Chapter 252: Changing Personnel

Minister Li knew he couldn't stay here any longer, so he hurriedly clamped his legs and ran to a nearby shop to change his clothes.

Minister Li’s maneuver amused everyone at the scene, and even the officials hiding in the nearby teahouse watching the situation were discussing it.

"Old Li has really lost face this time. I can bring up this joke for the rest of my life."

"Exactly. Who would have thought that he would make such a fool of himself just by inspecting an institute? He’s lost all his dignity."

"Hey, he’s been in the shop buying and changing clothes for too long. Could something have happened?"

Only then did everyone realize that it had been almost an hour since Old Li went in, and the law enforcement officers in the square were getting impatient.

Although they were following orders, Minister Li’s series of actions had left the law enforcement officers present distracted, especially since their leader had run away after trouble started, leaving this group of small soldiers here to lose face. It didn't feel good for anyone.

The officials on the building next door were also discussing what had happened to Minister Li and why he hadn't come out yet.

At this moment, Minister Liu clapped his hands to attract everyone’s attention.

"Minister Li just sent me a message saying he’s not feeling well and can no longer lead the inspection team, fearing he might delay things. Who do you think is suitable to go?"

Everyone was amused upon hearing this. Minister Li was too ashamed to face people and had run away.

However, everyone then felt troubled, as no one wanted to take over the mess Minister Li had left behind; if things went wrong, they would become the laughingstock of the whole country.

At this time, a middle-aged official spoke up: "I think Minister Liu is suitable. After all, the message was sent to him after Minister Li left, which shows Old Li thinks this matter should be handled by Minister Liu."

Once this wind blew, everyone present immediately began to nominate Minister Liu.

Minister Liu felt annoyed, but since the public will was hard to defy, he had to bite the bullet and go out.

Looking at the restless law enforcement officers, Minister Liu said: "Minister Li has suddenly fallen ill, and I will lead you in the subsequent work."

Seeing that the law enforcement officers had no objections, Minister Liu nodded and led them to the entrance of the institute.

The security guard was amused; he had just scared one away, and now another one had come, so he said:

"Stop, what are you here for?"

"In view of the online public opinion, we are here to monitor whether your institute has abused funds."

Seeing Minister Liu’s official-business-like demeanor, the security guard had no way to stop him further, so he thought for a moment and said:

"Our place involves national secrets. If you come in and secrets are leaked, what then?"

Minister Liu smiled and said: "You security guards have a lot to worry about. You can't make the decision on this; get the person in charge of your institute."

Lin Fei already knew the situation at the scene through monitoring. Seeing the security guard come in, Lin Fei stood up from her chair and said to the team members beside her:

"Let’s go, let’s meet them and see what they really want to do."

Seeing Lin Fei and the others come out, Minister Liu’s lips curled into a smile, but seeing that they were all young and beautiful women, the smile on his lips grew even wider.

"Director Lin, I see that your institute seems to be entirely young women. Can you explain why that is?"

"How we employ people doesn't seem to have anything to do with Minister Liu, does it? Or does Minister Liu discriminate against women?"

"Cough, I was just curious and asked; I didn't mean anything else."

Minister Liu knew that being all-female could only be considered a baseless suspicion; without evidence, no one could be sure these women had an improper relationship with Ye Su, so he changed the subject:

"I believe Director Lin has also been paying attention to the online public opinion recently. Everyone is very concerned about the flow of funds in your institute, so the state has established a special inspection team to investigate. If the institute does not have any abuse of funds, we will clarify it to the public."

If it weren't for the Chairman sending Assistant Wan yesterday, Lin Fei might have really believed Minister Liu’s nonsense.

"Minister Liu is joking. The innocent are innocent, and the muddy are muddy. It would naturally be best if the state could come forward to help clarify. However, our institute involves national secrets, and the people you brought are a mixed bag. If technology is accidentally leaked, it would be a disaster."

Minister Liu smiled: "These people have all been vetted; there won't be any problems."

"That’s not necessarily true!"

Lin Fei turned her head to look at Zhuo Lin beside her:

"Go get our confidentiality agreements and have them sign them one by one. They can't enter until they’ve signed."

Minister Liu’s face looked a bit ugly; he hadn't expected Lin Fei to give him so little face.

"We are just verifying the flow of funds, so we don't need to be so troublesome, right!"

Lin Fei said: "No, as long as you enter, you must act according to the regulations. Minister Liu doesn't dare to let people sign—could it be that you have a guilty conscience?"

"How could that be? I’m just afraid you’ll delay time to change the fund information."

Hearing Minister Liu’s words, Lin Fei couldn't help but roll her eyes.

Seeing Lin Fei not answering, Minister Liu turned to arrange for the prosecutors and inspectors behind him to sign the confidentiality agreements.

Soon, everyone had finished signing, and a thick stack of confidentiality agreements was collected. Minister Liu looked at Lin Fei and said:

"Is that enough? Can we inspect now?"

"Minister Liu, you haven't signed the confidentiality agreement yet."

Looking at the pen and confidentiality agreement Lin Fei handed over, Minister Liu was so angry he gritted his teeth, but he still reached out and obediently signed his name.

"Is that okay?"

Lin Fei took back the agreement and smiled: "Thank you for your cooperation, Minister Liu. Please!"

Watching the inspectors pour in, Lin Fei also sighed. She could only use these petty things to disgust him.

Minister Liu led these people, and at first, they only looked at account flows and various income and expenditure records, but then he turned and headed toward the laboratory. Lin Fei hurriedly blocked him.

"Minister Liu, what is the meaning of this?"

Looking at the research lab close at hand, Minister Liu smiled:

"I see that the institute has purchased a lot of equipment and materials, so I must verify their existence. To prevent you from obstructing law enforcement during the inspection, it’s better to gather your people together."

Lin Fei just wanted to speak, but Minister Liu said:

"You’re talking about secrets, right? We’ve already signed confidentiality agreements, and regarding areas involving authority, I think my authority should be sufficient. If you try to block us again, could it be that you have a guilty conscience?"

Minister Liu led his people to follow Lin Fei and gather the institute’s personnel in the lobby, then turned and walked toward the laboratory. The inspectors inside received the news and hurriedly put away the storage cards.

When Minister Liu came in, he looked at everyone and said: "How is the inspection going? Are there any loopholes?"

The inspectors hurriedly shook their heads; they had just been busy copying data, so where would they have time to check the finances?

Minister Liu didn't give up and said: "You must check carefully. I don't believe such a large institute doesn't have any place where funds are abused."

They checked until evening and still didn't find any problems. Minister Liu also had a headache; the inspectors needed to rest too.

So he arranged for people to seal the institute. Lin Fei was immediately unhappy and found Minister Liu:

"Minister Liu, it’s a bit unreasonable for you to seal our institute without any clear cause, isn't it? And where are so many of us supposed to live?"

Minister Liu smiled: "Since we haven't finished checking today, everything here must be sealed first. I’ve already found a place for you to stay. For your safety, you will temporarily live there. If you need to leave for any reason, I will arrange for personnel to accompany you."

"Minister Liu, you are placing us under house arrest in disguise."

Minister Liu, having revealed his true colors, directly arranged for personnel to forcibly escort Lin Fei and the others out, and the institute was thus sealed.

Just as Minister Liu was about to take his people away, blinding lights lit up all around, and a group of fully armed soldiers surrounded them.

Minister Liu hadn't expected trouble to arise at this critical moment. Looking at the army that had suddenly appeared, Minister Liu walked forward a few steps.

"Which unit are you from? How could you appear here?"

At this moment, the crowd parted, and an officer wearing a Major General’s uniform with a stern face walked out.

"Minister Liu, long time no see!"

"Qin Zheng, it’s you! Why aren't you staying on the battlefield commanding the fight? What are you doing here?"

Minister Liu frowned, unable to figure out why Qin Zheng had suddenly appeared here.

Qin Zheng looked at Minister Liu and smiled, saying:

"The front-line battlefield is currently stable, thanks to the Transformers provided by Ye Su’s institute. The Chairman has ordered me to lead a team to protect the safety of the institute. I’ve just returned. Minister Liu, what is this?"

Minister Liu clenched his fists tightly. He hadn't expected that old man to pop up again, but he still took a breath and looked at Qin Zheng:

"I came to inspect the institute. Since the inspection isn't finished, I have to evacuate the personnel inside first. I was just worried that there would be no one to guard the institute and something would go wrong. It’s good that the Chairman thought ahead and called you back. Since you’re here, I’ll be leaving..."

After speaking, Minister Liu was about to leave with his people, but the soldiers didn't move aside without orders. Minister Liu turned to look at Qin Zheng and asked:

"Major General Qin, what is this?"

"You can leave, but the people from the institute must stay! I am just executing orders! If you don't want to leave, you can stay too!"

Minister Liu looked at Qin Zheng’s upright and unyielding appearance, waved his hand in anger, left Lin Fei and the others behind, and walked away with his inspectors.

"Sister Zhuo Lin! Are you all okay?"

Seeing Minister Liu leave, Yu Xian also jumped down from a Transformer and came to the front of Zhuo Lin and the others.

Only then did the women see the blinding lights all around; they were actually Transformers built by the research lab.

Zhuo Lin looked at Yu Xian, who was holding her arm, and asked in surprise: "Why are you back?"

"Commander Qin received orders to protect the safety of the institute. We ran back as soon as we received the news."

"Aren't you afraid of violating military orders by running back without permission?"

Lin Fei was a bit worried; after all, this was something that could be used against them, and the enemy was a high-ranking official with power. If the other party used this as an excuse, she feared Yu Xian and the others might be treated as deserters.