Chapter 16: Operation Tempest

Zhang Jun put down his phone and said to Pan Jun and the others, "Gentlemen, something has come up, and I must take my leave."

He mounted his bicycle and sped away. The call he had just received was from his wife, Liu Yujie.

The Provincial People's Hospital was under investigation!

An inspection team sent from the ministry had launched a lightning operation, descending upon the Provincial People's Hospital with overwhelming force and without any prior notice. They were conducting a comprehensive investigation into irregularities in the procurement of medical equipment, and they had already uncovered quite a few shady dealings.

Ma Hongqi had accompanied Wang Mingyu and the other inspection team members throughout the process. They had arrived at the hospital at two-thirty in the afternoon and immediately began interviewing relevant personnel. The news had been kept strictly under wraps, with all evidence gathering taking place behind closed doors in the conference room.

By seven in the evening, the results were in, and the relevant personnel from the procurement department had been placed under legal control.

As Zhang Jun rode halfway to his destination, he suddenly calmed down. Ma Hongqi and Wang Mingyu had launched this surprise raid without taking him along, and there must have been a reason for it. If he were to rush over there now, he might arouse the suspicion of his boss. Regardless of anything else, Zhang Jun had only just become Ma Hongqi’s secretary; he understood that he had not yet gained the boss’s absolute trust. Furthermore, it was a standard arrangement for a secretary to remain in the office to handle official business while the boss was out on assignment. What would it look like if he just showed up now?

With this realization, Zhang Jun abandoned the idea of going to the hospital.

Just then, his phone rang. It was Liu Zhengjie.

"Old Liu," Zhang Jun said, stopping his bicycle and planting his feet on the ground to answer the call. "Where are you out having fun?"

Liu Zhengjie let out a series of bitter laughs. "My hair is on fire! I can't even sleep peacefully, where would I find the time to have fun? Where are you? Do you have time for a drink?"

"I just finished eating. What time do you think it is? You haven't eaten yet?"

"Sigh, it's a long story. Shall we find a place to sit?"

"Sure, alright."

"Where are you? I'll drive over to find you; it won't take long."

Zhang Jun looked around, spotted a teahouse, and said, "I'm at the Sijiu Teahouse. Come over."

He parked his bike outside the teahouse and walked in. In the provincial capital, teahouses didn't just sell tea; they also offered mahjong, served meals, and functioned as general leisure spots.

A waiter came over and asked what Zhang Jun would like to order. Zhang Jun glanced at the menu, ordered two dishes, a pot of tea, and a fruit platter.

Ten minutes later, the food arrived, and Liu Zhengjie appeared.

"You really are a true friend, so good to me!" Liu Zhengjie laughed heartily. "If only you were a woman, I’d marry you!"

"Get lost! You can't say anything decent to save your life! I’m just placing the order for you; you’re paying the bill yourself!"

"Of course I'm paying. How could I let Secretary Zhang foot the bill? Honestly, you’ve been promoted, and I haven't even congratulated you yet! I know you’re busy and haven't had time to hang out with me, so I’ve prepared a small red envelope. It’s not much, but please, do me the honor of accepting it."

Liu Zhengjie actually pulled out a bulging red envelope and tried to press it into Zhang Jun’s hand.

Zhang Jun waved him off and laughed. "Don't get me in trouble! I can't accept red envelopes from anyone right now."

Liu Zhengjie insisted on shoving it at him. "You’re my brother! What kind of relationship do we have? Right?"

Zhang Jun turned serious. "Even if we were blood brothers, I couldn't take your money right now. Compared to the money in my pocket, the position I'm sitting in is far more important!"

Liu Zhengjie stopped the pleasantries and sat down to eat. "Fine! As you say! Who told you to be the boss now?"

Zhang Jun lit a cigarette and said, "I'm just a small secretary; what kind of leader is that? You’re looking for me—is there something wrong? Never mind, eat first, we'll talk after."

Liu Zhengjie shoveled the food down quickly, set his chopsticks aside, and said, "Brother, I’m in a bind. I need to ask you for a favor."

Zhang Jun calmly exhaled a ring of smoke and said, "Speak. What favor? If I can help, I’ll do it without hesitation. If I can't, don't blame me."

Liu Zhengjie leaned in close. "You can definitely help. Could you introduce me to Vice Governor Ma?"

Ma Hongqi was in charge of health, but his portfolio wasn't limited to just that. In the government's division of labor, Ma Hongqi was responsible for education, science and technology, civil affairs, culture and tourism, health and wellness, broadcasting and television, sports, and medical insurance. Liu Zhengjie worked in the broadcasting and television system, so he fell under Ma Hongqi's jurisdiction.

"Why do you want to see him?" Zhang Jun couldn't help but be surprised. "With your rank, what could you possibly talk to my boss about?"

"That's my business. You just need to find a suitable opportunity to put in a word for me. Please, I beg you! I’m truly at the end of my rope!" Liu Zhengjie brought his hands together, bowing repeatedly.

"What's going on? Aren't you doing quite well? You have a wife and child, a house and a car in the provincial capital, and a stable income."

"It's work—it's miserable! As a deputy producer at the TV station, they call me middle management, but I'm useless. The director keeps me on a tight leash, and I just run errands and do busy work. I'm bored to death!"

Brothers were brothers, but work was work. Zhang Jun could empty his pockets to buy Liu Zhengjie a meal, but that didn't mean he could introduce him to Ma Hongqi.

"I'll see if I can arrange it," Zhang Jun said calmly, without directly refusing. "But like I said, I'll try my best. If it doesn't work out, don't hold it against me."

"Of course, of course. Thank you! Thank you!"

His wife, Liu Yujie, called again. "Zhang Jun, aren't you coming to the hospital? They've arrested several people here, and I'm getting ready to head home."

"Oh, I see," Zhang Jun hung up.

He wanted to find out more about the situation at the hospital, so after parting ways with Liu Zhengjie, he went home.

Liu Yujie was already there. As soon as they met, she told him, "They arrested several directors in charge of logistics and procurement."

Zhang Jun set down his briefcase, lay back on the sofa, and asked, "What about Zhou Wenbin? Was he arrested?"

Liu Yujie blinked her eyes. "Why bring him up? Whether he was arrested or not, what does that have to do with me?"

Zhang Jun gave a cold snort. "I want to see him get arrested. I hope he gets arrested!"

Liu Yujie turned her head away and pursed her lips, sulking alone for a while before moving closer to her husband and saying softly, "There’s something I need your help with."

"If it’s someone at your hospital wanting to see Vice Governor Ma, then I can't help!" Zhang Jun blocked the path immediately, giving her no chance.

Liu Yujie lowered her eyes. "It’s my brother. He got into a fight and was taken to the station. My mom is begging me to use my connections to get him out. Can you please put in a word for him?"

Zhang Jun sneered, "He got into a fight? Or did he beat someone up?"

Liu Yujie clutched his hand, refusing to let go. "He was beaten, and of course, he hit back. He's my only brother. If you don't help me, who will? Didn't you say you didn't want me fawning over other men? I only fawn over you now. Please, just help Yuda this once! From now on, you can ask me to do anything, and I’ll listen to everything you say."

Zhang Jun grew agitated, shook off her arm, and said, "I am the most useless person; I don't know anyone in the public security or judicial systems! I can't help you. I'm going to sleep!"

Liu Yujie held onto him tightly, sobbing pitifully.