Chapter 784: The New

Su Yang hung up the phone outright; the high‑and‑mighty young masters in Jingcheng love to show off wherever they go and always think they are superior. Even when they are reined in, they still crave a sense of existence, and frankly, they just need to be dealt with.

In the afternoon Su Yang went to Lie Shan Public Security Bureau. Besides the County Party Committee and County Government leadership, the bureau this time had been heavily infiltrated; not only did the top‑rank Bureau Chief Lin Zhinan go in, but even the executive Deputy Chief Bai Xue Tao followed.

Afterwards, the Criminal Police Team Chief and the Public Security Brigade Commander went in one after another to "report," and several division heads also went to have tea.

Among them was Zhang Chaoxia, who was the first to go in.

Only one soon‑to‑retire, long‑detached old Political Commissar remained. Of course, he had already entered a semi‑retired state and had hardly come to the Public Security Bureau for a year, but given the current situation, this old Political Commissar had to return not because he wanted to, but because Su Yang was coming for an inspection today and specifically demanded everyone be on duty.

If this had been in the past, he could have ignored it, but times have changed. Previously some of them feared Geng Miao, some avoided him altogether; now Geng Miao has fallen, yet their dread of Su Yang is even greater than that of Geng Miao.

Under Geng Miao they could simply step aside—at worst they wouldn't get promoted or might be sidelined; but Su Yang is different, a presence capable of taking down the whole leadership, and if they are not careful, they may ruin their futures.

Even in the past two days, rumors have circulated privately: had we known Su Yang was this terrifying, it would have been better to let Geng Miao continue as the Local Tyrant.

At least when Geng Miao was the Local Tyrant, they worked very loosely—they could fish three days and dry nets two days, go out to play mahjong or drink during work hours as a routine, and occasionally receive cash red packets or shopping cards. As for work, they didn't have to think much; they just followed Geng Miao's will.

Geng Miao's crew's biggest demand was obedience; many matters could be ignored, and occasionally they could stroll into Geng Miao's night venues and, as long as some official of any rank showed up, they could get a 20% discount.

But now, even though Geng Miao's tumor has been removed, in their eyes Su Yang is an even bigger "tumor" than Geng Miao.

They not only have to abandon their previously lax work habits and report to duty on time, but also cannot sit around drinking tea and reading newspapers idly; they must work properly.

These people have grown lazy over the past few years, and forcing them to work properly is practically a death sentence. Yet they also know that when Geng Miao was so powerful, he was overturned by Su Yang; for these small shrimp, a single word from Su Yang can teach them what regret is. So everyone is a bit nervous.

Especially at Lie Shan Public Security Bureau, crimes such as intentional injury and brawls have not been dealt with promptly for years, all being shelved according to Geng Miao's wishes.

Now they must not only clear out all the old case files and resolve the backlog, but also retrieve every file concerning Geng Miao and his brothers' involvement in intentional injury and other crimes and hand them over to the Procuratorate.

In the past, with a five‑day workweek they were on duty at most two days; now, with the same five‑day schedule, they wish they could be on duty twenty‑four hours a day, seven days a week. It's a mixed blessing—only now can they atone for the sins they committed before, and they know that compared with those who have been sent to "have tea" and have their futures ruined, they are probably much better off, so they hold no resentment, only a desire to finish their work quickly before Su Yang spots them.

But Sun Chengjun is different; although he is still Deputy Chief, his life is much more comfortable now. When he first arrived, he was like a headless fly all day, buzzing around and checking things, and others only laughed at him.

Now he sits in his office while people file report and request after request, but he ignores them, telling everyone to follow normal procedures, and he leisurely begins drinking tea and reading the newspaper. So when Su Yang pushed open his office door, he was crossing his legs, sipping tea and reading the paper.

Hearing someone push the door, he calmly said, "I've already told you not to come to me for reports or requests; all the guidelines are posted on the wall, just follow the rules. Also, I advise you to do your own work well above all else; don't think about clinging to others, taking shortcuts, or entertaining crooked ideas."

He said several more sentences, but it seemed the person who entered never left, his complexion turning ashen: "Did you hear what I said?" As he spoke, he slowly lifted his head, intending to give a "death stare," but instead saw Su Yang's face. He immediately became frightened: "County Magistrate Su, why are you here? You didn't even call ahead, so I can send the comrades down to welcome you."

Su Yang said, "Deputy Chief Sun, you're flaunting such authority; now the comrades are swamped with work while you're idle to the point of boredom. With that attitude, you might as well be a bureau chief and fly to the heavens. You're only a Deputy Chief overseeing work, yet you're already corrupt and decadent; if you keep developing like this, the next Discipline Inspection Commission talk will probably be about you."

Sun Chengjun's face turned deathly pale; normally he is extremely cautious, but he had relaxed too much just now: "County Magistrate Su, I'm truly sorry, my work style does have problems, I reflect on it. I guarantee I will never repeat such mistakes; I'll go retrieve the case files and hand over all files concerning Geng Miao and his group to the Procuratorate, and have these bastards sentenced as soon as possible."

Su Yang couldn't help but smile: "I'm just saying, don't take it seriously. Between us there's no need for theatrics; I'm here mainly to discuss personnel adjustments at the Public Security Bureau. Right now the key leadership positions at your bureau are vacant, which hinders work, so quickly recommend suitable candidates."

"For the vacant Deputy Chief position, recommend someone and let the Organization Department decide; as for the team‑leader slots, you can decide yourself."

"In short, there's only one rule: the Public Security Bureau must be united like a single rope, able to pull together in critical moments and be effective, truly becoming a nemesis of criminals and protecting the Common People's safety. Regarding candidates, there isn't much time for you to consider; you must finish everything within a day or two."

"Also remember, never create a one‑voice rule; isn't your old Political Commissar still around? Discuss many matters with him, learn from him, give the senior comrade enough respect, and he will impart his knowledge generously."

While they were speaking, the old Political Commissar Mo Tai hurried in: "County Magistrate Su, hello, I am Mo Tai, reporting to you."

Su Yang felt a surge of excitement; the old Political Commissar's posture was extremely humble, and the more such senior comrades, the more substance they have. In this special period, it truly helps to have this old Political Commissar steady the front.