Siheyuan: The Era of Struggle

Chapter 430 Showing Loyalty

"Come in."

As He Yuanchao finished speaking, the office door was opened from the outside, and Feng Qiang, the former security officer and now the head of the security department's comprehensive management section, walked in with a smile.

He Yuanchao had taken seven days off, and today was his first day back at work. Seeing his subordinate, who was the first to report to his office, he couldn't help but smile.

"Old Feng, what brings you here so early in the morning?"

"It's nothing serious."

Feng Qiang was very good at handling things. He smiled as he answered He Yuanchao's question, then picked up a thermos from the tea cabinet by the door and walked to his desk, saying:
"I came mainly to report to you, Director, on the work of the Comprehensive Management Section these past few days. I also wanted to visit you. You have no idea, Director, these past few days without you, I felt like I had lost my backbone when I was working."

As they were talking, Feng Qiang picked up the enamel mug from the desk, poured some water to rinse it, then poured the water on the floor before refilling the mug and gently placing it in front of He Yuanchao.

Feng Qiang's series of actions all conveyed the same message: I'm here to show my loyalty, I'm your man, Director, and reporting on my work is just a pretext.

He Yuanchao naturally understood and, without being polite, took a sip of water from his teacup and offered one of his cigarettes to Feng Qiang.

"Stop with the nonsense. Since you're here to report on your work, let's talk about the situation in the Comprehensive Management Section these past few days."

Despite being smacked, Feng Qiang didn't mind. He chuckled and accepted the cigarette He Yuanchao offered, lit it for both of them, and then began to talk about the situation in the Comprehensive Management Section over the past few days.

The Comprehensive Management Section doesn't handle many major matters; they're mostly trivial and insignificant things. But Feng Qiang is quite capable; he manages to explain these trivial matters clearly and logically without annoying anyone.

After rambling on and on, and finishing a cigarette, Feng Qiang knew he had said enough. Too much of a good thing can be bad, so he didn't linger any longer and tactfully got up to say goodbye and leave He Yuanchao's office.

After seeing Feng Qiang off, He Yuanchao returned to his desk. Just as he was about to call Mo Dacheng, there was another knock on the office door.

"Come in."

He Yuanchao put down the phone and turned to shout loudly towards the door.

The person who opened the door this time was Zhao Shenglin, the former head of the Security Section of the Security Department, and now the head of the Security Section of the Security Division.

Zhao Shenglin was a more steady person, unlike Feng Qiang who was slippery. Seeing He Yuanchao's hand on the phone, he immediately apologized:

"Director, did I come at the wrong time? Why don't you go ahead with your work and I'll come back later?"

When He Yuanchao saw Zhao Shenglin, the first of the security cadres to approach him, his smile became more genuine, and he waved his hand, saying:

"It's nothing much, Lao Zhao, just tell me what's on your mind."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shenglin closed his office door and went into He Yuanchao's office.

"Actually, it's nothing serious. I just started working and heard you were back, so I thought I'd come and see you."

As he spoke, Zhao Shenglin took out a cigarette from his pocket and offered one to He Yuanchao.

"I'm done smoking, I just put it out." He Yuanchao didn't take the cigarette from Zhao Shenglin, and pointed to the chair in front of the desk, saying, "Old Zhao, it's perfect that you're here. Sit down and tell me about the situation in the Public Security Section these past few days."

Of all the departments under the Security Department, He Yuanchao valued the Public Security Section the most, followed by the Security Section.

The Security Section of the Security Department is the core management body for security within the factory. It is responsible for handling security cases, and even some criminal cases, in areas such as the production area and residential area. Its power is equivalent to that of a local police station, and it has the function of directly investigating and handling cases. It has a great deal of independence within the entire factory area, and even within the Security Department itself.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shenglin didn't hesitate. He took two steps forward, sat down in a chair, took a puff of his cigarette, and then began to talk about the recent personnel and work arrangements of the Public Security Section. He went into great detail, even mentioning the recent state of mind of the staff in the section.

He Yuanchao tapped his fingers lightly on the table, listening intently and nodding occasionally. After listening to everything, he couldn't help but praise him:

“Old Zhao, it’s a bit of a waste to put you in the security department. With your abilities, you’re more than capable of being the head of the personnel department in our factory. But there’s no other way. I have to keep you in this small security department. I can only feel at ease if you, Old Zhao, are keeping an eye on things in the security department.”

Zhao Shenglin, slightly embarrassed by He Yuanchao's praise, took a deep drag of his cigarette and said with a blush:
"Director, you flatter me too much. These are all my duties. Any comrade in this position could do the job well."

He Yuanchao waved his hand and said seriously, "Old Zhao, you don't need to be modest. What I said is the truth. Some people in our department have a very superficial work style. There aren't many people like you who can settle down and work hard."

When you get back, organize your work methods and approaches into a written report and submit it. I plan to organize a practical meeting in a few days to thoroughly address this unhealthy trend in our department.

Although Zhao Shenglin looked honest and kind, he was not stupid at all. Otherwise, he could not have risen from a security guard to the position of head of the public security section in just a few years. As soon as He Yuanchao finished speaking, he immediately understood what was going on.

"Since the director mentioned issues of conduct, I have something to report to you about someone in our department having illicit relationships with women."

Upon hearing this, He Yuanchao's face immediately hardened, and he said with a hint of displeasure, "Why didn't you mention this earlier?"

Seeing this, Zhao Shenglin quickly explained, "Director, please don't worry. I only heard about this from someone in the department, and I haven't verified the specifics yet."

He Yuanchao wasn't stupid. He immediately understood what Zhao Shenglin meant. Given Zhao Shenglin's usual work style, he shouldn't make such a basic mistake. If he said that, there must be something behind his words, or perhaps he had guessed his intentions.

Thinking this through, He Yuanchao didn't hesitate and directly probed:

"Then tell me what you Corey people are saying. Did you specifically say who was having affairs?"

Seeing that He Yuanchao's tone had softened, Zhao Shenglin knew that he had made the right bet and quickly recounted what he knew.

"Director, Xiao Wang from our department recently told me that Wu Mengsheng, the newly appointed deputy head of the security department, has an ambiguous relationship with Liu Hongyan from our department, a female technician from Workshop 1, and a widow from Workshop 3. It seems that he is using dating as a pretext to have affairs with other men and women."

Upon hearing Wu Mengsheng's name, He Yuanchao immediately knew that Zhao Shenglin had seen through his thoughts, but he was not angry at all. Having a capable subordinate, if used well, could actually save a lot of trouble.

As for whether this shrewd subordinate would replace him, to be honest, He Yuanchao wasn't worried at all. Without solid personal strength and connections, Zhao Shenglin would have a hard time ever getting past the section chief level.

But a reprimand was still necessary. He Yuanchao picked up the teacup on his desk and drank some water, remaining silent for a long time. It wasn't until Zhao Shenglin, sitting in his chair, shifted uncomfortably a couple of times that He Yuanchao put down the cup and said:

"The Xiao Wang you're talking about is Wang Shengli, who was just transferred to your department, right?"

(End of this chapter)