Chapter 277 - 154: Struggle of the Upper Echelons, The Upcoming Formal Talk

Now, the Government Soldiers were demanding a twenty percent cut right off the bat. This would undoubtedly throw the existing profit-sharing structure into disarray and deal a significant blow to the burgeoning economy of Lingshan New District.

"Master, this twenty percent… Is there any room for negotiation?" Yang Wenqing couldn't help but ask. Although he knew the matter was most likely set in stone, he instinctively wanted to try to push back.

Qin Huaiming chuckled on the other end of the line. "Wenqing, the ones most anxious about this are the Civil Affairs Bureau and the Commerce Associations and great families whose livelihoods depend on that share. As the Vice Director of the City Defense Bureau, and the future Director, your top priority is stability. The Government Soldiers demanding this twenty percent might feel like a painful loss, but in reality, they're also taking on a portion of the risk and responsibility. Besides…"

He added meaningfully, "This isn't just about splitting profits. It's a power struggle between the Central Hub and the province. And the Government Soldiers sent this time? They represent the Central Hub."

Yang Wenqing's confusion deepened. He quickly said, "Please explain, Master."

Footsteps echoed from Qin Huaiming's side; it sounded like he was moving to a quieter place before he responded. "The Central Hub wants to use the Government Soldiers to investigate taxes. It's a very complicated matter, and not something I can discuss freely over this channel. When you have a moment to come to the city, I'll explain the details. You just need to remember one thing: don't get involved in their struggles. Just handle your own responsibilities."

"I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Master," Yang Wenqing said sincerely. As the one in charge of Lingshan New District, he knew exactly how deep the waters ran here. However, his policy had always been to remain hands-off and not sign off on such matters. Most of it was the Civil Affairs Bureau's responsibility, as it should be.

"Good, as long as you understand. Keep a close eye on the mining district. This is mostly a done deal; any discussions now are just haggling over the details. When you hand over defense duties to the Government Soldiers, be cooperative, but also make sure the jurisdictional boundaries are clearly defined. If there's anything you're unsure of, contact me or Director Qi anytime," Qin Huaiming instructed.

"Yes, Master."

After ending the communication, Yang Wenqing leaned back in his chair. He gazed at the monitor wall, which showed the Government Soldiers' Flying Ships still on patrol, and at the distant, blood-stained sea. His expression grew calm and deep.

'A storm doesn't just bring destruction; it can also wash the world clean, making way for something new.'

Yang Wenqing composed himself, refocusing on the monitor before him and the reports that were continuously streaming in.

He remained at the mining district's command center, orchestrating the recovery: deploying personnel to repair damaged fortifications and Arrays, coordinating medical resources to treat the wounded, taking inventory of ammunition and equipment losses, and arranging subsequent patrol shifts.

Under his calm command, one trivial yet crucial task after another was swiftly handled.

Half an hour later, a message came through the encrypted communication hub established at the sub-bureau by the provincial Maritime Police's technical team. After cross-validating monitoring data from multiple sources, they confirmed that the large-scale threat from the Water Race in the outer sea had been temporarily neutralized.

At this point, Yang Wenqing had little trust in the Maritime Police. They had been completely unaware of the impending attack by the Water Race Demon Soldiers. 'They're just here to collect a paycheck for nothing,' he thought.

So, while Yang Wenqing relayed the message, he also ordered the action team led by Yang Wenyuan to pilot a combat Flying Shuttle on continuous aerial patrols along the coastline, coordinating with the Government Soldiers' patrol Flying Ships.

Time flew by, and the sky gradually darkened. On the sea beyond the mining district, most of the floating Demon Soldier carcasses had been salvaged. Representatives from the major Commerce Associations, having arrived long ago after hearing the news, were now gathered near the docks, haggling loudly with Director Du Hong and his men, who were overseeing the matter.

The flesh of Demon Soldiers was excellent material for refining low-grade energy crystals, but the untreated meat contained demonic energy and aquatic toxins. It also rotted quickly, meaning ordinary groups couldn't process it. Only the major Commerce Associations with professional purification equipment and established sales channels dared to take it in large quantities.

Yang Wenqing specifically instructed Du Hong to meticulously log both the buyer and seller for every transaction. This was to prevent the materials from being used for illegal purposes, such as refining heretical Magical Artifacts or feeding certain forbidden Fierce Beasts.

Du Hong, knowing the sensitive nature of the matter, personally supervised the process, not daring to be the least bit negligent.

Just as Yang Wenqing finished reviewing a report on the repair progress of the mining district's Protective Array, a communication request from Liu Xin came in.

"Director Yang, we have a lead in the preliminary investigation of the bombings at the city center and the public security station."

Liu Xin's voice was clear. "The victims from the three bombing sites had two locations in common over the past week. One is the abandoned Warehouse District near the West City entrance, and the other is a shantytown on the edge of the industrial zone where migrant workers live."

"Li Yue and Kong Yu have already taken teams to set up covert surveillance, but they haven't found any suspicious individuals or unusual activity yet." She paused before asking for orders, "Director Yang, should we continue monitoring in secret, or…?"

"The culprits have already made their move; passive surveillance is pointless now," Yang Wenqing judged. "Conduct a dragnet search. We need to find useful leads as quickly as possible, like anyone who recently moved out of those two areas. And be fast, or our targets might vanish for good."

"Yes, sir! I'll notify Li Yue and Kong Yu immediately!" Liu Xin replied.

「Two hours later…」

Liu Xin contacted him again, her tone tinged with frustration. "Director Yang, by analyzing a week's worth of entry, exit, and housing records for the surrounding areas, we've identified three hundred and twenty-seven people who crossed paths with the victims. Of those, thirty-one have already left the New District."

Yang Wenqing's brow furrowed deeply at the news. 'Finding a lead among so many people will be incredibly time-consuming, but it has to be done. That's how you solve a case. It's rarely a sudden flash of insight; most of it is just slow, methodical elimination. If this group turns up nothing, we'll just have to widen the search.'

"Can you determine where the ones who left have gone?" he asked in a low voice.

"We're running emergency checks with other jurisdictions," Liu Xin said, her speech quickening. "What we know so far is that they scattered in all directions. Tracking them across districts, let alone across cities, will require coordination from the municipal Major Case Department."

Yang Wenqing felt a headache coming on. The mining district's defenses needed to be stabilized after the major battle, which required his personal oversight. With Gao Zhen in seclusion and Zhu Yunchuan injured, he simply couldn't get away to coordinate a large-scale, cross-jurisdictional case at the municipal bureau.

After a moment's thought, Yang Wenqing made a decision. "Liu Xin, bring all the relevant materials to the mining district command center and give me a detailed, in-person briefing. Also, have Li Yue and Kong Yu conduct a second, thorough sweep of the two identified areas. Tell them not to miss a single corner. At the same time, start questioning everyone who had contact with the victims."

"Yes, Director!" Liu Xin acknowledged.

After ending his call with Liu Xin, Yang Wenqing used the Communication Array in his badge to contact a Vice Director at the municipal Major Case Department. The man's name was Zhao Yongchun, an associate from his master's network.

Zhao Yongchun was at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, and his official rank was two levels higher than Yang Wenqing's. His specialty was large, cross-jurisdictional cases.

When the communication connected, Yang Wenqing skipped the pleasantries and gave a concise report on the Lingshan New District bombing case.

Zhao Yongchun listened silently on the other end. As soon as Yang Wenqing finished, he replied, "Wenqing, to be honest, other districts have had bombings too. The circumstances are identical to what you're facing."

He paused, his tone growing serious. "The municipal government is forming a special task force to centralize the investigation. Are you able to get away and come to the bureau to give a detailed, in-person report?"

'This is exactly what I was hoping for.'

He immediately put on a troubled expression. "Director Zhao, thank you for your trust, but the New District was just attacked. Director Gao is in seclusion to recover, Vice Director Chu is injured… I really can't be spared right now."

At this point, he changed tack. "But would this work? I can have Liu Xin, the head of our sub-bureau's Major Case Team, bring all the case materials to the municipal bureau and report to you and the task force in person."

Zhao Yongchun considered this for a moment before agreeing. "That works. Lingshan New District is a top priority right now, so you really shouldn't leave your post. Have your Major Case Team leader come. I'll arrange for someone to meet her."

"You can count on it, Director Zhao. I'll make the arrangements immediately." Yang Wenqing felt a wave of relief and formally agreed.

So, after Liu Xin came to the mining district and he had briefed her on the situation, Yang Wenqing sent her to report to the municipal Major Case Department, telling her to do her best.

By this time, night had fallen.

At that moment, he received a call from the municipal bureau's Archives Department. The message was delivered bluntly: "Director Yang Wenqing, Director Zheng and Vice Director Qian of the Archives Department will arrive at the sub-bureau before 9 a.m. tomorrow. Be prepared."

"Understood!"

Yang Wenqing replied automatically, and the line went dead. A moment later, his eyes lit up. The first thing that came to mind was his promotion to Director. Just then, a communication request came in from his master, Qin Huaiming…