Chapter 34: The Waters Grow Deeper

Yang Dong truly wanted to know just how extensive Secretary Yin's network was, or more precisely, who supported him from behind the scenes.

In his previous life, Secretary Yin had been sentenced to ten years in prison, and not once did any influential backer step in to rescue him.

That was why he was now eager to learn more—so he could have a clearer understanding, and feel more confident as he investigated this case.

As for the case itself, there was little to discuss; the real deciding factor would come from above.

And those higher powers, unfortunately, were beyond his reach. All he could do was see how solid Secretary Yin's backing truly was.

“I, Old Guan, and Wei Chonghu are all trusted aides of our former superior.”

Yin Tiejun finally felt it was time to share some things with Yang Dong—whether to demonstrate his own strength or to give Yang Dong reassurance.

No matter the reason, he had seen how tirelessly Yang Dong had worked for him, and it pained him to watch. This young man had not let down his trust or expectations.

If he knew that Guan Mushan had tried to draw Yang Dong to his side that very afternoon, only to be refused, he would have been even more moved.

Yang Dong sat in his chair, listening as Yin Tiejun spoke.

Wei Chonghu, Guan Mushan, and Yin Tiejun all shared the same former leader.

This did not surprise Yang Dong; he had already deduced as much from recent developments.

He even suspected that everything stemmed from the phone call he had made, which had been a turning point.

Because of his call, he was seconded to the municipal discipline inspection investigation team.

Because of his call, Guan Mushan, the newly appointed Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission, had arrived to take up his post.

Until then, the position of Secretary of the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission had been vacant for over half a month, with no decision made as to whether the replacement would be promoted internally or dispatched from the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission or elsewhere.

But just three days after his call, Guan Mushan arrived.

There was no way it was unrelated to his phone call—he would never believe otherwise.

This led him to reasonably deduce that Guan Mushan, Wei Chonghu, and Yin Tiejun belonged to the same faction.

And if a senior official could have two full department-level and one deputy bureau-level aides as confidants, this leader was certainly a high-ranking provincial figure—possibly even a deputy provincial leader or a member of the provincial standing committee.

“We all served as secretaries to our old leader. Old Guan was the first; Wei Chonghu was the second; I was the third.”

Goodness... Should they be called the “Secretaries’ Clique”?

Suddenly, Yang Dong’s expression shifted, his gaze turning oddly toward Yin Tiejun.

He remembered the renowned Secretaries’ Clique of Jijiang Province…

There was a provincial leader known for promoting his secretaries and former subordinates, yet he was judicious in his appointments—those selected were always capable.

It was only because he favored appointing secretaries, and even secretaries of secretaries, that some controversy arose.

Could it be that Secretary Yin, even Guan Mushan and Wei Chonghu, were all protégés of that provincial leader?

“What’s on your mind?” Yin Tiejun noticed the strange look on Yang Dong’s face and couldn’t help but ask, curious.

This young man’s mind was sharp—why hadn’t he seen this side of him before?

Previously, in his eyes, Yang Dong had simply been diligent and conscientious, hardworking and responsible, with solid abilities.

But quick-witted? That was never a connection he made—if anything, Yang Dong’s personality had always been a bit too incisive.

How had he changed so much since Yin Tiejun’s detention?

Of course, he could never guess that the Yang Dong before him was, in fact, someone who had lived two lives.

“Secretary, please, go on.”

Yang Dong smiled and shook his head, signaling for Yin Tiejun to continue.

He was only making a guess; now wasn’t the time to ask outright.

If he guessed wrong, wouldn’t it be awkward?

“All three of us served as secretaries to the old leader. I was unique, though—I didn’t end up in the discipline inspection system, but was maneuvered by the old leader into municipal government, serving as Secretary-General and Chief of Staff for Lingyun City.”

“Meanwhile, Old Guan and Wei Chonghu remained within the discipline inspection system.”

Yin Tiejun continued, laying out the relationships between the three of them with clarity and candor.

Yet he still didn’t reveal the old leader’s identity, though Yang Dong had basically solved the puzzle…

Guan Mushan and Wei Chonghu were both in the discipline inspection system, while Yin Tiejun had been maneuvered into municipal government.

What did that imply? That their old leader had served in the discipline inspection system.

And if his secretary could become a full department-level Secretary-General, then the old leader was certainly a provincial standing committee member, and likely one of the top few.

After all, the secretaries to provincial standing committee members were rarely full department rank—most were deputy department. Bureau-level secretaries were even rarer, unless they held concurrent posts.

With that, the answer was staring him in the face.

Provincial standing committee, top ranking, discipline inspection system, favors secretaries, the Secretaries’ Clique.

With these clues, he knew the answer.

Su Yuliang, member of the Jijiang Provincial Standing Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission.

There was no second possibility.

“Why did Secretary Su transfer you to Lingyun’s municipal government?” Yang Dong asked Yin Tiejun.

Yin Tiejun smiled, “Because Secretary Su wanted to… uh…”

He suddenly looked up, astonished at Yang Dong. He hadn’t realized Yang Dong had already deduced the identity of his old leader.

This kid was truly something.

“Secretary, aside from you, the other two secretaries are still working in the discipline inspection system. Other than the secretary to the Secretary of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission, who else could remain so long in that system?”

“And among provincial leaders who favor appointing secretaries, I can only think of Secretary Su Yuliang.”

Yang Dong wasn’t afraid of Yin Tiejun’s reproach; by now, he and Yin Tiejun were in the same boat, inseparable.

“Don’t breathe a word of this!”

Yin Tiejun’s expression grew stern as he warned Yang Dong. He didn’t scold him, but he did issue a warning.

“Rest assured, I know the gravity of this,” Yang Dong replied, nodding solemnly.

“The old leader thought I wasn’t suited for discipline inspection work, but better for municipal administration, so he arranged for me to work in the Lingyun municipal government office.”

“You know, it’s easy to advance in the discipline inspection system at first, but it gets increasingly difficult later on, and your prospects are limited to that system.”

“After all, among the top positions, only one slot is reserved for the discipline inspection system.”

“Enough of that—what did you come to see me about?”

Yin Tiejun brought the conversation back, looking at Yang Dong.

He knew Yang Dong would not have come for nothing—doing so was a risk.

“Secretary, your case isn’t simple. Xu Yuncai must have someone behind him; otherwise, he wouldn’t dare to frame you with false charges.”

“So, could you tell me who is backing Xu Yuncai? That way I’ll have a clearer idea of how to deal with him—or at least be on guard.”

That was the real reason he’d come. Just knowing Xu Yuncai was the opponent wasn’t enough; he needed to know the power behind Xu Yuncai to plan his next steps.

Otherwise, all his efforts might end up wasted, which would be truly disheartening.

Yin Tiejun’s face immediately darkened, his eyes flickering with complex emotion as he wrestled internally.

He wasn’t sure whether he should tell Yang Dong—after all, the more he knew, the greater the danger, and the harder it would be to extricate himself from this web.

But Yang Dong’s attitude was clear: their fortunes were now intertwined.

This kid, rather foolish—but it warmed his heart. It was good to have such a loyal aide.

“Why do you think Xu Yuncai, a Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission, is being maneuvered into the municipal government as a Deputy Mayor?”

In the end, Yin Tiejun chose to speak, sharing secrets from the upper echelons.

If Yang Dong was determined, there was no point in holding back.

“I suspect it’s due to factional struggles,” Yang Dong replied soberly, his deduction stemming from memories of his previous life.

Though he hadn’t understood the deeper layers back then.

“Correct. But do you know which factions are at odds?”

With a cold laugh, Yin Tiejun pressed further.

A sudden flash of inspiration struck Yang Dong, and he blurted out, “The Municipal Party Committee and the City Government…”

“Exactly,” Yin Tiejun nodded approvingly, no longer surprised by Yang Dong’s quick thinking.

Instead, he recognized that Yang Dong had a politician’s mind—able to analyze the fog and see the shape of things. This was rare and precious.

“Party Secretary Wu Xinkai and Mayor Hou Yong have been locked in a struggle for nearly three years.”

“Though Wu Xinkai is the Party Secretary, he’s often suppressed by the Mayor in the Standing Committee.”

“So, he wants to muddy the waters within the city government, unwilling to let it remain a united front. That’s why he’s trying to transfer Xu Yuncai to the city government as Deputy Mayor—to undermine Mayor Hou’s advantage from within.”

“Xu Yuncai is Wu Xinkai’s man. Back when Wu was a county Party Secretary, Xu was his secretary. After Wu became Party Secretary, he sent Xu Yuncai from the municipal procuratorate to the discipline inspection commission as Deputy Secretary.”

“And now, wanting to muddy the waters in city government, he’s trying the same trick—moving Xu Yuncai in as Deputy Mayor.”

“Now do you understand?”