Chapter 41: Secret Document

Beijing Station, as the Capital City Main Station, handles many national railway lines, even an international line to Moscow.

Although also a Railway Branch, unlike Team Captain Zhou Weihua, Lei Zhan'ge is also a Train Police captain, but he truly holds a Deputy Department-level rank.

Not for any other reason, it's because this veteran comrade from a military background wants to fight on the front line.

His daily work is known for strict efficiency; under his command, one must stay tense at all times, or a careless slip brings a harsh reprimand.

In the conference room now, Lei Zhan'ge glances at his wristwatch—9:28. Apart from the Xizhimen Train Police Unit, the other Train Police Units have already arrived one after another.

Everyone knows Lei Zhan'ge always values work efficiency, especially hating the latecomers.

Someone stood up and suggested: "Station Chief Lei, the Xizhimen Train Police Unit is too careless about work; they're practically here, let's start. As for the Xizhimen Train Police Unit, later summarize the work and send a document to Team Captain Zhou."

Lei Zhan'ge, seated at the front, nodded, about to speak, when the Grand Courtyard outside suddenly sounded a sharp brake, followed by a drifting vehicle crashing in.

Four Train Police jumped out of the jeep and ran quickly toward the conference room.

Through the window, someone saw the jeep: "Isn't that Team Captain Zhou's car? The Xizhimen people finally arrived."

"This is so flashy, coming by car; we all rode bicycles or took a bus."

"The Xizhimen folks have big airs."

As the words fell, the stairwell at the doorway echoed with "clack‑clack" footsteps ascending.

"Report."

Lei Zhan'ge looked up at the four standing outside, his square face radiating authority without anger.

They thought, it's over, it's over; they should have come straight here as soon as they arrived at Beijing Station.

Now it's clear: Team Captain Lei must be seeing their tardiness, hence the unpleasant expression.

At fifty‑five this year, Lei Zhan'ge's temples are white with hair, yet his voice remains booming when he speaks.

"You four, why only rush here now? Didn't you know there's an important meeting today? How did Xiao Zhou bring you?"

The interrogative tone made them even more nervous; one was about to admit fault, hoping Team Captain Lei wouldn't lose his temper.

Lu Cheng shouted, "Got it!"

Lei Zhan'ge furrowed his brow: "You know yet still late?"

"Report, Team Captain Lei, we didn't arrive late; if we were, we'd accept any punishment you impose."

Hearing Lu Cheng's words, Lei Zhan'ge glanced at his watch; it was indeed just past 9:30.

Although they weren't early, they did arrive within the stipulated time.

He sized up the young Lu Cheng, feeling puzzled.

Given the mission's importance, it should require seasoned veteran Train Police; how could Zhou Weihua send such a young comrade, seeming to take the task lightly?

But the meeting is important now; he waved his hand, letting them in.

Clearly the three exhaled in relief; just a moment earlier, sweat had formed on their foreheads.

Especially when Lu Cheng didn't first admit fault and stubbornly argued with Team Captain Lei, the three were nearly terrified.

Fortunately, Team Captain Lei didn't hold it against them.

After they were seated, Lei Zhan'ge finally turned to everyone: "Comrades, everyone's here; we can start the meeting."

"I trust that before you arrived you've already heard some rumors; indeed, Beijing Station is set to capture an enemy spy."

"The various Train Police Units that sent you here must consider you the best among your teams…"

Lei Zhan'ge, at this point, glanced at the nonchalant Lu Cheng; everyone sat upright, only this young comrade slouched.

"Alright, the formal meeting begins now. Xiao Wang, please present the specifics to everyone first."

Xiao Wang is Lei Zhan'ge's secretary; considering Lei's age, the Railway Department Committee specially assigned him a secretarial office, handling both work and daily life.

Other Train Police captains don't enjoy such privileges.

Wang Shusheng stood nearby, holding the file; Lu Cheng glanced at it and saw a blue "Confidential" seal on the dossier.

Being able to affix such a seal indicates the mission is classified as second‑level secret.

A tiny enemy spy, merely taking a piece of slag—could it be that important?

"Comrades, hello; I will now describe the specifics to everyone."

"First, according to reliable intelligence, this infiltrating enemy spy comes from Xiao Ri Zi, intending to smuggle a piece of waste slag back home."

"Everyone will surely find it odd—just taking a piece of waste slag, why are we mobilizing forces?"

"Indeed, the Steel City leadership, which produces steel, initially shared this doubt."

"At that time, the Xiao Ri Zi Delegation visited the Steel City Steel Factory; they were uninterested in our outdated equipment, but paid special attention to a pile of glittering waste slag at the entrance."

"The delegation expressed a desire for that slag, willing to pay any amount; in the spirit of friendly technical exchange between the two nations, Steel City leadership decided to give them all, even offering all national slag production."

"However, the delegation stipulated they only wanted the waste slag produced by Steel City."

"The steel factory leadership felt something was off, reporting the waste slag to the Metallurgical Department; yet with our current industrial level, we cannot discern any oddities in the slag."

"But it's obvious that since the delegation wants this slag, they must have a purpose."

"Unfortunately, many of our technical devices now rely on Xiao Ri Zi, so the Department Committee doesn't wish to offend openly, yet they haven't immediately promised to sell the slag, temporarily stabilizing the delegation."

"After we thoroughly examine the slag data, we'll decide whether to sell it to them."

"But a few days later, intelligence intercepted a secret telegram indicating the delegation intends to hand a document and a piece of waste slag to an enemy spy for return to their country."

"Thus, our mission is to capture that enemy spy and seize the document and slag."

"That concludes the briefing; please take note."

The conference room fell silent for a moment, then Lei Zhan'ge finally spoke.

"Everyone understood, right? Any thoughts or suggestions can be discussed; that's the main point of today's meeting."

Once Lei Zhan'ge spoke, discussion erupted immediately.

"Hey, I don't get it—what does that tiny place need our slag for?"

"Huh? Probably to fill sea for land reclamation; after all, it's waste and cheap."

"Since he wants to build land, we've opened up supply for him, so why doesn't he want that much anymore? There must be some catch."

"Seeing everyone had discussed for a while, Lei Zhan Ge stood up and said, 'Indeed there is a catch. In the past few days, seeing that we won't loosen up, the Delegation has already become anxious, saying they want to exchange rice or steel with us, making the catch even bigger.'"

"Our mission is to capture this enemy spy as quickly as possible. The intelligence shows the secret is in that document; as long as we obtain that document, we can expose the Delegation's conspiracy."

"As he spoke, Lei Zhan Ge faced everyone and loudly said again, 'Comrades, you are the finest Train Police selected after much screening; whether we can capture this enemy spy depends on you.'"