Chapter 139: Each with Their Own Motives

On the second floor of the Kaiyang County Committee's official cafeteria, a massive banquet table was laden with over a dozen exquisite dishes, accompanied by several bottles of fine liquor.

Before the implementation of the central government's eight-point regulations on official conduct, such luncheon specifications were customary throughout the country.

Preparing sumptuous dishes and pouring fine wine to entertain leaders at all levels and government personnel was considered entirely normal.

Zhao Yufei, the Deputy Secretary of the Kaiyang County Party Committee, was currently holding Yang Dong's hand with a warm smile, standing by the banquet table and launching a verbal offensive to win him over.

Zhao Yufei had a somewhat modern-sounding name, and at just over forty years old, he was not particularly old. His slightly plump figure gave him an approachable and amiable appearance.

"Comrade Yang Dong, I wonder if you still remember? Back then, it was Party Secretary Tan and I who rushed all the way to Xiashuishui Town to hand-deliver your university admission letter."

"Even back then, I knew Comrade Yang Dong was destined for greatness. After all, you were our county's very first college entrance examination top scorer of the new century, a top-tier talent admitted to Jijiang University."

"I was still the Director of the Education Bureau that year. As the official in charge of education, I felt immensely proud as well."

"Seeing Comrade Yang Dong standing before me now, ah, it brings back a flood of emotions."

"Comrade Yang Dong, now that you have returned to your hometown, you must contribute to its development."

Holding Yang Dong's hand as if they were chatting like old family friends, Zhao Yufei imbued every single word with overflowing warmth and affection.

Realizing that Zhao Yufei was attempting to win him over with emotionally charged words, Yang Dong could only smile and respond politely, "I haven't forgotten that Secretary Zhao personally handed me the county's five-thousand-yuan scholarship fund back then."

"My family's financial situation was quite poor; both my parents are farmers, and I have a younger brother and sister to support. If it weren't for that scholarship fund from Secretary Zhao, I might not have been able to make it to Jijiang University smoothly."

Yang Dong's words were entirely sincere and devoid of hypocrisy.

It was indeed thanks to the financial aid provided by the Kaiyang County Education Bureau that he had been able to pursue his education without interruption.

This debt of gratitude was something he could not and would not deny.

"Haha, I always said Comrade Yang Dong is a man who cherishes old ties."

"Come, come, I still need to introduce you to a few old acquaintances."

Smiling broadly, Zhao Yufei patted Yang Dong on the shoulder, turned him around, and waved toward several middle-aged cadres standing nearby.

Upon seeing this, the middle-aged cadres immediately hurried over.

"Comrade Yang Dong, surely you must recognize this person? This is the very official who governs your hometown of Xiashuishui Town."

With a beaming smile, Zhao Yufei pointed to the middle-aged cadre at the front and introduced him to Yang Dong.

Yang Dong immediately nodded with a smile and said, "Secretary Gong, of course I remember you. Back then, you were the Deputy Mayor of Xiashuishui Town in charge of culture, education, and health, and one of the leaders who delivered my admission letter. I remember it vividly."

Yang Dong looked at the middle-aged cadre introduced by Zhao Yufei—Gong Hongyang, the Party Secretary of Xiashuishui Town.

Eight years ago, he was merely the deputy mayor in charge of culture, education, and health in Xiashuishui Town. Over the course of those eight years, this former Deputy Mayor Gong had risen to become the Party Secretary of the town, holding the rank of a substantive section chief.

Seeing that Yang Dong remembered his name and recognized his identity, Gong Hongyang extended his hand with a smile and said, "Little Brother Yang, it has been eight years, and your memory is truly exceptional."

Having worked his way up from the grassroots level, Gong Hongyang excelled at building connections. By addressing Yang Dong as "Little Brother," he instantly narrowed the psychological distance between them, positioning himself as an elder brother figure to Yang Dong.

Faced with this somewhat unceremonious tactic, Yang Dong could only accept it with a helpless inward smile.

No matter what, Gong Hongyang was the top local official of his hometown and the head of Xiashuishui Town.

When handling matters in the future, dealing with Gong Hongyang would be inevitable.

"Then I'll be bold and call you Elder Brother Gong."

Yang Dong had every right to address him thus. As a deputy section-level cadre of the municipal government, currently seconded as a deputy section-level cadre to the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection and heading a special investigation team, he had now returned to the county on official business representing the discipline inspection authorities.

When facing the head of a township government, he was fully capable of conversing on equal footing.

"Good, very good! Later on, your elder brother here will make sure to drink a toast with you."

Gong Hongyang beamed, visibly delighted.

"Little Brother, this is Jin Hemin, the Mayor of Xiashuishui Town!"

Taking advantage of the moment, Gong Hongyang introduced his close working partner standing beside him—Jin Hemin, the second-in-command of Xiashuishui Town.

Yang Dong's gaze instantly turned sharp, his demeanor and attitude shifting completely from how he had treated Gong Hongyang.

He stared fixedly at Jin Hemin for a few moments.

Jin Hemin felt his entire body stiffen, a chill running down his spine, leaving a numb sensation across his skin.

Among the nineteen cadres implicated in the case, Jin Hemin, the Mayor of Xiashuishui Town, was one of them.

Yang Dong and Jin Hemin were complete strangers who had never crossed paths before.

Swallowing hard, Jin Hemin forced himself to greet Yang Dong: "Director... Director Yang, hello."

Under Yang Dong's piercing gaze, for reasons unknown, a wave of panic washed over him.

Perhaps it was because Yang Dong had recently risen to prominence by cracking several major cases.

Word had it that even Yin Tiejun, the Secretary-General of the municipal government, had been rescued by Yang Dong.

Tian Guanghan, the Executive Deputy Secretary-General of the municipal government, had also been brought down by Yang Dong, alongside Gu Santong, the Director of the Municipal Education Bureau, Zhao Pengcheng, the Deputy Director of the Municipal Party Committee's Organization Department, and Lin Liangming, head of the First Cadre Division of the Organization Department.

Yang Dong had already accumulated a formidable track record of achievements.

So how could Jin Hemin not panic when facing this deputy section-level cadre dispatched by the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, who held the power to decide his political future?

"Hello, Mayor Jin."

A faint smile appeared on Yang Dong's face. He shook hands with Jin Hemin politely, but nothing more.

His purpose in coming to Kaiyang County was precisely because of the nineteen implicated cadres, and the man standing right before him was one of them.

"Come, come, Comrade Yang Dong, let me introduce you to someone else."

"This is Mayor Zhao of Kaiyang County, Comrade Zhao Guojun."

Zhao Yufei turned his attention back to the other cadres behind them, introducing a cadre of sub-departmental rank.

As for why he hadn't followed conventional hierarchy by introducing the higher-ranking official first, but instead started with the top leaders of Xiashuishui Town, Zhao Yufei had his own calculations.

He wanted to use the local officials of Xiashuishui Town to test Yang Dong's attitude.

Judging by the results so far, the effect was quite satisfactory.

Yang Dong had been very polite to Gong Hongyang, the Party Secretary of Xiashuishui Town, and had maintained basic courtesy toward the implicated Jin Hemin, showing adequate respect.

Therefore, he proceeded to introduce Zhao Guojun—another implicated cadre, and the highest-ranking among all nineteen individuals involved.

The Deputy County Magistrate of Kaiyang County.

He oversaw investment promotion and specifically managed the affairs of the Kaiyang Economic Development Zone, ranking third in the county government leadership hierarchy.

Consequently, the involvement of Deputy Magistrate Zhao in the case had caused grave concern for both the county party committee and the county government.

Although Party Secretary Tan Long had not attended the luncheon, he had made his instructions explicitly clear to Zhao Yufei: by all means, Comrade Zhao Guojun must be protected!

The county's investment promotion work could not be halted, and the Kaiyang Economic Development Zone could not be thrown into chaos.

"Deputy Magistrate Zhao, hello."

Yang Dong shook hands with Zhao Guojun and greeted him politely.

"Comrade Yang Dong is young, promising, and exceptionally talented—truly a credit to the waters and soils of Kaiyang County."

"Comrade Yang Dong, you and I are actually fellow townsmen. My family is also from Xiashuishui Town, specifically Liyu Village."

Acting entirely unconcerned as someone under investigation, Zhao Guojun projected immense enthusiasm and proactively sought to forge a personal connection with Yang Dong.

Liyu Village was not far from Yang Dong's own home village, Xiaoyang Village, being separated by a mere ten kilometers or so.

"I had long heard that Liyu Village produced a high-ranking official, and it turns out to be Deputy Magistrate Zhao."

Yang Dong offered a courteous and perfunctory remark.

Nearly five minutes had passed since they arrived on the second floor of the cafeteria, yet everyone was still standing without having taken their seats.

"Let's all sit down and talk. Please take your seats."

"Comrades from the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, please sit!"

Seeing this, Zhao Yufei immediately gestured for everyone to be seated, specifically urging Lü Yanqing and his team to take their places.

"Come, come, Comrade Yang Dong, please sit right here!"

He deliberately pulled Yang Dong by the hand and guided him to the seat of honor on his immediate left.

As the Deputy Secretary of the County Party Committee, Zhao Yufei naturally occupied the principal seat at the head of the table, while the seat of secondary honor to his right was occupied by Deputy Magistrate Zhao Guojun.

The remaining individuals took their respective seats according to protocol.

Having spent so many years navigating the bureaucratic system, none of them were foolish enough to make a mistake regarding seating arrangements.