117: Chapter 117 A Dramatic Twist

It was like a sudden, earth-shattering thunderclap out of nowhere!

Secretary Zhao Shaojun was completely stunned!

Once he snapped out of it, he panicked.

As for reporting Qin Chuan's matter to the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department, he tossed it aside for now. No matter how big that matter was, it couldn't compare to his father's situation.

Being placed under 'shuanggui' meant the sky was falling.

The reason Secretary Zhao Shaojun could be so arrogant and overbearing within the system was solely because he had a father who was a departmental-level official.

Now, his father had fallen.

After a brief moment of panic, Secretary Zhao Shaojun immediately dialed his uncle Vice Governor Zhao Xuewen's number. As soon as the call connected, he spoke impatiently.

"Uncle, something happened to my dad..."

"I just found out," Vice Governor Zhao Xuewen's voice was very heavy. "This happened very suddenly, without any warning. Don't panic yet; wait until I find out the specifics."

Hearing that his younger brother had been placed under 'shuanggui', Vice Governor Zhao Xuewen was also shocked!

He was a Vice Governor, and almost all officials in Handong Province knew about this relationship. For his brother to still be placed under 'shuanggui', the reasons behind it were worth pondering.

Years of experience told him that this matter was not simple.

Thus, he quickly utilized his channels and connections to start looking into the matter.

As for Secretary Zhao Shaojun, he naturally no longer had the heart to target Qin Chuan. Only one thought remained in his mind: his father had been placed under 'shuanggui'—was there still hope? Could he make a comeback?

His secretary knocked and entered, reminding him about the Standing Committee meeting.

"Boss, there are only two minutes left until the Standing Committee meeting starts. Most of the committee members have already entered the conference room. You can head over in a moment."

Secretary Zhao Shaojun's expression was grim. He waved his hand irritably and said, "The meeting is canceled. We're not holding it."

The secretary was puzzled, his mind filled with confusion.

What was going on? Not long ago, Secretary Zhao had been in a great mood, unable to hide the joy on his face. In just a short while, he had become like this.

Though confused, he didn't dare to ask. He could only carefully close the office door and go to inform everyone that the meeting was canceled.

In the conference room.

Several members of the Standing Committee had already arrived, such as Organization Minister Sun Zhen, who was a member of the County Party Standing Committee, and Secretary Zeng Xiguang of the Discipline Inspection Commission.

Bad news travels fast, while good news barely leaves the house.

They had already heard about Qin Chuan's situation immediately and guessed that Secretary Zhao Shaojun's sudden notice for a Standing Committee meeting was definitely related to it.

While waiting for the meeting to start, everyone was discussing the matter.

"I never expected Qin Chuan to be so impulsive. He really is a young man!"

"Heh, with such an impulsive act, he's ruined. His life is basically over!"

"What do you think? Besides removing Qin Chuan from his post, what other severe punishments will Secretary Zhao propose?"

"..."

Organization Minister Sun Zhen had not participated in the discussion. After listening for a while, he couldn't help but speak up.

"Watch your words. The matter hasn't been officially characterized yet; nothing is certain."

A Standing Committee member from Secretary Zhao Shaojun's faction said disdainfully, "He was caught in the act by Secretary Zhao himself. Does it even need to be 'characterized'? This is an open-and-shut case!"

Secretary Zeng Xiguang spoke up, "You can't say that. I've looked into this matter, and in my view, there are many suspicious points. For instance, as a party cadre, why would Comrade Qin Chuan assault a female subordinate in his office?"

"And why did Secretary Zhao happen to arrive right when it happened, even having a video camera prepared in advance...?"

After hearing this analysis, Minister Sun Zhen felt it made a lot of sense. He suggested, "Everyone, this concerns a comrade's future. We must be cautious and investigate thoroughly to get to the bottom of it, rather than condemning Comrade Qin Chuan outright."

Secretary Zeng Xiguang raised both hands in agreement. "Minister Sun is right. We cannot jump to conclusions. No disciplinary action should be taken against Comrade Qin Chuan until the matter is fully investigated."

While the committee members were discussing this, Secretary Zhao Shaojun's secretary came over and informed everyone that the meeting was canceled.

Hearing that the meeting was canceled, everyone was surprised. Calling a meeting suddenly and then canceling it just as abruptly—what was going on?

County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong was about to leave his office for the meeting when he also received the cancellation notice. He was also puzzled.

Everything seemed fine, so why was the meeting canceled?

His sixth sense told him that something might have changed.

A few minutes later, his phone rang. It was Qin Chuan calling.

"County Magistrate Zhang, I have some news for you."

"Oh, what news?" County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong was a little surprised. At a time like this, what could the news be?

Qin Chuan said, "The latest news: Secretary Zhao Shaojun's father has committed serious disciplinary violations and has been placed under 'shuanggui' by the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection."

"What?!"

County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong was shocked!

Although he had guessed that Provincial Party Secretary Qin Zhendong wouldn't stand idly by after Secretary Zhao Shaojun framed Qin Chuan, he hadn't expected such thunderous methods—directly placing Zhang Xuelin under 'shuanggui'!

Amidst his shock, he began to feel a sense of awe toward Qin Chuan.

This was the true power of the Provincial Party Secretary's son; whoever provoked him was doomed.

Coming back to his senses, County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong took the initiative and asked, "Comrade Qin Chuan, is there anything you need me to do?"

Qin Chuan said, "Just help me spread this news. Also, I have two videos to send you. If all goes as expected, Secretary Zhao Shaojun will soon be placed under 'shuanggui' by the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection."

Soon, County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong received the two videos sent by Qin Chuan.

Sitting in his office after watching the two videos, County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong thought to himself, 'That idiot Zhao Shaojun didn't even know someone held such ironclad evidence against him. Even if he weren't the son of the Provincial Party Secretary, with this kind of evidence, his time as County Party Secretary would be over.'

With a powerful background, effective methods, and high intelligence—facing such an opponent, there was no way Secretary Zhao Shaojun wouldn't lose.

County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong silently resolved never to have a conflict with Qin Chuan; his main goal in life from now on was to maintain a good relationship with Qin Chuan.

Before long, everyone in the official circles of Dahe Township heard the news: Secretary Zhao Shaojun's father had committed serious disciplinary violations and had been placed under 'shuanggui' by the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection.

It was over, it was all over.

Secretary Zhao Shaojun was basically finished. Even if he wasn't directly implicated, his political career was over.

With a corrupt father, even if he were clean himself, he wouldn't have much of a future in the system. But was Secretary Zhao Shaojun clean? He likely had a mountain of his own dirt.

Soon, another piece of news spread through the official circles of Sanjiang County.

Qin Chuan had been framed.

Secretary Zhao Shaojun and Yang Xiaohui had teamed up to frame Comrade Qin Chuan, aiming to remove him from his position in Dahe Township and replace him with one of Zhao's own people as the top leader there.

There was a major reversal in Qin Chuan's situation.

More and more people believed that Qin Chuan had been framed, and the tide of public opinion quickly shifted in his favor.

Kicking a man while he's down was a practice vividly displayed in the official circles of Sanjiang County. Since Secretary Zhao Shaojun's father had been placed under 'shuanggui' and Zhao Shaojun himself was as good as finished, a wave of negative rumors against him began to surge.