I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 163: Chapter 107: Fourth Refinement Consummation, Entering the Fifth Refinement

When Yang Wenqing knocked on the door to Vice Director Gao’s office, he found the vice director practicing some kind of Spell in front of his desk. But with no flow of Spiritual Qi, it was obvious he was merely going through the motions. Judging by the cup of tea next to him, which had long since gone cold, he’d been at it for quite a while.

"Vice Director Gao, there’s been a development over at Lingshan Town." Yang Wenqing closed the door and concisely repeated Liu Qin’s report and the contents of Director Zhang’s furious communication from earlier.

After hearing the report, Vice Director Gao’s brows first lifted slightly, then immediately knitted together. A distinct flash of confusion and surprise passed through his eyes.

He rose and began to pace before stopping beside his desk. His fingers tapped lightly on the smooth desktop, producing a soft TAP, TAP.

Vice Director Gao muttered to himself, ’This doesn’t seem like Zhang Qiming’s usual style.’

He turned around, his gaze falling on Yang Wenqing, and asked in a probing tone, "What do you think?"

Yang Wenqing pondered for a moment before answering, "This is highly unusual. Given Director Zhang’s position and his usual methods, even if he were displeased, he should have tried to resolve it through proper channels. Applying pressure this directly, even at the risk of giving us leverage against him, can only mean that the situation in Lingshan Town is urgent for him."

Vice Director Gao nodded slightly, accepting this assessment. He walked back to his desk and sat down, his finger unconsciously tracing a line on the smooth surface.

"The Zhang family values stability; that is their foundation," Vice Director Gao said, his tone still calm, as if he were analyzing an official matter that had nothing to do with him. "Zhang Qiming didn’t secure his position through brute force. Losing his composure like this... it’s not his style. Unless..."

He paused, a sharp glint in his eyes. "Either his subordinates have made a colossal mess, and the fire is already at his feet, forcing him to step in and put it out himself... or this mess is inextricably linked to him, leaving him no choice but to use brute force."

Yang Wenqing followed this line of thought. "Zheng Hu’s attitude has always been ambiguous, and the construction company once sent word through Director Sun. Now Director Zhang is getting involved personally. He must want to make a clean break and completely sever our line of investigation."

A faint smile touched the corners of Vice Director Gao’s mouth. "He swung the knife too hastily. In doing so, he’s shown us the knot in the rope."

He stopped discussing Director Zhang’s motives and shifted the conversation to a practical response. "Publicly, Wu Yan and Liu Rong must be withdrawn. This will also give him an out and de-escalate the overt conflict."

Yang Wenqing nodded, waiting for him to continue.

Vice Director Gao continued, "Pull the men back, but don’t close your eyes. You make the arrangements. Have Wu Yan and Liu Rong return secretly to the outskirts of Lingshan Town under new identities. They are to set up a fixed, covert surveillance post. Remember: they are only to record, not to interfere. Report any anomalies immediately, but under no circumstances can they be exposed."

He looked at Yang Wenqing, his gaze profound. "Zhang Qiming wants us to be blind, so we’ll just find another way to see. Let’s find out what’s hidden under this lid that has him in such a panic."

"Yes, Vice Director Gao. I understand," Yang Wenqing replied in a low voice.

"Go on. The candidates must be elite, and the channels must be top-secret. Tell them it’s better to accomplish nothing than to make a single mistake." With that final instruction, Vice Director Gao picked up his cold teacup.

Yang Wenqing said no more. He turned, left the office, and returned to the Major Case Team. He first called over Liu Qin to ask about Wu Yan and Liu Rong’s estimated time of return.

"I just received word. They’re expected to arrive at the precinct around three in the afternoon," Liu Qin answered.

Yang Wenqing nodded without another word and motioned for Liu Qin to get back to her work. He then sat down at his own desk and began to deal with the paperwork that had piled up that morning.

Around noon, Wang Ren sent a message asking him to lunch at a small, frequently visited restaurant near the precinct. Yang Wenqing couldn’t very well refuse. When the lunch break arrived, Wang Ren came to the Major Case Team to pick him up personally. The two got a quiet private room at the restaurant and ordered a few simple dishes.

Once the food was served, Wang Ren took a couple of bites before putting down his chopsticks. He asked casually, "Wenqing, Director Zhang really blew his top about Lingshan Town today. What exactly did you guys in the Major Case Team find to get him so worked up?"

Yang Wenqing picked up some food with his chopsticks, his expression calm as he shook his head. "Brother Wang, we really haven’t found anything substantial. Just some old missing-persons cases. Our interviews didn’t turn up any leads. Director Zhang probably just thinks we’re in the way and affecting the construction progress, so he’s upset."

His answer was vague. Although Wang Ren was one of his own, the fewer people who knew about this matter, the better.

Wang Ren glanced at him, smiled, and didn’t press the issue. Instead, he changed the subject to some rumors about personnel changes at the bureau and other unimportant gossip.

The rest of their meal was ordinary, and it ended quickly.

After leaving the restaurant and parting ways with Wang Ren, Yang Wenqing walked back to the precinct alone, his mind pondering the purpose of Wang Ren’s invitation to lunch.

Then he shook his head, reminding himself internally that he had to maintain a necessary level of caution with everyone.

At around two-fifty in the afternoon, Liu Qin knocked and entered his office to report, "Yang Group Leader, Wu Yan and Liu Rong are back."

Her words had barely faded when a travel-worn Wu Yan and Liu Rong pushed the door open and walked in. Both of them looked clearly exhausted. Lingering indignation was still visible in Liu Rong’s eyes, while Wu Yan wore his usual expressionless face, though his tightly pressed lips revealed that he was not in a good mood.

"Yang Group Leader."

Liu Rong spoke first, his voice agitated. "That Director Zhang is just..."

Yang Wenqing raised a hand to cut him off, gesturing for them to sit down first. He then stood up personally and poured them each a glass of water.

"I know the situation. You’ve been wronged," Yang Wenqing said, getting straight to the point. "But we must carry out Director Zhang’s order. The investigation team’s public work ends here."