I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 212: Chapter 124: Making Arrests

Vice Director Gao had contacted him this morning to discuss the matter. Yang Wenqing had seen this device before while studying at the Police Academy and knew how to use it. So, after the technician finished speaking, he handed over a slip of paper and said,

”Prioritize setting up recording Arrays in these locations, as well as the teahouses, warehouse backdoors, and abandoned work sheds these people frequent.”

On the slip of paper were several addresses.

One of the technicians took the slip and immediately put on a disguise, dressing up as an ordinary worker before heading out the door.

Yang Wenqing turned to Liu Xin, glanced at the darkening sky outside, and took out a file he had prepared long ago. ”These are the people we’ll be investigating next,” he told Liu Xin. ”Take a look at this. I’m going to meet with Dean Yan next door.”

With that, he placed the file on the small tea table in the Quiet Chamber. He then pushed open the door and hurried off with Qian Lu and Zhao Tiezhu, who were waiting outside.

A quarter of an hour later, he hurried back, but this time with another person: Vice Director Yan, the man tasked with investigating the corruption case in Lingshan Town. He invited Vice Director Yan into the Quiet Chamber and shared the compiled files with him.

Vice Director Yan quickly read through the files. ”These people may hold minor positions, but they are all in critical roles. With our current authority, we could take them in for questioning directly, but doing so would have a huge impact. Are you certain they’re all involved?”

Yang Wenqing took another document from his Storage Bag. It was a ledger he had reorganized based on Liu Min’s notebook. ”If we investigate according to the transactions in this ledger, we should find something,” he said. ”But we need to be fast. Some of the connections may have already been severed.”

Vice Director Yan took the ledger and quickly flipped through it. About a quarter of an hour later, he looked up, glanced at the pitch-black night outside, and said, ”I hope in a few days, we’ll be able to work in the daylight.”

Then, he changed the subject. ”Some of these targets are still in the county. Let’s split up. I’ll handle the arrests of those in the government administration, and you handle the ones in the City Defense System.”

”Good!”

The two reached an agreement, and Vice Director Yan then hurried away.

Yang Wenqing wasted no time. He immediately activated his communication badge to contact Vice Director Gao. Exchanging a glance with Liu Xin, he spoke as the connection went through.

”Vice Director Gao, Dean Yan and I just met,” Yang Wenqing said, his speech steady and his words clear. ”As we previously agreed, we have locked on to a group of minor figures in key positions. We plan to split up for the arrests. The Inspectorate will handle the government officials, and we’ll take the ones in the City Defense System.”

There was a two-second silence on the other end before Vice Director Gao’s voice came through. ”Move fast and be precise. Leave no procedural openings. I will hold down the fort at the branch office and coordinate against any potential internal resistance.”

He didn’t ask for too many details—a sign of his trust in the frontline commander and a shared understanding of the situation’s urgency.

”Understood.”

After ending the call with Vice Director Gao, Yang Wenqing paused in thought for a moment before connecting to Deputy Director Zhou’s channel.

They confirmed the timing and discussed the arrest procedures before quickly ending the call. He then turned to Liu Xin and said, ”Follow me.”

He pushed open the door and strode out, with Liu Xin close behind. Waiting outside, Qian Lu and Zhao Tiezhu sensed the oppressive atmosphere and grew visibly more alert.

Yang Wenqing led Liu Xin into the previous conference room, where the members of the Major Case Team had been waiting for several hours. Wang Ze’en, Zhang Li, and Liao Tianming were all present.

He walked into the conference room and, to everyone’s astonishment, went to stand at the head of the table. ”Tonight,” he announced, ”we have an arrest mission.”

Ignoring their shock, he turned to Liu Xin, who had followed him in. ”This arrest mission will be personally handled by Captain Liu,” he continued. ”We will simply wait here for the results.”

He sat down as he finished speaking.

Liu Xin scanned everyone present, showing no trace of stage fright. She spoke directly, ”During the operation, I must ask most of you to remain here.”

She looked at Liu Yue and Sun Yi. ”Liu Yue, Sun Yi, you two gather your people and come with me.”

With that, she turned and left.

Yang Wenqing nodded at Liu Yue and Sun Yi, who were looking at him. Only then did the two of them stand up and follow Liu Xin out of the conference room.

Wu Qianjun frowned slightly, and Liao Tianming lowered his head in thought, but neither asked what the arrest mission was. Wang Ze’en and Zhang Li, on the other hand, wore worried expressions.

Yang Wenqing ignored them and looked toward Xia Meng, who was guarding the door. ”Tonight,” he ordered, ”the security of the entire station is in your hands.”

”Don’t worry, Yang Group Leader, I guarantee this station will be as impenetrable as an iron fortress!”

Xia Meng’s reply carried a double meaning.

Yang Wenqing then beckoned to Zhao Tiezhu, who immediately came forward. Yang Wenqing whispered a few instructions in his ear, and Zhao Tiezhu departed at a quick pace, only to return five minutes later.

The others watched in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. But under Yang Wenqing’s watchful eye, they all held their tongues.

For many, it was an exceptionally long night.

No sirens pierced the night sky, no noisy brawls erupted. The operation unfolded while most people were fast asleep, the process largely silent and swift. Occasional, brief disputes or panicked questions were quickly silenced.

The lights in the temporary holding cells at the Lingshan Town police station soon flickered on. One by one, figures were brought in, their faces a mixture of confusion, fear, forced composure, or complete desolation.

News like this could not be contained, especially within the system. By the time the first rays of dawn crept over the rooftops of Lingshan Town’s crude buildings, a silent tremor was already spreading through certain circles.

Yang Wenqing remained seated at the head of the conference room table. Written confessions were periodically delivered to him, and he was currently reading through the latest one. Suddenly, his communication badge pulsed with a high-priority signal. He rose, walked to the window, and accepted the call.

”Wenqing, are you holding up?” Director Qin’s voice was filled with an elder’s concern.

”Teacher, all is well,” Yang Wenqing replied respectfully.

”Your actions were decisive. Both Director Shen and Director Qi have given their approval. You made the right move,” he said. ”However, Wenqing, you must be mentally prepared for what comes next. You haven’t just taken down a few minor officials; you’ve tugged on a very large web. The people behind that web will not sit idly by.”

He paused, seemingly weighing his words.

”When you investigate a case like this, you reach a point where it’s no longer just about the facts. It becomes a clash of power, a game of competing interests, even a test of certain unwritten rules. The pushback will come from directions you never expected, and some offers will be presented in ways you’ll find difficult to refuse.”

”’Resisting the pressure’ is not an empty phrase. Starting now, you are about to experience what it means to face an overwhelming onslaught. The pressure will come from all directions, maybe even from people right beside you. Remember your objective, know your bottom line. Act according to the law and regulations, and secure the core evidence.”

These words contained no specific instructions, yet they were more powerful than any could have been.

”I understand. I will take my teacher’s lesson to heart,” Yang Wenqing replied in a solemn voice.

”Good. As long as you’re aware of the situation, you can proceed. Do what you must, but make sure every step is on solid ground. Xiaogao, Director Qi, and I will be supporting you from behind the scenes. If you run into a wall you can’t get past, remember, you are not alone.” With that final reassurance, Director Qin ended the call.

The screen of light went dark.

Just then, the conference room door opened again. Liu Xin walked in, approached Yang Wenqing, and reported, ”Everyone has been brought in.”

Despite the pressure he felt, Yang Wenqing maintained his smile. He turned to the people seated around the conference table and said, ”Alright, everyone may return to your duties.”

No one in the conference room moved. Not until Wu Qianjun stood up and left, followed by Wang Ze’en and Zhang Li. The last one remaining, Liao Tianming, did not leave.

Yang Wenqing took two steps forward and said with a smile, ”Director Liao, my apologies for keeping you here all night.”

Liao Tianming stood up, met Yang Wenqing’s gaze, and said, ”I think we should have more trust in each other, instead of this mutual suspicion we had tonight.”

Yang Wenqing looked innocent and chuckled in response. ”You’re joking, Director Liao. Why would I ever suspect you?”

’He truly didn’t suspect Director Liao. His only goal tonight was to drag the man into the mess, to make him share some of the pressure. It was also an opportunity for Liao to earn some merit, but that was predicated on his ability to withstand that same pressure.’

Liao Tianming said nothing more. He turned and left the conference room without a backward glance.