Chapter 246: The Criticism Meeting Begins

In the Traffic Police Unit's small conference room, rows of desks and chairs were neatly arranged, spring sunlight streamed in, Lu Cheng hugged a black leather notebook and walked straight to the last row.

Soon after, Group Leader Deng Hairong of Group Three entered the conference room and also sat in the last row.

"Group Leader Lu is quite self‑aware, knowing this Assessment Score has no chance, he voluntarily moved to the last row—good, very self‑knowing."

Lu Cheng shifted his posture, leaning his back against the wall: "Aren't you also pretty self‑aware? What's up? No confidence this month?"

Deng Hairong mimicked Lu Cheng, leaning his back against the wall, shaking his head and saying: "This month is no good; compared with Group Leader Jiang, our group caught too few thieves and Smuggled Goods offenders.

Well, look how confident Group Leader Jiang is—he comes in and sits in the front row."

Lu Cheng glanced over; Jiang Yuanchao always keeps his shoulders and back perfectly straight, as if constantly waiting for leadership praise.

Indeed, the guy is qualified.

In the first three months of Assessment Scores, Jiang Yuanchao alone earned two points, the other point went to Fan Dashan; this month's assessment score will likely still go to Jiang Yuanchao.

Deng Hairong kept muttering: "Group Leader Jiang is now far ahead; I'm afraid I won't have a chance. When the year‑long assessment ends, the six groups will disband, and I'll probably become an ordinary Train Police, maybe even have to report to Group Leader Jiang's management."

Lu Cheng glanced: "It's not even halfway yet, why get discouraged early? In the end, the top three by score will be selected as police chiefs; you still have a chance."

After Lu Cheng's comforting words, Deng Hairong no longer felt so down.

"What about you? You're both in university and working, so your chances of riding duty have decreased; I'm afraid your hope of becoming a police chief has also become slim."

Lu Cheng knew his situation; indeed, as Deng Hairong said, because he has to attend university, he can't devote all his energy to work like the other group leaders.

Consequently, it's hard for him to earn points in the monthly assessment.

Seeing Lu Cheng stay silent, Deng Hairong's eyes flicked.

"Actually I have a good idea that can let you focus on work and give you a chance to earn monthly assessment points, so you can become a police chief."

Lu Cheng looked over, curiously asking: "What idea?"

Deng Hairong sat up straight: "I'll go to university for you, then you can put all your energy into work. How about it? We swap places, consider it my sacrifice, think about it?"

I thought it was a good idea, but turns out Deng Hairong wants to go to university.

Lu Cheng instantly snapped: "To your grandpa, what a rotten idea."

The college entrance exam hasn't been reinstated yet; now having a chance to go to university is extremely precious.

Thus, Lu Cheng being able to attend this university made several group leaders extremely envious.

If the choice were between university and becoming a police chief, Deng Hairong would choose university without hesitation.

Being a police chief is a promotion, but climbing higher from there is very, very difficult.

Take Section Rank chief Ding Han Zhen at the station, whose operational ability is outstanding; after five or six years he's still only a junior police chief.

But university is different; after graduation, one can immediately become a Section Rank cadre, with great promotion prospects.

"Really, think about it."

"Consider your sister, you brat."

Deng Hairong wasn't angry, sneeringly leaned in: "Brother really wants to share the burden with you. You're in university, busy with work, and also serving as the warehouse manager. Can you handle it? Brother feels sorry for you.

If you really can't, give the warehouse manager position to me."

Deng Hairong was extremely depressed; everything good kept falling on Lu Cheng's head, especially becoming the warehouse manager.

Even though it's not a formal cadre position, the authority in hand isn't small.

In these times of material scarcity, many items are unavailable for purchase, yet the warehouse holds them, making Lu Cheng the object of everyone's flattery.

Because the prices are low, not only Railway junior staff approach Lu Cheng for good goods, but even leaders from other departments call the Traffic Police Unit secretary office, reaching Wang Fengshi.

For some junior staff, Lu Cheng could ignore them, but Wang Fengshi says when a leader calls, Lu Cheng must return the favor.

Facing Deng Hairong's expectant face, Lu Cheng hummed: "No need for your sympathy; serving the people, I'm exhausted but glorious."

How could Lu Cheng possibly relinquish the warehouse manager's authority? Could his sister reliably become the department store director, with everything pointing at the warehouse's smuggled goods?

The work of converting the Tea Stall into a department store is finished; next we'll formally connect with the Beijing Station warehouse.

When Lu Cheng refused, Deng Hairong pursed his lips: "Then, leave me two packs of Marlboro cigarettes; I'm on a blind date soon, and having those cigarettes gives me face."

Considering everyone are colleagues, Lu Cheng didn't refuse: "It's a minor thing; we'll talk after the meeting disperses."

Hearing the murmurs behind, besides Jiang Yuanchao, the other group leaders also tried to come over, asking Lu Cheng to set aside some good items.

At that moment, Lei Zhan Ge entered with Wang Fengshi, and the other group leaders quickly took their seats.

The meeting agenda was the same as before: first summarizing this month's work achievements, then planning next month's tasks, and finally Wang Fengshi announced which group earned the Assessment Score this month.

Unsurprisingly, this month Group Three's leader Jiang Yuanchao received the Assessment Score.

Jiang Yuanchao, as if a stick had been thrust into his backside, straightened his back even more.

The monthly end‑of‑month assessment is his most glorious moment; at year‑end, three police chiefs will be chosen from the six groups, and he will surely claim first place with his leading score.

Onstage, Lei Zhan Ge cast an approving glance: "Junior Jiang, congratulations on earning another point. Do you have any experience to share with everyone, so they can learn from you?"

Hearing Lei Zhan Ge's words, Jiang Yuanchao proudly stood up.

His gaze toward everyone was filled with glory.

"Since Captain Lei asked me to say a few words, I'll share some experience: actually, getting these three points isn't just my personal effort; the most important factor is work attitude."

"During this period of interacting with several group leaders, I've found some leaders' work attitudes extremely improper; they're always wandering here or there every day.

As a group leader, you must set a good example; without even a work attitude, it's impossible to earn Assessment points…"

Deng Hairong jabbed Lu Cheng with his arm: "Sounds like he's talking about you."

Lu Cheng snapped: "To your grandpa, you didn't get a single point either."

Deng Hairong rested both hands behind his neck: "Oh dear, you asked him to share experience, and he's starting a criticism meeting here."

Listening to Jiang Yuanchao's every cutting remark aimed at each group leader, the leaders turned red‑faced, feeling as if sitting on a bed of needles.

Inside, they were very dissatisfied with Jiang Yuanchao; Captain Lei hadn't said anything, yet he started criticizing.