I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 224: Chapter 129: Promotion to Deputy Director

He Zhou just nodded.

”Good. Then after the meeting, have him assemble an investigation team and head to Qianjiao County to assume his post as soon as possible.”

Shen Wenyuan gave a slight nod, very satisfied with this outcome.

Qi Yue decided to strike while the iron was hot, tossing out another topic. ”Director, since we’re on the subject of personnel in Qianjiao County, because of this case, the Civil Affairs Bureau is already considering upgrading Lingshan Town ahead of schedule. It will be changed from a town to a district, and the official documents should arrive in the next day or two. The police chief... oh, no, the candidate for the future New District’s director, should also be put on the agenda...”

”Gao Zhen held firm under immense pressure during this case, coordinated effectively, and his contributions are undeniable. I personally believe he is the most suitable candidate to serve as the director of the Lingshan New District.”

Shen Wenyuan mulled it over for a moment before nodding. ”Gao Zhen’s performance was indeed outstanding this time. He can be entrusted with great responsibility. Transferring him to the Lingshan New District is a good arrangement. Approved.”

Zhao Shouzheng remained silent, which was taken as tacit approval.

Qi Yue’s smile widened as he continued, ”With Gao Zhen’s transfer, a deputy director position will open up in the Qianjiao County branch. The branch has just gone through some turmoil and needs fresh blood and reliable people. I suggest that Deputy Chief Chen Tao from the city bureau’s operations division be sent down to fill this role. Although Chen Tao holds the rank of Police Commissioner, his cultivation has already reached the Marrow Cleansing Realm. His seniority is also sufficient for a promotion, so he would be perfect to oversee the county branch’s daily affairs and quickly stabilize the situation.”

Chen Tao was one of the mid-level cadres whom Shen Wenyuan particularly admired. Though not a direct protégé, he was considered part of Shen Wenyuan’s inner circle. Qi Yue’s proposal was essentially a trade, handing this deputy director position to Shen Wenyuan as a quid pro quo.

Shen Wenyuan glanced at Qi Yue and said, ”Chen Tao... he has the ability. It would be good for him to get some experience at the county level.”

Qi Yue immediately followed up, ”Wenqing performed well in Lingshan Town this time. I hear the local merchants all support him. It’s a perfect opportunity to transfer him over to be Gao Zhen’s deputy. What do you think, Director?”

Shen Wenyuan smiled and nodded. ”In principle, it’s a bit problematic, as Yang Wenqing was just appointed as the head of the branch’s Major Case Team. However, these are extraordinary times. We’ve finally found an outstanding young man, so we should give him more responsibility. Besides, the New District can’t afford any more turmoil. With the two of them working together, I don’t foresee any problems.”

Listening to this back-and-forth, Zhao Shouzheng was filled with a mix of complex emotions, but he could only remain silent. His gaze involuntarily drifted toward Qi Yue. The struggle between their two factions had been a life-and-death affair, yet in the end, Qi Yue had gained very little. The real benefits had all gone to Director Shen Wenyuan.

’I shouldn’t be fighting with Qi Yue,’ he thought. ’Otherwise, we wouldn’t have let an outsider exploit the opening.’ At this thought, he couldn’t help but look at Shen Wenyuan, who was seated at the head of the table.

’This is the true master strategist.’

At that moment, Shen Wenyuan picked up his cup and took a light sip of the already lukewarm Spirit Tea, his calm gaze sweeping over everyone in the conference room.

Deputy Director He Zhou then cleared his throat, pulling everyone’s attention back to him.

”Everyone...” His voice was exceptionally clear. ”One of the prime suspects, Zhang Qiming, is now in the custody of my Internal Affairs Inspection. Thanks to Director Zhao’s persuasion, he is cooperating fully with our investigation.”

His eyes swept over the few people present. ”Based on his preliminary confession and other clues we’ve gathered, we can now confirm the locations of several strongholds the ’Yellow Springs Guide’ has established in our city.”

His tone grew heavier. ”Our next focus will be to use these strongholds to monitor the security of the entire city’s City Defense System. This process may involve some sensitive areas and might require special measures. It could potentially cause some temporary tension, or even raise questions.”

He Zhou’s gaze finally rested on Shen Wenyuan’s face. ”To completely eradicate this cancer and ensure our city’s long-term peace and stability, I hope the bureau—and especially Director Shen—can grant Internal Affairs Inspection the greatest possible authorization and provide the necessary backing.”

This was He Zhou’s true objective. He didn’t care about personnel appointments or power balances. What he wanted was to use this opportunity to obtain a sharp sword and purge the targets he had been watching for a long time.

Shen Wenyuan set down his teacup, his expression showing no surprise. ”Director He has a point. The harm caused by this heretical organization is far-reaching. It must be pulled out by the roots, leaving no future trouble. This falls under the duty of Internal Affairs Inspection. What needs to be investigated must be investigated thoroughly, and you must not be lenient when action is required.”

He glanced at Qi Yue and Zhao Shouzheng. ”These are special times. In principle, I approve Director He’s request. Internal Affairs Inspection may, in accordance with procedure, take all necessary measures. If you encounter resistance or special circumstances, you can report directly to me. Director Qi, Director Zhao, you two must also cooperate fully to ensure Director He’s work proceeds without interference.”

”Yes, sir,” Qi Yue and Zhao Shouzheng replied in unison.

...

「Deep beneath the Coral City Defense Bureau, in a special cell sealed by multiple Restrictions.」

There were no windows here. Two Rune Stones on the ceiling provided light, casting a constant, cold glow. Zhang Qiming, dressed in a coarse gray prison uniform, sat on a cold metal chair. His hands were locked in front of him with special cuffs, the runes on them occasionally flickering with a faint light, suppressing the residual Spiritual Power in his body.

He was not alone in the cell. Two agents in senior police chief uniforms stood like statues to his left and right. The ones interrogating him were two Police Commissioners, who were currently writing something down.

”...So, regarding the transfer point for supplies between Hongyuan Trading Company and the ’Yellow Springs Guide’ in Lingshan Town, besides Warehouse 16 which you’ve already confessed to, are there any other backup or temporary locations?” the Police Commissioner on the left asked again.

Zhang Qiming kept his head down, staring at the cold cuffs on his wrists. He was silent for a few seconds. He appeared listless, but deep in his eyes, there was a strange sense of calm—or perhaps, resignation.

”There’s also... the old riverbank to the east. Beneath a derelict sand-dredging boat, there’s a temporary underwater secret room. It’s not used often, mainly for emergencies,” he answered in a hoarse voice.

The interrogation continued, but Zhang Qiming’s thoughts drifted uncontrollably back to about two hours earlier—to the moment that had decided his current fate.

Back then, he had been in the study of his own mansion in Qianjiao County, pacing anxiously like a caged beast. Just as he was about to be consumed by despair and madness, the study door was pushed open without a sound.

No announcement, no knock.

The person who walked in was an old man dressed in a traditional, dark cyan long gown, his hair combed meticulously. He looked very old, but his back was straight, his eyes were as sharp as an eagle’s, and he held an ebony cane.

Upon seeing this old man, Zhang Qiming’s entire body trembled violently. The anxiety and ferocity on his face vanished instantly, replaced by an almost instinctive reverence and terror.

”Third... Third Great-Uncle? Y-you... why did you come in person?”

The visitor was none other than Zhang Qiming’s third great-uncle, Zhang Bingyan, one of the main stewards of the Zhang family.

Zhang Bingyan did not respond to Zhang Qiming’s greeting. He didn’t even look at Zhang Qiming’s panicked face. He simply walked slowly to the master’s seat in the study, sat down with composure, and leaned the ebony cane gently against his leg.

Zhang Qiming quickly stood at attention by the side, hands lowered, not even daring to breathe too loudly.

After a long silence, Zhang Bingyan finally spoke slowly. ”Qiming, the family knows about your affairs.”

Zhang Qiming’s body trembled. His lips moved, wanting to argue, to beg for mercy, but under his third great-uncle’s placid gaze, all his words caught in his throat.

Zhang Bingyan’s tone remained flat. ”You have committed a great taboo, and what’s more, you have dragged the family into a quagmire, bringing shame upon our ancestors.”

”Third Great-Uncle, I... I was also doing it for the family...” Zhang Qiming finally managed to squeeze out half an explanation.

”I don’t need to hear explanations!”

For the first time, Zhang Bingyan raised his eyes to look at him, his gaze as sharp as a knife. ”Right now, you have only one choice. Go to the city bureau, find He Zhou of Internal Affairs Inspection, and confess every last detail of all the illegal dealings you know about.”

”You want me to... turn myself in?” Zhang Qiming’s voice was hoarse with despair.

”Qiming, your branch of the family is not very prosperous...”

He paused, his gaze like he was looking at a dead man. ”If you don’t go, the family will immediately announce that you are being expelled from the ancestral hall and struck from the family records.”

”Without the family’s protection, given the crimes you’ve committed, what do you think will happen to your wife, your children, and your parents?”