I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 176: Chapter 110: Sudden Incident (2)

He paused, glanced at Qi Yue and Yang Wenqing, and continued, ”Director Zhang has already assigned Wu Qianjun, a captain from the Major Case Team who is on a mission nearby, to investigate.”

After listening, Director Shen gently tapped his fingers on the desk without immediately giving his opinion. He looked at Zhao Shouzheng. ”This Wu Qianjun... what’s his background? How capable is he?”

Zhao Shouzheng replied without hesitation. ”Wu Qianjun is the captain of the Second Squad of the Qianjiao County Major Case Team. He’s solved numerous major cases and is a key officer that Director Zhang Qiming relies on heavily.”

Director Shen remained noncommittal, his gaze shifting to the hitherto silent Yang Wenqing. ”You’re the deputy head of the Major Case Team, so you should know Wu Qianjun. Do you think he’s the right person to handle a situation like this?”

The pressure was instantly on Yang Wenqing. His mind raced. ’Saying Wu Qianjun isn’t capable would be a direct slap in the face to Director Zhang and Zhao Shouzheng. But if I say he’s perfectly suitable, all the groundwork laid by Deputy Director Qi and Director Qin will have been for nothing.’

He mulled it over for a moment before responding, ”Director, Captain Wu is highly skilled and experienced, especially in criminal investigations and tactical operations. Plus, he’s decisive and a strong executor.”

He started by affirming Wu Qianjun’s strengths, which was objectively true and gave Zhao Shouzheng no grounds for complaint.

Then, he subtly shifted his tone. ”However, handling a complex public safety incident like this involves coordinating multiple parties, preserving evidence, making a preliminary determination of responsibility, and investigating potentially deeper issues. It requires a strong holistic perspective and meticulous patience. Captain Wu’s style, in certain situations, might be a bit impulsive.”

Finally, he lifted his head and looked at Director Shen with a clear, steady gaze. ”Director, this is a major incident. We can’t be too cautious. Therefore, I suggest it would be more appropriate to dispatch two additional team members who are good communicators.”

After listening, Director Shen’s deep gaze rested on Yang Wenqing’s face for two seconds. He then pointed at Yang Wenqing and said, ”I’ll let your branch handle this.”

He paused again, his tone growing serious. ”You must determine the cause and clarify responsibility as quickly as possible. Depending on how the investigation proceeds, the City Bureau may still form a special task force.”

”Yes!”

Zhao Shouzheng breathed an inward sigh of relief. He had correctly gauged Director Shen’s desire not to escalate the situation and had successfully thwarted the idea of sending Yang Wenqing to Lingshan Town. Now that Yang Wenqing was a Police Specialist, his involvement would elevate the case’s official status significantly.

Qi Yue and Director Qin exchanged a glance, each seeing a hint of regret in the other’s eyes, but they said nothing more.

Yang Wenqing lowered his gaze. ’The opportunity seems to have slipped away, but I’m actually relieved. My wings haven’t fully grown yet; getting ahead of myself might not be a good thing.’

...

After leaving the meeting room, Deputy Director Zhao hurried off without so much as a word. Deputy Director Qi, on the other hand, motioned to Director Qin and the other two, leading them toward his office.

Yang Wenqing kept his eyes down and followed at the rear, mentally comparing Director Shen and Director Zhang.

’Director Shen is also an external appointee, but he understands how to play on a larger chessboard. He consolidates and expands his own power base by balancing the different factions, forcing everyone to operate within the rules he establishes.’

’Just like today. He casually tossed out a suggestion, sparking a confrontation between Director Qin, Deputy Director Qi, and Zhao Shouzheng. Meanwhile, he just sat back like a patient fisherman, waiting to make his final decision based on how things unfolded and how everyone reacted.’

’A leader like that is unfathomably calculating, but at least he maintains a semblance of order and a measure of fair competition. He gives his subordinates a clear path forward and rules to abide by.’

’Director Zhang Qiming, on the other hand, is completely different. Maybe it’s because he comes from a local family, or maybe his perspective is just too narrow, but he’s always overly eager to grasp at personal gain. He pushes potential allies into opposition and forces his subordinates to band together, paying him lip service while secretly defying him.’

The difference in their leadership styles was stark, and through this, Yang Wenqing gained an even deeper understanding of power.

The group arrived at Deputy Director Qi Yue’s office. Unlike the spartan decor of Director Qin’s office, this one was more traditional and elegant, adorned with calligraphy, paintings, and tea sets.

Qi Yue dismissed his secretary and began boiling water to make tea himself. As he poured the boiling water into a purple clay teapot, Director Qin was the first to speak. ”You handled that well just now, Wenqing. Even though Director Shen didn’t send you to Lingshan Town in the end, he should have a good impression of you. At the very least, he’ll remember who you are, and that’s a positive.”

He turned to Vice Director Gao. ”Xiaogao, that idea you brought up last night was excellent. It would be perfectly justifiable for Wenqing to take over as the head of the Major Case Team. There’s a personnel meeting at the City Bureau in a couple of days. It would be considered a routine promotion, so even Zhang Qiming won’t be able to object.”

Vice Director Gao’s spirits lifted. ”I’ll start the paperwork as soon as I get back,” he replied. ”Zhang Qiming is completely focused on Lingshan Town right now. He’s unlikely to stir up trouble and try to block a promotion for the Major Case Team head. The branch’s recommendation can be submitted by the morning of the deadline at the latest.”

Qi Yue took a sip of tea and nodded slowly. ”Also, the backer of your General Affairs Section Chief has been making moves. The chief himself will be approved for a deputy director position during this meeting.”

Director Qin picked up the conversation. ”His name is Wang Ren. He certainly knows how to pick his moments, grabbing a spot right before the branch gets its upgrade. He has some connections at the Provincial Hall—not overwhelmingly powerful, but more than enough to have influence in a small county. You two should get to know him.”

”Yes!”

Yang Wenqing and Vice Director Gao responded in unison.

They welcomed Wang Ren’s promotion. It meant they would gain a crucial foothold within the County Bureau, greatly increasing their influence.

Qi Yue set down his teacup, his tone turning serious. ”Additionally, this personnel meeting will definitely bring up the position of Chief of the Lingshan Town Police Station...”

He looked at Vice Director Gao. ”We plan to formally nominate you. Are you prepared?”

Vice Director Gao immediately declared, ”Thank you, Directors. I will give it my all.”

”Good. Drink your tea.”

Director Qi gestured toward the tea he had poured.

Vice Director Gao immediately picked up his teacup and humbly thanked them again.

Director Qin chimed in. ”Zhang Qiming will certainly be nominated as well. When that happens, the City Bureau, or perhaps relevant departments from the Provincial Hall, will send people down to evaluate both of you. This means all the cards will be on the table.”

His gaze swept over Yang Wenqing and Vice Director Gao as he spoke in a cautionary tone.

”So, from now until the evaluation is complete, there can be absolutely no more problems—no major incidents like today’s landslide. Internally, things must be harmonious, or at least appear so on the surface.”

”And while Wenqing isn’t going to Lingshan Town for the time being, you can still send others, just as he suggested. As for Wu Qianjun’s investigation, you need to provide the necessary oversight and coordination—all within regulations. You must prevent him from acting recklessly, but also stop anyone from using this as an opportunity to cause trouble.”

His gaze finally rested on Yang Wenqing. ”Do you understand?”

Yang Wenqing nodded gravely. ”Yes, Director Qi, Teacher Qin. I’ll arrange for people to head to Lingshan Town as soon as I get back.”

Director Qi nodded and waved a hand in dismissal. ”Alright, you two can get back to work.”

Yang Wenqing and Vice Director Gao immediately rose to take their leave.

As soon as he left Director Qi’s office, Yang Wenqing activated his badge to contact Liu Qin, instructing them to dispatch Wu Yan and Liu Rong to Lingshan Town to assist Wu Qianjun with the landslide investigation.

After ending the call, Yang Wenqing glanced at Vice Director Gao, who was on the phone with Section Chief Thunder Pill of the Operations Division, asking him to dispatch two squads to Lingshan Town.

After Thunder Pill agreed, Gao called Zhang Qiming directly to briefly inform him of their plan. He subtly implied that the directive came from Director Shen, leaving Zhang Qiming with no grounds to refuse.

When Vice Director Gao ended his call, he had a relieved look on his face. He smiled at Yang Wenqing. ”You’ll continue to manage the Major Case Team for the next couple of days. Word of your promotion to Police Specialist is already common knowledge throughout the branch, so you’ll definitely be getting a lot of congratulations from your colleagues when you get back. Be prepared for that.”

Despite his usual composure, Yang Wenqing couldn’t help but feel a stir of emotion at this news, a flicker of anticipation. He glanced down at his brand-new uniform and replied, ”To be honest, I’m actually a little excited.”

He offered a perfectly measured smile.

Vice Director Gao gave him a knowing smile; clearly, he had been through the same thing himself.