Late at night, a group of people were digging in the woods near the reservoir.

This scene was somewhat eerie.

"We've found something!"

Suddenly someone said.

Flashlights shone over; the area was dug half a meter deep, revealing a patch of rotten fabric illuminated by the light.

Continue digging.

Soon, a corpse was uncovered.

The corpse was highly decomposed, releasing a nauseating stench into the air.

Song Guanchao crouched down and used his gloved hands to pull the body out.

The clothing and form of the corpse indicated it was a woman's body.

His face was grim as he said, "Keep digging."

Before long, they had found more corpses in the pit.

The more they dug, the more silent the group became.

There was no doubt these corpses were female college students victimized by the loan scandal.

They should have had a bright future but met a tragic end for failing to repay their loans.

Meanwhile, when their parents tried to report and petition, they were arrested instead.

The lenders were worse than animals.

By past two in the morning, they had finished digging.

A total of 11 corpses, a shocking sight.

"Fill the pit."

Song Guanchao said.

They continued to fill the pit.

The events here must not be discovered before Luo Sanming is caught.

After filling the pit, they transported the bodies back to the abandoned villa.

Once back, the veterans smoked gloomily while squatting on the ground.

Tonight's discoveries hit them hard, leaving them furious.

Song Guanchao only urged them to rest early and gather their strength.

He did not mention tonight's events to Wu Qiangwei or Qu Xiangru, nor to Liang Jianfeng.

He had plans for these corpses.

The next day, Song Guanchao instructed Lu Feng to take people to Luo Sanming's villa on General Mountain.

Before going to Wuying Mountain Villa, he wanted to confirm whether anything was hidden there.

There were servants in this villa but no security personnel.

Late at night, they snuck into the villa, searched thoroughly, but returned unsuccessful.

"There's nothing at General Mountain Villa."

Lu Feng returned to the abandoned villa and reported to Song Guanchao.

Song Guanchao nodded and said, "Rest early."

Today is Friday; tomorrow, he'll contact Luo Sanming.

Successful or not depends on tomorrow.

Saturday morning.

Liang Jianfeng suddenly received a call from the Provincial City's Deputy Mayor Zhang Yan, inquiring about the progress of the case.

Upon learning that the police were only pursuing Song Guanchao, He Sen, and three others within the police system, Zhang Yan was very displeased.

"How long do you plan to keep such a big case under wraps?"

"Immediately issue a notice for an online pursuit of the three!"

Zhang Yan offered guidance.

Liang Jianfeng did not respond, only saying he would report to Lingjiang City leaders.

After hanging up, he immediately went to the City Committee to relay Zhang Yan's opinion to the two.

The faces of the two secretaries turned very grim.

Zhang Yan wants to use public opinion to nail Song Guanchao to the pillar of disgrace ahead of time.

Even if the case is clarified later, this matter will still impact him.

"I'll make a call."

Qu Xiangru grabbed the landline and directly dialed the Jiangzhou Municipal Government office.

"This is Governor Qu Xiangru, connect Mayor Zhou."

"Just a moment."

The call was transferred, and soon a man's voice sounded: "Hello, Governor Qu, this is Zhou Zheng."

Qu Xiangru opened with a question: "Since when does Lingjiang fall under Jiangzhou Municipal Government's authority?"

Zhou Zheng was taken aback, scratching his head: "Governor Qu, what do you mean by this?"

When did I ever need to manage Lingjiang?

Totally unrelated.

Qu Xiangru said, "The Provincial Department has formed a task force for a recent case in Lingjiang, appointing Liang Jianfeng as the leader. Are you aware?"

"Of course I know." As Mayor, if his Deputy Mayor was appointed, it would be notable if he was unaware.

Qu Xiangru suddenly snorted: "Mayor Zhou, are you aware that the task force only reports to the Provincial Committee?"

Zhou Zheng caught onto something.

She was angry when calling, it seems, someone overstepped?

Is someone in Jiangzhou meddling in this case?

"Governor Qu..."

He was just trying to understand when Qu Xiangru bluntly interrupted: "Keep an eye on Zhang Yan; if she oversteps again, I'll have the Provincial Disciplinary Inspection Committee investigate her first!"

Zhou Zheng's heart skipped a beat.

Qu Xiangru's words were severe!

"Okay, I'll speak with her."

Just as he finished, Qu Xiangru hung up the phone.

A nameless anger welled inside Zhou Zheng.

Not because of Qu Xiangru's attitude, but because of Zhang Yan!

This Zhang Yan thinks too highly of herself!

The Provincial Department established the task force; although Liang Jianfeng is Jiangzhou's Deputy Mayor and Public Security Bureau Chief, during his appointment, he only reports to the Provincial Committee, yet Zhang Yan dares to meddle!

If Qu Xiangru truly pushes it, she would not have any justification.

Zhou Zheng called her.

"Mayor Zhou..."

"Mayor Zhang, who allowed you to interfere with the Provincial Department's overseen case? You're leading misconduct as Deputy Mayor, what are you trying to do?"

Zhang Yan hesitated for two seconds, her face darkening: "Did Liang Jianfeng tell you?"

"It was Governor Qu's call!" Zhou Zheng coldly snorted: "I don't care what connection this case has to you, just keep a low profile for now. Governor Qu is giving me face by not reporting to the Provincial Committee. Any further interference, you'll face the Provincial Disciplinary Inspection Committee's investigation yourself!"

Snap!

Zhou Zheng hung up, and Zhang Yan's face turned very sour.

"Qu Xiangru!"

Zhang Yan's expression was cold, that night's failed plan left her feeling quite regretful.

She had thought it foolproof but hadn't expected the minor district chief to ruin her plan.

She knew clearly that after that night, she has completely torn her relationship with Qu Xiangru and Wu Qiangwei.

If given another chance, she'd be even more ruthless than last time.

Likewise, if the opposite side had a chance, they wouldn't spare her either.

After mulling for a moment, she contacted Luo Sanming.

"Qu Xiangru and Wu Qiangwei want to protect Song Guanchao. Think of a way to blow up the case."

Luo Sanming asked, "Do you want to reconcile?"

"Do you think they want reconciliation?"

"It's worth a try." Although he had pushed things to extremes, he had backup plans.

As long as Qu Xiangru approaches for reconciliation, he's willing to compromise.

After all, his main businesses are in Lingjiang, and he doesn't want to utterly fall out with this leader.

Even if it's a temporary victory, his life won't be easy going forward.

Unless there's a chance to pull down the two secretaries.

But the failure of the previous attempt has made the opposite side vigilant, making it very difficult to strike again.

Therefore, Luo Sanming believes that reconciliation is the best solution.

Zhang Yan said, "It's up to you."

She had not let anger cloud her judgment, acknowledging that Luo Sanming's perspective was correct.

...

After finishing the call, Qu Xiangru asked Liang Jianfeng if there had been any progress these past few days.

Liang Jianfeng withheld the fact that Song Guanchao had contacted him, as he was unsure of the relationship between Qu Xiangru and Song Guanchao, and lacked trust in her.

At that moment, his phone vibrated.

Seeing it was a call from Luo Sanming, Qu Xiangru was somewhat surprised.

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