65: Chapter 65 Promotion

It was eleven o'clock at night when there was a knock at Xu Weidong's dormitory door.

He had just finished showering and was sitting on the sofa, looking through a case file. The knocking was urgent, not like the measured pace of those who usually came to report on their work.

Xu Weidong got up and opened the door to see Director Li Zhongmin standing outside.

Director Li Zhongmin was covered in snow, his face frozen red. He stood in the doorway without stepping inside, just staring straight at Xu Weidong.

"Secretary Xu... no, Director Xu, may I come in and say a few words?"

Xu Weidong stepped aside to make way. "Come in."

Director Li Zhongmin walked into the room and sat down on the sofa. Xu Weidong poured him a cup of hot water and sat down opposite him.

The two were silent for a few seconds. Director Li Zhongmin held the cup of water without drinking, just watching the steam rising from it.

After a long while, he looked up at Xu Weidong.

"Director Xu, I want to advance."

The statement was direct—so direct that it took Xu Weidong by surprise.

Director Li Zhongmin continued, "I had a meal with General Manager Wan Baolai today. He was the one who invited me."

"At the dinner table, he laid out every detail of where my son goes to school and where my elderly mother lives."

"He even pointed at a plate of braised rabbit and said that the rabbit hadn't fit in, so he killed and stewed it to serve as a warning to the other rabbits."

Director Li Zhongmin's voice was very calm, as calm as if he were talking about someone else's affairs.

"After that meal, while I was driving back to the county seat, I kept thinking about one question the entire way."

"I, Li Zhongmin, have been a police officer for so many years—what exactly have I been working for?"

Director Li Zhongmin lowered his head and looked at the water.

"I used to think that I could get things done by relying on my conscience. As long as I lived up to this police uniform and lived up to the common people, that was enough."

"But today I finally realized that in the face of power and money, conscience is just a joke."

Director Li Zhongmin looked up at Xu Weidong, his gaze filled with a desperate, burn-the-bridges resolve.

"Director Xu, I don't want to be like this anymore. I don't want to be timid when facing those animals, and I don't want to see those who are oppressed kneeling before me, begging me not to investigate."

"I want to advance; I want to have power in my hands; I want... to be able to bring those people to justice."

After finishing, Director Li Zhongmin just watched Xu Weidong, waiting for his answer.

Xu Weidong looked at him and remained silent for a long time.

Are people this direct about wanting a promotion these days?

And telling me directly what was said at the dinner table—are all people from the Northeast this reckless?

Or is it just Director Li Zhongmin who is this reckless?

Back home, when I used to hear those uncles reporting to my father, they all spoke so eloquently. None of them played it straight like Director Li Zhongmin...

After a long while, Xu Weidong spoke.

"Director Li, you are telling me all this today—are you asking me to help you advance?"

Director Li Zhongmin nodded. "Yes."

"Why should I?"

Director Li Zhongmin was stunned. Xu Weidong looked at him, his gaze devoid of mockery, holding only a calm scrutiny.

"Director Li, we have known each other for almost a year."

"I know you are a good police officer with a conscience and principles. But think back to when I asked you to work with me in Hukuang Township—what did you say then?"

Director Li Zhongmin's expression changed as he recalled the past. At that time, Xu Weidong had been sent down to Hukuang Township and had spoken to him earnestly, wanting him to join his efforts.

He had never been one of Xu Weidong's people...

"Director Xu, at that time I..."

"You had your concerns at the time; I can understand that."

Xu Weidong interrupted him. "Grassroots work is difficult; everyone understands that. But have you considered whether I can trust you, coming to me like this today?"

Director Li Zhongmin opened his mouth but couldn't find the words.

Xu Weidong stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to him.

"Director Li, do you know what it means to advance?"

"Advancement isn't just about getting promoted or having power in your hands."

"Advancement is about whether you have the qualifications to stand where you want to stand and do what you want to do."

Xu Weidong turned around and looked at Director Li Zhongmin.

"You came to me today saying you want to advance."

"Then let me ask you: if General Manager Wan Baolai invites you to dinner again tomorrow and threatens you with your son and your elderly mother again, what will you do?"

Director Li Zhongmin gritted his teeth. "I..."

"Can you arrest him?"

"Can you guarantee your son will be safe? Can you guarantee your elderly mother won't be implicated?"

Director Li Zhongmin fell silent. Xu Weidong walked back to the sofa, sat down, and his tone softened slightly.

"Director Li, I understand how you are feeling tonight."

"Being threatened, being humiliated, watching those bad guys roam free while you are powerless to do anything."

"I understand that feeling."

"But have you thought about this: you came to me today, and someone might know about it by tomorrow."

"What will happen if General Manager Wan Baolai finds out? What will happen if the people behind him find out?"

Director Li Zhongmin's heart sank.

"I am not trying to scare you; I want you to think clearly. Once you step onto this path, there is no turning back. You can no longer be that police station director who only cares about cases and ignores the rest of the world."

"You will become a thorn in the side of certain people. Your son and your elderly mother will both bear the risks along with you."

Director Li Zhongmin was silent for a long time, then he looked up at Xu Weidong.

"Director Xu, I have thought it through."

"I've been a police officer for these years, and I've been spineless for these years too."

"That meal with General Manager Wan Baolai today ate away the last bit of my spinelessness. From now on, even if a knife is held to my throat, I don't want to be spineless anymore."

Director Li Zhongmin looked at Xu Weidong and said, word for word, "I ask for nothing else; I only ask you to give me a chance to be a police officer with dignity for once."

Xu Weidong looked at him and suddenly smiled.

"Director Li, I will remember those words."

Director Li Zhongmin shook his hand, his eyes stinging.

"Alright, go back for now. Get a good night's sleep, and do what you need to do tomorrow."

Director Li Zhongmin was stunned. "Director Xu, then..."

Xu Weidong waved his hand. "Don't ask. Go back and wait."

Director Li Zhongmin nodded, turned, and left.

The moment the door closed, he stood outside, his heart pounding with uncertainty.

He had only come to the man now because he was at his wit's end; why would the man help him?

But Xu Weidong's final words, "Wait for my notification," gave him a glimmer of hope...

A week later, the Changyuan County Party Committee Standing Committee meeting was held as scheduled.

An important agenda item of the meeting was to discuss the adjustment of the leadership team of the County Public Security Bureau.

County Party Committee Secretary Chen Tianci presided over the meeting. County Magistrate Lan Tianxing, the Deputy Secretary of the County Party Committee, the Head of the Organization Department, Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary Qiu Ping, and the other Standing Committee members were all present.

The Head of the Organization Department spoke first. "According to the recommendation of the County Public Security Bureau Party Committee, it is proposed to nominate Comrade Director Li Zhongmin of the Hukuang Township Police Station for the position of Deputy Director of the County Public Security Bureau."

"The Standing Committee members should all be familiar with Comrade Li Zhongmin's situation. He has been on the front lines for six years, his work is solid, his conduct is exemplary, and he has received commendations from the municipal and county levels many times."

"Especially in the special anti-trafficking operation in Qili Village, he performed outstandingly."

"The Political Department of the Municipal Public Security Bureau has already reviewed and approved him, believing that Comrade Li Zhongmin meets the criteria for promotion."

The conference room was quiet for a few seconds before Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary Qiu Ping was the first to express his stance. "I know Comrade Li Zhongmin; he is a good police officer. Having worked at the grassroots level for so many years, it is time for him to move up. I agree."

County Magistrate Lan Tianxing nodded. "I agree as well."

"Comrades at grassroots police stations don't have it easy; those who deserve to be promoted should be promoted."

Secretary Chen Tianci looked at the other Standing Committee members. "Does anyone else have any objections?"

No one spoke. Who didn't know that this matter was pushed by that little ancestor?

Secretary Chen Tianci smiled. "Then let's put it to a vote."

It passed unanimously. When the news reached the Public Security Bureau, Director Li Zhongmin was organizing case files at the Hukuang Township Police Station.

The phone rang; it was a call from the Director of the Bureau Office.

"Director Li, congratulations! The County Party Committee Standing Committee just passed it. You have been appointed Deputy Director of the County Public Security Bureau!"

Director Li Zhongmin held the phone, stunned for a long time.

He remembered that night a week ago, the nervousness he felt standing outside Xu Weidong's dormitory door, and the words Xu Weidong said: "Wait for my notification."

Director Li Zhongmin put down the phone and stood at the window, looking at the vast white snow outside.

Suddenly, he wanted to cry.

After working so hard for so many years, it really comes down to following the right person!

In the afternoon, Director Li Zhongmin went to the county seat to report for duty.

After completing the formalities, he went to Xu Weidong's office.

Xu Weidong was looking over some materials. Seeing him enter, he looked up and smiled.

"You're here?"

Director Li Zhongmin stood before him. A thousand words were stuck in his throat, but in the end, he only managed to choke out one sentence: "Director Xu, thank you."

Xu Weidong waved his hand. "Don't thank me. The County Party Committee Standing Committee passed it unanimously; it has nothing to do with me."

Xu Weidong stood up, walked to Director Li Zhongmin, and patted his shoulder.

"Director Li, work hard in the bureau from now on. If you have any issues, feel free to come to me anytime."

Director Li Zhongmin nodded, his eyes stinging again. At this moment, he truly wanted to give his life for Xu Weidong...