He Lingshi poured a cup of tea, lay down on the sofa, and lit a cigarette.

Looking at the tea on the table, Song Guanchao said, "Is this Mayor He's way of treating guests?"

Only then did He Lingshi look at him, examining him with his eyes, and turned to Lu Zhizhong: "Secretary Lu, who is this?"

"The secretary of Secretary Wu from Lingjiang, Song Guanchao."

He Lingshi was surprised. He had heard of this person's reputation, but it was the first time they met.

"So it's Secretary Song," He Lingshi nodded but still showed no intention of making tea.

Song Guanchao chuckled lightly.

A glimpse reveals the whole picture.

From just this, one could tell that He Lingshi was a typical bureaucrat, skilled at judging people and acting accordingly.

And in He Lingshi's view, no matter how capable Song Guanchao was, a secretary was just a secretary.

No matter how weak Tongzhou City was, it was still a prefecture-level city.

He was the mayor; how could he possibly pour tea for a secretary?

Song Guanchao took out a cigarette, handed one to Secretary Lu, lit his own, and said, "Mayor He, I'm giving you an opportunity."

"Giving me an opportunity?" He Lingshi laughed.

"Send all the termination letters over by tomorrow night."

He Lingshi squinted his eyes: "Secretary Song, you speak big words. What if I don't send them?"

"Don't send them?" Song Guanchao grinned, "Then, as per your wish, I'll blow this matter wide open."

He Lingshi immediately frowned.

This was originally what he used to threaten Lu Zhizhong.

But now, Song Guanchao was threatening him back.

He snorted, "Blow it open, and Lingjiang will only face defeat!"

Song Guanchao was indifferent: "I'm just a secretary. The prosperity or decline of a city has nothing to do with me. If it falls, so be it."

"It's you, Mayor He, tsk tsk, your future is rather worrying."

Seing He Lingshi about to speak, Song Guanchao gave him no chance and said, "The head in Tongzhou is Secretary Lu, not you. The achievements of bringing in hundreds of companies are also Secretary Lu's, not yours."

"Guess what, if Secretary Lu suggested to the province to remove you as mayor and leave the position to a provincial leader's younger affiliate, what do you think the provincial leaders would choose?"

"Mayor He, do you really think you can gain any benefit from this matter?"

He Lingshi's smile suddenly froze.

He hadn't thought so far ahead.

Neither had Lu Zhizhong.

"Blow it to the province?" He Lingshi's face turned vicious: "Fine, go ahead! If you dare, expose it!"

Song Guanchao said, "Mayor He, I didn't come to find you to engage in mutual destruction. I came to solve the problem."

"If you agree, I'll leave now. If not, you won't even need to say it, I'll contact Lingjiang's City Propaganda Department tomorrow and make a big splash."

"At worst, I'll accompany Secretary Wu to Tongzhou to earn more political credit; either way, I don't lose out."

Strike a snake at its weakest spot.

Negotiation is the same.

First, figure out the opponent's weakness, then deliver a fatal blow!

For He Lingshi, his weakness was that his understanding of the situation was far off!

He Lingshi merely thought they wouldn't dare let this situation be exposed.

But even if it truly got exposed, so what?

For Song Guanchao, there was no loss at all.

But for He Lingshi, the loss would be significant.

Once it's exposed, it becomes public.

He Lingshi's advantages would no longer exist.

After all, what is irreplaceable are the hundreds of companies in Lingjiang, not He Lingshi.

As long as Lu Zhizhong cooperates with the provincial leadership, just a casual word could remove He Lingshi from his position.

Would the provincial leadership give up the benefits in hand for one He Lingshi?

Song Guanchao almost wanted to laugh; this He Lingshi really didn't know his limits, daring to meddle in matters of this level without understanding his weight.

He Lingshi's expression fluctuated.

Song Guanchao continued: "Mayor He has quite a list of charges, from embezzlement of public funds, illegal bidding, bribery, personal conduct, you've got every single one."

Finishing a cigarette, Song Guanchao stood up: "Remember, by the end of tomorrow, I want to see all the termination letters."

"Miss one, and be prepared to rot in jail."

Secretary Lu looked appreciatively at Song Guanchao; this young man was quite ruthless and very skilled.

In less than five minutes since entering, he managed to subdue He Lingshi.

Judging by his expression, it was clear that He Lingshi did not dare entertain thoughts of resisting any further.

"Wait!" He Lingshi called him back: "I've already told the provincial leadership about this matter."

"If I dare to issue termination letters, that provincial leader won't let me off!"

Song Guanchao sighed inwardly.

Just as he had suspected, this guy had indeed contacted the provincial leadership.

This was what he least loved to see.

If he hadn't contacted them, then the matter would have ended here.

One He Lingshi was really no obstacle.

But he had contacted them.

This made the entire situation completely different.

The provincial leadership couldn't care less about He Lingshi's fate.

Moreover, as He Lingshi said, if he defected now, neither Song Guanchao nor Lu Zhizhong would have to act; the provincial leader could directly send him to prison.

After all, this was a sure catch, and they couldn't let it go.

Song Guanchao asked, "Which provincial leader?"

He Lingshi hesitated for half a day before speaking: "Vice Governor Lin Daoquan."

Song Guanchao nodded and said lightly, "I'll take care of it."

After saying so, he turned to leave.

As he watched the door close, He Lingshi suddenly seemed deflated, his entire spirit dispirited.

He still wanted to fight, to gamble on a future.

Yet in less than two days, he was beaten back to his original form.

What infuriated him the most was that he was utterly suppressed by a secretary.

He didn't dare utter a single harsh word.

Song Guanchao and Secretary Lu took the stairs down.

Secretary Lu asked, "How do you plan to solve this?"

"I'm just a secretary, I don't have the ability to call on Governor Qu to solve this."

"Can Governor Qu solve it?"

"The issue shouldn't be big."

Back in the car, Song Guanchao said, "The problem with He Lingshi is handled, but he told Lin Daoquan. How is Governor Qu's relationship with this Vice Governor Lin?"

Qu Xiangru didn't answer immediately, seemingly lost in thought.

When the car was almost at the government courtyard, Qu Xiangru said, "Have He Lingshi call and get Lin Daoquan over to Tongzhou City."

Hearing her words, Song Guanchao knew she had a plan.

Secretary Lu nodded and immediately dialed He Lingshi's number, asking him to contact Lin Daoquan to come to Tongzhou City as soon as possible.

By the time Secretary Lu was dropped off at home, it was already nearly four in the morning.

Song Guanchao drove to a hotel: "Two standard rooms, please."

"I'm sorry, we only have one double room left," the attendant apologized.

Song Guanchao felt a flutter in his heart, sneaking a glance at Qu Xiangru.

She remained composed, "Then take the one room."

Song Guanchao was secretly delighted, handing over his ID with a serious and stern facade.

A few minutes later, they took the room key and entered the elevator.

Once they entered the room, Song Guanchao coughed lightly, "Governor Qu, you shower first."

Qu Xiangru nodded, switched to slippers, and walked straight into the bathroom.

Song Guanchao sat on the bed, listening to the sound of running water, feeling an unexpected and nervous sense akin to entering the bridal chamber.

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