I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 152: Chapter 102: The City’s Attitude

Director Qin smiled, his tone casual but laced with crucial information. "It’s good that you have the ambition. Director Qi also said earlier that the New Town police station will be a high-spec post. By convention, a high-spec Chief of Police is usually assisted by one or two vice chiefs. The rank threshold for that vice chief position is typically ’Special Commissioner.’"

His gaze lingered on Yang Wenqing’s face for a moment, as if he had just mentioned it offhandedly, before he turned to Vice Director Gao. "Alright, it’s getting late. You two should head back."

"Yes, Teacher Qin. Please, don’t see us out."

Vice Director Gao thanked him again and left with Yang Wenqing.

They walked out of the courtyard and boarded the waiting Flying Shuttle. The hatch closed, shutting out the crisp Spiritual Qi of the mountain peak and the conversation that had just determined their future.

Only then did Vice Director Gao speak. "Wenqing, are you confident you can break through to the Fifth Refinement before next year’s assessment?"

Yang Wenqing replied immediately, "I will try. I feel there’s a high probability I can do it."

Vice Director Gao was silent for a long moment. He didn’t press Yang Wenqing. After more than ten seconds, he said softly, "This is an opportunity. Seize it."

After speaking, he closed his eyes to rest.

’Yang Wenqing’s thoughts immediately began to churn. If Vice Director Gao could really secure the position of the New Town station chief, then as long as he himself broke through to the Fifth Refinement—’Meridian Unblocking and Channel Expansion’—in time, Vice Director Gao would have an excellent chance of maneuvering him into the vice chief position!’

To leap from a deputy team leader of a county branch’s Major Case Team directly to the vice chief of a resource-rich town was equivalent to a direct promotion to a deputy head position in a regular branch.

The temptation was immense.

But the prerequisite was that Vice Director Gao had to win his competition against Director Zhang, and he himself had to break through to the Fifth Refinement within a limited time.

Yang Wenqing looked out the window at the rapidly receding night, taking a deep breath. This thorny path to greater heights was, surprisingly, a pleasant one to walk.

「The rest of the journey passed in silence.」

On the main road at night, the searching Spiritual Lights from patrols and Garrison Points were denser than when they had come. Beams of light cut through the darkness, carrying a sense of strict vigilance.

When they returned to Qianjiao County Town, it was already past midnight.

The Flying Shuttle landed near the branch office. Vice Director Gao said to Yang Wenqing, "Go home and get some rest. The agenda for tomorrow morning’s expanded meeting is already set. Just follow my lead. If anything changes, I’ll have Wang Ren contact you beforehand."

Yang Wenqing got off the Flying Shuttle and walked back to his new residence. The night light in the courtyard was still on. As he pushed the gate open, Aunt Zhou immediately came out to greet him.

"Sir, you’re back." There was a hint of weariness in her voice, but her etiquette was still impeccable.

"You don’t need to wait up for me after eleven in the future," Yang Wenqing said in a gentle tone. "Sometimes things come up at the Bureau, and it’s common for me not to come back all night. You should rest when it’s time to rest."

Aunt Zhou quickly replied, "I’ll remember that."

After sending Aunt Zhou away, Yang Wenqing crossed the quiet front courtyard and went straight to the Quiet Chamber in the back. He closed the door and activated the shielding Array, temporarily isolating himself from everything.

He sat down cross-legged and first circulated his energy for a few cycles using the most basic Qi Nourishing Formulas, allowing his somewhat agitated mind to completely calm down.

After regulating his breathing for about half an hour, he felt he had reached his optimal state and began his cultivation for the day.

Time flew by during cultivation. When he opened his eyes again, the sky outside was already brightening. He stood up and cast a Dust Clearing Skill. Because he had a meeting today, he changed into a crisp City Defense Bureau uniform and carefully pinned on his deputy team leader badge.

He arrived at the branch office after breakfast. Before Yang Wenqing could even start on the morning paperwork, a communication request came from Wang Ren through his badge.

"Wenqing, if you have a moment, come to my office."

"On my way."

Yang Wenqing stood up and walked quickly to the General Affairs Department Head’s office. He knocked and entered. Wang Ren was sitting behind a large desk with a document spread out before him.

"Brother Wang," Yang Wenqing greeted, sitting down opposite him.

Wang Ren got straight to the point. "Wenqing, I just got word from the Archives Department. Director Zhang is moving fast. At this morning’s expanded meeting, not only does he want to finalize the temporary leaders for the three patrol teams, but he also wants to shove Wu Qianjun directly into the New Town preparatory office under the title of ’Public Security Coordination Specialist.’"

Yang Wenqing’s gaze sharpened.

Wang Ren continued, "This title may seem like a sinecure, but once he’s in the preparatory office, he’ll have the authority to participate in preliminary planning, personnel assessments, and even make suggestions on the allocation of some resources."

"It won’t take long for him to gain a firm foothold in the preparatory office. By then, they’ll be the ones calling the shots in New Town. What’s more, this move is like driving a wedge—Wu Qianjun—into New Town ahead of schedule, paving the way for his future bid for power."

"Does Vice Director Gao know?" Yang Wenqing asked.

"I just spoke with him," Wang Ren nodded. "The Vice Director’s intentions are clear. This has to be stopped. At the very least, we can’t let him get in so smoothly. During the meeting, the Vice Director will object on procedural grounds."

Wang Ren looked at Yang Wenqing, his gaze filled with meaning. "Vice Director Gao asked me to check with you. During the meeting, we’ll need someone to raise some appropriate questions about Wu Qianjun’s qualifications and abilities, from the perspective of ’professional suitability’ and ’practical risks.’ Are you confident you can do that? Or to put it another way, are you willing to be the one to speak up?"

Yang Wenqing was silent for a few seconds. Wu Qianjun’s profile flashed through his mind. As Wu Qianjun’s superior, if he were to question his subordinate’s abilities, it would be a devastating blow.

’But this will make me a clear target for Director Zhang.’

’But this is also an opportunity. An opportunity to show my determination and capability to Vice Director Gao. It’s also a chance to build momentum and accumulate ’battle achievements’ for my future bid for the vice chief position.’

"Brother Wang..."

Yang Wenqing looked up. "Captain Wu’s abilities are outstanding, there’s no doubt about that. However, the preparatory work for New Town is incredibly complex. Public security coordination requires more than just individual prowess; it requires familiarity with the local social situation, comprehensive coordination skills, and experience in handling complicated scenarios."

"He has spent a long time away investigating cases. I’m afraid he may not have a sufficient understanding of or experience in dealing with the internal affairs of Qianjiao County, especially the multifaceted conflicts of interest involving the New Town in the south."

"Is it truly the best choice to rashly transfer a captain whose experience might not be a perfect match into the preparatory office? Could it affect the continuity of his current duties? I believe these are points that can be raised at the meeting for the leadership to consider carefully."

After listening, a smile appeared on Wang Ren’s face. He patted Yang Wenqing’s shoulder. "Good! Say it just like that! Remember, focus on the issue, not the person. Keep your tone calm, stick to the facts, and present your reasoning. Vice Director Gao will handle the rest."

After speaking, he glanced at the clock on the wall and said, "You should go back and prepare as well. The meeting is about to start."

Leaving the General Affairs Department and walking towards the conference room, Yang Wenqing could feel his heart beating slightly faster than usual, but it was mostly a feeling of eager excitement.