25: Chapter 25 Liu Qiang's reputation was completely ruined.

Director Hu Qibin had a look of astonishment. After a brief stun, he asked curiously, "Secretary, what exactly is going on? Was Township Head Liu really arrested?"

Qin Chuan was in a good mood.

He smiled slightly and didn't hide anything, simply explaining what had happened. However, he didn't mention that he was the one who had made the report.

No one would talk about the matter of reporting; it would be buried in his heart. If he didn't say anything, he believed no one would suspect him. After all, the phone call had come from above, directly from Secretary and Director Xu Ping to Director Luo Bing of the County Public Security Bureau.

After hearing this, Director Hu Qibin felt an inexplicable sense of relief and joy.

He used to be suppressed and given a hard time by Township Head Liu Qiang. Now, seeing Township Head Liu Qiang arrested, he wanted nothing more than to laugh out loud. Township Head Liu Qiang, you finally have your day.

The news quickly spread like wildfire.

It was unclear whether Director Hu Qibin had let it out or if it had come from the county seat, but within ten minutes, many people had heard about it.

"I heard Township Head Liu was arrested by the County Public Security Bureau for gambling in a crowd."

"No way, such a thing actually happened!"

"I think it's a rumor. Someone might be spreading rumors behind his back to maliciously slander him!"

"The details are quite specific; I think it should be true!"

"..."

Throughout the Township Government, many people were heatedly discussing the matter. Some thought it was true, while others remained skeptical.

Those in Township Head Liu Qiang's faction felt that someone must be spreading rumors in the shadows.

Ma Zhengnan also heard about the news and went to Qin Chuan's office immediately, his face beaming with joy the moment he entered.

"Secretary, good news! I heard Township Head Liu Qiang was arrested last night at the Sanjiang Hotel for gambling in a crowd!"

Qin Chuan smiled, "You've heard it too."

Ma Zhengnan said in surprise, "Secretary, it seems this matter is true!"

"Absolutely true!" Qin Chuan affirmed. "Not only was Township Head Liu Qiang taken to the County Bureau, but he will also certainly face a series of disciplinary actions!"

In his previous life, having spent so many years in the system, Qin Chuan was highly experienced. He knew that since the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission of Dongzhou City had personally made the call, it would be very difficult for Sanjiang County to shield him. At the very least, he would receive an administrative warning.

With such a punishment, he wouldn't be able to receive a promotion for the next three years. Township Head Liu Qiang's desire to become the Township Party Committee Secretary was now just a pipe dream.

Upon receiving confirmation, Ma Zhengnan became even more delighted. Just as he was about to say a few more words to express his current excitement and joy, Deputy Party Secretary Fu arrived.

Before he could even ask, Ma Zhengnan said to him, "It's true that Township Head Liu Qiang was arrested for gambling in a crowd!"

A moment later, Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen arrived as well.

The four of them sat together, drinking tea while chatting about Township Head Liu Qiang's arrest for gambling, with bursts of hearty laughter ringing out from time to time.

At the County Public Security Bureau.

Township Head Liu Qiang and the others were locked up and even handcuffed. At first, both Wang Jun and Township Head Liu Qiang were cursing and making threats, but after a night, they were much more subdued.

His political sensitivity also told Township Head Liu Qiang that this matter was likely not simple and was getting quite serious. Otherwise, they would have been released long ago.

Around ten o'clock in the morning, Director Luo Bing finally arrived, accompanied by Organization Minister Sun Zhen.

Seeing the two of them was like seeing a lifeline.

Township Head Liu Qiang shouted, "Director Luo, I want to call Secretary Cao. Give me my phone, please. Help a brother out."

Director Luo Bing shook his head with a bitter smile. Even at this point, Township Head Liu Qiang was still holding onto delusions.

"Township Head Liu, it's not that I won't help you, but I am powerless. I've come to announce the public security punishment decision for all of you."

"Each person will receive five days of Administrative Detention, a 2,000 yuan fine, and all gambling funds will be confiscated!"

What!

Five days of detention!!!

It was no big deal for Wang Jun and the others to be detained, but Township Head Liu Qiang was within the system. Being detained was a serious situation that would have a massive impact on his future career development.

"Director Luo, give me the phone. I want to call Secretary Cao. I don't believe this is Secretary Cao's intention. You certainly haven't consulted Secretary Cao for his opinion..."

Organization Minister Sun Zhen interrupted him and said with a serious face, "Township Head Liu Qiang, do not disturb Secretary Cao. An emergency meeting of the County Party Committee Standing Committee was just held specifically to discuss the punishment decision for you. I am here on behalf of the organization to read this decision to you."

What!

Township Head Liu Qiang was stunned!

They actually held an emergency Standing Committee meeting specifically for his matter? Was it really that serious? Was there any need for that?

While he was extremely indignant, a bad premonition also rose in his heart.

Sure enough, Organization Minister Sun Zhen took out a punishment decision and began reading it.

After hearing it, Township Head Liu Qiang felt terrible all over and almost collapsed directly onto the ground. It was actually an Administrative Demotion, from Township Head to Vice Township Head, with a specific note that he would be ranked last among the several Vice Township Heads in Dahe Township.

In addition, he was removed from his position as a Party Committee Member, leaving him as a mere Vice Township Head with no real power.

This was equivalent to falling from heaven to hell all at once.

Shortly after the punishment decision was read, Township Head Liu Qiang and the others were taken away to be confined, and their five-day Administrative Detention began.

In Dahe Township.

The news had been confirmed because some people had called the County Bureau to inquire, and the word was that Township Head Liu Qiang had indeed been arrested.

People like Deputy Township Head Wang Feng and Committee Member Zhou Fengjie were even better informed. They not only found out that Township Head Liu Qiang had been arrested for gambling and given five days of Administrative Detention, but they also learned that the county had held an emergency Standing Committee meeting to demote Township Head Liu Qiang from Township Head to the last-ranked Vice Township Head, and had also removed him from his position as a Party Committee Member of Dahe Township.

Upon receiving this news, the hearts of the two men grew somewhat heavy.

In the future, they would have only two choices: either keep their heads down and behave, or apply for a transfer away from Dahe Township. Neither option was good for them.

Director Hu Qibin knocked and entered Qin Chuan's office once again.

"Secretary, the punishment document regarding Township Head Liu Qiang has been sent over. Please take a look."

Taking the document, Qin Chuan looked it over and then reviewed and commented on it with his pen. He required all cadres in the township to read it, every department to hold a special meeting to learn from it and take it as a warning, and for a copy of the document to be posted on the Publicity Bulletin Board at the entrance of the Township Government.

This was using Township Head Liu Qiang as a negative example to completely destroy his prestige.

Soon, many people gathered in front of the Publicity Bulletin Board at the Township Government entrance, each of them happily reading the punishment decision.

It seemed that Liu Qiang's usual popularity was not good at all, and he had no support among the cadres and masses of Dahe Township.

Seeing such a punishment decision, many people openly cheered without any attempt to hide it.

"Good, that's great!"

"This is truly heartening!"

"I think we can keep digging deeper to check Township Head Liu Qiang's sources of income and why he has so much money to gamble."

In the past, no one would have dared to say such things in public. Now, everyone had no scruples at all.

Township Head Liu Qiang's reputation was completely ruined.