Chapter 294 - 162: A Day in the Life of the Bureau Chief

Chapter 294: Chapter 162: A Day in the Life of the Bureau Chief

Bureau Chief’s Office.

Yang Wenqing led Wang Hai and Liao Tianming inside and gestured for them to sit in the reception area. Liu Min followed close behind with three cups of hot tea.

"Deputy Chief Wang, Director Liao, the construction of the port and the strategic warehouse are our top priorities right now." Yang Wenqing cut straight to the chase. "This is especially true for the new transportation route plans, which include main ground thoroughfares and aerial routes..."

"The Civil Affairs Bureau absolutely must clearly delineate military and civilian air routes, reserving more than enough room for emergency corridors. Deputy Chief Wang, as for the sub-bureau, our plans for security patrols, air traffic control, and ground traffic management need to be developed in tandem. They must be tightly integrated with the Civil Affairs Bureau’s transportation plan. We can’t have each department acting on its own."

Liao Tianming nodded immediately. "Rest assured, Chief Yang, the initial transportation plan is complete. We’ve reserved three corridors at different altitudes for military air routes, and there’s also a dedicated ground channel for supply transport. We’ve already had preliminary discussions with the Government Army Camp and the municipal air traffic control center."

Wang Hai quickly shifted into work mode, taking out a small notebook. "I’ll immediately have the Public Security Section and the Traffic Division draft detailed security and air-and-ground control plans based on the Civil Affairs Bureau’s proposal," he said, jotting down notes.

"Good. You two stay in close communication. If you run into anything you’re unsure of, or if you need coordination from other departments in the sub-bureau, come to me anytime." Yang Wenqing laid out his expectations. "I’m leaving this in your hands."

"We won’t let you down, Chief Yang," they replied in unison.

"Alright, that’ll be all." Yang Wenqing stood and saw Liao Tianming and Wang Hai out before calling for Liu Min.

"Yes, Chief?"

"Two things," Yang Wenqing said quickly. "First, notify the Archives Section. Coordinate with the Qianjiao County sub-bureau and see if we can get Li Yi transferred here. I have an important use for him. Second, there’s Sun Yan in Chixia County. His transfer shouldn’t be difficult."

Liu Min quickly jotted it down. "Right, I’ll get on it immediately."

"Also, tell Yang Yong to come to the sub-bureau and see me at once."

"Yes."

Shortly after Liu Min left, a call came in from Du Hong, the chief of the Mining District Security Post.

"Chief, the Government Soldiers sent over the design plans for their new camp, along with the deployment locations for the coastal defense cannons."

Du Hong’s voice was tinged with displeasure. "They chose the highest point, Wanghai Cliff, on the eastern side of the mining district. I’ve seen the blueprints. The camp is sizable, and they plan to install twelve heavy Rune Cannons, divided into three batteries with overlapping fields of fire."

"Furthermore, the Government Soldiers have official documents stating they’re only responsible for garrisoning the post and responding to large-scale attacks. Routine patrols of the mining district and handling civil disputes still fall to our security post."

Yang Wenqing listened patiently, mentally running through the implications, and then gave his orders:

"Hold on to the blueprints and send a copy to the sub-bureau’s Technical Section for their archives. Maintain good communication with the Government Soldiers and cooperate with them on the camp’s construction and defensive emplacements. As for day-to-day coordination..." He paused thoughtfully. "From now on, the new Deputy Bureau Chief, Wang Hai, will be responsible for that. If you need anything coordinated at the sub-bureau level, report directly to Deputy Chief Wang."

"Understood!"

Du Hong’s reply was crisp.

After ending the call with Du Hong, Yang Wenqing leaned back in his chair and rubbed the bridge of his nose. Just then, Liu Min returned. It was clear someone was here to see him, but Yang Wenqing simply waved a hand at her. She immediately fell silent, awaiting his command.

Then, Yang Wenqing looked at Liu Min and asked, "Do you know Yang Deyong, the Deputy Section Chief of the Folklore Section?"

Liu Min nodded at once. "I do!"

’Even if I didn’t know the other deputy section chiefs, I would certainly know this one.’ The reason was simple: he was an elder from the Chief’s own family, from his grand-uncle’s generation. While not from the main Yang Family Village, he was still a blood relative.

Yang Wenqing ordered, "Transfer him to the Archives Section to serve as Deputy Section Chief. Have him swap positions with the current Deputy Section Chief there."

Yang Deyong was already eighty-seven years old. He’d shown some talent in his youth, managing to successfully guide his qi and enter the Qi Cultivation Stage. However, he had been stuck at the Second Refinement for nearly seventy years since. After the Yang family established a firm foothold in the New District, Yang Wenqing had arranged a nominal position for him in the Folklore Section of the sub-bureau. Now, he was the perfect person to secretly vet candidates for an investigation team.

Liu Min didn’t ask why. Instead, she reported, "Chief, Vice President Liu of the New District Commerce Association is outside asking to see you..."

For the better part of the morning, there was a constant stream of people in Yang Wenqing’s office. All the influential figures in the New District came to pay their respects under various pretexts, followed by people from the Civil Affairs Bureau and the various security posts. As noon approached, a flood of banquet invitations also arrived.

Yang Wenqing listened attentively to the work reports. As for the local dignitaries requesting an audience, he judiciously met with a few of the most important ones, primarily to reassure the public and signal that the New District’s security policies would remain consistent and stable. He had Liu Min politely decline the blizzard of banquet invitations that came flying in.

’These social obligations are unavoidable,’ he knew, ’but now isn’t the time.’ He needed to stabilize his internal affairs first. Once he had the situation completely under control, he would selectively attend the necessary meetings and dinners.

When the last wave of morning visitors finally departed, the office fell quiet for the first time. It was then that Yang Yong arrived.

"Patriarch." Yang Yong bowed respectfully. His gaze swept quickly over the impressive new office, and a flicker of pride for the family’s honor shone in his eyes.

"Sit. Have you eaten?" Yang Wenqing gestured for him to take a seat, his tone much milder than it had been with the outsiders.

"Haven’t had a chance yet," Yang Yong answered honestly.

Yang Wenqing pressed the intercom. "Section Chief Liu, have the cafeteria send two simple meals over."

After giving the order, he turned to Yang Yong. "There’s something I need you to handle personally," he said. "It requires absolute secrecy."