I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 250: Chapter 142: Major Mission (Part 2)

Shen Wenyuan glanced at Yang Wenqing and Zhu Yunchuan before turning to Qi Yue. "Is Xiaogao still in secluded cultivation?" he asked.

Qi Yue quickly responded, "Yes. He recently succeeded in implanting a Fire Spirit. Perhaps in another ten years or so, he’ll achieve Foundation Establishment."

A smile touched Shen Wenyuan’s lips. "That’s good news. Implanting a Spiritual Vein while in the Marrow Cleansing Realm greatly increases his chances of reaching the Entry realm in the future. It’s just that the current situation is grim, and the Lingshan New District needs someone to take charge."

Qi Yue hurried to say, "Wenqing is exceptionally capable and can handle the role. If a situation truly requires Xiaogao’s attention, I’m certain he will spare no effort to assist."

"Mm."

Shen Wenyuan nodded with a smile, though his expression revealed little.

Qi Yue, however, frowned slightly and exchanged a look with Zhao Shouzheng at his side. The two had already formed an alliance due to the director’s domineering style.

Then, Shen Wenyuan’s gaze swept over those who remained. In a confidential tone, he said, "I’ll be frank with you. This fight up north is a message for the Jade Whale Sect, as well as for all the spectators, both domestic and foreign. But fighting isn’t the goal. We fight to secure a better negotiating position, or, to prepare for what comes after negotiations fail."

"Regardless of what happens next, Coral City’s strategic importance has been elevated. Qianjiao County and the Lingshan New District are two pivotal points on this grand chessboard. Do your jobs well, and your futures are bright. But if you fail... I’m sure you all understand that when the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact, don’t you?"

"Rest assured, Director Shen!" everyone replied in unison, rising to their feet.

"Alright. The specific details and the official documents for the municipal bureau’s special support plan will be issued to you individually later. Go on, time waits for no one." Shen Wenyuan waved his hand, and his projection dissipated.

Wang Ren shot Yang Wenqing a meaningful look, the implication clear: they should find a chance to meet up. After Yang Wenqing nodded, Wang Ren’s projection also vanished.

Yang Wenqing then exited the projection space and turned to Zhu Yunchuan. "Vice Director Chu, it looks like our ’Cornerstone’ exercise needs to be made more rigorous. However, I probably won’t be able to continue overseeing it. How about I hand it over to you and you take charge of it from here?"

He was going to be extremely busy. The most he would be able to do for the exercise was observe at critical junctures; he wouldn’t have time to manage the specifics.

Zhu Yunchuan nodded. "Don’t worry, Director Yang. I’ll have all the security forces in the New District heighten their alert."

...

After quickly handing over specific command of the "Cornerstone" exercise to Zhu Yunchuan, Yang Wenqing had Liu Qin issue a notice to all departments and public security stations of the branch bureau, stating that Vice Director Chu would have full authority over all subsequent matters concerning the exercise.

He then tried to contact Director Gao again, but still couldn’t get through. When he contacted Gao Zhen’s secretary, he was told that the director had entered a critical period of nurturing his Spiritual Vein and was expected to remain in seclusion for at least three more days. He was not to be disturbed during this time unless the branch bureau faced a life-or-death crisis.

Yang Wenqing abandoned his plan to report to Director Gao in person at his manor outside the city.

Just as he ended his communication with Secretary Chen, Liu Qin knocked and entered. Standing at the doorway, she said bluntly, "Director Liao is here to see you. He says it’s important."

"Let him in."

Yang Wenqing continued to review the documents in his hand.

Liu Qin led Liao Tianming in and placed a cup of tea in front of him.

Yang Wenqing looked up at Liu Qin, who immediately took the hint and left the office.

"It’s rare to see you in a hurry." Yang Wenqing’s tone was teasing. In the past, Liao Tianming had always appeared exceptionally calm no matter the situation, but now his urgency was plain to see.

Upon hearing this, Liao Tianming immediately said, "I’ve just received dual directives from the Central Government Pavilion’s Planning Department and the Provincial Civil Affairs Bureau. They’re specific requirements for the port expansion and strategic warehouse construction. You’ve probably received a similar notice, haven’t you?"

As he spoke, he placed an encrypted jade slip on Yang Wenqing’s desk. Upon activation, a three-dimensional holographic plan and densely packed text requirements materialized above it.

"Look..."

"The Central Hub demands that the first phase of the project be completed within three months..."

"And make no mistake, this isn’t a plan, it’s an order. The first installment of the special construction fund was allocated to the municipal treasury half an hour ago and was immediately transferred, in its entirety, to our New District Civil Affairs Bureau’s account. I’ve never seen such efficiency."

Liao Tianming pointed to a heavily marked area on the plan. "There are several difficulties. First is site selection. The deep-water port and the Warehouse District require sufficient water depth and stable geological conditions. The Provincial Hall’s geomancer Cultivators are arriving in ten days, which means we need to designate a location within three days. The site must also allow for future connections to the city proper, the mining district, and inland transport."

"Our New District has very little suitable coastline as it is, and we have to avoid the existing aquaculture zones and energy facilities."

"Second is transportation..."

Liao Tianming continued, "The new port and Warehouse District will inevitably create a massive logistical flow. The current road network is definitely insufficient. We’ll need to build at least two new two-way arterial roads, as well as secure sky-lanes, to connect the port, the Warehouse District, the main industrial zones, and the transportation hubs leading inland."

"This will involve land acquisition, demolitions, and relocating utility lines. Our timeline is tight, so conflicts are bound to erupt all at once. The pressure on the Civil Affairs Bureau will be immense. We need the City Defense Bureau to intervene early, prepare a public stability plan, and provide forceful support if necessary."

"Third, and most importantly, security..."

Liao Tianming’s tone grew graver. "The Central Hub’s directive explicitly requires the Warehouse District’s defensive rating to reach ’Alpha-Plus.’ This means we need a dedicated Array system, one that interfaces with the City Defense Bureau’s surveillance network but remains relatively independent."

"Based on my estimates of the warehouse’s scale, the daily security detail—apart from the warehouse’s own guards—will require a permanent garrison of no fewer than a hundred people. You need to request this from the municipal bureau as soon as possible. It would be best to establish an independent public security station dedicated solely to securing that area."

Yang Wenqing nodded as he listened.

"There’s one more thing, Director Yang..." Liao Tianming pointed to a marker on the map, about fifty li offshore. "The Central Hub’s directive includes a special task. We are to build a ’Star Tower’ in the Black Reef area, which is about fifty li from the coast, at the edge of the new offshore patrol zone."

"A Star Tower?" Yang Wenqing’s expression was one of confusion.

"It’s a relay Array tower used for ultra-long-range directional communication and short-range material transport," Liao Tianming explained. "This particular Star Tower is designated to connect with a corresponding node in Jiaodong City, to our east."

"Jiaodong City?"

It was located about five hundred nautical miles east of Coral Island. The area had originally been one of the traditional settlements of the Merfolk Race, but during the Wanxuan pioneering era, it was incorporated into their territory and Jiaodong City was established.

The island’s original name was Merfolk Island, named for the Merfolk Race who lived there. This branch of the Merfolk Race is considered part of the Human Race; they earned their name due to their constant contact with the true undersea Merfolk. However, very few of them remain on Merfolk Island today, as the majority who were unwilling to accept Wanxuan’s rule have long since migrated.

’But the islanders’ connection with the deep-sea Merfolk was never completely severed. The Merfolk have access to many Water Attribute Spiritual Medicines that Wanxuan needs. The Central Hub must be establishing a stable, encrypted transport channel with Jiaodong City now out of fear of instability in the east.’

"Are we also responsible for the construction and security of the Star Tower?" Yang Wenqing asked.

"That’s what the directive says. It’s a sensitive time, so they can’t dispatch a large contingent of Government Soldiers," Liao Tianming replied.

Yang Wenqing felt his temples begin to throb. Port expansion, strategic warehouses, land acquisition and public stability, an offshore patrol zone, a Star Tower... The tasks were piling up like mountains pressing down on him.

But he quickly steadied his nerves. ’The more chaotic things get, the calmer I need to be,’ he thought. ’Besides, the Provincial Hall’s coast guard is handling the front line. I just need to worry about basic law and order.’

"Director Liao..."

Yang Wenqing’s voice was firm. "The Civil Affairs Bureau is to immediately form a special task force for the port expansion and strategic warehouse construction. You will personally lead it. Prioritize site selection and a preliminary proposal. Make a list of all the support you need, and I’ll handle coordinating with the higher-ups. As for the public stability plan for the land acquisition and demolitions, draw up a preliminary draft, and we’ll convene a meeting to finalize it as soon as possible."

Seeing Yang Wenqing’s clear-headed approach, Liao Tianming’s anxiety subsided slightly. "Alright, I’ll get right on it!"

After seeing Liao Tianming out, Yang Wenqing rubbed the bridge of his nose. He had no time to rest. Just as he was about to contact Teacher Qin for advice, he received a call from the Provincial Hall’s coast guard operations department via the municipal bureau’s communication channel.