29: Chapter 29: Reporting Assets – Meng Dehai and An Changlin were completely dumbfounded!

One month later, the Xu Jiang case was settled.

Xu Jiang, Bai Jiangbo, and Chen Tai, along with the various leaders under them, were all brought to trial to face the sanctions of the law.

In terms of fighting organized crime and eliminating vice, the Jinghai Public Security Bureau submitted an impressive report card.

As for the bad apples led by Zhao Lidong, they were handed over to the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, and the supervisory departments for handling.

With this arrangement, everyone in the public security, procuratorate, and judiciary Systems had something to do, and everyone earned credit.

The commendations for the public security System were the first to be finalized.

At that moment, it was a critical juncture for the Olympic bid and entry into the WTO; the authorities were planning to rectify the public security environment nationwide. This sweep of organized crime in Jinghai was equivalent to firing the first shot, and it was a thunderous one at that.

To set a precedent, the rewards were quite generous.

The Jinghai Public Security Bureau received a collective first-class merit, Meng Dehai received an individual second-class merit, and Zhao Yang directly received an individual first-class merit!

The atmosphere at the commendation conference was enthusiastic, and Meng Dehai delivered a passionate speech. As a first-class merit recipient, Zhao Yang also represented the Criminal Police Team and gave a report in front of the entire provincial public security System.

For a time, Zhao Yang and Meng Dehai took turns appearing in newspapers and on television, their prominence unmatched.

Meng Dehai was promoted, taking over from Zhao Lidong as the Municipal Political and Legal Affairs Committee Secretary. In addition, the Deputy Mayor of Jinghai City in charge of economic construction was also implicated by Zhao Lidong and fell from power; Meng Dehai was ordered to take over in a crisis, shouldering this burden as well.

Cao Chuang, as the Criminal Police Team Captain and Zhao Yang's direct superior, was also promoted to the position of Director of the Qinghua District Public Security Bureau.

An Xin, Li Xiang, and others were not promoted individually, but a collective first-class merit was handed down, meaning everyone gained quite a bit, and everyone was happy.

Zhao Yang's Rank was exceptionally promoted to Deputy Section Level, and he also became the Deputy Captain of the Criminal Police Team.

There were some who were green with envy that he sat in that position at such a young age, but no matter how jealous they were, facing that individual first-class merit honor, they could only keep it to themselves.

Zhao Yang was well aware of these emotions, but he didn't care at all—negative emotions were also emotional value; the more jealous and hateful they were, the more points they gave him.

Besides harvesting a large amount of emotional value, Zhao Yang also received a skill draw opportunity due to his administrative Rank promotion.

The skills from the System draw started at Rank 6.

His heart stirred: "System, start the draw!"

[Ding! Obtained skill: Fine Arts, Rank: 6]

Zhao Yang was so angry he laughed.

Was this to make up for the shortcomings of a STEM straight man?

The Rank 6 Fine Arts recognized by the System, while not comparable to the masters with a thousand-year Legacy, was definitely in the first tier of artists in the current world. And it wasn't lopsided, being proficient in both Chinese and Western art.

"Fine, another skill to make money. If I run out of money in the future, I'll just paint a picture and sell it."

However, when he truly mastered Rank 6 Fine Arts, the world before his eyes suddenly became different. Those details and scenes that he usually wouldn't notice now had a bit more aesthetic beauty.

Could it be... that this was the observational power of an artist?

He picked up a pen and paper, and with a few strokes, outlined the pot of sunflowers on the windowsill. The lines were simple, yet perfectly presented that vibrant feeling.

"Oh my!" An Xin's surprised voice came from behind, "Little Zhao... ahem, Captain Zhao! I didn't realize you could paint? Does Handong University teach this too?"

Zhao Yang smiled: "Just a small hobby."

An Xin rubbed his hands: "Can you give it to me?"

"Want to give it to Meng Yu?"

"Hehe." An Xin nodded.

"Sure!" Zhao Yang brushed a few more strokes and inscribed a line on the painting: "Where the heart is at peace, is where Xin longs to be; with a character as pure as jade, I admire only its brilliance."

After writing it, he sighed inwardly—with a Rank 2 Literature skill, he could only write such straightforward and cheesy things.

An Xin was so excited he rubbed his hands: "Captain Zhao! You are amazing! Thank you! Thank you so much!"

Zhao Yang handed him the painting: "By the way, what did you want to see me for?"

"Almost forgot!" An Xin patted his head, "Director Meng... ahem, Mayor Meng is here, in Director An's office, asking for you."

...

Meng Dehai and An Changlin were puffing away in the office. Seeing Zhao Yang enter, both of them revealed the loving smiles of elders looking at a Junior.

An Changlin laughed: "Little Zhao, don't be reserved, sit! If you're thirsty, pour your own water. Want one?"

"Thank you, leaders." Zhao Yang took out his own Huazi, handed a pack to each of them, and then lit one for himself.

Meng Dehai laughed: "I knew you had good cigarettes! I came to tell you some good news—the Ministry has already stepped forward and recommended you to study for a postgraduate degree at the Shuimu Computer Science Department. Initially, they weren't buying it, but as soon as they saw your materials, they agreed immediately, wishing you would go to school right away!"

An Changlin put out his cigarette, switched to the Huazi Zhao Yang gave him, and asked with a smile: "Little Zhao, Old Meng and I are both puzzled. Why is Shuimu so enthusiastic about you?"

Zhao Yang laughed: "Actually, I have been in email contact with Professor Lin from the Shuimu Computer Science Department before. He is very interested in my thesis and has been discussing it with me recently. He suggested that I take the postgraduate entrance exam as soon as possible, and he would accept me directly as his student. So... once the Ministry's recommendation arrived, Shuimu agreed."

Meng Dehai suddenly understood and couldn't help but sigh: "I didn't expect you, Little Zhao, to be truly proficient in both Literature and martial arts!"

An Changlin laughed: "We can't let such talent get away. Mayor Meng, I suggest that while Little Zhao is studying for his postgraduate degree in the Imperial Capital, he should still be a member of our Jinghai Public Security Bureau! It just so happens that the bureau has newly established an Information Section, and it would be justified for Zhao Yang to be the Deputy Section Chief. Who wouldn't be proud to say our bureau has a postgraduate student from Shuimu University?"

"Old An is right!" Meng Dehai laughed, "That's my thought as well. Once Little Zhao gets his degree, he will be promoted exceptionally as a special talent!"

"Uncle Meng, Director An, then my progress depends on you two!" Zhao Yang said with a grin, "By the way, Director An, Professor Lin has been urging me to go over as soon as possible, and I also plan to finish my studies early. Before I leave, I want to report my personal assets first, sorry to trouble you two to accompany me."

Meng Dehai laughed: "Almost forgot, you kid are also a best-selling author, you must have made a lot of money recently, right?"

"I finished that novel. To secure the first publication rights for my next novel, the publishing house prepaid me one million in royalties for half a year."

"How much?"

"Say that again?"

The two of them stood up in unison, looking shocked.

"One million." Zhao Yang scratched his hair, "Actually, they were conservative. I estimate they will have to pay me quite a bit more after half a year."

Meng Dehai and An Changlin exchanged a look, both feeling like they had lived their lives in vain.

"Fine..." Meng Dehai gave a wry smile, "We will go with you. Otherwise, your assets are indeed a bit scary."

"Actually, it's not just that." Zhao Yang gave an awkward smile, "When I went to the Imperial Capital a while ago, I happened to sell two game software programs to the Lianzhong company and earned some... small change."

"How much? Half a million?" Meng Dehai probed carefully.

"One million."

Meng Dehai gave a thumbs up: "You kid are amazing!"

Zhao Yang paused: "USD."

"What?"

"What?"

Meng Dehai and An Changlin trembled and sat back down on the sofa together.