Chapter 819: The Fall of Tian Liangyu

Tian Liangyu, completely oblivious, continued to contact Beijing.

“You ungrateful bastards!”

Tian Liangyu, arrogant and unruly, pointed fingers and raised his voice at Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.

Yet among the many people who once bowed before him, not a single one answered his calls.

Wu Zuming spoke with concern from the side.

“Shouldn’t we go to Beijing? I don’t think just waiting around like this will get us anywhere.”

“…No one is answering the calls. Going to Beijing now is like walking into a tiger’s mouth! Does that make any sense? We need to hold out in Shanghai as long as possible and buy time.”

He had to hold out and somehow find a way to escape this situation.

Just as he was about to try calling again, Tian Liangyu’s phone rang.

The moment he heard the ringtone, he checked the name on the screen.

“Why the hell are you so hard to reach?!”

—Tian Secretary. Thinking of our past connections, let me give you some advice.

There was no reply, just this sudden remark which made Tian Liangyu’s heart sink.

Huang Ju’s voice on the other end of the line was heavy and subdued.

—Don’t do anything. Accept everything. That’s the only way you’ll survive. Don’t think unnecessary thoughts. I called to tell you that.

“What do you mean by that? Accept everything? Are you telling me to just die?”

—Think of those behind you, Tian Secretary. Don’t make any move. Your whole family could be in danger. So try to reach a political agreement at a reasonable level…

“What the hell are you talking about? I’ve worked like a dog for you all! Now you’re going to abandon me? Do you think I’ll die alone? I’m not going down alone!”

Abandoning all pretense, Tian Liangyu spoke directly. Huang Ju didn’t respond and hung up the phone.

“He hung up? Are these bastards trying to start something?”

Tian Liangyu glared at the disconnected phone, then threw it against the wall.

Still fuming he took several deep breaths to try and regain his composure.

“Was that Beijing?”

“What are you asking? You heard everything!”

“…”

“These bastards are going to throw me away? Do they think I’ll die alone?”

Gritting his teeth, Tian Liangyu spoke to Wu Zuming.

“Director Wu, where are all the corruption charges we secured?”

“…They’re hidden in the secret safe. Surely you’re not thinking of using those?”

Tian Liangyu nodded, as if it were the most obvious thing.

“How much do they think I’ve done to deserve being killed? We’ll all die together. If this continues, Director Wu and Commander Chang will die as well.”

“…”

Neither of them could answer.

Wu Zuming and Chang Xinju were in the same boat as Tian Liangyu.

“Go back to the Public Security Bureau, put all personnel on emergency standby, and get ready to move immediately.”

“What? Are you considering a violent clash? That’s reckless. The Armed Police have already been replaced with people loyal to the Central Government. We can barely handle the Armed Police let alone if the military gets involved…”

“Do you think I don’t know that?! I’m showing them that I won’t just sit here and die!”

Tian Liangyu snapped back, glaring at Wu Zuming.

“Director Wu, if I die you die too. So just follow my orders.”

“Yes…”

“Go now. Keep your phone on.”

“Yes, I’ll be going then.”

Wu Zuming bowed to Tian Liangyu.

Looking up he gave Chang Xinju a pitiful look before leaving the Secretary’s office.

“Commander Chang.”

“Yes, Secretary.”

“Are there still any of your people left in the Armed Police?”

“Yes, there are.”

“Keep me updated in real time on their movements. If the Armed Police move…”

“I’ve already contacted them. They know to report to me immediately if an emergency is declared.”

At Chang Xinju’s reply, a manic glint flickered in Tian Liangyu’s eyes.

“As expected of Commander Chang. It’s an insult to Shanghai to leave such a capable person behind. No one in Shanghai can arrest me! Right, Commander Chang?”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

His true feelings were different but Chang Xinju couldn’t bring himself to say so.

Back at the Public Security Bureau, Wu Zuming called all the commanders together.

“Listen up everyone. As of this moment…”

Before Wu Zuming could finish, the door to the director’s office opened.

“Director Wu. Do you have a moment?”

The person who walked in unannounced was Han Jung, the mayor of Shanghai.

“Mayor, what brings you here?”

“I came because I have something urgent to discuss. But is that any reason to be so hostile to me?”

Finding himself without a reply Wu Zuming hesitated before speaking.

“…Everyone, go out and wait. Mayor, I can’t give you much time. I have something urgent.”

As his subordinates left Wu Zuming rose from his seat offering it to Han Jung.

Han Jung naturally took the offered seat, nodding.

“Nothing is more urgent than this. You should sit as well.”

Wu Zuming, hesitant for a moment, sat down as Han Jung looked around and spoke.

“Stop whatever you’re planning.”

“What? Stop? What are you talking about…”

“Well, shouldn’t you try to stay alive? Secretary Tian is finished. The Shanghai Faction has decided to abandon him.”

What he had suspected was completely different from hearing it directly. The impact was immense.

Unable to speak for a while, Wu Zuming finally opened his mouth.

“Is that…is that true?”

“Yes. Chairman Hu Jintao and Chairman Jiang Zemin have both agreed. They will dismiss and arrest Secretary Tian.”

Stunned by the shocking news, Wu Zuming could only open and close his mouth.

“Temporarily I will take over as acting party secretary, after Secretary Tian. I just received word.”

“Should I congratulate you?”

Both Tian Liangyu and Han Jung were politicians based in Shanghai.

However their influence was completely different.

Tian Liangyu gained Jiang Zemin’s full trust and was on an elite path, while Han Jung had yet to establish a foothold in central politics.

“Congratulations? It’s just acting.”

Han Jung waved his hand and laughed before his expression hardened.

“The secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection has already left Beijing. As a sign of respect for Secretary Tian a Standing Committee member is coming to arrest him personally. Are you really going to point your guns at them? That’s treason, treason.”

“What? Is he coming personally?”

“Yes. The People’s Liberation Army around Shanghai has also begun to move to escort him. The Public Security Bureau can’t hold them off. I came here because I am worried about you. I don’t want chaos in Shanghai. So take the hand I’m offering.”

Wu Zuming’s eyes darted around quickly. Han Jung patiently waited, knowing he was weighing his options.

“…If Secretary Tian falls, can you guarantee my safety?”

“I can’t guarantee your position. But I can prevent you from being investigated and going to prison.”

“…”

Once Shanghai’s new leader was decided it was obvious his right-hand man would take the position of the Public Security Bureau director.

After a moment of thought Wu Zuming nodded.

“I understand. I will stand still.”

“Good. By the way, hasn’t Chairman Jiang contacted you separately?”

Although a member of Tian Liangyu’s faction, Wu Zuming was also Jiang Zemin’s nephew.

“…”

“You should take care of family at a time like this. Chairman Jiang must be going through a lot.”

“I will visit him personally when things settle down.”

“Then why don’t you join me? I am planning to hold an expanded cadre meeting in Shanghai. I have already spoken with Xu Guanchang from the Central Organization Department.”

“…No. I can’t possibly do that.”

Han Jung nodded and rose.

“Then leave Shanghai for a while. I will announce that Director Wu is on an overseas visit.”

“…”

Han Jung moved beside Wu Zuming and patted his shoulder.

“Chairman Jiang will eventually entrust Shanghai to you. Don’t lose heart during these changes, face people with dignity.”

With those words Han Jung left the director’s office.

Left alone, Wu Zuming closed his eyes and fell into deep thought.

After some time Wu Zuming opened his eyes, rose from his seat and walked outside.

“Where are you going?”

“I’ll be leaving Shanghai for a few days. You’ll be the only one to follow me and the others will all wait at the Public Security Bureau. Don’t let anyone move the Public Security Bureau without my orders. Make sure to pass that along.”

“Yes, I will.”

Wu Zuming glanced at the Public Security Bureau before walking out of Shanghai.

* * *

The phone rang and it was Wen Jiabao.

—President Kim Mu-hyeok.

“Prime Minister. Happy New Year. May this year bring you nothing but good fortune.”

—Ah, President Kim, Happy New Year to you as well.

After some pleasantries, Wen Jiabao got straight to the point.

—We just arrested Tian Liangyu.

“Was there any conflict? He didn’t seem like someone who would go down without a fight.”

—Haha. A Standing Committee member from Beijing went down personally to arrest him. In China pointing a gun at a Standing Committee member is nothing less than treason. Who would follow Tian Liangyu even if he made such a choice?

It was surprising that a Standing Committee member, someone who had such a heavy presence, went down personally.

“Who was it?”

—The secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection went personally. It was only fitting that he would be the one to handle it.

“I see. It’s a relief there was no conflict.”

I had expected Tian Liangyu to resist until the very end. It would have been better for me if he did, so I could be more certain about killing him.

Wen Jiabao, perhaps thinking the same thing, muttered coldly.

—It would have been better if he had done so.

“What about the Director of the Public Security Bureau, Wu Zuming? If you take him out, you can completely take control of Shanghai.”

—…We couldn’t go that far.

Well, it is hard to go after Jiang Zemin’s nephew directly.

“Understood. So we should wrap things up with Bo Xilai replacing him, right? Is Bo Xilai going down immediately?”

—No. We haven’t officially decided on his successor yet. For now the mayor of Shanghai…

Wen Jiabao explained the Standing Committee’s decision.

“So it’ll be at least another month.”

—Yes, that’s right.

“But can Han Jung be trusted? Isn’t he also part of the Shanghai Faction?”

—He is a politician based in Shanghai but he is someone who is looking for the easy road, you don’t have to worry about him.

In other words, he’s easy to control.

“Understood. Thank you for contacting me.”

—And I will be visiting Pyongyang next week. The People’s Liberation Army stationed near the North Korean border has already retreated. But…

Wen Jiabao trailed off. I knew why he was hesitating.

“Are you worried about Sinuiju?”

—Yes. Cooperation with North Korea is essential to differentiate ourselves from Chairman Jiang. But in the preliminary contact, Chairman Jang Seong-taek didn’t give me a clear answer.

“I’ll put in some effort. But this time, China will have to concede a lot. Chairman Jang Seong-taek will likely think that China tried to kill him.”

—Don’t worry about that. I’ll bring many gifts. You know the relationship between me and Chairman Jang Seong-taek.

Come to think of it, it was Wen Jiabao who introduced me to Jang Seong-taek.

The two had a long-standing friendship.

Even if things had become a bit awkward, if they met and talked they would be able to achieve positive outcomes for each other.

“Very well. While I understand Chairman Hu Jintao’s situation, I will continue to move towards the complete downfall of Jiang Zemin. Though not yet.”

—Of course, I’ll help you as well, President Kim. However, it wouldn’t be beneficial to provoke him for the time being.

“I know that. Please remove the sanctions placed on me as soon as possible.”

—Ah, that will be resolved soon. For now I’ve stopped all special audits on companies that you’ve invested in.

It seems my bluff last time paid off. A satisfied smile naturally formed on my face.

“Thank you. I should contact you.”

—Don’t do that, how about you visit Shanghai when Bo Xilai is appointed as the Shanghai Party Secretary?

“You’re telling me to come to China?”

—Yes. Wouldn’t that be a good idea? Don’t worry about your safety. I’m planning on going to Shanghai personally.

If it had been before I would have refused without a second thought.

I thought about it for a moment before agreeing to his offer.

“Okay. I’ll go to Shanghai on the day of Bo Xilai’s inauguration.”

—Then I’ll look forward to seeing you then.

As soon as I finished my call with Wen Jiabao I called Manager Ma.

“Manager Ma, please prepare for me to go to China next month. It looks like I’ll have to go in person. Raise the security detail to the highest level.”

Wen Jiabao had guaranteed my safety, but I couldn’t completely relax.

“Yes, I will make preparations. I won’t let the same misfortune that we experienced in North Korea ever happen again.”

I nodded and smiled at Manager Ma’s usual blunt and firm tone.

“Now that’s reassuring.”

Manager Ma’s reassurance meant more to me than Wen Jiabao’s guarantee of safety.