190: Chapter 190 Mayor Zhang Qun

The Standing Committee members who had always remained neutral felt their eyes light up one by one.

Was Deputy Secretary Liu going to go against Secretary Qin in their very first Standing Committee meeting?

When the previous Secretary was in office, Liu Yu had often done this and usually held the upper hand; was he now preparing to trample the new Secretary underfoot as well?

The neutral committee members looked on like spectators watching a drama, while those in Liu Yu's faction were as excited as if they had been injected with chicken blood, eager and ready to charge into the fray at any moment.

And what about Qin Chuan?

His expression turned cold.

“Deputy Secretary Liu, as a state cadre, you are the second person to make excuses for a murderer. The first was Yuan Hui, who has already been taken away for investigation.”

“You...”

Liu Yu's face flushed red with anger!

Yuan Hui was taken away for investigation—are you implying that I, Liu Yu, will also be taken away for investigation!?

Qin Chuan cast a contemptuous glance at Liu Yu. “There is no need to discuss Shangguan Bao's matter further. No one should think about pleading for him; he will certainly face the full punishment of the law.”

The Director of the Organization Department, Ling Yun, was part of Liu Yu's faction and a frequent guest at Master Wang Sen's residence. He stood up at this moment.

“Secretary Qin, Shangguan Bao is a disciple of Master Wang Sen. Since we are investigating and intend to interrogate him, shouldn't we first communicate with Master Wang?”

Qin Chuan sneered, “Director Ling Yun, we are a county-level state political organ. Do we need to communicate with a charlatan? Shouldn't we act strictly according to the law?”

“This...”

Ling Yun was speechless and naturally furious. Qin Chuan had actually called Master Wang a charlatan in front of so many people. If these words reached Master Wang's ears, you would be finished.

Both Liu Yu and Ling Yun were rebuffed so sharply they had nothing left to say.

The others found it hard to say anything. Throughout the entire Standing Committee meeting, Qin Chuan's authority was fully manifested as he made a series of deployments and arrangements.

County Mayor Sheng Huaian also supported Qin Chuan with a clear and firm stance.

During the meeting, Liu Yu jumped out again to say a few things but was rebuked by Sheng Huaian until he had almost no dignity left, slinking away in disgrace.

After the meeting ended, some people realized that something was slightly unusual.

Secretary Qin Chuan is very strong-willed!

Should they move closer to him and change their long-held neutral stance?

Others thought to themselves: let's see, let's wait a bit longer. Wang Sen is still there; can Secretary Qin Chuan really defeat him?

Not long after the meeting adjourned and Qin Chuan had entered his office, Director Hu Bing came in.

“Secretary, Liu Yu and Ling Yun left together. I suspect they are likely heading to Wang Sen's residence.”

Qin Chuan nodded; this was within his expectations.

In the meeting just now, he had made a series of deployments and arrangements, many specifically targeting Shangguan Bao and even subtly alluding to Wang Sen. It would be abnormal if the two of them didn't go to Wang Sen.

It wouldn't matter if they went. He truly didn't care about a charlatan, even if the man had a powerful background and connections.

“Director Hu, I have a task for you.”

“Secretary, please say the word.”

“Go and check whether Wang Sen's residence has legal permits. Find out the truth for me.”

Such a large residence, reportedly over two hundred mu, located right in the city center with its entrance on the county's most prosperous main street—Qin Chuan guessed it likely lacked legal construction permits because private housing of such a large area wouldn't be approved.

Hu Bing's eyes lit up. He was a clever man and immediately understood the implication. He said with a hint of excitement, “Understood, I will go check right away.”

After a few more words, as Hu Bing was preparing to suggest candidates for a secretary, Qin Chuan's phone rang.

The call was from Zhang Qun, the Mayor of Ningzhou City.

“Comrade Qin Chuan, do you have time? Come over to my place for a bit.”

The other party was the Mayor and was calling personally; even if he didn't have time, he had to say he did. Qin Chuan immediately said, “Mayor Zhang, I'll be right over.”

After hanging up, Qin Chuan waved his hand and said, “Prepare the car. Arrange for Driver Peng Tianhao. I need to go to Mayor Zhang's place now.”

Hu Bing hurried to call the motor pool.

The matter of the secretary would have to be pushed back.

County leaders all had dedicated secretaries, referred to externally as correspondents, but they essentially played the role of a secretary.

Hu Bing had already selected a few candidates and organized their information in a folder, intending to discuss it. Now he could only wait until Secretary Qin returned.

Under normal conditions, it took about an hour to get from Wanshun County to Ningzhou City. Peng Tianhao drove both fast and steadily, arriving at the Municipal Government office entrance in less than fifty minutes.

Qin Chuan knocked and entered the Mayor's office.

“Mayor Zhang, you wanted to see me.”

Zhang Qun nodded, gestured for Qin Chuan to sit, and then asked with an air of great concern, “Comrade Qin Chuan, how is the matter in Jinshi Township being handled?”

Instinct told him that Mayor Zhang specifically calling him over wasn't as simple as asking about Jinshi Township.

Qin Chuan gave a brief report, “Shangguan Bao and the others have been brought back, and an in-depth investigation into the related criminal issues is underway...”

After listening to the report, Zhang Qun said slowly, “I didn't expect things to develop to this extent. Shangguan Bao was impulsive. Secretary Qin, is it possible to handle this with as much leniency as possible?”

Hearing this, Qin Chuan was slightly stunned.

Judging by this posture, the Mayor himself was acting as a lobbyist. This Wang Sen really has a lot of influence!

To be able to get Zhang Qun to intervene, their relationship was certainly not simple!

Qin Chuan truly hadn't expected Zhang Qun to be in league with Wang Sen. It was too surprising—this was the Mayor of a prefecture-level city after all.

“Mayor Zhang, then how do you think it should be handled specifically?”

Zhang Qun said, “How to handle it is for you to decide. I'm just offering a bit of personal opinion. I heard Shangguan Bao committed negligent homicide; I suggest handling it as negligent homicide.”

He was trying to have it both ways.

Demanding it be handled as negligent homicide while saying they should decide for themselves and that it was only his personal opinion.

If it were anyone else, since the Mayor had spoken, they would certainly comply obediently.

Qin Chuan was different. You said this is your personal opinion, so we can choose not to adopt it.

“Mayor, I'm afraid it will be very difficult to handle it as negligent homicide. Our preliminary investigation found that Shangguan Bao's issues are extremely serious. I estimate that being executed two or three times over would be letting him off easy.”

Instantly, Zhang Qun's face darkened.

He was already extremely displeased in his heart. Motherfucker, I've made it this clear, do you still not understand? Can't you see I'm pleading for Shangguan Bao?

Wang Sen had called him, and the two of them had already agreed on the phone to characterize it as negligent homicide. That way, even if Shangguan Bao was locked up, he could immediately earn a sentence reduction through 'merit' and then get medical parole, coming out in less than a year.

But Qin Chuan's intent was to dig deep and investigate thoroughly. This was exactly what Zhang Qun did not want to see. He was fuming—how could this young comrade be so disobedient?