Yan Liang does have the authority to withdraw Guo Shunjiefrom the Party School's training. As long as he was still the Branch Bureau'sChief, he could still make the final decision on such matters. Yan Liang hadheard a lot about Dong Xuebing. But he did not think Dong Xuebing was capable.He had voted for Dong Xuebing during the Party Committee meeting was because hehad no choice. This was why he refused to help Dong Xuebing.
Furthermore, he also does not think that Guo Shunjie wouldbe so daring to frame his direct supervisor. Xu Yan did not become the next PoliticalCommissar. Now, the situation had changed for Song Shoujie, Yang Yizhong, andthe rest. They might not even be able to save themselves and will have no timeto help Dong Xuebing with this incident. Even if they wanted to help DongXuebing, they also could not do so.
That's why Dong Xuebing was alone to handle this crisis.
The front compound of the Western Branch Bureau.
Yan Liang, Zhou Guoan, Xu Yan and all the top leaders of thebranch were standing at attention in front. Dong Xuebing, Tan Limei, GuoShunjie, and the rest were standing at the back. All of them were there towelcome Minister Lui, from the National State Security. Minister Lui was veryold and had retired from the State Security many years back. Although he was nolonger holding any portfolio, he still has an influence over the StateSecurity. Many of the Bureau Directors were his former subordinates andstudents. Yan Liang was one of them.
The metal gates opened, and an ordinary old model Audientered the Branch's compound.
The car stopped, and there was an old man around his sixtiesor seventies sitting at the back. His hair was almost all white, but he stillappears to be in good health.
Yan Liang's promotion was actually because of his connectionwith Minister Lui. That's why Yan Liang was very respectful of him. Heimmediately walks forward to open the car's door for Minister Lui. Then, hehelped Minister Lui alight from the vehicle. "Minister Lui, I represent theBranch Bureau to welcome you. Thank you for coming over to inspect and guideus." Yan Liang knew that Minister Lui do not like grand welcomes. But he stillhas to show his respect for him.
Minister Lui looked at the people standing behind Yan Liangand laughed: "You... since when did you learn all these? Everyone get back towork. I am retired, and what's there for me to inspect? I was also from theWestern District Branch. I am just coming back for a visit today." Minister Luicasually passed his bag to his driver and guard.
Yan Liang immediately moved over and grabbed the bag. "Letme carry it."
Minister Lui laughed and did not say anything. Many yearsago, Yan Liang was the one who carried his bag for him.
Zhou Guoan, Xu Yan and the rest walked over and greeted MinisterLui politely. After everyone had greeted Minister Lui, Yan Liang asked everyoneto disperse. Only the members of the General Affairs Office and a few youngpersonnel from the other departments remained. Yan Liang accompanied MinisterLui for a stroll around the branch.
Minister Lui looked around and sighed. "That Chinese datetree is still there? Eh? The cafeteria is still the same? Nothing had changed.Xiao Yan, is the Political Section still in that corner on level 3?" MinisterLui asks when he walked around. Once in a while, he will speak to the youngstaffs. He did not have the air of a leader. Guo Shunjie, Guo Panwei and twomembers of the Public Security Sixth Bureau silently moved behind Minister Lui,hoping he would speak to them and leave an impression with him.
Dong Xuebing was not interested in this. He was the lastperson at the back and was staring at Guo Shunjie. He really wished he couldgive him a kick on his face.
Guo Shunjie could feel someone was staring at him frombehind. He turned and gave Dong Xuebing a cold smile.
Actually, when Dong Xuebing was promoted to become theDeputy Chief of the General Affairs Office, many younger staffs were unhappy.How can someone who had joined the bureau for less than 2 months bepromoted?They had been working therefor 2 to 3 years, and it was not their turn. This was why when Dong Xuebing'scareer was coming to an end, they were gloating.
Not long later, Minister Lui entered Yan Liang's office. Therest of them waited outside.
Guo Shunjie looked around and walked over to Dong Xuebing."Chief Xiao Dong, my training course at the Party is starting next week. I willbe applying for two weeks of leave from work." He purposely emphasis on thewords, Party School to spite Dong Xuebing. Even the leader could not get toattend the training, and his staff member will be participating. This was likea slap to Dong Xuebing's face.
Tan Limei, who was standing by the side, knew that it wasGuo Shunjie who switched the documents and could not stand it: "Guo Shunjie!You are despicable!"
Chang Juan and Zhuang Zhi were also furious. This personcould switch documents to frame his superior and colleagues! He was really ascum!
Guo Shunjie stared at Tan Limei in her eyes: "Who do youthink you are scolding? Ah?"
The other people who were not from the General AffairsDepartment were watching this free show.
Suddenly, Yan Liang office's door opens. Guo Shunjie justlet out a 'Hmph!' and looks away. Respect for Dong Xuebing? Guo Shunjie doesnot care about this anymore. He was not willing to show any respect to DongXuebing. He now has Zhou Guoan backing him. Once he attended the trainingcourse, he will be promoted to Dong Xuebing's supervisor!
Yan Liang walked out with Minister Lui.
Minister Lui laughed and said: "Let's go and visit thebureau's quarters. I had lived there for several years. I really miss thatplace."
Yan Liang smiled and replied: "Ok. Can I drive you there?"
"Let's take a walk. It is not far from here. We can alsoexercise."
After leaving the branch, they walked for about 100 metersand turned into a small alley.
Dong Xuebing followed behind with his fist clenched. He wasthinking about what else he could do to stop Guo Shunjie from entering theParty School and his promotion.
After walking for about 10 minutes, there was a commotion infront.
"Minister Lui, how are you feeling?"
"Minister Lui, are you ok?"
Dong Xuebing, who was walking with Tan Limei and Zhuang Zhiat the back of the group, looked over. They saw Minister Lui panting heavily,but he was still smiling to Yan Liang. "Asthma. I got this condition about 2years ago. It's ok. I have my inhaler with me. The inhaler is in my bag.
Everyone was relieved when they heard it was asthma.
But Yan Liang's following words shocked everyone. "Ah! Yourbag is left in my office!" Yan Liang was used to be the leader for years. Hehad forgotten the habit of carrying someone else's bag. He was also troubled byhis family problems recently and had forgotten about Minister Lui's bag.Although he had noticed that he had forgotten about Minister Lui's bag after leavingthe branch, he thought nothing about it, as he did not know that Minister Luihad asthma and his medication was in his bag.
Minister Lui's breathing became faster when he heard YanLiang. He grabs his chest and starts to gasp for air. His sweat was pouringdown his face.
Yan Liang panicked. "Damn! Medicine! Who has medicine forasthma? Heart attack medication is also fine! Who have it?"
All the people there were below 30 years old. All of themwere healthy, and who would bring these medicines around? The guard, who wasfollowing Minister Lui, was only his bodyguard. He did not bring any sparemedicine!
Guo Shunjie was in a rush to impress the leaders: "I willcall for an ambulance!" He shouted and immediately start dialing the number.
Yan Liang was holding on to Minister Lui with one hand, andthe other was holding his phone, calling the branch. "Go to my office and bringme that brown colored leather bag! The second Hutong! Drive! I need it now!Hurry up!"
Minister Lui was struggling to breathe, and he was spasming!
Goddamn! The branch bureau was too far from here, and theambulance will not be on time!
Yan Liang was panicking. "Sir! Hang in there! The medicinewill be here!" Yan Liang then turned to the others and shouted: "Go and buymedicine from the nearest pharmacy! Go now!"
Dong Xuebing was also panicking. Pharmacy? The nearestpharmacy is also a distance from here. It was obvious that Minister Lui couldnot even last a minute! There will not be enough time!
Eh?
Wait a minute!
Dong Xuebing stopped suddenly and could feel his whole bodygetting heated up!
Damn!
This is my chance to save myself!
BACK! BACK! BACK! BACK! BACK!