouble!

The people involved, each of them with such high positions!

…

Military District.

Chen Songbai and Pei Rongguang were in the living room, accompanying Zhong Aimin.

Chen Songbai said, "Old Leader, I will report your situation to the higher-ups."

Zhong Aimin waved his hand, "It's all in the past; I'm doing quite well now."

"Once the house is demolished, I'll have a couple million for retirement without a problem."

"Old Leader…"

"Xiao Chen." Pei Rongguang shook his head at him, "If Old Zhong doesn't want to leave, let him stay."

Chen Songbai sighed heavily.

He hoped Zhong Aimin could get what he deserved.

If Zhong Aimin hadn't left back then, he would at least have retired from the general position.

But now, he is just an ordinary old man with a shabby little shop.

Chen Songbai said, "Since the Old Leader doesn't want to go back, then stay! I'll definitely solve this matter for you! As long as you don't want demolition, no one can demolish!"

Zhong Aimin shook his head, "The military doesn't interfere with local government affairs; you're still in office, so don't meddle, lest it affects your future."

Chen Songbai opened his mouth, initially wanting to say that even if it affected his future, he would resolve it.

But he calmed down and thought carefully; this isn't about affecting his future.

It's about the fact that he truly may not be able to resolve it.

He's the commander, no doubt, with prestige, great power.

But this power is limited to the military system.

He can't interfere with local government work and has no reason to do so.

He could easily take action, detaining those who dared to offend him yesterday.

There are regulations for doing so.

But he simply couldn't interfere with the local government's engineering projects.

Chen Songbai frowned, falling silent.

Suddenly, he remembered what Song Guanchao said last night.

"Old Leader." Chen Songbai looked up, asked, "Who is this Song Guanchao?"

Zhong Aimin replied, "Didn't he say, he's working at the City Committee."

Chen Songbai asked, "Did he serve in the army?"

He always felt the name Song Guanchao was familiar, but he couldn't remember.

The only reason for familiarity would be that the person served in the army.

He must have heard this name in the military.

Zhong Aimin nodded, "He did."

Chen Songbai grabbed the phone and dialed a number, "Secretary Yang, help me look into someone."

Ten minutes later, Secretary Yang called back.

"Commander, Song Guanchao's file is top-secret; I don't have the authority to access it."

"Top-secret?" Chen Songbai was surprised, "What military district did he serve in?"

"Nanjiang Military District."

"Got it."

Chen Songbai found Commander Zeng's number from the Nanjiang Military District and dialed it.

"Commander Zeng, hello, I want to ask you about someone."

"Go ahead."

"Song Guanchao."

"Haha." Commander Zeng suddenly laughed, "What, Old Chu looked for him back then, and now you're here for him too?"

Inside, Chen Songbai was stirred, familiarity with Song Guanchao's name surged in his heart.

He remembered.

Back then, when Commander Chu was in office, he once sought a person from Nanjiang Military District, but Commander Zeng didn't let him go.

This matter was known to only a few high-level insiders.

When Commander Chu retired, they talked about it over drinks.

According to Commander Chu, back then, he wasn't the only one seeking someone from Nanjiang Military District; other districts had sought him too.

Moreover, it wasn't for free; they offered some benefits in exchange.

Yet, despite this, Commander Zeng didn't release the person.

And the person that several districts competed over was Song Guanchao!

It was him!

Chen Songbai felt puzzled, how could this military prodigy retire to be a mere secretary at the City Committee?

With the importance those military big shots attached to him back then, as long as his career path didn't deviate, he would at least start as a Major General.

Chen Songbai expressed his doubts, Commander Zeng said, "He retired normally, didn't make mistakes."

Normal retirement?

Did he choose not to be an officer, believing a political career to be more promising?

After hanging up the phone, Chen Songbai asked, "Old Leader, do you have Song Guanchao's number?"

"Do you want to see him?"

Chen Songbai said, "I have some questions for him."