Song Guanchao heard this and his heart sank.

"What's going on?"

"They don't listen to me!"

"Who doesn't listen?"

"Tongzhou City Mayor, He Lingshi."

Lu Zhizhong said in a solemn voice, "He doesn't want to miss this opportunity."

No need to say more, Song Guanchao already understood what he meant.

Lu Zhizhong and He Lingshi had been in contact for a while, and He Lingshi was already aware of the company relocation matters.

For He Lingshi, having so many companies settle in Nanyuan County would be enough to bring Nanyuan County's economy to a level of national attention in a short period.

And his status would also rise rapidly.

For Tongzhou City, a city with a sluggish economy, without some opportunities, it would be almost impossible for him to advance as a mayor.

Lu Zhizhong's arrival gave him hope.

But now, Lu Zhizhong wants to send these companies back.

This would ruin He Lingshi's political future.

Naturally, he is unwilling.

Lu Zhizhong had been in Tongzhou City for just over a week, yet he could already dictate terms, relying on these companies.

Now, with the companies gone, He Lingshi showed him no respect.

His authority as a leader was completely undermined.

Song Guanchao asked, "Who's backing He Lingshi?"

"No one," Lu Zhizhong said. "But he's using this to threaten me, saying if I don't cooperate, he'll expose the matter to the provincial level."

Lu Zhizhong was very annoyed.

These companies were his leverage in establishing himself in Tongzhou City.

Now, however, they have turned into a constraint.

Song Guanchao asked, "Does He Lingshi have any dirt on him?"

Lu Zhizhong is a smart person who has been planning for more than two years, indicating his deep shrewdness.

For him, before choosing a city, he would inevitably conduct some investigations into it.

And ensure the ability to fully control the main leaders of the city.

In other words, he must have dirt on He Lingshi that could influence his career at any time.

Without this assurance, he wouldn't dare to easily transfer these companies.

After all, without controlling a city, these hundreds of companies in his hands would be like a child carrying gold through a busy market, always at risk of being completely swallowed.

Lu Zhizhong said, "Yes, but he doesn't care."

"Doesn't care?"

Song Guanchao thought for a moment and understood what Lu Zhizhong meant.

This Mayor He is taking a gamble!

If he wins, his future is bright, his career unimpeded!

If he loses, he'll just be stuck in Tongzhou City for life.

Song Guanchao asked, "How many termination letters have been sent so far?"

"None," Lu Zhizhong said. "As soon as he found out, he immediately called it off."

Song Guanchao asked, "Which provincial leader has he contacted?"

Lu Zhizhong said, "Not yet, he's just threatening me..."

"Secretary Lu!" Song Guanchao raised his voice: "Do you believe such words?"

"Does he dare to make such a decision without contacting provincial leaders? Do you think he hasn't already exposed it? Without exposing it, would he dare to ignore the dirt you hold on him?"

"Without the guarantee of provincial leaders, would he dare to be so reckless?"

It's known that the dirt Lu Zhizhong holds is enough to bring him down immediately.

But he's not afraid.

Why isn't he afraid?

Clearly, he has already communicated with provincial leaders, and certainly told this provincial leader about the dirt in Lu Zhizhong's hands.

The provincial leader must have assured him of no repercussions.

Otherwise, how could he, a mayor of a economically sluggish prefecture-level city, have the audacity to be so arrogant?

Saying that he hasn't reported to the province is just to confuse Lu Zhizhong.

Lu Zhizhong gave a slight start and understood the key points.

He sighed lightly.

Ever since suffering a setback at the hands of Song Guanchao the previous day, his energy and spirit had plummeted, to the point that he couldn't even judge such basic situations and needed Song Guanchao's reminder.

"Let me ask."

"Don't ask, I'll go there now, and you come with me to see He Lingshi."

After hanging up, Song Guanchao changed into clean clothes, grabbed a coat, and walked out.

He drove to the guesthouse, calling Qu Xiangru on the way.

He got through on the second try.

"What's up?" The cold voice made Song Guanchao a bit uncomfortable.

"There's an issue in Tongzhou City."

Song Guanchao discussed the key points with her and finally said, "Governor Qu, you'd better come with me."

"Pick me up."

"Ten minutes."

Ten minutes later, he arrived at the guesthouse, where Qu Xiangru was already waiting in the lobby.

Seeing him arrive, she walked out of the guesthouse and got into the passenger seat.

She had changed into jeans, a slim-fitting style that tightly encased her long legs, with rounded and perky hips.

On top, she wore a silk white shirt topped with a black trench coat.

It hadn't snowed yet this year in January, but the temperature was anything but low.

Song Guanchao set the air conditioning to the highest and turned on seat heating.

Qu Xiangru noticed these details and a slight arc formed at the corner of her mouth.

"Are you going to have me talk directly with Mayor He?"

Song Guanchao shook his head: "You don't need to reveal yourself for now."

"He Lingshi definitely informed the provincial level, but we don't know which leader yet."

"We'll find out when we get there and see if you're familiar with the leader."

"If you are, try to handle it."

Qu Xiangru is the Executive Deputy Governor, and Song Guanchao wasn't sure how much real power she had as the nominal fourth in command of Nanjiang Province.

Whether she held actual power or was marginalized.

But anyway, she'd been in the province for so long, she should be quite familiar with provincial leaders.

Qu Xiangru chuckled lightly, "You're giving me too much credit."

Song Guanchao glanced at her and said, "Do your best."

This issue arose too suddenly.

But actually, this whole situation could have been avoided.

If Lu Zhizhong had been a bit more cautious, or found an excuse, he wouldn't have caught He Lingshi's attention at all.

But it's happened now, and dwelling on it is meaningless.

It was already early morning, and the highway was empty.

What usually takes over three hours should now take until two in the morning at this speed.

Qu Xiangru seemed a bit drowsy and fell asleep after driving for more than half an hour.

At 2:20 a.m., Song Guanchao arrived in Tongzhou City.

Lu Zhizhong had sent a location ahead of time, and he went straight to the government compound, where Lu Zhizhong lived.

Qu Xiangru had also woken up.

Lu Zhizhong was waiting at the door early. Seeing the vehicle approaching, he walked over, wrapped in a plain-colored down coat.

After the vehicle stopped, Song Guanchao rolled down the window: "Get in, sit in the back."

Lu Zhizhong got into the car and realized there was another person in the front seat.

Upon recognition, he exclaimed, "Governor Qu?"

"Hello, Secretary Lu." Qu Xiangru smiled and greeted.

He Lingshi didn't live in the government compound but resided outside.

A few minutes later, the car drove into a high-end community three kilometers outside the government compound.

After parking in the underground garage, Song Guanchao said, "Governor Qu, please wait in the car, and I'll go up with Secretary Lu."

It wasn't the time for Qu Xiangru to appear yet.

The two of them went upstairs, came to the door, and knocked lightly.

Soon, a man nearing fifty opened the door.

"Secretary Lu, it's so late, is there something you need?"

He Lingshi asked while walking towards the living room, completely ignoring Song Guanchao beside him, as if he were just a puff of air.

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