The sun was shining brightly outside, its rays streaming through the high windows of the auditorium. The light illuminated their warm smiles and dignified postures, creating a picture of perfect harmony between the ranks.
However, this perfect "show" hadn’t been playing for long before Director Qin gently raised a hand, cutting off the next round of pleasantries that Director Zhang was about to deliver.
"Alright, Qiming, Xiaogao."
Director Qin’s tone was mild. "Now that Wenqing has won, let’s expedite the procedural matters. Handle the public announcements and filings, and get the appointment documents issued as soon as possible. The county is in a turbulent period right now. The Zhenyuan Mining case has far-reaching implications, and the task force needs you to dedicate more of your energy to it."
The smile on Director Zhang’s face stiffened for a moment before he quickly recovered, nodding. "Director Qin is right. Vice Director Gao, I want you to personally oversee the paperwork for Wenqing’s promotion. Make sure it’s completed at top speed."
Vice Director Gao replied earnestly, "Yes, Director Zhang. Rest assured, Director Qin, I’ll see to it immediately."
Director Qin then turned to Yang Wenqing and offered a simple piece of advice: "Keep up the good work, young man."
With that, he gave Director Zhang a slight nod, then turned and, flanked by his entourage, led the way out of the auditorium.
As soon as Director Qin was gone, the harmonious atmosphere on the stage seemed to dissipate. Director Zhang gave a few more brief instructions to Yang Wenqing and Vice Director Gao before leaving with Wu Qianjun, who had risen to his feet.
The perfunctory smile on Vice Director Gao’s face vanished. He beckoned to Yang Wenqing. "Wenqing, come with me."
"Yes, Vice Director Gao."
The two walked toward the main building, one in front of the other. Any colleagues they passed, regardless of their private thoughts, saluted Vice Director Gao and cast envious glances toward Yang Wenqing. Then they would respectfully call out, "Yang Group Leader."
After they entered Vice Director Gao’s spacious office, he gestured for Yang Wenqing to sit across from the desk. He then took out a specialized talismanic imprinting device and a brand-new silver badge from a drawer.
"This is the standard-issue identification badge for a deputy group leader. It’s linked to the core Array in your previous sergeant’s badge, but the clearance level is different," Vice Director Gao explained as he operated the device. "I’m entering your promotion information now and syncing it with the municipal bureau’s records system."
He placed Yang Wenqing’s old sergeant’s badge and the new one into two separate slots on the runic device. Then, using his own badge, he executed a Spell. The runes on the device lit up in sequence. About fifteen minutes later, the Spiritual Light faded, and the surface of the new badge seemed to shimmer with a more subdued luster.
Vice Director Gao removed the new badge and handed it to Yang Wenqing. "Go on, put it on. You can keep the old one as a souvenir or turn it in to the logistics department, either is fine."
Yang Wenqing accepted it with both hands. The new badge felt surprisingly heavy. After examining it for a moment, he carefully affixed it to his police-issue belt.
Vice Director Gao continued, "The responsibilities of the Major Case Team’s deputy leader are significant. First, you have the authority to open cases independently. As long as a case isn’t highly sensitive or cross-jurisdictional, you can open an investigation on behalf of the Major Case Team whenever you deem it necessary, without needing prior approval for every single thing. However, you must promptly submit the case-opening reports for major incidents to be filed."
"Second, you have the authority to handle daily affairs. Once you’re officially in the position, I’ll be focusing my primary efforts on my duties as Vice Director. That means the Major Case Team’s day-to-day administration, personnel deployment, resource applications, and other similar matters are all yours to manage."
"Third, and most importantly, you will have full authority to access and audit case files..."
Vice Director Gao leaned forward slightly. "You can access every case file the Major Case Team has handled since its formation, including both open and closed cases. You can offer suggestions and provide oversight on all current investigations. If you find something suspicious in a closed case, you even have the right to request it be reopened or to initiate an internal review. To put it simply, you have the authority to inquire about, audit, and question every single case the Major Case Team handles."
"One final area of authority is the ability to mobilize two platoons of Government Soldiers for certain special cases. However, after the case is closed, you will be subject to a review by Internal Affairs Inspection. So, do not use this power unless you have absolutely no other choice."
Yang Wenqing felt a surge of emotion as he listened. These powers meant he was truly entering the management echelon of the bureau.
"Of course, with great power comes great responsibility, so you must be all the more cautious," Vice Director Gao reminded him. "Every decision you make, especially those involving case classification or personnel issues, must be well-reasoned and able to withstand scrutiny. Director Zhou from Internal Affairs Inspection might be on our side, but when it comes to matters of principle, he will show no mercy and play no favorites. That’s his code for survival."
"I understand, Vice Director Gao," Yang Wenqing replied, his expression solemn.
"Good." Vice Director Gao nodded in satisfaction, then pointed to a room across the hall from his office. "Your new office will be in that storage room over there. I’ve already told the General Affairs Department to have it cleaned out by the end of the day."
Yang Wenqing glanced instinctively toward his office door.
Vice Director Gao continued, "You’ll no longer be serving concurrently as the captain of Squad One. From now on, focus on managing the Major Case Team’s daily affairs. Liu Xin will be transferred to take command of Squad One. I’ve already tasked her with covertly integrating Squad One and Squad Two. As for Squad Three, you’ll remain in charge of it; that squad is key to maintaining peace in the city proper."
He paused for a moment before adding, "As for the captaincy of Squad Two, I expect it will most likely go to Wu Qianjun. We have to show some deference to the Director, after all. Besides, from what I’ve seen, he’s a skilled point man. If we use him well, he can rack up a lot of merits for us."
Hearing this, Yang Wenqing began to understand the full picture. He realized Vice Director Gao genuinely intended for him to manage the Major Case Team’s day-to-day operations, not just serve as a figurehead like his predecessor, Wang Jianchao.