Official Career Storm-Chapter 1377

The conference room fell into brief silence, then someone stood up.

"Director Song, I think deciding so quickly like this is too hasty."

The speaker was the Director of the Document Department, surnamed Su.

As soon as he spoke, others chimed in, "Director Yuan and Director Ke have always been dedicated to their work. They must have had something urgent yesterday to leave work early. Director Song shouldn’t assume they’re slacking off because of one or two instances."

Song Guanchao glanced at those speaking up for the two, who were all attendees of the dinner hosted by Shi Qin that evening.

He was quite surprised; he hadn’t expected these people to be so loyal.

He had thought they would be indifferent to matters that didn’t concern them.

It seemed they were worried that if he targeted them now, they would be next.

This gave them a sense of crisis.

"Director Ke, Director Yuan."

Suddenly, Shi Qin called their names, "No matter what the circumstances, work should come first. If something delays you, it’s important to inform Director Song promptly. This was a minor misunderstanding that made Director Song mistakenly think you were slackers because of your own reasons."

The two realized she was giving them a way out and hurriedly said, "Director Song, I assure you that such a thing will never happen again."

Song Guanchao glanced at Shi Qin and said, "Oh, so it was a delay because of something else."

"How come I heard that even for tasks assigned by the Secretary, you offer excuses and avoid them?"

Their scalp tingled, now understanding that Song Guanchao wasn’t really making a fuss over what happened yesterday.

He was simply using it as an excuse to target them.

They wanted to explain, but Song Guanchao had already stood up, "Director Li, Director Guo, from now on, if there’s anything in your department, report directly to me. Also, you need to keep an eye on Director Yuan and Director Ke; if they’re late, leave early, or are out of the office for long periods, record it."

With that, he walked out.

As he reached the door, Director Ke suddenly said, "Song Guanchao, what do you mean by this?"

Song Guanchao turned around and said, "It seems Director Ke has some opinions about my approach?"

Director Ke’s face was dark, "I’m the Director of the Information Department; even if you’re the Director of the Office, you have no right to interfere in the affairs of the Information Department directly."

Song Guanchao didn’t respond to his words and instead looked at the two deputy directors, "Director Li and Director Guo, come to my office."

After he left, the two deputy directors glanced at the furious Director Ke and Director Yuan. Just as they stood up, they heard a rebuke, "Don’t go!"

However, just as they finished speaking, they heard Han Lan say, "Don’t keep Director Song waiting."

When she spoke, everyone else looked over in surprise.

Han Lan had almost no presence in the City Government, never involving herself in anything beyond work.

But today, she was uncharacteristically assertive.

This surprised them a great deal.

"Secretary Han, what do you mean by this?" Director Ke’s face was sullen. For a department director to speak to the secretary in such a questioning tone would be unimaginable in other cities.

But here, everyone found it normal.

"Director Ke, watch your tone."

Han Lan said this without any emotional fluctuation and then got up and left.

After these few people left, everyone’s eyes turned to Shi Qin.

"Director Shi, Song Guanchao is collaborating with Han Lan!"

"He’s purposely making things difficult; even without yesterday’s incident, he would find another excuse." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

They weren’t fools; Song Guanchao’s intentions were quite apparent.

Shi Qin was equally angry; she was more perceptive than Director Ke and the others.

Song Guanchao wanted to replace the heads of several departments with people who would listen to him.

Even if they remained department directors in name, it would be just that—in name only.

Shi Qin left the office; she wanted to talk with Song Guanchao.

If things continued this way, the foundation she had painstakingly built over so long would be dismantled and usurped by Song Guanchao.

She arrived outside Song Guanchao’s office but didn’t enter immediately, as the two deputy directors were still inside.

Inside the office, the two deputy directors sat nervously in their chairs, hands on their knees.

They were genuinely surprised that when Song Guanchao called them over yesterday, it was all in preparation for today.

Now, being put under the spotlight made them somewhat uncomfortable.

While this was an opportunity, Song Guanchao hadn’t really given them a choice.

Forcing a slice of cake into their mouths like this was a bit hard to swallow.

Moreover, who knew whether what was being shoved into their mouths was cake or poison?

"From now on, report all departmental work directly to me."

"If there’s an issue, let them come to me."

"If anyone below doesn’t cooperate, tell me."

Song Guanchao succinctly summarized a few points, considering all possible situations.

Director Guo hesitated and said, "Director Yuan is the head of the department; doing this isn’t quite right, is it?"

Song Guanchao stared at him for a few seconds, then at Director Li, and said, "Looks like I overestimated you."

"How about this, I’ll be more straightforward, and you can think about it and then give me an answer."

"Director Yuan and Director Ke have poor attitudes; I won’t move them for now, but eventually, I will. Using you now is not because there’s no one else but because it’s convenient."

"If you’re satisfied being deputy directors, you can leave now and continue being deputies. I’ll choose someone else."

"But if you have ambition and want to climb up, I don’t mind giving you a chance."

Song Guanchao’s words were indeed very clear and direct.

The two of them didn’t mind being used without prior notice at this point.

After all, while Song Guanchao was using them as tools, he also promised them benefits.

Director Guo had asked that earlier question to secure a clear commitment from Song Guanchao.

Because if it were merely exploitation, he saw no reason to work for Song Guanchao.

After all, there would be no benefits, only offending Director Yuan.

Now it was different; Song Guanchao had offered clear benefits.

"I’ll follow Director Song!"

The two of them no longer hesitated and immediately expressed their stance.

Song Guanchao smiled but didn’t expose their underlying motives.

He didn’t expect selfless dedication from them.

Of course, whether or not they would be promoted in the future remained to be seen.

He knew nothing about them for now and needed to understand their character and obedience.

As long as they were obedient, a slight flaw in character didn’t matter.

After they left and the door was yet to close, Song Guanchao heard a series of footsteps approaching.

Shi Qin walked in and closed the door.

He wasn’t at all surprised by her arrival.

He looked at her silently, waiting for her to speak.

Shi Qin sat down and said, "I assure you that they will absolutely cooperate with any of your demands and orders in the future."

Song Guanchao replied, "Even if they cooperate, they’re not my people; I prefer using my own."

Shi Qin was a bit anxious and explained, "They have no objections to you. You just arrived; everyone needs time to adjust..."

Song Guanchao interrupted her, "There’s no adjustment needed; as subordinates, they must actively adapt to a leader’s rhythm. If they can’t adapt, they shouldn’t bother trying. The City Government doesn’t lack people."

"Song Guanchao, do you really want to push things this far?" Shi Qin was furious, knowing that Song Guanchao was deliberately causing trouble for them.

Song Guanchao’s smile slowly faded, his fingers gently tapping on his phone, "You should worry about yourself first instead of others."

Shi Qin’s face turned pale, hearing the threat in Song Guanchao’s words.

She suddenly realized why Song Guanchao had recorded their conversation on his phone that day.

From that moment, he had decided to replace her entire small team!