Chapter 283 - 157: Transfer of Power

Chapter 283: Chapter 157: Transfer of Power

Yang Wenqing returned to his office to find Secretary Chen already waiting by the door. Upon seeing him, Secretary Chen immediately stepped forward, respectfully presenting an inconspicuous wooden box and a single key.

"Director Yang." Secretary Chen’s voice was steady, filled with professional respect. "The key is for the Director’s office. The box contains the Director’s seal."

"Thank you, Secretary Chen." Yang Wenqing accepted the wooden box and the key.

"You’re too kind, Director Yang. It’s all part of my duty." Secretary Chen gave a slight bow, then turned and left.

Yang Wenqing walked into the office and picked up the key to examine it. He didn’t immediately open the door that symbolized the highest authority in the branch office. Instead, he set the key aside and opened the plain wooden box.

A square, palm-sized seal lay quietly inside the box. Its body was a dark, bluish-green, warm and heavy in his hand. The seal’s knob was a simple Qilin figure. The face was smooth and uncarved, but an extremely precise runic circuit flowed within it.

This was a director-level authority seal for the City Defense System. It contained a unique Spiritual Qi recording and verification Array, used for signing top-level encrypted commands, mobilizing special resources, and authenticating with specific higher-level departments.

Gao Zhen’s aura had already been wiped clean. Yang Wenqing pressed his right thumb to the center of the Qilin’s forehead on top of the seal. With his other hand, he formed a Spell sign, activating the Array within the badge on his chest and binding his own Spiritual Qi signature to the seal.

HUM...

The seal emitted a soft, nearly inaudible chime from within. A brilliant light flashed across its surface. The dark, bluish-green material briefly took on a warm, jade-like luster before returning to its plain, ancient appearance.

Yang Wenqing could clearly feel that the Array at the seal’s core had established a stable connection with his Spiritual Qi. From this moment on, the seal would respond only to him.

Having done all this, he placed the Director’s seal in his Storage Bag and took out the Vice Director’s seal he had used for years. He needed to cleanse his personal signature from this seal so it could be passed on to his successor. Following the proper procedure, he drew out his signature, strand by strand. As he watched it revert to an unowned state, he couldn’t help but feel a flicker of emotion.

Just then, there was another knock on the office door.

"Come in."

Liu Min opened the door and entered. "Director Yang," she reported, "Yu Shen, the Deputy Head of the Major Case Team, is outside. He says he needs your final decision on the plan for dealing with the caves at Black Teeth Ridge."

"Send him in."

A faint smile touched Yang Wenqing’s lips. ’Clearly, another one here to pledge his loyalty,’ he thought. This man, Yu Shen, had tested in from a neighboring county when the Lingshan New District City Defense Bureau was first established. He was a motivated individual—and one of Yang Wenqing’s own people.

Yu Shen entered a moment later.

"Director Yang..."

After saluting, Yu Shen got straight to the point. "Based on your instructions and our on-site investigation, we’ve drafted a preliminary plan to demolish the cave at Black Teeth Ridge by blasting."

Yang Wenqing gave the document a quick look and nodded. "This looks fine. Contact the Operations Division directly and have them assign a reliable engineering squad to help you carry it out."

"Yes, Director Yang!"

Yu Shen acknowledged the order and departed.

Soon after, Liu Min reappeared, holding a folder.

"Director Yang, the staff we sent to visit Vice Director Chu have returned. The Vice Director’s injuries are no longer serious, and he should be able to resume his duties tomorrow." She paused, then continued, "Also, Director Liao’s office at the Civil Affairs Bureau responded. The site selection and preliminary design proposals for the port and Warehouse District are still under review upstairs. We should have a decision in the next day or two."

"Understood."

Yang Wenqing nodded.

For the rest of the day, Yang Wenqing buried himself in paperwork. As he was new to the position, a long line of people wanting to report to him had formed outside his office.

Time slipped by in a flurry of activity. The sky outside gradually took on an orange-red hue, and before he knew it, the workday was over. The people waiting to see him had already taken their leave. Just as Yang Wenqing was about to relax, an encrypted communication request came through the Communication Array on his chest badge.

He answered it at once.

"Wenqing."

"Master."

Qin Huaiming got straight to business. "The main bureau has selected a candidate for your Vice Director position. I’m giving you a heads-up."

Yang Wenqing sat up straighter. "Who is it?"

"Wang Hai, an old-timer from the main bureau’s General Affairs Division. He’s been stuck at the Qi Cultivation Sixth Refinement for sixty years and has no hope of advancing further," Qin Huaiming explained. "His Cultivation may be low, but he has seniority and excels at internal administration and logistics. He’s also got an easygoing temperament. He’ll make a very competent deputy."

Qin Huaiming’s choice of words was subtle. A "competent deputy" meant someone who could handle the work and take on the burden of trivial daily tasks, but who lacked the drive to take sole command and had no ambition for further advancement. It also implied that his background was relatively clean; at least for now, it didn’t seem he was a nail planted by another faction to hold Yang Wenqing back.

All such a man would want is stability, good treatment, and a measure of respect.

"I understand, Master." Yang Wenqing immediately grasped the main bureau’s reasoning. "With an experienced man like him to help, I can learn more about how to handle the countless trivial matters within the branch office."

"I’m glad you see it that way." Qin Huaiming’s voice carried a note of approval. "He’ll arrive tomorrow morning; the official appointment order will be issued at the same time. Have your people handle his reception and arrangements. You can rely on him for the branch’s day-to-day operations, which will free up your energy for more important things. And don’t neglect your cultivation."

"Yes. Thank you for your thoughtful arrangements, Master."

"Alright, I’ll let you get back to your work." Qin Huaiming ended the call.