Chapter 284 - 157: Transfer of Power (Part 2)

Chapter 284: Chapter 157: Transfer of Power (Part 2)

Setting down the badge, Yang Wenqing leaned back in his chair, gazing at the deepening twilight outside the window.

The selection for the deputy director was settled, meaning the most important piece of the puzzle in building his team was about to fall into place. An experienced, non-threatening, veteran deputy was exactly what he needed right now.

’Wang Hai.’ He repeated the name to himself.

Just as Yang Wenqing was pondering how to meet with this Deputy Director Wang Hai tomorrow, the badge on his chest flashed again. This time, it was a private communication from Wang Ren.

After accepting the call, Wang Ren’s hearty voice came through, "Wenqing, congratulations!"

"Brother Wang, you’re well-informed." Yang Wenqing’s tone was friendly. "It was just luck, and I have the trust of the city bureau’s leadership to thank."

"Alright, no need to be so modest with me." Wang Ren’s laughter grew louder. "Are you free tonight? I’m bringing a couple of friends over to the New District to look around and congratulate you. Xiao Liang happens to be free too, and it’s been a while since we all got together."

Yang Wenqing felt a stir of interest. He had also been wanting to get together with Wang Ren but hadn’t expected the other man to be even more eager. He readily replied, "If Brother Wang is coming, I’ll definitely make time. I’ll arrange the place. I’ll make sure you and your friends have a great time."

"Great! It’s a deal then. I’ll let you know when we arrive."

Wang Ren sounded very pleased.

After ending the communication, Yang Wenqing had just picked up his teacup when the badge lit up again. This time it was Du Hong, the chief of the Lingshan Mine District’s security station.

"Director Yang, am I disturbing you?" Du Hong’s voice carried a hint of restraint and an unconcealable joy.

"Old Du, what is it?" Yang Wenqing’s tone was calm.

"Just reporting in. The work of salvaging the Demon Soldier wreckage and the initial cleanup in the Port District is basically finished. For the subsequent purification process and settlement with the Commerce Association, I’ve assigned dedicated personnel to oversee it to ensure nothing goes wrong. Also..."

Du Hong first reported on a pile of trivial matters, then his tone shifted. "And... Director Yang, congratulations! Everyone at the mining district security station is happy for you. From now on, we’ll follow your every command!"

Du Hong’s declaration of loyalty was very direct.

Yang Wenqing said, "Keep a close watch on matters in the port and the mining district. Coordinate well with the Government Soldiers. The New District isn’t peaceful lately. Your security station has a great responsibility, and you can’t afford to relax in the slightest."

"Yes, sir! Please rest assured, Director Yang. I will definitely keep the mining district secure for you!"

Du Hong promised loudly.

After ending the call with Du Hong, the office finally fell silent.

Yang Wenqing stood up and walked to the window. In a single day, the transfer of power, contact from allies, and pledges of loyalty from subordinates had all come one after another, yet it all seemed to be proceeding in an orderly fashion.

He rubbed the bridge of his nose, feeling a little mentally fatigued, but even more so, a sense of fulfillment from having the situation gradually unfold under his control.

Afterward, Yang Wenqing used the Communication Array to contact Yang Yong and instructed, "Arrange for a quiet private room at Jinghai Pavilion. I’m hosting distinguished guests tonight. Prepare everything to the highest standard, but be discreet."

Jinghai Pavilion was a property owned by the Yang family, located on a relatively secluded street in the central area of the New District. On the outside, it appeared to be just a quaint, three-story wooden building with a small storefront and an unremarkable sign. Inside, however, was a whole different world. It was not open to the public and was used exclusively for the family to host important partners or to handle meetings that were inconvenient to conduct in public.

"Understood, Patriarch. I will arrange it personally," Yang Yong immediately agreed.

After arranging the venue, Yang Wenqing finished the last few urgent documents on his desk, then stood up, changed into casual clothes, and left the office. Liu Min, who was waiting outside, offered to follow, but Yang Wenqing declined.

Yang Wenqing boarded his private Flying Shuttle and didn’t head directly to Jinghai Pavilion. Instead, he first took a detour to circle the main streets of the city district.

The martial law order had not yet been lifted. The commercial districts, normally bustling after nightfall, now appeared exceptionally deserted. Only a few shops selling daily necessities were still lit, with guards posted at their entrances. Occasionally, the low hum of a patrol Flying Shuttle would cut through the air, its searchlight beams sweeping across the buildings and empty streets.

Yang Wenqing frowned slightly as he watched the scene outside his window. ’The impact of martial law on the people’s livelihood is tangible. I have to solve the case and restore order as soon as possible.’

Afterward, the Flying Shuttle landed silently on an inconspicuous, private landing pad in the backyard of Jinghai Pavilion.

Yang Yong was already waiting there. He led Yang Wenqing directly through a side entrance, down a quiet bamboo path, to an elegant, self-contained courtyard behind the main building, complete with a rockery and flowing water.

Yang Wenqing sat down in a tea pavilion in a corner of the courtyard. A server brought him clear tea and a few exquisite snacks. He slowly sipped his tea, watching the babbling stream in the courtyard, allowing his mind to settle after a busy day.

Just past eight in the evening, Xiao Liang initiated a communication. "Wenqing, we’ve arrived in the New District. The security checks on your end are a bit strict."

Yang Wenqing immediately instructed Yang Yong to go and receive them, while he himself rose from the tea pavilion and walked to the front of Jinghai Pavilion’s quaint main entrance to wait.

In just a moment, two low-profile private Flying Shuttles could be seen landing lightly in the night, one after the other, on the swept flagstone clearing in front of the entrance.

The hatch doors opened, and the first to step out of the lead Flying Shuttle were none other than Wang Ren and Xiao Liang.

Wang Ren still had his usual cheerful demeanor, while Xiao Liang was much more composed. Both of them smiled upon seeing Yang Wenqing.

"Wenqing!" Wang Ren strode forward and clapped Yang Wenqing firmly on the shoulder, laughing. "You’re really something, brother! You’re moving up so fast even I can’t keep up!"

"Brother Wang, you jest. Please, come inside." Yang Wenqing replied with a smile, then nodded to Xiao Liang in greeting. "Brother Xiao."

At that moment, two young men stepped out of the second Flying Shuttle. They looked to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, about the same age as Yang Wenqing. One was handsome with sharp, lively eyes, while the other was a bit more reserved, his gaze more withdrawn.

After disembarking, they didn’t rush forward. Instead, they took a moment to compose themselves before following Wang Ren over. They carried themselves with ease, but a faint air of arrogance in their expressions could not be completely hidden.

Seeing this, Wang Ren quickly turned to the side to make introductions. "Wenqing, come, let me introduce you to two young talents. This is Zhao Jingming, Young Master Zhao, and this is Li Muyan, Young Master Li. They’re both top figures among the younger generation in our province."

Zhao Jingming and Li Muyan cupped their fists in a salute to Yang Wenqing at the same time, their tone reasonably polite. "We have long admired Director Yang’s great name. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation. Congratulations on your promotion, Director Yang."

"Young Master Zhao, Young Master Li, you’re too kind. It is my honor to have you both visit the Lingshan New District. Please, come in." Yang Wenqing returned the salute.

The group exchanged pleasantries as they walked inside. After they were seated in the Tingtao Pavilion private room, exquisite spiritual dishes and fine wines were served like a flowing stream.

After several courses, Zhao Jingming set down his wine cup and looked at Yang Wenqing, a probing smile on his face. "Director Yang, if I may be so bold as to ask, I heard that not long ago, you were formally accepted into the Xuanyue Lineage?"

Yang Wenqing’s heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained unchanged as he nodded, admitting it frankly. "My master was gracious enough to accept me. It is true."

Zhao Jingming and Li Muyan glanced at each other, a flicker of gravity in their eyes. Li Muyan then took over the conversation, his tone a degree or two friendlier than before. "For Director Yang to be able to enter the Xuanyue Lineage, you must have extraordinary qualities. Your future is limitless."

Their words clearly showed an unusual level of apprehension toward the Xuanyue Lineage.

This was the first time Yang Wenqing had so directly felt the power and influence wielded by his master, Qin Huaiming, and the lineage behind him.

Immediately after, Zhao Jingming changed the subject. "By the way, Director Yang, I hear the Government Soldiers are going to take over the daily defense of the Lingshan Mine District, is that right?"

He picked up his wine cup and swirled it gently. "My family has a small business in military supply, and we’ve had dealings with the Government Soldiers’ logistics system. From what I know, this time they’re just filling out the battalion of Government Soldiers that was originally assigned to the Lingshan New District."

A battalion was five hundred men. Previously, the Lingshan New District had three hundred Government Soldiers. The two patrol inspectors were part of the standard deployment for a major county town, not for a full battalion. They generally didn’t manage the soldiers’ daily training and spent most of their time cultivating.

Yang Wenqing’s brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

The information he had received from his master, Qin Huaiming, was that the Government Soldiers would completely take over the defense of the mining district. In exchange, he would have to give up twenty percent of the New District’s Energy Stone exchange quota. He had originally assumed the Government Soldiers would dispatch a large force—at least a thousand combat soldiers.

But now, according to Zhao Jingming, the Government Soldiers only planned to send an additional two hundred men. To take a share worth hundreds of millions for such a small effort was, by any calculation, a losing deal.

For Young Master Zhao to bring this up, Yang Wenqing realized, meant he also wanted a piece of the pie.