After the Jiade car entered Center City, Chen Chuan had initially considered dropping by Cao Guixi's place, but upon further thought, this Senior Cao's position might be somewhat sensitive.
Back when he was still a third-limit fighter, it was one thing, but now he was already a martial artist. Especially during such a sensitive period, any move he made would be imbued with special significance by others.
He did not care much himself, but it might bring trouble to Senior Cao. In that case, it was better to let it be; once he had free time, he could contact him over a secure channel.
By the same logic, he could no longer casually visit people he knew in Center City, including Chen Xiaojin. Otherwise, they would draw too much attention, which would do them no good.
He could only wait until a better opportunity presented itself.
Contact with Convergence Boundary Company, on the other hand, was not an issue; after all, he still held the title of security supervisor there. He checked and saw that Meng Shu and the others were still out at sea gathering up a portion of the business and assets left behind by the Ferris Wheel Company and had not yet returned. They probably would not be back until the beginning of next month.
The company was likely maintaining telegraph contact with Meng Shu, so she probably already knew the news about him.
However, he likely would not hold this title for much longer either. Even if Convergence Boundary Company were willing, the government probably would not allow it.
The deterrence wielded by a martial artist was sufficient to let a company like Convergence Boundary rise to prominence on the back of it. Yet nearly all of Convergence Boundary's business was tied to the government, meaning it inevitably fell under governmental control, and the company itself strictly had to abide by that line.
While he was pondering this, a message from the bureau arrived on his boundary credential. Seeing it, his mind stirred, and he immediately connected with the sender.
"Director Wu? Everything cleared up on your end?"
From the other end of the boundary credential, Director Wu's voice came through. "The review was originally slated to run until the end of the month, but it has ended early. That's entirely thanks to you, Supervisor Chen. Your breakthrough of the limit this time has completely shattered the deadlock where so many factions were keeping each other in check."
Chen Chuan said, "That's only temporary. Many people right now are probably doing everything they can to restore Center City to the way it was."
Director Wu concurred. "Indeed. That's why we still have plenty of work to do. The opportunity you've created for us, Supervisor Chen, must not be squandered under any circumstances."
Chen Chuan nodded and said, "Now that you're back, Director Wu, you can oversee the big picture once more."
Director Wu sighed at this point. "Old Wen really is a pity. He and I were colleagues for many years. On the surface, he might have sounded somewhat flippant, but he was extraordinarily earnest in getting things done. Whatever task you handed him, he would find a way to see it through properly. Once he set his sights on a goal, he charged straight ahead with single-minded focus, never once considering holding back or retreating. This time, someone took advantage of that very trait. Although I left people behind to warn him, we still couldn't save him.
"Supervisor Chen, you brought his remains back this time. On behalf of Old Wen and his family, I thank you."
Chen Chuan said, "Supervisor Wen was my colleague, and he died in the line of duty. It was only right for me to do so. Furthermore, had you not made prior arrangements and granted me authority, Director Wu, I couldn't have accomplished any of it."
Director Wu said, "With the Disposal Bureau cleaned up from top to bottom this time, we can now clench our fists and present a united front to the outside world.
"However, in the wake of these two affairs, there are quite a few vacancies in the bureau that must be filled. I'd like to consult with you, Supervisor Chen, on the primary candidates moving forward."
Chen Chuan gave it some thought. If he were merely an Investigation Supervisor, he would normally only have the right of recommendation, while the concrete decisions would not lie with him. But now, with his status, it was impossible for the bureau to disregard his opinion.
Moreover, even though the official appointment from higher up had yet to be handed down, he was unlikely to remain in the supervisor's seat for very long anyway. Arrangements for these positions indeed needed to be made in advance.
He asked, "What are your thoughts, Director Wu?"
Director Wu said, "My plan is this. The bureau's most critical roles are the three Investigation Supervisors in charge of field operations. I intend to submit a formal request upward to transfer one in from another Disposal Bureau. Such a person would have no obvious ties in Jibei Dao, so they won't be swayed by local affairs. As for the other vacancy, we'll promote someone from within our own ranks. Supervisor Chen, what do you think of this arrangement?"
Chen Chuan said, "Director Wu has far more experience than I do. I have no objections to this arrangement."
"Then as for the candidate to be promoted from below, do you have anyone to recommend, Supervisor Chen?"
Chen Chuan pondered briefly and gave a clear reply this time: "If you want my recommendation, Captain Xu is clearly the most suitable."
"Old Xu is indeed very suitable," Director Wu said in a low voice. "Had he wanted to, he would already be sitting in that position. But I understand his mindset, so for a long time I've respected his wishes and never rashly promoted him. Although I favor him this time as well, it still comes down to his personal preference."
Chen Chuan said, "Director Wu, let me speak to Captain Xu about this."
"Very well, Supervisor Chen. I give you full authority over this matter. Whatever arrangement you make, the bureau will accept your final outcome."
Chen Chuan said, "Just wait for my word, Director Wu. It won't take long."
"Good, let's leave it at that. We'll talk more when you return to the bureau, Supervisor Chen."
No sooner had Chen Chuan ended the call than another message came in, this time from Chang Dong. He tapped it, and Chang Dong's slightly invigorated voice rang out almost the instant the connection was made.
"Supervisor Chen, the telegram from headquarters has arrived. It includes a new appointment and instructions for you. If you have time, could you come over to take a look? Um, we're here in Weiguang District."
Chen Chuan's curiosity stirred, and he said, "I'll be right over." He checked the road display on his boundary credential and steered the car toward Weiguang District.
Half an hour later, he arrived at the temporary office space rented by Chang Dong and Gao Yanjun. The two had been waiting for him. Upon seeing him enter, after exchanging greetings, Gao Yanjun went to pour him tea, while Chang Dong handed him two decoded telegram transcripts.
Chen Chuan took them to read. The top one was an appointment notice issued by the Purist Faction headquarters, designating him as acting minister of the Jibei Dao Center City branch.
In addition, because his status as a martial artist had been confirmed, faction regulations dictated that he was automatically elevated to become a Purist Faction councillor.
A councillor was a vital position within the Purist Faction. They could participate in discussions on strategic directions and concrete implementation issues, and prior to making major decisions, headquarters would circulate internal dispatches to councillors to solicit their counsel.
Councillors could also take part in the appointments and transfers of senior faction figures.
Of course, none of this was compulsory; it was merely a prerogative he now possessed. If he chose not to intervene, it would not affect anything.
"Minister," Chang Dong said with a smile. "I can address you as Minister now."
Then his smile faded, and his expression turned serious. "Normally, an appointment like this would require you to report to headquarters, Minister Chen. But a subsequent telegram noted that, considering the complicated situation in Jibei Dao and how you might not be able to pull away right now, special approval was granted to issue the appointment in advance. The formal certificate of appointment will be hand-delivered by a dedicated courier later."
Chen Chuan gave a nod of understanding. This did not matter much; he had been placed in this position because of his strength, not the other way around, so at most it was just a minor procedural adjustment.
He set the top telegram aside. The second message covered roughly what Chang Dong had just mentioned, but ended with a warning below: Jibei Dao was a region long cultivated by the Refined Practice School and the Convergence faction; the sudden emergence of a Purist Faction martial artist like him meant the Convergence faction and Refined Practice School might deploy their own martial artists here to counterbalance him, which could ratchet tensions in Jibei Dao to an extreme degree.
He nodded to himself. This telegram had likely arrived very recently, sent before word of his clash with Long Xiang reached headquarters. Their assessment was remarkably accurate.
The telegram concluded by inquiring whether he planned to remain in Jibei Dao going forward or relocate elsewhere. If he preferred the latter, he could submit a transfer application.
Chen Chuan thought it over. The matter of Zhao Zhenye remained unresolved, and the branch had only just been reconstituted, yet to find its stride; during such a crucial juncture, he could not leave.
Moreover, as an Investigation Supervisor in the Disposal Bureau, he still had a mountain of tasks before him and could not simply wash his hands of it all. Not to mention, it was certain that an entity from the other side lurked within Center City, one that had yet to show its face. As a member of the Purist Faction, whatever other thoughts he might have, this matter had to be dealt with first.
While lost in thought, he looked up and saw Chang Dong and Gao Yanjun both watching him, clearly waiting for him to reach a decision.
He set the telegram down and told them, "Old Chang, Sister Gao, send word back to headquarters for me: I will continue to stay in Jibei Dao. Until everything here is settled, I will not leave."
Chang Dong turned to Gao Yanjun and smiled. "Comrade Gao, what did I tell you? Minister Chen isn't the sort to just drop everything and walk away."
Gao Yanjun placed the freshly brewed cup of tea before Chen Chuan with both hands and pushed up her decorative glasses. "As expected." Straightening up, she added, "Minister, having just broken through the limit, you need to take the matter of cultivation supplies seriously. We must confirm arrangements with the Jibei Dao authorities as soon as possible."
Chang Dong chipped in, "Yanjun is an expert in this field. She can even handle the appraisal and cooking of the high-energy foodstuffs martial artists require."
Gao Yanjun explained, "I once served as an assistant to a martial artist within our faction. She was the one who trained me, and I was in charge of her daily diet back then.
"However, the high-energy nutrients supplied by various sources differ in quality. Depending on an individual's cultivation method and personal constitution, their preferences and physiological needs vary as well. When it comes to your cultivation, Minister, your daily food supplies must undergo careful screening.
"I haven't yet seen the ingredients sourced here in Jibei Dao. We'll need a batch brought in for inspection and appraisal first. Minister Chen, the sooner this is finalized, the better."
Seeing how meticulous she was, Chen Chuan recognized this was born of her experience assisting that martial artist. He nodded. "All right. I'll see to it as soon as possible."
Chapter 789