"No money?"

Song Guanchao was taken aback.

Zeng Li said, "Besides this situation, I can't think of any other reason that would make a local Finance Bureau proactively seek funds from the Judicial Bureau."

"And..."

"Don't you find it strange? From land acquisition to demolition, and now to demolition compensation... why has Mayor Zheng been constantly involved?"

"Zheng Bihui is, after all, the head of the City Government. Could it be just to irritate Sister Weiwei?"

"Anyway, I've never seen any Mayor waste time and energy on such matters. Explaining it merely as an intention to disgust people seems far-fetched."

"To me, his actions seem more like deliberate delays in project progress, delaying the Finance Bureau's disbursements."

"However..."

Zeng Li furrowed her brow again, "How could the Finance Bureau have no money?"

"I remember the high-speed rail project was something Mayor Zheng applied for from the province, right?"

Song Guanchao nodded.

Zeng Li said, "He's the head of the City Government, in charge of the Finance Bureau, and knows the finances better than anyone. Before applying for the high-speed rail project, he must have checked the fiscal funds. If the money wasn't enough, he couldn't have applied."

"But if the Finance Bureau has money, then why delay? Why seek funds from the Judicial Bureau?"

Zeng Li didn't dare to speak so categorically because she hadn't figured out this aspect clearly yet.

This is a very simple cause-and-effect sequence.

If the Finance Bureau has money, they would apply to build the high-speed rail, which is the cause.

From this cause, it can be inferred backward that the Finance Bureau's money is sufficient to build the high-speed rail.

But since Wu Qiangwei took over the high-speed rail project, Zheng Bihui has been causing trouble and deliberately delaying.

Now, it's come to the point where they need to seek funds from the Judicial Bureau.

All of this makes Zeng Li feel that the Finance Bureau is out of money.

But why would they be out of money?

In the past few months, Lingjiang City hasn't had any large fiscal expenditures.

If that's the case, where's the money?

Where did the money go?

Or, did she analyze it incorrectly?

Zeng Li shook her head and said to herself, "Just looking at Mayor Zheng's behavior and the Finance Bureau's operations, it indeed seems like there's no money. But there haven't been large expenditures in Lingjiang recently, which is a bit contradictory..."

She wasn't sure how much of her analysis was correct or incorrect.

Because it was too contradictory.

After listening to her analysis, Song Guanchao felt his heart sink to the bottom: "The Finance Bureau probably really has no money."

"Huh?" Zeng Li asked, "Do you know something?"

Song Guanchao nodded and said, "Fengmen Building urban redevelopment!"

"A Lingjiang project?"

"Yes, a key city project. I don't know exactly how much investment it requires, but it probably won't be less than building the high-speed rail."

Song Guanchao said, "His disruptions, delays in progress, and withholding demolition compensation are all likely to funnel the money toward the Fengmen Building urban redevelopment project."

Zeng Li asked, "Is this project Mayor Zheng's?"

"It's now being managed by Secretary Lu."

Song Guanchao exhaled, realizing the seriousness of the issue.

If it weren't for Zeng Li's reminder today, he might have taken some more time to learn about this matter.

However, everything now was still just speculation between him and Zeng Li.

To truly confirm this, further investigation was needed.

"I'll report to the Secretary first."

He entered the office and gave a detailed report to Wu Qiangwei about the analysis he just made.

After listening, Wu Qiangwei also realized the severity of the issue.

Song Guanchao's teeth clenched tightly: "No wonder Bao Jianhua, at 53, was willing to step down from a position of real power!"

"Surely Qu Xiangru promised him that as long as he voluntarily retired, they wouldn't hold him accountable."

"No wonder, Secretary, you recommended Gao Liangwei to be the director at the Standing Committee meeting and it was unanimously passed."

"If the Finance Bureau really doesn't have money, the position of director is a hot potato! Whoever takes it will be responsible!"

At the time, he was puzzled about how Bao Jianhua could give up being the head of the Finance Bureau.

Moreover, how could Qu Xiangru, who had always wanted the Finance Bureau, so easily hand it over?

They surely knew long ago that the Finance Bureau was out of money, which is why they withdrew in time and distanced themselves.

"Secretary!"

Song Guanchao said, "I suggest letting Secretary Wang investigate Bao Jianhua!"

"This guy definitely has issues!"

"Despite knowing the financial strain, he still kept it hidden before the high-speed rail and Fengmen Building urban redevelopment projects were put on the agenda!"

"Now he's leaving behind such a mess but wants to get away cleanly; he's dreaming!"

Wu Qiangwei shook her head, "We can't arrest. Arresting won't help."

Song Guanchao said, "Even if it doesn't help, he must be arrested!"

Wu Qiangwei smiled wryly, "And what then if we do?"

"His issues might not be severe. At most, it's dereliction of duty, even if there's embezzlement, it's just dismissal from public office."

"Do you think he cares about a public office position?"

"Besides, he's already retired."

Wu Qiangwei sighed.

Going back to old debts of retired officials within the system is quite a negative act.

If the issues are severe, they must be handled, serving as a warning!

But since Qu Xiangru dared to have him retire, he surely understood his specific situation.

Bao Jianhua definitely has problems but not so severe.

It's merely about taking some money and having suspicions of dereliction of duty.

Under such conditions, reviewing retired standard-level officials would have a very negative impact.

"Too much purity leaves no fish."

You can fight corruption, but the aim is to set an example and give the public an explanation, not just arrest indiscriminately.

Song Guanchao remained silent.

He knew Wu Qiangwei was right.

"Let's not speculate here whether the Finance Bureau has money or not, you can go and find out."

"If there's no money... think of a solution then."

"Okay."

Leaving the office, Zeng Li asked, "What did Sister Weiwei say?"

"I'm going to the Finance Bureau."

"Want me to accompany you?"

"No need, I'll tell you if there's anything."

"Okay, drive safely on the way."

She could tell that at this moment, Song Guanchao was like a powder keg that could explode at any moment.

As he went downstairs, Song Guanchao sent a text message to Gao Liangwei, informing him that he was on his way there now.

Half an hour later, he arrived at the Finance Bureau.

Gao Liangwei, who was just promoted to Director, held a meeting and was feeling quite pleased at the moment.

During the meeting, the attitudes of several deputy directors were exceptionally polite, unlike before.

The sudden change in his status made him feel a bit dizzy.

But he knew he couldn't afford to float now.

This period right after taking office is the most dangerous, and he must practice strict self-discipline, leaving no room for any mishaps.

Since the public announcement of his appointment, the phone calls have been incessant every day.

The heads of various departments called to congratulate him and invite him for meals.

Once sparsely visited, now it was bustling.

The phrase "Wealth brings distant relatives, poverty brings few neighbors" from the books had never made more sense than it did today.

But he knew that his success today wasn't due to his outstanding abilities; he simply caught the eye of Secretary Wu.

Because of this, he was more sober-minded, reminding himself to be cautious in all matters, not giving in to reckless conduct.

Song Guanchao knocked on the door and entered, and Gao Liangwei stood up to greet his benefactor: "Secretary Song."

He personally poured some tea, and just as he sat down, he heard Song Guanchao say, "Director Gao, could you please check the bureau's finances?"

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