Chapter 61: The bugle sounds
Inside the car at the Bihai Nuantian Hotel, Wang Bu looked grim. "Uncle Zhang may not be able to hold out. It could happen any day now."
Lin Guozhou smoked, his brow furrowed. Temporarily free of his official duties, he sat in the front passenger seat. At that moment, he looked very much like Wang Bu's adviser. "When did things start happening with Zhang Zhimao?" He had no particular affection for the man Wang Bu respectfully called Uncle Zhang, so there was nothing inappropriate about calling him by name.
But Zhang Zhimao was a key figure in the Wang Family's faction throughout Xichuan Province, a powerful vice-provincial official who coordinated the faction's political resources in the region and held sway over half its territory in Xichuan. In the last clash, Wang Bu had been like a little ball knocked off a billiard table. If Zhang Zhimao fell, countless little balls belonging to the Wang faction in the province would scatter.
"A week ago. I only got the call today. That tells you someone up above really wants to move against us." Wang Bu's smile was bitter. Once the Wang faction's most important foothold in Xichuan was removed, their position would become precarious indeed. "This political landscape... I understand it less and less."
"What exactly happened?"
"There's crucial evidence of Uncle Zhang's corruption and bribery. Apparently, it already forms a complete chain of evidence. The old lady was furious and washed her hands of it. She also made it clear the Wang faction wasn't to interfere in Xichuan." The muscles in Wang Bu's cheeks bulged on his usually scholarly, refined face as he clenched his teeth hard. "Liu Cheng from the Political and Legal Affairs Commission is overseeing the special investigation."
Lin Guozhou frowned. "This Liu