Chapter 566: No One Dares to Take This Mission

"Weren't we supposed to have a meeting, gathering all of us? Where's Lu Jingzhang?"

"He now has Deputy Section-level Treatment, a leader in rank, while we're just waiting for his turn; how could we make him wait for us?"

Lu Cheng entered the room and immediately heard everyone's complaints.

Actually it's understandable; everyone started as Train Police, and now they still have Deputy Section-level Treatment, while Lu Cheng has suddenly become Deputy Section-level Treatment.

Human nature is that they wish you well, but not better than themselves.

So everyone inevitably feels jealous.

"Sorry, Comrades, I was discussing some details with Director Tang and am late."

A Deputy Section must have the bearing of a Deputy Section; Lu Cheng didn't intend to argue with them, lest it seem petty.

Sure enough, after hearing him, no one dared say anything else.

"Lu Jingzhang, what meeting are we holding today?"

Lu Cheng glanced at the audience: "Here's the situation: the Iron Science Institute is currently developing a New Type Internal Combustion Engine, and under pressure from computational data, it urgently needs a set of large‑scale computing equipment."

Everyone knows this; they've long heard that it's another project under Lu Cheng's command.

No one knows what this kid is up to; he's clearly Train Police, yet he reaches out to join project development, which seems a bit off his duties.

"Lu Jingzhang, we're a Train Police Unit; if you're discussing a project, you should go to the Iron Science Institute Research Institute. They need computers, and we don't have any either."

Lu Cheng waved his hand, signaling quiet: "Regarding the computer equipment, we've already made contact, but given its preciousness and to safely transport it back to the Capital City, Director Tang and I discussed and plan to set up a Special Train."

"And the purpose of today's meeting is to select one of you as the person in charge of this Special Train; I wonder which Police Chief can take on this task?"

After Lu Cheng finished speaking, everyone fell silent for a moment.

They all knew that previously Lu Cheng, as the Special Train leader, earned many merits, and especially for his military merit on a military‑supplies Special Train, was promoted to his current Deputy Section-level Treatment.

Thus this new Special Train is a good opportunity for merit.

Deng Hairong immediately raised his hand: "Lu Jingzhang, I'm willing to go, but we need to state upfront—does this count as Merit Performance?"

Lu Cheng nodded, emphasizing it.

"Of course it counts, but the premise is that it must be safe, guaranteeing no loss in transport back; I will personally grant you merit."

Deng Hairong asked another question: "What if there is a loss?"

Lu Cheng thought for a moment; to make everyone take it seriously and understand the task's difficulty, he had to explain clearly.

"This set of computer equipment is worth one million; any damage would be a huge loss."

"Worth one million?"

Hearing this astronomical figure, Deng Hairong couldn't help but swallow his saliva; the eagerness to prove himself just now began to falter.

Who could afford that? With current wages, even a lifetime wouldn't be enough.

No, no, the risk is too great.

Seeing Deng Hairong slowly sit down, everyone scratched their heads, avoiding eye contact; Lu Cheng couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed.

Leaning his hands on the table, Lu Cheng looked at everyone: "What's this? Usually when catching thieves or Speculative Profiteering, everyone's eager, but now transporting a computer, no one wants to go?"

Deng Hairong chuckled: "It's different; the route is far, and if any loss occurs, who could bear it? Too many uncontrollable factors."

Deng Hairong seemed to understand why Lu Cheng could mention Deputy Section-level Treatment; some merits truly aren't easy to claim.

Seeing the lack of enthusiasm, Lu Cheng could only say: "Since no one volunteered, I'll name someone directly…"

After Lu Cheng finished that sentence, the others dared not look at him, especially Deng Hairong, who wished he could bury his head under the table, praying silently, "Please don't pick me."

Lu Cheng almost laughed helplessly, but the task had to be assigned; otherwise Director Tang would mock him for not handling even this small matter.

He'll have to shoulder the team's burden in the future, so he must establish authority now.

Even with that thought, Lu Cheng scanned the room, still looking for someone capable.

Deng Hairong isn't really up to it; he's scared out of his wits now, and forcing him to take charge would likely result in poor performance.

After scanning, his gaze finally landed on Jiang Yuanchao.

"Jiang Yuanchao, then you'll go."

Jiang Yuanchao is a bit unsociable, mainly because he's unfeeling; for example, when buying tickets, if other Police Chiefs are on duty and encounter acquaintances, they'll let them board without buying a ticket.

Only Jiang Yuanchao is different— even if his own mother comes, he still insists on buying a ticket.

He's an extremely principled person, and Lu Cheng believes he can handle the mission well.

When Lu Cheng named Jiang Yuanchao, everyone was a bit surprised, because they knew Jiang Yuanchao is proud and has never tolerated Lu Cheng's lax attitude.

They feared Lu Cheng's naming would be in vain this time.

Even Ding Han Zhen, the Police Chief, was somewhat skeptical of Lu Cheng's arrangement, fearing an awkward situation for Lu Cheng, and spoke up.

"Lu Jingzhang, how about I go instead?"

Ding Han Zhen is an old Police Chief, always diligent and steady in his work.

Actually assigning Ding Han Zhen to this task would be an excellent choice, but Lu Cheng, considering the work at Beijing Station, still needs Ding Han Zhen to handle coordination.

"Ding Jingzhang, you can't leave Beijing Station; this trip to Gan Province to fetch the computer equipment will take many days round‑trip, so let Police Chief Jiang handle the arduous journey."

Seeing Lu Cheng stick to his choice, everyone turned to the silent Jiang Yuanchao.

Actually, if Captain Lei or Director Tang had arranged it, Jiang Yuanchao would definitely have taken the mission immediately.

But since it was Lu Cheng's arrangement, it was clear everyone saw Jiang Yuanchao's reluctance, sitting there in silence.

The conference room's atmosphere became somewhat delicate.

Everyone internally agreed that Jiang Yuanchao, such an odd person, shouldn't be chosen.

Now it's clear: Ding Jingzhang stepped forward to resolve the impasse, yet Lu Cheng didn't accept; isn't that just slapping himself in the face?

Even if he wants to establish his authority, there's no need to cut Jiang Yuanchao first.

But Lu Cheng never thought that way; he truly valued Jiang Yuanchao's ability and character.

Transporting such precious computer equipment demands utmost caution at every step, and it precisely requires Jiang Yuanchao's obsessive nature to ensure no slip‑ups during the journey.

So even if everyone laughs at him, Lu Cheng still sticks to his choice.

"What's up, Chief Jiang, do you have any concerns?"

"No," Jiang Yuanchao replied curtly, maintaining a calm demeanor.

"So… you have a personal objection?"

This time Jiang Yuanchao hesitated briefly, then said, "No."

Lu Cheng seized the opportunity.

"So Chief Jiang can lie, too!"

"I…"

Lu Cheng gave him no chance to argue: "You are, after all, the Comrade in our team universally recognized as the most principled, the most fair and just, always daring to speak and act, unafraid of the powerful."

"Why today, it seems you're afraid of a little chief like me?"

"Who's afraid of you!"

Jiang Yuanchao couldn't help but stand up; the calm he had maintained was now visibly shaken.