I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 244: Chapter 139: Formal Notification

The seats for the City Defense Bureau’s top leadership were on a raised platform in the center of the circular conference hall. The projections of Director Shen Wenyuan, along with Deputy Directors Qi Yue, Zhao Shouzheng, and He Zhou, were already in place.

The meeting hadn’t officially started, but a silent, heavy tension filled the vast virtual conference hall.

No one spoke. Few even moved their eyes. Everyone waited in silence. The pressure transmitted through the projections was more telling of the situation’s gravity than any uproar could ever be.

Yang Wenqing sat up straight, his projection appearing in the seat labeled "Lingshan New District – Deputy Director – Yang Wenqing." Over the next five minutes, all the seats lit up.

Deputy Director Qi Yue confirmed that everyone was present, then cleared his throat. His clear and steady voice subsequently echoed through the virtual hall. "All units are connected. This meeting is now in session."

"The report on the Mingbei City incident has been sent out. Its vile nature and far-reaching impact need no further elaboration." Qi Yue’s opening statement immediately set the tone. "This was not an isolated border skirmish but a premeditated provocation—a malicious act of sabotage against the stability and progress of the Wanxuan Border. The Jade Whale Sect’s involvement has only complicated matters further."

His gaze swept around the hall.

"Headquarters and the Cabinet have issued clear directives. We are to counterattack decisively to defend our sovereignty while also ensuring internal stability. For us here in Coral City—especially those of you in the coastal regions, new districts, and areas with complex populations—you are an extension of our defensive line. You are the cornerstone of our stability."

"On behalf of the City Defense Bureau, I will now emphasize a few points..."

Yang Wenqing listened with rapt attention. The content of the speech was just as he’d expected—nothing more than boilerplate about taking a firmer political stance, conducting comprehensive threat assessments, and enforcing strict team discipline.

Afterward, Director Shen Wenyuan gave a brief closing statement. His tone was calmer than Qi Yue’s, but the content was much the same, simply reiterating points from a prepared document.

The projected meeting concluded, and the light screens dimmed.

But this was merely the end of one meeting. Next, the three directors of the branch office would have to summon their department heads to relay the directives, and those department heads would, in turn, have to hold meetings of their own.

After the projection screen vanished, Director Gao instructed Yang Wenqing, "You can lead the follow-up meeting to relay the information."

Yang Wenqing nodded. He immediately had Liu Qin notify the heads of the various departments and local precincts to gather at the branch office for a meeting in one hour. He then briefed Director Gao on the training drill proposal submitted by Liao Tianming.

"This plan is fine," Director Gao said. "The purpose of organizing this drill is to raise the alert level across all departments and the precincts under our command."

Director Gao offered no objections to the drill plan, something that would be unheard of in other branch offices. After all, this was the perfect opportunity for a director to assert their leadership.

Of course, he could entrust Yang Wenqing with so much not just because he was preoccupied with his own preparations for Foundation Establishment. The bigger reason was that he knew Yang Wenqing possessed a rare talent for cultivation. His future accomplishments were bound to surpass his own. The long-term benefits of empowering him now would far outweigh any short-term gains.

"If a real crisis hits, the only ones we can truly count on are the Government Soldiers." Director Gao glanced at the time, made a quick mental calculation, and then said to Yang Wenqing and Zhu Yunchuan, "I’ll get in touch with the Government Soldiers. I’ll take you two to pay them a visit at two-thirty this afternoon."

"Good!"

Director Gao left immediately after he finished speaking. Zhu Yunchuan stood and followed him out. Yang Wenqing didn’t linger in the conference room either, returning to his office to tackle the mounting paperwork.

An hour later, he arrived promptly at the branch’s main conference room. He faced the department and precinct heads who had rushed over and relayed the core directives and requirements from the City Defense Bureau. The meeting was over in just half an hour.

For the rest of the morning, Yang Wenqing was completely engrossed in his work. He reviewed documents and met with several representatives from the Commerce Association and various workshop owners whose issues required his personal mediation.

At 2:20 PM, Yang Wenqing and Zhu Yunchuan met in Gao Zhen’s office. Together, they walked out of the main branch building and boarded Director Gao’s official Flying Shuttle, heading toward the Government Army Camp nestled against the hills on the northwest side of Lingshan New District.

Soon, a sprawling military camp came into view. The camp’s perimeter walls were built from massive, sturdy stones, their surfaces etched with reinforcement and warning runes. Within the walls, facilities like training grounds, barracks, warehouses, and landing pads were laid out in an orderly fashion.

But the most striking feature was a colossal combat Flying Ship hovering directly over the camp, about three hundred zhang above the ground.

The Flying Ship was over a hundred zhang long and was a deep, almost black, ink-blue color. The hull’s lines were sleek yet powerful. Stabilizer fins, like the wingspan of a giant bird, extended from its sides. Beneath them, a dense cluster of weapon ports and observation Arrays was visible.

The Flying Shuttle touched down on the camp’s dedicated landing pad. The Government Soldiers at the gate, having been notified in advance, verified their identities before granting them entry. A young officer in a crisp Government Soldier uniform was already waiting. After a brief, sharp salute, he led the three men toward the camp’s main building.

Two Government Soldier Inspectors were already waiting in the main building’s reception room. Both appeared to be slightly older than Gao Zhen. One, named Lei Kang, had a rugged face, while the other, Fang Sui, had a more scholarly air.

"Director Gao, Director Yang, Director Zhu, welcome." Lei Kang spoke first, his voice booming with the characteristic frankness of a military man. Fang Sui, by contrast, simply smiled and nodded.

"Inspector Lei, Inspector Fang, thank you for seeing us on such short notice."

Gao Zhen smiled. "The situation up north has grown tense. The City Defense Bureau has ordered us to heighten our alert status. So, we came over as soon as we got the word. We’re here to brief you on the situation and to discuss the specifics of a joint defense plan—to see how we can best coordinate to ensure the New District is secure."

Lei Kang laughed and waved a hand. "Director Gao, you’re being too formal. Protecting our territory and its people is our duty. My division has already received clear directives. We’ll be dispatching elite squads to critical areas like the mining zones, the reservoir, the Energy Stone Factory, and the port. We will also establish concealed outposts and rapid-response positions on the high ground and in the key channels outside the city."

Fang Sui then added, "As for the specific details—defense sector assignments, communication channel integration, intelligence sharing protocols, and joint response procedures for emergencies—Director Gao can assign a liaison to coordinate with our operations staff. We should get a formal protocol drafted as soon as possible."

Gao Zhen laughed heartily and said with sincerity, "Thank you both for your tremendous support. The City Defense Bureau is planning a full-scale, live-fire drill codenamed ’Cornerstone’ in three days. If the Government Soldiers are interested, you could send observers to offer guidance. It would also be a good way to test the efficiency of our joint response."

Fang Sui replied, "Our sentry posts stationed near the mining districts and the reservoir will be setting up anti-aircraft artillery pieces. We will likely conduct several test firings over the next couple of days to map out our fields of fire. We’ll need to trouble you three to issue a public notice beforehand to avoid causing a panic."

Gao Zhen readily agreed. "That’s simple enough. Wenqing, you handle it personally."

Yang Wenqing immediately responded, "Yes, Director!"

...

The meeting lasted about forty minutes, establishing the basis for their cooperation and outlining the general direction for their future coordination.

As they parted, Lei Kang clapped Gao Zhen on the shoulder. "Director Gao, you’re on the front lines maintaining public order. The pressure on you is immense. We’ve got your back, so no major chaos will erupt. But make sure the lines of communication stay open. Don’t wait until the fire is at your doorstep to call for help."

"Of course, of course! Thank you, Inspector Lei, Inspector Fang!" Gao Zhen nodded emphatically.

On the Flying Shuttle back to the branch office, all three men breathed a slight sigh of relief. Having established clear communication and a willingness to cooperate with the Government Soldiers was like adding the strongest possible insurance policy for the security of Lingshan New District.

The Flying Shuttle carrying the three directors streaked across the sky above the New District. Below them, the city continued to operate at its own pace. Yang Wenqing gazed at the metropolis he had watched grow and prosper, murmuring, "I just hope the conflict doesn’t reach us here."

Zhu Yunchuan added, "That will depend on the provincial government’s stance, or the New Cabinet’s opinion. If they decide to open up a new front at sea, there’s no way we’ll be left in peace."

Gao Zhen shook his head. "The sea lanes are our lifeline. Not everyone can withstand the chaos a maritime conflict would bring. Don’t forget, the Water Race under the sea are hardly a peaceful bunch. If we fall into disarray, they’ll be the ones to profit the most. Even if the New Cabinet wants to make a show of force, they still have to consider the bigger picture."

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