44: Chapter 44 Emerging from the Water

The news that Director Yan Jinghui had been taken away by the Discipline Inspection Commission was like a bombshell, instantly causing an uproar in the Municipal Government Office.

The atmosphere in the office was exceptionally stifling; everyone kept their heads down, pretending to be busy with their work, but their eyes would occasionally dart toward the empty office of Director Yan Jinghui, and whispers rose and fell.

"Hey, have you heard? Director Yan has been taken away by the Discipline Inspection Commission!"

Zhang Jiaming, sitting in the corner, lowered his voice and said to Ruan Lu next to him.

Ruan Lu nodded, her eyes filled with a bit of schadenfreude:

"They should have investigated him a long time ago! He was always throwing his weight around and yelling at people for no reason. Well, look at him now—he's finally fallen!"

"Shh! Keep your voice down!"

Deputy Division Chief Ma Hongqiu, sitting opposite them, quickly interrupted them and looked around vigilantly. "Don't talk nonsense, watch out for eavesdroppers!"

Ruan Lu curled her lip dismissively:

"What's there to be afraid of? Director Yan Jinghui is already inside; what can he do to us? Besides, who doesn't know about the things he usually does? Corruption, bribery, abuse of power, and even forcing female subordinates to entertain guests with alcohol—he was simply lawless!"

Deputy Division Chief Ma Hongqiu sighed and shook his head:

"That may be true, but we'd better be careful. Who knows if this matter will implicate others? The Municipal Government Office hasn't done few dirty jobs for him over the years."

Ruan Lu sneered:

"Implicate? I think that's only a matter of time! Director Yan Jinghui has raked in so much money over the years; do you think he swallowed it all by himself? Can those people above be clean? I think the Discipline Inspection Commission is playing for real this time. If things go wrong, the entire Canglan City officialdom might experience an earthquake!"

The news of Director Yan Jinghui being taken away by the Discipline Inspection Commission soon spread like wildfire, causing a massive stir throughout Canglan City.

Ring ring! Secretary Xue Yue of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection had just returned to his office when the phone on his desk rang urgently.

He glanced at the caller ID and frowned slightly—it was a call from Deputy Party Secretary Tang Jianhui.

Secretary Xue Yue took a deep breath, answered the phone, and said in a calm tone:

"Secretary Tang, hello."

The voice of Deputy Party Secretary Tang Jianhui came from the other end of the line:

"Secretary Xue, I heard your Discipline Inspection Commission has made quite a move, taking Director Yan Jinghui away?"

Secretary Xue Yue felt a jolt in his heart, but his tone remained steady:

"Yes, Secretary Tang. Director Yan Jinghui is suspected of serious violations of discipline and law. We have obtained solid evidence and have taken him into custody for investigation in accordance with the law."

Deputy Party Secretary Tang Jianhui remained silent for a moment, then spoke slowly:

"Secretary Xue, after all, Director Yan Jinghui is the Director of the Municipal Government Office. His position is sensitive, and the impact is significant. Shouldn't you have checked with the Municipal Party Committee first regarding this kind of matter? After all, we must prioritize the overall situation; we cannot let individual issues affect the stability of the entire Canglan City."

Secretary Xue Yue caught the subtext in the words of Deputy Party Secretary Tang Jianhui, but he did not back down and responded calmly:

"Secretary Tang, the work of the Discipline Inspection Commission is conducted independently. We have a responsibility to investigate any violations of discipline and law. The issues with Director Yan Jinghui are already very serious; if not handled in a timely manner, I fear it will trigger even greater problems."

The voice of Deputy Party Secretary Tang Jianhui rose slightly, carrying a hint of displeasure:

"Secretary Xue, I am not questioning the work of your Discipline Inspection Commission, but Director Yan Jinghui is, after all, an important cadre in the city. His issues have a wide scope, so handling them requires caution. My point is that it is best to resolve such matters internally so as not to cause a public stir and affect the image of the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government."

Secretary Xue Yue sneered inwardly, but his tone remained respectful:

"Secretary Tang, I understand your concerns, but the issues with Director Yan Jinghui have exceeded the scope of internal resolution. We must handle them in accordance with the law and regulations. Otherwise, where would the prestige of the Discipline Inspection Commission lie? Where would the trust of the masses be?"

The tone of Deputy Party Secretary Tang Jianhui became more serious:

"Secretary Xue, you are a veteran comrade; you should understand what I mean. Some things are not just black and white. The issues with Director Yan Jinghui can be investigated slowly, but do not be in a hurry to reach a conclusion. After all, what is involved behind him is not just an individual, but the entire political landscape of Canglan City. Don't you agree?"

Secretary Xue Yue sensed the threatening tone in the words of Deputy Party Secretary Tang Jianhui. He bit the bullet and said:

"Secretary Tang, I will seriously consider your opinion. However, the cases of Director Yan Jinghui and Station President Jia Chengzhi have already entered a critical stage. I need to report to Mayor Qin, as she is the head of the Municipal Government and is more familiar with the situation in the Municipal Government Office."

Deputy Party Secretary Tang Jianhui clearly did not expect Secretary Xue Yue to bring up Mayor Qin Ruoxi, and his tone changed immediately:

"Secretary Xue, there's no need to disturb Mayor Qin with such matters, is there? She has only recently taken office and is not yet familiar with the situation in Canglan City. I'm afraid she won't be able to provide any constructive opinions."

Secretary Xue Yue had long anticipated this reaction from Deputy Party Secretary Tang Jianhui:

"Secretary Tang, although Mayor Qin is newly appointed, she has always been very supportive of the work of the Discipline Inspection Commission. The case of Director Yan Jinghui has a wide scope, so I must report to her. This is also a procedural requirement."

Deputy Party Secretary Tang Jianhui was silent for a few seconds, then said coldly:

"Very well. Since Secretary Xue insists, I won't say anything more. However, I still hope you can consider this carefully. Do not let a moment of impulse affect the overall situation of Canglan City and your own personal future."

Deputy Party Secretary Tang Jianhui deliberately emphasized the four words "personal future."

Secretary Xue Yue could certainly hear the threat in his words, but he still withstood the pressure and said:

"Rest assured, Secretary Tang, I will handle it with caution."

After hanging up the phone, Secretary Xue Yue let out a long sigh, but his expression became even more solemn.

He understood that the call from Deputy Party Secretary Tang Jianhui meant that the case of Director Yan Jinghui had already touched upon the interests of certain people and might even involve higher-level power struggles.

He picked up the phone on his desk and dialed the number of Mayor Qin Ruoxi.

"Mayor Qin, this is Secretary Xue Yue. I have important information that I need to report to you."

The cold and clear voice of Mayor Qin Ruoxi came from the other end of the line:

"Secretary Xue, please speak."

Secretary Xue Yue briefly reported on the case of Director Yan Jinghui and the content of the call from Deputy Party Secretary Tang Jianhui, then said:

"Mayor Qin, I suspect that behind the case of Director Yan Jinghui, there may be more complex interest relationships involved. The attitude of Deputy Party Secretary Tang Jianhui also makes me very uneasy. We need to take action as soon as possible to prevent anyone from interfering with the investigation."

Mayor Qin Ruoxi was silent for a moment, then said decisively:

"Secretary Xue, your judgment is correct. The case of Director Yan Jinghui must be investigated to the end; we must never give up halfway because of pressure from certain people. I will fully support the work of the Discipline Inspection Commission. If anyone tries to obstruct you, report directly to me."

Secretary Xue Yue nodded slightly and said:

"Thank you for your support, Mayor Qin. I will clarify the case as soon as possible and give the people of Canglan City an explanation."

After hanging up the call with Secretary Xue Yue, Mayor Qin Ruoxi stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window of her office, gazing at the myriad lights of Canglan City outside.

The night wind brushed across her exquisite face, but it could not blow away the chill that had gathered between her brows.

"Deputy Party Secretary Tang Jianhui, so it was you all along..."