Zheng Bihui's words made the hesitant committee members instantly clear-minded.

Indeed.

If he is willing to shoulder this matter, then let him carry it.

Jiang Yuan and Minister Zhou didn't rush to sign.

After pondering for a few minutes, they finally signed their names.

Jiang Yuan put down the pen and asked: "Is there anything I need to do?"

"Yes."

"Go ahead."

"First, relieve Director Qin from his duties."

Jiang Yuan raised an eyebrow, this young guy is already thinking about dismissing Director Qin even before becoming the task force leader?

Jiang Yuan asked: "Is Director Qin colluding with Secretary Lu?"

"Not clear at the moment."

Song Guanchao said: "Relieving him is purely for operational convenience."

"I don't want any obstruction during my investigation."

Jiang Yuan nodded: "No problem."

Song Guanchao said: "Furthermore, I have a suggestion for all the leaders."

"Do not let outsiders know about this matter, especially the provincial level."

"Once the information reaches the province, it will be beyond saving."

"The resources Secretary Lu took away are a big piece of meat, and the leaders should understand my point."

"Mayor Jiang and Minister Zhou need to pay close attention in this regard."

Song Guanchao's reminders startled them.

Jiang Yuan and Minister Zhou glanced at the other committee members.

These two are the most powerful members of the local faction.

"Everyone, let this matter stay within us."

"Until the issue is resolved, if I find out anyone leaking information, don't blame me for disregarding camaraderie."

The committee members solemnly nodded.

It was the first time Song Guanchao saw Jiang Yuan speak to his peers in such a tone.

He knows Jiang Yuan has deep roots locally; now it seems he underestimated him.

Jiang Yuan turned his gaze to Song Guanchao: "I will notify downwards; municipal units will fully cooperate with Secretary Song. If anyone doesn't cooperate, let me know."

This matter affects Jiang Yuan and Minister Zhou the most; they are now tightly bound with Song Guanchao.

Song Guanchao is helping them, so they naturally need to help him clear obstacles.

"Thank you, Mayor Jiang."

Song Guanchao said: "Now, there is still a matter that requires the cooperation of all leaders."

He picked up a file recording all the companies and said: "Currently, we know of 177 companies."

"Everyone carefully review which companies you have connections with and mark them."

"Then contact them, ask them to come back, and try everything possible to keep them temporarily in Lingjiang."

"Oh, and don't contact Futong Company, I will handle it."

Everyone bowed their heads to look at the files; at times like this, they couldn't care less about exposing their interest connections with these companies.

They grabbed pens and started marking.

In ten minutes, they had each claimed some companies.

Song Guanchao said: "Leaders, please go back."

Everyone stood up, left the meeting room with nervousness.

Song Guanchao stepped forward and found Jiang Yuan: "Mayor Jiang."

Jiang Yuan saw his expression and knew he wanted to speak privately.

Others wisely left, leaving the space for them.

After the others left, Song Guanchao said: "Mayor Jiang, don't inform Secretary Zhang about this."

Jiang Yuan thought for a moment and understood his intention.

Jiang Yuan and Zhang Xiaoxian both belong to the local faction but have essential differences.

Jiang Yuan is purely local, his connections, his fundamental interests, are all rooted in Lingjiang.

The life and death of Lingjiang directly relate to him.

Zhang Xiaoxian is different.

His network spans several nearby cities.

In other words, even if Lingjiang doesn't work out for him, he can move to another place.

Once he knows, he may not necessarily stand on the same front as Jiang Yuan and others.

He might even use the information for a fresh start in another city.

Whether Lingjiang thrives or perishes matters little to him.

Jiang Yuan nodded, indicating he understood.

"Secretary Song, is there really no way?"

"There are some ideas, but no guarantee they will work."

"If necessary, call me."

"Certainly."

After Jiang Yuan left, Song Guanchao said: "Secretary, Mr. Liang, we'll need your help next."

The two acknowledged, and Liang Jianfeng summoned the task force members and publicly announced Song Guanchao's acquittal.

He listed Zhu Qiushui as the primary suspect and initiated an investigation.

Originally, Liang Jianfeng intended to list Secretary Lu as a suspect as well.

But Song Guanchao felt it wasn't necessary for now.

Without direct evidence, the most one can do is detain someone for 37 days.

Secretary Lu could endure and scheme such a grand plan for two to three years, it's impossible to find evidence against him in a short time.

In other words, capturing him would be pointless.

Most importantly, Secretary Lu is currently in Tongzhou City.

Without decisive evidence, arresting him is nearly impossible.

The provincial level wouldn't approve.

It could alert him prematurely and cause unnecessary attention.

After being released, Song Guanchao arrived at a small meeting room.

Jiang Yiren was waiting for a long time.

Upon seeing Song Guanchao arrive, she was confused for a moment and asked: "Why is it you?"

Song Guanchao closed the door and said: "Director Yang of the Tax Bureau is dead."

"Ah?"

In mere minutes, Jiang Yiren was shocked twice.

"How did he die?"

"Murder." Song Guanchao continued to drop bombshells: "His wife and children died too."

Jiang Yiren was utterly baffled, took a long time to ask: "Why did you call me over?"

Song Guanchao dropped another bombshell: "It was done by Zhu Qiushui."

Jiang Yiren's small mouth slightly opened, she wanted to say it's impossible.

But her instincts told her that Song Guanchao doesn't make baseless assertions.

"That day I came to pick you up, Zhu Qiushui acted heroically, remember?"

"Yes."

"That dinner was arranged by her in collaboration with Director Feng to deliberately get close to you."

"How could it be..."

Jiang Yiren felt it was absurd.

She hasn't known Zhu Qiushui for long, but during their interactions, she felt positively about her.

It's unbelievable that Zhu Qiushui deliberately approached her.

"After that, she's been in contact with you, hasn't she?"

"Yes."

"Tell me, during her contact with you, did she say anything, asked you to do anything, like suggest something work-related to you."

Jiang Yiren tried hard to recall; luckily, it wasn't long ago, she remembered things clearly.

Listening to her narration, Song Guanchao became more certain Secretary Lu specifically let Wu Qiangwei handle the creation.

Subsequently, let these reports be transferred to the tax and industry sectors through creation.

In this way, outsiders—even Song Guanchao and Wu Qiangwei—would see these reports as entirely normal.

There wouldn't be any connections made to Secretary Lu.

Fortunately, Jiang Yiren was clear-headed and narrated everything encountered in the creation to Song Guanchao.

"For now, don't speak of this to outsiders."

"If Zhu Qiushui contacts you later, continue to interact with her as usual and let me know."

"Okay."

Jiang Yiren left the division in a daze.

Director Yang died, and it was Zhu Qiushui who did it.

But why did she do it?

…

Wu Qiangwei and Liang Jianfeng personally went to the Provincial Committee Building, where Qu Xiangru was waiting in advance.

The three walked into Secretary Gao's office and handed over the two files.

On the face of Secretary Gao, which is always calm and composed, there now added a touch of gravity.

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