Chapter 68: Yin Tiejun’s Arrangements

“Qi, your city procuratorate is out of line!”

Qi Dongqiang was completely stunned when he received a call from Yin Tiejun. When did Yin Tiejun get out? Wasn’t he already under double designation by the city disciplinary committee and under investigation?

But the urgency of the moment left him no time to ponder.

Besides, as the executive deputy procurator-general of the city procuratorate, his political sensitivity was extremely high. If Yin Tiejun could call him, free from the supervision and constraints of the disciplinary committee, that already spoke volumes.

He immediately responded with a laugh, “Brother Yin, what’s gotten you so riled up today?”

“I haven’t done anything to offend you. Don’t take your anger out on me.”

Qi Dongqiang sat in his office chair, leaning forward slightly, gripping the phone with a smile on his face.

“Qi, let’s cut to the chase. Our personal friendship is one thing, but today I need a favor from you. Will you help me out or not?”

Yin Tiejun’s tone was stern and severe, a far cry from his usual composure. Logically, as the municipal secretary-general, he should never show his hand so plainly and express his urgency so openly.

But he was doing this deliberately—to make it perfectly clear to the executive deputy procurator-general that he, Yin Tiejun, had an urgent request, and Qi must help.

If you don’t, our bond is over; I may not even call you brother anymore.

“Whoa, my friend, what’s the matter? Why so urgent?”

Qi Dongqiang was startled by Yin Tiejun’s tone. He hadn’t heard him speak like this in years—it even made him a little nervous.

“This morning, your city procuratorate—your Second Procuratorial Office Director, Che Jinpeng, led a team and arrested a member of the city disciplinary investigation group, on the grounds of a real-name accusation that this person embezzled thirty thousand yuan.”

“I won’t make things hard for you, Qi. Find out for me—who made the real-name accusation?”

“And I’d also like you to look out for this colleague. Frankly, he’s the young man I value most in the city administration office.”

“It’s thanks to him that I’ve been cleared of wrongdoing and released from the disciplinary committee’s investigation.”

Yin Tiejun was laying all his cards on the table, but this too was intentional: he wanted Qi Dongqiang to know that he, Yin Tiejun, was not out of the game; he was still the municipal secretary-general.

Qi Dongqiang’s heart tightened.

It was true—Yin Tiejun was fine after all.

He immediately stood up from his chair and addressed Yin Tiejun on the other end of the line with a new gravity, “Secretary-General Yin, please rest assured. As a senior third-level procurator and the executive deputy procurator-general of Lingyun City, I will see to it that this young man is treated fairly!”

“If he has truly been wronged, if this is a malicious accusation, I, Qi Dongqiang, will not stand by.”

Once Yin Tiejun revealed his true position, Qi Dongqiang straightened up at once and switched to a formal address.

With power behind Yin Tiejun, he dared not cross him.

“Good, I’ll wait for your call!”

Yin Tiejun didn’t waste words with Qi Dongqiang—he had no time to spare.

After hanging up, he opened his address book again, staring at Mayor Hou Yong’s number for a long time.

Finally, he took a deep breath and dialed.

This time, to save Yang Dong, to get Yang Dong out, Yin Tiejun was ready to risk everything.

After more than ten seconds of ringing, the call connected.

Before Hou Yong could say a word, Yin Tiejun spoke first, his tone heavy with guilt, “Leader, I’ve brought you shame. Please reprimand me.”

“I failed to stay vigilant, and have caused great turmoil and negative impact to the city government, the municipal party committee, and the city administration office.”

“Leader, I request disciplinary action from the organization, so I can at least relieve some of my burden.”

Yin Tiejun’s first words were three consecutive apologies, each one heartfelt.

Hou Yong had frowned for a moment when he saw Yin Tiejun’s private call, but after hearing such a sincere apology, his mind couldn’t help but wander over the past few years. Since becoming mayor, Yin Tiejun had worked tirelessly and been of great help.

He was a capable young cadre, a man of real ability—not merely someone who had advanced thanks to the patronage of his old mentors.

“Tiejun, nobody’s perfect. To err is human.”

Hou Yong’s expression softened, the corners of his mouth lifting in a slight smile as he gripped the receiver, his tone full of warmth and gravity.

“Besides, you did nothing wrong in this matter. Why apologize?”

“You’ve kept your integrity, nothing was found against you by the disciplinary committee, and you’ve cleared yourself of corruption suspicions. That’s very good.”

“They say once a cadre is put under double designation, it’s nearly impossible to come out clean. But my secretary-general of Lingyun City, Yin Tiejun, is different.”

“And what does that show? It shows I, Hou Yong, have done something right in the city’s governance. At least in building a clean and honest administration, I haven’t let things go off the rails.”

“So, Tiejun, there’s no need to apologize.”

“I heard you were in the hospital? How’s your stomach? Are you alright?”

After a few sentences, Hou Yong immediately changed his tone, from that of an old colleague and partner to one of personal concern.

His shift was so natural that it gave Yin Tiejun confidence, allowing him to finally relax.

When a leader inquires about your personal well-being, it’s a clear sign of his attitude.

“Thank you for your concern, leader. I did suffer these past days in the disciplinary committee’s guesthouse—my stomach acted up again. But I’m better now, thanks to Dean Xu Zhongmu at the city hospital.”

At the end, Yin Tiejun mentioned Xu Zhongmu, the hospital director.

Just that, no further elaboration.

“Good, take care of yourself—your stomach will be fine, don’t worry!”

“Thank you, leader.” Yin Tiejun quickly expressed his gratitude, feeling even more assured.

Mayor Hou’s parting words were a masterpiece of double meaning.

Your stomach will be fine?

He really meant: the standing committee will be fine.

He was hinting to Yin Tiejun not to worry about his own fate—the standing committee’s situation was in Hou Yong’s hands. He should just wait for his triumphant return to city hall.

With his personal troubles resolved, Yin Tiejun moved on to the second reason for his call.

“Leader, I have a small request that will cost you some effort. I know I’m imposing, but I must ask.”

His tone was cautious, with a hint of probing.

Hou Yong twirled his pen, smiled, and said, “Is it about young Yang Dong from the disciplinary committee?”

“You’re too sharp, leader. Yes, this young man has helped me immensely.”

“In order to complete his assignment with the disciplinary committee, he even got into a car accident and didn’t tell me. Such an earnest child.”

“Today he was taken away by some people from the procuratorate, though I’m not clear on the details.”

“But leader, as the head of the city administration, I know the character of every one of my people.”

“This Yang Dong is truly outstanding.”

“I’ve heard that in less than a month at the disciplinary committee, Secretary Guan has praised him more than once.”

Yin Tiejun proceeded methodically, from the general to the particular, from the city administration to the disciplinary committee, even bringing up Guan Mushan.

Hou Yong smiled and said, “You’re right—Old Guan really does favor this Yang Dong. Just a few days ago, he asked me to let Yang Dong become deputy head of the comprehensive department at the disciplinary committee office—to be his secretary.”

“That won’t do, leader! Our city administration can’t just send people to the disciplinary committee. Secondment is fine, but a transfer is out of the question!”

Yin Tiejun grew anxious at this.

Being the secretary to the disciplinary committee chief was a good post, but it couldn’t compare to being the mayor’s secretary.

His next move was to arrange for Yang Dong to serve as Mayor Hou Yong’s secretary.

Wouldn’t Guan Mushan be blocking Yang Dong’s path by poaching him?

Absolutely not!

He was truly anxious now.