Chapter 35: Assuming Command Amid Danger

Zhou Weihua was in the office holding the phone, reporting the situation to Tang Qiusheng.

"Director Tang, sorry to disturb you so late."

"No problem, I'm older now and less perceptive; is there news about Lu Cheng?"

"Yes, Director Tang, I was just about to report this to you. Lu Cheng not only returned safely, but also captured five thieves; after verification, they are the group of thieves active on the Jingbao line during this period."

"Oh? This young comrade is quite impressive. I thought if he were fine, everything would be fine, but he gave me a surprise. Heh, not bad, not bad."

Zhou Weihua said helplessly, "Director Tang, please don't praise him; you don't know how he brought the people back."

Zhou Weihua briefly described Lu Cheng's process of seizing the people, and on the other end Tang Qiusheng laughed heartily.

"This young comrade does have methods. In extraordinary times, extraordinary means; though not glorious, as long as he can bring the thieves back, it's commendable."

At that moment, Ji Yue, who had been taken away by the guard police, suddenly shouted in the courtyard.

"I will sue him; he groped my chest on the train, I will charge him with lewdness."

The more Ji Yue thought about it, the more resentful she became; she felt bad and wouldn't let Lu Cheng have it easy either.

From the earlier conversation between that captain and Lu Cheng, it was clear Lu Cheng had erred, so this was a good chance to accuse him.

"Be honest. Whatever you say, a specialist will interrogate you," the guard police hurriedly took Ji Yue away.

Zhou Weihua in the office clearly heard it and, with a sudden outburst, said, "Listen, Director Tang, they're turning around to sue him for lewdness. I have no way to handle this Lu Cheng, so please make a decision here."

"Heh, I heard you. It's no big deal; as long as we catch the person, whether it's groping her chest or even pulling her crotch, it's fine."

Zhou Weihua: "……"

Tang Qiusheng added, "Have Lu Cheng take the call; I'll talk with him."

Zhou Weihua shouted toward the doorway, "Lu Cheng, come in."

After Lu Cheng entered, Zhou Weihua covered the handset and whispered, "Director Tang wants to talk to you; keep a good attitude."

Lu Cheng took the phone, stood straight and said, "Director Tang, I made a mistake; please criticize me!"

Zhou Weihua beside him was stunned; such a proper attitude?

Tang Qiusheng laughed brightly, "Oh? Then tell me, what mistakes did you make?"

"I shouldn't have boarded the train without permission, let alone jumped off, causing Director Tang to worry about me."

Lu Cheng's words landed with a thudding sound.

"Since you know what mistakes you made, tell me how they should be dealt with."

Lu Cheng straightened his back, "Everything will follow Director Tang's handling! But I must say, even if given another chance, I would still do it."

"Oh? So you still haven't recognized the error?"

"No! As a Public Security Train Police, serving the people and reducing losses for the revolutionary masses is my duty and obligation."

"Even if it means climbing knife mountains and crossing fire seas, I will stand opposed to criminals, unafraid of sacrifice or blood, resolutely cracking down on them."

Listening to Lu Cheng's impassioned words, Zhou Weihua beside him was repeatedly stunned.

Tang Qiusheng said calmly, "Comrade, you're still young yet have such high enlightenment?"

Lu Cheng snapped to attention, "I don't deserve the enlightenment; I only firmly believe that the people have faith and the nation has strength.

I am willing, with our youth, to defend the flourishing China."

Zhou Weihua unconsciously also stood at attention.

Even Director Tang on the other end of the phone, who had been sitting on a bed, unintentionally stood up at this moment.

"Good, good, good!"

Tang Qiusheng said several "good" words in a row; hearing that was so powerful.

It seemed to take him back to a battlefield of endless artillery, fighting for the revolutionary liberation cause.

A young comrade having such deep enlightenment, if further dealt with, would make him seem petty.

Tang Qiusheng's fondness for this young comrade grew in his heart, and his tone softened a few degrees.

"Earlier Team Captain Zhou spoke to you; it must have been a bit harsh, right?"

"No! When the leader criticizes me, it's a sign of regard, proving I still have hope."

Zhou Weihua beside him took a deep breath.

At this moment, he felt guilty and wished he could slap himself a few times.

How can we lock up a young comrade?

What a wonderful comrade.

"Well said, young comrade. This time you achieved a great merit; I've temporarily recorded it…"

"No! This is what I should do; a small contribution shouldn't weigh on Director Tang's mind, lest overwork cause illness. Please, Director Tang, do not keep it in your heart, definitely not keep it in your heart…"

"Alright, alright!" Zhou Weihua hurriedly pulled him aside, wondering whether this was to let him keep it in mind or not.

Letting him admit his mistake, yet he spews impassioned words; if we don't award him a great merit, it becomes someone else's fault.

Lu Cheng's words still rang deafeningly; after Zhou Weihua calmed himself for a while, he finally held the phone and said, "Director Tang, regarding Lu Cheng…"

Tang Qiusheng replied without hesitation, "For now we won't handle it organizationally; moreover, we should cultivate him vigorously. Such a good comrade would be a pity to be buried."

Zhou Weihua nodded; this time Lu Cheng captured the thieves, truly earning a great merit, and those minor mistakes were negligible.

"Then I understand, Director Tang, sorry to disturb you so late; please rest quickly."

"Hmm…" Tang Qiusheng was about to hang up when he suddenly remembered something.

"By the way, today the Metallurgical Department and Coal Department approached our Department Committee, held a meeting, and according to reliable sources, there is a recent enemy spy of Xiao Ri Zi planning to take a piece of waste slag back to the country."

"Enemy spy? Taking a piece of slag back to the country?" Zhou Weihua clearly didn't understand.

Shouldn't an enemy spy take away important construction data of the nation? Why a piece of slag?

"Indeed, this slag comes from Steel City. As for the reason, our analysis so far is inconclusive, but the enemy spy is sparing no effort to bring it back, so it must hide a secret."

Zhou Weihua understood; regardless of the enemy spy's purpose, it must involve an unspeakable secret.

Director Tang, what do you need me to do?

Here's the situation: we have already identified the enemy spy's route back to the country—taking a train on the Jingguang Line, then transferring at the port to return—so the Three Ministries have discussed, and our Railway Department will capture this enemy spy.

The Department Committee places great importance on this mission; every Railway Bureau in the Capital City must dispatch several capable officers to cooperate with the Beijing Station Railway Bureau in joint law enforcement.

Zhou Weihua realized the importance and replied immediately: "Don't worry, Director Tang, I will definitely send the best Train Police from our team to support Beijing Station."

"Hmm, hearing you say that puts me at ease." Tang Qiusheng pondered for a moment, then added: "By the way, let Lu Cheng also take part."

"Lu Cheng?" Zhou Weihua hesitated: "Director Tang, he's not really up to it. I know you value him, but today catching the thief was purely luck; he has little experience, he's just an apprentice, and his temperament is a bit reckless. I'm afraid he'll jeopardize this mission again."

Tang Qiusheng didn't quite agree.

"Hey, you can't put it that way. If you say it's luck, you've been chasing for over half a month and haven't seen any luck. When others have real skill, we must acknowledge it."

Moreover, regarding this enemy spy, we only have his travel route; we know nothing else. In plain terms, it's a stagnant pool, and that's precisely why we need someone like Comrade Lu Cheng to stir it up—there might be unexpected gains.

Zhou Weihua nodded and said, "I understand, Director Tang."