I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 200: Chapter 120: Never-ending Meetings

In the newly established joint investigation office, several tables were pushed together and covered with a simple tablecloth. A basic map of Lingshan Town hung on the wall.

Yang Wenqing stood before the map, his gaze distant.

Wu Qianjun was in the next room interrogating the detained foremen and accountants from the Hongyuan Trading Company. On a nearby Water Mirror Screen, the scene of the interrogation was visible via a recording Array, and the sound could be faintly heard.

Wu Qianjun’s interrogation methods weren’t aggressive, but they were high-pressure. His questions were sharp and relentlessly probing.

But the men being questioned either feigned complete ignorance, shifted all the blame onto the late Boss Qian, or simply insisted it was just a common labor dispute and an accidental conflict.

Yang Wenqing had personally dispatched Wu Yan and Liu Rong. He knew their capabilities and temperaments better than anyone. Wu Yan was steady and experienced, while Liu Rong was sharp and daring. Since they had targeted the Hongyuan Trading Company, it couldn’t have been for no reason.

’Who is it that most wants to keep the Lingshan Town disappearance case from being dug into?’

During the first investigation into the disappearances, it was Zhang Qiming who personally gave the order to withdraw Wu Yan and Liu Rong, citing that it was "interfering with the construction of a key project." Vice Director Gao had said back then that whoever gave the order was the problem, and they should focus their investigation on him. Yang Wenqing couldn’t agree more.

’When they rounded up those rogue cultivators earlier, I suspected someone had thrown them out as a sacrifice to save a more important piece. Deep down, I didn’t want a direct confrontation with Zhang Qiming either. I thought the case could be closed, but I never expected another problem to crop up here so soon.’

’And Wu Qianjun is Zhang Qiming’s man, forced into the investigation team. On the surface, he’s here to assist. In reality, he’s probably a pair of eyes and a potential blade.’

Yang Wenqing looked at Wu Qianjun’s expressionless face on the Water Mirror Screen. He didn’t trust Wu Qianjun, and he trusted the person behind him even less. But right now, he couldn’t show a hint of it. In fact, he even had to rely on him.

’A month to solve the case. To Yang Wenqing, that wasn’t an unreasonable amount of time. After all, his opponents had been pushed so far as to publicly attack law enforcement. Their weaknesses must have been exposed. The main reason was likely that the operation in Lingshan Town was too large. To protect themselves, this group of rogue cultivators would have needed to create a more rigid structure. But the more rigid the structure, the harder it is to clean up when problems arise. So, I still have time.’

"Reporting!"

Suddenly, a loud but slightly tense voice came from the doorway.

Yang Wenqing pulled his thoughts back and turned to look. Standing in the doorway was a sturdy man in a senior police captain’s uniform. It was Zhou Yong. He stood ramrod straight, his hands pressed tightly against the seams of his pants, his gaze fixed forward. His expression was so serious it was almost rigid, like a new recruit facing his commanding officer for the first time.

"Come in."

Yang Wenqing said calmly.

Zhou Yong strode in, came to attention again three paces from Yang Wenqing, and announced in a loud voice, "Yang Group Leader, Zhou Yong, Captain of Patrol Team One, reporting for duty!"

Yang Wenqing sized him up. ’This man has a very tough work ethic. At least, back in the operations division, his performance was always top-notch. That was the main reason Zhang Qiming won him over. He might follow some orders, but with his intelligence, he should...’

He quickly shook his head. ’Until the truth is revealed, I need to suspect everyone.’

"Captain Zhou."

Yang Wenqing’s tone was even. "What’s the patrol status of the Northern Town Mine District and the reservoir today? Any abnormalities?"

Zhou Yong maintained his at-attention posture, his voice booming, "Reporting to Yang Group Leader, all patrols are normal. No abnormalities have been discovered. The construction site is in good order."

His answer was concise, exactly as one would expect from a well-trained captain.

Yang Wenqing nodded. "Mm. While the investigation team is stationed here, the security of Lingshan Town is our top priority. Your patrol teams must increase their patrol intensity, especially at night and in remote areas. Report any signs of trouble immediately."

"Yes, sir! I will carry out the order without fail!" Zhou Yong answered without hesitation.

"Good. You’re dismissed. Reinforce the patrols as planned."

"Yes, sir!"

Zhou Yong saluted, then turned and left with a steady, forceful stride.

Yang Wenqing paid no mind to the departing Zhou Yong. He looked at a nearby administrative officer and ordered, "Notify Director Liao from the Civil Affairs Bureau, as well as the heads of the town’s main Commerce Associations and workshops. There will be a meeting in one hour in the main conference room of the public security station."

"Yes, sir."

An administrative officer scrambled to his feet and hurried out.

「One hour later.」

The main conference room of the public security station was slightly crowded with over twenty people.

Several officials from the Civil Affairs Bureau, led by Liao Tianming, sat on one side. On the other were eight well-dressed bosses from the Commerce Associations and workshop owners, each with a different expression.

Captain Xia Meng from the operations team and Qian Lu, who had followed Yang Wenqing, stood guard at the door.

The atmosphere in the conference room was somber, thick with anxiety and a wait-and-see attitude. News of the attack on Wu Yan and Liu Rong had already spread. With the investigation team arriving in such a high-profile manner, everyone could sense that something was amiss.

Yang Wenqing walked into the conference room right on time. He wore a white commissioner’s uniform, the silver stars on his epaulets dazzling. He walked with a steady gait to the head of the table and calmly swept his gaze over everyone present.

Liao Tianming was the first to stand. "Yang Group Leader, everyone is here."

"Director Liao, everyone, please be seated."

Yang Wenqing gestured for them to sit with both hands and took his own seat at the head of the table. He didn’t speak immediately. Instead, he picked up the teacup in front of him, blew on it gently, and took a slow, deliberate sip.

This brief moment of silence made the atmosphere in the room even more stagnant. A few of the Commerce Association bosses unconsciously shifted in their seats.

Setting down his teacup, Yang Wenqing finally spoke, his voice low but carrying clearly to everyone’s ears: