Special forces soldier demobilization: Starting from the county government compound, a meteoric rise

When Chen Xiaobei returned carrying the thermos, he was shivering. The water in the thermos sloshed around, splashing onto the cold marble floor of the corridor with a crisp, clear sound. He had just gone to the administration office to collect tea, only to be chased away by his colleagues, who usually treated him like a freak.

He even heard Deputy Director Zhao's unrestrained laughter in the lounge.

"Director, the water... the water's here." Chen Xiaobei placed the teapot on the nearly collapsing wooden table, his voice barely audible. "Um... the administration office said that this year's special supply of Maojian tea has already been distributed. All that's left is... all that's left is this old tea from last spring."

Liu Ming opened her eyes.

He looked at the yellowed, shriveled tea leaves in the transparent plastic bag, but didn't show the anger Chen Xiaobei had expected. He simply reached out and gently tapped the pile of waste paper with his fingertips, making a rhythmic "tap, tap" sound.

"Aged tea is good. People who are prone to internal heat can drink aged tea to reduce their internal heat."

Liu Ming picked up the kettle and poured the scalding water directly into the enamel mug.

The tea leaves tumbled, releasing steam. The distinctive musty, bitter smell of inferior, stale tea permeated the small, leaky office.

"Xiao Bei, go and inform the heads of all departments." Liu Ming took a sip of bitter tea, her tone as indifferent as if she were talking about a trivial matter.

"The meeting will begin in conference room number one in ten minutes. Now that I, the person in charge, am here, everyone should at least meet up."

Chen Xiaobei was stunned for a moment, and his face turned as white as paper.

He hesitated for a moment, then forced himself to speak in a low voice, "Director... I'm afraid... I'm afraid no one will come. I heard when I came back that Deputy Director Zhao led five section chiefs to a neighboring ministry for 'cross-departmental business learning.' They probably won't be here all day..."

Business training? At this critical juncture, all the powerful figures in the company are collectively "studying"?

This is how things work in the capital's officialdom. No fists, no insults, not even a public appearance. A mere "collective absence" is enough to turn you, the newly appointed director, into the laughingstock of the entire building.

Liu Ming looked up at the roof that was still dripping water.

"Drip." A drop of cold water landed precisely on the back of his hand.

"Not here?" Liu Ming's lips curled into a cruel and wild smile. In that instant, Chen Xiaobei felt that the person sitting in front of him was no longer a civil servant, but a demon ready to devour him.

"Then we'll wait." Liu Ming uttered two words calmly. "I'll wait here until they come back from their 'study'."

……

It was three o'clock in the afternoon. The rain in the capital had stopped. But the sky remained so overcast that it was hard to breathe.

A burst of noise finally broke out in the corridor of the High-Tech Industry Department.

"Haha, Lao Zhao, you really have a lot of influence! Director Lu personally poured tea for us just now, such treatment, tsk tsk..." "Of course, our High-Tech Division is the lifeline of science and technology in China, who dares to disrespect us?"

"I wonder if that 'little village chief' transferred from the south is already crying his eyes out in that dilapidated house?"

The person arrived before the voice.

Zhao Ruihu walked at the very front.

He wore an elegant gray trench coat, his hair was neatly combed, and the Patek Philippe watch on his wrist, worth millions, stood out conspicuously in the dimly lit corridor. As the eldest son of the Zhao family and the nephew of Grand Secretary Luo, he was always a figure who could do whatever he wanted in this National Development and Reform Commission building.

Behind him followed five greasy-faced section chiefs. Each of them held the power to approve high-tech projects worth tens of billions of yuan. At this moment, their faces were filled with the contempt and smugness of someone who had won a great victory.

"Hey! Why is this door open?" Zhao Ruihu stopped at the door of the dilapidated storage room and exclaimed in feigned surprise.

He pushed open the door. The strong musty smell made him frown in disgust and wave his hand in front of his nose.

"Director Liu, I'm so sorry! Look at my memory, I was so busy leading everyone to learn about Kyushu's latest semiconductor strategy that I completely forgot you were reporting for duty today."

Zhao Ruihu stepped into the house. Although he was apologizing, his cold eyes were full of mockery.

"This place... is a bit tough. But Director Liu came up from the bottom, and this kind of hard-working spirit is exactly what our government offices in the capital need to learn!"

The section chiefs behind him immediately burst into knowing, snickering laughter.

Liu Ming remained seated in the wobbly chair. He twirled the enamel teacup in his hand, his expression as calm as a still pond. He looked at Zhao Ruihu as if he were watching a clown putting on a show.

"Have you finished learning?" Liu Ming asked casually.

Zhao Ruihu was taken aback by this reaction. He had expected Liu Ming to fly into a rage, slam her fist on the table, or run to her superiors in a fit of shame and indignation to complain. But now, the other party was so calm?

"You've finished learning, and you've gained a lot!" Zhao Ruihu took a thick file bag from his attendant and slammed it down on the dusty table in front of Liu Ming.

"Now that Director Liu has taken office, it's time to hand over some long-standing 'important tasks'." Zhao Ruihu pointed to the file bag, a vicious glint in his eyes.

"These are our company's three most important projects at the moment. One is the second phase of foreign investment in the 'Zeus Project,' another is the network defense architecture of the 'Nine Provinces Shield,' and the third is the approval process for the import and export of new materials."

"Previously, due to my limited abilities, these projects encountered some 'minor troubles.' Since Director Liu is a highly capable individual specifically requested by the central government, then I'll ask Director Liu to take care of these tough challenges."

Chen Xiaobei glanced at the number on the file bag and cold sweat instantly soaked his spine.

These projects... are all well-known "minefields" within the National Development and Reform Commission! The "Zeus Project" involves illegal fundraising and money laundering. The foreign investors have already absconded with the funds, and now it is a debt black hole of tens of billions of yuan.

"Kyushu Shield" is now embroiled in a long-term legal dispute because its underlying architecture is locked up by foreign capital.

As for the import and export approval, it's simply a channel used by comprador groups to transfer assets overseas. Whoever signs that document is a traitor!

This isn't a mission; it's clearly an attempt to destroy Liu Ming from the very first day! Once Liu Ming signs the document, the disciplinary committee's unlicensed vehicle will be parked at the building entrance within three days.

"Director Liu, why aren't you saying anything?" Zhao Ruihu leaned closer, his tone carrying the arrogance of a victor.

"Do you feel the task is too heavy and the pressure too great? It's okay. If you feel you can't handle it, just say the word. As your deputy, although it's a bit tough, I'm willing to continue to 'share your burdens'."

The section chiefs behind him also chimed in. "Yes, Director Liu, don't force yourself." "The waters in the capital are deep; we young people should listen to the advice of our older comrades."

For a time, this dilapidated little house was filled with the corruption and murderous intent of official power.

Liu Ming put down the teacup in her hand.

He stood up. His height of 1.85 meters released a terrifying aura, like Mount Tai pressing down. The originally dark and damp room seemed to become narrower and more oppressive because of his standing up.

He didn't look at the documents on the table that could ruin anyone's future. He simply turned his head, looked at Chen Xiaobei behind him, and spoke calmly and decisively.

"Xiao Bei, go open the conference room door."

"Huh? Oh... okay!" Chen Xiaobei snapped out of his daze and hurriedly ran outside.

Zhao Ruihu sneered: "Director Liu, as I said, we need to prepare for the next training session, I'm afraid..."

"Zhao Ruihu," Liu Ming interrupted him. The murderous aura honed from countless battles made Zhao Ruihu swallow back the sarcasm that was on the tip of his tongue.

"I didn't tell you to leave."

Liu Ming strode out of the storage room. He walked among the arrogant section chiefs. Every step he took felt like stepping on their hearts.

He walked into the magnificent, high-class conference room number one, which had an excellent view.

That was originally the company's high-level council chamber.

Zhao Ruihu followed him in with a frown. The five section chiefs behind him exchanged glances and then entered with grim faces. They wanted to see what tricks this lone commander could pull.

"Sit." Liu Ming sat in the main seat. He didn't look at anyone, but simply took out a top-secret document stamped with nine large gold seals from his bag and casually spread it on the table.

"What...what do you mean by this?" Zhao Ruihu glanced at the cover of the document, his eyelids twitching. It was a secret order jointly issued by the Organization Department of the Central Committee and the High Council!

"I gave you a chance." Liu Ming stretched out his hand. Under the terrified gazes of the department heads, he slowly but forcefully slammed the heavy conference room door shut!

"Click!" The sound of the lock going in the dead silence of the conference room was like a death knell.

Liu Ming raised his head. His eyes no longer held any of the gentle warmth of a civilian official; instead, they held a death stare that sent shivers down the spines of the entire overseas mercenary community.

"Since you don't want to have a meeting," Liu Ming said, "then let's talk..." He pulled up a chair and sat down backwards with an extremely wild motion, his eyes like knives, pointing directly at Zhao Ruihu.

"Let's talk about whether your heads are even good enough to stay in this position for another second."

"Let's talk about your... future plans."