Chapter 110: Assistance Mission of the Tenth Squad

"Team Leader, have you seen the municipal government's personnel announcement regarding you?" Lu Yike asked Yang Dong with a smile.

She rarely engaged in idle chatter during work hours, but after learning about Yang Dong's public notice for a deputy section-level promotion, she felt compelled to congratulate him. Yang Dong was a man worth cultivating; his performance in the recent cases alone justified a promotion to the deputy section level.

"I have."

Yang Dong was casually flipping through the "Procedures and Document Templates for Handling Seven Categories of Cases by Discipline Inspection and Supervision Organs," issued by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. He was cramming to improve his knowledge of commission work.

The Tenth Special Investigation Team had been quite idle lately. Ever since they finished handling the case of that corrupt deputy section-level cadre, the team had effectively entered a state of stagnation. Without any assigned work, they spent their days merely killing time in the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection office. Yang Dong actually enjoyed this respite; he knew that such quiet moments would be rare in the future, so he used these days to recharge.

"You seem quite calm, Team Leader. Not as happy as I expected?"

For someone in the system, a promotion is a major event—especially moving from a regular staff member to deputy section level, which is practically a milestone. Many spend their entire careers without ever reaching that rank, only receiving a symbolic deputy section-level status right before retirement. To have secured such a rank at twenty-six meant Yang Dong was already exceptionally talented in his career path. Of course, he couldn't compare to the protagonists of officialdom novels, where characters inexplicably reach division or even deputy-bureau level by thirty—those were far too unrealistic and inconsistent with the current political system. In the current climate, reaching bureau-level by forty or deputy-provincial level in one's forties is a rarity.

"Whether I'm a staff member or a deputy section-level official, isn't it all about serving the people? I still have to do my job for the common folk."

Yang Dong certainly valued the promotion; otherwise, he wouldn't have chosen to assist Yin Tiejun in this lifetime. He did want to climb the ladder, perhaps even reach higher. However, having experienced a tragic end in his previous life, he kept his expectations grounded.

"Team Leader, I just love how shameless you are," Jiang Hu chimed in from the side, curling his lip in a mocking tone.

What he admired most about Yang Dong wasn't his insight during investigations or his audacity, but his ability to relate everything back to the common people.

"As cadres of the Party, we must keep the masses in our hearts. We must remember to come from the masses and go to the masses. Only by practicing these principles can we better serve the people," Yang Dong smiled, unfazed by Jiang Hu’s teasing.

To survive in the system, one’s inner thoughts and outward words must always align. Some might find him hypocritical, but he would leave that to time; time verifies everything.

"Team Leader, you're a true deputy section-level leader now," Hou Donglai said, slumping over his desk with a complex expression. Previously, among the ten team leaders of the municipal commission's investigation units, everyone except Yang Dong held the deputy section rank.

"That's right. I suppose no one in the team will be unconvinced by me now, right?"

Yang Dong glanced at Hou Donglai, offering a meaningful smile. Hou immediately recalled how, a month ago, he had tried to embarrass Yang Dong in front of the commission leadership. In reality, it was Hou who had ended up humiliated. Thinking back, his behavior had been incredibly irrational, easily damaging his own standing. His secondment had been a golden opportunity, which he had nearly ruined. He realized now that when Yang Dong had firmly stated he could solve the team's internal issues, he was actually giving Hou a way out—he was saving him. Unfortunately, Hou hadn't understood it at the time, and upon returning to the hotel, he had continued to work against Yang Dong, which is how Yang Dong caught him in a compromising position. To this day, he didn't know how Yang Dong had found out about Huang Xiaocui, the woman with whom he had a child. Yet, this didn't diminish his awe; after witnessing Yang Dong's handling of several major cases, his respect had only deepened.

"You guys in the Tenth Team are certainly having a leisurely time."

Liu Shan, deputy leader of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection's investigation team, walked in.

"Leader!" The group stood up upon his arrival.

"Comrade Yang Dong, your team finished its task first. Technically, you could have been disbanded early, but the two-month mandate of the municipal investigation team is set in stone, so you can't be dismissed just yet. After discussing with Team Leader Su and reporting to Secretary Wei, we have decided to entrust you with a major task. Of course, this mission doesn't originally belong to you; if you take it on, you're helping other teams. Think about it—it's fine if you don't want to."

Liu Shan spoke only half the truth and asked for their opinion first. But after he had said that, could Yang Dong and his team really refuse? How could they? The leader's words clearly signaled his expectation for them to take the job. Even if they didn't want to, they had to. As for the claim that it was fine to refuse, anyone who believed that would be a fool.

"Leader, the Tenth Team accepts!" Yang Dong looked at Lu Yike and the others, and seeing their nods, he replied to Liu Shan. One had to fully uphold democratic spirit and consult the team members.

"Good. Follow me!" Liu Shan nodded and turned to walk out. Yang Dong rose and followed, with his four team members trailing close behind.

Outside the office building, two cars were already waiting. Lu Yike and Yang Dong exchanged a look, both understanding the situation. The leadership had already decided to deploy the Tenth Team; Liu Shan’s democratic consultation was merely a facade.

They boarded the cars in silence. Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the secret hotel designated by the commission. They were quite familiar with the place, as it was where they had handled the Yin Tiejun case, the Tian Guanghan case, and the Gu Santong case. Oh, and the case of that deputy section-level cadre.

"The First Special Investigation Team has completed one case, but the A5 case remains unsolved and is currently at a stalemate. Your team has strong investigative capabilities and isn't afraid of tough nuts to crack. The commission leadership has decided to hand the A5 case to you, to be handled jointly with the First Team. I hope you will maintain your work ethic—fear neither hardship nor fatigue—and assist the First Team in resolving the A5 case," Liu Shan said after stepping out of the car. He provided a brief overview and offered some encouragement. Of course, it was all standard bureaucratic rhetoric.

"Leader, will the First Team have any reservations about this?" Yang Dong asked after a brief silence. Putting himself in their shoes, he knew that if another team were brought in to help him, he would feel uncomfortable—as if he were being ignored, distrusted, or even slighted. They were all special investigation teams on the same level; bringing in outside help because of a case's complexity was somewhat embarrassing.

"The requirement for commission work is that the capable advance and the mediocre step down. Reservations? Who would dare?" Liu Shan’s face hardened as he scoffed. "If everyone had the efficiency of the Tenth Team, this wouldn't happen. I've already spoken with Lu Yanqing, leader of the First Team. He agreed to follow orders and work well with your team. Rest assured."

Liu Shan knew Yang Dong's concerns and told him to set his mind at ease. "Besides, you're a deputy section-level cadre now. You have more leverage as the leader of the Tenth Team."

Liu Shan mentioned the personnel announcement, as everyone was aware that Yang Dong was slated for the promotion.

"Leader, I'm still in the public notice period; nothing is set in stone yet," Yang Dong said, correcting him. He couldn't afford to celebrate prematurely. If something happened during the notice period that cost him the promotion, it was entirely possible. Having learned his lesson, he had to remain low-key.

"You, young comrade, you're so bold when handling cases, yet so timid when it comes to your own personnel matters? That doesn't sound like you," Liu Shan said, pointing at Yang Dong with a critical, yet amused, tone.