At the Pinnacle of Power: The Female Leader and Her Chief Advisor

Lu Ming's heart was churning, but his expression remained calm as he asked, "Secretary Xu, are you here to see Mayor Song?"

Xu Zhipeng smiled and ignored him, but reached out to try to pull Lu Ming away.

Unfortunately, it couldn't be moved.

Lu Ming is 185 cm tall and has been training regularly for many years. He has a strong physique and is not someone that just anyone can easily move.

However, Lu Ming did not want to embarrass Secretary Xu, so he consciously turned his body to the side.

Xu Zhipeng led his men into the office. When Song Chuhe saw the four of them, he immediately frowned.

He clearly sensed that the other party's intentions were not good.

He put down his pen and calmly asked, "Secretary Xu wanted to see me?"

Xu Zhipeng did not answer, but opened the folder in his hand and said, "Comrade Song Chuhe, you are suspected of violating regulations and discipline. Now, on behalf of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, I announce the decision to place you under investigation."

"You are required to honestly confess your problems at the designated time and place."

Upon hearing the words "two regulations," Lu Ming felt as if his brain had been struck by lightning.

Mayor Song has actually been placed under investigation?

How is that possible!

He is a breath of fresh air in Songxi City!

It was Li Wen, it must have been her!

Is this bitch trying to kill her husband and the father of her child?

A surge of anger rose in Lu Ming's heart. He simply couldn't understand how there could be such foolish people in the world!

For a mere ten million, she actually conspired with others to frame her own mayor husband!

Song Chuhe calmly lit a cigarette, displaying the composure expected of someone in a position of authority even when the deputy secretary of the municipal discipline inspection commission personally came to his door to enforce the "double regulation" (a form of internal party discipline).

"Secretary Xu, please have a seat."

A hint of disdain flashed in Xu Zhipeng's eyes as he said, "Mayor Song, I don't think this is necessary. Please come with us now."

Song Chuhe took a drag of his cigarette, exhaled a long puff of smoke, tapped the table, and said, "My administrative rank is that of a department-level official. In principle, a deputy secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission at your level is not qualified to investigate me."

"To place me under 'double regulation' (a form of internal party discipline), the provincial discipline inspection commission and supervisory commission must first file a case and then report it to the provincial party committee for approval."

"Comrade Xu Zhipeng, it seems your professional skills still need improvement."

Xu Zhipeng smiled slightly and did not refute.

At this moment, a middle-aged man standing behind him stepped forward and said, "Mayor Song, I am Chen Jianguo, the director of the Supervision Office of the Discipline Inspection and Supervision Cadres of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection."

Chen Jianguo took out a document and placed it in front of Song Chuhe.

"This is the provincial party committee's approval document for your decision to place you under investigation. Please take a look."

Upon seeing the official document, with its clear black and white text and the seals of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Provincial Party Committee Office, Song Chuhe's expression gradually turned serious.

His thoughts were in disarray.

The provincial party committee made the decision to place him under investigation, but the mayor only found out when the person was right in front of him.

After a brief moment of shock, Song Chuhe regained his composure and asked, "Secretary Xu, what did I do wrong to deserve this?"

He knows his own situation best.

He was not greedy or corrupt, did not abuse his power for personal gain, and never engaged in any behavior that could lead to investigation or disciplinary action.

Therefore, he was certain that he had been set up!

However, he couldn't remember when or how he did it!

Xu Zhipeng took out an impressive envelope, pulled out a stack of photos, and pushed it in front of Song Chuhe.

"Mayor Song, we received a tip-off and found three kilograms of gold and 1000 million yuan in cash in your home."

In the photo, gold bars and stacks of cash are neatly arranged.

And the background is his house, his bedroom, his... bed!

"I've been framed! I demand the Provincial Public Security Bureau intervene!"

"Mayor Song, the evidence is irrefutable. Even if the Provincial Public Security Bureau intervenes, it cannot change the facts."

Xu Zhipeng smiled and said, "I suggest that Mayor Song take the initiative to confess and admit his mistakes. In this way, the organization may consider the matter and only give him a decision to be expelled from the party and dismissed from public office, instead of transferring him to the judicial authorities."

Song Chuhe said in a deep voice, "I told you, I was framed!"

"Framed?" Xu Zhipeng scoffed, then took out his phone, opened his photo album, found a video, and handed it over.

"Mayor Song, please take a good look at this video."

Song Chuhe suspiciously took out his phone, and after only a few seconds of looking at it, his pupils dilated in shock.

In the video, a middle-aged man is lying naked on a bed, with two young and attractive women lying next to him.

The scene was quite erotic, but Song Chuhe felt a chill run down his spine.

Because that middle-aged man was him!

Song Chuhe's brain seemed to have crashed; he had no recollection of anything on the video.

When did this happen?

Why can't I remember anything at all?

Song Chuhe watched it again carefully and felt that the background in the video looked familiar, it seemed to be... the hotel from last night!

Did this happen last night?

But I was clearly in the same room as my wife!

Song Chuhe had lost his composure.

He knew he had failed this time.

But who could be the one setting this up?

Secretary Lin?

Deputy Secretary Qin?

Or is it Mayor Jiang?

Or perhaps it's the secretary-general who has been rooted in the local area for many years?

Song Chuhe's mind was in turmoil, but there was one thing he was certain of.

I'm doomed!

His political career was completely over.

The other party acted ruthlessly, giving him no chance whatsoever.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and a few seconds later, opened his eyes, regaining his usual composure.

"Give me ten minutes, I need to discuss a few things with my secretary."

"no problem."

Xu Zhipeng turned and led his men out of the office.

After they left, Lu Ming spoke up, "Mayor Song..."

Song Chuhe raised his hand to interrupt Lu Ming, his expression grave. "Listen to me first. As my secretary, if I'm placed under investigation, you'll definitely be suppressed as well. They might even target you to eliminate any potential threats. Although the possibility is small, we have to be wary."

"Now, you have two paths to choose from."

"The first rule is to leave officialdom. But if you want to get out safely, you must stand up and report me, and sever all ties with me."

"I choose option two!"

Lu Ming replied without hesitation.

He would never report his boss, not even if you beat him to death.

Song Chuhe looked pleased and said, "The second option is to stay in officialdom."

"But because of me, the Discipline Inspection Commission will also conduct a thorough investigation into you at the same time. However, you are innocent, and no matter how they investigate, they won't find anything."

"However, it is foreseeable that for a long time to come, you will be suppressed, marginalized, sidelined, and no leader will use you."

"In addition, you must always be careful to guard against being framed by others."

"This road is difficult to walk, and the hope is slim; in fact, there may never be any hope at all."

Song Chuhe's words seemed to press down on Lu Ming like a mountain, making it hard for him to breathe.

He knew, of course, that he would be implicated, and that after today, his once bright future would be instantly bleak.

Not only is their future ruined, but they also have to be constantly wary of suppression from Mayor Song's political enemies and the possibility of being framed at any time.

If even a mayor like Song Chuhe could be framed, what chance would his mere secretary have?

His meager skills are probably not even worth the other party's attention!

Although he knew that Li Wen was one of the masterminds behind framing Mayor Song.

But what good is knowing?

Without evidence, it's all in vain; there's nothing that can be done.

Lu Ming suddenly felt a sense of melancholy, like the fox mourning the death of its rabbit, but he quickly shook this pessimistic thought out of his mind.

His expression was resolute as he said, "Mayor, I want to stay in government; I want to overturn your case!"

Without Song Chuhe's support, he would be nothing.

A scholar will die for one who understands him.

Even knowing that what lies ahead is a den of dragons and tigers, he is determined to brave it!

Although Song Chuhe mentioned two paths, Lu Ming knew very well that he only ever had one choice.

Since the other party has set a trap to harm Song Chuhe, how could they let go of his trusted secretary?

He had no chance to extricate himself; in officialdom, one only had one chance to choose sides.

By choosing Song Chuhe, he was destined to become a thorn in Song's side.

They were in the same boat from the very beginning.

The idea of ​​betraying one's superior and begging for mercy is absolutely impossible in reality.

Politicians within the system are the most ruthless executioners, always determined to eliminate any threat and eradicate all threats.

Song Chuhe looked at Lu Ming with a complex expression, a mixture of relief, regret, and emotion.

He paused for a few seconds, then said, "My political career is completely over, but yours is different. You still have hope. Since you want to stay in officialdom, then I'll help you one last time!"