Official Career Storm

Song Guanchao's intense gaze made Wu Qiangwei a bit uncomfortable.

She made a gesture of brushing her hair back and said calmly, "You're my secretary. Raising your rank earlier will be beneficial for me."

Song Guanchao chuckled knowingly.

"Secretary, I'll head back first. You should rest early."

"Hmm."

Over the next two days, Song Guanchao used his connections and various investigations but couldn't find a single clue related to it.

The entire Lingjiang City remained calm and quiet.

What Tang Zhengqiang mentioned, something that could affect the paths of the top leaders, Song Guanchao found no trace of it at all.

Had he not dealt with Tang Zhengqiang before, he would have really suspected if this guy was just messing with him.

Seeing that the agreed two days were about to end, he still hadn't found any useful information. It seemed he could only buy it.

After work, he followed Wu Qiangwei to the parking lot and said, "I'll meet Tang Zhengqiang later, and I'll need the Secretary to transfer the money then."

Wu Qiangwei smiled brightly, "I'll wait for your call."

The last time it cost five million, and it was Wu Qiangwei who provided the money.

But that time, after all, involved Wu Qiangwei's own interests.

This time is different.

According to Tang Zhengqiang, it was the top two who were affected.

Wu Qiangwei, being the third, might also be affected, but not significantly.

Moreover, once obtaining this information, Song Guanchao would be the biggest beneficiary.

This essentially meant, Wu Qiangwei's ten million was spent on him.

This gave Song Guanchao a feeling of living off a woman.

He gritted his teeth, feeling somewhat strange inside.

He got into his car, contacted Lu Feng to bring Tang Zhengqiang over, and then headed towards the club.

At the club, Song Guanchao and Lu Feng sat on the sofa eating sunflower seeds.

After about an hour, Lu Feng received a call; Tang Zhengqiang had arrived.

The two of them put on their masks, and shortly thereafter, Tang Zhengqiang walked in.

He sat down and, before Song Guanchao could speak, said first, "Looks like the boss has decided."

Song Guanchao took out his phone, found Wu Qiangwei's number, and called, saying, "The money will be transferred to your previous account in the form of encrypted currency."

"Fifty million," Tang Zhengqiang said.

Song Guanchao paused and immediately hung up, "What do you mean?"

Tang Zhengqiang said, "The price has gone up. If the boss still wants this information, you need to pay me fifty million."

Under the mask, Song Guanchao squinted his eyes.

In just two days, the price went from ten million to fifty million.

Does this guy think money is just paper?

At the same time, he was even more curious about what kind of information this guy was selling to him.

"Ten million," Song Guanchao said. "If you agree, I'll transfer the money now."

Tang Zhengqiang shook his head, "Fifty million, not a penny less. In fact, the value of this information far exceeds fifty million. But selling it to you, the boss, I don't have to take on the risk. If I were willing to take some risks, the benefits I'd gain would far exceed fifty million."

Song Guanchao held his phone, remaining silent.

Lu Feng widened his eyes, thinking this guy was absolutely crazy.

Fifty million, he really dares to ask!

Seeing that Song Guanchao hadn't spoken for a long time, Tang Zhengqiang said, "At the latest tonight, if the boss hasn't decided, this deal is off."

He stood up and left the private room.

After he left, Lu Feng whispered, "Boss, should we catch him?"

"No need."

The other party dared to see him, he must have considered all possible scenarios.

He took off the mask and lit a cigarette.

Fifty million is no small number.

The family behind Wu Qiangwei indeed has money, and fifty million is something they can afford.

But for Wu Qiangwei, spending fifty million to buy information that doesn't greatly benefit her is still quite a burden.

He thought for a few minutes and ultimately decided to give up.

He left the club, got into his car, and dialed Wu Qiangwei's number.

"Secretary, the other party decided not to sell."

"Why?"

She had already prepared the money, ready to transfer at any time.

Yet that was the message she received.

"No reason, just not selling anymore."

"Is he trying to raise the price?"

"Unclear." Song Guanchao said, "If they don't sell, then let's save some money."

"During this period, I'll be keeping an eye on the situation in Lingjiang City."

"If what he says is true, with even the slightest signs, it won't go unnoticed."

Wu Qiangwei acknowledged, if they don't want to sell, there is no way to force them.

But this matter, like a thorn stuck in her throat, made it hard for her to ignore.

...

In the evening.

Jiang Yuan suddenly received a call, a call from the province.

The call was from Tian Kai Ming, the Provincial Committee's Deputy Secretary, the third-ranking official in Nanjiang Province.

"Hello, Secretary Tian."

"Mayor Jiang, am I disturbing you?" Secretary Tian spoke warmly.

Jiang Yuan's connections in the province were with Secretary Tian.

However, the two did not have a very close relationship.

Jiang Yuan seldom needed to trouble Secretary Tian, being merely aligned with Secretary Tian's faction.

Therefore, seeing a call from Secretary Tian, Jiang Yuan knew there must be something requiring his attention.

"Secretary Tian, whatever you say, my time is meant for listening to the leadership's instructions. What can I do for you?"

If Song Guanchao heard his words, he'd probably be wide-eyed with surprise.

Jiang Yuan had always appeared mild-mannered, but he was assertive at heart.

Yet at this moment, facing Secretary Tian, he showed such a deferential side.

This manner of flattery came so naturally.

Secretary Tian said, "Governor Hou is about to retire, have you heard?"

Jiang Yuan was quite surprised; he really didn't know about this matter.

He was also curious as to why Secretary Tian was telling him this.

His mind started working, soon arriving at some speculation.

With Governor Hou's retirement, only a few people were candidates for the governor position.

Director Zhang from the National Development and Reform Commission, Executive Deputy Governor Qu Xiangru, the top leaders in Provincial City Jiangzhou,

and Deputy Secretary Tian from the Provincial Committee!

In terms of seniority, Secretary Tian had the best chance.

Could it be because of this?

However, he didn't quite understand why he was being contacted.

In such matters, what role could he, a mere Vice Mayor of Lingjiang City, possibly play?

"Secretary Tian, is there anything you need me to do?" he asked.

Secretary Tian chuckled, not giving a direct answer, but said, "Director Zhang from the National Development and Reform Commission will not participate this time. Over on the Provincial City side, I've already given a heads-up."

"It's just with Governor Qu's side, I haven't really communicated much."

"You know, Governor Qu is young, capable, and also the Executive Deputy Governor. She has a fairly good chance."

Jiang Yuan almost immediately understood the purpose of Secretary Tian's call.

He hoped Jiang Yuan could subtly hinder Qu Xiang!

Jiang Yuan hesitated, considering Qu Xiang was an Executive Deputy Governor: "Secretary Tian, Governor Qu is quite young, shouldn't her chances be minimal?"

Secretary Tian said, "Nowadays, there's a push for younger cadres. Her chances are still quite good. Moreover, she herself has shown such intentions; otherwise, why do you think she's also holding the top position in Lingjiang?"