https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-845-New-Paths-from-Old-Beginnings/13041261/
Chapter 844: Returning to the City of Envy
Chapter 844: Returning to the City of Envy
In the Yangzhi Civil Affairs Hall, Civil Affairs Director Zhu Xian was busy with official duties when his secretary hurried over and whispered, "Director, there's a reception notification telegram from the Central City."
Zhu Xian paused his writing and asked, "Which official is coming?"
"Chen Chuan, the Director of Defense for the Central City," the secretary replied.
"So, he's back," Zhu Xian mused.
Although Zhu Xian was the Civil Affairs Director of the Fringe City, he had always kept a close eye on the news from the Central City. He received internal notifications about important position adjustments in the Central City.
The Director of Defense was on par with the Governor of the Central City, a full two levels higher than Zhu Xian.
Zhu Xian couldn't help but ponder the situation. This year, the official might return for the New Year, and he needed to make early preparations.
However, starting the arrangements too early might seem overly flattering, and the official probably wouldn't appreciate it. So, he didn't make any overt moves. Instead, he discreetly instructed his trusted subordinates to take care of the necessary tasks in advance. Now, it seemed, was the time to put those preparations to use.
Zhu Xian glanced at the telegram, which had been sent an hour ago. Considering the travel time, they could expect the official's arrival in less than an hour.
Given Chen Chuan's current position, it was customary to notify the local authorities of his visit. However, since this wasn't an official matter, notifying them too early might cause unnecessary trouble for the local officials and their subordinates. But not informing them at all would also be inappropriate. So, the notification was sent just as Chen Chuan was about to arrive in Yangzhi.
As for Chen Chuan's status as a martial artist, he only needed to report to the Martial Council upon arrival at any location, without the need to disturb the local government. This was similar to when Special Mister Chen had visited Yangzhi—it was done quietly, without alerting others.
Zhu Xian instructed his secretary, "Xiao Pan, call and inform the others to welcome Director Chen."
"Yes, Director," the secretary replied promptly.
Half an hour later, in front of the Yangzhi Patrol Bureau's residential area, all the streets leading to the area had been sealed off and placed under martial law.
Guan Yuming personally arrived at the scene, and his deputy surveyed the surroundings before speaking, "Director Guan, is it necessary to go to such lengths? Director Chen might not appreciate this."
Guan Yuming responded, "Director Zhu instructed us to do this, so we're just following orders."
After a while, Zhu Xian's car arrived, accompanied by other key officials from the Civil Affairs Bureau. It could be said that almost all officials, except those responsible for maintaining the operations of Yangzhi City, were present. Guan Yuming led his team to greet the visitors and then stood beside Zhu Xian, waiting together.
Wei Laohu stood among the crowd at the back, chatting casually with his colleagues. His loud voice carried across the streets, as if everyone within a couple of blocks could hear him, "My son is coming back to visit me this year. Hey, he's now a citizen of the Central City!"
The captain behind him couldn't help but comment, "Damn, look at Wei Laohu showing off."
Someone nearby added, "If my son became a citizen of the Central City, I'd be showing off too."
"Is that because of his son's abilities? Or is it because he's the nephew of Captain Nian?" The captain continued, unable to hold back, "Damn, Wei Laohu is so lucky. His son has climbed such a high branch!"
At that moment, everyone was looking at Wei Laohu in the distance with envy. Why hadn't their younger generation encountered such good fortune?
The news of Chen Chuan becoming a martial artist had spread some time ago, but it hadn't caused much of a stir in Yangzhi. Most martial artists in the city were at the second limit, with only a few at the third limit in the Wu Yi Academy and the Patrol Bureau. However, since they rarely demonstrated their skills, others weren't aware of their true strength.
But the officials could understand the significance of Chen Chuan's position. Rumor had it that Chen Chuan's current rank was even higher than Zhu Xian's, making him a truly high-ranking official.
In the street behind, not far from the residential area, Nian Fuli and Yu Wan stood with their daughter, Nian Lu. Although it was winter, the day was calm and sunny, so it didn't feel cold.
Not far from them, curious neighbors peered from their windows, their eyes filled with envy as they watched Nian Fuli's family.
Every time Chen Chuan returned to visit Nian Fuli's family, it became a hot topic among the neighbors, providing them with conversation material for half a year. But soon after, they would start discussing it again, and the impact of these visits grew more significant each time. This particular visit exceeded their imagination, and many of them were incredibly excited, as if they were closer relatives of Chen Chuan than his own family.
Nian Mo looked at the enthusiastic crowd in the distance and asked, "Dad, so many people are here to welcome Uncle Chen. Did he get promoted again?"
Nian Fuli sighed, "Your uncle is capable," and then he glanced around at the officials, adding, "Don't look at me. Look at those officials over there, all of whom outrank me by several levels. They're all here today. So, it's the same."
Nian Mo said, "Dad, if I become a high-ranking official one day, I'll make sure you stand at the front when I return."
Nian Fuli gently patted his son's head and scolded with a smile, "You rascal, watch your words. As a son, you want your father to welcome you? No matter how successful you become, I'll always be your father!"
Nian Mo hugged his head and said, "Dad, don't hit my head. If you do, I'll become stupid."
"Stupid? I think you're too smart. Go and finish your homework when we get home. Not a single word should be missing!"
"Dad~"
Yu Wan smiled as she watched the father and son's exchange and then looked ahead. In her heart, she hoped that with Chen Chuan's achievements, her daughter, Chan'er, wouldn't suddenly disappear like her second sister had.
As she thought of this, her arms instinctively tightened around her children.
Suddenly, a loud shout came from the front: "They're here!"
The surrounding noise quieted, and the entire street fell silent.
The crowd, who had been craning their necks to look at the road, soon spotted something above, "It's over there!"
They looked up and saw a black dot in the sky, and as the dot approached, they could make out a silver airship with the faint sound of its propellers.
Then they noticed that there was more than one airship; there were two smaller ones behind the large one, but they seemed insignificant compared to the massive lead airship.
At this moment, Secretary Zhu Xian's secretary quickly approached the Nian Fuli family, bowed, and said, "Captain Nian." He nodded to Yu Wan, "Mrs. Nian, I'm Secretary Zhu Zheng's secretary. Just call me Little Pan. Secretary Zhu asked me to inform you that it's been confirmed that the airship carries your nephew, Director Chen. Do you want to go up front...?"
Nian Fuli hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "I think I'll stay here." Yu Wan spoke up, "Thank you, Secretary Pan. We'll just stay here with the neighbors. It's been a trouble for you to come all the way."
Secretary Pan understood that the family didn't want to show off, but preferred to keep a low profile. He smiled and said, "You're too kind. I'm just a messenger, doing what I'm supposed to. It's nothing compared to the hard work of Captain Nian and the heavy burden the Patrol Bureau has been carrying. Secretary Zhu has seen it all."
In a 16-19 book, there's a bar with a mistake-free version!
After Secretary Pan left, Yu Wan teased Nian Fuli, "Old man, you're not going up there. That's not like you."
Nian Fuli glared at her. "Is that what I'm like?" He lowered his head, but when he saw Nian Mo and Nian Lu looking up at him, he quickly averted his gaze.
Yu Wan patted him, exasperated. "Why scare the kids? Are you showing off your authority? There are plenty of people up there who will flatter you."
Nian Fuli took off his hat, rubbed his scalp covered in stubble, and sighed. "I really think this way. I mean, Xiao Chuan is already getting all the attention. We shouldn't be too flashy, or else we'll attract all sorts of people to our doorstep. Besides, we can't really help Xiao Chuan, and we don't want to be a burden to him, right?"
Yu Wan looked at him, "Old man, you're speaking the truth."
Nian Fuli grunted, patted his hat, and put it back on, straightening his back. "When have I ever not been reliable?"
Yu Wan reached up to help Nian Fuli adjust his hat, then straightened his collar and brushed off some dust with a light hum. The two little ones peeked at them and nestled their heads into their laps.
The lead airship in front of them seemed to grow larger in the crowd's eyes. They compared it to the surrounding objects, realizing it was actually quite large, stretching over two to three hundred meters. There was no anchor tower built here, so the entire street had to be cleared first.
The airship soon arrived on the main street, its propellers whirring loudly, the airflow causing the surrounding leaves to rustle.
In the crowd's gaze, the three airships descended slowly, the sound growing louder, prompting people to cover their ears.
When the airships were about ten meters above the ground, a rope ladder was lowered from the combat airship, followed by armed personnel with guns and ammunition, who quickly took up positions at both ends of the street.
At this moment, a ten-meter-long elevator platform opened from the bottom of the large airship, then slowly descended under the control of thick cables.
The midday sun was blinding, and the reflection from the airship was also bright. Squinting, they could vaguely see many figures on top, and soon the elevator platform touched down, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Director Chen adjusted his hat brim, straightened his Defense Department uniform, and strode out, the brass buttons and shoulder insignia on his uniform glinting in the sunlight.
Behind him, Wei Chang'an, Wu Han, Feng Xiaoqi, Luo Kaiyuan, and others followed in his footsteps, all of them dressed in the neat uniforms of the Processing Bureau, their boots making a crisp, synchronized sound as they walked.
Their presence made everyone hold their breath, as the sense of oppression they exuded was overwhelming, especially Director Chen, who, despite having no deliberate posture, still made people feel tense as his tall and upright figure approached.
Civil Affairs Director Zhu Xian took a deep breath and led the crowd forward to greet Director Chen. As they approached, they saw that Director Chen was half a head taller than Director Zhu, who smiled and bowed slightly, extending his hands to shake Director Chen's with a firm grip.
"Director Chen, welcome to Yangzhi."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
