Chapter 419: Neglected

Lu Cheng is here this time to prepare to bring the group of military‑cap youth educated youths out of the local Public Security Department.

But rescuing people is certainly not that simple.

Although he represents the General Bureau and the local Railway Bureau must cooperate unconditionally, the local Public Security Department and the Railway Bureau are not under the same system, so they won't pay attention to you.

Therefore, before coming, Lu Cheng discussed with Director Tang, having the General Bureau act as the front, contacting the local Public Security Department and giving them a heads‑up.

Bureau Chief Qian had already been notified in advance; this time he came to take Lu Cheng to the local Public Security Department.

He told the driver, and the vehicle headed straight toward the Public Security Department.

Then Bureau Chief Qian turned his head: "Lu Jingzhang, the General Bureau has given a heads‑up, so taking the people out should be no problem, but after they're out, how do you plan to handle them?

These educated youths are a hot‑potato; we can't just lock them up in our Railway Bureau, can we?"

Bureau Chief Qian doesn't understand why the General Bureau wants to do this; the educated youths aren't easy to deal with, and imprisoning them in the Public Security Department would bring the trouble onto themselves.

Their Railway Bureau has no need to wade into this murky water.

Lu Cheng understood Bureau Chief Qian's point: "The General Bureau doesn't want trouble either; everyone knows it's better to have fewer problems. It's just that other educated youths have gathered and are affecting our Railway's transport work."

Bureau Chief Qian knows the situation; during this period, the railway sections under his charge have also suffered the headache of educated‑youth disturbances.

"In my view, we should either arrest them or make an example—kill one to warn a hundred; I don't think they'll be unafraid."

Everyone's first reaction is to catch whoever causes trouble; Lu Cheng can understand that but disagrees: "Making an example isn't wrong, but these youths aren't hundreds, they're tens of thousands.

Even if, as you say, we arrested tens of thousands of them, what about the aftermath? How will future generations write about us?"

Bureau Chief Qian fell silent; there's nothing wrong with arresting them, but the youths wanting to return to the city isn't wrong either.

So whether to arrest or not is a question; it depends on finding a balance.

Lu Cheng continued: "For now we can pacify them, first pacify them; the higher‑ups have already begun discussing corresponding policies, so there's no need to arrest them at this moment."

Lu Cheng comes from Capital City, so any authoritative news from above certainly reaches him before those below, and Bureau Chief Qian therefore accepted Lu Cheng's words.

Undoubtedly, the pacification Lu Cheng mentioned is that balance.

Being from Capital City, his actions consider the national big picture.

Chatting on the vehicle, they soon arrived at the Public Security Department; a few got off, and after the on‑duty officer reported, a person emerged from the courtyard shortly thereafter.

Bureau Chief Qian recognized the person, walked forward and shook hands: "Hey, Director Li, why are you coming out in person?"

"Director Qian's esteemed presence, I had to come out to greet you."

Lu Cheng saw the two were acquainted and thought rescuing the people would be even easier.

Bureau Chief Qian led Lu Cheng forward: "Director Li, this is Lu Jingzhang, representing our Railway General Bureau from Capital City; Lu Jingzhang, this is Director Li of the Public Security Department."

"Hello, Director Li."

"Hey, hello."

Although Lu Cheng is from Capital City, he has no hierarchical relationship with the Public Security Department, so he could sense that Director Li's attitude toward him was indifferent.

Conversely, when Bureau Chief Qian emphasized Yang Yin's identity, Director Li immediately showed a different attitude.

"Hey, a reporter from Capital City, so young—quickly, come to the office for a cup of tea."

Lu Cheng muttered inwardly, "Damn it, you didn't even invite me for tea."

The reporter's status is indeed different; in this era, a reporter's role is especially unique—being the state's political propagandist and a warrior of revolutionary public opinion.

Being able to connect with a Capital City reporter is an absolute honor; no one dares to be lax.

The warm reception even left Yang Yin a bit startled by the favor, and she turned back to look apologetically at Lu Cheng.

It seemed to say, "Sorry for stealing your spotlight."

When they reached the office, Yang Yin was ushered to the main seat, while Lu Cheng, the special envoy from Capital City, could only sit in a subordinate seat.

Director Li even personally brought water to Yang Yin: "Don't get up, don't get up. Reporter Yang, you've finally come once, you should stay a few more days. Rest assured, we'll cover your food and lodging; I just ask you, Reporter Yang, to promote our bureau well."

Getting into the Capital Daily means a higher chance of being seen by the higher‑ups, and Director Li felt excited just thinking about it.

If any superior leader sees how well this director runs the bureau and casually praises him, his promotion becomes a trivial matter.

Bureau Chief Qian waved his hand nearby: "Director Li, that's not right. Reporter Yang came here for our Railway Bureau; what's it like when you snatch her away?"

Had we known, we wouldn't have brought Reporter Yang over; she should have stayed at the Railway Bureau. If she's taken away, isn't that turning her into a wedding‑dress for someone else?

Upon hearing Bureau Chief Qian's words, Director Li instantly became displeased: "Look at you, Qian, how stingy! Moreover, Reporter Yang belongs to the state, not to your Railway Bureau personally…"

"I'm not being stingy…"

Seeing the two converse, Lu Cheng couldn't interject, and Yang Yin knew Lu Cheng had official business, so she couldn't be idle chatting.

"Um, comrades, the two of you, my main task this time is to follow up on the educated‑youth issue; let's discuss the youths first."

Yang Yin was still sensible, not using her reporter status to cause trouble.

Indeed, Yang Yin's words carried weight, and the two directors immediately stopped the idle talk.

But Director Li still didn't miss a chance to show off: "Talking about the educated youths? Fine, let me tell you, Reporter Yang, you must promote us well. These youths are downright troublesome, relying on their special status, yet they dare to cause trouble in Capital City!"

I see this won't work; Capital City is no place to let that happen, so I must act decisively right away…"

Yang Yin found the other's words truly amusing and couldn't help laughing out loud.

Director Li was momentarily stunned: "Reporter Yang, why are you laughing? Did I say something wrong?"

Yang Yin quickly stopped laughing: "No, no, it's just that the phrase 'make a decisive decision on the spot' is fine, but you don't need to add 'immediately' and 'right away' before it; the meaning is redundant."

Bureau Chief Qian laughed heartily beside them: "Director Li, stop fiddling with those flowery words; in front of Reporter Yang, a cultural worker, you'll just look ridiculous. Look how carefully she chooses her words."

Being mocked, Director Li felt a bit embarrassed: "Ah, well… okay, in short, I'll… let me rephrase. I made an on‑the‑spot decisive order, and immediately had the people captured and brought back; they must not be allowed to run amok."

After finishing, Director Li still looked at Yang Yin, cautiously asking: "How is it, Reporter Yang? Is what I said okay now?"

Yang Yin promptly nodded: "Very good, very good. Then Lu Jingzhang, say something; you said you'd come to take the people away, right?"

Seeing Lu Cheng unable to interject, Yang Yin hurriedly handed the floor to him.

All along the way, Yang Yin had been basking in his glow; now Lu Cheng was basking in hers, and he used the chance to steer the conversation back to business.

"Director Li, you have a good relationship with Bureau Chief Qian, and our General Bureau has already given you a heads‑up; time is tight, I need to take the people away—what do you think on your side…?"

This Director Li's attention is wholly on Yang Yin, single‑mindedly thinking about how to get on the Newspaper, so Lu Cheng can only get straight to the point and state his purpose outright.

It was originally thought that, once the General Bureau had given the word, taking the person away was a foregone conclusion, but who knew that Director Li scratched his head at that moment.

"Ah, this person… you may not be able to take them away!"