I Cultivate in a Government Office

Lu Zheng returned the gesture. "Director Yang, you're too kind. Please rest assured."

…

「Half an hour later.」

Yang Wenqing's private Flying Shuttle quietly departed from the Lingshan New District. Sitting inside the shuttle, he didn't waste energy pondering the reason for his superior's summons. Instead, he seized the moment to close his eyes and rest.

Several hours later, the Flying Shuttle landed on the rooftop launchpad of the city bureau. Yang Wenqing was in excellent condition. A sharp-faced young man was waiting quietly outside the cabin door—it was Secretary Li, one of Director Qi's aides.

"Director Yang, Director Qi and Director Qin are waiting for you," Secretary Li said concisely. He led Yang Wenqing through multiple security checks and into Director Qi's office.

The lighting in the room was soft, and the faint scent of spiritual sandalwood filled the air. Qi Yue sat behind a large desk, while Director Qin was on a sofa to the side. Upon seeing Yang Wenqing enter, Director Qin gave him a slight nod.

"Have a seat."

Qi Yue pointed to the chair opposite him.

Yang Wenqing immediately sat down, his posture perfectly upright.

"Has Lu Zheng taken over your duties?" Director Qin asked, his tone as steady as ever.

"Yes, the handover is complete."

Qi Yue set down a document and fixed his gaze on Yang Wenqing. "The Lingshan New District is shouldering a heavy burden right now—the Port District expansion, the strategic warehouses, and so on. This means that for a long time to come, the Lingshan New District will be a top priority. There can be no mistakes."

Yang Wenqing immediately responded, "I was just about to request instructions from the bureau. After the Port District expansion, the jurisdiction of the original security station has become insufficient. Could we establish a dedicated port security station? The strategic Warehouse District has extremely high security requirements and also needs its own separate security station, equipped with a stronger guard force."

"Manpower and funding are not an issue." Qi Yue cut him off, his tone definitive. "You have funding support from the Central Government Pavilion. The Provincial Hall and the city bureau will also give their full support. Submit a report for however many people you need. Equipment, Flying Shuttles, Arrays—you'll get priority."

Yang Wenqing felt a little more at ease. "Thank you for your support, Director Qi!"

Just then, Director Qin set down his teacup. His voice was gentle, yet tinged with gravity. "Wenqing, you'll get the support, but there are some things you need to be aware of." He looked at Yang Wenqing. "For example, your request today for an Entry-level Cultivator to take action."

Yang Wenqing's heart tightened.

Qi Yue took over the conversation, his tone more serious than before. "Your reasoning—to quickly eliminate a hidden danger—can't be said to be wrong. But at this particular juncture, making that request to Director Shen showed a lack of political consideration."

He sighed. "Director Shen wants to use this as a pretext to reshuffle personnel in the Lingshan New District."

Upon hearing this, Yang Wenqing felt his throat go dry. "Reshuffle personnel?"

Director Qin spoke slowly, "Gao Zhen is at a critical point in his attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage. In theory, he should be transferred to a sinecure at the city bureau until his breakthrough is successful. We've been holding off on that matter. However, the Lingshan New District is currently facing a multitude of issues and needs its commanding officer present. Your earlier proposal gave Director Shen the perfect opportunity to bring up Gao Zhen's situation."

Sitting in his chair, Yang Wenqing felt a chill slowly rise from the bottom of his heart. He recalled Zhou Mu's 'sincere' advice during their communication, and the unimpeachable reasoning Director Shen had given when rejecting his request.

He had unwittingly become someone else's pawn. He hadn't thought that far at the time because Zhou Mu had always appeared upright and steady. The suggestion he'd offered didn't seem problematic for the issue Yang Wenqing was facing. But the path he'd casually pointed out was actually a meticulously dug pit.

To put it simply: Zhou Mu, that big-eyed, thick-browed man, was also playing petty games.

Director Qin then added, "You had just finished explaining the situation in your communication, and before we even had a chance to respond, Director Shen was already making inquiries. We didn't even have an opportunity to warn you."