295: Chapter 295: Appointed as the leader of the joint investigation team, heading to Jianning City.

Because it was a trending topic, Qin Chuan quickly took notice of the matter.

After reading some related news online, he gave a disdainful smile, guessing it was likely another corruption case.

Jianning City had issued an announcement stating that there was no framing involved; rather, some misunderstandings had occurred during the original investigation, which impacted the entrepreneur. They expressed deep apologies, released him with a verdict of not guilty, and promised to provide relevant compensation.

However, Qin Chuan was more inclined to believe the entrepreneur's account. "Misunderstandings" were likely just a fig leaf; there were probably shady dealings going on behind the scenes.

As for the compensation, how much could it really be? Even if you paid out several million, what good would that do for someone whose multi-billion yuan enterprise had been destroyed?

Like an onlooker watching the drama unfold, Qin Chuan followed the matter for several days. It was clear that someone was trying to suppress the trending topic; as soon as it was pushed down, it surged back up again, repeating the cycle.

For several days straight, this matter remained a hot news topic.

The situation seemed to be escalating. To many people's surprise, CCTV actually reported on it, explicitly stating that in the face of public doubt, relevant departments must have the courage to address the questioning rather than trying to smooth things over, and must provide the public with a clear explanation.

Online, a large number of netizens directly tagged the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, demanding the formation of a Joint Investigation Team. They argued that Jianning City could not be allowed to investigate itself, as that would be like acting as both the referee and the athlete.

As soon as work started today, Party Secretary Qian Gang called Qin Chuan over.

"Xiao Chuan, congratulations. I heard Qingxi is pregnant with twins."

"Thank you for your concern, leader."

After a brief chat on the subject, Party Secretary Qian Gang shifted the conversation, his expression turning serious. "Xiao Chuan, have you been following the reports about Jianning City these past few days?"

"Yes, I have," Qin Chuan nodded. "It's trended several times; it's impossible to ignore."

Party Secretary Qian Gang said, "Originally, this matter could have been handled by Jiangnan Province. However, it has caused quite a stir and the pressure from public opinion is immense. Superiors have instructed that the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection take the lead in forming a Joint Investigation Team, and I have recommended you to serve as its leader."

Although the officials involved weren't of high rank, the matter was significant. If handled well, it would be a major achievement. Given such a good opportunity, the first person Party Secretary Qian Gang thought of was Qin Chuan.

"Thank you, leader. I will not let you down. I'll investigate the matter thoroughly to ensure justice for those involved and provide a clear explanation to the public."

"Good. With that kind of confidence, I'm at ease. Set out as soon as possible and get to the bottom of this quickly."

After chatting for a while, Qin Chuan left Party Secretary Qian Gang's office. The Joint Investigation Team was quickly established with Qin Chuan as the leader. It consisted of over ten members from several ministries and departments, such as the Ministry of Public Security, the Procuratorate, and the Ministry of Supervision.

That evening, the group arrived in Jiangnan Province. While not strictly confidential, they kept a low profile, with only a few provincial leaders in Jiangnan Province being aware of their arrival.

Early the next morning.

Qin Chuan first convened a special meeting to assign tasks. Afterward, everyone quickly dove into their work, entering Jianning City separately.

Qin Chuan also personally went to Jianning City. This was his second time returning to Jiangnan Province since leaving Wanshun County. The last time was over a month ago after graduating from the Party School, but he had only stayed for less than two days then.

Upon arriving in Jianning City, the first thing he did was meet with the top leader of Jianning City to communicate regarding the entrepreneur's real-name report against the vice mayor. Just as he stepped out of the Municipal Party Secretary's office, Qin Chuan received a call from County Mayor Sheng Huaian of Wanshun County.

He was now the top leader of Wanshun County in Jiangnan Province. Having worked and lived in Jianning City for many years before being transferred to Wanshun County a few years ago, he was familiar with the affairs of Jianning City and likely knew quite a bit about this matter.

"Leader, I heard you've arrived in Jianning City."

Even though he was over ten years older than Qin Chuan and Qin Chuan was very young, he addressed him as "Leader," showing immense respect.

Receiving a call from his former partner, Qin Chuan was in a good mood. "Comrade Huaian, I don't deserve to be called 'leader.' Let's just address each other as comrades. You're certainly well-informed; I've been in Jianning City for less than an hour."

"Leader, where are you now? I'll come over to report on my work to you."

Qin Chuan laughed and scolded, "I don't even work in Wanshun County anymore, what the hell are you reporting to me for?"

"Leader, even though you no longer work in Wanshun County, you will always be my leader in my heart."

"Alright, enough with the sappy talk. I don't have time right now. If I do, I'll go back to Wanshun County to visit the comrades."

"Leader, I'm actually in Jianning City right now. How about I come find you?"

"No need. Just find a place where we can sit down for a bit. I actually wanted to ask you about the real-name report to see how much you know."

"You've definitely found the right person for that; I do know a few things."

Leaving the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government, Qin Chuan drove himself without bringing anyone along. He headed straight to the place County Mayor Sheng Huaian mentioned—a teahouse where the latter was already waiting.

Inside an office in the Municipal Government building, a middle-aged man stood by the window, watching through the glass as Qin Chuan got into his car and left.

After a long while, he finally withdrew his gaze.

He thought to himself that he couldn't just sit and wait for death; he had to find a way. To pass through this ordeal safely and land on his feet, he had to win over Qin Chuan of the Joint Investigation Team.

The public outcry was simply too massive to suppress and was completely beyond his control. As the person being reported, he now felt a strong sense of crisis.

He wasn't exactly a stranger to Qin Chuan, having met him a few times.

Back then, he was the Vice Mayor of Jianning City while Qin Chuan was the Secretary of Wanshun County. They had crossed paths several times during provincial meetings. Although he wasn't Qin Chuan's direct superior, Qin Chuan was quite famous during his tenure as Wanshun County's Secretary, so he had taken the initiative to converse with him a few times.

Now that he was a member of the Municipal Standing Committee and the Executive Vice Mayor, his rank had advanced, giving him more weight within the system and making him more confident in closing the distance with Qin Chuan.

After all, within the system, having one more friend is far better than having one more enemy. He believed that Qin Chuan wouldn't want another enemy either and would prefer a friend—especially one who was an Executive Vice Mayor.

Qin Chuan was unaware that he was being silently watched by the Executive Vice Mayor of Jianning City—the very person entrepreneur Li Zhongtu had reported by name: Executive Vice Mayor Zhou Chun.

Qin Chuan arrived at the teahouse County Mayor Sheng Huaian had mentioned, parked his car, and walked straight up.

Inside the private room, County Mayor Sheng Huaian had been waiting for some time. The tea was already brewed and steaming hot.

Seeing Qin Chuan enter, he was very happy and stood up to greet him. "Leader, I took the liberty of brewing some black tea."

He knew well enough that Qin Chuan wasn't very particular in this regard; green tea or black tea were both fine. Since he happened to have some decent black tea, he brewed that.

Qin Chuan sat down happily. "You, stop with the 'leader' every other word. I think 'Comrade Qin Chuan' sounds more friendly, or you can call me Director Qin."

"Then let it be Comrade Qin Chuan," County Mayor Sheng Huaian said.

The two sat down, drinking tea and chatting, and soon the conversation turned to the main topic.

Meeting his former partner was only part of it; his primary goal was to inquire about the matter. He knew County Mayor Sheng Huaian had worked and lived in Jianning City for many years and had many friends there, especially within the Jianning City officialdom.