50s: Starting with a storage ring

Chapter 297 Everyone Has a Secret stash

Through a phone call, Sun Zhiwei clarified the training progress of the two groups of people.

The first group of two, Xiong Yaoyang and Tang Ziwen, are completing the final solo submarine piloting training.

They are expected to graduate next month, at which time Xu Yimin will have two more operatives under his command.

The second group of three is about to complete their training with ground equipment and will soon begin miscellaneous training programs such as camouflage and eavesdropping.

Sun Zhiwei's requirements for these two groups of people are different, and it should be said that they are gradually decreasing.

He has discovered that many people simply cannot meet the requirement of being proficient in multiple foreign languages.

Xiong Yaoyang and Tang Ziwen are proficient in three foreign languages, while the third group has only just mastered their first language, English.

They can't even be said to be proficient in it, let alone fluent, and learning a second foreign language is even more of a distant prospect.

He could only lower his requirements, demanding that they be at least fluent in English.

Language is something that requires talent; if they can't learn it, we can only send them abroad to learn in their native language countries.

The third group of people will only be able to carry out missions in English-speaking countries, which will greatly narrow their application scope.

Xiong Yaoyang and Tang Ziwen still have the potential to become top agents, but the three in the third batch will probably only become ordinary operatives in the future.

Sun Zhiwei finalized the arrangements for the two groups of people, just as it was time to leave work.

He waited until Xu Yimin left work before following him out, and then the two walked out of the building one after the other.

Seeing that Xu Yimin was about to get into the car, he quickly walked up to Xu Yimin and said, "Boss, can I come over to your place for a meal?"

Xu Yimin looked at him helplessly. Seeing his clear eyes, he realized that there must be something to talk about, so he could only reply, "If you want to eat, get in the car quickly. If you don't want to eat, get out of here."

"Alright!" Sun Zhiwei immediately ran to the passenger seat and jumped into the car in a flash.

The driver saw him get on the bus and was about to say something when he saw Xu Yimin also get on. However, Xu Yimin didn't seem to mind Sun Zhiwei getting on the bus, so he didn't say anything more.

Soon, the car arrived at the General C compound on Jingshan Back Street and drove directly to the ground floor of Building A.

Outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sun Zhiwei was not very clear about the position of his direct superior. Now, seeing Xu Yimin's home, he finally understood the status of a general-level leader.

He had heard of this place in his later life: the General's Building had independent heating, an air-raid shelter underground, and an underground passage that allowed cars to drive through, leading directly to the West Mountain Command Center.

The compound's service center regularly supplies White Rabbit candy and Merlin canned goods, and even in the past decade, its on-site cinema has shown foreign films.

The driver pulled the car up to the entrance of the building, and Sun Zhiwei got out of the car with Xu Yimin.

This is a five-story apartment building with suites, and Xu Yimin's home is on the second floor.

When they arrived home, the housekeeper, Sister Mei, opened the door. Xu Yimin's wife, Aunt Wang, came out of the house and, seeing that Xu Yimin had brought people back, quickly asked Sister Mei to add two more dishes.

The couple lived in this large three-bedroom, two-living-room house, which seemed a bit lonely.

Their three children are all adults and only come back once a month. Aunt Wang really enjoys having guests at home.

Dinner was served quickly at home. Sun Zhiwei had a few drinks with Xu Yimin. Aunt Wang didn't get involved in work-related matters and went back to her bedroom to watch TV after finishing her meal, leaving the two of them to eat at their own pace.

"Why did you rush to my house so urgently? Is it because you haven't figured out what we talked about today?"

"Boss, this is a top priority. I won't be able to sleep well if I don't get this sorted out." "Hehe, I didn't explain it to you clearly during the day. One reason is that there was eavesdropping, and the other is that this matter is not suitable to be discussed outside."

"Actually, everyone who works outside has an unspoken understanding that it's a secret stash of money."

"This is a necessary compromise. Many things cannot be done openly. The slush fund is semi-public; it is not in compliance with regulations, but it is reasonable."

"It's not that the higher-ups are unaware of this kind of thing, but it's really impossible to completely eradicate it, otherwise the work below would be completely impossible to carry out."

“A few years ago, a colleague’s expenses outside the office failed the inspection, and he had to sell his assets to make up the shortfall.”

"But we are members of the organization, and we rely on the organization for food and drink. We don't have any valuable property, so we can only go down to farm."

"This incident caused quite a stir, and afterwards everyone became very cautious in their words and actions, resulting in no achievements for the entire year."

"Later people were released, and the slush fund became a tacitly accepted rule."

"But this is not in accordance with regulations, so people won't talk about it everywhere, and newcomers often have nowhere to find out."

"That's why I'm telling you this. After all, you've achieved so much outside, so don't get ripped off when it comes to money."

"It is especially important to note that even a slush fund is a public fund, and the accounts must be clear."

"Although it won't be written in the action report, the default rule still applies: you can use it, but you can't pocket the money."

Sun Zhiwei finally understood. Small accounts are something almost every unit has. This is a workaround under strict accounting management; otherwise, it would be difficult to carry out frontline work.

It's like you need to bribe an informant to get crucial intelligence.

But whether the money was actually given, and how much it was, only you and the person involved know. You can't ask them to write a receipt and sign it.

Without a slush fund, this matter cannot be handled, or it will become a mess in the future, and may even become evidence against you.

He understands, and it can solve some of his problems, but it's impossible for him to get rich through this.

If you want to make money, you'll have to wait until things change and open up. At worst, you can quit your job and start your own business.

Previously, conditions didn't allow for it, so we could only endure it. But as things became more relaxed, many things were able to be done.

Having thought things through, Sun Zhiwei let go of his burdens and began to eat and drink in peace. With his abilities, building a business wouldn't be difficult; what he needed was to be able to do something meaningful.

As long as he can keep the country in mind at critical moments, it's not impossible for him to become the second Huo family.

That evening, Sun Zhiwei received answers to many questions from Xu Yimin. He knew the outcome of things before, but he didn't understand the process. Now, the truth has been revealed.

After this heart-to-heart talk, Xu Yimin treated Sun Zhiwei differently, seemingly wanting to groom him as his successor.

Sun Zhiwei didn't care much about this. With his abilities, he wasn't really suited to working within the system; he was better suited to being a government-affiliated businessman.

It's not time to reveal his hand yet; he needs to wait for the right opportunity. There will be opportunities everywhere in the next few decades, so he's not in a hurry.

After dinner, the two went to the study for tea and chatted until very late before he went home.

For the next week, he stayed home obediently with his wife and children.

(End of this chapter)