Morning.
County Public Security Bureau.
Everyone had arrived at work and were discussing the hacking of the County Government’s website and what punishment Chief Xiao Dong will get. Everyone had concluded that Chief Xiao Dong will get at least a warning. To escape responsibility, Hu Yiguo, the person-in-charge of the internet security department, did not even go to the Constant Temperature and Humidity Room, and only called up to check on the progress of the investigation.
Wang Fu knew everything was over. “Chief Liang, the hacker, had attacked out bureau’s website, and we failed to catch him.”
Liang Chengpeng gave him a stare. “He is too arrogant! This is challenging the government! What are you all doing? Didn’t you all set up the firewalls on all our websites?”
Wang Fu sighed. “The hacker is too skillful and is in the shadows. We are unable to stop him.”
Liang Chengpeng raised his voice. “Are you saying that the County should shut down all the government-related websites?”
Wang Fu does not know what to reply to him. The only solution now was to temporary shut down all the sites and request help from the higher-ups. The City and County Bureau does not have sufficient skills to handle this hacker.
Liang Chengpeng looked around the room and frowned. “Where is Chief Dong?”
“Chief Dong went out early this morning.”
“Where did he go?” Liang Chengpeng was furious. “What is more important than this case? As the team leader, he should be around to take charge of the situation.”
Wang Fu replied: “I don’t know.”
“Call him now! I want him back immediately!”
At this moment, Dong Xuebing, who had just finished breakfast, had arrived outside the Constant Temperature and Humidity Room and heard the commotion inside. He quickly entered the room and asked: “Chief Liang, are you looking for me?”
Liang Chengpeng stared at him. “There is no progress with the investigation, and you still have time to go out?”
You all are the ones who forced to me takeover this case! You think I want to head the investigations? Dong Xuebing was mad, but when he remembers that the case was solved, he calmed down and said something shocking. “Chief Liang, the case is solved.”
“What?!” Liang Chengpeng, Wang Fu, and the rest were stunned.
Dong Xuebing had prepared what to say before he returns to the bureau. “It’s like this. This morning, when the hacker attacked our bureau’s website, I managed to trace the hacker’s address. He is located out of our country, and he should not have any political motives. He just wanted to test his hacking skills and happened to pick our county.”
Liang Chengpeng was shocked. “You also know hacking techniques?”
“A little. The hacker made a mistake, and I made use of it to trace him. It’s all luck.” Dong Xuebing was telling the truth, but to the people there, he sounded modest. “You should also know that these hackers are not easy to catch, and they are located overseas. We do not know their exact address and our only solution is to stop them from attacking us. This morning, I managed to win, and I believe he will not attack our county again.” Liang Chengpeng had mentioned that they do not need to arrest the hacker and only need to stop him.
Liang Chengpeng asked: “How can you confirm this?” Not only him, Wang Fu and the rest do not believe Chief Dong had won the Hacker, whom they had been fighting over the past month.
When Dong Xuebing was about to speak, the PC alarm went off!
Wang Fu’s face changed. “That hacker is back!”
Liang Chengpeng looked at Dong Xuebing. “This is what you mean by you had stopped him? He will not come back again?”
Xiao Han and the rest immediately got to work. “Where is the attack?”
“It is still our Public Security website!” Wang Fu sat down in front of his PC and wanted to trace the hacker, but he looked at the monitor and said. “Don’t need to trace him. He is gone. Huh? Our website’s reporting mailbox seems to have been altered. The hacker left a message.”
Liang Chengpeng frowned and went over.
There were a few words. ‘This is the last time I am hacking into your site. Your bureau has too many experts and I admit my loss!
Admit his loss? Chief Dong really stopped him?!
Wang Fu and Xiao Han looked at each other. Chief Dong is really so good?
This was arranged by Dong Xuebing. He had called Xiao Hua to do this, and this is the only way to get the credit without arresting anyone. This message is a must. If not, others will think this hacker had left because he lost interest in hacking the County’s website.
Liang Chengpeng asked: “Can you confirm it is left by that hacker?”
Wang Fu replied. “It is definitely that hacker. He used the same method, and speed is the same.”
Liang Chengpeng looked at the screen for a while, before banging the table with his fist. “Good! This is terrific!”
Liang Chengpeng did not expect what Zhen Anguo said had come true. This young and ordinary-looking Xiao Dong could really do wonders. He managed to solve this headache for him within hours. Could it be that Old Zhen knew Xiao Dong is good at hacking techniques and suggested using him? No. Liang Chengpeng did not tell Zhen Anguo about the case and he also did not ask. He just recommended Xiao Dong and said Xiao Dong can solve all sorts of troubles!
Liang Chengpeng looked at Dong Xuebing and nodded. He had belittled this new Deputy Bureau Chief. Even though Zhen Anguo dislikes Xiao Dong, he still gave him such a high rating. This Chief Xiao Dong is really capable!
“Prepare a report on this case and give it to me tomorrow.” Liang Chengpeng said and left to report to the County’s leaders.
Dong Xuebing smiled and happily assigned the task of writing the report to Wang Fu. He also thanked the 2 City Bureau’s Internet Police for assisting in the investigation.
The internet police officers were embarrassed as they had not done anything to help solve this case.
Wang Fu said. “Chief Dong, if we know you are so skillful, you should be put in charge of this case a long time ago.” When Hu Yiguo set up this investigation team to shoulder the blame and Wang Fu, Xiao Han and the rest were disappointed with him. However, Chief Xiao Dong managed to solve the case, and they were grateful to him.
Before noon, news of Chief Dong stopping the hacker spread throughout the bureau.
At first, no one believed this, but the hacker never appears again for the rest of the day!
Hu Yiguo was shocked. He thought it was impossible to settle this case so soon. After all, the investigation had been ongoing for a month without progress. It should take at least a few more weeks or months before it can be solved. How did Dong Xuebing solve this case so fast? Is he really skilled in hacking techniques? How come his personnel file did not record this? Hu Yiguo knew Dong Xuebing will be getting the credit for solving this case and was jealous.
The next day.
Dong Xuebing was reading the papers in his office when his office phone rang.
It was Bureau Chief Liang Chengpeng. “Is the report ready? The County Leaders are waiting for the report.”
“Yes. I will send it to you.” Dong Xuebing brightens up. His name will appear in front of the County Leaders, and it will be good for his career. This was an opportunity not to be missed. He put down the papers and went to the Constant Temperature and Humidity Room. He still has not seen Wang Fu’s report and wanted to make some amendments to make himself more critical before submitting it. “Old Wang, where is the report? Let me take a look......”
Wang Fu was avoiding Dong Xuebing’s eyes. “...... The report...... is submitted.”
What? Dong Xuebing’s voice turns cold. “Didn’t I tell you to pass the report to me? I still have not read it and it is submitted? What is the meaning of this?” He is the team leader and Wang Fu is his deputy. How can the deputy team leader submit the report without telling him?
Wang Fu replied. “Chief Dong, I was about to call you regarding this. Chief Hu dropped by earlier and asked me to give him the report. He is the head of internet security and is my direct supervisor. I cannot......”
Dong Xuebing was stunned for a second. That bastard Hu Yiguo? What does he want with the report?
Wang Fu doesn’t dare to look at Dong Xuebing’s eyes. “Chief Hu is not happy with the report and asked me to amend it. I......”
Dong Xuebing’s face changed immediately. “Show me the amended report!”
Wang Fu brought Dong Xuebing to a PC and opened up a word document. Dong Xuebing read it – The summary of the case is as follows. Under the leadership of County Public Security Chief Liang Chengpeng and Political Commissar Liu Weiye, Executive Deputy Bureau Chief Hu Yiguo’s special investigation team started to investigate into the case of the hacking of the County Government’s websites, and successfully stopped the hacker from hacking into the sites....”
Dong Xuebing was furious!
Dong Xuebing’s name was only mentioned once at the end of the report and did not specify how he solved the case. What the special investigation team leader did was not mentioned at all. From the report, it was Hu Yiguo who settled this case alone, and the case has nothing to do with anyone else!
Dong Xuebing immediately knew what Hu Yiguo was up to. This bastard was trying to snatch the credit!
Motherf**ker! Dong Xuebing hit the desk hard. He did not expect such a despicable person exist in the bureau. Deputy Chief Qin Yong was right. Hu Yiguo was someone will hide when there is trouble and will snatch other people’s credits. Damn! You pushed everything to me to escape responsibility and now I had solved the case, and you want to get credit? No way!
“Print out the original report!” Dong Xuebing shouted.
Wang Fu quickly printed out the first copy of the report, which stated the details of how Dong Xuebing solved the case for him.
Dong Xuebing went up to Liang Chengpeng’s office immediately with the report. In the office, Chief Liang was reading the report Hu Yiguo submitted. The overweight Hu Yiguo was also there and was happily discussing the report with Chief Liang. When he saw Dong Xuebing entering the office, he frowned and looked at him.
Dong Xuebing said. “Chief Liang, I am here to give you the report.”
Liang Chengpeng had just started reading the report in his hand. “Chief Hu had passed the report to me.”
Dong Xuebing replied. “Chief Liang, you had instructed the investigation team to write the report and pass it to you. But I don’t understand why as the team leader of the investigation team, I don’t have the authority to check the contents of the report. Am I not the one in-charge of this case? I don’t know where Chief Hu gets this report and I have not seen it. The investigation team only has one report.” Dong Xuebing placed his report on Liang Chengpeng’s desk. “Chief Hu is not involved in the investigation team, and he does not know anything about the investigations.”
Hu Yiguo got mad when he heard what Dong Xuebing said. “I am the head of internet security! I don’t know anything about this case?”
Dong Xuebing did not hold back and retort: “I am the leader of the investigation team, and I oversee this case! Chief Hu, you are the one who appointed me as the team leader, and I solved the case. Why am I not allowed to see the report? I did not even see the report and the report is submitted?”
Hu Yiguo replied with a dark face. “Do I need you to teach me what to do? Ah?”
Liang Chengpeng banged the table. “Stop arguing!” He picked up Hu Yiguo’s report and start reading it. The whole report is talking about Hu Yiguo’s credit, and Dong Xuebing was not mentioned at all. No wonder Dong Xuebing is so furious. Liang Chengpeng also dislikes Hu Yiguo’s actions. He was too irresponsible and was the first to push the responsibility to others. Now, the case is solved, and he wants to claim the credit? Have you considered Chief Dong’s feelings?
Liang Chengpeng looked at Hu Yiguo and threw his report on the desk. “Chief Hu, go back to work. Chief Dong is the one handling this case, and I will speak to him about the report.”
Hu Yiguo was stunned. “Chief Liang......”
Liang Chengpeng waved him off impatiently and picked up Dong Xuebing’s report. He read it and nodded. “I will submit this report to the County leaders in the afternoon.”
Dong Xuebing was overjoyed.
Hu Yiguo realized that he had misinterpreted the leader words. When he suggested setting up an investigation team and let Dong Xuebing be the leader, Liang Chengpeng agreed. Under normal circumstances, other leaders will never accept this, and Hu Yiguo was only trying his luck. But Chief Liang agreed and this let Hu Yiguo thought the leader wanted Dong Xuebing to be the scapegoat. This is the reason why he dares to snatch Dong Xuebing’s credit openly. Hu Yiguo would never know that Liang Chengpeng had agreed to let Dong Xuebing head the team was because of what Zhen Anguo said.
Hu Yiguo was furious as he walked out of Chief Liang’s office.
Dong Xuebing looked at Hu Yiguo’s back view as he left the room. He was almost framed by Hu Yiguo, and this incident will not affect him despite getting reprimanded by Chief Liang. In fact, Dong Xuebing stopping the hacker had helped him from getting the blame for failing to solve the case, but he turned around and tried to snatch the credit from Dong Xuebing.
“Chief Dong.” Liang Chengpeng smiled. “I approved you to lead the investigation team is because I believe you can solve this case. I heard about your achievements in the State Security. Hahaha.” Liang Chengpeng does not want Dong Xuebing to bear any grudges against him and made up an excuse.
Dong Xuebing replied: “Thank you for your trust in me.”
“You had done well this time. You are young and promising.” Liang Chengpeng smiled and looked at him. “Oh, your duties are still not assigned?”
Dong Xuebing thought to himself. You are asking the obvious. “Yes.”
Liang Chengpeng nodded. “Alright. I know what to do. Go back and wait for news.” Chief Xiao Dong had nothing to do with cybercrimes and managed to solve the case. He had helped Liang Chengpeng relieved the pressure imposed by the higher-ups, and he got to reward Dong Xuebing.
In the afternoon, Liang Chengpeng called for a Bureau Party Committee meeting.
Dong Xuebing knew his duties will finally be assigned. He wonders which police station or departments he will be taking over.
In the meeting room, Hu Yiguo saw Dong Xuebing and looked away after a glance. He was a proud man, and a young man in his twenties had talked back at him. He will not swallow this humiliation and is looking for the opportunity to teach Dong Xuebing a lesson. If not, he will not establish his authority in the bureau.
Dong Xuebing was not afraid of Hu Yiguo. He had stood up and argued with the leaders several times. Furthermore, he did not do anything wrong in this incident. It was Hu Yiguo who tried to make use of him and snatch the credit. Dong Xuebing despised these people the most and wanted to get back at him!
Political Commissar Liu Weiye, Executive Deputy Chief Hu Yiguo, Deputy Chief Gong Zhongwen, Deputy Chief Zhao Jingsong, Deputy Chief Sun Changhong, Deputy Chief Qin Yong, Deputy Political Commissar cum Political Office Director Yang Hao, Union Chief Li Jun, Commission for Discipline Inspection’s Secretary Sheng Chengdong, City Police Station Chief Chang Wantao and Deputy Chief Dong Xuebing attended this meeting. Office director Hu Silian will be recording the meeting minutes.
The meeting starts.
Liang Chengpeng conveyed the County’s message about the solving of the hacking case and praised Dong Xuebing.
Dong Xuebing smiled and humbly accepted it. This will be recorded in his personal files and will be helpful for his promotion.
After saying this, Liang Chengpeng continued. “I had discussed with Political Commissar Liu on Chief Dong’s work arrangement......”
Human resources and work arrangements are sensitive topics. Everyone became nervous as all the stations and departments had been assigned. If Chief Dong were to take charge of any police stations or department, that means someone in this meeting will have to give up part of their authority. Among all the deputy chiefs, Qin Yong is last in terms of seniority, and he felt part of his portfolio will be given to Dong Xuebing.
But what Chief Liang said surprises everyone. “Political Commissar Liu and I suggest Chief Dong take over the role of managing Hui Tian Village Police Station. What do you all think?”
Hui Tian Village Police Station? That’s Executive Deputy Chief Hu Yiguo’s station! Everyone was shocked as Hui Tian Village is the wealthiest village in the county. There is a gold mind and all explosive applications had to go through the Hui Tian Village Station! That’s the best station in the county, and places like these are generally under the jurisdiction of important leaders in the bureau. It is unheard of for the lowest ranking Deputy to oversee it!
Suddenly, everyone looked at Hu Yiguo!
This was 180 degrees change of attitude towards Chief Dong!
Hui Tian Village is the most critical station under Hu Yiguo, and the latter did not expect Chief Liang to assign it to Dong Xuebing. His face turned green and was furious. “I heard Chief Dong’s hometown is Hui Tian Village? To prevent conflict of interest, I do not agree with Chief Dong to takeover Hui Tian station.”
Qin Yong laughed in his heart and said: “I think Chief Hu’s understanding of conflict of interest is wrong. Chief Hu is also from Yan Tai County, does this mean that you are not suitable to be the Executive Deputy Chief?” He looked at the members of the committee. Many of the members are born and raised in Yan Tai County. What Hu Yiguo said will include most of the people there!
Hu Yiguo panicked and knew he said the wrong things! It’s only Dong Xuebing’s hometown, and Dong Xuebing does not have any relatives working in the Village government or police station. It is not considered a conflict of interest!
Liang Chengpeng gave Hu Yiguo a stare and waved his hand. “That settles it! Dismiss!”
The government service is a scary place. You would pay a heavy price if you misunderstood what your leader wants.
Dong Xuebing almost jumped up in joy. Hui Tian Village is the place he wanted the most, and he snatched it from Hu Yiguo! He was overjoyed as he saw Hu Yiguo walked out with a black face. Dong Xuebing finally felt better!
Deputy Chief Zhao Jingsong might be someone close to Hu Yiguo. He did not look at Dong Xuebing and walked out of the room with Hu Yiguo.
Out of the meeting room, Deputy Chief Qin Yong was the first person to walk to Dong Xuebing. He laughed and said: “Chief Dong, congratulations. Are you free this evening? Want to have dinner together?” He was on bad terms with Hu Yiguo and was overjoyed over what happened.
Deputy Chief Gong Zhongwen, Deputy Chief Sun Changhong, and the rest walked over to congratulate Dong Xuebing. All of them no longer look down on this 23-year-old deputy chief! He might be young but have lots of guts when it comes to office politics. Look, other officials will show their authority to their subordinates when they were newly posted. But Chief Xiao Dong showed his power to his superiors!
Before the day ends, the whole bureau knows Dong Xuebing will be taking over Hui Tian Village Station.
All the police officers were shocked. Damn! Dong Xuebing is establishing his authority too fast!