Chapter 338 - 182: Incident Over, Martial Law Lifted

Chapter 338: Chapter 182: Incident Over, Martial Law Lifted

Yang Wenqing remembered the "benefits" his master had mentioned before, and a flicker of anticipation rose within him. "Yes, Master. I’ll head over as soon as the meeting is finished."

After ending the call, the sky outside the window was already bright.

Yang Wenqing closed his eyes and meditated for half an hour. After getting up and casting a Dust Clearing Skill on himself, he walked to the dining room.

In the dining room, his younger brother, Yang Wenjian, was already back. Their mother, Wang Qin, was peppering him with questions, and he wore a somewhat helpless smile.

Yang Wenqing had a quick breakfast, said goodbye to his family, and boarded the Flying Shuttle to the branch bureau.

In the director’s office, Liu Qin had already placed the preliminary investigation report on last night’s incident on his desk, which she had spent the night compiling.

Yang Wenqing read through it carefully. Once he confirmed there were no errors, he signed his name at the end of the report and affixed the director’s official seal.

"Liu Qin, send this report as an official, encrypted document from our branch to Deputy Director Qi’s office at the Municipal Bureau. Also, cc our Major Case Team," Yang Wenqing instructed.

"Yes, Director." Liu Qin took the document and quickly left.

Yang Wenqing buried himself in his work. By the time he had dealt with the day’s urgent business, it was nearly time for the regular monthly meeting. Prompted by Liu Qin, he quickly gathered his thoughts and rose to head for the conference room.

In the conference room, the heads of each section, the chiefs of each public security station, and the newly appointed Li Yi and Sun Yan were all present. Yang Wenqing walked in steadily and took his seat at the head of the table. As his calm gaze swept across the room, everyone subconsciously straightened their backs.

"Let’s begin." Yang Wenqing’s voice wasn’t loud, but it reached every person’s ears clearly.

"First, I’d like to introduce two new colleagues." Yang Wenqing gestured to Li Yi and Sun Yan, who were seated near the front. "Li Yi will spearhead the development of the Warehouse District. Sun Yan, transferred from Chixia County, will spearhead the development of the Port District."

Li Yi and Sun Yan immediately stood and bowed to the room.

"Welcome, Section Chief Li, Section Chief Sun!" Deputy Director Wang Hai was the first to speak, a smile on his face. "Your arrival is a huge relief. We desperately need capable people to get things moving over at the port and the warehouses."

Li Yi and Sun Yan quickly replied, stating that they looked forward to learning from everyone. After this brief but necessary interaction, the meeting proceeded to the main agenda.

The various sections and public security stations took turns reporting on the previous month’s work and their plans for the current month. The topics mostly revolved around preliminary security for the port expansion and strategic warehouse construction, maintaining stability within their jurisdictions during the martial law period, and the investigation of daily cases.

When it was time for Operations Section Chief Xia Meng to report, he focused on the joint operation with the Municipal Bureau the previous night and the subsequent situation with securing the factory area. "...The Public Security Section has now completely taken over maintaining order in the factory. After a period of rest, the Operations Section’s members have resumed their normal patrol and combat-ready status."

Yang Wenqing nodded slightly, satisfied with Xia Meng’s discretion.

Public Security Section Chief Wei Cheng then reported on an analysis of fluctuations in public security data across the various jurisdictions during the martial law period. He concluded by asking for instructions: "Director, the prolonged martial law has had a major impact on civilian life and commercial activity. We’ve received quite a bit of feedback from the public. Should we consider adjusting the martial law level, or perhaps lifting it?"

Yang Wenqing did not answer immediately, instead turning his gaze to Major Case Team Leader Liu Xin. "Team Liu, what is the current status of the bombing investigation?"

Liu Xin immediately rose and replied solemnly, "Reporting, Director. Based on information shared with the Special Case Office and our own investigation, the main network that carried out the bombing has been dismantled. Remaining peripheral members are currently being screened. The case has now been taken over by the Municipal Bureau’s special task force for a deeper investigation, with our Major Case Team in full support."

Only then did Yang Wenqing turn to the rest of the room. "The situation in and around the New District has been complex for some time now. I know you’ve all worked hard. The martial law was an extraordinary measure taken during an exceptional time, intended to guarantee public safety to the fullest and create favorable conditions for solving the case."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over every attendee. "Now, the main threat from the bombing has been neutralized, and the incident at the factory has been properly resolved. The development of the New District is entering a critical phase. To continue maintaining full-scale martial law no longer aligns with the current situation or the people’s best interests."

"Therefore, starting at two o’clock this afternoon, the state of martial law will be lifted throughout the Lingshan New District."

Many in the room visibly breathed a sigh of relief, but Yang Wenqing’s next words immediately made the atmosphere tense again. "However, lifting martial law does not mean we can lower our guard!"

His voice rose a little. "The Port District, the strategic Warehouse District, the mining company’s factory, and their surrounding areas will remain designated as key protection zones. The establishment of the two new public security stations must be accelerated. Li Yi, Sun Yan, you are to produce viable plans and staffing proposals as quickly as possible. Deputy Director Wang will be responsible for coordinating resources."

"All public security stations and all sections are to use the window after martial law is lifted to intensify background checks and screenings within your jurisdictions, paying special attention to the transient population and key locations. We cannot allow any space for instability to fester. Stability is the cornerstone of the New District’s development. If trouble breaks out in your area of responsibility, I will hold you accountable!"

His gaze was piercing as he scanned the room. "Is that understood?"

"Understood!" a unified response echoed through the conference room.

"Good." Yang Wenqing’s expression relaxed slightly. "For all other work, proceed as planned."

The meeting ended, and everyone filed out.

Deputy Director Wang Hai walked with Li Yi and Sun Yan, chatting as they went, obviously preparing to implement the meeting’s arrangements immediately.

Liu Xin hurried to catch up with Yang Wenqing, speaking in a low voice to ask for instructions on a few details regarding inter-departmental cooperation on the case. Xia Meng and Wei Cheng, meanwhile, discussed the handover of security arrangements for the key zones as they walked.

Yang Wenqing had just sat down in his office when Liu Min, the General Affairs Section Chief, followed him inside.

"Director, this is the summary report on the last ’Bedrock’ drill, along with the score-based evaluations for each district’s public security station," Liu Min said, placing a document on the desk.

"Overall, the drill’s results were significant. The urban and mining district public security stations scored particularly high on their procedures and handling of details when responding to the simulated emergencies."

Yang Wenqing took the report and scanned it quickly, focusing on the point deductions and written comments.

"The drill was effective. We need to keep it up," Yang Wenqing said, setting the report down and looking at Liu Min.

"We can’t have them slack off just because the drill is over. I want your General Affairs Section to take the lead. You’ll pull some capable administrative staff from the various sections and form a permanent, unannounced supervisory team. They will covertly observe and assess daily operations, internal management, and emergency preparedness based on the standards from the drill. After compiling internal assessment reports, they will deliver them directly to me."

He paused, then added, "The evaluation standards must be objective and fair. The purpose isn’t to find fault, but to help them identify their own problems. Do you understand?"

A glint flashed in Liu Min’s eyes. ’This will shift the General Affairs Section’s role toward internal supervision and performance reviews,’ she realized. It would vastly increase her section’s authority and practical influence. While the task was sensitive and bound to make enemies, it also represented a significant expansion of her own power.

"Understood, Director!" Liu Min stood straight. "I will be sure to select reliable, professional, and tight-lipped core staff, formulate a meticulous supervision plan and evaluation criteria, and ensure this task is properly executed. It will truly serve to spur improvement, and I promise I won’t cause you any trouble."

"Mm. You’re dismissed."

Yang Wenqing waved his hand.

Liu Min accepted her orders and departed, her steps even more firm and forceful than when she had arrived.

After handling these matters, Yang Wenqing made brief calls to Deputy Directors Wang Hai and Zhu Yunchuan, relaying the meeting’s resolutions and key follow-up tasks to ensure the branch’s smooth operation. Then, taking Liu Qin with him, he boarded a Flying Shuttle bound for the Municipal Bureau.

... 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ

The Flying Shuttle touched down on the dedicated landing pad atop the Municipal Bureau headquarters. A staff member was already waiting, and they led Yang Wenqing to a small conference room adjacent to Deputy Director Qi Yue’s office.

He pushed the door open and stepped inside. Two middle-aged men in the uniforms of senior police officials were already there, sitting on a sofa and conversing in low tones. When they saw Yang Wenqing enter, they immediately stopped talking, stood up in unison, and broke into welcoming smiles.

"Director Wen Qing, you’ve arrived!"

The first to speak was a slightly heavyset man with a ruddy complexion. He was Zhao Guang, Director of the Wancai County City Defense Bureau.

Wancai County was located at the northernmost tip of Coral Island. While it lacked the strategic minerals of the Lingshan New District, its seabed was rich in brilliantly hued Five Elements Colored Stones. These stones had no particular cultivation properties, but when carved into objets d’art, they were highly coveted by dignitaries and many Third Realm grand cultivators with a taste for the finer things. As such, they held considerable economic value.

The other man, lean and capable-looking, was Qian Feng, Director of the Xuanji County City Defense Bureau. Xuanji County was famous for its high-quality Spiritual Pearls. Not only could these pearls be used in medicine and Artifact Refining, but they were also essential components for many High-tier Arrays and luxurious adornments, making them equally lucrative.

Qian Feng smiled. "We’ve already heard about last night’s events. Director Yang, you’ve really done the Coral City Defense System proud this time!"

Yang Wenqing quickly clasped his hands in response. "Director Zhao, Director Qian, you flatter me. I was just lucky. There is still much I have to learn from two such esteemed seniors."