Chapter 28

Grilling meat was something Du Xiaohu came up with after Lu Zheng mentioned lamb skewers and barbecues, which sparked his interest. Now, in Wushan, there were already Uighur people grilling lamb skewers on the streets, but Guangning had yet to see them. One day, Lu Zheng mentioned to Du Xiaohu about going to the city to eat skewers, and Du Xiaohu remembered it. He then asked Lu Zheng about the method of grilling meat. On this joyous day, he was going to try out his skills.

Without seasonings or cumin, he used soy sauce and chili oil to flavor the meat, which still had a unique taste when dipped and eaten.

Lu Zheng, eating and laughing, said, "Tong Susu won't have the luck to taste this." A few days ago, Tong Susu had moved to the staff dormitory of the county station.

About twenty minutes later, the roar of a jeep could be heard outside. Jiao Lei arrived quickly, clearly using all his efforts.

Then, at the gate, Jiao Lei carried his bicycle in and placed it by the wall, straightening Du Xiaohu's tilted water pipe bike. Standing far away, he smiled apologetically and said, "Director, if there's nothing else, I'll leave. Shall I have Da Lao Li pick you up at 7:30 tomorrow morning?"

Da Lao Li was the head of the car team, a transport soldier who had been transferred, with nearly thirty years of driving experience. He was stubborn and his temper grew worse with age. Now, he was just waiting to retire peacefully, and not many leaders liked him.

Lu Zheng waved at Jiao Lei and said, "Jiao, right? You've been busy all day, come, try the grilled meat."

Lu Zheng's tone was calm, but it made Jiao Lei's heart leap with joy. He waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no, Director, Mr. Du, you two enjoy slowly..."

Du Xiaohu actually had no official title, and "Mr. Du" was a respectful term used occasionally by people from other departments when they came to the county bureau.

Lu Zheng nodded slightly, "Alright, I'll see you at 7:30 tomorrow morning."

Jiao Lei couldn't hide his joy, nodding and bowing, "Yes, yes, I understand. I'll definitely be on time... no, early, early..."

As he backed out of the gate, he almost tripped, and Du Xiaohu couldn't help but laugh.

Lu Zheng shook his head, "This Jiao is quite interesting."

...

The next morning, Jiao Lei took a car from the bureau and was already waiting outside the yard at seven o'clock. He waited until 7:20, then got out of the car and waited nearby, occasionally listening for any movement inside the yard.

At 7:30, Lu Zheng and Du Xiaohu came out one after the other, and Jiao Lei quickly opened the car door, inviting the two leaders to get in.

The jeep quickly left Zhaozhuang and entered the main street of the county town. While driving, Jiao Lei smiled and said, "Director, last night, Director Yuguohuo and the others had already cleaned the office on the third floor." As a dedicated driver for the leadership, his main job was not only to drive but also to gather information about major and minor events in the bureau, becoming the third eye and ear of the leadership. Externally, he had to be tight-lipped, not revealing any information about the leadership, no matter how trivial.

Lu Zheng looked at the rapidly changing scenery of the county town outside the car window and said nothing.

Entering the county bureau yard, Lu Zheng did not go to the third floor of the office building but came to the office on the second floor that he shared with Ma Yuewu.

Ma Yuewu was slightly surprised to see him but then understood that Lu Zheng was waiting for the official appointment before taking over Zhang Qingming's position.

Seeing Lu Zheng sit down opposite him, Ma Yuewu suddenly felt that the Lu Zheng in front of him was not the same Lu Zheng he knew. The domineering aura of the old "Lu Gangtou" was still there, but this new director seemed to have an added layer of mysteriousness. This feeling was something he had experienced with Director Zhang, but how could a young man in his twenties have the seasoned and intimidating presence that only a veteran could cultivate?

Ma Yuewu was silent, not knowing what to say to Lu Zheng, and only lowered his head to look at the files on the desk.

At 3:30 PM, the county bureau's auditorium was beautifully decorated with flowers and red flags. The county party secretary and organization minister, Ma Weiguo, presided over the announcement of the new director and political commissar of the Guangning County Public Security Bureau.

At the county standing committee meeting that morning, Lu Zheng's appointment as the director of the Guangning County Public Security Bureau was unanimously approved.

Ma Weiguo read the decision on the appointment and dismissal of the director and political commissar of the Guangning County Public Security Bureau. Lu Zheng was appointed as the party secretary, political commissar, and director of the Guangning County Public Security Bureau, while Zhang Qingming was relieved of these duties.

At the same time, Lu Zheng also took on the role of the first political commissar of the Guangning County Border Defense Detachment of the Armed Police.

The deputy secretary of the Wushan Municipal Political and Legal Affairs Commission and the deputy director of the Wushan Municipal Public Security Bureau, Deng Kuien, attended the meeting and gave a speech, proposing four requirements for the new leadership of the Public Security Bureau: First, to maintain high consistency with the municipal and county party committees politically and to practice the police code of "loyalty, justice, revolution, and dedication"; second, to fulfill their duties and responsibilities in their work; third, to be strict and clean in their personal lives; and fourth, to set a good example and lead the team well.

In the audience, a few officials from the county organization department and the political and legal affairs commission sat in the front row. Behind them, rows of police officers with solemn faces filled the auditorium, their green uniforms creating a sea of green. Whether viewed horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, they formed straight lines, with red collar badges neatly adorning their uniforms, exuding a sense of solemnity and seriousness.

Photographers and reporters from the county TV station were busy in the corner on the left side of the stage, and Du Xiaohu glanced over but did not see Tong Susu.

On the stage, Lu Zheng finally took the microphone, and all the police officers, police personnel, and armed police turned their eyes to him. Even Deputy Director Deng Kuien from the municipal bureau, standing next to him, looked at this young director with interest. A 22-year-old county bureau director was unprecedented in the entire Wushan region, except during the turmoil and the early years of the founding of the country.

"Comrades, today, I have been appointed as the director of the Guangning County Public Security Bureau, and I feel very honored. Thank you for the trust placed in me by the organization. The appointment by the municipal bureau and the county party committee is a recognition of my past work. However, the past does not represent the future. I will strive to learn, seek advice, work hard, fulfill my duties, promote unity, and set a good example, leading the county's police force to a new level and a new height!"

Lu Zheng's clear and authoritative voice echoed throughout the auditorium, which was silent. Many grassroots police officers looked up excitedly, hoping to see the new director clearly. Who in the Guangning County Public Security Bureau didn't know the legendary story of this young director? A combat hero from the South China battlefield, despite being repeatedly suppressed by Director Zhang, he emerged like a plum blossom in the cold winter. When the bureau faced the most heinous series of cases since the founding of the country, it was Director Lu who stepped forward, cleared the names of the wronged, captured the real culprits, and restored the reputation of the Guangning bureau. He also killed the top fugitive of the People's Republic, avenging the cruelly murdered comrades, and displayed the spirit of a lone hero! Moreover, it was said that Director Lu had remotely helped solve a series of child abduction cases in another region.

This young director was not only a symbol of the Guangning bureau but also its pride and glory!

Perhaps Lu Zheng himself did not realize the immense prestige he enjoyed in the Guangning Public Security Bureau.

He spoke slowly, conveying the information he wanted to share: "Our Guangning bureau has a fine tradition and is a united and highly combat-effective team. The police officers have worked tirelessly and selflessly to ensure the safety of Guangning, making great efforts and sacrifices! Over the past five years, countless comrades have been commended, three have been martyred, and 22 have been injured. It is an honor to lead such a glorious team! Suppressing crime and combating all kinds of illegal activities, safeguarding the economic construction of the new era of socialism, is our duty and our mission!"

"Comrades, with the development of the economy, our responsibilities have increased, and so have the temptations. As the saying goes, 'The more flowers there are, the more they dazzle the eye, but in the end, they are just a handful of earth. To live a life of integrity and dedication is to be a true man!' I believe that our Guangning police officers will maintain a calm mind in the face of the new economic tide and serve as the guardians and servants of the people!"

"I, Lu Zheng, have never had a coward under my command! Comrades, let us join hands and face the storms and challenges of the future together!"

"Clap!" The auditorium erupted in enthusiastic applause. The current police force, having been educated in various forms of collectivism, was filled with young people with ideals. Lu Zheng's speech, with its strong personal style, was both fresh and inspiring, and the atmosphere in the auditorium was infectious. Especially the young police officers who had just graduated from police school or transferred from the military, clapped until their hands turned red.

Lu Zheng, the combat hero from the South China front, had a blood-soaked history of almost wiping out an entire company to block the elite Vietnamese forces! He truly had the right to say that he had never had a coward under his command!

Deputy Director Deng Kuien from the municipal bureau also smiled and clapped lightly, clearly satisfied with Lu Zheng's speech, which, while using official language, had a distinct personal charm.

Ma Weiguo also smiled and clapped, but his face revealed nothing.

Gao Zhikai, sitting in the audience, remained silent, his face expressionless. Then, amid the applause, he stood up and left the auditorium.

Watching his back, Ma Weiguo frowned slightly and then whispered something to Lu Zheng with a smile.