Chapter 16: Assigning Tasks!

At exactly seven in the evening, every member of the investigation team gathered in the meeting room on the third floor of the hotel. The atmosphere was grave; everyone sat upright, their eyes fixed on the city disciplinary committee leaders seated at the podium.

Beside Yang Dong, Hou Donglai pressed close, casting nervous glances his way, fear and anxiety clouding his heart.

Jiang Hu felt disgusted, even though he didn’t know what had happened. Since returning, Hou Donglai had been ingratiating himself to Yang Dong to an extreme degree. When Jiang Hu asked Yang Dong about it, he received no answer. His thoughts were soon interrupted by the city disciplinary committee leaders’ speech from the podium.

“Comrades, according to the city disciplinary committee’s findings, there are twenty officials in Lingyun City suspected of violating laws and regulations,” the speaker began, “including two department-level city-managed officials, six deputy department-level officials, and twelve section-level officials.”

“We will now assign specific tasks to each group,” said Su Tongzhou, the deputy leader of the city disciplinary committee investigation team.

Several committee members immediately stepped down from the podium and distributed files related to the cases. Each team leader received two thick files containing information and leads on the suspected officials.

“Over the next two months, each group must discreetly verify and investigate these leads. If the allegations are substantiated, double-regulation measures should be implemented immediately. For officials already under double-regulation, clarify the facts and bring the cases to completion swiftly. If any are proven to have been falsely accused or framed, their reputations must be restored at once. If disciplinary violations are confirmed, handle them according to procedure; for legal infractions, transfer them to the judiciary as required.

“Comrades, the investigation team bears great responsibility. The provincial disciplinary committee is closely monitoring us, the city leadership is highly attentive, and Secretary Guan has called for a strict crackdown—no violator shall escape scrutiny.

“After the meeting, carefully analyze your cases and focus on gathering evidence. For any needs, come directly to me or Deputy Leader Liu Shan. I have prepared a banquet for our celebration in two months’ time. Let’s complete our mission, and then we’ll drink until dawn.

“All right, the meeting is adjourned.”

Su Tongzhou was clearly a decisive leader; he wasted no words, wrapping up the meeting in less than ten minutes. Perhaps this was the style of the director of the First Disciplinary Inspection Office.

Yang Dong gripped his thick stack of files and turned to leave. On his way out, he ran into Luo Jin, leader of Group Nine.

“Leader Yang, who is your group investigating?” Luo Jin asked with a smile.

Yang Dong replied, “Both cases are tough nuts to crack.”

“And you, Leader Luo?” he countered calmly.

“Ah, same here—nearly impossible cases,” Luo Jin sighed, his face clouded.

The two exchanged knowing glances, each smiling with hidden intentions.

“Let’s do our best, Comrade Luo Jin.”

“You too, Comrade Yang Dong.”

Yang Dong returned to the room with his four team members.

“Leader, who are we investigating?” Lu Yike asked, her excitement barely contained.

She was strikingly beautiful, with fair skin and commanding height—nearly one meter seventy, unusually tall for a woman. By appearance alone, one would hardly guess she worked for the disciplinary committee. But she was not to be underestimated: as a member of the First Disciplinary Inspection Office, she had a remarkable record, bringing down many deputy and even full section-level officials. She was a true force in committee investigations.

Of Yang Dong’s group, only Lu Yike was a genuine city disciplinary committee member. Hou Donglai and Hou Shuangquan were from the city prosecutor’s office. Jiang Hu came from the city public security bureau’s economic investigation squad. Yang Dong himself was from the city government’s comprehensive office. At times, he truly had to rely on Lu Yike.

“Comrade Yike, Group Ten is responsible for two department-level cases,” Yang Dong announced gravely, signaling the other members as well.

Hou Donglai drew in a sharp breath, his head spinning. Department-level leaders? Their group was to investigate two department-level leaders? This was not a task for making friends. Investigating section-level officials was manageable—after all, the disciplinary committee lent them authority. But department-level officials? That was terrifying. Could such a small group of five handle it? The pressure and obstacles they would face were unfathomable.

“It must be Municipal Secretary Yin Tiejun and Education Bureau Director Gu Santong,” Lu Yike said, her expression turning serious. She, as an insider, knew the situation well. There were only two department-level officials suspected of violations, and both cases had landed in Group Ten. She wondered whether the leadership had done this deliberately, targeting their group.

The others shared her concern, all looking worried. Only Yang Dong felt a secret delight—finally, he had Yin Secretary’s case, and he could investigate it openly as group leader. Old Yin, this time you’re in my hands.

“Yike, do you know where Yin Tiejun is being held?” Yang Dong asked her. Only she, as an insider, would know where the secretary had been placed under double-regulation.

“You want to start investigating now?” she asked, surprised.

“There’s no time to lose. We’re responsible for two department-level leaders—there’s immense pressure. We have to fight hard,” Yang Dong said, pressing his hands against the thick case files and looking at the group solemnly. “We’ll have to work through the night.”

“Agreed, all-night work!” Hou Donglai echoed immediately, now following Yang Dong’s lead in everything out of his own fear.

“I’m used to late nights in the economic investigation squad. As long as there’s instant noodles, I can outlast even the moon goddess,” Jiang Hu said, completely unfazed.

“I have no objections,” Hou Shuangquan shook his head. With Hou Donglai already ‘defected’ to Yang Dong, he was content to follow.

“To see Yin Tiejun, we need leadership approval,” Lu Yike reminded Yang Dong.

Yang Dong shook his head. “The investigation team has assigned us these cases, which means Group Ten has full authority. No need to report—let’s go see Yin Tiejun directly.” He glanced at the time: it was already seven twenty. To prevent complications, he had to seize the case immediately—last time, the committee had closed the case in three days, their efficiency astonishing, eager to leave no time for Yin Tiejun’s supporters to react.

“He’s being held in another hotel, far from here,” Lu Yike said.

“Then let’s go now?” she asked.

“Yes, right now!” Yang Dong nodded, rising to lead the way.

Yang Dong followed, with Jiang Hu and the two Hou brothers trailing close behind. Group Ten left to investigate.

This was witnessed by other team members, and soon the other group leaders grew anxious. No one wanted to be left behind—if Group Ten was already working late, could they afford to rest? Damn Yang Dong, damn Group Ten—couldn’t they take one night off?

Stimulated by Group Ten’s initiative, the other groups immediately began their investigations as well.

When Su Tongzhou and Liu Shan, the deputy leaders, came down to chat with the teams, they found the second floor empty. If not for the office staff explaining, they would have thought everyone had fled.

“Who does Yang Dong really belong to?” This was the question on both Su Tongzhou and Liu Shan’s minds as they analyzed his background.

Yang Dong had been seconded to the investigation team by the new city disciplinary committee secretary, Guan Mushan. His appointment as Group Ten leader was at the suggestion of Executive Deputy Secretary Wei Chonghu. Guan Mushan and Wei Chonghu were known rivals—rumor had it Wei Chonghu might soon join the municipal standing committee and become disciplinary committee secretary. But Guan Mushan’s sudden arrival dashed those hopes. The two were sure to clash in future.

Yet Yang Dong seemed linked to both, leaving Su Tongzhou and Liu Shan uncertain how to approach him. If Yang Dong was Wei Chonghu’s man, they would support him, as both were Wei Chonghu’s close associates. If he belonged to Guan Mushan, they would neither help nor hinder him.

Unaware of their concerns, Yang Dong, led by Lu Yike, arrived at a dilapidated hotel on the city’s outskirts—the site where Yin Tiejun was being held under double-regulation.

On the first floor, room 107.

“We are Group Ten of the city disciplinary committee investigation team, here to take over the Yin Tiejun case,” Lu Yike said, showing her credentials to the two committee staff guarding the door.

“Lu, why are you…” the two looked confused—why was she in the investigation team?

“No nonsense, clear out!” Lu Yike snapped, frightening the two young staffers into leaving at once.

Yang Dong gave her a thumbs up—she truly deserved her reputation as the committee’s famed female inspector. In later years, she would become renowned, rising from the grassroots to the provincial disciplinary committee as director of the First Disciplinary Inspection Office.

Lu Yike squared her shoulders proudly and pushed open the door to room 107.

As she did, Yang Dong felt his whole body tense, his blood freezing—a complex mix of nervousness and anticipation. In his two lives, this was his first time encountering Secretary Yin after his downfall.

In his previous life, cowardice had kept him from making that crucial call, costing both Yin Tiejun and himself their political futures.

Now, the butterfly’s wings had stirred; the future was already changed. His secondment to the investigation team was proof enough.

From this moment, his life would be entirely different. In this life, he would live another way.

Taking a deep breath, he opened his eyes, his gaze resolute, and strode inside.