Chapter 63: Yang Dong Returns to the Municipal Office

March 16, 2008.

Nine o’clock in the morning.

It had been two days since Yin Tiejun was admitted for treatment.

On this day, the atmosphere in the office of the municipal discipline inspection committee’s secretary was oppressive and tense.

“Yang Dong, let’s proceed.”

“But pay attention to your methods and the impact.”

“Don’t make too much noise, or there’ll be trouble from the municipal party committee.”

Guan Mushan stubbed out his cigarette, his expression grave as he signaled to Yang Dong.

At this moment, there was more than just Yang Dong in the office.

Present were Wei Chonghu, executive deputy secretary of the municipal discipline inspection committee and director of the supervisory bureau; Gong Xinli, second deputy secretary; Xu Yuncai, third deputy secretary; Ling Zhenting, standing committee member and secretary-general; Su Tongzhou, standing committee member, director of the first discipline inspection and supervision office, and deputy leader of the investigation team; Liu Shan, standing committee member, director of the case review office, and deputy leader of the investigation team; Wu Sancai, director of the cadre supervision office—and at least ten other leaders from the municipal discipline inspection committee, all seated with solemn faces.

Also present were Lu Yike, Yang Dong, Jiang Hu, and Hou Donglai.

The entire office radiated an atmosphere of intimidation, reminiscent of a mobilization meeting before a great army sets out.

To gather all senior leaders of the municipal discipline inspection committee meant something significant was about to happen.

And that significant event was the initiation of “shuanggui” against Tian Guanghan.

Was it sudden?

In fact, not at all.

The municipal discipline inspection committee had long possessed concrete evidence and reports; they had merely held back from acting.

But now, circumstances had changed, and it was time to strike.

“Secretary, shouldn’t we be more cautious?”

“After all, he’s the deputy secretary-general of the city government. Isn’t it a bit hasty to act just like that?”

At this moment, Xu Yuncai, deputy secretary of the committee, voiced his concerns to Guan Mushan.

He was already uneasy—the committee’s sudden move had filled him with a sense of crisis.

If Tian Guanghan were taken down now, it would be a significant blow to municipal party secretary Wu Xinkai.

Guan Mushan sat in his chair, glanced at Xu Yuncai, keeping a stern face and saying nothing.

Yang Dong, standing in the office, couldn’t help but smile at Xu Yuncai’s words, and spoke, “Secretary Xu, what’s wrong with a deputy secretary-general?”

“When the committee carried out ‘shuanggui’ against Secretary Yin Tiejun, wasn’t it even faster than today?”

“Moreover, I heard it was you who strongly advocated his arrest.”

“Why didn’t you say it was too hasty or damaging then?”

As soon as Yang Dong finished, Xu Yuncai’s face darkened; he glared fiercely at Yang Dong and retorted angrily, “You’re just a minor clerk—are you questioning me?”

“I wouldn’t dare, I’m only learning from you.”

“When you carried out ‘shuanggui’ against Secretary Yin, it was executed with great momentum and swiftness, like autumn winds sweeping leaves.”

“I’m just following your example. Why are you getting upset?”

Yang Dong looked at Xu Yuncai with a face of genuine puzzlement, asking in a ‘depressed’ tone.

Lu Yike couldn’t help herself, letting out a laugh before quickly covering her mouth and turning away.

Several other committee leaders smiled in varying degrees.

Guan Mushan’s expression remained unchanged, but he too felt the urge to laugh—Yang Dong’s words were sharp, but not without reason. Xu Yuncai had once acted with determination to arrest Yin Tiejun, taking him from investigation to ‘shuanggui’ in just a few hours.

Now, when it was time to subject Tian Guanghan, the deputy secretary-general, to ‘shuanggui’, he was opposing it?

This was inconsistent with his usual behavior.

“You…”

Xu Yuncai trembled with anger, unable to respond to Yang Dong, a mere clerk, who had silenced him with his own actions.

Yang Dong had used Xu’s own precedent to shut him up.

“I have no objection, let’s proceed with ‘shuanggui’!”

Xu Yuncai responded gloomily, closed his eyes, and sat back on the sofa, saying no more.

“‘Shuanggui’ for a deputy division-level cadre can’t be done carelessly.”

“Old Su, you lead the team!”

Wei Chonghu looked up and addressed Su Tongzhou, director of the first discipline inspection and supervision office.

Su Tongzhou, also the deputy leader of the investigation team, was now personally leading the operation—a significant gesture to Tian Guanghan.

“Yes, Secretary Wei!”

Su Tongzhou rubbed his hands together. A deputy division-level cadre—another achievement.

For discipline inspection officers, achievements come from such cases.

Unlike government officials, who drive economic development and improve livelihoods, and party committee officials, who focus on party conduct, the discipline inspection committee’s work is to apprehend corrupt officials and send them to jail.

“Secretary Guan, shouldn’t we inform the municipal party committee and government?”

“The party committee leads everything; the party secretary has the right to know about ‘shuanggui’ actions.”

“And since Tian Guanghan works for the city government, the mayor should be informed as well.”

“Otherwise, if something happens, it might reflect poorly on us.”

Gong Xinli, the rarely seen and quiet second deputy secretary, spoke up at this tense moment, his eyes filled with concern as he addressed Guan Mushan.

Being older and with no further prospects for advancement, he only wanted a peaceful retirement.

He was thorough in his considerations, not wishing for the discipline inspection committee to be criticized from above over this matter.

“Old Gong, I’ve already reported to Mayor Hou. He approves the ‘shuanggui’ of Tian Guanghan.”

Guan Mushan smiled at Gong Xinli.

Gong Xinli considered asking if the party secretary was informed, but after a moment’s thought, kept silent.

Old fox…

Guan Mushan couldn’t help but smile at Gong Xinli’s hesitation.

Clearly, Gong Xinli had guessed something.

“Let’s begin!”

“It’s now twelve minutes past nine. Bring him back before ten and deliver him to the committee’s secret guesthouse!”

Guan Mushan stood up, glanced at his watch, and spoke solemnly.

“Yes!”

Su Tongzhou straightened and replied, then turned to Yang Dong, Lu Yike, and the others.

“You all, follow me!”

With that, Su Tongzhou zipped up his black jacket and strode out.

Yang Dong, Lu Yike, Jiang Hu, and Hou Donglai followed close behind.

The operation had begun.

Three committee vehicles raced toward the city government office building.

Wu Sancai, director of the cadre supervision office, hurried out of the committee building, went to a corner, and anxiously dialed his phone to tip someone off.

“Secretary Wu, something’s happened!”

…

Back at the city government building, Su Tongzhou wanted to ask Yang Dong how he felt—coming in person to subject his own superior, Tian Guanghan, to ‘shuanggui’.

“Leader, I don’t feel much, just a bit nervous.”

Yang Dong replied, a hint of excitement in his eyes.

Su Tongzhou couldn’t help but smirk—the excitement in Yang Dong’s eyes was barely concealed.

Still, he admired Yang Dong. The Yin Tiejun case had been ‘proven’ beyond doubt, nearly ready for judicial transfer, but Yang Dong had managed to overturn it.

In just one day, he had cleared Yin Tiejun’s name.

And when the housekeeper was brought in to confess the truth, the fact of Yin Tiejun’s wrongful accusation was firmly established.

Yang Dong had even been in a car accident and hospitalized for over ten days because of it.

If Yin Tiejun knew, he would surely be grateful.

“Leader, why do we notify Xu Yuncai and Wu Sancai before the operation? Aren’t you worried they’ll tip someone off?”

Lu Yike looked at Su Tongzhou, her face serious.

She harbored concerns—what if something went wrong with the operation?

Both Xu Yuncai and Wu Sancai attended the mobilization meeting, which wasn’t ideal.

Even though the committee and government buildings were close, the drive took several minutes.

But a phone call to tip someone off would only take a few seconds.

“Yang Dong, explain to Yike.”

Su Tongzhou smiled and turned to Yang Dong.

Yang Dong smiled at Lu Yike and said, “Yike, rules must be followed. To subject a deputy division-level cadre to ‘shuanggui’, all three deputy secretaries must be informed.”

“And besides… isn’t tipping someone off even more interesting?”

A faint smile appeared on Yang Dong’s lips; he almost looked forward to Xu Yuncai and Wu Sancai tipping someone off.

That would expose them—then Secretary Wu Xinkai would have to worry about whom to protect.

With this, Mayor Hou Yong would have more leverage.

Xu Yuncai, Tian Guanghan, Wu Sancai, or any other officials who might reveal themselves—who would Wu Xinkai protect?

“Deliberately stirring the grass to startle the snake? I get it.”

Lu Yike instantly understood, her intelligence shining through.

“We’ve arrived. Let’s get out.”

Su Tongzhou glanced at the white marble entrance, the sign reading: People's Government of Lingyun City, Chinese Communist Party.

Yang Dong stepped out, looked up at the familiar white building.

Unconsciously, he had been away for nearly a month.

“Yang Dong, you take the lead.”

Su Tongzhou looked at Yang Dong with encouraging eyes.

He was letting Yang Dong take Tian Guanghan out—a reward.

A chance for Yang Dong to vent his feelings.