Chapter 120 Deputy Director Chen

With Chen Yuanjiang's idea of ​​leveraging the security department's patrol team, Shu Ran's pilot program for mobile teaching sites immediately became more substantial.

She revised the plan overnight, highlighting leveraging existing resources, ensuring safety, and achieving efficient coverage as key strengths. She also detailed the specific procedures and division of responsibilities for potential collaborations with departments such as the Security Department, Logistics Department, and Medical Team.

The next morning, she placed the more comprehensive proposal on Director Sun's desk.

Director Sun carefully flipped through the document, his finger pausing for a moment on a line of text. He looked up at Shu Ran with approval in his eyes.

"You've opened up a lot of ideas, Xiao Shu." Director Sun closed the plan. "You know how to leverage resources, that's a good thing. But have you communicated with the security department? Chen Yuanjiang is now the deputy director, in charge of border patrols and internal security. He has a heavy responsibility, and his temper is probably even more stubborn now."

Shu Ran was slightly taken aback. Deputy Director? She had been so engrossed in the proposal these past few days that she hadn't even known he'd been promoted. From special commissioner to deputy director, that was quite a leap.

She quickly composed herself and reported truthfully: "Yesterday I ran into Deputy Director Chen in the cafeteria. He mentioned their patrol routes and expressed his support for education work, saying he could provide assistance with security." She naturally changed her form of address.

"Oh?" Director Sun raised an eyebrow, seemingly more surprised by Chen Yuanjiang's proactive attitude. "He's just been promoted, and new officials are always eager to make a difference. It's rare for him to support education at this crucial time. Since he has this attitude, things will be much easier. In principle, I agree to your plan. First, go and finalize the transportation arrangements with the logistics department. Then, take the department's official approval and go to Chen Yuanjiang to discuss the specific details. Remember, follow the correct procedures and maintain the right attitude."

"Yes, Director, I understand." Shu Ran felt relieved; the most difficult hurdle—gaining the support of her direct supervisor—was finally over.

Leaving the director's office, Shu Ran went straight to the logistics department. This time, she held the official approval document from the education department, feeling much more confident. Faced with Deputy Section Chief Wang's evasiveness, she no longer merely pleaded earnestly as before, but instead adopted a cooperative and mutually beneficial stance.

"Section Chief Wang, this pilot program is a key project personally overseen by Director Sun. Its purpose is to solve the long-standing problem of children in pastoral areas having difficulty accessing education. This is also an important measure to demonstrate our division's care for the grassroots. Yang, the staff member from the Publicity Section, is ready to follow up and report on the entire process."

Shu Ran gently pushed the document over, "Logistics support is a crucial part of this. We don't need special vehicles; we just need to coordinate a few hitchhiking spots when the security patrol team sets off. This will have a negligible impact on the logistics department's existing transportation plan. But if this is done, it will be a tangible achievement for the logistics department in supporting the grassroots and serving the overall situation. Director Sun will also see the logistics department's efficient and cooperative work capabilities."

Her words were firm yet gentle. Deputy Section Chief Wang looked at the red stamp on the document, weighed the weight of Shu Ran's words, and his expression shifted several times before finally forcing a smile: "Officer Shu is right. Supporting education is our duty as the logistics department! Here's what you'll do: tell me in advance when you need to catch a ride and the approximate route, and I'll try my best to arrange it so as not to delay your business!"

"Thank you so much, Section Chief Wang! Your support is crucial to the success of our pilot project." Shu Ran offered timely praise, feeling relieved.

After settling things with the logistics department, Shu Ran didn't immediately go to find Chen Yuanjiang. Instead, she went back to the education department first. She needed to calm herself down a bit and also check with her well-informed colleagues in the department to confirm the details of Chen Yuanjiang's promotion.

Sure enough, as soon as she entered the office, she heard several young staff members talking.

"Have you heard? Special Commissioner Chen from the Security Department—oh no, now we should call him Deputy Director Chen—has been approved!"

"So fast? He's done so many good deeds, he should have been promoted long ago."

"Yes, he's one of the youngest deputy directors in our division now. I heard the division commander thinks highly of him..."

When Shu Ran entered, the murmurs subsided somewhat, but everyone's eyes involuntarily drifted towards her with a hint of curiosity. After all, many people had witnessed Chen Yuanjiang taking the initiative to talk to her in the cafeteria last time.

Shu Ran walked to her seat with a normal expression, picked up her teacup and drank some water.

Chen Yuanjiang's promotion brings him more power, and theoretically, he can offer greater support for her projects. However, the widening gap in their ranks means that their recently clarified relationship needs to be handled with even greater caution in the division headquarters environment.

She decided not to delay any longer, picked up the documents, and walked towards the office building where the security department was located.

The atmosphere in the security office was noticeably more solemn than that in the education section. The officers who occasionally walked by in the corridor were all walking quickly with serious expressions.

Shu Ran found Chen Yuanjiang's office by following the door number. The door was open, and he was hunched over his desk writing something, his brows slightly furrowed.

Shu Ran gently knocked on the door.

Chen Yuanjiang looked up and saw that it was her. His eyes lit up and his tightly furrowed brows relaxed a little.

"Shu... Officer, please come in."

His office was as simple as it was furnished: a table, a few chairs, a filing cabinet, and a large map of the border region hanging on the wall.

"Deputy Director Chen." Shu Ran stepped forward and placed the approval documents and memorandum on his desk. "Congratulations on your promotion. This is our Education Section's approval for the pilot program of mobile teaching points, as well as our preliminary suggestions for cooperating with your patrol team. Please take a look."

She deliberately used the new title "Deputy Director Chen," with a hint of teasing, and looked at him with clear eyes.

Chen Yuanjiang took the document, met her gaze, and smiled.

Chen Yuanjiang took the document and read it quickly but carefully.

"Safety is our top priority. Can your teaching staff, especially the women, adapt to long-distance travel and outdoor environments? Do you have emergency plans in place for unforeseen circumstances?"

Shu Ran was well-prepared and calmly replied: "The teaching staff will be mainly selected from the core members of the literacy class in the animal husbandry company that I previously led, and young teachers from schools directly under the division headquarters who are willing to participate in the practice. They will receive preliminary training. Regarding the emergency plan, our initial ideas are: first, each operation must be carried out by at least two people; second, basic medicines will be provided; and third, we will strictly follow the instructions of your patrol team and never act without authorization. More importantly, we hope to receive professional guidance from the security department on safety identification and basic risk avoidance."

Chen Yuanjiang was silent for a moment. "The patrol routes and times are classified and cannot be disclosed to the public in detail in advance."

Shu Ran's heart sank; this was the most crucial step.

But Chen Yuanjiang changed the subject: "However, we can notify you two hours before departure whether you can join the team, as well as the general direction and expected stops, depending on the situation of each mission. Your personnel and supplies must be ready and assembled at the designated location within this time. Latecomers will not be waited for."

Shu Ran nodded immediately: "Okay! We will definitely assemble on time and will not cause any trouble for the patrol team! Thank you for your support, Officer Chen!"

Seeing the light in her eyes, Chen Yuanjiang softened his expression. "This is for work. The specific list of personnel and supplies for each team needs to be submitted to my office for review in advance."

"No problem!" Shu Ran readily agreed.

After finishing their business, Shu Ran prepared to get up and take her leave.

Chen Yuanjiang suddenly closed the folder and looked at her, his tone seemingly casual, but his eyes held a deep meaning that only the two of them could understand: "Officer Shu, you've really put your heart and soul into your work. I heard you personally led the team for the first time?"

Shu Ran met his gaze. "Yes, with Deputy Director Chen personally overseeing the security, what could I possibly worry about? We can't let... well, some unnecessary concerns affect the progress of our work, can we? After all, there are probably even more people watching us now."

A smile flickered in Chen Yuanjiang's eyes. "No need to worry about normal work cooperation. The Security Department's stance of supporting education work will not change. Just prepare according to plan."

"With Deputy Director Chen's words, I'm relieved." Shu Ran stood up, her smile polite. "As for the specific details, I'll have our section's Xiao Zhang coordinate with you later."

Chen Yuanjiang nodded, and as she turned to walk towards the door, he added in a low but clear voice, "Take care of yourself."

This relationship, where both parties are fully aware of each other's intentions, is filled with a unique meaning.

Shu Ran didn't stop walking. She placed her hand on the doorknob, glanced back at him, and said with a sly look in her eyes, "Thank you for your concern, boss. I will."

The door closed gently.

Chen Yuanjiang watched the door close, raised his hand to rub his temples, and a smile finally spread across his eyes. Shu Ran's repeated calls of "Deputy Director Chen" softened his heart, especially that last look in her eyes; he liked it even more.

Shu Ran quickly left the security department. Now was not the time to indulge in personal feelings. The pilot program had been approved, and the two key departments of logistics and security were initially settled. Next, it was time to work intensively to assemble the team, prepare supplies, and train personnel.

Upon returning to the Education Section, she immediately convened a meeting with several of the more motivated young staff members to break down the pilot project tasks. She assigned responsibilities such as who would contact each regiment to select suitable teaching staff, who would compile a list of simplified teaching materials and aids, and who would coordinate with the medical team to dispatch accompanying medical personnel. Her instructions were clear, and the division of labor was well-defined, fully mobilizing everyone's enthusiasm.

"Comrades, this pilot project is a sign of the department's trust in our section, and it's also a great opportunity for our education section to make a name for itself and truly solve practical difficulties for the grassroots! If we do it well, the credit will be everyone's! If we don't do it well, I'll take the responsibility." Shu Ran stood in front of the table, her gaze sweeping over everyone, her tone carrying a sense of decisiveness.

She was no longer the new clerk who had just come from the company and needed to carefully figure things out, but was gradually showing the qualities of a leader who could take charge on her own.

The veteran officers in Corey, who had initially been somewhat critical of her arrival, couldn't help but lower their guard after seeing her decisive style and her ability to quickly mobilize the two troublesome departments of logistics and security.

In the midst of their busy work, several days flew by. Preparations for the mobile teaching site were largely complete, and the first batch of five selected teaching staff had arrived and were undergoing intensive training. Simple teaching materials, aids, and basic medicines were also ready; they were simply awaiting notification from the security patrol team.

That afternoon, Shu Ran was checking the supplies list when there was a knock on her office door.

"Please come in."

Yang Zhenhua entered, his face bearing his usual warm smile.

"Comrade Shu Ran, are you busy?"

"Officer Yang, what is it?" Shu Ran put down her pen, smiled, and looked up at him.

"I heard that your mobile teaching point is all set, just waiting for the right opportunity?" Yang Zhenhua pulled up a chair and sat down. "I've prepared all the materials for the publicity materials, and I'm just waiting for your triumphant return."

"Thank you for your support, Officer Yang," Shu Ran replied politely.

Yang Zhenhua looked at her and suddenly lowered his voice: "Shu Ran, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."

"Please speak, Officer Yang."

“I heard that this patrol is quite dangerous. The border area hasn’t been peaceful lately either.” Yang Zhenhua said with concern, “You’re a woman and the project leader, there’s no need for you to go on the first patrol yourself, is there? Just let the others go. You can oversee the overall situation from headquarters.”

Shu Ran looked at him and understood that his words were half concern, half probing, and perhaps also contained a selfish desire to prevent her from having too much contact with Chen Yuanjiang.

She smiled, but her tone left no room for argument: "Officer Yang, it is precisely because I am in charge that I must go in person for the first operation. Only by experiencing it firsthand can I know where the plan needs to be adjusted and how to better guide the work afterwards. As for safety, I believe that the comrades in the security department have also made full preparations."

Yang Zhenhua was shut down by her, and forced a smile: "That's true, you always have your own ideas. Well... be careful."

After he got up and left, Shu Ran stared at the closed door, pondering: In this place, the division headquarters, countless eyes were watching her, waiting to see her make a mistake, to see her humiliated. She absolutely could not back down; she had to go for this first guidance session, and she had to do it perfectly.

The next morning, before dawn, Shu Ran and four other key teaching staff arrived at the designated assembly point of the security department on time, carrying supplies.

The headlights approached from afar, and two convertible military jeeps stopped in front of them. Chen Yuanjiang jumped out of the passenger seat of the first vehicle.

His gaze swept over Shu Ran and her group, lingering on Shu Ran's face for a moment before quickly shifting away. He then gave the order: "Personnel board the vehicle in the order listed, and secure the supplies. Keep quiet on the road and follow instructions."

"Yes!" Shu Ran responded first, and efficiently organized the people to get on the bus.

She and he, one directing from outside the car, the other coordinating from inside.

The car started and drove out of the division headquarters compound. Shu Ran held the bag in her arms, which contained teaching materials, teaching aids, and the military water bottle.