Chapter 859: with translation of chapter title

Provincial Public Security Department

Qi Bureau Chief's office is on the ninth floor; outside the floor-to-ceiling windows you can see half of Wuzhou city's scenery. But now, Qi Bureau Chief definitely isn't in the mood to admire this scenery.

The scenery outside the window, no matter how beautiful, has become tiresome after so many years of looking at it.

Nobody wants to stay put in this position without moving; shifting one's butt up a bit to see a different scenery that can't be seen from this spot—that's what Qi Bureau Chief should be pursuing.

"Mayor Lin, what wind blew you here?"

Qi Bureau Chief personally poured Lin Dongfan a cup of tea and sat down opposite him, smiling with eyes narrowed.

Lin Dongfan lifted his teacup, not rushing to drink, and got straight to the point: "Qi Bureau Chief, regarding Yang Qing's reinstatement progress, are you truly unable to push it forward, or do you simply not want to?"

"What's wrong? Are you anxious?" Qi Bureau Chief chuckled: "Did you come today specially to raise an army and question me?"

"Indeed I'm a bit anxious, but not to the point of raising an army to question you." Lin Dongfan took a small sip of tea and smiled: "Your Dragon Well tea is truly fragrant."

"If you like it, I'll have the rest packed for you to take away." Qi Bureau Chief displayed a generous, heroic bearing.

Lin Dongfan also smiled sincerely: "I, Lin Dongfan, never do things that take what others like." He thought, unless this tea were a peerless, independent northern beauty, and I happened to be possessed by a Cao thief.

However, such rogue's idle talk can only be pondered in the heart; it cannot be spoken aloud.

Lin Dongfan put down his tea and got straight to the point: "Over in Wuzhou, there's a case that needs the Provincial Department to take over. I hope you can let Yang Qing lead the team; please give me a convenience."

"As for Yang Qing's matter, the procedures have basically been completed."

Qi Bureau Chief gazed at Lin Dongfan with a smile.

After a few seconds of silence, he continued: "But you also know that the incident of his 'serious injury and amnesia' back then is all recorded in the files. Now to reinstate him, we need to prove his mind is fine. Some people in the province..."

"What's wrong with some people in the province?" Lin Dongfan pressed.

Qi Bureau Chief smiled but didn't pick up on that topic.

He thought, you're not asking this without knowing the answer; obviously someone in the province is applying obstruction, and not everyone wants to see Yang Qing reinstated.

Qi Bureau Chief cut off this topic and countered Lin Dongfan: "Mayor Lin, do you know why I've never been able to enter the Standing Committee?"

Lin Dongfan's brows furrowed slightly.

This question came too suddenly, but it's not hard to see that Qi Bureau Chief's real meaning isn't to say the province's waters are deep; rather, he means—I want to enter the ministry!

Lin Dongfan said: "Qi Bureau Chief, speak plainly, don't beat around the bush."

"Good, you're straightforward, I'm straightforward too, so I'll just say it straight." Qi Bureau Chief put down his teacup: "Reinstating Yang Qing—I can handle this. I can settle any procedural issues. I can also find ways to suppress the doubts of those people in the province. But I'm doing you such a big favor, taking on responsibility—how will you comfort me?"

Lin Dongfan smiled and said nothing.

Qi Bureau Chief added: "Reinstating Yang Qing is like adding wings to a tiger for you, but for me it's an offense that will make enemies. There are only a few seats on the Standing Committee; who exactly doesn't want Yang Qing reinstated? You know that yourself. If I help you bear this thunder, shouldn't you also help me bear something? To speak frankly, you're now in Wuzhou, thriving and prosperous; whereas I'm sitting on a cold bench in the province, and my heart feels unbalanced as well."

Lin Dongfan lifted his teacup, took a slow sip, and said: "What do you want me to help you bear? Say it first, let's hear it, and see if I can bear it."

"Enter the Standing Committee."

Qi Bureau Chief held up a number gesture and spoke frankly: "I've been in this position at the Provincial Department for thirteen years, unique nationwide. Each time I'm just a small step away; when I'm about to see the dawn, someone slaps me down to the floor. To be honest, I'm very unwilling; I shouldn't stop here."

"I'm not a Standing Committee member, I can't meddle in provincial affairs—how can I help you?" Lin Dongfan gave a helpless, wry smile.

"If you say that, then it's pointless." Qi Bureau Chief instantly felt a bit disappointed, his smile turning bitter, revealing a hint of despair.

Lin Dongfan said: "Wang Qigang is a member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee; I'm not even a Standing Committee member. Now the whole province knows that Wang Qigang and I are superficially friendly but at odds. Even if I go to Secretary Jiang to help you put in a good word, would Secretary Jiang believe me or Wang Qigang?"

"Of course he'd believe you."

Qi Bureau Chief emphasized firmly: "After all, you're a member of the Lin family from Jingcheng; just based on that, Secretary Jiang will also give you some face. This is also the main reason you've been able to break the deadlock in Wuzhou. If the province doesn't support you, even if you had three heads and six arms, you might not be able to hold on until now—this is absolutely true."

Lin Dongfan remained silent.

Qi Bureau Chief spoke earnestly: "Dongfan, I know the Lin family acts low-key, and the old leaders don't like to interfere in local affairs. But the situation now is that I need someone who can speak for me, and you need Yang Qing—we each take what we need. If I rise, then when you eventually enter the Standing Committee, won't you also have an extra person who can speak for you?"

Upon hearing that, Lin Dongfan couldn't help but laugh: "Qi Bureau Chief, you really dare to say anything."

"Here it's just you and me; I absolutely trust you and don't want to beat around the bush." Qi Bureau Chief looked on eagerly: "I hope you can give this careful thought."

Lin Dongfan lit a cigarette and took two sullen puffs.

Silence lingered for a while.

Lin Dongfan finally spoke up and asked: "How soon at the earliest can Yang Qing's reinstatement be processed? This matter can't be delayed."

Upon hearing that, Qi Bureau Chief was overjoyed.

Since Lin Dongfan still pinned his hopes on Qi Bureau Chief for Yang Qing's reinstatement, it shows that Lin Dongfan has already agreed to the negotiation terms just mentioned.

Qi Bureau Chief replied firmly: "As long as you give me a reassurance, I can guarantee that the reinstatement documents will be announced next Monday."

"A reassurance? Haven't I already given you one?"

Lin Dongfan and Qi Bureau Chief exchanged a smile; everything was understood without words.

Qi Bureau Chief excitedly stood up and extended his hand toward Lin Dongfan: "I've waited for this day for over ten years; this time I truly see the dawn."

"Please have a seat."

Lin Dongfan couldn't be bothered to get up and shake hands, gesturing for Qi Bureau Chief to sit and talk.

"Qi Bureau Chief, I have a question I want to ask you."

"Please go ahead."

"What do you know about that person Zhou Zheng?"

"Zhou Zheng? The Zhou Zheng from Wuzhou's Criminal Investigation Detachment? What's up?"

Qi Bureau Chief looked at Lin Dongfan, puzzled.

Seeing Lin Dongfan smile without speaking, Qi Bureau Chief added: "Zhou Zheng has a good relationship with Political Commissar Zheng of the City Bureau; Old Zheng used to be his master. As for other connections, I haven't paid much attention."

Lin Dongfan nodded: "Wuzhou's public security currently has no one usable. I hope your Provincial Department can take over Wuzhou's case. After Yang Qing is reinstated, he will lead the team in investigation."

"The Wuzhou case involves multiple lives and counts as a major case. Handled by our Provincial Department, procedurally there's no problem." Qi Bureau Chief emphasized solemnly: "You can rest assured about this matter; since you gave me a reassurance, I will seize the authority to investigate major cases in Wuzhou, even if I have to grab it."

"Alright, I'll wait for your good news." Lin Dongfan got up, shook hands to say goodbye: "Later, I'll go find Yang Qing to talk about his reinstatement, so he can prepare mentally for a tough battle."