Chapter 72: The Municipal Party Committee Meeting

Xu Zhongmu could have died of frustration because of Feng Ling; this woman had landed him in a heap of trouble.

He’d been quietly doing his job as director of the municipal hospital, steering clear of city politics and minding his own affairs. At his age, he had no desire to get embroiled in those matters—choosing sides, getting involved in municipal intrigue. He wanted none of it.

But some things don’t go away just because you wish them to.

Even as a deputy division-level official, even if he was “just” a hospital director, there was no hiding from such things...

“What’s troubling you, Comrade Zhongmu? Is something on your mind?”

What kind of person was Yin Tiejun? After serving several years as Secretary General of the Lingyun City Government, he certainly wasn’t someone of ordinary perception. Not to mention he’d once been the secretary to a prominent leader; what secretary could afford to be oblivious to subtleties?

Watching Xu Zhongmu’s hesitance, Yin Tiejun already understood most of what was happening, though he still had to play the fool. Some things are one thing to know, but another to bring out into the open—it was up to the other party to make that move.

“Ah, Secretary Yin, let me be frank with you,” Xu Zhongmu sighed heavily, his face full of difficulty, but then spoke forthrightly.

“Last night, Lin Liangming—you know, the one from the Organization Department—he invited me to dinner, and even called Secretary-General Tang Jianye along.”

“Ever since I got back last night, I’ve been restless.”

“Secretary General, please advise me—what should I do?”

He was going all in. Waffling was a cardinal sin in officialdom; a choice had to be made at moments like this. Even if it meant offending one side, at least you’d avoid further storms.

Yin Tiejun immediately broke into a smile, stood up from the bed, and patted Xu Zhongmu on the shoulder.

“Old Xu, I spoke to the Mayor about you yesterday. I said you’re a trustworthy comrade—an exemplary director who follows the rules and doesn’t bend them for personal relationships. That’s invaluable.”

“A meal is just a meal. These exchanges over drinks are perfectly normal, don’t let it bother you.”

“You’re just exhausted. Go home and get some proper rest.”

“In a few days, the Mayor may be inspecting the city’s healthcare sector. I’ll try to have one of the stops be your hospital.”

“Use these days to make preparations—don’t let our city’s patients down.”

Yin Tiejun’s words were a shot of confidence to Xu Zhongmu, whose face flushed red on the spot. He looked at Yin Tiejun, suddenly at a loss for words.

Though he was the director of the municipal hospital and a deputy division-level official, it wasn’t easy to get an audience with the Mayor.

“Secretary General, you can count on me! We won’t let the city’s patients down. As a top-tier hospital, we’ll present our best face to the Mayor and the people of the city!”

A mayoral inspection of the hospital meant something, after all.

When leaders make inspections, it’s always on their own turf, with their own people.

Would you go inspect someone else’s territory—just to step on their toes?

Over all these years, the municipal hospital had only ever been visited by the deputy mayor in charge of healthcare; otherwise, it was left to the Health Bureau.

“Director Xu, do you have Comrade Yang Dong’s medical records? May I take a look?”

“That’s not against hospital regulations, is it?”

Yin Tiejun suddenly changed the subject, turning to ask Xu Zhongmu.

Xu Zhongmu paused—which Yang Dong?

Oh—

In a flash, he understood and hurried to respond, “No, not at all. You’re a city leader, here to oversee our hospital’s affairs. Completely reasonable and within the law.”

With that, he immediately turned to the group of doctors waiting outside the door: “Go fetch Yang Dong’s medical records!”

When the director spoke, everyone moved into action at once.

In under five minutes, a doctor brought over Yang Dong’s paper file.

This doctor was the attending physician who’d been responsible for Yang Dong.

“Secretary General, here it is!”

Xu Zhongmu offered the file with both hands to Yin Tiejun.

Yin Tiejun nodded, “Thank you.”

“If there’s nothing else, Old Xu, you go ahead and get back to work.”

He waved his hand, signaling that Xu Zhongmu and the others could leave.

“Then Secretary General, take your time—call me if you need anything.”

Xu Zhongmu bowed respectfully, then turned and led everyone out, closing the ward door gently behind him.

The room quieted. Flipping through the records, Yin Tiejun’s expression was clouded with worry.

He read everything carefully, from start to finish.

“Oh, you foolish boy…”

Worry and heartache welled up into a long sigh.

The Lingyun City Government building and the City Party Committee building were not together; in fact, they were some distance apart—one on the east side, one on the south side of the city.

Even their workspaces weren’t together; how could their hearts be united?

Other than for official meetings, the city’s top leaders practically operated independently.

But this afternoon, Deputy Mayor Hou took his official car to the City Party Committee building.

Secretary Wu’s assistant had called the Mayor’s office, inviting Mayor Hou Yong over—Secretary Wu was convening a briefing.

At the same time, Secretary Wu’s assistant separately notified Deputy Party Secretary and United Front Minister Wei Liming, Commission for Discipline Inspection Secretary Guan Mushan, and Organization Minister Gu Tong.

At 2 p.m., a black Audi sedan with the license plate Jijiang G00003 rolled into the government compound.

The car stopped at the foot of the steps before the building. The mayor’s driver got out and opened the back door; Mayor Hou Yong stepped out.

“Mayor Hou!”

Waiting at the entrance was Zhu Yangming, Secretary General of the Party Committee.

Zhu Yangming, with his thick brows and large eyes, looked like a rough-and-ready old soldier, tall and imposing at 1.85 meters.

Hou Yong stood only 1.75 meters, but looked youthful—barely past forty, with a close-cropped haircut, white shirt and black pants, every bit the energetic and incisive official.

“Old Zhu, who’s here already?” Hou Yong asked with a slight smile as they walked inside.

“Mayor Hou, Secretary Wei and Minister Gu have arrived. Secretary Guan from the Commission for Discipline Inspection isn’t here yet.”

Just then, the sound of another engine approached.

A black Audi with the license Jijiang G00006 entered the compound and parked.

Guan Mushan was just as young, also sporting a close-cropped haircut and white shirt with black trousers, stepping out with a briefcase under his arm.

“Old Guan, you’re late!” Mayor Hou called with a wide grin, pausing in the lobby to wait for Guan Mushan.

Guan Mushan quickened his pace and extended his hand as he approached Hou Yong.

“Mayor, apologies, something came up in my department and delayed me.”

He had to explain; otherwise, it would be a minor, but still notable, misstep for the Commission for Discipline Inspection Secretary to arrive after the Mayor.

“Haha, no problem. You’re new here—there’s a lot to sort out.”

“Have you got things in order yet?”

The two senior officials chatted as they made their way to Secretary Wu’s office, with Secretary General Zhu Yangming following quietly half a pace behind.

“It’s more or less sorted. I’ll brief the leaders in a moment,” Guan Mushan replied with a faint smile.

They exchanged a knowing glance, both heading towards Wu Xinkai’s office.

On the seventh floor, in the office of Secretary Wu Xinkai.

“Secretary, Mayor Hou and Secretary Guan have arrived,” Zhu Yangming announced, knocking and entering.

Wu Xinkai was sitting on the office sofa, chatting amiably with Deputy Secretary Wei Liming and Organization Minister Gu Tong. Laughter filled the room.

Only when Secretary General Zhu entered did the three tone down their mirth.

At Zhu’s announcement, Gu Tong rose first, Wei Liming a close second.

Wu Xinkai waited until Hou Yong and Guan Mushan entered before rising slowly himself.

“Mayor Hou, Secretary Guan, you’ve arrived,” he said, extending his hand to each, an ineffable air of authority about him.

Gu Tong frowned ever so slightly. Even before the meeting began, the undercurrents of rivalry were evident.

Regardless, the mayor was the third most senior official in Lingyun, the real head of the municipal government; even if Wu Xinkai was a decade older, this form of address wasn’t quite appropriate. (The Party Secretary, People’s Congress Chairman, Mayor, and CPPCC Chairman in order of seniority.)

Hou Yong merely smiled faintly, showing no sign of taking offense.

“Secretary Wu, everyone’s here. Shall we begin?” Secretary General Zhu asked respectfully.

He wasn’t there to participate, nor did he have the right—even as Secretary General or a member of the Standing Committee.

His role was merely to record the proceedings, and for this, he would personally take notes.

“Yes, let’s begin,” Wu Xinkai replied with a nod, settling back into his seat at the head of the sofa.