Chapter 349: Hold Tight to Tang Ye

The city of Hanzhou was silent under the shroud of night.

A black sedan quietly drove into the Municipal Committee Compound.

Xiao Jingyu stepped out of the car, the cold night wind whipping up the hem of his overcoat. He pulled out his phone and dialed Zhou Chengwu's number: "Secretary Zhou, I am already aware of the matter regarding Comrade Cao Zhengchun's serious disciplinary violations. I would like to have a chat with you."

Zhou Chengwu held the receiver, slightly taken aback; he had not expected Xiao Jingyu to return to the city overnight.

"Fine, I'll wait for you in my office."

A moment later, accompanied by Du Chengfeng, Xiao Jingyu stepped into Zhou Chengwu's office.

As the two shook hands, Zhou Chengwu smiled: "Mayor Jingyu, you've had a hard journey."

On the surface, Xiao Jingyu's trip to Yanjing on the eve of the Spring Festival was to secure policy support for Hanzhou.

But at this moment, the atmosphere in the office was permeated with invisible gunpowder.

"Secretary Zhou, the battle is raging at the front, yet someone is lighting fires in the rear; this is not according to the rules." Xiao Jingyu took the teacup handed to him by Du Chengfeng and complained with a hidden sting in his words.

Zhou Chengwu caught the subtext and signaled to Du Chengfeng with his eyes.

The latter understood immediately, quietly exiting and closing the door.

"Comrade Jingyu, we have worked together for so long, and our cooperation has been quite tacit. You act with vigor and resolution, and you have a solid foundation among the masses; I have always supported your work. But if Hanzhou is to develop, we must break the inherent patterns and inject fresh blood." Zhou Chengwu leaned back in his chair, his gaze steady.

A smile curled the corner of Xiao Jingyu's mouth as he retorted: "Secretary Chengwu, problems in development do indeed exist, and some comrades have gone astray, but we cannot negate their past contributions. I know Comrade Cao Zhengchun very well, he..."

"Comrade Jingyu." Zhou Chengwu raised a hand to interrupt, his tone carrying unquestionable seriousness, "I understand why you are here, but the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection does not shoot without a target. Take a look at this evidence first."

As he spoke, he stood up and took a file from his drawer.

This material, compiled by Tang Ye, recorded in detail the facts of Cao Zhengchun's disciplinary violations.

Xiao Jingyu flipped through two pages, fine beads of sweat seeping from his temples.

The intention he had originally held to protect him was shaken instantly!

The shocking figures were enough to stir up a massive storm in the province.

"I really didn't expect it. Old Cao is usually very plain; when he was promoted to Division Level, he was arranged a new house, but he insisted on living in a small one. To think that he..." Xiao Jingyu muttered.

"The human heart is hard to fathom." Zhou Chengwu's tone was cold, "The loopholes in the city's finance must be thoroughly investigated. I have discussed it with Comrade Jiang Jing; Deputy Bureau Chief Gao Ping works diligently and can be focused on for cultivation."

This sentence was like a heavy hammer.

Xiao Jingyu's original plan to promote Feng Kun fell through; he had not expected Zhou Chengwu to use this opportunity to directly control the key position in the Finance Bureau.

After a brief silence, Xiao Jingyu realized there was no way back.

He suddenly spoke: "Fine, let it be done as you say. During this trip to Yanjing, I met with my old leader, and he suggested that I go to work at the provincial level after the New Year. I have also considered it carefully, and I should accept the old leader's opinion."

This unexpected statement made Zhou Chengwu slightly startled.

The response strategy he had originally prepared instantly lost its use, but this was undoubtedly the best result.

Without intense conflict, the power transition was completed within a controllable range, laying the groundwork for Hanzhou's future.

The two chatted in the office for nearly two hours, and news spread the next day.

Xiao Jingyu would be transferred to the Provincial Development and Reform Commission.

The Organization Department of the Provincial Party Committee arranged for a working group to come to Hanzhou to inspect Li Chaoyang...

On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, an appointment was issued by the Organization Department of the Provincial Party Committee: Xiao Jingyu stepped down as Mayor of Hanzhou, and Li Chaoyang would temporarily act as Mayor.

At the same time, the working group from the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection began packing their bags, preparing to leave the hotel where they had been stationed for many days.

Lin Ru, who had been under investigation, was also about to be transferred to a new placement site.

"Someone will come to see you later; prepare yourself in advance." The staff member's tone toward Lin Ru was quite gentle.

Lin Ru nodded lightly in agreement.

During these days, she had actively cooperated with the investigation and provided many key clues.

Especially the capture of that "giant rat" Cao Zhengchun, which became an important achievement for the working group in successfully completing their mission.

Even though she had been mentally prepared, Lin Ru still couldn't help but tremble when she heard that Cao Zhengchun's corruption amount reached over two hundred million.

Although she knew Cao Zhengchun had hidden villas and illicit money in Shuimo Jiangnan, she hadn't expected the amount to be so staggering.

After all, even the money for Cao Zhengchun's daughter's plastic surgery had only been paid after her own son reached out to ask for it.

In the hotel room, Lin Ru finally saw Tang Ye, as well as the son she worried about day and night.

At the moment he saw his mother, Qin Lang could hardly believe his eyes.

In his memory, his mother was always exquisitely made up, vigorous and resolute, the image of a strong career woman;

Yet the person before him had a sallow complexion, sunken eye sockets, wrinkles crawling across her face like a spider web, and glaring silver strands mixed into her black hair.

"Mom, I'm sorry, I came back late..." Qin Lang's voice choked.

"Silly child, what are you crying for? Isn't Mom perfectly fine?" Lin Ru forced a smile, "It's you who have lost so much weight. You must learn to take care of yourself in the future; do it for Mom's sake, and pull yourself together."

"I've thought it through. I really regret not listening to you; Cao Lingling is simply not worth me sacrificing so much. Don't worry, once you get out, I will definitely make you look at me with new eyes."

Tang Ye watched this mother and son reunited after a long separation, a sense of bitterness rising in his heart.

Although Lin Ru had once covered for Cao Zhengchun and participated in many illegal acts, the bond of colleagues remained.

"Sister Lin, you two talk slowly; I'm going outside to smoke a cigarette. Call me if you need anything." Having said that, he gently pulled the door shut.

Once Tang Ye left, Lin Ru suddenly gripped her son's hand tightly: "Xiao Lang, remember, you must get on good terms with Tang Ye. If you encounter difficulties in the future, you won't go wrong if you find him."

Qin Lang wiped away his tears and nodded heavily: "Mom, I plan to drop out of school and return to the country to find a job."

Lin Ru understood that without her financial support, her son could no longer sustain himself in South Korea. "It's good to be back; Tang Ye will help you arrange it. No matter what he asks you to do, you must be obedient."

Qin Lang understood Lin Ru's meaning and was also clear about Tang Ye's background—the trusted secretary of the Executive Vice Mayor, and the son-in-law of the Municipal Party Committee Secretary-General.

Even if he followed Tang Ye as a lackey, his future would be far brighter than that of an ordinary person.

Just as Tang Ye stepped out of the room, a Discipline Inspection Commission staff member walked up to him.

He handed over a cigarette, and the other party accepted it with a smile.

"Team Leader Li, let the mother and son spend some time alone."

Team Leader Li nodded: "Lin Ru's attitude in admitting guilt is sincere, so the organization has decided to handle the matter leniently."

"The organization is still sentimental," Tang Ye remarked with emotion.

"Little Tang, we were originally prepared not to go home for the New Year. Thanks to the key clues you provided, the case was able to break through so quickly. Leave your contact information, let's keep in touch!" Team Leader Li said enthusiastically.

Tang Ye hurriedly noted down the other party's number: "Team Leader Li, if there is anything, just give the order!"

Team Leader Li patted Tang Ye on the shoulder: "I heard you are Mayor Jiang's capable right-hand man, otherwise I would really want to poach you to the Discipline Inspection Commission."

Tang Ye smiled and responded: "Team Leader Li, I will remember those words; you must not go back on them!"

The two looked at each other and smiled, both understanding that Tang Ye's ambitions did not lie there.

Although the Discipline Inspection Commission holds a high position and great power, and is full of deterrent force.

But Tang Ye was clear that his own personality and aspirations were not compatible with the work of the Discipline Inspection Commission.