Chapter 61: Just because one has become an official, does it mean they are no longer human?

  After lunch, Old Qi politely asked Cong Ye:

  "Cong Ye, originally promised those old guys, after delivering the documents, we set off, what do you think?"

  "Uncle Qi, whatever you arrange is fine."

  However, after Cong Ye finished speaking, he still glanced at Yan Qingcheng sitting beside him. Cong Ye's action was naturally seen by Old Qi.

  "Alright, I'll take care of it."

  Turned her head and looked at Wu Chen saying:

  "Xiao Wu, call Li Zhunxuan and ask for a car."

  "Yes."

  Wu Chen opened the door and walked out of the room. Just ten or so minutes later, Wu Chen walked back in and said:

  "Mr. Qi, the car has arrived."

  "Alright, let's go."

  Leaving Zhangji Seafood Restaurant, they came outside to find a van with a military license plate waiting at the entrance of the alley. The driver was a very young soldier who saw the group coming out and hastily jumped down from the car, opened the door, and first helped Qi Lao sit in the back seat behind the driver's seat. Only then did the others get on board, with Zheng Junyi sitting in the front passenger seat.

  "Go to the Ministry of Defense."

  The armed unit is in the city government's courtyard, and from Zhangji Seafood Restaurant to the city government's courtyard is only a 15-minute drive. When the van stopped at the parking lot of the city government's courtyard, Wu Chen, who was sitting in the back seat, got out first and stood at the door to ask:

  "Qi Lao, why don't you wait in the car for a bit?"

  "No need, let's go up together."

  Wu Chen and Zheng Junyi led the way, with Cong Ye and Yan Qingcheng supporting Qi Grandfather behind them. The Armed Forces Department was located on the first floor of the City Hall building in the east wing. Upon arriving at the office, Wu Chen knocked on the door and asked a young female staff member:

  "Excuse me, is the minister at home?"

  "Do you have a reservation?"

  The young female staff member's tone was very cold.

  "No."

  "The minister is not in."

  Wu Chen didn't say anything else, but took out his own military ID and opened it, placing it on the desk in front of the female staff member. The other side saw that it was a senior colonel's rank, and immediately stood up, walked to a small door on the east side of the office, knocked, and then opened the door, saying something inside:

  "Director Jia, someone is looking for you."

  "Who is it?"

  A sleepy voice suddenly came from inside.

  "He is a big shot."

  "Big school? Please come in quickly."

  Wu Chen turned his head and took a look at Old Qi. He saw Old Qi slowly walking to the sofa in front of the office, and sat down with a plop.

  At this time, a middle-aged man with sleepy eyes walked out of the door. He was over 1.7 meters tall and weighed at least 200 pounds, with a big belly.

  "Excuse me, who are you?"

  He had just asked Wu Chen, who was standing at the door, a question, and immediately saw Qi Lao sitting on the sofa. He walked over quickly and gave Wu Lao a military salute.

  "Uncle Qi, you're an elderly man, how could you not notify me in advance? I would have gone to pick you up."

  "I wouldn't dare trouble you with such an important matter."

  "Is it Zhi Lao?"

  One sentence made Director Jia's face turn red with embarrassment, and he could only stand aside awkwardly with his hands tied.

  "Do you know her?"

  Zi Lao pointed at Yan Qingcheng standing beside him.

  "Looks familiar, just can't quite place it."

  "You are a high-ranking Minister of Defense, while Xiao Yan is just an ordinary martyr's widow."

  "Qi Lao, I remember now, she seemed to have come last summer."

  "What brings you here?"

  "This..."

  Qī Lǎo looked at Jiā Bùzhǎng, whose face was already beaded with cold sweat, and paused for a moment before continuing to speak:

  "Do you know about the national policies related to martyrs' widows?"

  "Alright, I know."

  "So how did you do it?"

  "Old Qi, who is that person..."

  "Are you a national cadre or someone's subordinate? Are you serving the people or serving a particular person?"

  Qī Lǎo Yuè said more and more angrily, stood up with a huff, walked back and forth two steps, pointing at Jiā Bùzhǎng's nose and asked:

  "Tell me, how did you become the Minister of Defense? Are you not willing to do it anymore? Although I have already retired, but in the General Staff, there is still a nominal title. Others may not count, but when it comes to military system affairs, someone will listen."

  "Uncle Qi, don't be angry, first drink some water to calm down, it's my fault."

  Congye also advised:

  "Grandpa Qi cannot get angry, otherwise it's bad for your body."

  Mr. Qi was supported by Cong Ye and Zheng Junyi, and sat back on the sofa again.

  "Xiao Wu, call Li Zhunxuan and ask him to come over."

  As soon as he heard this, Director Jia's legs began to tremble and cold sweat dripped down his face.

  "Old Qi..."

  "There's something to talk about, let's wait until Li Zhunxuan arrives."

  At this time, Zheng Junyi took out a packet of tea leaves and a cup from his bag, personally brewed tea for Old Man Qi, and handed it to him. Afterwards, he stood on the left side of Old Man Qi with Wu Chen standing on the right side.

  The distance from the Municipal Armed Forces Command to the City Hall was quite far, and by the time Li Zhunxuan arrived, it had been more than half an hour since Wu Chen made the phone call. During this half-hour period, the entire office was quiet, with no one speaking a word. The female staff member who had spoken in a cold tone earlier stood silently beside her seat after Director Jia left. When Zheng Junyi was about to pour tea for Qi Lao, she moved slightly, indicating that she wanted to take over the cup from Zheng Junyi's hand, but was ignored by him.

  Just as Li Zhunxuan walked into the office with a slight panting, Director Jia instructed her:

  "Hurry up and brew tea for Commander Li and several other leaders."

  No one went to bother Director Jia, Li Zhunxuan quickly walked up to Qi Lao and asked with a bow:

  "Old Qi, something's up?"

  "Have you informed Yu Ke San?"

  "Notification has been made. Old Yu explained that he will bring Yu Xiaopeng over early tomorrow morning. Also, Secretary Yu is on his way and says he wants to pay a visit to you."

  "Not in sight."

  Mr. Qi's words were very decisive.

  "This..."

  "I didn't say I wanted to see him at all, when did I?"

  "Yes, sir."

  Li Zhunxuan immediately stood up straight and responded with a "yes".

  "I have to make an appointment to see Director Jia, does he think that since I'm seeing him, I don't need to make an appointment?"

  Hearing this, Cong Ye's heart only wanted to laugh, never expecting that Qi Grandfather would sometimes come up with some cold humor.

  Lin Zhunxuan's mood was completely different from that of Cong Ye. At this time, he had already figured out one of the reasons why Qi Laosheng was angry. The temper of this old general was notorious in the military circles. When he was still in office, no matter who it was, as long as they wanted to see him and he had the time, he would never put on any airs of a general. A phrase he often said was: "Just because you're an official doesn't mean you're not human, does it?"

  "Little Li, can you ask Minister Jia how we should treat the widow of a martyr?"

  "Director Qi, don't worry, I will negotiate with the local government and properly handle Yan's case."

  Li Zhunxuan had already guessed the purpose of Qi Lao's visit as soon as he saw Yan Qingcheng in the room. However, he was a bit puzzled - did Qi Lao have to come personally for Yan Qingcheng's matter? He had known about Yan Qingcheng's situation long ago. When the troops sent someone to deliver the remains and consolation money of martyr Zhi Xiaokang, he had gone to the Garrison Command to coordinate. As for what happened later with real estate developer Yu Xiaopeng, Li Zhunxuan only found out this morning when he saw Yan Qingcheng and Qi Lao together at Xiao Tian'e, and then inquired about it after returning.

  "Mr. Qi, where is tomorrow's afternoon meeting with Mr. Yu scheduled to take place?"

  "What place? Is he coming to Guanhai City and still arranging a separate place?"

  Li Zhunxuan couldn't guess what Qi Lao wanted to say, and could only quietly wait for his next words.

  "Rizhao Alley, let's go to Rizhao Alley, Xiao Yan, shall we go to your place?"

  "It's good, just a bit simple."

  "What does he think he is? If it weren't for the fact that he has also made contributions to the country and achieved merits, receiving him at your place would be too high-end."

  Saying so, Qi Lao stood up and instructed Li Zhunxuan:

  "Leave Xiao Yan's matter to you to handle, if there is any discrepancy, you think about it yourself."

  "Yes, don't worry, Old Qi."

  At the gate, he walked two steps and stopped again, asking Li Zhunxuan:

  "After Secretary Wang arrives, you take him for a stroll around Rizhao Alley and tell him about the good things his son has done."

  "Yes."

  "And, do you still remember a phrase I often said back then?"

  "Does being an official mean you're no longer human?"

  "Not bad, take this message to that Secretary as well."

  "Yes."