Chapter 106: Arrangements for Yang Dong! (Fourth Watch)

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“Uncle Yin, what’s wrong? You don’t look well,” Yang Dong whispered as he followed closely behind Yin Tiejun.

Indeed, Yin Tiejun’s expression was grim, his eyes flashing with anger—a rare sight for a cadre at his rank.

Especially since Yin Tiejun came from a secretary background, known for his deep political acumen. For him to be so visibly upset meant something serious.

What was more troubling was that Yin Tiejun’s anger seemed related to Yang Dong himself.

Otherwise, Yin wouldn’t have called Yang to accompany him to the mayor’s office.

But what exactly could have made Uncle Yin so angry, and why was Yang involved?

Yang Dong hadn’t yet figured it out.

“Do I really look that bad?” Yin Tiejun stopped and asked seriously after hearing Yang’s observation.

Yang nodded, “The anger is obvious.”

“Is that so?” Yin hadn’t realized his feelings were showing on his face. That wouldn’t do—how could he meet the mayor carrying such fury?

He quickly composed himself.

Within moments, Yin Tiejun returned to his usual calm demeanor, a faint smile softening his features, no trace of anger remaining.

Yang Dong was thoroughly impressed.

Someone who could suppress such emotions at will was no ordinary person.

“When you meet the mayor, if he asks whether you want to stay at the municipal government, you must be firm—you have to stay!” Yin Tiejun warned as they neared Hou Yong’s office.

“Got it?”

Then he knocked on the mayor’s door.

Yang Dong, prompted by Yin’s words, began to sense what was at stake—it was related to his own work.

“Come in!”

After the mayor’s call, Yin opened the door and led Yang inside.

“Mayor, I’ve brought Yang Dong here,” Yin said with a slight smile, then offered his seat to Yang.

Just moments earlier, Yin and several deputy secretaries were discussing Yang Dong’s promotion to deputy section-level cadre. After a democratic consultation, they had agreed unanimously to recommend Yang for this position, pending completion of his secondment.

Once the public notice period expired, Yang Dong would officially become a deputy section-level cadre.

But just then, the phone on the mayor’s desk rang—it was the mayor himself, requesting Yin bring Yang Dong over immediately.

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The deputy secretaries, perceptive as ever, waved him off and left the office.

Once alone, Yin asked the mayor why such a junior officer as Yang Dong warranted such attention.

The mayor’s answer ignited Yin’s anger.

Hou Yong intended to extend Yang Dong’s secondment to the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission, with formalities to follow after the term ended.

This infuriated Yin, though he restrained himself and agreed to the mayor’s request before bringing Yang Dong along.

That was the situation.

Yang Dong’s continued secondment to the Discipline Inspection Commission fell outside Yin’s cultivation plan.

His original plan was for Yang to return to the municipal government immediately after the secondment, be appointed deputy section-level cadre, then serve as executive deputy director of the General Affairs Section, and eventually be recommended as the mayor’s secretary.

These arrangements had been carefully planned for a long time.

But the mayor’s decision completely disrupted Yin’s plan.

“Good!”

When the mayor saw Yang Dong, he smiled and nodded.

Then he turned to Guan Mushan, seated opposite on the sofa, and said with a laugh, “Comrade Mushan, I really can’t bear to let him go.”

“Mayor, the Discipline Inspection Commission is merely continuing the secondment, not transferring Yang Dong’s staffing rights,” Guan replied with a smile.

“After all, Yang Dong is still technically part of the municipal government.”

Seeing this, the mayor readily agreed, “Alright then, our government’s promising seedling will continue to be seconded to your commission.”

“Mayor, Secretary Guan, what are you two discussing?” Yin Tiejun suddenly interrupted.

Though somewhat impolite, he was too concerned about Yang Dong to care.

“Ha ha, I knew old Yin would be anxious,” Mayor Hou laughed.

Guan sighed inwardly, aware of Yin’s plans for Yang and having once supported them.

But plans often can’t keep pace with changes. When the higher-ups give an order, one must obey.

“Comrade Tiejun, the Discipline Inspection Commission needs good talent. Yang Dong has proven to be a capable investigator. He’s received praise from provincial discipline commission leaders for his work on several cases.”

“I discussed with the mayor—once this secondment ends, your municipal government will handle Yang Dong’s promotion to deputy section-level cadre, then transfer him back to our commission as deputy director of the General Affairs Section, and he will also serve as my secretary for a while.”

“The mayor is generous—he’s letting go of such a promising talent with a heavy heart.”

Guan spoke earnestly to Yin, hoping his younger junior brother would understand the underlying message and appreciate their difficult position.

Yin’s heart sank, chilled to the bone.

He understood Guan’s hint: the provincial discipline leaders had intervened, ordering Yang Dong to continue gaining experience at the commission.

Originally, this would be beneficial, strengthening Yang’s character and party spirit.

But Yin had already arranged Yang’s future promotions.

In just a month, when the secondment ended, Yang Dong was basically assured of becoming the mayor’s second secretary—the city’s number two secretary.

Now, this direct order from the senior leadership shattered all those plans.

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“Mayor, Yang Dong shouldn’t be limited to casework. Didn’t you also praise his writing?” Yin Tiejun was reluctant to give up, trying one last appeal.

He hinted that Yang’s excellence was not only in investigation but also in his literary talent.

Mayor Hou immediately waved him off, his face serious.

“Comrade Tiejun, no need to say more.”

“You don’t know, Secretary Guan has raised Yang Dong’s case with me three times already.”

“I can’t afford to disappoint Secretary Guan.”

“Besides, our municipal government isn’t some small outfit—we should be generous.”

“Yang Dong’s staffing still belongs to us; he’ll return in a couple of years. Then he can resume administrative duties, which will be better for his development.”

“Comrade Tiejun, I as mayor and Mushan as secretary of the discipline commission, personally discussing an officer’s appointment—that’s already going too far.”

“Let’s just settle it this way. Obey the order.”

The mayor wanted no further discussion.

As mayor and a member of the municipal standing committee, as well as secretary of the discipline commission, their involvement in a junior officer’s appointment was extraordinary.

In fact, this was already a great favor to Yang Dong.

Normally, if the mayor wanted to reassign an officer, a simple call to his secretary would suffice—no need for such fuss.

Giving these explanations was more about saving face for Yin Tiejun.

But face aside, the order had to be obeyed.

“Yes, sir. I obey the order,” Yin said, knowing he could say no more.

It was already rare for the mayor to explain this clearly.

Whether he understood or not, he must comply.

Fortunately, Yang Dong’s personnel relations remained with the municipal government, so his deputy section-level promotion would not be delayed.

Being seconded to the discipline commission as secretary to the commission’s head was not a bad path.

But it was a pity he couldn’t become the mayor’s chief secretary—it was a regret for Yang Dong.

Though a secretary to the discipline commission head was respectable, who wouldn’t want to be the mayor’s first or second secretary?

Yang Dong quietly stood by the door, not even allowed a word.

His career path had been decided by the mayor and the secretary of the discipline commission—strong-willed and overbearing.

That was Yang Dong’s first impression of Mayor Hou Yong.

At this moment, he finally understood why the municipal party secretary, Wu Xinkai, found it hard to control this young, ambitious mayor.