Chapter 75: Each with Their Own Schemes!

“Secretary Wu, Mayor Hou, esteemed leaders, of the 23 cadres listed as suspected of violations and disciplinary breaches, the city’s disciplinary committee investigation team has preliminarily confirmed that 18 of them are indeed guilty of such misconduct, while 3 have committed serious job-related crimes.”

“There are 2 individuals whose cases are more complicated.”

“The first is Tian Guanghan. He was only put under double designation in recent days, and the complexity of his case means we cannot provide a clear report in such a short time.”

“The second is Comrade Yin Tiejun, Secretary-General of the Municipal Administration. After a thorough investigation by our Tenth Special Group, we determined that the housekeeper’s signed accusation of embezzlement against Comrade Yin Tiejun was pure fabrication and malicious slander.”

“Following the housekeeper’s confession, we apprehended those who attempted to tarnish Comrade Yin Tiejun’s reputation, fabricated evidence, and set traps for him.”

“I will not shy away from the truth—even some of these people are from within the city’s disciplinary committee.”

With a stern expression, Guan Mushan paused after delivering this part of his report, sweeping his gaze across the top leaders of the municipal committee.

Wu Xinkai’s face clearly betrayed a trace of anxiety.

Hou Yong, meanwhile, maintained a genial smile and continued to sit with the posture of a seasoned elder.

Wei Liming’s expression remained wooden, giving no hint of his inner thoughts.

Gu Tong, the organization department head, stared at his thermos, seemingly lost in thought.

“Comrade Mushan, just give us the conclusion,” Wu Xinkai interjected, cutting off Guan Mushan and instructing him to get straight to the point.

Guan Mushan understood immediately: Secretary Wu didn’t want to hear the details, perhaps because such details might implicate him. In truth, Guan Mushan himself preferred not to elaborate too much, as this involved internal issues within the disciplinary committee—family scandals are best kept behind closed doors. Yet, some people simply had to go.

He had his own calculations. Having just arrived in Lingyun City as the disciplinary committee secretary, only twenty days ago at that, he needed to establish authority and promote his own people to key positions if he was to fully control the committee. However, some department heads were not his allies—for instance, Wu Sancai, head of the Cadre Supervision Office.

“The conclusion is that Comrade Yin Tiejun is innocent; this was a major investigative error by the disciplinary committee!”

“On behalf of the disciplinary committee, I apologize to the city government and to Comrade Yin Tiejun. Our oversight has caused serious repercussions for the city government, for Mayor Hou, and for Comrade Yin Tiejun.”

With a heavy expression, Guan Mushan stood and gave a slight bow to Hou Yong, offering an official apology as the disciplinary committee secretary.

Hou Yong immediately rose, grasping Guan Mushan’s arm.

“Old Guan, let’s not stand on ceremony. As the new disciplinary committee secretary, your clearing of Comrade Tiejun’s name is more than enough for me. There’s no need for this.”

“Please, sit down!” Hou Yong smiled warmly, patting Guan Mushan on the shoulder and pressing him back into his seat.

In front of the party secretary, he performed a masterclass in political finesse and relationship-building. But that was far from all.

Wu Xinkai wanted only the result, not the process? As if it were that simple. Their people had manufactured charges and framed Yin Tiejun, all for a deputy mayor’s seat, flagrantly disregarding proper conduct. Did they really think Hou Yong would just take it lying down, time after time? If he let this pass, how could he ever lead the city government?

“Old Guan, just now you mentioned that certain individuals within the disciplinary committee had issues in handling Yin Tiejun’s case. What kind of issues? What role did they play in this case?”

“Who smeared his name? Who fabricated evidence? Who dug these pits?”

Hou Yong’s pointed questions once again chilled the atmosphere in the room, but he was unfazed. Just because Wu Xinkai didn’t want to know, didn’t mean no one should. This matter demanded resolution.

“Yes. According to our investigation, five hundred thousand yuan was transferred from the account of the Building Materials Industry Company to an individual named Yang Kai.”

“Upon further investigation, we found that Yang Kai is the brother-in-law of Wu Sancai, the head of our committee’s Cadre Supervision Office.”

“And based on Yang Kai’s own confession, his brother-in-law Wu Sancai instructed him to receive five hundred thousand yuan from the company’s account and transfer it to another man named Qi Cheng.”

“Both Qi Cheng and Niu Sheng are in construction; in fact, they are all linked to Building Materials Industry Company—handpicked by Wu Sancai, who used the municipal project as a pretext to weave a net of charges around Comrade Yin Tiejun and ensnare him.”

“The housekeeper’s signed accusation was simply the rope in that net.”

“I also strongly suspect that Deputy Secretary Xu Yuncai of the disciplinary committee was involved in this case.”

“Xu Yuncai took an excessive interest in Yin Tiejun’s case—so much so that it took less than four hours from the opening of the file to his being placed under double designation.”

Guan Mushan systematically laid out the truth of the case for the other leaders present.

Gu Tong continued to appear lost in thought. None of this concerned him; as the Organization Department head, he kept himself out of such matters.

Wei Liming, the deputy secretary and head of the United Front Work Department, was nearing retirement and wanted no trouble.

In reality, the case against Yin Tiejun had three threads, each held by Wu Xinkai, Hou Yong, and Guan Mushan—a contest of influence among them. Even between Guan Mushan and Hou Yong, there was a subtle rivalry rather than pure cooperation. Each sought to achieve their own aims and desired outcomes.

Yet as disciplinary committee secretary, Guan Mushan inevitably stood half a rank lower than the party secretary and the mayor, so he had to borrow momentum and seek collaboration. That was why he and Hou Yong had tacitly put on a political duet in that moment.

After Wu Xinkai had clearly indicated his disinterest in the details, Hou Yong brought them up anyway, and Guan Mushan immediately followed suit. This was political instinct—no prior consultation was needed; each simply acted in their own interest.

When the moment of truth arrived, the waters were no longer murky; in fact, they were growing clearer, though undercurrents persisted beneath the surface.

“Comrade Mushan, you say you strongly suspect this, but do you have any evidence?” Wu Xinkai immediately raised his hand, fixing a serious look on Guan Mushan.

“The concrete evidence is still being investigated,” Guan Mushan replied, leaning forward slightly and meeting Wu Xinkai’s gaze.

Wu Xinkai furrowed his brow, then turned to Hou Yong, saying, “Little Hou, since Comrade Yin Tiejun has been proven innocent, see to it that he returns to work as soon as possible.”

“The city government is busy, and the Secretary-General’s absence cannot go on.”

Hou Yong nodded at once, picking up the cue. “That was my intention as well, but I still need to consult with Secretary Wu.”

No matter how fierce the contest, as mayor, he knew his place. Second-in-command is second-in-command. In both word and deed, the proper deference to the party secretary must be shown; otherwise, even if he triumphed in the struggle, he would still be a loser in the eyes of higher authorities.