For Song Guanchao, the best destination for these pieces of evidence was in the hands of Li Fuhai's political adversaries.
But he had just entered the political arena of Lingjiang City and didn't have a thorough understanding of the political landscape.
He didn't even know which faction Li Fuhai belonged to.
Moreover, with time being of the essence, he couldn't afford to figure out who Li Fuhai's adversaries were.
Besides, even if he did understand, rashly approaching them with the evidence would hardly win their favor.
It would more likely make them become more vigilant.
After all, he was Li Fuhai's driver, and now he was reporting his boss.
Which employer would dare to trust such an employee?
Since he couldn't contact Li Fuhai's political rivals, he had to see who would benefit the most from Li Fuhai's downfall.
With the Vice Mayor's position becoming vacant, someone like Liang Hao would have the opportunity to move up.
Power is the best aphrodisiac for men!
Once one has tasted the benefits of power, it is hard to let go.
As long as Liang Hao had ambitions to climb higher, the path he had taken today would be a successful one!
However, how to deliver the evidence to him was also an art.
What Song Guanchao needed to do was to intentionally create the illusion that someone powerful was backing him.
His coming here today was also at the instigation of the person behind him.
Judging from Liang Hao's reaction, his goal was achieved.
However, this approach had significant drawbacks.
Liang Hao was not a fool; it wouldn't take long for him to realize he was being used as a pawn under false pretenses.
The nomination for Vice Mayor was just a pie in the sky that Song Guanchao had painted for him.
Once he realized this, he would surely be enraged.
But his anger would be futile, for Song Guanchao held the evidence against Liang Hao.
If things really went south, he could just remain a low-level civil servant for the rest of his life.
On the other side, Liang Hao's downfall and imprisonment were unavoidable.
He was smart; he would know what to do.
"Now, I'm just one step away."
With a faint smile, Song Guanchao rode his motorcycle away from the apartment.
On his way home, he stopped at a shabby diner, filled his stomach, and then returned to his rented room.
He took a shower and changed into clean clothes.
Then, he entered his room and pulled out the box from under his bed.
The box contained stacks of cash, at least a million.
"That's a significant investment."
Sitting on his bed, Song Guanchao dialed the City Disciplinary Inspection Commission's tip line.
"Hello, is this the City Disciplinary Inspection Commission?"
"Yes, who am I speaking with?"
"I am Li Fuhai's driver, Song Guanchao."
The other end perked up immediately, "Hello, Mr. Song, what can I do for you?"
Song Guanchao said, "I just got home and found a box of cash under my bed, at least a million."
The other end was a little stunned, and after two seconds replied, "You mean, a million in cash suddenly showed up in your home?"
"Yes."
"When did this money appear?"
"Today!" Song Guanchao's tone was resolute. "I mop the floor every night, and it wasn't there when I cleaned last night."
"Alright, please tell me your address."
Song Guanchao gave his address, and the other side said, "Okay, we'll be right there. Please wait at home and do not go out."
"Alright."
Putting down the phone, Song Guanchao waited quietly.
Suddenly.
His phone rang.
The caller ID surprised him.
It was his old superior!
Song Guanchao bared his teeth, somewhat reluctant to answer.
During his time in the military, he had cooperated with narcotics police to achieve great success, had assisted the Ministry of Public Security in cracking several major cases, and had even participated in international arrests.
Personal third-class merits, second-class merits, first-class merits—his honors were too numerous to count.
Throughout the entire Nanjiang Military District, his name was well-known.
Even the special forces of the Nanjiang Military District had taken a liking to him and invited him to join.
His outstanding performance had also reached the ears of the senior leaders, who were very fond of him, and before his retirement, he served as a guard by the leader's side.
Receiving a call from the old leader out of the blue, Song Guanchao felt a bit uneasy.
Because when he retired, he did not consult with the old leader but applied directly.
Although the leader didn't say anything afterwards, he could sense that the leader was very disappointed in him.
"Sigh."
With a light sigh, Song Guanchao still answered the phone.
"Leader, hello!"
"Enough, don't shout so loudly on the phone, you're going to blow out my eardrums."
The leader's elderly, steady voice rose from the phone.
"Guan Chao, I heard you've returned to Lingjiang and are working as a driver for someone?"
"Yes, I'm driving for the Vice Mayor."
"Sigh." The leader sighed heavily, regretfully saying, "A driver... heh, my Nanjiang Military District's finest soldier driving for an official, what a fucking irony!"
Song Guanchao could hear the concern in the old leader's words and was very touched.
"Leader, whether serving as a soldier or as a driver, I'm serving the people."
"Cut the crap!"
The old leader snorted, unapologetically cursing, "You were born to be a soldier! I brought you by my side back then to temper your personality."
"According to my plans, by the age of thirty, you should have been at least a lieutenant colonel, you... sigh!"
The old leader sighed deeply again, saying, "Nevermind, let's not talk about that. I also know you, young man, have political aspirations. A melon forcefully twisted off its vine isn't sweet, I don't care for that either!"
Song Guanchao promptly slapped on some light but flattery, "It's true you've always been profound and righteous, old leader!"
"Hmph! Don't try to butter me up! I called you today to ask if you really want to get into politics?"
"Yes!"
"Alright, I got it."
Having said that, the old leader hung up the phone.
Song Guanchao was baffled.
So, the whole purpose of your call was just to give me a scolding?
Forget it, I won't hold it against the old man.
About twenty minutes later, there was a knock on the door.
Song Guanchao went to open it and four men stood outside.
"Hello, are you Mr. Song Guanchao?"
"I am."
"I'm Liu Chunshan, head of the Disciplinary Inspection Team; here's my work ID."
Song Guanchao took a look and led the four men into the room, pointing at the suitcase, "The money is all here."
Liu Chunshan hummed in acknowledgment and instructed the other three, "Take it away."
Then he said to Song Guanchao, "Mr. Song, please come with us to assist with the investigation."
"Okay."
Half an hour later.
Yunhai Hotel.
Song Guanchao was ushered into a guest room.
In the room, there was a table with a camera set up beside it.
Shortly after he sat down, the door opened, and a young man and a young woman entered.
They turned on the camera and took a seat at the table.
The young woman tapped the table and said expressionlessly, "Song Guanchao, sit down."
Song Guanchao knew that the investigation into him was about to begin.
Under normal circumstances, staff from the Disciplinary Committee wouldn't have come to ask for his cooperation in the investigation until at least the next day.
But his phone call had expedited this inquiry.
After sitting down, the young woman introduced herself, "Lingjiang City Discipline Inspection Commission monitoring team, Wu Yun."
The young man added, "Zhang Kai."
Wu Yun picked up a fountain pen and said, "Song Guanchao, we found a large sum of cash in your home. After counting, it amounts to 1.033 million."
Song Guanchao raised an eyebrow, interrupting, "Miss Wu, it was I who called the Disciplinary Committee, actively informing them that a large amount of cash was hidden in my home, not you discovering it. There's a fundamental difference between the two, don't confuse them."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Zhang Kai reprimanded, "Song Guanchao, keep it straight! We ask, you answer, keep your mouth shut when you're not supposed to speak!"
Song Guanchao couldn't help but laugh indignantly, leaning back and crossing his legs, he uttered two words, "Idiots!"