Chapter 164: Colluding with Smugglers

Before entering the office, Lu Cheng had Da Kui take out his "battle robe" Military Coat and put it on.

When Lei Zhan'ge saw the scratches on the Military Coat, he couldn't help but scold a couple of times.

Afraid others wouldn't notice, Lu Cheng wore the Military Coat inside out.

His feat of fighting a Wolf had long spread throughout the Railway Bureau.

Whenever anyone asked about the scratches on his Military Coat, he would roll his sleeves and brag with added embellishment.

Even if people didn't want to listen, he still had to keep talking until they were done.

In the end, everyone who saw him no longer dared to ask.

Even when he entered the conference room, several group leaders, upon seeing the eye‑catching scratches on the Military Coat, involuntarily turned their heads aside.

Mainly because they were tired of hearing it, but they didn't dare to ask again, lest they give the kid another chance to brag.

"Yo, Group Leader Lu is here."

"Yo, Group Leader Deng is here."

Deng Hairong was in high spirits today, because this month he caught the most smugglers.

Everyone knew that this month's assessment score would definitely be awarded to the First Group.

Deng Hairong gestured, "Come, come, Group Leader Lu, sit beside me, but you really shouldn't have come today."

"What do you mean?"

"Think about it, this month you haven't caught a single smuggler, yet you come to this evaluation meeting, aren't you just looking to be scolded by Captain Lei?"

Lu Cheng, unfazed, said, "It's fine, a couple of scoldings still come with a piece of meat, as long as my salary and benefits aren't cut."

Deng Hairong shook his head and laughed, "I admire this about Group Leader Lu: his ability to stay completely unfazed by anything. I'm curious, how did you cultivate that thick‑skinned attitude?"

"Thanks for the compliment, Group Leader Deng, but you shouldn't copy me. As the saying goes, thick skin gets you a piece of meat; I'm afraid you'll try to steal my share."

Deng Hairong pursed his lips, and at that moment, Lei Zhan'ge walked in, followed closely by Wang Fengshi with documents.

Everyone fell silent, sitting up straight.

Among these group leaders, First Group leader Deng Hairong sat the straightest, ready at any moment to be praised.

After Lei Zhan'ge sat down, he scanned the room and then said, "Everyone has worked hard this month."

"Not hard!" everyone chorused.

His spirit was high, and Lei Zhan'ge was very satisfied.

"First, after this month's assessment, we can see each sub‑team was diligent, and during this assessment period, the order at Beijing Station has clearly improved compared to before; this is thanks to everyone's effort…"

Listening to Lei Zhan'ge's endless talk about this month's results, Lu Cheng felt drowsy; he hadn't rested on the train, and as soon as he got off, he rushed here for the meeting!

Until Lei Zhan'ge finally finished, prompting Wang Fengshi to read out the assessment results, Lu Cheng instantly perked up.

Although he wasn't hoping for extra points, the one point deducted last time for beating two swindlers had to be restored.

Even if it returns to zero, everyone is at zero, which is far better than a negative one point.

When Wang Fengshi read the scores for each group, he didn't follow the group order but chose them arbitrarily.

"According to the leaders' assessment and evaluation, first the Sixth Group: due to a one‑point deduction last time for beating a passenger, but later they successfully recaptured the swindlers, thereby making up the merit, so the Sixth Group's score is restored to zero."

Applause immediately erupted in the conference room, of course from Lu Cheng himself.

Deng Hairong looked on speechlessly and said, "It's zero points, not a bonus; you're still so proud."

"Hey, Group Leader Deng, that's not right; any progress is a good thing."

"Then Group Leader Lu, stay strong; later you'll gladly applaud me."

Deng Hairong was determined to secure this month's assessment points.

Lu Cheng replied cooperatively, "No problem, just treat me to a meal later."

"It's nothing."

"Then I'll consider you've agreed."

Deng Hairong was happy today; once he gets this point, treating everyone to a meal is only natural.

Onstage, Wang Fengshi continued, "Fifth Group zero points, Fourth Group zero points."

Hearing the results, the leaders of Fifth and Fourth Groups lowered their heads; although they caught some smugglers this month, it was far fewer than First Group.

"Second Group loses one point."

Hearing Wang Fengshi's words, Second Group leader Fan Dashan instantly flared up.

"Secretary Xiao Wang, on what grounds are you deducting my points? I caught eight smugglers this month."

Wang Fengshi looked up from the document and said, "Deducting you one point is not unjust; many have reported that when you inspect luggage, you always force the check, causing chaos."

Fan Dashan replied resentfully, "I'm doing it for inspection, it's the principle of killing a thousand rather than letting one go."

Wang Fengshi snorted, "What do you think we are? Your behavior is robber logic—pursuing merit at the expense of civilians' privacy?"

Fan Dashan wanted to continue arguing, but when he saw Lei Zhan'ge staring at him with his Eagle Eye, he immediately froze like a stunned eggplant and sat down obediently.

Chief Fan sat at the front, Lu Cheng patted his shoulder and said, "It's fine, Chief Fan, fortunes turn, I won't mock you."

Chief Fan glared, "Nonsense about fortunes; I'd rather stay at zero than drop to minus one."

"First Group zero points."

When Wang Fengshi spoke again, everyone exchanged puzzled looks.

The immediate reaction was: could this be a mistake?

The First Group led by Deng Hairong was undoubtedly the most outstanding sub‑team this month.

How could it be zero points?

Deng Hairong, also looking incredulous, said, "Secretary Xiao Wang, you must be mistaken."

This time Wang Fengshi didn't retort directly as he did with Chief Fan, but looked toward Lei Zhan'ge beside him.

The reason the First Group was read last was that Lei Zhan'ge, reluctantly, had to acknowledge that the First Group indeed earned great merit.

But after a few leaders studied it, they still decided to give this portion to Group Three, whose leader is Jiang Yuanchao.

Lei Zhan Ge crossed his hands and placed them on the table: "Xiao Deng, don't be discouraged; although you caught the most smugglers, the assessment criteria must also be considered comprehensively."

From this point of view, Xiao Jiang's group is the most suitable; not only did they capture many smugglers, but they also upheld the ticket‑purchase system with integrity."

When that sentence was spoken, everyone understood why the assessment points were given to Jiang Yuanchao.

Jiang Yuanchao's name is now widely echoed, and of course it's a name of scolding.

Privately, Railway workers have been discussing Jiang Yuanchao a lot; they're all from the same unit, yet they still have to buy tickets, showing no sense of reason.

Although the workers have much discontent, they can't resist the fact that the higher‑ups like it.

It has been emphasized many times before that, regardless of who, even relatives of anyone, tickets must be purchased normally; but when implemented at the lower level, the effect has been minimal.

Since such a reckless youngster is rare, after repeated consideration they decided to give this month's assessment points to Jiang Yuanchao.

Deng Hairong was furious, and even if he got even angrier, he still wouldn't dare to argue with Lei Zhan Ge.

Lu Cheng comforted him with a pat: "Don't be sad, Group Leader Deng; when you treat us to dinner tonight, I'll drink properly with you. If you feel it's not enough, we can order two bottles of Maotai; I'll definitely accompany you."

Deng Hairong, hearing this, became even more upset; having not received any assessment points, Lu Cheng was actually still trying to mooch his meal.

Seeing Deng Hairong's aggrieved expression, Lu Cheng felt a surge of amusement inside.

After a month of hard work, catching so many smugglers, the result was the same as his—zero points.

He probably won't be able to sleep tonight, Deng Hairong.

Just as Lu Cheng thought the results had been read out and he could collect his wages immediately, the dissatisfied Fan Dashan suddenly stood up.

"Captain Lei, I want to report! Report that Group Leader Lu is colluding with smugglers."