Official Career Storm

Chapter 1487 1487

Looking at the plainclothes police officer's servile attitude, Song Guanchao felt nothing but disgust.

He knew that the quality of grassroots police varied greatly, and completely eradicating misconduct was nearly impossible.

But knowing didn't mean he could tolerate it.

He couldn't control other places, but Jiangzhou City was different.

"City Government Office, Song Guanchao."

Song Guanchao introduced himself and then helpfully introduced the few plainclothes officers: "This is Han Lan, Secretary-General of the City Government, and this is Zhou Xingjian, Deputy Director of the City Government Office."

Upon hearing their identities, the faces of the plainclothes officers turned pale.

Several policemen who hadn't spoken earlier breathed a sigh of relief.

The policeman who had been arrogant earlier felt his heart sink.

He still wanted to speak to remedy the situation, but Song Guanchao gave him no chance, turning to the officers beside him: "What's his name?"

The officer next to him sympathetically glanced at the man and said, "Zhang Zhi."

Song Guanchao remembered the name and then asked, "Are the students all hospitalized on this floor?"

"Yes."

"What about the families?"

"The families..." The police officer didn't know how to respond.

Song Guanchao didn't rush him and quietly waited.

The silent atmosphere put immense pressure on the plainclothes officers.

They actually wished Director Song would yell at them.

The way he calmly and steadily inquired made them even more uneasy and frightened.

Ultimately, they couldn't withstand the pressure and said, "The families went home."

"Went home?" Song Guanchao asked, "Not a single family member?"

"That's right."

"Haha," Song Guanchao said, "Children hospitalized for food poisoning, and not a single parent shows up? How interesting. Oh, I heard two students underwent emergency treatment yesterday? What, aren't their parents here either?"

"I... I'm not really sure."

"So what do you know?" Song Guanchao smiled and said, "Also, what's your purpose here for a food poisoning case?"

"We... we're here to maintain order," the police officer said helplessly.

"There's no one here. What are you maintaining order for?"

"Director Song..."

"Alright, I won't make things difficult for you."

Song Guanchao said, "When your director arrives, have him come see me."

Saying this, he walked towards the nurses' station.

The nurses inside had overheard the conversation and knew that this leader's identity was extraordinary.

Song Guanchao asked, "How are the students doing?"

A nurse in her forties stood up and said, "Aside from two students in critical condition, the others aren't too serious."

Song Guanchao inquired, "What's the situation with the two serious students?"

"They're resting."

"Did any student's family come by today?"

The nurse didn't immediately answer but looked towards the policemen behind him.

Song Guanchao said, "Feel free to speak."

With him present, the nurse no longer hesitated: "The students' parents came last night but were sent back."

"Sent back?" Song Guanchao nodded, not asking further.

The specifics were actually well understood by everyone involved.

They waited in the hallway for about twenty minutes when they heard rapid footsteps near the elevator.

A man in his forties hurriedly approached them.

Song Guanchao didn't recognize him and didn't know if he was the local police station's director or the director of the education bureau.

The newcomer didn't recognize any of them either. He introduced himself, "I'm Wang Rui, director of the Pailou Street Police Station."

"I'm Song Guanchao."

Song Guanchao introduced himself, "Hello, Director Wang, can you tell me why you sent the students' parents away?"

Wang Rui reached out to shake hands, but froze upon hearing this, feeling awkward: "Director Song, there's a misunderstanding. We didn't send them away; the hospital requires quiet. Plus, the students need rest, and the families understood."

"Understood, is that so?"

Song Guanchao turned to Zhou Xingjian, "Director Zhou, how long until the Education Director arrives?"

"I'll make another call."

Zhou Xingjian went to make a phone call, while Song Guanchao looked at Wang Rui, "Director Wang, can you call the principal of the high school and ask him to come over? Oh, and please bring the students' homeroom teachers along."

"Yes, certainly."

Wang Rui dared not refuse, his heart pounding with anxiety.

The issue from last night had been suppressed by them.

Who would have thought a parent would report to the City Government this morning?

As soon as he learned of this, he had immediately taken the parent to the station for 'education.'

But the City Government responded so quickly.

He knew little about Song Guanchao, unsure about his character, and debated whether to offer some kind of benefit.

"Principal Xu, where are you? Busy? Don't be, come to the hospital first. Director Song from the City Government wants to meet you. Bring the students' homeroom teachers too."

After hanging up, Wang Rui glanced around furtively before approaching Song Guanchao and whispering, "Director Song, shall we go and have a cigarette?"

Song Guanchao could easily guess his intentions and didn't refuse, following him to the stairwell.

Wang Rui offered a cigarette with both hands, lighting it with a fawning smile, "Director Song, this matter isn't serious, and as soon as the school knew, they sent the students to the hospital. The students aren't in serious condition and should return to class tomorrow."

Song Guanchao smiled, "Not serious is good."

Wang Rui felt slightly relieved upon seeing his smile: "Yes, not serious at all. And the parents are understanding, not making any noise or asking for compensation. Rest assured, Director Song, this school falls under our jurisdiction. We won't let it become a problem, and certainly won't trouble you."

Song Guanchao asked, "How's your relationship with Principal Xu?"

"Pretty good."

"Given the number of students with food poisoning, the canteen at the school has a significant problem."

Wang Rui noticed his gentle tone, which didn't seem accusatory.

It felt more like a probe for benefits.

"Director Song is right, the canteen definitely has an issue. But after this incident, it will surely undergo reform. Rest assured about that!"

"In addition..."

Wang Rui lowered his voice, "Whether the reform passes depends on you, Director Song."

Song Guanchao glanced at him, and then they both exchanged smiles.

The implication was that the canteen owner would certainly offer benefits.

Song Guanchao had essentially confirmed that the issues at the school were significant.

After finishing their cigarettes, Han Lan approached as they emerged, "Director Song, can we have a word?"

They stepped aside, and Han Lan asked, "How do you plan to handle this?"

If it were up to her temperament, she would immediately report to Wu Qiangwei, and let Qiangwei decide how to resolve it.

But with Song Guanchao present, she had to first reach a consensus with him.

She also wanted to know whether Song Guanchao intended to suppress the matter or follow procedure.

Different decisions called for different approaches.

Song Guanchao said, "The police handling seems problematic here, and significantly so. The school's issues are even more severe. As for the education bureau, I'll see if the director is involved when he arrives."

Upon hearing this, Han Lan understood that Song Guanchao intended to follow procedure.

She felt relieved.

She was truly worried that Song Guanchao might collude with these people.