Chapter 954

The day after the meeting ended, the citywide public security rectification storm kicked off.

Translation: "The day after the meeting ended, the storm of citywide public security rectification began." Or "The day after the meeting concluded, a storm of citywide public security rectification kicked off." Keep concise.

The day after the meeting ended, the citywide public security rectification storm kicked off.

The first task is to install surveillance cameras across the entire city.

Translation: "The first task was to install surveillance cameras citywide."

Eliminate blind spots in the urban area.

Translation: "Eliminate blind spots in the urban area."

The document was passed down through the layers, and when it reached the Municipal Public Security Bureau, it had become a notice and a string of cold numbers—1,600 new surveillance points to be added, with a deadline of one month.

Translation: "After layer upon layer of transmission, when the document reached the Municipal Public Security Bureau, it had become a notice and a string of cold numbers—1,600 new surveillance points to be added, with a deadline of one month."

We need to keep numbers exactly: one thousand six hundred equals 1,600. Use comma? The source uses Chinese grouping; we can keep as 1,600. Should we keep as 1600? Usually we keep as 1,600. It's fine.

Lu Zhiwei looked at the notice, glumly stubbing out his cigarette in the ashtray.

Translation: "Luo Zhiwei looked at the notice, glumly stubbing out his cigarette butt in the ashtray."

He felt utterly disconsolate.

Translation: "He felt utterly disconsolate."

Lu Zhiwei picked up his briefcase from the desk, stood up, and left. Driver Xiao Zhou was wiping the car in the courtyard; seeing the leader come out, he hurriedly tossed the rag into the bucket.

We need to keep as single line; but there are two sentences. We'll translate both.

Translation: "Luo Zhiwei picked up his briefcase from the desk and stood to leave. Driver Xiao Zhou was wiping the car in the courtyard; seeing the leader come out, he hurriedly tossed the rag into the bucket."

"Director Lu, where are you going?"

Translation: "\"Director Luo, where are you headed? \""

"The municipal government."

Translation: "\"The municipal government. \""

The special car quickly drove out of the bureau compound and merged onto the main road.

Translation: "The special car soon drove out of the City Bureau compound and merged onto the main thoroughfare."

Lu Zhiwei leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes, and his mind was filled with one word—money! Damn, where am I going to get this money?

Translation: "Luo Zhiwei leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes, and his mind was filled with one word—money! Damn, where am I supposed to get this money?"

Adding 1,600 surveillance cameras might not even be covered by 30 million yuan.

Translation: "Adding 1,600 surveillance cameras might not even be covered by 30 million."

The bureau's budget for this year has already been exhausted; where would this money come from? If it weren't a last resort, he truly wouldn't want to ask Lin Dongfan for help. But there's no choice—this matter has landed on his head, and he cannot avoid it.

Translation: "The City Bureau's budget for this year is already exhausted—where would this money come from? If he weren't out of options, he truly wouldn't want to go beg Lin Dongfan. But there's no choice; this matter has landed on his head, unavoidable."

The municipal government building.

Translation: "Municipal Government Building."

Secretary Xiao Chen pushed the door open and said: "Mayor Lin, Director Lu of the Public Security Bureau has a request to meet."

Translation: "Secretary Xiao Chen pushed the door open: \"Mayor Lin, Director Luo of the Public Security Bureau has a request to meet. \""

"Let him in."

Translation: "\"Let him in. \""

Lin Dongfan lifted his head and set aside his current work.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan lifted his head and set aside his work."

Lu Zhiwei politely thanked Xiao Chen, then after entering, he openly sat down opposite Lin Dongfan and took out a document from his briefcase.

Note: there is a typo; the phrase should be 'after entering'. We'll translate.

Translation: "Luo Zhiwei politely thanked Xiao Chen, then entered and sat down openly opposite Lin Dongfan, taking out a document from his briefcase."

"Mayor Lin, regarding the task of installing surveillance citywide and eliminating blind spots, our bureau will fully cooperate. The bureau's budget this year is limited; we hope the city can allocate the funds as soon as possible."

Translation: "\"Mayor Lin, regarding the task of installing surveillance citywide and eliminating blind spots, our bureau will fully cooperate. The City Bureau's budget this year is limited; we hope the municipal authorities can allocate the funds promptly. \""

Saying this, Lu Zhiwei pushed the budget list in his hand toward Lin Dongfan.

Translation: "Saying this, Luo Zhiwei pushed the budget list in his hand toward Lin Dongfan."

Lin Dongfan picked it up and gave it a casual glance.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan picked it up and gave it a casual glance."

"He incredulously asked Lu Zhiwei: 'Your bureau is so poor you can't even afford to install surveillance cameras?'"

Translation: "He asked Luo Zhiwei in disbelief: \"Your bureau is so poor you can't even afford to install surveillance? \""

"Mayor Lin, this isn't about installing one or two cameras; it's about citywide coverage and eliminating blind spots." Lu Zhiwei, feeling wronged, explained to Lin Dongfan in a matter-of-fact tone: "The initial estimate for adding 1,600 surveillance points—from equipment procurement to installation and maintenance—is 50 million yuan. This is not a small amount. Our bureau's annual budget, just to keep daily operations running, is already stretched thin; we simply cannot come up with this money."

Translation: "\"Mayor Lin, this isn't installing just one or two cameras—it's citywide coverage to eliminate blind spots. \" Luo Zhiwei explained, feeling wronged, in a matter-of-fact tone: \"The initial estimate for adding 1,600 surveillance points—from equipment procurement to installation and maintenance—comes to 50 million yuan. This is no small sum. The City Bureau's annual budget, just to keep daily operations running, is already stretched thin; we truly can't come up with this money. \""

Lin Dongfan lifted his teacup and took a sip of tea.

Translation: "Lin Dongfan lifted his teacup and took a sip."

He replied leisurely: "The city's finances are also tight. The Yunding Mountain Villa resumption needs money, the Jinxian County project needs money, and several livelihood projects are waiting for funding. Your bureau's problem is for you to solve yourselves."

Translation: "He replied calmly: \"The municipal finances are tight too. Work on Cloud Peak Mountain Villa needs funding, as does the project in Jinxī County, and several livelihood projects are waiting for resources. Your bureau's problem is yours to solve. \""

"Sigh..."

Translation: "\"Ah... \""

Lu Zhiwei shook his head, sighed, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

Translation: "Luo Zhiwei shook his head, sighed, said nothing more, and turned to leave."

Although he had expected the city not to readily allocate funds, he didn't anticipate that Mayor Lin would refuse so bluntly. It seemed like a denial of face to Lu Zhiwei, but in reality it was aimed at slapping the face of the new party secretary, Guo Binghua.

Translation: "Although he had expected the municipal authorities not to release funds easily, he didn't anticipate that Mayor Lin would refuse so bluntly. It seemed like a denial of face to Luo Zhiwei, but in reality it was meant to slap the face of the new Party Secretary, Character."

Returning to the bureau.

Translation: "Returning to the City Bureau,"

Lu Zhiwei threw the task list to Office Director Old Liu: "The higher-ups demand citywide surveillance installation, adding 1,600 points. Deadline is one month—go implement it."

Translation: "Luo Zhiwei tossed the task list to Office Director Lao Liu: \"Superiors demand citywide surveillance installation, adding 1,600 points. Deadline: one month. You go implement it. \""

Old Liu stared for a moment: "1,600? Where's the money?"

Translation: "Lao Liu stared for a moment: \"1,600? Where's the money? \""

"No money—you figure it out yourself."

Translation: "\"No money—figure it out yourself. \""

At this moment, Lu Zhiwei's demeanor really resembled that of a hands-off manager.

Translation: "At this moment, Luo Zhiwei's demeanor was rather like that of a hands-off manager."

But Old Lu didn't see himself as a hands-off manager, because he had already tried to secure matching funds. As for whether the superiors provide money, that's their business; he felt he hadn't done anything wrong.

Translation: "But Old Luo didn't see himself as a hands-off manager, since he had already tried hard to secure matching funds. Whether superiors provide the money is their business; he felt he hadn't done anything wrong."

Old Liu opened his mouth, wanting to speak but holding back, looking like a helpless wife unable to cook without rice.

Translation: "Lao Liu opened his mouth, wanting to speak but holding back, looking like a put-upon struggler unable to cook without rice."

He agonized over it for a while.

Translation: "He agonized for a while."

Old Liu steeled himself and said: "Director Lu, this matter can't be done without money."

Translation: "Lao Liu steeled himself and said: \"Director Luo, this can't be done without money. \""

"Use your brain."

Translation: "\"Use your brain. \""

Lu Zhiwei said: "There are ways to do this with money and ways without money. Since we can't afford new surveillance cameras, won't you go to the secondhand market to pick up cheap gear? As long as it's a camera, it'll do. Also, regarding installation and debugging costs, save where you can, and you can directly assign technical staff from within the unit."

Translation: "Luo Zhiwei said: \"There are ways when you have money and ways when you don't. We can't afford new surveillance cameras—why not go to the secondhand market and pick up cheap gear? As long as it's a camera, it'll do. Also, for installation and debugging costs, save where you can, and you can directly draw technical staff from within the unit. \""

「！！！」

Translation: "\"!!! \""

Hearing this, Old Liu broke out in a cold sweat.

Translation: "Hearing this, Lao Liu broke out in a cold sweat."

He thought, "Director Lu, you really dare to think like that—adding public security surveillance is a political task assigned by the municipal party committee! Can you really just randomly pick it up on Xianyu?"

Translation: "He thought, \"Director Luo, you really dare to think like that—adding public security surveillance is a political task assigned by the Municipal Party Committee! Can you really just randomly pick up stuff on Xianyu? \""

It looks like……

Translation: "It seems……"

Director Lu has truly given up, just wanting to get by.

Translation: "Director Luo has truly given up, just wanting to get by."

But thinking about it, it's normal—after years of struggling, he's never made it to the standing committee. Yesterday the new party secretary took office, and his first salvo was on public security; Secretary Meng named and criticized him at the meeting.

Translation: "Actually, it's understandable—after all these years, he's never made it into the standing committee. Yesterday, the new Party Secretary took office, and his first salvo targeted public security; Executive Meng called him out at the meeting."

Under these circumstances, if Director Lu didn't want to give up, that would truly be seeing a ghost.

Translation: "In this situation, if Director Luo didn't want to give up, that would truly be seeing ghosts."

But……

Translation: "But……"

You've given up, but we still want to make progress.

Translation: "If you've given up, we still need to strive for progress."

Going on Xianyu to buy secondhand surveillance cameras just to pass inspection saves money. But if the footage later turns out completely black, who will take the blame for that?

Translation: "Going on Xianyu to buy secondhand surveillance to get through inspection saves money—but if the footage later turns out completely black, who will take the blame for that black pot?"

Just as Old Liu was desperately thinking of no solution.

Translation: "Just as Lao Liu was desperately thinking of no solution,"

Recently promoted Criminal Investigation Detachment Chief Gao Yicheng walked in.

Translation: "Recently promoted Criminal Investigation Detachment Captain Gao Yicheng walked in."

Old Liu, as if seeing a savior, quickly passed the problem to Gao Yicheng: "Detachment Chief Gao, you've come at just the right time—take a look at this task list and help think of a solution."

Translation: "Lao Liu, as if seeing a savior, quickly passed the problem to Gao Yicheng: \"Captain Gao, you've come at just the right time—take a look at this task list and help think of a solution. \""

"What task?"

Translation: "\"What task? \""

Gao Yicheng took the task list, reading and saying: "What kind of solution do we need to think of? Just follow the instructions—is there any difficulty?"

Translation: "Gao Yicheng took the task list, reading as he spoke: \"What do we need to figure out? Just follow orders—is there any difficulty? \""

"Look carefully—is there no difficulty?"

Translation: "\"Look carefully—no difficulty? \""

Director Lu gave him a white-eyed stare, not hiding his contempt.

Translation: "Bureau Chief Luo gave him a white-eyed stare, not hiding his contempt."

Gao Yicheng took another careful look, but still was clueless: "Isn't it just installing a few cameras? I really can't see where the difficulty lies."

Translation: "Captain Gao examined it again carefully, still clueless: \"Isn't it just installing a few cameras? I really can't see where the difficulty lies. \""

"It seems you truly don't know the value of firewood and rice until you manage the household," Liu chuckled. "Where are we supposed to get this 50 million yuan budget?"

Translation: "\"Looks like you truly don't know the value of firewood and rice until you manage a household, \" Lao Liu chuckled. \"Where are we supposed to get this 50 million budget? \""

"This is simple," Gao Yicheng said with a smile. "Confiscate illegal gains."

Translation: "\"That's simple, \" Gao Yicheng said with a smile. \"Confiscate illegal gains. \""

"What did you say?" Luo Zhiwei thought he had hallucinated, his eyes dubiously gazing at Gao Yicheng.

Gao Yicheng said: "Traffic violations and public security fines—there are quite a few each month. If we skim off a portion, filling this gap is easy."

!!!

Luo Zhiwei's face immediately darkened.

He stared at Gao Yicheng in disbelief: "Captain Gao, we are public servants, not bandits! What do you think the common people are? Fish on a chopping board—you can slice them whenever you want?"

"Chief Luo, I don't mean that."

Gao Yicheng, forcing himself to explain: "I'm not saying we deliberately make things difficult for the public; I mean that in the course of normal law enforcement, we skim off a portion of the confiscated revenue."

"You really dare to think that."

Luo Zhiwei gave a half‑smile, criticizing: "Confiscated revenue is state income; it must be turned over in full to the national treasury. Skimming it? Do you want to end up in there with Zheng Congwen?"

"If you're going to put it that way, then I can't do anything about it." Gao Yicheng decisively adopted an innocent look, tossing the problem back to Lao Liu: "Director Liu, I can't help you with this—figure it out yourself."

!!!

Director Liu, a black line crossing his forehead, glanced at Luo Zhiwei.

Luo Zhiwei said: "Those crooked tricks are not to be mentioned again. This is settled: go to the second‑hand market to procure surveillance cameras. For installation and debugging, draw technical staff from within the unit."

"Chief Luo, what if we install them and two break?" Director Liu asked timidly.

Luo Zhiwei replied dismissively: "The superiors only said to install 1,600 surveillance cameras; they didn't say we can't use second‑hand ones. If they break, they break—what in the world is indestructible?"

Upon hearing Chief Luo say that, Director Liu suddenly saw the light, thinking that's right—exploiting loopholes in documents is far steadier than testing the law to make illicit gains.