Chapter 127: The Suppressed Frustration in Yang Dong's Heart

"You... you are Yang Dong?"

Zhao Pengcheng jerked his head up, his eyes widening as he stared at Yang Dong. His face drained of color, and his voice trembled. While he had been held in the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection guesthouse, he had indeed been unaware of Yang Dong's reputation. However, since his release a few days ago, he had used various information channels to cram his knowledge of the city's political situation over the past month.

That was when he learned of the name Yang Dong.

A mere, ordinary low-level clerk from the Municipal Office, he had been seconded to the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection a month and a half ago, appointed as the leader of the Tenth Special Investigation Team. Then, he had begun a series of unbelievable feats.

Yin Tiejun’s corruption case, once considered a foregone conclusion, had been resolved by Yang Dong in a matter of days; now, the Municipal Government Secretary-General, Yin Tiejun, had been reinstated.

Tian Guanghan, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Municipal Government, had been poised to succeed Yin Tiejun, rising from deputy division level to division level. Then... he was placed under "Shuanggui" (disciplinary detention) by Yang Dong. Subsequent investigations uncovered the KTV murder case involving his son, Tian Yuan. Father and son would spend the rest of their lives behind bars.

And it didn't stop there.

There was the massive corruption case of Gu Santong, the Director of the Municipal Education Bureau—a case of extreme severity and vile influence, involving over 20 million yuan in various assets. As the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection continued its investigation, they discovered that more than 300 people across Lingyun City's education system, including elementary, middle, and high schools, were implicated.

Over 100 people were involved in the Finance Bureau, the Development and Reform Commission, the Science and Technology Bureau, the Administration for Industry and Commerce, the Public Security Bureau, and the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau. In the Yunbei District education and finance systems, as well as their schools, more than 30 were implicated. In Jieyang County, over 20 were involved. In Beijiang County, multiple people in the education and finance systems were implicated. Furthermore, in the wealthiest area, Kaiyang County, over 100 people across the education and finance systems and both administrative offices were involved.

These were the things unearthed following the exposure of Gu Santong's mega-corruption case—what is often called "pulling up the radish, bringing up the mud."

Such a major case had been handled by a young man named Yang Dong. And the young comrade before him now was that very man.

Zhao Pengcheng felt an indescribable fear and a profound sense of depression. He never imagined that the ruthless man who had taken down Gu Santong would come for him so quickly. He didn't know if he should feel honored to be mentioned in the same breath as Gu Santong and to be personally interrogated by Yang Dong.

"Zhao Pengcheng, tell me everything," Yang Dong said, pointing at him. His voice was deep and steady as he lowered his head to take notes.

***

Zhao Pengcheng took a deep breath. Once he knew the young investigator across from him was Yang Dong, the feelings of resentment in his heart vanished. Gu Santong and Tian Guanghan had both been brought down by him; what was he, by comparison? Being taken down was only natural.

Forget it. He would confess. Confess early, find relief early. Otherwise, living in such constant fear every day—when would it ever end?

"In March 2002, I was transferred from the Shiyuan Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection to the Organization Department of the Lingyun Municipal Party Committee as Deputy Minister. It has been six years."

"For the first two years, I was dedicated and responsible. I never took a cent, nor did I dare harbor any thoughts of corruption. It was only when I wasn't the candidate for Executive Deputy Minister of the Organization Department in 2004 that I began to slack off."

"In 2006, I applied to the organization to leave the Municipal Organization Department to serve as a Standing Committee member and Organization Minister in Kaiyang County, but that was unsuccessful. From that moment on, I felt my attitude toward work had completely deteriorated, and I developed a corrupt intent. I wanted to make money."

"Once that greed took root, it became unstoppable. I remember in August 2005, Lin Liangming, the section chief of the First Cadre Division, got to know me by chance. At first, he tested me to see if I wanted to make some money. I still had some sense then; I scolded him, and he didn't bring it up again."

"Six months later, I took the initiative to find him and told him I wanted to make money. He chuckled, we discussed it for several hours, and after that, I slid into the abyss of sin."

"Over the past three years, Lin Liangming and I invested in two hotels, three paper mills, and one printing house. Through dividend rights, we profited over five million yuan. I worked in the Discipline Inspection Commission before, so I was very cautious. I didn't dare take the money myself, nor did I let my wife touch it. I required the partners to exchange the money for Euros and Pounds in Hong Kong and wire it to my son's study-abroad account."

"Every year, when my son returned for summer or winter break, he would bring back some money, claiming it was a scholarship or earnings from working abroad."

"Lin Liangming is bolder than I am. He wasn't afraid of the Commission's investigation. He just took the dividend money openly and kept it at home. I also kept some money at his place. That portion was the bribe money concerning cadre appointments—the money you mentioned earlier. We obtained over three million yuan through this information disparity."

"Lin Liangming and I split that money 40-60. I took 40 percent, he took 60, because he was the one who stood at the front. I hid in the background; I only needed to show my face occasionally because I held a high rank—I had that privilege."

"That is all. Nothing more."

Zhao Pengcheng honestly confessed everything he had done over the years. He believed he had left nothing out. However, Yang Dong did not believe him.

"Zhao Pengcheng, your confession is complete, but..." Yang Dong set down his pen, looked up at Zhao Pengcheng, and let out a cold laugh.

***

"Are you trying to fool a ghost by burning newspapers at the Ghost Festival?"

"Do you expect me to believe that you and a section chief from the First Cadre Division could control the entire personnel reshuffling of the Municipal Party Committee's Organization Department?"

"At this point, Zhao Pengcheng, what else are you trying to hide? Are you still hoping that there is a deity above you, and that this deity can save you?"

Upon hearing this, Lü Yanqing shuddered in fear and hurriedly stopped recording. He capped his pen and tugged at Yang Dong.

"Yang Dong, that’s enough. That’s enough."

Lü Yanqing had a limit in his heart. He felt that the interrogation had reached a point where the case could be closed. It was a perfect ending. There was no need to dig deeper. If they dug any further, the whole building would collapse, and neither he nor Yang Dong would survive, as they were both inside.

"Zhao Pengcheng, even the gods can't save themselves now. Are you still dreaming of burning incense and praying to them?"

Yang Dong ignored Lü Yanqing and continued to stare at Zhao Pengcheng. A sense of stifled frustration had been building in his heart, and it remained unresolved. When investigating Tian Guanghan, Wei Chonghu had told him to stop, not to dig further. Later, when investigating the case of Gu Santong, Gu Santong himself had tried to persuade him to stop asking and digging. Now, Lü Yanqing was urging him to end it.

He understood that these people were afraid. There were certain red lines that could not be crossed. He understood the logic and the deeper reasons behind it. But because of this—because this couldn't be touched, and that couldn't be dared—this group of people had become increasingly arrogant and lawless. They had no regard for the Party, the people, or the country.

How innocent were the common people?

So, he wanted to try. If it worked, that would be best. If it didn't, at least he had made the effort.