Great Power Reclamation

Chapter 2849 Ye Wancheng's Love and Law

There is an unwritten rule in Junkencheng that security guards for all units and schools must be veterans from Junkencheng.

This isn't about making things special; it's just that military training is an essential part of everything in Junken City, whether it's schools or businesses.

Even in government agencies, the appointed party secretary and mayor are required to attend the daily morning training; this is an ironclad rule.

The reason why we need veteran security guards is primarily because they possess exceptional military skills and a strong sense of responsibility, making them far more capable of protecting company property than external hires.

This unwritten rule has been in effect for so many years, and practice has proven it to be correct.

Therefore, some of those retired veterans went to patrol the border, while others became security guards.

The security guard from the new energy company was the same person who had stopped Ye Mao from entering the workshop last time. He was a conscientious worker, but he had a fatal flaw: his principles were biased.

This is where the daughter of an old comrade-in-arms got involved. Not only did he not stop Sasha's father from entering the factory, but he also brought a mop to cheer him on, which led to Aisha being beaten.

Wang Lina was furious. What did this behavior mean? It wasn't just a simple violation of company rules; it was a crime!

Sasha's father was arrested, but the security guard, Lao Wang, was bailed out by Wang Lina because he hadn't helped commit the crime and had even held the perpetrator back at a crucial moment.

Zhang Heng was supposed to be the victim, but Aisha was injured while protecting him and is still in the hospital.

While Aisha is an ordinary worker, she is a foreign national, which makes the situation complicated because it could potentially escalate into a diplomatic incident.

However, Wang Lina always handled things quickly and efficiently, and soon she calmed Aisha down before working on Zhang Heng.

Zhang Heng already felt guilty, so naturally he didn't say anything. He stayed with Aisha at the hospital the whole time.

However, Sasha broke down and fell in love with a man, but this man was so unreliable that he not only got himself involved, but also his father.

She went to the hospital and started a fight with Zhang Heng, causing chaos throughout the hospital. Eventually, the police were called, and Sasha was taken away again.

Sasha's mother was the only one left at home. This elderly woman was quite strong and did not just sit on the ground and cry like an ordinary woman.

She first went to Wang Lina and told her the whole story.

Wang Lina naturally knew the whole story, and she sympathized with Sasha's family's plight. However, in her mind, Zhang Heng's problem was merely a moral one, but that could not justify Sasha's father's crime.

Sasha's mother understood that if this matter wasn't handled properly, her family would fall apart, and her husband would definitely be sentenced to prison.

So she went to Xiao Guaizi, hoping that Xiao Guaizi could call Ye Yuze and plead on her behalf, out of consideration for their childhood friendship.

After all, Ye Yuze's influence in the military reclamation city is undeniable, and as long as he says he can go, no one will disagree.

The summer nights in Junken City are dry, as is typical of the Gobi Desert. The evening wind carries sand and gravel that pelts the windows of the New Energy Company's office building, making a soft, rustling sound.

Wang Lina sat behind her large desk, the pen between her fingers lingering on the document for a long time, but she didn't write a single word.

In the glow of the desk lamp, the frown lines between her brows appeared deeper than usual...

The fact that Sasha's father beat someone was like a thorn in her heart, and even more so in the seemingly peaceful order of the military reclamation city.

"Mr. Wang, Mr. Ye called from the United States, asking when you..."

The secretary's knocking was cautious.
"I understand," Wang Lina interrupted her, her voice hoarse. "Tell him to wait for my call."

She wasn't afraid of Ye Feng, but rather of the conflict that was about to erupt over the phone.

Ye Feng, the CEO of the Military Reclamation City Warriors Group, is also a junior she has watched grow up, but on this matter, he stands on a completely opposite side to her.

In Wang Lina's view, security guard Lao Wang is a veteran who has upheld the rules of the military reclamation city all his life. Although he made a mistake this time, he saved people at the critical moment, so his crime is not serious.

Sasha's father acted impulsively, but behind it was his daughter's hurt feelings after her breakup, which is understandable.

As for Zhang Heng, he's just "unreliable" in romantic relationships, which doesn't rise to the level of law.

This isn't about smoothing things over; it's a bond passed down through generations in the military reclamation town.

The sacrifices of veterans should be protected, and the mistakes of young people should be tolerated.

But Ye Feng didn't think so. He had just flown back from the United States, still tired from jet lag, yet he slammed his fist on the table in the conference room:

“Aunt Wang! This isn’t about personal feelings! Hitting someone is a crime, and the security guards letting someone commit violence is dereliction of duty. This has nothing to do with whether they are veterans or not! Why should anyone be given special treatment before the law?”

"Xiao Ye, you've been in America for too long, have you forgotten your roots in the military reclamation city?"

Wang Lina stood up abruptly, her chest heaving. "The old soldier shed his blood for this land. Now that he's old, can't we lend a hand when he makes a mistake? Sasha's father is wrong, but the cause was Zhang Heng..."

"The cause was that Zhang Heng had moral problems, but moral problems are moral problems, and breaking the law is breaking the law!"

Ye Feng stood his ground, "If we let lawbreakers go today because of 'personal relationships,' what will become of the rules of the military reclamation city? What will become of the law? Will those old soldiers who abide by the rules be convinced?"

The air in the meeting room froze. Among those present were both "old-timers" who had followed their fathers in pioneering the land and "new-timers" led by Ye Feng.

The gazes of the two groups collided between the two men, sparks flying.

The older comrades felt that Ye Feng was too "Westernized" and didn't understand human relationships; the younger ones felt that Wang Lina was too "protective" and had lost her principles.

“I’m telling you, Ye Feng,” Wang Lina’s voice trembled slightly, “I’m determined to handle this! If Old Wang can’t handle it, then Sasha’s father…”

"Aunt Wang!" Ye Feng abruptly interrupted her, "You're risking the future of Junken City! You think protecting them is a good thing? You're pushing them into a fire pit!"

"And Zhang Heng, is he innocent? He toyed with other people's feelings, causing a young woman's family to be ruined and her life destroyed. Is that a moral issue? That's immoral! But we can condemn and criticize immorality, but breaking the law must be investigated! You can't lump them together!"

“You…” Wang Lina felt a rush of blood to her head. At over fifty years old, getting pregnant was already difficult. The anxiety of the past few days and the argument in front of her made her dizzy. She grabbed the table tightly.

The secretary next to her quickly helped her up: "Ms. Wang, please take it easy!"

Ye Feng was also startled, took a step forward but then stopped, his expression complicated:
“Aunt Wang, I’m not targeting you personally, I’m addressing the issue. The military reclamation city needs to develop; it can’t keep living in the past ‘sentiments.’ Laws and regulations are the only long-term solution.”

"Alright, that's enough!"

Wang Lina waved her hand, cold sweat beading on her forehead. "I'm tired, I'll go back and rest first. This matter... let me think about it some more."

She was helped out of the conference room, behind her Ye Feng's heavy gaze and the low murmurs of the older comrades.

As the car drove into the military reclamation city's residential area, the streetlights cast long shadows of the old poplar trees, resembling the silhouettes of the older generation of military reclamation workers during their pioneering work.

Wang Lina leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, but her mind was filled with Ye Feng's words—

"Laws and rules are the only long-term solution." Was she wrong? She had always thought that protecting the veterans and the "sentiment" of the military reclamation city was protecting the roots, but Ye Feng said that it might be destroying the roots.

At home, Wei Xiang was startled to see her pale face: "What's wrong? Didn't I tell you not to worry about it?"

Wang Lina sat down and took a sip of warm water. "Ye Feng is back. He insists on dealing with Lao Wang and Sasha's father, and he wants to pursue legal action against them."

Wei Xiang sighed, "Xiao Ye isn't entirely wrong. Hitting someone is definitely wrong, and as for Lao Wang... sigh, he was confused. But he's still Father's old comrade-in-arms. If he's really sentenced, how will he ever face anyone again?"

“I know! But Ye Feng won’t budge. He says it’s a matter of principle.”

Wang Lina rubbed her temples. "The two sides are arguing fiercely right now. I... I almost lost my balance in the conference room just now."

Wei Xiang's expression changed: "What? You can't be hurt! You're so old, getting pregnant is not easy, why get angry with them! This matter... how about we talk to Brother Yuze?"

Ye Yuze, that name is like a pillar of strength. In the military reclamation city, no one carries more weight than him.

Wang Lina shook her head: "He's also in the United States, and in the past two years he has clearly let go and doesn't want to get involved in the group's affairs anymore."

Wei Xiang thought for a while, then his eyes suddenly lit up. There was also Ye Wancheng!

He was a representative of the first generation of military reclamation soldiers, Ye Feng's grandfather, and one of the founders of the military reclamation city. The next day, Wei Xiang went to the Ye family in person.

It was the weekend, and Ye Wancheng was tending to his grapevines in the yard. After Wei Xiang explained the whole story, Ye Wancheng paused with his scissors, but remained silent.

Sunlight filtered through the grape leaves, casting dappled light on his wrinkled face and revealing his deep gaze.

“Grandpa Ye,” Wei Xiang rubbed his hands, “you’re the only one who can speak up now. Lina is also anxious, afraid of hurting the feelings of the old soldier, but Ye Feng is sticking to the law. If this matter continues, not only the company, but the entire military reclamation city will be in chaos.”

Ye Wancheng put down the scissors, wiped his hands, and sat down at the stone table:
"Wei Xiang, do you know why we came to the Northern Frontier back then?"

Wei Xiang was taken aback for a moment: "For the purpose of land reclamation and border defense, and for the development of the frontier."

“Yes,” Ye Wancheng nodded. “Those were tough times. No water, no electricity, no shelter. What did we rely on to survive? We relied on discipline, rules, and the bond between us comrades. But think about it, which is more important, discipline or bond?”

Wei Xiang thought for a moment: "They're both important, right? Without discipline, the team falls apart; without camaraderie, people's hearts grow cold."

“That’s right.” Ye Wancheng smiled. “But in this case, it’s not a conflict between personal feelings and discipline, but rather that someone has mistaken ‘personal feelings’ for ‘indulgence’.”

"Just because Old Wang is a veteran, does that mean he can let people commit violence? Just because Sasha's father felt wronged, does that mean he can hit people? Does that mean that from now on, anyone who thinks they are in the right can break the law?"

Wei Xiang was speechless.

"Ye Feng was born and raised in the United States, so he values ​​the law more when it comes to issues, which is correct. Wang Lina wanted to help him because of her old military reclamation ties, which is also correct."

Ye Wancheng said slowly, "The mistake is that they confused the two things."

“Those who break the law must be dealt with according to the law; that’s the bottom line and cannot be crossed. But we can’t lose the bond with veterans. How should we handle this? We have to be tactful.”

He paused, then looked at Wei Xiang: "Go back and tell Wang Lina not to fight back stubbornly. Don't confront her head-on. I'll handle this."

Two days later, Ye Wancheng invited Wang Lina and Ye Feng to his home. Under the grape trellis, freshly picked grapes were laid out on the stone table.

"Sit down, both of you." Ye Wancheng looked at the two women, one a strong and capable businesswoman, the other a decisive and energetic young leader.

"Can arguing solve problems? Wang Lina, you tell me first, why are you protecting Lao Wang and Sasha's dad?"

Wang Lina bit her lip: "Uncle Ye, they are all old people from the military reclamation city. Old Wang has worked hard all his life, and Sasha's father was just confused for a moment... I'm afraid that if I deal with them, it will chill the hearts of the old soldiers."

"Ye Feng, what about you?"

Ye Feng straightened his back: "Grandpa, for the military reclamation city to develop, we must abide by the rules and the law. If even breaking the law can be tolerated because of 'personal relationships,' then no one will follow the rules in the future, and the law will lose its authority. This would be a disaster for the future of the military reclamation city."

Ye Wancheng nodded, picked up a bunch of grapes, and slowly began to pick them:

“What you’re saying makes sense. But you’ve forgotten what kind of place this Military Reclamation City is. It’s a place that’s held together by both ‘rules’ and ‘kindness’. Without either one, it won’t go far.”

He looked at Wang Lina: "Wang Lina, it's right for you to protect the veterans, but you can't be biased towards your own."

“Old Wang let someone commit violence, which violated company rules and crossed the line of the law. He should be dealt with accordingly—not by being fired or sentenced, but by making him understand where he went wrong.”

"How should we handle this? Let him join the border patrol team and guard the border with the young people. Let him reflect on his mistakes. This is the 'rule' and 'favor' that the military reclamation city has for veterans. Give him a chance to correct his mistakes and let him continue to work for the military reclamation city."

He then looked at Ye Feng and said, "Ye Feng, you are right to talk about the law, but the 'law' of Junken City cannot be just cold, hard articles."

“Sasha’s father assaulted someone, which is illegal. He should pay compensation and apologize. If Aisha forgives him, the social impact will be minimal. Within the legal framework, he can be treated leniently.”

"But he must know that impulsiveness comes at a price. This is not condoning, but giving people a chance to reform, which is in line with our old tradition of 'never abandoning or giving up' in our military reclamation city."

"As for Zhang Heng," Ye Wancheng's tone turned somber, "it's a moral issue. Although the law can't address it, the 'rules' of Junken City can. Make him conduct an internal self-examination within the company, issue a public apology, and give Aisha and Sasha an explanation."

“From now on, his behavior will be subject to everyone’s supervision. This is the attitude of the military reclamation city towards ‘immorality’ – one can not break the law, but one cannot be without conscience.”

Wang Lina and Ye Feng exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of relenting in each other's eyes.

"Grandpa," Ye Feng spoke first, "I agree with your approach. But we must ensure that the bottom line of the law is not crossed."

"I see."

Ye Wancheng looked at Wang Lina.

Wang Lina took a deep breath and nodded: "I'll listen to you, Uncle Ye. Let Old Wang patrol the border; it'll help him clear his head."

The storm seemed to have passed. When Wang Lina returned home, Wei Xiangchen was relieved to see that her expression had softened.

"Everyone said Grandpa Ye had a way, and he was right."

Wang Lina smiled and gently placed her hand on her lower abdomen: "Wei Xiang, what do you think we should teach the baby after he is born? Should we teach him to remember the kindness of the old soldiers, or should we teach him to abide by the rules of the new society?"

Wei Xiang thought for a moment, then took her hand: "Teach him. Tell him that the people of Junken City must understand both sentiment and law; they must cherish the past, but also look to the future."

Outside the window, the lights of the military reclamation city twinkled, much like the way our fathers used to cultivate the land with flashlights.

Today, what grows on this land is not only crops and buildings, but also the survival wisdom that military reclamation workers have explored, a wisdom that intertwines emotion and law.

Ye Wancheng, an elderly man who witnessed the creation of the military reclamation city from scratch, used his own way to bring this clash between "emotion" and "law" back to the most essential aspect of the military reclamation city—one that is both principled and compassionate.

The Empress Dowager and Ye Ling looked at Ye Wancheng with deep affection. They knew this man best. He didn't like to meddle in other people's business. Although he had been a municipal official for so long, he devoted himself to drug research and development after retirement. But once he took charge of something, he was always very fair.