Chapter 292 - 161: Holding Great Power

Chapter 292: Chapter 161: Holding Great Power

Yang Wenqing was taken aback for a moment, then he nodded. The director’s office was a symbol of his status; if he didn’t occupy it, there was no telling what his subordinates might say.

With that, he stood and took one last look at the office that had been his for several years before striding outside. When the young officers from the General Affairs Department saw their director emerge, they immediately stood at attention and saluted.

Yang Wenqing merely gave a faint nod and quickly passed through the secretary’s office. The outer corridor was quiet. He strode toward the director’s office, only this time, he wasn’t going to report on his work. He was walking in as its master.

He pushed open the door, and the familiar scent of sandalwood wafted out. The furnishings inside remained simple and dignified. The large red sandalwood desk was the same, but the personal collection and calligraphy of Gao Zhen that once hung on the walls had been removed. In their place were the Wanxuan Profound Bird insignia and the code of conduct for the City Defense System.

Yang Wenqing walked up to the large office chair, reaching out to gently stroke the cool, smooth desktop. His gaze swept over every corner of the room. ’This will be my primary battlefield for the next several years, if not longer.’

He felt no great excitement or self-satisfaction. Instead, the weight of responsibility on his shoulders seemed to grow heavier. Gao Zhen had left him a New District that was rapidly on the rise, but also rife with undercurrents. What he had inherited was an opportunity, but more importantly, a challenge.

Then, he walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, clasping his hands behind his back. From this height, the buildings and streets of Lingshan New District, as well as the distant outline of the port, were all in plain view. Even further out, he could see the azure surface of the sea.

Just then, a dark blue Flying Shuttle bearing the municipal bureau’s insignia streaked across the sky, descending toward the landing pad in the sub-bureau’s rear courtyard.

Yang Wenqing watched calmly.

Below, Zhu Yunchuan was already waiting at the edge of the landing pad with several mid-level officials from the sub-bureau. The Flying Shuttle’s hatch opened, and the first person to step out was a middle-aged man with the rank insignia of a police commissioner. He was probably the deputy chief of the personnel division.

Following right behind was Wang Hai. He was somewhat lean with a kindly face and graying hair. He looked as though he already had one foot in the grave, but according to his file, he was only in his eighties. Given the 180-year lifespan of a Qi Cultivator, he should have had nearly a century left if he didn’t have any latent injuries.

However, in most cases, another fifty years was the practical limit, as very few people ever lived out their full natural lifespan.

At that moment, he saw Zhu Yunchuan step forward to shake hands and exchange pleasantries with the two men. This Vice Director Wang was very courteous, but his colleague from the municipal personnel division demurred and, after a brief exchange, returned to the Flying Shuttle, clearly intending to leave immediately.

Yang Wenqing did not move, remaining at the window as he watched them disappear into the main building’s entrance. Behind him in the office, Liu Min was directing several young officers from the General Affairs Department to move essential documents, equipment, and Yang Wenqing’s personal items from his old office.

The flurry of activity lasted only a short while before the office fell silent again. Liu Min then approached and reminded him softly, "Director Yang, Director Zhu and Vice Director Wang are here to see you."

Yang Wenqing turned around, his expression restored to its usual calm. "Please show them in."

The door opened, and Zhu Yunchuan stepped aside to usher Wang Hai inside. Zhu Yunchuan’s pale complexion hinted at the lingering weakness from an unhealed injury. He spoke first, "Director, this is Vice Director Wang, transferred over from the municipal bureau."

Wang Hai immediately took half a step forward, a humble and enthusiastic smile spreading across his face. He bent his back slightly in a respectful bow. "Director, a pleasure to meet you, a true pleasure!"

His voice was smoothly enthusiastic, his cadence perfectly measured and pleasant to the ear. "I’ve long heard that Director Yang is one of the top talents in the Donghai Province City Defense System. Seeing you today, I can tell you’re every bit as impressive as the rumors say. It is the honor of a lifetime for me, Wang Hai, to come to Lingshan New District and have the opportunity to learn and work under your leadership!"

A warm smile touched Yang Wenqing’s lips as he stepped forward and extended his hand. "Vice Director Wang, you’re far too kind. It must have been a tiring journey. Please, have a seat." He guided Wang Hai and Zhu Yunchuan to the sofas in the reception area, taking the main host’s chair for himself.

Liu Min served hot tea in silence before quietly excusing herself.

"Vice Director Wang, you’re a senior with a wealth of work experience. Having you here to help oversee things in the New District is a huge relief for me," Yang Wenqing said with sincerity, lifting his teacup. "The New District is facing a thousand different issues right now. I’m young, and my considerations are not always thorough. I desperately need an experienced hand like yours to help me keep things on track."

"Director, you flatter me." Wang Hai’s smile grew even more earnest, tinged with an air of being overwhelmed by the praise. "I’ve only endured a few more years in the bureaucracy, so I’m reasonably competent at handling trivial matters. You, Director, are the one who accomplishes great things."

"The current state of Lingshan New District was built from the ground up under the leadership of yourself, Director Gao, and Director Zhu. I’ve only come to offer what little help I can in my twilight years, to allow Director Yang and Director Zhu to focus on the New District’s grand strategies and major cases. For any legwork, coordination, or relaying of orders, please, Director Yang, don’t hesitate to ask. I will do my absolute best to see it done."

His words were exceptionally polished.

"Hearing you say that, Vice Director Wang, sets my mind at ease." Yang Wenqing’s smile deepened. "The New District’s affairs are incredibly complex at the moment, especially with key projects like the port expansion and strategic warehouse construction getting underway. The amount of work involved in public safety, maintaining order, and multi-party coordination is enormous. I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you a lot in the future, Vice Director Wang. Fortunately, Director Liao Tianming over at the Civil Affairs Bureau is a practical man who gets things done."

"It’s what I should do, of course." Wang Hai nodded at once. "Coordinating with the Civil Affairs Bureau and ensuring these key projects are secure is precisely my responsibility. You can rest easy, Director. I will be sure to cooperate fully with Director Liao and our other colleagues here. I’ll get all the logistical support and coordination done right, and I absolutely won’t drag us down."