Chapter 25: The Birth of Lu Zitou

  Roasted meat, it was Du Xiaohu who heard Lu Zhong mention mutton skewers and barbecue, and then came up with a new idea. Now in Wushan, there are already Xinjiang people barbecuing mutton skewers on the streets, but Guangning has not appeared yet. Lu Zhong once mentioned to Du Xiaohu when they would go to the city to eat meat skewers, Du Xiaohu remembered it in his heart and asked Lu Zhong about the method of roasting meat. Today is a happy day, and he wants to try out his skills.

  No seasonings, cumin, flavored with soy sauce and chili oil, dipped in to eat but also has a few flavors.

  Lu Zhong said with a smile while eating: "Tong Susu has no good luck." A few days ago, Tong Susu had moved to the county government's staff dormitory.

  About twenty minutes later, the sound of a jeep's rumble came from outside, Jiao Yue arrived quickly, obviously using all his strength.

  Then, at the gate of the courtyard, Jiao Ye pushed his bicycle in and placed it beside the wall. He also straightened up Du Xiaohu's crooked water pipe car. Standing far away, he smiled apologetically and said: "Director, if there's nothing else, I'll leave now. Tomorrow morning at 7:30, shall I have Old Li come to pick you up?"

  Da Lao Li is the leader of the auto class, a retired transportation soldier who has been driving for nearly thirty years. He's got a strong personality and as he gets older, his temper gets worse. Now he just wants to retire peacefully, but not many leaders like him.

  Lu Zhong beckoned to Jiao Ye and said: "Little Jiao, right? You've been busy all day, come try some roasted meat."

  Lu Zhong's tone was calm, but it made Jiao Ke suddenly ecstatic, waving his hand repeatedly: "No, no, Director, Du Ke, you two take your time..." Du Xiaohu is actually not an official title now, only occasionally coming to the county bureau to handle affairs, and sometimes being referred to as "Du Ke".

  Lu Zhong nodded slightly, "Alright, come pick me up at 7:30 tomorrow morning."

  Jiao Ye couldn't hide the joy on his face, nodding repeatedly: "Yes, yes, I know, tomorrow I'll definitely be on time... no, early, early..."

  As he backed out of the hospital gate, he almost tripped and Du Xiaohu couldn't help but burst out laughing.

  Lu Zhong shook his head: "This little Jiao is quite interesting."

  ……

  The next morning, Jiao Ye took the car from the bureau and arrived at the courtyard at 7:00. He waited patiently until 7:20, then got out of the car and stood aside, listening to the movements inside the courtyard from time to time.

  At 7:30, Lu Zhong and Du Xiaohu came out one after the other. Jiao Ye hurriedly opened the car door and invited the two leaders to get in.

  The Jeep quickly drove out of Zhao Village and onto the county town's main street. Jiao Yan smiled as he drove, saying: "Director, last night Yu Guo and his team cleaned up the third floor office." As a dedicated driver for the leadership, apart from driving, his job naturally included gathering information about big and small matters within the bureau, becoming the leader's third eye and ear. On the outside, however, he had to keep his mouth shut, not mentioning any of the leader's business, no matter how trivial, to anyone else.

  Lu Zhong gazed out of the car window at the ever-changing county town scenery, silent.

  Entering the county bureau's large courtyard, Lu Zhong did not go to the third floor of the office building, but instead came to the second-floor office he shared with Ma Yuewu.

  Ma Yuewu saw him slightly stunned, and immediately knew that Lu Zhong was waiting for the formal appointment to come before going to sit in Zhang Qingming's position.

  Looking at Lu Zhong sitting across from him with an air of confidence, Ma Yuewu suddenly felt that the Lu Zhong in front of him was not the same person he knew. The overbearing aura that Lu had always possessed was still there, but somehow, this new director seemed to have added a few more layers of mystery that were difficult to decipher. This feeling was something that Ma had experienced before with Director Zhang, but how could a young man in his early twenties possibly possess the kind of seasoned and intimidating presence that only came from years of experience?

  Ma Yuewu was silent for a long time, and didn't know what to say to Lu Zhong. He could only lower his head and look at the case files on the table.

  At 3:30 pm, the conference hall of Guangning County Public Security Bureau was decorated with a new look, with flowers and red flags everywhere. Ma Weiguo, deputy secretary of the county party committee and head of the organization department, presided over the appointment ceremony for the new director and political commissar of Guangning County Public Security Bureau.

  This morning, at the county People's Congress Standing Committee meeting, a proposal to appoint Lu Zhong as the director of Guangning County Public Security Bureau was unanimously approved.

  Ma Weiguo read out the decision on the appointment and removal of the director and political commissar of Guangning County Public Security Bureau. Comrade Lu Zhong was appointed as the Secretary of the Party Committee, Political Commissar and Director of Guangning County Public Security Bureau. Comrade Zhang Qingming is no longer serving as the Secretary of the Party Committee, Political Commissar and Director of Guangning County Public Security Bureau.

  At the same time, Lu Zhong also served as the First Political Commissar of the Guangning County Border Defense Detachment of the People's Armed Police.

  Deng Kui-en, Deputy Secretary of the Politics and Law Committee of Wushan Municipal Party Committee and Executive Deputy Director of Wushan Public Security Bureau, attended the meeting and delivered a speech. He put forward four requirements for the new leadership team of the Public Security Bureau: First, to maintain high consistency with the municipal party committee and county party committee in politics, and to practice the people's police creed of "loyalty, justice, revolution, and dedication". Second, to fulfill their duties conscientiously and work hard. Third, to be strict with themselves in life, being clean and honest. Fourth, to set a good example in team building and lead the team well.

  Below the stage, the front row was sparsely seated with cadres from the county party committee's organization department and the political and legal committee. Behind this gray area, there were rows of solemn-faced public security officers, a sea of olive green that filled the auditorium. Looking horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, they were all straight lines, adorned with red badges that shone with an unspoken sense of majesty and sternness.

  The cameraman and journalist of the county TV station were busy at the left corner below the stage, Du Xiaohu looked anxiously but couldn't find Tong Susu.

  On the rostrum, Lu Zhong finally took over the microphone. The eyes of all police officers, civil servants and armed police below the stage turned to him. Even Deng Kuien, the deputy director from the Municipal Bureau who stood beside Lu Zhong, looked at this young bureau chief with great interest. A 22-year-old county bureau chief was unprecedented in the entire Wushan area, except during times of turmoil and the early years after the founding of the country.

  "Comrades, today, I have been appointed as the Director of Guangning County Public Security Bureau. I feel deeply honored and thank the organization for their trust in me. The appointment by the Municipal Bureau and the County Committee is a recognition of my past work. However, the past does not represent the future. I will definitely study diligently, ask for advice frequently, give my all, fulfill my duties, unite with others, set an example, and lead all public security police officers in Guangning to create a new situation in public security work and reach new heights!"

  Lu Zhong's clear and majestic voice echoed throughout the venue, and the auditorium fell silent. Many grassroots police officers looked at the stage with excitement, hoping to get a glimpse of Director Lu's appearance. Who in the Guangning County public security system doesn't know about this young director's legendary experience? A battle hero from the southern border battlefield, although repeatedly suppressed by Director Zhang, still managed to rise to prominence when the bureau encountered its most severe serial case since the founding of the country. Director Lu stood out and cleared his name, caught the real culprit, and saved the reputation of the Guangning Bureau. He shot and killed the Republic's number one fugitive, avenging two brothers who were brutally murdered, showcasing his heroic spirit! Moreover, it is said that Director Lu also remotely assisted in solving a missing children case in another province.

  This young director is not only the banner of Guangning Bureau but also the glory and pride of Guangning Bureau!

  Perhaps Lu Zhong himself does not know the great prestige he now enjoys in the Guangning public security system.

  He spoke in a low voice, revealing the information he wanted to convey: "Our Guangning Bureau has a good tradition and is a united and combat-effective collective. The vast number of police officers have worked hard for the peace of Guangning, selflessly dedicating themselves and making great efforts and sacrifices! In the past five years, countless comrades have been commended and awarded, three comrades have made the ultimate sacrifice, and 22 comrades have been gloriously injured. It is my honor to lead such a glorious team! To eradicate crime, crack down on all kinds of illegal criminal activities, and escort the economic construction of the socialist new era, this is our responsibility, our mission!"

  "Comrades, as the economy develops, our burdens have increased, our responsibilities have grown heavier. Of course, all sorts of temptations have also multiplied. As the saying goes, 'chaotic flowers are about to confuse people's eyes,' but in the end, gold and silver mountains are nothing more than a handful of yellow earth. To live up to one's conscience and stand upright is what it means to be a true man! I believe that our Guangning public security police will definitely hold on to their ordinary hearts, do a good job as the people's guardians and diligent soldiers in this new situation where the economic tide is surging forward!"

  "My soldiers under Lu Zhong have never been cowards! Comrades, let us join hands and face the future's storms together!"

  "Wow!" The auditorium erupted in a warm applause. Today's police officers, who have undergone various collective education and indoctrination, are not lacking in young people with passionate ideals. Lu Zhong's speech, which has a strong personal style, is refreshing and inspiring, and the atmosphere in the auditorium is infectious, especially for some young police officers who have just graduated from the police academy or transferred from the military, their palms were red from clapping.

  Lu Zhong, this battle hero from the front line of Nan Shan, has the iron-blooded experience of almost wiping out the entire company and stubbornly blocking the Vietnamese army's elite in a pocket! He really has the qualifications to say that his soldiers have never been cowards!

  The Deputy Director of the Municipal Bureau, Deng Kuiren, also smiled and applauded lightly, apparently satisfied with Lu Zhong's speech, which had a strong personal charm hidden in the official language.

  Ma Weiguo smiled and applauded as well, but his face didn't reveal anything.

  Gao Zhikai sat below the podium, speechless, with a wooden expression. Later, amidst the applause of the whole audience, he stood up and left the auditorium.

  Looking at his back, Ma Weiguo slightly furrowed his brow, and then immediately, a smile whispered something in Lu Zhong's ear.