Chapter 241: Do You Think I Can Reach the Other Shore?

Yu Dazhang now deeply realized that his meager intelligence was completely inadequate in front of the big shots.

He had clearly intended to give instructions and then lead the team back to Songhai.

Yet, he was bamboozled into a limp state by just a few words from the top leader.

"Did I agree? You just set it all..." Yu Dazhang found he hadn't even had a chance to speak.

No, wait, he seemed to have said, "I'll follow the leader's arrangements entirely."

And then, there was no "then"...

The leader actually made the arrangements; everything was so smooth.

He had inexplicably established a project team.

From the leader's meaning, Ding Feng's project team still existed; he was leading a separate small group.

So, they were letting the two groups compete, huh.

Quite good at playing games.

"Since that's the case, then I won't be polite..." Yu Dazhang suddenly raised one hand high, just like raising a hand to speak in class.

Everyone in the conference room immediately fell silent, turning in unison to look at him.

"Just now, wasn't it said that we have priority rights to allocate various resources?" Yu Dazhang's voice was loud as he looked up at the leader seated at the head.

"That's correct."

The top leader made a downward pressing gesture, signaling he didn't need to raise his hand:

"I do not go back on my word. Personnel, equipment, and funds—your project team may prioritize the allocation of all of them."

"Then I'm sorry..." Yu Dazhang nodded with a serious face, then pointed his lowered arm at Xia Bin:

"I want him. My group is just missing a sketch artist; I think he is exactly suitable."

He did it on purpose.

To counter the top leader's previous act of poaching Ye Zhiyu.

You guys like to poach people, don't you? This time, let you experience the taste of having your wall dug out.

Most importantly, Yu Dazhang was very interested in people possessing such special skills.

"Well, this..."

Sure enough, the top leader was stumped.

It wasn't that he wanted to break his word, but Xia Bin belonged to Ding Feng's group.

If Xia Bin were transferred over, how could Ding Feng's side continue working?

Wouldn't that be equivalent to pulling the rug out from under them?

However, from the perspective of solving the case...

The top leader hesitated for only a second before making a decision:

"Xia Bin, from now on, you will go to Yu Dazhang's project team."

Upon hearing this, Ding Feng rose angrily, his face flushed red as he looked at the top leader, then turned his head to look at Yu Dazhang.

"You! I... you..."

Ding Feng was so angry he said several "you" and "I" without finishing a single sentence.

He wanted to refute something, but found he was at a loss for words.

At this moment, he felt extremely aggrieved.

He had clearly worked very hard, yet for over three months, he hadn't even clarified the suspect's appearance.

In the face of facts, all defenses appeared pale and powerless.

In the end, it was just one sentence:

"Okay, I understand."

He swallowed all his dissatisfaction.

After sitting down again, he lowered his head, as if the last bit of his spirit had been drained; the whole person looked utterly exhausted.

The leaders in the conference room, seeing Ding Feng like this, did not a single one speak to comfort him; they all silently kept their silence by mutual understanding.

In their view, doing so was actually beneficial to him.

Since this case began, Ding Feng had been conducting high-intensity investigative work every day.

The body was one aspect; mainly, his spirit had been constantly on edge.

If this continued, his body would soon develop problems.

Now that Yu Dazhang had newly established a project team and poached Ding Feng's personnel, it could actually allow his taut nerves to relax.

"Any other requests?" The top leader looked at Yu Dazhang, a smile on his face:

"Just ask. Any request is fine; if it can be done, it will be done immediately; if it cannot be done, we will find a way to get it done for you."

I need an armed helicopter... Yu Dazhang almost blurted this out.

Big shot, you are so enthusiastic; I'm not used to it!

Listening to the leader say these words, there was already a hint of "by any means necessary."

Yu Dazhang not only did not feel flattered; instead, a sense of unease arose.

There is no such thing as a free lunch.

This saying will not change with the times.

"No other requests; it is already very good." Yu Dazhang quickly stated his position:

"Thank you for the leader's trust; I will definitely do my utmost to solve this case."

Words are never spoken to the fullest; he dared not make any guarantees.

If it were charging into battle on a battlefield, making bold vows before the battle was necessary. Because the moment one charges into the battlefield, there is no way back.

Just charge in and be done with it!

But solving cases won't work that way. There are too many variables in this—you can't just rely on reckless guts.

Keeping a clear head at all times is the most basic requirement.

Leaving yourself a way out is also a reflection of keeping a clear head.

"Very good."

The big boss nodded with satisfaction:

"I like that young people have drive. This is the real attitude for getting things done…"

Yu Dazhang immediately sensed something was off, and sure enough, the big boss shifted his tone:

"Given your ability and the difficulty of this case, I'll give you one month. I hope you won't let me down."

Yu Dazhang: …

What could he even say at this point?

Admit he couldn't do it?

He couldn't bring himself to say it.

!

The escape route he'd left for himself had been sealed off in a single sentence.

First satisfy your request, then affirm your ability, and finally set a deadline for solving the case.

The deadliest part was, the leader hadn't even mentioned any consequences for failing to crack the case in the end.

You couldn't even muster the thought of refusing.

What is this?

A soft knife stabbing a person…

No, this is skill!!

Or rather, it's the art of being a leader.

Yu Dazhang was thoroughly impressed at this moment.

At the same time, he also understood one principle…

The preferential treatment a leader gives you has long since been secretly priced.

This time Yu Dazhang didn't speak again, just nodded silently.

After the meeting ended, Ye Zhiyu was asked to stay.

Yu Dazhang, meanwhile, waited at the meeting room door.

Standing beside him were Ma Jian and Xia Bin, while Captain Xu stood waiting for them at the stairwell.

This case was originally just meant to be cooperation, but now look—it's ended up in his own hands.

And the team keeps getting bigger.

Am I basically a provincial bureau expert now too… Yu Dazhang thought to himself with self-mockery.

About five minutes passed.

The meeting room door was pushed open, and the big boss and Ye Zhiyu walked out.

"I also know a bit about you and that department."

Arriving at the door, the big boss suddenly said this to Yu Dazhang out of nowhere.

Seeing Yu Dazhang freeze, he added:

"Your file isn't something just anyone has the clearance to view. Any special case has a corresponding confidentiality level."

"The fact that I can take it out today and hand it to someone else to pass around in front of you is itself an attitude."

"I want you to know that in my eyes, you are one of our people here in S Province."

After saying this, he patted Yu Dazhang on the shoulder, smiled at Ye Zhiyu, and only then turned and left.

That's a lot of information… Yu Dazhang stood frozen on the spot, momentarily unable to react.

That department?

The big boss hadn't said it outright, but Yu Dazhang had picked up on it.

National Security!

His file wouldn't note any connection to National Security, which is why the boss specifically emphasized it.

First mention National Security, then mention that Yu Dazhang's file has a confidentiality level.

Isn't this equivalent to saying he leaked the file himself?

And he did it right in front of Yu Dazhang, the person involved.

What is he trying to do?

Voluntarily hand over a handle, then specifically point it out.

That's right—this is an attitude!

As long as Yu Dazhang reports this situation to National Security, the consequences…

This kind of thing can be big or small, but when it involves a special case, no matter who it is, they're definitely going to be dealt with.

He really dares to play this game.

At the same time, Yu Dazhang also felt a warm glow in his heart. To be valued like this, anyone would feel a sense of accomplishment.

Watching the leader's departing back, a scene involuntarily popped into his mind…

The big boss standing on the ice-covered river surface, hands behind his back, gazing at the far bank:

"My whole life has been like walking on thin ice…"

(End of Chapter)