223: Chapter 223 Zhang Qun Receives a Warning

Sitting down, Qin Chuan began handling official business, processing documents that required instructions and signatures. He then went to Jigong Mountain to check on the world-class gold mine under construction. Since it was still early, he also visited the new energy vehicle manufacturing base scheduled for construction in the morning.

In the afternoon, feeling that the time was right, Qin Chuan set off for Ningzhou City to offer his "congratulations" to Mayor Zhang.

According to the system prompt, the official disciplinary decision would be issued in two hours at most.

At this time, although the official decision hadn't been released yet, Zhang Qun had already received the news. He knew his actions were exposed and that he would be sanctioned by the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection.

He was anxious and restless.

If he were truly sanctioned, it would be a massive stain on his political career and have a significant impact on his future; he absolutely did not want to be sanctioned.

Zhang Qun dialed the phone number of Deputy Provincial Party Secretary Tang Weiwei.

Tang Weiwei was fifty-seven or fifty-eight years old. As the only female member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, her ranking in Jiangnan Province was second only to the Provincial Party Secretary and the Governor.

Because he had the Deputy Provincial Party Secretary backing him, Zhang Qun dared to engage in a covert struggle with Secretary Kang Kewu.

Even though he knew Governor Zhou Yuan was backing Qin Chuan, he didn't take that relationship too seriously. Who didn't have provincial leaders backing them? His own backer was the Deputy Provincial Party Secretary.

"Leader, my situation is excusable. It was entirely for public business, not bribery for personal promotion, but to keep that twenty billion investment in our Ningzhou..."

Over the phone, Zhang Qun pleaded bitterly.

"Xiao Zhang, I spoke up for you regarding your matter. Precisely because it was for public business, the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection gave a lighter punishment. Otherwise, do you think it would be just a warning? You might have been directly demoted."

"A warning sanction is already the best-case scenario. Settle down and do some solid work for a few years. Don't carry a psychological burden; you're still young, and there will be plenty of opportunities in the future..."

After finishing the call, Zhang Qun's expression was unsightly.

The warning sanction was unavoidable, meaning he couldn't be promoted for the next three years. He felt aggrieved, angry, and helpless.

Gradually, he thought of Qin Chuan again.

It was all because of this guy. If not for him, I wouldn't have given Liu Lianghai the kickback, and none of this would have happened. My warning sanction is all thanks to Qin Chuan!

To his surprise, not long after, Qin Chuan knocked and entered.

"How is it you!" Zhang Qun's face was very ugly, appearing quite gloomy.

Qin Chuan, however, smiled, not afraid at all. "Mayor Zhang, I heard the news that you received a warning sanction from the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection. As soon as I heard, I was worried about you and came specifically to comfort you."

Damn it, I don't need your comfort!

Zhang Qun almost snapped, his heart filled with towering rage. "Comforting me is a lie; you came specifically to see me make a fool of myself, didn't you?"

"If you have nothing else, then leave. I have many things to handle here; don't interfere with my work."

Qin Chuan wouldn't leave so easily.

He was feeling extremely refreshed.

"Mayor Zhang, it's actually just a warning sanction, it's nothing. You should be more open-minded; the impact only lasts three years at most..."

"Leave, get out of here!" Zhang Qun almost roared at the top of his lungs.

Seeing him like this, Qin Chuan almost burst out laughing. *Mayor Zhang, you have your day too. A warning sanction, feels good, doesn't it!*

"Oh, Mayor Zhang, hurry and look at the official website of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection. The notice about your sanction is already out, posted right on the homepage."

Qin Chuan's expression was exaggerated, looking shocked as he continued.

"Some people are simply outrageous. Mayor Zhang, they're completely disregarding your reputation. To actually make your warning sanction public and post it on the homepage... where are you supposed to put your face? By doing this, wouldn't everyone in the world know that Mayor Zhang committed bribery..."

"Leave, get out!" Zhang Qun shouted sharply. "Xiao Liu, where the hell are you? Drag Qin Chuan out of here!"

Zhang Qun wished he could pick up the teacup on his desk and splash the hot tea inside right onto Qin Chuan's face.

But he still had at least a shred of rationality, knowing that if he really did that, he would be finished—at the very least, he'd receive another sanction, likely a demotion.

Qin Chuan felt a slight hint of disappointment. He had originally wanted to provoke Zhang Qun into losing his mind and doing something excessive, but he didn't expect the man to still have some reason left to call his secretary to drag him out.

However, his goal was achieved. Seeing the mayor of a prefecture-level city lose his composure and practically roar felt very satisfying.

Seeing the mayor's secretary push the door open, Qin Chuan knew it was time to leave. As he walked out, he left one last remark: "Mayor Zhang, take care of your health, don't get too angry with yourself."

"I..."

Zhang Qun almost spat out a mouthful of old blood.

After Qin Chuan left, he could no longer hold back. He grabbed the teacup on the desk and smashed it onto the floor, shattering it into pieces.

The secretary smiled bitterly. The last teacup had been smashed, and this new one had only been in use for a few days before being shattered; now, another new cup would be needed.

With the official disciplinary announcement out, the news of Zhang Qun's warning sanction instantly spread throughout the Ningzhou officialdom.

"Mayor Zhang actually received a warning sanction!"

"A dignified mayor, how could he commit bribery!!!"

"No wonder Liu Lianghai of Shenlong Automotive Group suggested putting the investment in the Ningzhou High-tech Zone. It turns out he took a kickback from Mayor Zhang!"

"I was there at the meeting. I originally thought it was Mayor Zhang's merit for securing this investment for the High-tech Zone; I never expected such a dirty deal behind the scenes!"

"It's so embarrassing. I reckon Mayor Zhang won't be able to hold his head up for a long time."

"..."

The entire Ningzhou officialdom was discussing the matter, including many officials in Wanshun County.

Hu Bing looked to be in good spirits as he knocked and entered Qin Chuan's office.

"Secretary, everyone outside is talking about Mayor Zhang's warning sanction."

Qin Chuan smiled. "He deserves it. In my view, a warning sanction is light; bribing five hundred thousand is enough to warrant a demotion."

Hu Bing said, "It seems Mayor Zhang has someone in the province; some provincial leader protected him."

After the two chatted about the matter for a while, Hu Bing changed the subject and asked, "Secretary, I heard the candidate for our Deputy Secretary of the County Party Committee has been decided."

Qin Chuan nodded with a hint of apology. "Comrade Hu Bing, I originally recommended you to the Municipal Party Committee, but I didn't expect someone to be parachuted in from the provincial capital."

This was indeed something Qin Chuan hadn't expected.

He had originally thought that for a mere Deputy Secretary of the County Party Committee, Hu Bing was fully qualified, and as long as he recommended him to the Municipal Party Committee, there wouldn't be any issues. He never anticipated such an accident.

Hu Bing didn't take it to heart. "Secretary, I'm fine. I think the position of Director of the County Committee Office is very good. I enjoy being this 'chief steward' and serving the Secretary every day."

Qin Chuan comforted him, "Director Hu, I believe it won't be long before you have another opportunity. I will definitely recommend you again when the time comes."

"Thank you, thank you, Secretary." Hu Bing quickly expressed his gratitude.