Chapter 148 Yang Dong, you are truly ruthless!

The preceding intimidation and threats were merely means to an end.

What Yang Dong had just said was the actual purpose—the very thing he intended to accomplish.

If Yang Xu wished to avoid harsh prosecution, there was only one path available to him: to cooperate fully and strive for substantial meritorious service.

"I'm willing! I'm more than willing!"

Yang Xu nodded hastily. Having heard Yang Dong's words, how could he possibly dare to be unwilling?

If one could avoid serving prison time, it was best not to spend a day behind bars.

He no longer harbored any illusions about retaining his position as bureau chief; his sole desire now was to emerge safe and sound.

"Very well, Comrade Yang Xu. In view of your commendable attitude and your active cooperation with the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection in our investigation, I will make a formal record of this."

"However, to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest, I will not question you personally. I will now ask Comrade Lü Yanqing to continue your interrogation."

With that, Yang Dong glanced over at Lü Yanqing.

Lü Yanqing nodded immediately and took over the conversation.

"Comrade Yang Xu, do you know which cadres in Kaiyang County have been involved in illicit financial transactions with Zhao Pengcheng, or have engaged in the substantive illegal and criminal acts of buying and selling official posts?"

Lü Yanqing had not anticipated that things would proceed so smoothly, achieving a fundamental breakthrough in such a short span of time.

"Group Leader, Dong Wenfang, the director of the county water resources bureau, has arrived!"

While Lü Yanqing was questioning Yang Xu, Jiang Hu reappeared at the doorway and reported to Yang Dong.

Because of the matter concerning their familial relationship, the conversation between Yang Dong and Yang Xu had been significantly prolonged, which in turn delayed the scheduled talks with the subsequent comrades.

Yang Dong realized this presented an opportunity. If Yang Xu actively confessed, it would deal a devastating blow to Dong Wenfang, the director of the county water resources bureau.

If Dong Wenfang were truly innocent, perhaps he would have nothing to fear.

However, since the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection had already singled out a list of nineteen cadres implicated in the case, it meant that each of them unquestionably had problems to varying degrees.

That being the case, the probability of Dong Wenfang's downfall was exceptionally high.

With this realization, Yang Dong decided to fan the flames and add fuel to the fire, ensuring that neither Yang Xu nor Dong Wenfang would have any way out.

"Bring him in!"

Yang Dong signaled Jiang Hu to bring the man inside.

Dong Wenfang was in his early forties, a few years younger than Yang Xu, and theoretically still had a future ahead of him in his career.

Standing at one meter seventy-five, Dong Wenfang walked in only to see Yang Xu hunched over anxiously on the sofa, honestly confessing to various matters.

In an instant, beads of sweat broke out across Dong Wenfang's forehead.

It was over. Had this fellow Yang Xu actually broken down and cracked under pressure?

For a split second, Dong Wenfang had the urge to turn around quickly and flee the room.

However, when he looked back, he saw Jiang Hu glaring at him menacingly from the doorway, and Li子恒 (Li Ziheng) standing guard beside him.

He instantly understood that unless he confessed to something himself, it would be practically impossible for him to walk out of here.

"Director Dong, please have a seat!"

Yang Dong stood up and gestured for Dong Wenfang to take a seat.

"Right, right."

Dong Wenfang sat down anxiously, keeping as much distance between himself and Yang Xu as possible.

This minor detail brought a faint smile to Yang Dong's face.

Did this fellow Dong Wenfang really think that sitting a little farther away would sever his ties to the matter?

"Among the cadres in Kaiyang County whom I know, those who engaged in benefit exchanges with Zhao Pengcheng, the deputy head of the municipal organization department, and participated in buying and selling official posts—their number exceeds nineteen. Your municipal discipline inspection list is inaccurate."

"Within our county tax bureau alone, there are three deputy section-level cadres whose promotions relied on paving the way through Zhao Pengcheng."

"These are all facts within my knowledge, and every single one of them is absolute truth. Your commission can verify them by launching an investigation."

Naturally, Yang Xu had noticed Dong Wenfang's arrival. They were colleagues and close friends who frequently drank together, addressed each other familiarly as "Old Dong" and "Old Yang," and often gathered to play cards or mahjong.

Yet, at this exact moment, such considerations no longer crossed his mind. He cared only about securing meritorious service, striving for a lenient punishment or even complete exemption from prosecution.

Lü Yanqing could hardly contain his excitement. Head bowed, he wrote furiously, jotting down everything Yang Xu confessed, terrified of missing even a single word.

Furthermore, the law enforcement recording device resting on the table captured every detail of Yang Xu's testimony.

All of this would be formally documented, serving as valid, rational, and legally compliant evidence.

"Is there anything else you would like to add?"

Lü Yanqing continued to press Yang Xu, intending to strike while the iron was hot and break the defense completely before Yang Xu's psychological state stabilized.

Once Yang Xu calmed down and experienced a pang of regret over his voluntary confession, he might clam up and refuse to say another word.

"There is also..."

Hearing Lü Yanqing's prompt, Yang Xu prepared to speak further.

At that very moment, however, Dong Wenfang could no longer contain himself. He raised his voice and rudely interrupted Yang Xu's testimony.

"Old Yang, is your tax bureau really so idle? Are there no meetings left for you to attend?"

Yang Dong's expression turned glacial in an instant as he fixed his gaze on Dong Wenfang for a long moment.

Interrupted so abruptly, Yang Xu snapped back to reality, his face turning instantly pale.

He suddenly realized that he had likely made himself a public enemy within the political ecosystem of Kaiyang County.

Even if his candid confessions spared him from punishment, this act would effectively isolate him from the local officialdom; from now on, not a single cadre in Kaiyang County would ever regard him as one of their own.

Worse still, those whom he had implicated would undoubtedly harbor a grudge against him for the rest of their lives.

"Comrade Yang Xu, what you have already shared is more than enough to constitute a meritorious contribution."

Noticing the shift in the room, Yang Dong spoke up immediately, signaling Yang Xu.

His words carried a clear message: even if you wanted to clamp your mouth shut now, it is already too late. You have already said what needed to be said, and whether you like it or not, your fate is now inextricably bound to the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection.

After a brief wave of panic, Yang Xu looked at his nephew, hardened his heart, and thought, *To hell with it!*

Hesitation gets people killed, especially when navigating treacherous waters—vacillation is the deadliest sin.

Since he had already crossed the line, there was no sense in looking back and hesitating.

Otherwise, not only would he have deeply offended all the cadres of Kaiyang County, but he would also fail to secure any favor with the municipal discipline commission. That truly would be a miserable end.

"I also know that Lü Jun, the executive deputy head of the Kaiyang County Organization Department, is definitely implicated in this case as well."

"Because without the cooperation of the higher-ups within the Kaiyang County Organization Department, Zhao Pengcheng could never have extended his reach into the county."

"The very fact that Zhao Pengcheng was able to reach into our county and interfere with our organization department's promotions—from staff members to deputy section chiefs, and from deputy section chiefs to full section chiefs—with such profound influence, speaks volumes."

Terrified, Dong Wenfang sprang to his feet, staring at Yang Xu with wide, horrified eyes.

"Old Yang, have you lost your mind?!"

Did he even realize what he was doing? Making confessions like this was nothing short of digging his own grave!

Yang Dong immediately exchanged glances with Jiang Hu and Er Hou.

The three of them moved swiftly, closing in on Dong Wenfang and pinning him to his seat.

"What... what do you think you're doing?"

Dong Wenfang's expression contorted in terror as he began to shout and thrash about.

Struggling violently, he raised his head and glared furiously at Yang Dong and his men.

"Dong Wenfang, you have repeatedly and deliberately interfered with the normal investigative work of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection. We have ample reason to suspect your deep involvement in the Zhao Pengcheng case."

"On behalf of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, I hereby place you under *Shuanggui*!"

"You are required to report to the designated place at the designated time and make a full confession regarding all your wrongdoings!"

"Huzi, take him away! Escort him directly to the county discipline inspection interrogation room!"

Stepping forward, Yang Dong stared coldly down at Dong Wenfang before giving Jiang Hu a sharp wave of his hand.

Without hesitation, Jiang Hu and Er Hou hoisted Dong Wenfang up by his arms and hauled him toward the exit.

Lü Yanqing whipped his head around, staring at Yang Dong in utter disbelief, deeply shaken to his core.

*Yang Dong,* he thought, *you are truly ruthless!*