Chapter 28: Refusing Guan Mushan

“You, as the leader of the Tenth Group, cracked the case in just one day and left the city disciplinary committee utterly humiliated.”
“When Su Tongzhou and Liu Shan reported to me, their faces were ashen.”
Guan Mushan found it rather amusing—just a young man from the municipal government office, yet he had managed to stir up such waves within the city disciplinary committee.
It had only taken a single day, and already the situation had escalated so dramatically.
He recalled that on the day he first took office, he had seconded Yang Dong to the city disciplinary committee’s investigation team.
In truth, at that time, he didn’t even know Yang Dong—he had no idea that Yang Dong had saved his own daughter.
It was only this morning that his wife, Sun Xiufen, mentioned Yang Dong’s rescue of their daughter.
It was all too coincidental…
But why had he chosen to second Yang Dong? That was because his former superior had mentioned Yang Dong’s name.
Before taking up his post, his old leader had given him a task to complete within half a month:
He was to get to the bottom of the Yin Tiejun case.
If Yin Tiejun truly was guilty of corruption, then old ties were irrelevant—justice must be done.
But if Yin Tiejun was being framed, then he was to clear his name, restore his honor, and return him to his position.
To be honest, this was not the kind of private favor he relished handling.
However, the debt he owed his old leader was too great.
That leader had promoted him many times over the years, and now had elevated him to secretary of the Lingyun City Disciplinary Committee.
If he refused his old leader’s request, wouldn’t that make him an ingrate?
Fortunately, Yin Tiejun, the old leader’s former secretary, had not brought shame upon his mentor—he was innocent of any corruption.
But the greatest surprise was Yang Dong.
This low-ranking secretary from the comprehensive section of the municipal government office, whom his former superior had only briefly mentioned, had, after being seconded, managed to clear up the Yin Tiejun case in just one day.
Completely beyond his expectations, and a most pleasant surprise.
He could now report back to his old leader with confidence.
“Secretary Guan, anyone with a discerning eye could see that Secretary Yin was being set up.”
“The so-called evidence of corruption, and the chain of evidence that followed, were all flimsy and contrived.”
“So solving the case in a single day wasn’t any feat of mine; rather, it’s because…”
Yang Dong trailed off, not daring to finish.
He didn’t say it, but Guan Mushan said it for him.
“Because there’s a problem within the city disciplinary committee itself, am I right?”
Guan Mushan voiced the thought aloud, looking at Yang Dong.
Yang Dong nodded, his expression grave. “Anyone with years of experience handling cases in the committee would see the flaws here at a glance.”
“But they feign ignorance, deliberately muddying the waters just to smear Secretary Yin.”
“Secretary Guan, the degradation of cadres’ conduct in Lingyun City these past years is proof enough that there are serious issues in the disciplinary committee—it has failed in its duty to supervise and warn.”
“Lü Zheng, the previous secretary, was egregiously unqualified!”
Yang Dong’s words were bold, even cutting.
By rights, he shouldn’t have spoken so bluntly.
To criticize the committee so directly in front of its secretary was almost like a slap in the face.
But he was clever enough to place all blame on Lü Zheng, the former secretary.
And in truth, the fault did indeed lie with Lü Zheng, not Guan Mushan.
Guan Mushan shook his head with a smile. “You’re a sly one.”
“Comrade Lü Zheng did make contributions to the city disciplinary committee—we can’t deny the efforts and work he put in.”

“Of course, that doesn’t mean we should cover up the problems that exist. Since there are problems, the city disciplinary committee must work quickly to correct them and resolve these issues.”
“So, as the newly appointed secretary, the responsibility falls squarely on my shoulders.”
Guan Mushan’s expression turned serious.
The provincial party committee and the provincial disciplinary committee had appointed him to Lingyun City with precisely these concerns in mind.
Problems had been cropping up in Lingyun City for the past two years, to the annoyance of the provincial leadership.
With the National People’s Congress meetings just days away, nothing could be allowed to go wrong.
Otherwise, the Jijiang Provincial Committee would have no way of explaining it to their superiors, and the Lingyun Municipal Committee would have no way of answering to the province.
“Secretary Guan, the disciplinary committee is the yardstick for the Party’s integrity. The behavior of local officials, the business environment, the political soil, the social climate—all are profoundly shaped by the committee’s role.”
“In my view, we must rigorously implement the new requirements, standards, and content set by the central authorities for disciplinary work in the new era.”
“We must grasp the new realities, new developments, and new trends of our time.”
“Adhering to the principles of treating illness to save lives, and punishing past wrongs to prevent future ones, we must intensify ideological education for cadres, help them refine themselves, raise their moral standards, and enhance their political acumen. Our goal must be to cultivate a cadre team with solid political and ideological foundations for the Party and the country.”
Guan Mushan looked up at Yang Dong, his surprise evident.
Just these few words had kindled in him a deep appreciation for Yang Dong’s talent.
What Yang Dong said was exactly what he himself believed.
“Yang, would you be interested in joining the comprehensive section of the city disciplinary committee’s office? I’d like to promote you to deputy section chief, and have you serve as my secretary.”
“I’ve just arrived in Lingyun City, and I happen to be short a secretary.”
“I think you’re well-suited to this work.”
“How about it? Will you lend me a hand?”
Guan Mushan looked at Yang Dong with hopeful anticipation.
He had spent the past few days searching for a secretary, looking through several candidates across the committee’s offices, even asking Secretary-General Ling Zhenting for recommendations, but none had satisfied him.
Now, with Yang Dong’s performance, his loyalty to Yin Tiejun, and his saving of Guan’s daughter—even at the risk of offending several leaders—his character was more than proven.
He had a sense of justice, principles, loyalty, and ability—if a bit sharp-edged, but that was just what the disciplinary committee needed.
“Old Guan, you want Xiao Dong as your secretary?”
Sun Xiufen, having finished preparing the meal, walked out of the kitchen. Just as she took off her apron, she heard Guan Mushan’s words and was a little surprised.
“Yes, Old Sun, what do you think?”
Guan Mushan nodded with a smile, asking his wife’s opinion.
His way of addressing her was interesting—he called her “Old Sun.”
Perhaps it was a unique manner of endearment between husband and wife.
“I think it’s a great idea! Xiao Dong is a man of good character and ability, and most importantly, he graduated from Jijiang University—your own alma mater.”
Sun Xiufen beamed as she introduced Yang Dong’s university background to her husband.
Guan Mushan was surprised, his curiosity piqued.
“Yang, you graduated from Jijiang University? Which department, which year?”
Guan Mushan himself was a member of the Chinese department, class of ’79.
“Secretary Guan, I’m from the class of 2000, Chinese department.”
Yang Dong replied.
Guan Mushan couldn’t help but laugh heartily. “Ha! Then I’m your bona fide senior—I was Chinese department, class of ’79.”
“Who was your advisor?”
He continued to ask, seeking common ground so as to win Yang Dong over to his side.
“Secretary Guan, my university advisor was Professor Sun Ganjiang.”
Yang Dong understood what Guan Mushan was aiming for, but he still answered.

“Ah? Sun Ganjiang? He was my classmate! So you’re the student of an old friend of mine—excellent, excellent.”
“I must get in touch with my old classmate and ask about you!”
Guan Mushan, now interested, pulled out his phone and found Sun Ganjiang’s number.
Sun Ganjiang was an associate professor in the Chinese department at Jijiang University, and also served as advisor for classes one through five.
Soon, the call went through.
“Old Sun, it’s Mushan.”
“Well, if it isn’t our big leader! What brings you to call me?”
Sun Ganjiang’s teasing voice came through the phone.
A wave of nostalgia washed over Yang Dong. Since graduation, he hadn’t seen Professor Sun—it had been nearly five years.
Sun Ganjiang had always known about his family’s difficulties and had helped him secure numerous national scholarships, student aid grants, and poverty assistance.
Of course, this was contingent on academic excellence, and during his time at university, Yang Dong excelled in every subject and even served as the head of the student union’s discipline department.
Perhaps what made him suited for disciplinary work was the foundation built during those years in the student union.
“Who? Yang Dong? Oh, I remember him—class of 2000, monitor of class three in our Chinese department, a student union leader, top marks. Why, Old Guan? What do you want to know about Yang Dong for?”
Sun Ganjiang and Guan Mushan began discussing Yang Dong.
“He’s working in the Lingyun City government office. I want to bring him over as my secretary.”
Guan Mushan explained, laughing.
At this, Sun Ganjiang immediately nodded. “I agree. That young man is outstanding.”
“Very well, let’s leave it at that, old friend. When I return to the provincial capital, dinner’s on me.”
The two didn’t bother with unnecessary pleasantries and quickly ended the call.
After all, between old classmates, there was no need for formalities.
Putting down his phone, Guan Mushan turned to Yang Dong, satisfaction in his eyes.
“Well? Have you made up your mind?”
He had gone out of his way to establish connections, evoke sentiment, and even consulted Yang Dong’s university advisor.
Even Sun Ganjiang agreed that Yang Dong should be his secretary.
How could Yang Dong refuse now?
And yet, Yang Dong really did refuse…
“Secretary Guan, I’m deeply grateful for your trust and appreciation.”
“By all rights, I should seize such an opportunity—it could change the course of my life.”
“But…”
But?
Guan Mushan’s face froze, sensing something amiss.
Sun Xiufen also looked at the young man in surprise.
“I cannot accept.”
Yang Dong spoke at last, making his decision clear.
And in that moment, the atmosphere in the living room turned tense.
Even Guan Jiujiu’s heart skipped a beat, her worried gaze fixed on Yang Dong.
For she noticed that her father’s face had already darkened.