71: Chapter 71 A Plan to Turn the Tide

Chen Qunfeng had a bad premonition.

What followed certainly wouldn't be good news; it was likely yet another terrible update.

Sure enough, Qin Chuan said, "Besides Fu Bin being arrested and a formal case being filed, Fu Qiwen has just been placed under 'shuanggui' by the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and taken away for investigation!"

What!

Chen Qunfeng was dumbstruck!!!

The impact and shock of this news were simply too great for him.

Why!

Why did it turn out like this!

Qin Chuan looked at Chen Qunfeng and smiled, though it was a mocking one. "Township Head Chen, I told you long ago that the 'thigh' you wanted to cling to was unreliable, but you just wouldn't listen. Do you see now? It broke before you even got a chance to grab it."

Chen Qunfeng's face looked terrible!

His heart instantly sank to the bottom. He found it difficult to accept this reality for a moment and wanted to shout out that it was impossible, absolutely impossible.

He didn't know how he left Qin Chuan's office. He had been sitting in his own office for several minutes now, still in a daze.

It took a long while for him to snap out of it, and then, clutching a sliver of hope, he began making calls to inquire. After a few calls, he was completely despondent.

It's over, it's all over...

Chen Qunfeng sat alone in his office with the door tightly shut, refusing to see anyone. It felt as if his entire world had gone dark, and he didn't know where the road ahead lay.

Fu Qiwen being placed under 'shuanggui' was a major earthquake for the Donghai City officialdom. The news spread rapidly, and before long, many leaders in Dahe Township knew about it.

"Fu Qiwen was actually placed under 'shuanggui'!"

"Yeah, it was so sudden!"

"He should have been investigated long ago. Just look at the things his son has done over the years—being executed by firing squad would be getting off easy!"

"With his son being such a piece of work, Fu Qiwen couldn't be much better. He probably pocketed a lot of money!"

"..."

As the news spread, many people in Dahe Township were discussing it.

The township leaders were much the same; Ma Zhengnan and a few others were also talking about it.

"I was still worried for Secretary Qin, but it turns out Fu Qiwen was the one who got taken down!"

"Do you think this happened because of Secretary Qin?"

"This..."

No one dared to think further in that direction. To have a member of the Standing Committee and Vice Mayor taken down so quickly—what kind of staggering connections and background would that require?

They guessed that Secretary Qin must have some connections and background in the provincial capital, but they didn't dare imagine it being on such a grand scale.

If he really had that kind of influence, it would be a bit too terrifying.

Qin Chuan knew many people were discussing the matter, but he had no intention of stepping in to stop them. He sat in his office, working diligently and reviewing documents.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

A knock sounded at the door, and Director Hu Qibin entered to report, "Secretary, General Manager Zhou Tong has arrived. Would you like to see him?"

"Oh, he's here already?"

Qin Chuan was a bit pleasantly surprised and waved his hand. "Quick, let him in. I want to have a good talk with him."

Some time ago, Dahe Township had commissioned a headhunting firm to find a candidate for the General Manager of Dahe Energy Group. They had identified several candidates, and after a screening process, Zhou Tong eventually emerged as the winner.

Soon, Director Hu Qibin brought in a middle-aged man.

"Secretary, this is Zhou Tong."

Zhou Tong took a few steps forward. "Hello, Secretary Qin. I am Zhou Tong."

Qin Chuan warmly extended his right hand as Zhou Tong's relevant information flashed through his mind.

Zhou Tong, forty-two years old, holds a master's degree, possesses extensive experience in coal mining enterprises, and was the general manager of a large state-owned coal mine...

Seeing Qin Chuan proactively extend his hand, Zhou Tong hurried forward two steps and shook it firmly.

After a few pleasantries, Qin Chuan got straight to the point and began discussing the planning and development ideas for Dahe Energy Group, including the company's formation.

They talked for over a full hour.

Zhou Tong took note of everything Qin Chuan said.

Now, it was up to Zhou Tong.

With the General Manager in place, the company's structuring would begin immediately, and recruitment would proceed simultaneously.

Do not use those you suspect, and do not suspect those you use.

Qin Chuan granted Zhou Tong significant authority, entrusting all specific matters to him while he only maintained control over the company's overall strategic direction.

With the General Manager of Dahe Energy Group in place, related work quickly got underway, including the planning and construction of the coal mines.

To Qin Chuan's slight surprise, not long after Zhou Tong left, there was another knock on the office door.

The person who pushed open the door and entered was actually Township Head Chen Qunfeng.

He looked quite pathetic.

As soon as he entered, he assumed a very humble posture. "Secretary Qin, I was wrong. I was truly, terribly wrong. I came specifically to apologize to you."

Heh.

Qin Chuan sneered inwardly. This was interesting. He hadn't thought of apologizing before, but now that the 'thigh' he wanted to cling to was gone and his hopes were shattered, he wanted to apologize and beg for forgiveness.

On the surface, Qin Chuan didn't show much, but he wanted to see what game Chen Qunfeng was trying to play.

Chen Qunfeng didn't look like a township head at all, incessantly pleading and apologizing in hopes of winning Qin Chuan's forgiveness.

He was even a mess of snot and tears.

"Secretary Qin, I was truly wrong. I regret it so much now. I shouldn't have opposed you when I was the Director of the Education Bureau, and I certainly shouldn't have harbored resentment after coming to Dahe Township..."

On the surface, Chen Qunfeng seemed full of sincerity.

It appeared as though he had truly and deeply realized his mistakes.

But who was Qin Chuan? With his sharp eyes, he saw through it instantly. Chen Qunfeng's apology was a sham; his real goal was to make Qin Chuan lower his guard by making him believe he had truly repented.

Once Qin Chuan truly believed that Chen Qunfeng had a change of heart and recognized his errors, he would lower his guard, and then...

That was exactly what Chen Qunfeng intended: to make Qin Chuan believe his apology was heartfelt, and then lie low, waiting for an opportunity.

As soon as an opportunity arose, he would deliver a fatal blow, like a lurking venomous snake.

Qin Chuan saw through everything as clearly as a mirror, but he didn't show it. He even thought of beating him at his own game.

"Township Head Chen, have you truly recognized your mistakes?"

"I really know I was wrong, Secretary Qin. Please forgive me just this once. I will never make such a mistake again. From now on, whatever you say goes."

Qin Chuan sneered inwardly, yet his face showed sincerity. "A prodigal son's return is worth more than gold. We'll see how you perform from now on."

Hearing this, Chen Qunfeng was ecstatic.

Haha, that guy Qin really fell for it. He naively thinks I'm actually apologizing to him. He's still too young after all.

At that moment, Ma Zhengnan and Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen pushed open the door and entered together, just in time to see Chen Qunfeng apologizing through snot and tears.

The two looked at each other, both faces filled with shock.

Chen Qunfeng was actually apologizing to Secretary Qin. It was almost unbelievable, but with the facts right before their eyes, they had no choice but to believe it.

Softly closing the door, the two of them backed out.

"Old Mu, we didn't see that wrong, did we?"

Mu Xiuwen said, "We didn't. It's truly unbelievable!"

Ma Zhengnan said, "Although it's shocking and even a bit hard to believe, it's a good thing. It means Township Head Chen will no longer oppose Secretary Qin. Having the Township Head and Secretary of the same mind is a good thing for our Dahe Township."

"Yes, it really is a good thing. Especially with so much work ahead, infighting would only lead to internal friction. Standing united and working hard on our goals is the best way forward."