"The mayor of Hengshan Town is my good-for-nothing nephew," the Land Bureau leader quickly said.

"What?!" Tang Yumeng was startled and frowned, saying, "So you're here to plead for them?"

"I..." The Land Bureau leader looked embarrassed and very awkward.

The Education Bureau chief hurriedly spoke, "Secretary Tang, it's indeed our fault for not educating them well, for not guiding them properly. They're still young, and if they're punished this time, it might be difficult for them to get promoted in the future. So, we hope Secretary Tang can give them a break for our sake. What do you think?"

"Hmph!" Tang Yumeng snorted coldly, then said, "I'm afraid I can't help you with this matter."

"Secretary Tang, you can't just watch and do nothing," the Land Bureau leader said awkwardly. "I only have one nephew, and if he goes to jail, my older brother and sister-in-law will surely resent me to death. So, Secretary Tang, please, you must help."

It was clear that he truly cared for this nephew, who, under thirty, had already become the mayor of Hengshan Town. In another couple of years, he could quickly get promoted to work at the City Committee. His career trajectory would certainly be smooth, especially with an uncle in the Land Bureau watching over him, and with many connections in the city, his career would undoubtedly advance more openly than others'.

However, what he did this time stirred Secretary Tang's inner emotions, and Secretary Tang intensely hated such matters.

"I'm sorry, I can't help you with this," Tang Yumeng shook her head.

"Secretary Tang..." The Education Bureau chief hurriedly said, "Even if Secretary Tang is unwilling to intervene, please don't pressure the judicial authorities. We hope for a fair and just trial by the law."

The Education Bureau chief had long understood why Tang Yumeng was unwilling to help; it was because he knew Tang Yumeng was trying to make an example this time. Faced with such matters, he must speak up as a reminder.

Tang Yumeng looked up at him, saying, "Do I need you to remind me how to act?"

"I..." The Education Bureau chief looked at Tang Yumeng awkwardly, saying, "I... I just hope Secretary Tang can give the children a chance to change and redeem themselves."

"As a people's servant, you should ask your good nephew what he has done," Tang Yumeng looked at the two seriously, saying, "Colluding with ruffians, oppressing the people, leading corruption—is this what an official should be like? If we don't investigate them thoroughly, the people will point fingers at us, condemning us."

The moment Tang Yumeng said this, the two deflated like punctured balloons, glanced at each other, and could only leave dejectedly.

As soon as they left, Lin Chuan immediately applauded, "Sis, well said."

"Sigh." Seeing their backs, Tang Yumeng indeed felt somewhat helpless inside.

On one side are her trusted subordinates, and on the other are the corrupt officials she despises the most. She was caught in a dilemma, but she ultimately chose to stand on the side of justice, on the side of victory. If she helped them, she would not be Tang Yumeng anymore. Tang Yumeng is a very genuine person, a person who sticks to her principles and views. She absolutely refuses to let any corrupt official escape. She has resolved to build a clean and upright bureaucracy in Jiangbei City, not a filthy and vile Jiangbei City.

"Sis, you sighed!" Lin Chuan laughed.

"Yes!" Tang Yumeng nodded, saying, "I'm conflicted inside."

"How can life be without conflicts?" Lin Chuan chuckled.

Tang Yumeng's conflict stems from wanting to care for her old subordinates on one hand and wanting to maintain the integrity of the bureaucracy on the other. If she doesn't make an example today, more people will break the rules and cross the line tomorrow. This is intolerable for Tang Yumeng.

"You're right." Tang Yumeng nodded, saying, "Now, Jiangbei City is no longer a city of factions and cliques; I am now the leader of Jiangbei City. I must set an example. Hesitation in decisions leads to chaos."

"Well said." Lin Chuan nodded immediately.

The two talked for a long time, and Tang Yumeng gradually emerged from her gloomy mood, her emotions turning from cloudy to clear. Seeing the smile on Tang Yumeng's face, Lin Chuan finally relaxed a bit, and he immediately interjected, "Sis, there's something I need to tell you."

"Oh? What's that?" Tang Yumeng asked curiously.

"I... I need to take a trip to Beijing at noon," Lin Chuan said with a smile.

"Going to pay respects to your god-grandfather?" Tang Yumeng looked at Lin Chuan with curiosity.

"Yes!" Lin Chuan nodded, saying, "It's the second day of the new year; I indeed should visit the old man, given that he's now old. There aren't many days left to visit. So, I want to seize the moment to fulfill my filial duties since I fear I may not have the chance to in the future."

Upon hearing this, Tang Yumeng immediately grabbed Lin Chuan's hand, saying, "Lin Chuan, you really should go back and see him."

"Mm." Lin Chuan nodded, saying, "I will."

"And when you go back, remember to convey my regards to the General, okay?" Tang Yumeng said with a smile.

"Certainly will." Lin Chuan nodded and said with a smile, "The old man often talks about you, saying that you're a very capable woman and quite politically savvy. He says that you will definitely achieve great things in politics in the future. So, you must work hard."

"Hee hee!" Tang Yumeng immediately laughed, like a blooming flower.

............

At twelve noon, a flight took off from Jiangbei City, flying directly towards Beijing.

On the plane, Miss Lan appeared particularly excited. The others fell asleep as soon as they boarded, completely entering the realm of dreams. Lin Chuan and Miss Lan had adjacent seats; when checking in, Miss Lan deliberately chose a seat next to Lin Chuan. As soon as they boarded, she rested her head on Lin Chuan's shoulder.

Lin Chuan was by the window, and after the plane took off, he opened the shade. Staring outside, he saw a beautiful world beyond the window. Once the plane ascended above the clouds, the world below became invisible, and he felt as if he were in space.

"Lin Chuan, the next mission is about to commence," Miss Lan said.

"What mission?" Lin Chuan asked.

"This mission won't be easy," Miss Lan sighed and said, "Each mission now seems more challenging than the last."

"Is that so?" Lin Chuan curiously looked at Miss Lan and asked, "What kind of mission would make even you find it difficult?"

"Artifact recovery," Miss Lan said helplessly.

"Artifacts?" Lin Chuan was taken aback and said, "What kind of artifacts?"

"That's hard to say," Miss Lan chuckled, "The top hasn't informed us yet, just notified me of this mission. So I'm also in the dark, completely confused. Please don't ask me anything about this mission."

"Judging by how secretive the superiors are, this mission does seem quite tough," Lin Chuan remarked.

"Indeed," Miss Lan snorted, "Old Jiang took away so many ancient artifacts from the country back then, it's such a pity. The real Imperial Palace now is actually in the Taipei Palace Museum. Most of the artifacts in the domestic Imperial Palace Museum are replicas."

"Hehe..." Lin Chuan chuckled, withholding further comment.

Soon, the plane smoothly landed at Beijing airport.

Upon disembarking, two black military-plated Audi cars were already waiting on the tarmac, with two drivers in black suits standing by the front, like statues awaiting Lin Chuan and the others' return.

"Wow, someone came to pick us up." Miss Lan was excited like a child.

"Let's go," Lin Chuan said.

The six of them divided into the two cars and headed straight for the city center of Beijing. The cars moved towards the General's residence. The license plates served as the perfect pass, allowing the cars to enter the gates of the General's residence unhindered. The six of them got out of the cars.

"Kids, you're finally back," the old General was practicing Tai Chi in the courtyard when he saw Lin Chuan and the others arrive together, he immediately smiled and said, "Good, very good, seeing you all back makes me happy."

"General, Happy New Year," Miss Lan excitedly walked over to Lin Chuan.

"Happy New Year," the old General nodded quickly and hugged Miss Lan.

Lin Chuan and the others walked over, all of them smiling broadly. The old General chuckled and said, "Come, have a seat inside, I just knew you'd come today, so I had the cook prepare a dinner. Let's sit in the study for a while first, and then we'll eat afterward."

"Okay!" everyone nodded.

Seeing the old General, Iron Bull and the others were somewhat restrained, but with Lin Chuan and the others there, they followed closely into the house.

The old General's study was large enough to accommodate everyone. They all walked in, and Miss Lan plopped down on a bamboo chair beside the old General. Lin Chuan seated himself opposite the old General, while the others gathered on the sofa.

This was probably the first time the study had accommodated so many people, and with Iron Bull's burly frame, his presence made the sofa seem a bit crowded.

The old General looked at each of them and sincerely said, "You are our hope. I have never been as happy and excited as I am right now. You carry with you so much of my hope and the future of our country. Seeing you all can gather here, I am very gratified."

"General, serving the country is our soldier's duty," Lin Chuan said.

"Yes!" The old General nodded and said, "But you are different from others, different from other soldiers. You are the kings in the military, the soul of the entire army. With your presence, we have the guarantee of safety."

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