Chapter 104: Secretary-General of the Municipal Government—Yin Tiejun!

“Hello, Secretary Wei!”

Perhaps cadres within the system naturally harbor a sense of fear and resistance toward the Discipline Inspection Commission.

When Wei Chonghu, the Executive Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission, walked over, it was clear that the group of cadres led by Pei Jun showed somewhat abnormal expressions.

Yet they had no choice but to proactively greet Wei Chonghu, afraid that any discourtesy might provoke his dissatisfaction.

There are three types of officials one must not offend, and among them, Discipline Inspection Commission cadres are not to be provoked.

“Comrade Yin Tiejun, Secretary Guan of the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission asked me to convey that the entire tenth special investigation team from the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission will escort you back to the Municipal Government. Secretary Guan will personally go to the government to restore your reputation.”

Wei Chonghu maintained a strictly professional demeanor, showing no personal sentiment toward Yin Tiejun. Moreover, the two shared no personal ties, despite Yin having served as secretary to an old leader before.

Yin Tiejun nodded and extended his hand toward Wei Chonghu.

“Thank you, Secretary Wei!”

Their handshake was formal and procedural.

Watching from the side, Yang Dong sighed inwardly. Even within the same faction, relationships might not be cordial.

This made it understandable why in Yin Tiejun’s previous life of hardship, Wei Chonghu had not extended a helping hand. Given his power as Executive Deputy Secretary, he could have at least resisted Xu Yuncai.

“Secretary Wei, I’ll escort Secretary Yin back to the government now.”

Yang Dong signaled to Wei Chonghu, then led Lu Yike and a few others downstairs with Yin Tiejun.

Wei Chonghu stood to the side of the corridor, gazing at Yin Tiejun’s retreating figure, his mind conflicted.

He knew that as members of the same faction, they should advance hand in hand, united and supportive.

But perhaps due to personality or innate aversion, he simply didn’t click with Yin Tiejun.

Yet there was no real enmity between them.

At most, they maintained mutual non-interference and non-disturbance.

However, he still admired Yang Dong and bore no hostility toward him just because he was allied with Yin Tiejun.

Wei was a fairly upright man; he wouldn’t despise everyone around a person he disliked.

“Secretary Wei, shall we also… escort Secretary Yin?”

Pei Jun and others awkwardly gestured to Wei Chonghu, then hurried downstairs.

Wei Chonghu maintained a stern expression and said nothing.

He felt a bit disdainful of this kind of flattering behavior but understood it, choosing to turn a blind eye.

“Secretary Wei, would you like to come to my office for tea?”

Xu Zhongmu, director of the Municipal People’s Hospital, asked with a broad smile.

“Heh, no thanks. I still have work to get back to.”

“Director Xu, you should come to my office for tea sometime.”

Wei Chonghu waved with a smile and turned to leave.

Xu Zhongmu broke out in a cold sweat—tea at the Discipline Inspection Commission? No way; he still preferred his own hospital office.

The Municipal People’s Hospital returned to calm.

But the Municipal Government office building soon buzzed with activity.

Lingyun’s Deputy Party Secretary and Mayor, Hou Yong.

Lingyun Municipal Standing Committee member and Executive Vice Mayor, Qi Xiuping.

Municipal Government Party Group members and Vice Mayors Qin Dalu and Lu Wenbo—the latter also serving as Public Security Bureau chief.

Several other vice mayors of Lingyun City.

Along with all other leaders at deputy division level and above, stood gathered at the government office entrance.

The passing government clerks kept their distance, watching curiously.

Everyone knew today was the day Secretary Yin Tiejun returned.

Everyone’s hearts were complex.

They had thought Yin Tiejun was finished, never to return to the Municipal Government.

Who would have imagined that in just over twenty days, he would indeed come back—released from the Discipline Inspection Commission’s custody.

Never before had a Lingyun City cadre under “double designation” (shuanggui) been exonerated and fully reinstated.

Those feeling the most complex and uneasy were probably the comprehensive office staff led by Lin Yaodong.

At this moment, Lin felt his legs trembling, his face hard to keep calm, sweat trickling down his forehead despite the cool air.

Beside him, Gu Chen and Zhou Hui wore similar expressions.

Li Chen stood behind Lin Yaodong, but his face bore a smile, faintly hopeful.

Around nine in the morning, three Discipline Inspection Commission law enforcement vehicles slowly drove into the courtyard of the Municipal Government office building.

Behind them followed several other cars.

After the Discipline Inspection Commission vehicles stopped, Hou Donglai was the first to step out.

He quickly opened the rear door and bowed respectfully.

“Secretary, please take it slow.”

Yin Tiejun emerged from the vehicle.

Standing beside the car, he looked at the government building with deep emotion.

This large white building seemed to have not been seen for a long time, though it had only been a bit over twenty days.

Yang Dong and Hou Shuangquan stepped down from the second vehicle.

Jiang Hu and Lu Yike followed from the third.

Then came Pei Jun and others—Yin Tiejun’s welcoming party from various Lingyun City departments, more than a dozen cadres.

But upon seeing the scene in the courtyard, they were startled.

Mayor Hou Yong, Executive Vice Mayor Qi Xiuping, Vice Mayors Qin Dalu and Lu Wenbo, along with deputy secretaries at the deputy division level and above, all stood there.

This dashed their plan to follow closely behind Secretary Yin and escort him into the government building.

They were left in an awkward position—not quite staying, nor leaving.

“Comrade Tiejun, welcome home!”

Mayor Hou Yong smiled warmly and approached Yin Tiejun, extending his hand.

Yin snapped out of his reverie and hurried over.

“Oh, Mayor, I wouldn’t dare. How could I impose on you to greet me personally?”

He shook Hou Yong’s hand firmly, deeply moved by the government’s wholehearted attention.

The Municipal Government had always been a united, supportive team.

This was entirely different from elsewhere.

“Tiejun, welcome home!”

After the handshake, Executive Vice Mayor Qi Xiuping stepped forward and shook Yin’s hand, echoing the greeting.

“Mayor Qi, I’ve worried you.”

Yin’s eyes reddened, his voice choking with emotion.

This was no act—it was heartfelt.

“It’s good to have you back. Let’s get the Municipal Government office work going strong. Everyone’s eager; we’ve just been waiting for you!”

Qi Xiuping patted Yin’s shoulder, then stepped back to make way.

“Old Yin, you’re back. You owe me a meal—you have to treat me.”

Vice Mayor Qin Dalu, in his forties and close in age to Yin, had thick lips and ears, with a simple, honest look.

Wearing a white shirt and red tie, he approached and shook Yin’s hand.

“Mayor Qin, rest assured. I’ll make good on the meal I owe you.”

Although Yin was only a director-level secretary general, he was a quasi-department-level cadre at the Municipal Government. Except with the mayor and executive vice mayor, he interacted quite casually with the other vice mayors.

“Old Yin, it’s good to have you back!”

Qin Dalu gave Yin a deep look before stepping back.

“Secretary General Tiejun, welcome home!”

Vice Mayor and Public Security Bureau Chief Lu Wenbo smiled broadly and shook Yin’s hand.

“Thank you, Mayor Lu!”

Yin expressed genuine gratitude as he shook hands.

Other vice mayors then approached, patting Yin’s shoulder in tacit understanding.

Finally, several deputy secretaries came forward for a friendly exchange with Yin.

If the vice mayors were sincere, the deputy secretaries were less so.

If Yin had truly fallen, several of them could have been contenders for secretary general—the odds were better for them than Tian Guanghan.

But Tian Guanghan was under investigation, placed under “double designation,” giving them opportunities.

Unfortunately, Yin was back, still the secretary general and office director, their direct superior.

Yin’s attitude toward these deputy secretaries was much calmer, after all, he was the leader.

Beep… at that moment, a car drove into the government courtyard, honking.

All the city leaders turned their attention.

Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Guan Mushan stepped out and walked toward the crowd.

Mayor Hou Yong smiled and greeted him.

“Comrade Mushan, what brings you here in person?”

“Mayor, I had no choice. Our Commission made mistakes. As Secretary, I must come personally to clarify.”

The two shook hands firmly without further ceremony.

Guan Mushan then stood on the steps, seeing so many government leaders and staff gathered.

It was the perfect occasion to restore Yin Tiejun’s reputation.

“Comrades, after a thorough investigation, careful screening, and rigorous review by the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission’s investigation team, it has been found that Comrade Yin Tiejun committed no violations of law or discipline, nor any corruption.”

“The nanny who falsely reported Comrade Yin has confessed, and the truth has been revealed. She has been legally punished.”

“The investigation team, having fully grasped the facts and evidence, submitted their findings to the Municipal Party Standing Committee. The committee has decided to restore Comrade Yin Tiejun’s reputation and reinstate all his duties effective immediately.”

“The Discipline Inspection Commission will strictly enforce the Standing Committee’s decision. From now on, no cadre is allowed to discuss Secretary Yin’s case privately. Should any slander or defamation be discovered, the Commission will work with the Public Security Bureau to severely punish offenders.”

Lu Wenbo immediately stepped forward, continuing in a solemn tone:

“As the Public Security Bureau Chief, I declare here that if anyone dares to spread rumors or slander Comrade Yin again, our bureau will enforce the law strictly and punish offenders without mercy.”

With both the Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary and the Vice Mayor/Public Security Chief personally clearing Yin Tiejun’s name, the matter formally concluded.