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

There are no secrets in the world, especially news about personnel changes, which spreads faster than the speed of light in places like the county government compound.

The news that Liu Ming was to be transferred spread like wildfire, reaching every household in Qingyun County in just half a day.

This time, there were no firecrackers, no cheers.

The entire Qingyun County seemed to have been suddenly silenced, shrouded in a suffocatingly low atmosphere.

At 3 p.m., Liu Ming was packing her things in the office.

There wasn't much to pack, except for a few changes of clothes and the unfinished book "Principles of Economics." He came alone and left penniless.

"Liu... County Magistrate Liu."

Lu Xiao Kui pushed open the door and came in, her eyes red-rimmed and clutching a soaked tissue in her hand. "Downstairs... someone is looking for you downstairs."

"Looking for me?" Liu Ming stopped what she was doing, smiled, and said, "Are you here to collect a debt, or to curse me?"

"None of those are true." Lu Xiao Kui shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "You...you should go and see for yourself."

A thought struck Liu Ming, and she quickly walked to the window.

The moment he drew back the curtains and looked downstairs, he was completely frozen in place, as if struck by lightning.

The spacious square in front of the county government compound was now packed with people.

There were elderly people who had just signed demolition agreements in the shantytowns of the south of the city, miners who had been rescued from the mines in the western suburbs, and merchants and vendors who had been oppressed by the "Nine-Finger Gang"...

There were over a thousand people.

They stood quietly under the scorching sun, without any noise or commotion; even the children had their mouths covered by the adults.

That silence was more powerful than the loudest shout.

At the front of the procession, several elderly people with gray hair held up a long, bright red banner.

The sign above wasn't a protest slogan, but rather seven large, crooked characters written with a brush:

—Don't go, Judge Liu!

Below the banner was a roll of red cloth spread on the ground.

It was covered with thousands upon thousands of bright red fingerprints!

That is... the Book of the People!

Liu Ming felt as if something was blocking her throat, and her nose suddenly stung.

He was a soldier.

He had shed blood on the battlefield, rolled in piles of corpses, and never flinched when facing Li Yuankui's gun.

But at this moment, facing those eyes filled with pleading and reluctance, facing that heavy letter from the people, this tough man felt his eyes well up with tears for the first time.

This is the will of the people.

This is what he is willing to risk his life to protect.

……

Liu Ming took a deep breath, composed herself, and strode downstairs.

The moment his figure appeared at the gate, the previously silent crowd instantly stirred.

"County Chief Liu is out!"

"Judge Liu!"

"Director Liu, you can't leave! What will we do if you leave?"

"That's right! Our Qingyun County is only a couple of days away. Now that you're gone, won't those corrupt officials be coming back?"

Several elderly people walked forward shakily, wanting to hold Liu Ming's hand, but they were hesitant and could only wipe away their tears and keep bowing.

"Fellow villagers!"

Liu Ming quickly stepped forward and helped the old man who was leading the group. He was an old miner he had rescued from the "Coffin Village." He was in much better spirits now, although he was still a little confused, but he recognized Liu Ming.

"My benefactor...don't go..." The old man clung tightly to Liu Ming's sleeve, as if grasping at the last straw.

Looking at the simple, honest faces before her, Liu Ming felt a mix of emotions.

He knew that the people's demands were very simple.

They were afraid.

I fear that the clear sky I've been longing for is just a fleeting moment, and that the dark clouds that have just dispersed will return to cover the sky.

"Please listen to me for a moment."

Liu Ming didn't use a megaphone; he simply raised his voice and spoke in the most sincere tone.

"I, Liu Ming, am not a deserter."

"I'm leaving not because I dislike it here, nor because I'm afraid of anyone."

"On the contrary."

His gaze sharpened as he looked toward Ningzhou City.

"It's because I love this place so much that I have to leave."

"The root of Qingyun County's problems lies not in the county itself, but at the higher levels. Although Li Yuankui has fallen, the 'big tigers' behind him are still there, and those even bigger protective umbrellas remain!"

"I'm not leaving. I can only stay here and be a patchwork builder for you."

"I left for the city, for a bigger platform, so I could fight those real 'big devils'! Only then could I truly protect the bright and clear sky of Qingyun County!"

The crowd gradually quieted down.

Although they didn't quite understand many of the grand principles, they understood one thing.

Liu Qingtian didn't go there to enjoy a life of luxury; he went there to... fight a war.

It's to fight an even tougher battle for them.

"County Magistrate Liu..."

An older woman selling vegetables wiped away her tears, took two hot boiled eggs from her basket, and forced them into Liu Ming's hands. "We don't understand any grand principles, we just know you're a good person. Since you're going to fight the bad guys, eat your fill first! Don't go hungry!"

"Yes! Bring our local specialties!"

"These are sweet potato chips that my family dried ourselves!"

"These are Ganna's insoles!"

In an instant, all sorts of things were stuffed into Liu Ming's arms like raindrops.

That is the most simple, yet most profound sentiment of ordinary people.

Liu Ming did not refuse.

He carefully placed the two eggs into his pocket, close to his chest.

Then, he took a step back.

He bowed deeply to all the elders and villagers present.

This bow was a full ninety degrees, and it lasted for a full ten seconds.

"Thanks."

Thank you everyone.

He straightened up, his eyes red-rimmed, yet he smiled radiantly.

"Don't worry, everyone."

"No matter where I, Liu Ming, go or how high a position I hold."

"Qingyun County will always be my root."

"I will come back."

"Come back and visit often."

After saying that, he resolutely turned around and got into the old jeep that had been waiting there, which seemed somewhat out of place in this setting.

It's not that he didn't want to stay any longer.

Rather, he was afraid that if he stayed even a second longer, he really wouldn't want to leave.

"salute--!"

Behind them came Lei Tie's thunderous roar.

Dozens of fully armed special police officers raised their right hands in unison, facing the direction the jeep had gone.

Behind them were thousands of waving arms and pairs of eyes filled with tears.

The jeep drove further and further away into the dust.

Looking through the rearview mirror, Liu Ming watched the county town gradually shrink, and the banner still standing in the wind.

He silently made a promise in his heart.

just wait.

Once I've stirred up that murky water in Ningzhou, I'll clear it up.

I will come back to see you with even better news.

At that time.

Let's drink some more celebratory wine!