Chapter 12: The First Glimpse of a Rival

The young man who had been stopped by Yang Dong was momentarily stunned. He glanced at Yang Dong and asked curiously, "Are you also seconded to the city disciplinary committee's investigation team?"

Seconded to the city's disciplinary committee investigation team? Could it be...

Yang Dong’s heart skipped a beat. He suddenly recalled that in his previous life, the city disciplinary committee did indeed form an investigation team. After two months of inquiry, nearly twenty leading cadres above the division level were prosecuted.

Their criminal evidence and misdeeds were fully exposed, causing a great stir in Lingyun City.

But at that time, he had already been kicked out by Tian Guanghan to the rural office and could only sense the turbulence through the news.

Could it be that this time, he could actually be part of it?

The butterfly’s wings had indeed begun to beat, though he wasn’t sure from which moment the breeze had started. Was it when he made that phone call, or some other time?

But this was just as well. He now had a great opportunity to get involved in Yin Tiejun’s case!

Yang Dong composed himself and smiled at the young man, "Yes, I just received the secondment letter today."

"That’s it, then."

The young man suddenly grinned and extended his hand towards Yang Dong.

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Luo Jin, from the General Section of the Municipal Party Committee Office."

His sudden introduction and proactive handshake made Yang Dong realize that Luo Jin, like himself, was also a seconded staff member, not a permanent worker at the disciplinary committee.

So he promptly reached out and shook Luo Jin’s hand, introducing himself, "We’re pretty much the same. I’m from the City Administration Office, General Section—Yang Dong."

"Nice to meet you, I’ve heard of you."

Yang Dong’s introduction startled Luo Jin. He had certainly heard Yang Dong’s name in the Party Committee Office.

Yesterday’s heroic act at the KTV had already spread through every department in the city. Nearly everyone knew about it.

After all, so many leaders were involved, not to mention Wu Jianchai from Jianchai Industries and the whole topic of rescuing a woman—such sensational news could hardly stay under wraps.

But he hadn’t expected that, after offending so many leaders, Yang Dong could still be seconded to the disciplinary committee. Did Yang Dong have some remarkable background?

With that thought, Luo Jin regarded Yang Dong with greater respect, his smile broadening.

"Comrade Luo Jin has heard of me, probably not for good reasons," Yang Dong said with an indifferent smile.

The KTV incident yesterday would surely fuel gossip in every unit across the city. It was no wonder someone from the Party Committee Office had heard of him.

"Excuse me, where do seconded staff report in?"

Just then, a booming voice sounded behind them. Both Yang Dong and Luo Jin turned to see a man in police uniform standing there. He looked young, but there was an urgency to his features, his skin was somewhat dark, and he stood about five feet seven. The uniform was hard to ignore.

"We’re also seconded, just like you," Luo Jin said cheerfully, looking at the man in uniform.

"Good, as long as we’re not late." The man in uniform sighed in relief and wiped the sweat from his brow. He had rushed over, afraid of being delayed.

"We won’t be late. The secondment letter says to report by six at the latest. It’s not even five yet," Luo Jin continued, then asked, "Comrade, may I ask your name?"

Hearing this, the man in uniform snapped to attention and replied solemnly, "Jiang Hu, Economic Investigation Team, Lingyun City Public Security Bureau!"

"Well, now, the Economic Investigation Team?" Yang Dong was surprised. Police officers from the Economic Investigation Team were being seconded to the disciplinary committee?

"I’m Luo Jin, General Section of the Party Committee Office." Luo Jin introduced himself to Jiang Hu.

Yang Dong followed, "Yang Dong, from—"

"You’re Yang Dong?" Jiang Hu’s eyes widened, then he gave Yang Dong a thumbs-up.

"Impressive! I heard that yesterday our Deputy Director Chen from the Public Security Bureau was at the KTV and you stood up to him? In front of so many city leaders, you saved someone from Wu Jianchai, whose assets are worth over a hundred million."

"Comrade Yang Dong, I really admire you!"

Jiang Hu’s words sounded a bit teasing, but he was genuinely admiring, with not a hint of sarcasm.

Yang Dong smiled bitterly. It seemed his act of heroism had reached the Public Security Bureau as well—even the Economic Investigation Team knew about it.

"What are you all making such a racket about in the corridor? This is the city disciplinary committee!"

At that moment, a middle-aged man stepped out of an office in the disciplinary committee. He looked to be in his forties, with a stern expression as he strode quickly toward them.

"Greetings, sir. We’re staff seconded from other departments to the disciplinary committee," Jiang Hu explained quickly, lest they leave a bad impression.

Xu Yuncai’s expression was grim, especially upon hearing the word ‘seconded’—his anger deepened.

What elite staff doesn’t the city disciplinary committee have? Why second people from other departments?

What was this about? Lack of trust in the committee’s own personnel?

And the Yin Tiejun case was progressing well—why merge the investigation teams for it?

Was this a lack of trust in him? Did they think he would frame Yin Tiejun?

Xu Yuncai was in a foul mood, and seeing three young men laughing and chatting in the corridor made him even angrier.

"Which units are you from?" he demanded. "Is this how you conduct yourselves at your units? Loudly chatting in the corridor? Do you have any respect for the disciplinary committee?"

Xu Yuncai pointed at the three and questioned them sternly.

Normally, the deputy secretary of the disciplinary committee wouldn’t behave so poorly, nor lose his composure.

But Xu Yuncai’s defenses had been breached. If the Yin Tiejun case wasn’t investigated by him, he’d lose his chance to completely topple this political rival.

It was crucial for his promotion to deputy mayor of Lingyun City—never mind not joining the standing committee, even as a regular deputy mayor, it was a department-level post.

He aspired to it.

He was not the executive deputy secretary, just one of several, at division level.

And so, to advance, he had to defeat his rival—Yin Tiejun was the biggest threat.

He had to bring Yin Tiejun down to have a chance.

He had even received tacit approval from his superiors, so he dared to frame the city administration’s secretary out of nothing.

But the newly appointed disciplinary committee secretary Guan Mushan insisted on forming an investigation team, placing the Yin Tiejun case under its jurisdiction.

Suddenly, he had lost his grip.

Yet Guan Mushan’s proposal was so reasonable, there was no fault to be found.

That was the source of his frustration, so the three seconded staff members in the corridor became his targets.

Yang Dong narrowed his eyes, looking at Xu Yuncai, alert at once.

It was this man who had brought down Secretary Yin Tiejun.

Afterwards, Xu Yuncai smoothly became the last-ranked deputy mayor of Lingyun City.

Luo Jin turned around and squinted at Xu Yuncai.

Clearly, with his experience at the Party Committee Office, he recognized Xu Yuncai at once.

"So it’s Secretary Xu. Do you remember me? I’m Luo Jin, deputy section chief of the Party Committee Office’s General Section," Luo Jin said with a smile.

Xu Yuncai was taken aback, then managed a faint smile. "So it’s Comrade Luo. You’ve been seconded as well?"

He recognized Luo Jin immediately after he turned.

This was the confidant of Secretary Zhu Yangming—Secretary Zhu was a member of the Party Committee’s standing committee, albeit ranked last, but not someone Xu Yuncai could afford to cross.

He had to treat Luo Jin with a certain respect.

Then he turned to Yang Dong and Jiang Hu.

Jiang Hu’s police uniform was unmistakable, so he already knew this man was from the Public Security Bureau.

"Secretary Xu, I’m Jiang Hu from the Economic Investigation Team of the Public Security Bureau!" Jiang Hu stood straight and saluted Xu Yuncai.

"And you?" Xu Yuncai ignored Jiang Hu and looked coldly at Yang Dong, his expression frosty.

Clearly, he had recognized Yang Dong.

As the deputy secretary, Xu Yuncai would have seen the profiles of the seconded staff.

"Yang Dong, General Section, City Administration Office."

Yang Dong knew that simply stating his department would make him a target for Xu Yuncai.

The City Administration Office was the most sensitive and dangerous unit in Xu Yuncai’s mind.

Sure enough.

As soon as Yang Dong introduced himself, Xu Yuncai’s face darkened.

"Is this the kind of conduct expected from the City Administration Office staff?"

"You, get out—go back where you came from!"

"The disciplinary committee doesn’t welcome people of your poor character!"

"Secondment revoked!"

He had been troubled by the lack of a way to break the deadlock—now, he finally had a reason.

He couldn’t stop the formation of the investigation team, nor could he interfere with the secondment.

But wielding his authority to send one seconded staff back was still possible.

Xu Yuncai’s stern rebuke made Luo Jin and Jiang Hu’s expressions change as they looked at Yang Dong.

Clearly, among the three who had been chatting, Yang Dong ended up taking the fall.

"Secretary Xu, we were all making noise—" Jiang Hu started to protest, wanting to speak up for Yang Dong.

But Luo Jin stepped on his foot, cutting him off.

Anyone with sense could see that Yang Dong wasn’t welcome by Xu Yuncai.

They’d best stay out of it.

They were strangers—no need to get themselves involved.