Chapter 114: The Art of Language in Reporting

At that moment, Liu Shan had just returned from the secret hotel to the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission’s office. Before he could even settle onto the sofa, he received a call from Yang Dong.

“Xiao Dong, what’s up?” Liu Shan answered the phone with a smile, his tone gentle and friendly. The way he addressed him had also changed somewhat.

“Leader, I need to report something to you,” Yang Dong said. “I discussed it with Team Leader Lü Yanqing...”

Yang Dong explained the plan he and Lü Yanqing had devised, focusing mainly on requesting assistance from colleagues at the Kaiyang County Public Security Bureau to covertly set up surveillance and monitor Zhao Pengcheng in secret.

Liu Shan sat on the sofa, sipping tea as he listened to Yang Dong’s report. His expression remained calm, but inside, he was shaken by Yang Dong’s boldness. Indeed, the Tenth Special Investigation Team operated in an extraordinary manner—who would dare come up with such an idea?

Most special teams preferred to avoid risks even if it meant making mistakes; no one would be so reckless. If something went wrong here, it wouldn’t be a mere procedural slip-up but a political issue. At worst, it could lead to an internal review, and a reprimand would be the lightest consequence. Such an internal investigation could end one’s entire career.

“Xiao Dong, don’t you think this might be a bit... too risky?” Liu Shan said, feeling obliged to advise caution. He cared about Yang Dong and didn’t want him to take such a big risk over a single case. The previous cases handled by the Tenth Team had already made their leaders sweat nervously.

Fortunately, those cases had been handled quite well, allowing the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission to take the initiative, which pleased Secretary Guan and Secretary Wei.

Yang Dong’s approach to handling cases was like handing over several knives. As for what Secretary Guan and Secretary Wei did with those knives, that was a matter for the leaders. Yang Dong completed his tasks flawlessly, with no mistakes. That was why Liu Shan wanted the Tenth Team to assist the First Team—it was a matter of trust.

But trust came with the weight of responsibility for the risks involved.

“Leader, originally Team Leader Lü was supposed to report this, but I stopped him. I thought it would be more effective if I reported it,” Yang Dong said. “Besides, you’re not going to scold me, are you? So I took the liberty.”

Yang Dong wasn’t surprised by Liu Shan’s objections—if there had been no objections, he wouldn’t have reported at all. But he had a plan to get Liu Shan’s approval.

Indeed, Liu Shan relaxed upon hearing Yang Dong’s words.

“You’re trying to shut me up, huh? Alright then, no matter what, I’m the one who pulled your Tenth Team into the First Team, so I have to support you.”

“This is risky, but if it pays off, it’ll be a very impressive case,” Liu Shan said thoughtfully. “Dealing with cases in the Discipline Inspection Commission—can it ever be risk-free? In this world, if you want zero risk, you simply don’t do anything. Not doing anything is the only way to avoid risk. If you want to act and dare to act, you have to accept some risk.”

“Leader, Team Leader Lü has really shown guts this time. You have to support him,” Yang Dong pressed on, continuing his subtle persuasion. Their conversation carried underlying meanings that only those with political acumen could grasp.

“I’ll report to Secretary Wei and get back to you in five minutes,” Liu Shan said after hanging up, taking a sip of tea before rising and heading upstairs to Wei Chonghu’s office.

At the door, Wei Chonghu’s liaison called out, “Committee Member Liu,” then stepped aside. As a standing member of the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission and a deputy department-level cadre, Liu Shan could enter directly without needing to be announced.

He knocked, then pushed the door open and stepped inside.

“Secretary Wei, busy with something?” Liu Shan greeted with a smile.

Wei Chonghu looked up, smiled, and gestured to the chair opposite him. “Old Liu, have a seat. Help yourself to some water if you want.”

“I just delivered Comrade Yang Dong to the First Special Investigation Team,” Liu Shan reported, sitting down.

“So? What’s this rascal up to now?” Wei Chonghu asked with a grin, twisting the lid of his thermos.

“This time, it’s not Sun Wukong causing chaos in the heavens. This time, it’s Zhuge Liang planning to capture Meng Huo seven times,” Liu Shan replied with a smile.

Wei Chonghu’s smile faded slightly, his expression showing mild surprise. “He can imitate Zhuge Liang now?”

“Well, whether he resembles Zhuge Liang or not, you’ve got to try,” Liu Shan said. “Our leadership is setting the stage for a play; the subordinates have to enjoy the performance somehow.”

Wei Chonghu nodded thoughtfully, then laughed. “Fine, let him stir things up. I’ll guarantee him a base salary!”

“That’s great. With a guarantee like that, this show definitely won’t flop,” Liu Shan breathed a sigh of relief. Then he looked at Wei Chonghu and cautiously asked, “Secretary Wei, have you decided on the director for the Cadre Supervision Office yet?”

The Cadre Supervision Office is a section under the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission at the regular department level. Previously, Wu Sancai served as its director, but with the investigations into the Yin Tiejun and Tian Guanghan cases, Wu Sancai was removed internally.

The real reason was that Xu Yuncai had abandoned Wu Sancai, who became a scapegoat and a sacrifice. Not that Wu Sancai was undeserving—he dared to frame the municipal government secretary Yin Tiejun, a reckless act that sealed his fate.

Now that Wu Sancai was gone, someone had to take over the Cadre Supervision Office.

“Do you have someone in mind?” Wei Chonghu asked sharply.

Liu Shan smiled awkwardly, rubbing his hands nervously before forcing the words out. “Secretary Wei, we have a deputy director in the Case Review Office named Lü Yanqing. What do you think...?”

“Promoting a deputy section chief to section chief is generally acceptable and follows proper procedures, but experience is also an important factor,” Wei Chonghu said. “I think the Lü Yanqing you mentioned is the leader of the First Special Investigation Team, right? She’s not bad, just a bit young. We’ll see.”

“And whatever Secretary Guan’s intentions are, it’s not for us to guess, right?” Wei Chonghu’s few words made Liu Shan understand the unspoken meaning. Some things are best left unsaid.

“Alright then, Secretary Wei, you should get back to your work. I’ll be going now,” Liu Shan stood and turned to leave.

Wei Chonghu watched Liu Shan’s back and shook his head with a smile. The position of director of the Cadre Supervision Office stirred high-level leaders inside the Discipline Inspection Commission into action.

Not only within the Commission but across the entire Lingyun City political and legal system, even the disciplinary departments below, everyone’s minds were bustling. Yet none of it would amount to much.

This was a post firmly in the grasp of Guan Mushan, who would certainly place his own people there.

As for who would ultimately become director of the Cadre Supervision Office, that remained unclear.

“Not playing Sun Wukong anymore, switching to Zhuge Kongming? Interesting,” Wei Chonghu chuckled, recalling Liu Shan’s report.