Chapter 19: Undermining someone's career?
"Another case solved within 48 hours. Foreign media are praising your Major Crimes Unit for its outstanding crime-solving skills." Director Liu hung up the phone with the provincial department leader and looked at Gu Yanzheng with a smile.
“You know what happened.” Gu Yanzheng saw an application on his desk and sat down opposite Director Liu, saying, “Even the victim’s family knows who deserves the most credit.”
"You can't say that. Solving a case requires brainstorming. Besides, you've been systematically advancing the case and conducting repeated investigations and visits. You're bound to discover Liang Jianguo's problems eventually. Didn't you choose to believe her this time? A leader who knows how to use people is truly capable."
Director Liu pointed to the blood pressure medication and said, "It's better than having the provincial department call me every day to ask about the progress. Look, this was brought from abroad by the Captopril man, and you solved the case before he even had a chance to take it."
Gu Yanzheng tapped the file on the desktop and said, "Zhang Jie?"
Director Liu called him over to discuss this matter. He got up, closed the door, and said, "She wants to transfer to an office position. You know Zhang Jie's family often interferes with her work, and her child's health isn't good either."
Police work differs from other positions; the dedication required for the job far outweighs that for family. While family cooperation is generally good, uncooperative family members can make the work difficult.
"You think she can't be a good wife and mother because she's never home, right?" Gu Yanzheng scoffed. "Does the law stipulate that the woman must be the head of the household?"
“This is her family matter, and the unit shouldn’t interfere,” Director Liu said, leaning back in his chair. “This is her own application, so I can’t refuse to approve it. As for who will fill her place after she leaves, I’d like to hear your opinion. What are the conditions?”
Gu Yanzheng leaned back and tapped his finger on the table, saying, "Bold, meticulous, and skilled."
"That's easy. Several students graduated from the Public Security University this year, and they all had excellent grades. You can pick one; they're all top students."
Gu Yanzheng thought of his seemingly honest and simple face, his sharp and meticulous mind, and his patience and consideration when facing the masses. He carefully said, "I don't want to train them one by one anymore. This time, I hope to discover them from the grassroots."
"Grassroots level?" Director Liu nodded slightly and said, "It just so happens that the internal promotion assessment is about to start this year, so I can approve a quota for you."
"Internal promotion assessment?" Gu Yanzheng gave a short laugh.
Director Liu asked in confusion, "What, you don't think so? Aren't we recruiting from the grassroots? Internal promotion assessments are all about selecting outstanding talent from the grassroots. Just tell us what your requirements are for the Major Crimes Unit."
If you ask Gu Yanzheng, he really doesn't mince words: "In addition to the conditions I just mentioned, you also need to have keen intuition and a talent for criminal investigation, to be able to stick to the criminal and not let go, and it would be best if you also had a keen sense of smell."
Director Liu cursed, "Are you looking for a police dog?"
Gu Yanzheng also laughed: "They are much more useful than police dogs, and are invaluable in every aspect. They must be involved in criminal psychology, criminal profiling, and forensic medicine. Oh, and they also need to know some martial arts. They need to be both literate and skilled in martial arts, and their appearance cannot lower the average level of the major crimes unit."
The average level excluding the three teams.
"...Is this an assessment and selection process or a direct roll call?" Director Liu naturally knew who he was talking about. Earlier that afternoon, Director Ma had come over with a banner and strolled around.
Gu Yanzheng asked calmly, "Is there still a need for an assessment?"
"Get lost." Director Liu knew what was going on and started to kick them out.
As Gu Yanzheng went out, he bumped into Park Heung-sung from Team Three as he entered. This time, Park Heung-sung was also holding an application document, which made Gu Yanzheng's eyelids twitch.
"Your team is also going to need to increase its manpower?"
"Are you the only ones allowed to have the limelight?"
Gu Yanzheng smiled and said confidently, "Go ahead, just don't add any more burden to the finances."
Park Heung-sung went in and paused for two seconds: ...Who are you calling a freeloader?
When Director Liu saw Park Heung-sung, he reached out and took the application materials he had submitted, and his chubby face immediately stopped smiling.
Park Heung-sung said with a smile, "Director Liu, there's been a vacancy for a female officer in our team—"
Director Liu angrily said, "What are you doing here causing trouble? We were going to assign female comrades to your third team, but you didn't want them!"
Park Heung-sung chuckled and said, "Isn't it because I regret it now?"
Gu Yanzheng circled around the doorway, clicked his tongue, and left.
Oh, Chen Zhenzhu, keep your eyes open, lest someone kidnap you.
Having made up his mind to spend more time together and cultivate a relationship, Gu Yanzheng returned to his office.
Well, what can I do? I'm the leader.
***
The boxed meals sold out that evening, and Shen Liuhe sat in the shop counting her pennies.
Business has been a bit better lately, but the surplus isn't very high, and the landlord wants to raise the rent by fifty yuan. The landlord's family went south to do business, but it seems the business isn't doing well, and they're short of money.
Knowing they had their reasons, Shen Liuhe didn't blame them. Back when the three of them were destitute and penniless, it was the landlord's family who gave them the storefront and even paid them six months' rent on credit.
Shen Liuhe could never forget the kindness of sheltering her from the wind and rain for those six months.
Yuan Jiangxue finished her meal here and continued watching TV. The steamed bun shop had a second-hand black and white TV, which, when paired with a large pot lid, could find quite a few channels.
“I think you should just stop making boxed lunches and start making stir-fries.” Yuan Jiangxue glanced at Chen Zhenzhu, and the two quickly exchanged glances before continuing Chen Zhenzhu’s instructions: “The other day you made stir-fries for the leaders of the criminal investigation team, and everyone was too embarrassed to ask because of the aroma.”
Shen Zhenzhu knew that although her family didn't earn much money, it was the means by which Shen Liuhe made a living. She knew that Shen Liuhe would definitely not accept a sudden change in her business methods. A few days ago, she had Shen Yuyuan say a few words to her, and this time she brought in outside help.
"You want some stir-fry too?" Shen Liuhe knew Yuan Jiangxue was picky, and said to herself, "Old Lu also asked me if I could cook a few dishes separately."
"At least you have a shop, which is much better than selling from a pushcart on the street. Why not give it a try? If it doesn't work out, you can always switch to boxed lunches." Yuan Jiangxue was a sentimental person, and such a big matter was a small matter in her eyes.
"Then I'll give it a try?" Shen Liuhe wasn't very confident at first, but recently the criminal investigation team had been eating at her place every day and always said they were very satisfied with their meals. She gradually gained a clearer understanding of her own cooking skills.
"Give it a try, Mom!!" Shen Yuyuan, who was doing her homework at the table next to her, also said, "No one gets rich by selling boxed lunches."
Shen Liuhe nodded emphatically, then looked at Shen Zhenzhu. Shen Zhenzhu had grown up and had a lot of say in the family.
"You don't have to worry about leftovers every day. Just cook whatever everyone eats. And I'm earning a salary now, Mom, do whatever makes you happy. Be cheerful!" Shen Zhenzhu encouraged Shen Liuhe, full of expectations for her.
"Okay, then you help Mom write down the menu."
Shen Zhenzhu smiled and went upstairs to take out the small blackboard she had prepared, saying, "Write it on the blackboard first, and we'll make changes as needed. Once things are settled, we'll print out the menu."
Seeing that she was prepared, Shen Liuhe knew that Yuan Jiangxue and Shen Yuyuan might be her persuaders. She simply tapped Shen Zhenzhu's nose, and the mother and daughter, head to head, wrote 'Today's Menu' on the small blackboard.
"Mom, I didn't know you could cook so many dishes!" Shen Yuyuan swallowed hard just looking at the menu: "Fish-flavored shredded pork, steamed fish head with chopped chili, four-happiness meatballs, candied sweet potatoes, steamed pork with rice flour, braised pork with preserved mustard greens... These are all dishes I've never tried before! Mom, you're keeping secrets from me!"
"What kind of secret is this? I can't exactly put it in my lunchbox."
"You haven't cooked a proper meal in years, Mom, take it easy," Shen Yuyuan said, biting her pen.
"Shut your mouth and concentrate on your problem." Shen Zhenzhu pretended to flick her forehead, which startled Shen Yuyuan, who hurriedly covered her forehead and cried out, "Mom, my older sister is going to hit me!"
"Serves you right." Shen Liuhe said to Shen Zhenzhu, "Add some mandarin fish and garlic ribs as well."
Not to mention Shen Yuyuan, even Shen Zhenzhu and Yuan Jiangxue were shocked.
Yuan Jiangxue couldn't help but say, "You're truly a hidden talent! Where did you learn that?"
Shen Liuhe looked at the small blackboard with satisfaction and said, "Their maternal grandfather used to be a master chef at the grain factory. He did whatever was available there. He was skilled in many things, and I learned from him by observation. I have a natural talent for it, and I can do it after just one glance."
She started blowing the broth before even tossing the wok.
***
The following day, Director Ma was summoned by Director Liu to inquire about the situation.
Director Liu looked at Shen Zhenzhu's academic record at the police academy; it was only above average.
Looking at the young students who were still quite naive at the time, with their sweet and well-behaved faces, they were just 20 years old.
She's earned two commendations this year, each time finding the key to solving a case. Director Liu couldn't help but sigh, "The grassroots really do toughen people up; her eyes are much more determined than before. No wonder that kid surnamed Gu didn't want to train students from academia."
Zhang Jie wasn't the first female officer to leave the Major Crimes Unit, and he thought Gu Yanzheng would never want a female officer again. Who would have thought that this time, the one who could persuade Gu Yanzheng to relent was a young girl? Thinking about it, Director Liu felt even more strongly that she had something going on.
Ma asked tentatively, "Director Liu, is there any personnel change?" He had been working at the grassroots level for over twenty years, and this was the first time he had encountered such a capable and competent person. He couldn't just let someone poach him.
Director Liu said slowly, "It's nothing, I'm just looking into it."
Ma understood perfectly. On the one hand, he hoped that Shen Zhenzhu could have a better future, and on the other hand, he really couldn't bear to see her leave the police station.
I wonder if she'll take down the banners on the wall if she leaves?
***
After the Dragon Boat Festival, it gradually gets hot in mid-June.
Six Sister's Steamed Bun Shop has been renamed Six Sister's Restaurant. The transformation has been very successful; profits have increased two to three times compared to selling boxed lunches recently, and there is still room for growth.
Sixth Sister's voice was as loud as ever, accompanied by joyful laughter.
Regular customers brought new customers over; some squeezed inside, while others simply sat outside, finding it more comfortable than inside. Stir-fries were easier to make than large-batch meals, and Sister Liu's portions were generous and affordable, gradually attracting repeat customers.
There was an old fan inside the shop and another outside, blowing back and forth, while cicadas were already chirping in the sycamore tree at the entrance.
As temperatures rise, the atmosphere at the Tiesi Police Station also becomes restless. Many officers are starting to inquire about internal promotion assessments.
Every year there are personnel changes in the Municipal Public Security Bureau. This year, the Criminal Investigation Team of the Municipal Public Security Bureau has two internal nomination slots, which are being watched closely by several top students and grassroots officers who are eager to try their best to secure one.
Ma understood that this was a live fish stirring up a stagnant pool.
Last month, Lao Huang personally witnessed Ma taking Shen Zhenzhu's file to Director Liu's office, and he thought Shen Zhenzhu was about to rise to prominence, but who knew that nothing would happen for a long time.
He felt he was overthinking things; that was the Fourth Major Crimes Unit, which was registered with the entire province!
"No unsolved cases, no wrongful convictions, the province's top-notch serious crime squad—anyone who gets in is set for life." Hong Le held the internal promotion application form; he had already found out that an officer from the fourth team had left. Every year he would apply for internal promotion exams in other units, but this year his ambitions had grown.
Sister Wang glanced at him and said, "Does anyone think they can just pass the exam to get into the Major Crimes Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department?"
“I didn’t say I was guaranteed to get in, but—” Hong Le flicked his internal promotion application form and said confidently, “The first requirement for internal promotion is that you need to have worked at the grassroots level for three years. But some people don’t even qualify to apply.”
To kill someone is to destroy their spirit.
Sister Wang rolled her eyes.
As Ma accompanied Shen Zhenzhu out of the office, just as Hong Le had said, Shen Zhenzhu had failed to receive the internal assessment application form and looked dejected.
Her dream, which she had always cherished, was actually blocked by the application threshold!
"You're still young, you have plenty of opportunities." Director Ma personally brewed some tea and placed it on Officer Shen's desk, saying with a hidden meaning, "Patience is a basic quality of police work, young comrade, just be patient and wait."
A note from the author:
----------------------
Park Heung-sung stared at the deep pearl that Old Gu had carefully protected. "I'll dig, I'll dig, I have to dig."
***
Pre-order: "The Fox Spirit as a Military Family: Sweet and Wild [1970s]" Does sleeping with a wild man really mean taking responsibility?
The little fox in Flower Valley faced great danger when she transformed into human form, but she captured a powerful man and ate a hearty meal, which helped her survive the night.
Grandma said that one cannot become an immortal without repaying kindness; she needs to find a man.
Aside from the sweat dripping onto my neck, I really can't remember what the man looked like.
That's right, the smell is definitely right.
She went down the mountain and entered a temporary camp, where a group of burly men in uniforms were carrying out construction work.
She secretly kept an eye on a few good ones... going to one tent today, another tomorrow... stirring up the youthful, virile men, making them restless and agitated, like male beasts vying for favor. But she turned her back on them without hesitation.
Why isn't it "him"?
*
Commander Xie discovered that the woman who had taken his virginity had reappeared.
She was innocent yet sexy, and incredibly audacious, daring to seduce his comrades right to his face...
Commander Xie didn't want to pay attention to this woman, but she put her legs on his lap.
Commander Xie, who intended to observe from the sidelines, was like a wolf king who had finally gained the right to choose a mate, and would not allow her to stick close to any other "brothers".
Fortunately, during their relationship, she was obedient and sweet, and she was like a fish swimming freely, fulfilling all his desires. He was the water she could not live without.
But she is not a fish.
On the eve of the day when Commander Xie was about to take her home to get their marriage certificate, she resolutely left.
Commander Xie was frantic with worry and stubbornly refused to let her go.
But then she came back dejectedly, carrying a small cloth bag, and, with a wicked air, she blamed herself, her little belly protruding, saying: "Pregnant foxes are not allowed to become immortals! It's all your fault!"
Commander Xie pinned her against the wall and kissed her fiercely. Now he knew how to keep this tormenting little vixen.
(She's rubbing against other men to find Commander Xie's aura, you know, both are virgins.)
(A character from "The Little Flower Fairy's Daily Life of Chasing Her Husband and Following the Army [1970s]" makes a cameo appearance; it's a sister series.) Screenshot taken on May 5, 2025.
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