Official Career Storm Chapter 257

Lu Xiaotian felt imnsely satisfied.

He was the local bigwig in Dujiang County, with connections in both the underworld and legitimate spheres.

He was one of the first to hear about Dujiang County’s transition from county to city status.

He imdiately worked his contacts, taking care of every departnt, and then sent people to watch the highway exits.

Whenever developers from outside the area arrived, he’d send soone to approach them, looking for opportunities to install surveillance in their hotel rooms.

He made it clear to those developers that if they wanted to acquire land in Dujiang County, they had to go through him.

Without his blessing, Lu Xiaotian’s, no one would get a piece of land!

So developers were scared off, while others tried to work their connections but got nowhere.

Last month, one developer gave in, secured land through him, and Lu Xiaotian earned millions without lifting a finger.

After tasting success, Lu Xiaotian grew even bolder, and on the day of every land auction, he’d send people to surround and block the bidding center.

Those who dared to bid without his permission got their cars smashed—one after the other.

He wasn’t afraid of stirring up trouble.

This was Dujiang County, his territory.

It wasn’t just about blocking doors and smashing cars—even if soone died, he could cover it up.

Seeing Liu Lanzi relenting and showing signs of compromise, Lu Xiaotian lecherously reached out to touch her hand.

"Young Master Tian, please show so self-respect!"

Liu Lanzi’s smile vanished, and she reverted to her icy deanor.

Lu Xiaotian wasn’t offended—good things co to those who wait.

As long as she wanted land, he would eventually have his chance.

He slouched back, legs crossed, and said, "Let’s do this. I have a dinner party tonight with property developers investing in Dujiang. If Chairman Liu is also looking to acquire land, co over in the evening, and we can have a good chat."

"Okay."

After arranging the ti, Liu Lanzi didn’t delay and left imdiately.

Song Guanchao and his party followed close behind.

Watching Liu Lanzi’s tightly-clad bottom as she left, an insatiable lust surged through Lu Xiaotian.

"Damn, what a feisty woman!"

...

On the way back, Liu Lanzi pretended to sleep while Ning Lin gazed out the window at the orderly streets, her heart full of worries.

She had followed Chairman Liu to many places to secure projects, witnessing locals fight bloody battles over demolition compensation and project managers who brazenly demanded hefty bribes.

But those situations were still solvable.

The case of Dujiang County was entirely different.

The higher-ups did nothing at all, and the entire system was corrupt, with no one to appeal to.

She couldn’t see any hope in this place.

In such an environnt, the investnt potential of Dujiang County could be easily drained away.

Back at the hotel, Ning Lin couldn’t help asking, "Chairman Liu, won’t anyone deal with a person like Lu Xiaotian in Dujiang County?"

Liu Lanzi spoke calmly, "Soone will take care of it."

Ning Lin wanted to say more but felt that even if she did, Chairman Liu might not take it to heart.

She walked silently towards the elevator, saying nothing.

Song Guanchao seed to sense what was on her mind and said, "Good always triumphs over evil. The problems of Dujiang County will surely be resolved."

Ning Lin forced a smile and humd softly in response.

She just assud Song Guanchao was trying to comfort her.

Although this Secretary Song was not as negligent in his duties as other officials she had encountered,

she thought that Song Guanchao was too young and idealistic in his approach to things.

This wasn’t a matter of good overcoming evil; it was that the entirety of Dujiang was rotten, with not a glimr of justice or light to be seen.

After exiting the elevator, Liu Lanzi said, "Xiao Ning, go back to your room and rest."

After Ning Lin left, Liu Lanzi entered the room with Song Guanchao.

He walked over to open the window and took out the last cigarette from his pack.

He had just lit it and took a drag when Liu Lanzi ca over, took the cigarette from his hand, enveloping the filter he had just used with her lips, and inhaled.

This left Song Guanchao sowhat disconcerted.

He was rarely uneasy around won, but Liu Lanzi was one of the few able to embarrass him.

"Xiao Ning is young and doesn’t always see the whole picture, which sotis makes her a laughingstock," Liu Lanzi said.

She was referring to the remarks Ning Lin had just made, fearing that Song Guanchao might be displeased with Ning Lin because of them.

After all, Song Guanchao was an official, and no matter how bad Dujiang County was, it was still a district under Lingjiang’s jurisdiction.

To say in front of Song Guanchao that no one could handle Lu Xiaotian was like pointing at Song Guanchao’s nose and calling the governnt officials incompetent.

With her judgnt of character, she didn’t see Song Guanchao as the petty sort.

But no matter how broad-minded the other party might be, as a subordinate had spoken such words, it was still necessary for her, as a leader, to explain, to avoid causing any disrespect.

"Young, I can understand," Song Guanchao smiled, indicating that he hadn’t taken it to heart.

In fact, what Ning Lin had said was not wrong—Lu Xiaotian did act lawlessly, and Dujiang County did indeed have so serious issues.

But he and Liu Lanzi both clearly knew that Dujiang County was not as dark as it seed.

If Dujiang County were an independent county, it might be possible for it to be corrupt from the top down.

But as a county under the jurisdiction of Lingjiang City, Dujiang County was directly guided by the Lingjiang Municipal Committee and Municipal Governnt.

So, it was impossible for there to be a cover-up of the entire sky in Dujiang County.

County Magistrate Hou wouldn’t dare to do so, however bold he might be.

In Song Guanchao’s view, the problems of Dujiang County were problems widely present in various districts and counties nationwide.

All that was needed was to find an entry point, and the problems could be dealt with easily.

After his experience with the bidding incident, Song Guanchao already had a solution in mind.

"Chairman Liu, there’s sothing I need your help with."

"Please speak, Secretary Song."

"You send a few people..."

Song Guanchao briefly outlined the first step of the plan.

After listening, Chairman Liu asked, "Should it be exposed under the na of New City Company?"

Song Guanchao shook his head, "No, I’ll find soone else to expose it. Chairman Liu, you just need to help gather this information."

"Okay."

Chairman Liu nodded and passed the half-smoked cigarette to him.

Song Guanchao took it; the filter still had her lipstick and warmth.

After Liu Lanzi left, Song Guanchao took a few drags and tossed the cigarette butt into the toilet.

Liu Lanzi was the first step in his plan.

The second step would require him to utilize his own network of connections.

He took out his phone and scrolled to a number.

After pondering for a few minutes, he finally made the call.

"Beep beep..."

The phone went unanswered, and Song Guanchao breathed a sigh of relief.

He didn’t actually want to make this call, but to reform Dujiang County, he needed soone to play this part with him.

Ordinary people didn’t fit the bill—only the owner of this phone number would do.

However, just as he was about to put his phone away and go out to buy a pack of cigarettes, his phone in his pocket vibrated.

A strange number appeared on the screen, from Hong Kong Island.

"Hello..."

"Hello, may I speak to Mr. Song Guanchao?"

"This is he..."

"Mr. Song, hello. I’m Chairman Gu’s secretary, Cai Zixiang."

"Ah, Secretary Cai, it’s been a while."

"Chairman Gu is currently in a eting and cannot take your call. He asked to find out what you need."

"If Chairman Gu is busy, let it be. It’s nothing important."

Cai Zixiang was silent for two seconds, then said:

"Mr. Song, Chairman Gu has instructed specifically to tell you that if you have any requests or need any help, please feel free to ask."

"You once helped Chairman Gu, and he has always kept that gratitude in his heart and appreciates you very much."

"If you encounter any problems, Mr. Song, please give Chairman Gu a chance to help you."

Cai Zixiang spoke sincerely.

With the conversation having reached this point, for Song Guanchao to refuse further would seem affectatious.

Song Guanchao said, "Please convey to Chairman Gu through Secretary Cai..."