Era: Starting from the local police station

"Uncle Zhang, you're a martial arts expert too, aren't you?"

As he spoke, Jiang Zhenghua looked at Instructor Zhang's arm.

Instructor Zhang raised an eyebrow: "Good eye. When you were young, you trained in external martial arts with a master for a while. We can spar a bit sometime."

Jiang Zhenghua quickly shook his head: "I'm definitely no match for you. I haven't trained. I just learned some combat techniques from a few veteran sergeants after joining the army. I can only manage to fight for a while by relying on my physical abilities."

Instructor Zhang nodded slightly: "If you want to learn, I can teach you a few moves. They're not very powerful, but they'll be enough to deal with most people."

Jiang Zhenghua immediately expressed his gratitude, saying, "Then I'll thank Uncle Zhang in advance. Would you like to become his apprentice?"

Instructor Zhang waved his hand: "Forget it, we're all part of the organization, and the higher-ups won't allow it."

As he spoke, he asked softly, "I noticed a relatively new wound on your back. Was it recently...?"

Jiang Zhenghua nodded: "It was caused by some mad dogs two months ago."

Instructor Zhang didn't ask any more questions and began tidying up the notebooks on the table: "I just registered your organizational affiliation. From now on, you'll pay me for the expenses. We also organize regular activities, so you need to attend on time. I just checked, and you've been a member for five years now. You must have joined the organization on the front lines, right?"

"That's right. He was specially approved by his superiors after making meritorious contributions in a battle on the peninsula."

Instructor Zhang gave him a meaningful look: "Then it's definitely right. I can tell your introducer is no ordinary person; I've heard of his reputation."

"It's because the leader is so kind to you."

"We'll head over once we're all packed up. I reckon the director's finished with his work too. I'll tell you a few things and introduce you to the other staff members."

"OK."

Jiang Zhenghua deftly folded his old military uniform, stuffed it into a bag and set it aside. He quickly fastened his belt, inserted his Type 54 pistol into its holster, put on his white jacket and white peaked cap, and straightened his clothes a few times.

Seeing his appearance, Instructor Zhang laughed and said, "Why don't you put on your leather shoes? You're already handsome and tall. If you walked down the street in your uniform, wow, how many young women and wives would you attract? By the way, you must be at least 1.9 meters tall, right?"

"No, I'm only 1.85 meters tall."

Jiang Zhenghua shook his head: "I just touched the leather shoes, they're very stiff. My feet can't stand wearing them now. Rubber-soled cloth shoes are much more comfortable. I'll buy a pair of single-layer leather shoes when I have time."

"Okay, let's go."

Instructor Zhang picked up the hat from the clothes hanger and put it on.

The two walked out of the office and came to the director's office, where they saw Director Qiao leaning back in his chair smoking a cigarette.

Seeing the two enter, he carefully sized up Jiang Zhenghua, grinned, and said, "Wow, what a handsome man! If I had a daughter, I'd definitely give her to you."

Instructor Zhang pulled up a stool and sat down: "Anyway, I don't need to worry about his marriage. I don't know how many matchmakers will be there for him in the future."

Jiang Zhenghua put his hat on the table and took out a bottle of Daqianmen cigarettes from his pocket: "I'm not in a hurry. I just got back. I'll think about it after things settle down."

Director Qiao nodded and took the cigarette: "You know what's going on. I've reported your employment to the personnel department of the branch office, and you're officially starting work today. Now there are a few things I need to tell you."

Jiang Zhenghua sat up straight and stopped touching the matches.

Director Qiao waved his hand: "Don't be nervous, it's just the three of us, it's not that formal."

Instructor Zhang had already lit a match and handed it to me.

Jiang Zhenghua immediately cupped his hands together and nodded.

"Our police station originally had eight staff members. One of them was a woman named Zheng Fang, who was a household registration officer and usually worked in the household registration office; you already know Cao Hui; the other four were public security officers, namely Qin Weijun, Liu Baojia, Chen Shan, and Geng Jianwu."

After taking a drag of his cigarette, Chief Qiao continued, "Our police station also has three regular handymen. Niu Fu, the head chef of the canteen, is thirty-two years old and a retired soldier; Chen Erya, forty years old, is the widow of one of our fallen colleagues, and she usually helps with cleaning and other chores; Hu Gui, twenty years old, usually runs errands and sometimes helps maintain order."

Jiang Zhenghua nodded emphatically, indicating that he had made a note of it.

"According to the original division of labor, among the three of us, Lao Zhang is responsible for logistics, Party affairs, and ideological guidance; the deputy director also serves as the security captain, so you need to lead the other four in patrols, duty shifts, and handling of security incidents. Of course, when there is a case, we all work together, and the division is not that clear."

"Actually, there aren't many major cases. Most of them involve dealing with neighborhood disputes or catching petty thieves. As for criminal cases like murder, they are usually reported to the branch office and handled by the branch office's investigation department."

Jiang Zhenghua said softly, "I understand, it's still because we don't have enough manpower."

"Well, I'm glad you understand. There's not much to do at the station. It's mainly patrolling, resolving neighborhood disputes, and cooperating with the higher-ups' actions."

Chief Qiao stubbed out his cigarette and said, "If we encounter a case and are short-handed, I will contact the neighborhood office and ask the local security committee for help. They also participate in regular neighborhood patrols."

"For routine security patrols, the factories nearby also send out security personnel. You'll need to contact the security department for these. There are many workers living around here, and many cases require the factories' assistance. But don't rush. First, get things sorted out at the station, and then I'll take you to visit the various factories and introduce you to the section chiefs."

Jiang Zhenghua expressed his gratitude.

"Don't mention it. The residents in this area are quite diverse, which makes the security situation more complicated. It will take the three of us working together to handle it."

As he spoke, Director Qiao opened a drawer, took out an envelope, placed it on the table, and pushed it over: "This is your salary and receipts for this month. You are administrative level 20, and your monthly salary is seventy-seven yuan."

Jiang Zhenghua took it and casually put it in his pocket.

"How will you arrange your accommodation? Will you stay at home?"

"Do you have a house now? I'm also worried about this. There are six of us in my family crammed into two rooms. My sister slept with my parents last night."

Director Qiao shook his head: "There are no vacant houses at the moment. As you know, this year's large-scale steel production campaign has led to many factories expanding their workforce and a large number of people moving to the city, making housing extremely scarce. However, you can ask the neighborhood office to see if they can find a way to help you."

At this moment, Instructor Zhang turned his head and said, "How about staying here temporarily? There are two dorm rooms now. One is usually used by the people on duty to sleep temporarily, and the other is where Lao Qiao and I don't want to go home anymore. We stay occasionally. Most people go home after get off work."

"This is the only way for now."

Director Qiao smiled and said, "Don't worry, once there's a vacant house, we'll definitely give you priority in arranging one, but we might not be able to assign you a courtyard."

"That's alright, I'll talk to the people in the hospital and see if we can make a change."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the office door was pushed open with a bang.

The three of them turned their heads to look at each other.

Then Liu Baojia, panting heavily, shouted, "Chief, someone reported that a body has been found."

Upon hearing Liu Baojia's words, Director Qiao, who was about to curse, suddenly stood up, the stool behind him scraping against the ground with a harsh creaking sound.

"Explain clearly: who reported the incident? Where is the body?"

Jiang Zhenghua and Instructor Zhang also quickly stood up, held their breath, and stared intently at him, listening to what would happen next.

"call..."

Liu Baojia took a deep breath, then reached into his hat and scratched his head, saying softly, "An old man just ran in, shouting that he found a dead body in the alley next door. My master told me to come and inform you."

"Come on, let's go take a look ahead."

As Director Qiao spoke loudly, he reached for his peaked cap on the corner of the table and strode out.

Instructor Zhang and Jiang Zhenghua both had serious expressions and quickly followed.