Chapter 40: The Mayor Makes an Appearance

In the office of Guan Mushan, Secretary of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, the atmosphere was heavy.

Guan Mushan sat in his desk chair, while Wei Chonghu, Su Tongzhou, and Liu Shan sat in order on the sofa.

Su Tongzhou gave a detailed report on the Yin Tiejun case to Guan Mushan, paying special attention to the fact that the housekeeper had already been found, but that Yang Dong had been involved in a car accident on his way back to the city. There was evidence at the crash scene suggesting the accident had been deliberate.

He relayed all of this to Guan Mushan.

After he finished, he waited for further instructions from the member of the Municipal Standing Committee and Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission.

Guan Mushan fell silent, his face betraying no anger—yet the calmer he appeared, the graver the situation clearly was.

If the accident that happened to the discipline inspection investigators on their way back to the city had been a mere mishap, there would have been nothing to be done. But this accident was anything but ordinary. According to the original plan, it should have been the housekeeper, Yin Xiuying, sitting in Yang Dong’s car.

Now, with the deliberate nature of the accident, it was clear the target was Yin Xiuying. The other side wanted to silence her and eliminate the key witness in the Yin Tiejun case.

What comforted Guan Mushan, however, was that Yang Dong had been quick-witted enough to employ a diversion, tricking the opponent and exposing their hand.

Most importantly, the housekeeper Yin Xiuying had successfully returned to the city, and Lu Yike was already conducting a secret interrogation.

With this, the Yin Tiejun case finally became clear, at least proving that Yin Tiejun had been falsely accused.

Yin Tiejun could now be exonerated.

Though young, Yang Dong had repeatedly managed to anticipate his adversaries, act decisively, and foil his opponents’ schemes, forcing them into the open.

It was a pity, though, that such a promising talent had refused to serve as his secretary.

Guan Mushan couldn’t decide how to evaluate Yang Dong. Was it really beneath him to serve as the secretary to the Secretary of the Commission for Discipline Inspection?

Still, Guan Mushan was pleased with Yang Dong’s loyalty. Loyalty to senior leaders made them comfortable entrusting responsibilities and confident in promoting you.

If you promote a wolf, after all, you might end up bitten yourself.

“Secretary, what do you think our next step should be?” Wei Chonghu, seeing Guan Mushan remain silent, straightened and asked.

Wei Chonghu’s feelings toward Guan Mushan were complicated.

Officially, Guan Mushan’s sudden appointment had completely blocked his own path to becoming Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission. It was rare for the Executive Deputy Secretary to ascend directly, but there was always a glimmer of hope.

He had served as Executive Deputy Secretary for four years, and before that, as Second Deputy Secretary for over two—more than six years at division-level rank. Such seniority should have been enough to secure the top spot.

Yet in the end, the position was parachuted in for Guan Mushan.

Privately, though, Guan Mushan had once been his own old leader’s first secretary and was thus his senior. For a senior, one must always show a measure of respect.

This mix of feelings had left him uneasy for days.

If it were anyone but Guan Mushan as Secretary, Wei Chonghu would have considered squaring off with the new leader, showing his abilities. But with Guan Mushan, all that resentment had nowhere to go.

“Old Wei, we’ll certainly have to report this upwards. The investigation team was formed at the suggestion of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection.”

“This case also concerns the city government’s reputation and the integrity of our cadres, and Yin Tiejun himself is a division-level cadre.”

“There’s no way we can keep this from the Provincial Commission.”

“My only hesitation is whether we should inform the Municipal Party Committee first or the Provincial Commission. The order matters a great deal.”

The discipline inspection system was managed both vertically and horizontally, operating under the local Party Committee but also under the direct authority of the Provincial Commission.

But the sequence of reporting was important.

If they reported to the Provincial Commission first, it would put the Municipal Party Committee in a difficult spot. If the higher-ups questioned them before the city leaders even knew, it would be humiliating for the city’s leadership.

And as Secretary of the Commission for Discipline Inspection and a member of the Standing Committee, Guan Mushan couldn’t ignore the Party Committee’s position.

On the other hand, if they notified the Municipal Party Committee first, that might create complications. The Committee might suggest handling the matter internally, without reporting to the province.

That would contravene procedures and relevant regulations.

“The Secretary is the principal leader; the decision is yours,” Wei Chonghu said, aware of Guan Mushan’s concerns. As the executive deputy, it wasn’t his call—only the principal could decide.

Just then, the phone on Guan Mushan’s desk rang, abruptly breaking the tension.

Guan Mushan’s expression sharpened as he picked up the phone.

“This is Guan Mushan.”

His tone was grave.

“Heh, Lao Guan, it’s Hou Yong,” came a laugh on the other end, followed by a hearty voice.

Hearing the mayor’s voice, Guan Mushan immediately stood and bowed slightly.

“Mayor, do you have any instructions?”

The three sitting on the sofa straightened; clearly, this was the moment when the major players behind the scenes could no longer sit still now that the situation had become clear.

“Haha, I wouldn’t dare give instructions to a Secretary carrying the Provincial Commission’s Imperial Sword,” Hou Yong replied, laughing again. But he quickly became serious.

“Lao Guan, forgive me for asking, but I heard that members of the municipal discipline inspection team investigating the Yin Tiejun case were in a car accident—is that true?”

Hearing this, Guan Mushan couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. They said Mayor Hou Yong of Lingyun City had eyes and ears everywhere, and it was true.

Hou Yong’s intelligence network was indeed formidable.

Still, it made sense: the Public Security Bureau was a government organ, and when the traffic unit discovered the accident and found it involved the Commission, it would naturally be reported up the chain to the mayor.

So Guan Mushan wasn’t surprised Hou Yong knew.

“Mayor, I was just about to report this matter to you and the city leaders. Since you’ve called, I’ll explain now.”

“There was indeed a car accident, and there are indications it might have been deliberate, but the investigation is ongoing.”

“Actually, the injured member of the discipline inspection team is a city government staffer.”

“Due to a shortage of Commission personnel, we temporarily borrowed some from other departments.”

“The injured party is from the General Affairs Section of the Municipal Office, named Yang Dong.”

“Comrade Yang Dong is highly capable, with a clear approach to investigations. In just one day, he discovered flaws in the Yin Tiejun case and today located the involved housekeeper.”

“He was bringing her back when the accident occurred.”

Guan Mushan gave a full account of the situation leading up to the crash.

Hou Yong, sitting in his office, was just over forty—a young, promising official, full of energy, with piercing eyes and thick, dark brows.

After listening to the report, he laughed. “I didn’t expect such an outstanding young man in the Municipal Office. It seems we’ll have to put him to good use once you’re done borrowing him.”

“Haha, Mayor, why not let us keep him at the Commission? To be honest, he happened to save my daughter twice just the other day, and I met him personally. He’s an excellent comrade, and I’d like him as my secretary.”

“You know I’ve just arrived and need to establish myself. Having a capable secretary would help tremendously.”

Guan Mushan was still unwilling to give up, trying to get Hou Yong’s approval to bring Yang Dong over.

That way, Yang Dong would have no grounds to refuse, unless he resigned outright.

“Oh, come on, Lao Guan, you’re trying to poach my people? If it were anyone else, I’d consider it. But this Yang Dong—well, I know him well. He’s a master at drafting documents, with beautiful handwriting. I’ve praised his work many times, even told Yin Tiejun to pay close attention to him.”

“He was up for promotion to deputy section chief, but then the whole Yin Tiejun affair got in the way.”

“Our city government owes him, and we should make it up to him. So this comrade is staying with us in the Municipal Office.”

“Surely, with all your talent at the Commission, you don’t need to steal from us, do you?”

And so, in the conversation between these two senior officials, Yang Dong’s future was decided.