Chapter 644

Peng Yunhu said fearlessly: "Director Yun, a prince who breaks the law is guilty just like a commoner! You deliberately opposed, obstructed, interfered with, and sabotaged the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee's investigation. According to the regulations, I must take you back for interrogation. I only know that discipline outweighs everything, discipline outweighs life!"

Yun Zhangsheng said softly: "Peng Yunhu, we are both people of the grasslands; don't be too absolute in life, always leave yourself a way out!"

Peng Yunhu said righteously: "Director Yun, you have held a leadership position in the Discipline Inspection Committee for many years, so you should know me—I am stubborn! If there is special treatment, personal feelings, or favoritism in the face of Party discipline and state law, then the grasslands would have no fairness or justice to speak of, and would consequently lose the people's support and lose morality. Therefore, for me, in the face of Party discipline and state law, there is no room for personal feelings, no face to save, no price to negotiate!"

I still remember your saying, etched in my heart: "Not fearing to have my body crushed and bones shattered, I wish to keep my purity in the human world; guarding justice, what is there to fear in life and death!"

Yun Zhangsheng said helplessly: "I am a bureau-level leading cadre; without the approval of the Provincial Party Committee, you have no authority to investigate me!"

Peng Yunhu replied: "Bureau Chief Yun Zhangsheng, without approval from the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission, how dare I privately investigate you? Taking you back is to investigate your obstruction and interference with the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission's case investigation; just go through the procedure. If you have any objections to me, I can't help it; it's my duty."

Yun Zhangsheng helplessly shook his head, let out a long sigh, and said: "I've long heard you're single‑minded and obstinate; seeing you today, it's true—you're a real blockhead! Forget it, forget it, take Zhang Ming away; I'm too lazy to bother with this trivial matter anymore."

"Thank you, Bureau Chief Yun Zhangsheng, for supporting my work!" Having said that, Peng Yunhu still held onto Yun Zhangsheng and refused to let go.

Yun Zhangsheng's face turned green with anger, and he shouted angrily: "Didn't I already let you take the person away? Why are you still pulling and tugging? Quickly let go!"

Peng Yunhu, however, showed no intention of backing down; he held his head high, chest out, and replied loudly: "Bureau Chief Yun Zhangsheng, you are obstructing and interfering with the investigation; many people have seen it, so I must take you to the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission to go through the procedure; otherwise I cannot account for my actions."

Organization Department Head

Peng Yunhu straightened his body, gazed firmly at Yun Zhangsheng, and replied righteously: "Party discipline and state law, government discipline and regulations!"

Yun Zhangsheng's face grew ever darker, and he gritted his teeth, saying: "Peng Yunhu, do you really not understand what you are doing right now? Don't make a foolish fuss; otherwise, once things blow up, the consequences will be more than you can bear."

Peng Yunhu still showed no trace of fear, and responded with a ringing, forceful voice: "Bureau Chief Yun Zhangsheng, fairness and justice are the earnest expectations of the people, and they are the lofty values that we discipline inspection personnel steadfastly pursue without wavering. If upholding fairness and justice requires a price, I would rather be smashed to pieces than fail to guarantee that the power entrusted to us by the people is always used to safeguard the people's justice; I may have been born to do this work, and I bear any price without regret. No matter how you wish to deal with me, bring it on!"

As his words fell, an astonishing scene unfolded—Peng Yunhu, this greenhorn, actually, in full view of everyone, ruthlessly shoved Yun Zhangsheng into the car, then drove off leisurely, leaving the personnel of the Justice Department and the prison dumbfounded, their jaws dropping to the ground.

Provincial Party Committee Secretary-General (we need to decide translation)

In the office of Secretary Li Xingyuan, Organization Department Head Li Yuenning, Political and Legal Committee Secretary Yang Jiale, and Provincial Party Committee Secretary-General He Yuanhang were explaining the pros and cons to him, asking Secretary Li to put pressure on the Discipline Inspection Commission, absolutely not allowing the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission to take action against Yun Zhangsheng.

In Governor Luo Shiyu's office, Executive Deputy Provincial Governor Gu Yunhao, Standing Committee Deputy Provincial Governor Yun Junjie, Deputy Provincial Governor Liu Hanwen, and Qingcheng Municipal Party Committee Secretary Yun Shuo gathered together to discuss this matter, with a single purpose: to fully protect Yun Zhangsheng.

At 11:35, Peng Yunhu's business car stopped at the entrance of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission building; having just brought Yun Zhangsheng and Zhang Ming out of the car, he saw Secretary Lu Fan and Deputy Secretaries Du Wenlin and Lin Changping standing at the door.

With a hint of apprehension, Peng Yunhu approached Lu Fan and reported in a low voice: "Secretary, have I caused you trouble?"

Lu Fan smiled slightly and said: "Upholding discipline, safeguarding rights and interests, and promoting a clean and upright atmosphere are the mission and responsibility of us discipline inspection personnel. As a loyal guardian of the discipline inspection front, you know 'who I am, who I rely on, and who I serve,' and with a childlike heart you work for the people—what fault could there be?"

"Yunhu, as long as you prioritize work, seek truth from facts, and follow discipline and law, the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission will unequivocally back and encourage cadres who dare to take responsibility. Rest assured, with me you will suffer no injustice or unfair treatment! Once an arrow is loosed there is no turning back—go ahead and act boldly; I don't look at the process, only the result."

Standing Committee Deputy Provincial Governor

"Good, this is exactly the kind of discipline inspection cadre I have in mind—upright and resolute, full of confidence, daring to speak tough words and fight tough battles, responsible for work and organization, unyielding on principle, daring to draw the sword on major issues of right and wrong, stepping forward in emergencies, difficulties, dangers, and heavy burdens, displaying the mettle of the discipline inspection iron army with absolute reliability and responsibility! Yunhu, the case is now yours; if you don't see my order, you may not release anyone. Go ahead, act boldly—if the sky falls, I, this 'tall one,' will hold it up!"

As they were speaking, Yun Zhangsheng walked straight up to Lu Fan, a hint of anger in his voice, and said: "Secretary Lu, Peng Yunhu is reckless and abuses his power; I merely went to inquire about the situation, yet he wants to take me back for investigation. I never imagined that upon returning to the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission, I would be in this very position!"

Lu Fan replied lightly: "Zhangsheng, I believe the cadres of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission will handle the case according to law and regulation. As a veteran of discipline inspection, you should support our work; just clarify the issue, and I hope this is a misunderstanding. Go through the procedure and cooperate."

Yun Zhangsheng anxiously said: "Secretary, you won't think I have a problem, will you? After all, I came out of here; though I may have no merit, I have endured hardship—don't look at the monk's face but at the Buddha's."

Lu Fan continued: "An upright person need not fear a crooked shadow; I believe you have no problem, but you know our procedures—no matter how small the issue, we must follow them step by step. Once the investigation is clear, I will personally escort you back to the Justice Department, clear your name, and let you stand tall to undertake work and entrepreneurship!" Having said that, Lu Fan turned and left, paying no further attention to him.

Gazing at the secretary's stern back, Yun Zhangsheng's heart filled with admiration and longing; his innermost feelings seemed ignited by a blazing fire—such a Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission is precisely the ideal place he has dreamed of.

At this moment, he truly felt he had come to the right place; being able to work alongside Secretary Lu was simply delightful! He could not help but silently vow to give his all, never betray this trust and opportunity, and strive to shine and thrive on this fertile land.

Before Lu Fan even reached the office, Secretary Li Xingyuan's phone call came through, asking him to go to the office to discuss work.

Lu Fan did not "give him the time of day"; he first returned to the office, drank a cup of tea, approved two documents, and then leisurely went to the Provincial Party Committee.

Secretary Wang Tian waited anxiously at the elevator entrance; upon finally seeing Secretary Lu emerge from the elevator, he immediately went forward and reported: "Secretary Lu, Secretary Li is waiting for you in the office?"

Higher-level Discipline Inspection Committee

Jiuyuan Municipal CPPCC Chairman

Ministry of Justice

Upon arriving at the secretary's office, Lu Fan pushed the door straight in, his expression as usual, and asked: "Secretary, any instructions?"

Li Xingyuan said in a questioning tone, "Lu Fan, did the provincial Discipline Inspection Committee take Yun Zhangsheng away? What's the reason? He's a provincial-level cadre; taking him away for no reason isn't following procedure, is it?"

Lu Fan explained, "Secretary, I just met Yun Zhangsheng and learned the situation; you might have misunderstood. While the provincial Discipline Inspection Committee was organizing case files, they discovered doubts in the case of Zhang Ming, former chairman of the Jiuyuan Municipal CPPCC—130 million yuan of corrupt funds that should have been returned were not. This is also an issue fed back by the superior Discipline Inspection Committee that must be rectified, so I sent Peng Yunhu to the prison to interrogate Zhang Ming. However, for some reason, Yun Zhangsheng resisted in every way, caused a ruckus in the interrogation room, making questioning impossible, and even threatened the investigators. Left with no choice, Peng Yunhu had to take Yun Zhangsheng back on the grounds of opposing, obstructing, interfering with, and disrupting the provincial Discipline Inspection Committee's investigation, in accordance with law and regulation, which follows procedure."

The reasons are sufficient, but many things don't need reasons; Li Xingyuan said firmly, "I don't see the need for this. Let Yun Zhangsheng go back. In two days the Ministry of Justice will come down for an inspection, and we still have the task of creating a law-based city this year—we can't do without him as bureau chief."

"Okay, Secretary, it's not a big deal; let him go back after the procedures are completed."

Hearing Lu Fan's promise, Li Xingyuan stopped worrying about the details, and the provincial government side also eased up. He never expected that this procedure would be so difficult!

After returning to the provincial Discipline Inspection Committee, Lu Fan summoned Du Wenlong to the office and issued orders, starting from the cadres who had been filed and disciplined, to "dig hard" into Yun Zhangsheng's corruption issues. If there were difficulties, they would first look at the acceptance of gifts during holidays and festivals; if the amount reached 5000 yuan, it would constitute the crime of bribery.

Lu Fan didn't believe that Yun Zhangsheng, who had loafed around the provincial Discipline Inspection Committee for over twenty years, had never taken 5000 yuan? If you press him, even the Jade Emperor himself couldn't get leniency.

Yun Zhangsheng came to the interrogation room he knew all too well, feeling extremely low; he never imagined that one day he would sit here as the person being interrogated.

After the interrogation began, Peng Yunhu's questions were not sharp; he merely asked Yun Zhangsheng to explain his motives for obstructing and interfering with the provincial Discipline Inspection Committee's investigation, and so on. This gave him the illusion that it was just a procedural step.

However, at the anti-corruption education base, several dozen "elite troops" drawn from the grassroots were digging deep into Yun Zhangsheng's corruption issues.