Soldiers Assault: Starting from the 7th Steel Company

Chapter 242 A Letter of Complaint
After the house was successfully transferred, Chen Jiang began to renovate and modify the two-bedroom, two-living room, one-bathroom apartment.

Due to a limited budget and the couple's preference for a simple and practical style, after discussing with Chu Ning, they ultimately decided to only replace the bed in the master bedroom and the main facilities in the bathroom.

In this way, not only are expenses controlled quite reasonably, but the hassle of long ventilation time is also eliminated.

After a simple setup, Chen Jiang quickly arranged the move and officially moved into his new home.

Although the two didn't have much in the world, their belongings filled a whole car when they moved. Chu Ning was a sentimental wife and couldn't bear to throw away many old things, so Chen Jiang could only let her have her way.

Compared to my previous residence in the suburbs, although the old house was quiet and peaceful, its transportation and convenience were far inferior to the new house.

Today, this community offers a wide view and is located in the heart of the city's development, making it extremely convenient for children to go to school and for daily commutes.

In particular, there's a children's playground nearby, so we can take our kids to play there in the future. As for large shopping malls, there are plenty of them in the vicinity.

Another crucial point is that there are many government agencies nearby, and it's not far from Chen Jiang's workplace, which is truly a win-win situation.

Chen Jiang knew that given the area's development momentum and scarcity, future housing prices were bound to rise.

He secretly estimated that in a few years, the price per square meter here would probably be less than 100,000 yuan.

People who haven't experienced the era of skyrocketing housing prices have no idea how great it is to buy a house in advance.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a little fortunate, as if he had unintentionally picked up a considerable fortune.

Despite the current pressure of monthly loan repayments, Chen Jiang is full of confidence in the future.

He's in the prime of his career, and a steady increase in income is just around the corner. In his view, this current burden will soon become insignificant, just a "drop in the bucket."

After selecting an auspicious day, Chen Jiang planned to book a few tables at the Dynasty Hotel next to his new home and invite his colleagues, relatives, and friends to gather together to celebrate his housewarming.

On the night of the housewarming celebration, the banquet hall of the Dynasty Hotel was brightly lit and filled with laughter.

Chen Jiang and Chu Ning were busy greeting their colleagues and relatives who came to offer their congratulations. Among them were Long Kaifeng and Li Haiguang from the former C Brigade, as well as a group of colleagues from the General Logistics Department. He Yuanchao was also invited to the scene, and Gao Cheng and his wife came with their child. The atmosphere was quite warm and lively.

After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, the comrades from Brigade C were all quite drunk, and their voices gradually became louder.

Suddenly, a loud commotion erupted from the next private room, as if someone was arguing fiercely. The noise grew louder and louder, even drowning out Chen Jiang's conversation and laughter.

A moment later, the door to their private room was rudely pushed open with a loud "bang".

A slightly overweight middle-aged man wearing an executive jacket and reeking of alcohol stood at the door, followed by several other people with similarly flushed faces.

The man frowned and snapped at the waiter in a rather unfriendly tone, "What's going on? I'm having a business meeting with leaders from Tongping District here, and you're making such a racket. Can't a person have some peace and quiet?"

The man was Hou Shuiping, the deputy minister of the Tongping District People's Armed Forces Department, and also Hou Jun's cousin.

Today, he was hosting a banquet for several leaders. As they were engrossed in their conversation, he felt that the laughter coming from Chen Jiang's house next door was disturbing them. So, emboldened by the alcohol, he came directly to "demand an explanation" and, incidentally, show off his "status."

The waiter quickly explained with a smile, "I'm sorry, Minister Hou, this is Mr. Chen's housewarming party. Everyone is happy, so the noise might be a bit loud. I'm just reminding them."

"A housewarming party?" Hou Shuiping glanced at Chen Jiang's table, his gaze lingering on Chen Jiang for a moment. Since none of them were in military uniform, and Chen Jiang looked incredibly young, he assumed he was a junior officer fresh out of military academy. His tone carried a barely perceptible hint of disdain. "Oh, buying a house is a happy occasion, but you should be mindful of the occasion. The Dynasty Hotel isn't some street food stall." Upon hearing this, one of the people with him let out a low chuckle.

Zhong Yiming was also there today. He immediately couldn't stand it anymore and stood up, saying, "Excuse me, sir, we were quite loud. Are you speaking too softly? What's wrong? Is it a hotel rule that we can't talk? Or is it some official document you just issued?"

Zhong Yiming's words drew a burst of laughter from Chen Jiang's relatives and friends.

Hou Shuiping felt he had lost face in front of his own people, or perhaps he was just feeling the effects of the alcohol. He snorted and his tone became even more aggressive: "What's wrong with you, young comrade? Why are you so impulsive? Has no one taught you a lesson?"

Don't slap someone in the face!
Chen Jiang's face immediately darkened. Zhong Yiming was Old Master Zhong's grandson and had lost his father at a young age. For the other party to say such a thing had crossed a line.

He sensed that Zhong Yiming was about to lose his temper and knew that if he didn't step in, things would likely get out of control.

Just then, a middle-aged man behind Hou Shuiping, who hadn't said much and had a calm demeanor wearing gold-rimmed glasses, carefully looked Chen Jiang over a few times, and his expression suddenly changed.

He hurriedly stepped forward, gently tugged at Hou Shuiping's arm, and said in a low, urgent voice, "Old Hou! Say less!"

Hou Shuiping turned his head with displeasure: "Minister Jin, what's wrong?"

The man, without bothering to explain, quickly stepped past Hou Shuiping and strode up to Chen Jiang, his face beaming with a warm, even somewhat respectful smile. He extended both hands, saying, "Oh! You're Deputy Director Chen of the General Logistics Department's Logistics Division? Am I mistaken? What are you doing here?"

Chen Jiang looked at him and felt that he looked familiar, but he couldn't remember his name for a moment.

The other person quickly introduced himself: "Deputy Director Chen, I'm Jin Bo from the Tongping District People's Armed Forces Department! You came to our district for research last week. I even reported to you at the meeting!"

Jin Bo is the head of the district's People's Armed Forces Department, and his rank is even higher than Chen Jiang's. However, Chen Jiang is in a higher-level department and can control their supplies of military provisions. In addition, when Chen Jiang came that day, Jin Bo heard from the district head that he was the nephew-in-law of a certain big shot. Therefore, Jin Bo dared not offend Chen Jiang in the slightest.

Upon hearing this, Hou Shuiping instantly sobered up considerably, his face turning from red to white, and he looked at Chen Jiang with suspicion and uncertainty.

Deputy Director of the General Logistics Department's Logistics Division? This is an important leader in a powerful department. His rank may not be earth-shattering, but his power and influence are far beyond what a deputy minister of a district's People's Armed Forces Department can match. Especially in terms of material allocation and logistical support, many places rely on him.

His cousin, Hou Jun, works in the General Logistics Department's Infrastructure Construction Division, which is, in a sense, Chen Jiang's "brother unit." Even if he didn't care about Chen Jiang's connections, he should at least show some respect. Most importantly, his superior, Minister Jin, has already made his stance clear—isn't that enough to illustrate the point?

The other party must be a big shot that even Minister Kim can't afford to offend.

Seeing that Hou Shuiping was still stunned, Jin Bo quickly gave him a look and whispered urgently, "Old Hou, this is Chen Jiang, the deputy director of the General Logistics Department! You happened to be away on a business trip last week, so you didn't see him."

Hou Shuiping jolted awake, his forehead instantly covered in a fine layer of sweat.

He recalled his harsh words and was filled with remorse, wishing he could slap himself twice.

He quickly put on an extremely awkward yet ingratiating smile, and his back unconsciously bent slightly:

"Oh dear! Look at me... I've had a few too many drinks and I'm talking nonsense. I didn't recognize your greatness! Director Chen, please don't take offense, please don't hold a gruff man like me against your will!" He said, bowing with his hands clasped. "It's a misunderstanding, purely a misunderstanding! I've disturbed your enjoyment, I'm truly sorry, truly sorry!"

The people behind him exchanged glances, their attitudes instantly becoming reserved and respectful.

As Chen Jiang watched this dramatic scene unfold, his initial displeasure was gradually replaced by a strange sense of absurdity.

He smiled faintly and waved his hand, "Vice Minister Hou, you flatter me. Today is just a gathering of friends and family to celebrate. We didn't expect to disturb your banquet; we should be the ones apologizing."

"No, no! We've disturbed you, we've disturbed you!" Hou Shuiping waved his hands repeatedly, adopting an extremely humble posture. "Director Chen moving to a new house is a joyous occasion! Congratulations! Look at the mess this has made. Well then, I'll treat you to a meal another day! Please give me a chance to apologize!"

Chen Jiang politely declined, saying, "I appreciate Vice Minister Hou's kind offer, but there's no need for that."

Then, he changed the subject, "But our section chief is here today, as are the leaders of the combined arms brigade. Your commotion..."

Chen Jiang's tone remained calm, but what he mentioned made the other person's heart pound.

"What? There's an even bigger figure?" Hou Shuiping stammered, his eyes scanning the crowd in a panic.

Just now, he and Jin Bo were only focused on Chen Jiang in front of them and did not pay close attention to the others. Now, after being reminded by Chen Jiang's words, they took a closer look and their hearts almost jumped out of their throats—who else could it be but He Yuanchao, the director of the General Logistics Department, who was holding a wine glass and looking over with a calm expression?
Those middle-aged men standing next to me, with their distinguished bearing and undeniable military bearing despite not being in uniform, could they be the two commanding officers of Brigade C?

Jinbo's back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.

Chen Jiang alone had already terrified him, but he never expected that so many powerful figures were sitting here!

He Yuanchao was a department head in a powerful department of the General Logistics Department, whose rank and influence far surpassed those of the others.

He had seen how respectful the district boss was to him, and most importantly, there were rumors that he might be getting a new star on his shoulder.

Long Kaifeng and Li Haiguang are renowned elite brigade commanders.

Although he was the head of the People's Armed Forces Department, he had heard of this very well, as it had even graced the cover of a military magazine published by the higher authorities!
Looking back, I saw that Lao Hou, a mere deputy minister of the district's People's Armed Forces Department, had actually led a group of people to cause trouble in this kind of situation? This was like an old man eating poison—he had a death wish!
"Director He! Distinguished leaders!" Jin Bo reacted quickly, immediately plastering a frantic and obsequious smile towards the main table. "I'm so sorry, so very sorry! We really didn't know you leaders were here! We've disturbed you, this is a huge intrusion!"

"Vice Minister Hou, go back and write a self-criticism. It needs to be profound! And you must send it to all the leaders!"

Hou Shuiping was already terrified, his drunkenness completely gone, his face as white as paper, and he could barely speak: "Dear leaders, I... I, Hou Shuiping, drank too much, my mind was clouded, and I talked nonsense. I apologize! Please, leaders, be magnanimous." As he spoke, he wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

He Yuanchao put down his wine glass, his face expressionless. He merely glanced at them indifferently, his voice steady yet carrying an undeniable authority: "Since it's a misunderstanding, it's best to clear things up. There's no need for self-criticisms; we don't have that much time to read such things! Today is Comrade Chen Jiang's housewarming day; let's not spoil everyone's fun."

"Yes, yes, yes! Director He is right! We will not disturb you at all, we will leave now, we will leave now!" Jin Bo felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He hurriedly pulled Hou Shuiping, who was almost limp, and apologized to everyone while leaving the private room in a disheveled state, carefully closing the door behind him.

From outside the door, Jin Bo's low-pitched scolding could be faintly heard: "Old Hou, you didn't even check the age of the eggplants before picking them? You're going to screw me over!" and Hou Shuiping's tearful reply.

After a brief silence in the private room, Zhong Yiming was the first to sneer: "Tch, a fox borrowing the tiger's might, arrogant at first but obsequious later, a coward who bullies the weak and fears the strong!"

He Yuanchao shook his head, picked up his wine glass, and said, "Alright, it's just a little incident, it's over. Come on, let's continue, don't let a few flies spoil the mood. Chen Jiang, congratulations on moving!"

"Congratulations on moving!" Everyone raised their glasses, and the atmosphere quickly became lively again.

After moving, Chen Jiang listed his original dormitory apartment online and through a real estate agency, and it was quickly rented out, earning him a small income.

Compared to the smooth progress of his family affairs, Chen Jiang adapted to his work even faster. He has now become an absolute backbone of the quartermaster department, and the distribution of many military supplies must go through his hands. He Yuanchao also trusts him very much.

However, as soon as Chen Jiang arrived at work that day, He Yuanchao called him out.

"Chen Jiang, take a few men to inspect the People's Armed Forces Department warehouse in Tongping District. I have a letter of complaint forwarded from above, saying that the reserve supplies here are involved in counterfeiting. If it is true, this is a very serious problem!"

Behind He Yuanchao, Chen Jiang saw two relatively young cadres, both unfamiliar faces.

Chen Jiang immediately sensed that this matter might be quite serious, because wasn't the deputy minister of the People's Armed Forces Department of Tongping District Hou Jun's cousin? Did he even know the truth about this?
The two people in front of me are most likely comrades from the military's discipline department, and this trip is probably to conduct a surprise inspection.

He Yuanchao didn't give Chen Jiang any time to think. He immediately made Chen Jiang get into the other party's car and drove them away.

On the bus, the two young men were tight-lipped and didn't say a word they shouldn't. Chen Jiang also understood the rules and just led the way without saying anything.

(End of this chapter)