The Beautiful County Magistrate
Chapter 415: Not Convinced? Just Go Complain to Mayor Lu!

Chapter 415: Chapter 415: Not Convinced? Just Go Complain to Mayor Lu!

In the office, Nan Li inquired about Xu Qianli’s situation.

Outside the office, Teng Ziyin and Lu Tianlong were glaring at each other, finding each other extremely unpleasant to look at.

Both being the vice secretaries of the City Discipline Inspection Committee, they had been eying next year’s vacant position of City Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary with great eagerness, regarding each other as rivals, never getting along.

The incident involving Xu Qianli had now thoroughly exacerbated the conflict between them, making it even harder for them to stand each other.

They had previously argued and nearly come to blows, and although things had temporarily calmed down, they were still like two roosters poised to fight.

They also occasionally checked on the office, uncertain about the situation inside, wondering whether Xu Qianli had disclosed the whereabouts of the thirty billion in assets.

After a lengthy wait, the office door finally opened, and Nan Li walked out.

Impatient from waiting, Lu Tianlong approached quickly, "Secretary, how did it go? Did the kid confess? Did he reveal where the thirty billion is hidden?"

Nan Li faced Lu Tianlong with a dark expression, remaining silent at first, scrutinizing him with a cold look before speaking.

"The matter has been clarified, the money has been used for proper purposes, and Xu Qianli hasn’t embezzled a single cent."

"Regardless, Xu Qianli was recently honored as a provincial model, and he has already been twice inspected by our City Disciplinary Committee, both times clearing him of any wrongdoing."

"As per protocol, to place him under suspension for further investigation should be done with extreme caution. You, however, without my permission, have arbitrarily suspended him, slandering him for embezzling thirty billion in assets and defaming your colleague, Vice Secretary Teng, by claiming she engaged in under-the-table financial transactions with Xu Qianli. Your actions are simply outrageous!"

"Here’s what you will do: take a ten-day suspension, and write a thorough self-critique to submit to me!"

Nan Li imposed a suspension package on Lu Tianlong right there—you’re Mayor Lu Xingtian’s man, aren’t you? You arrest people without consulting me or valuing my authority; I need to give you a good rattling too!

Lu Tianlong’s face turned green in an instant, "No, Secretary, you can’t suspend me; I still have work unfinished, I really can’t be suspended. As for Xu Qianli, his problems are very serious, thirty billion! I don’t believe he hasn’t embezzled anything; who would believe that if you told them?"

Thirty billion, after all—if it were Lu Tianlong himself, he couldn’t resist the temptation either.

Could it be that Nan Li was showing such favoritism towards Xu Qianli because they had struck a deal in secret to split the money?

Could it be that Nan Li had truly been bought by Xu Qianli?

Nan Li snorted coldly and said, "Whether you believe it or not is not my concern, nor do I need to explain anything to a subordinate like you. In any case, the investigation is clear: Xu Qianli is not at fault. If you do not accept my handling of this matter, feel free to make an appeal; go and report me to Mayor Lu! That’s enough, you’re no longer needed here. Vice Secretary Teng, come in for a moment, I have tasks for you."

After dismissing Lu Tianlong, Nan Li called Teng Ziyin into the office.

Xu Qianli and Teng Ziyin exchanged glances, unable to hide the sparks that flew between them.

Facing Xu Qianli, Teng Ziyin felt her legs go weak and her heart race, cursing herself for how itchy her heart got every time she saw Xu Qianli. Was it really necessary?

It was all Xu Qianli’s fault, after all; who told him to be so strong and always make her feel like she was floating mid-air? Forgetting about his good qualities was just too difficult.

It wasn’t just then; countless times she had dreamt of this scoundrel taking advantage of her.

Nan Li, oblivious to their affair, cleared his throat and brought up official business, concerning Ge Changhong’s suspension.

Xu Qianli’s case had been cleared up, proving his innocence, with Lu Tianlong grasping at straws to trouble him.

As for Ge Changhong, one could say that the evidence was ironclad, absolutely confirming his misdeeds.

After hearing Nan Li’s words, Xu Qianli frowned, not expecting Ge Changhong’s issue to be quite so thorny.

During Ge Changhong’s time in Jiang City, there wasn’t any noticeably outrageous behavior except for having several secret lovers.

Men, when holding positions of high rank and power, even if they are not willing, there are plenty of women who glue themselves to them. A scandal involving affairs with women is not too big of a deal.

The serious issue was what he did before he was transferred to become the Secretary of the Jiang City County Committee when he was the County Magistrate of another county.

Not to mention anything else, in terms of money alone, he embezzled at least four hundred million. That’s just what was investigated; who knows how much remains undiscovered.

Lu Tianlong not only arrested Ge Changhong but also arrested several of his mistresses and has already found over a hundred million in illicit funds; the evidence was ironclad.

Xu Qianli knew that in Jiang City, there were not many officials as incorruptible as the old County Magistrate, but he had not expected Ge Changhong’s issues to be so severe.

Already four hundred million had been uncovered, and in such a case, no one could save him.

He was expelled from his position and transferred to the judicial authorities for sentencing, which was now a certainty.

After a long silence, Xu Qianli said, "May I see him?"

Nan Li replied, "No problem, I will arrange it right away."

With a phone call from Nan Li, it wasn’t long before Ge Changhong was brought over and taken into the office.

Ge Changhong was not yet fifty years old, in the prime of his life, and as a Secretary of the County Committee, he had always taken good care of himself and usually looked quite young.

Seeing Ge Changhong today, Xu Qianli thought he looked like he had aged twenty years overnight; he was a broken man with no trace of vitality, entering the office and collapsing onto the couch, shivering continuously.

Nan Li gave Teng Ziyin a meaningful glance, and the two of them left, allowing Xu Qianli to be alone with Ge Changhong.

Xu Qianli poured Ge Changhong a cup of tea and lit a cigarette for him.

Smoking the cigarette and taking a sip of tea, Ge Changhong seemed to improve slightly. He looked up at Xu Qianli, who still appeared high-spirited, and nodded vigorously.

"Good, good, I knew you wouldn’t have any issues and would be able to deal with this easily."

"As for me, ah..."

"Xu Qian, do you look down on me, despise your Uncle Ge?"

"I was wrong, but who wouldn’t have grand ambitions when they first enter the world of officialdom, wanting to achieve great things? I was once like you, full of passion and integrity, but..."

Ge Changhong stopped mid-sentence with a bitter smile and shook his head.

"What use is there in speaking about these things now? Any more words are just excuses for one’s own mistakes."

"Honestly, I’m envious of you. You are young, with plenty of time ahead, and a bright future; you will surely reach heights I could never even dream of."

"I won’t say much more. Pingping is a good girl, I hope you won’t distance yourself from her because of my relationship with you, I’m begging you."

With a sigh, Xu Qianli said, "Uncle Ge, rest assured, Pingping is my woman, and I will never abandon her. Who knows if there will ever be another chance to meet. Do you have anything else you want to tell me?"

Ge Changhong’s mouth moved as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately he couldn’t speak. He just smiled bitterly, shook his head, and buried his head to smoke his cigarette.

"Uncle Ge, take care!"

After leaving those words, Xu Qianli rose and left the office.

He was very clear that, from now on, the era of Ge Changhong working alongside the old County Magistrate to govern Jiang City had completely ended.

Around the appointment of the new County Party Secretary, there would inevitably be a raging storm of blood and strife.