Era: Starting from the local police station

"Comrade Chen, what is the director's surname?"

Chen Shan coughed, and when he saw that no one was around, he said in a low voice, "The director's surname is Qiao, and his name is Qiao Fuping. He is an old revolutionary and very easy to talk to. Although he usually has a loud voice and often shouts, he is just a bit short-tempered, but he is actually not a bad person."

Jiang Zhenghua nodded emphatically.

Chen Shan then pointed to the east wing and said, "Those three west wing rooms, two are interrogation rooms and one is a temporary detention room. The east wing is our dormitory. By the way, where are you from?"

"My home is at No. 88 Nanluoguxiang. I just returned from military service."

Jiang Zhenghua looked at the police uniforms drying in the yard, his gaze falling on the honeycomb briquettes piled up in the corner.

Chen Shan smiled and said, "That's good for you. It's just a few steps to home after get off work."

He threw away his cigarette butt and ground it with the sole of his shoe: "The outermost room in the east wing is the canteen. It was just built last month in response to the call from higher authorities. The head chef's surname is Niu. He's a demobilized soldier who used to work in the mess hall. I heard that he learned from a master chef for a while before joining the army, and the food is quite good."

Chen Shan stopped and pointed to the spacious courtyard: "We usually gather here and do some training there as well."

He pointed ahead and said, "We're here."

Jiang Zhenghua looked up and saw a wooden door with peeling paint, tightly closed, with a sign that read "Director's Office" hanging on it.

Chen Shan knocked lightly on the door, then called out loudly, "Report!"

"Come in."

A strong, resonant voice came from inside.

Chen Shan pushed open the door and walked in first, saying loudly, "Chief, a new colleague has come to report for duty, I've brought him with me."

Jiang Zhenghua followed him inside.

The office was simply furnished, with a peeling wooden desk, two chairs, a filing cabinet in the corner, and a few ledgers and an enamel mug on the desk. It was much cleaner than Director Liang's office.

Sitting on the stool directly behind the desk was a middle-aged man in his forties, wearing a Type 55 summer police uniform. He had a dark complexion, a hideous scar on his left cheek, and piercing eyes. Even without speaking, he exuded an air of authority.

"Reporting to the Director, Jiang Zhenghua, former deputy platoon leader of the 2nd Platoon, 3rd Battalion, Iron Fist Regiment, 18th Division of the Public Security Army, has been ordered to report for duty."

Jiang Zhenghua stepped forward, stood at attention, and gave a standard military salute.

"Hello, Comrade Jiang."

Director Qiao stood up abruptly, straightened his collar, and returned Jiang Zhenghua's greeting respectfully.

He lowered his arm, strode out from his desk, a hearty smile on his face, and stretched out his right hand from afar: "Welcome, Deputy Director Jiang. We've finally been waiting for you. A few days ago, we received instructions from our superiors to send a veteran who had distinguished himself in battle. Today, we're finally meeting you in person."

Jiang Zhenghua smiled, reached out his hand, shook it firmly, and said, "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Director. I only got home yesterday and came here early this morning to report for duty."

Director Qiao released his grip and pointed to the stool beside him: "Deputy Director Jiang, please sit down. Let's sit down and talk."

He turned to Chen Shan, who looked incredulous, and said, "Old Chen, go to the office next door and invite the instructor over. Tell him that Deputy Director Jiang has taken office."

Chen Shan quickly replied, "Yes."

He then smiled apologetically at Jiang Zhenghua before quickly walking out of the office.

Director Qiao deftly took out three cups and began making tea, asking as he poured, "Where is Deputy Director Jiang from?"

Jiang Zhenghua came over and said, "Director Qiao, my home is at No. 88 Nanluoguxiang. I grew up in this area."

Director Qiao gave a soft "Eh?", turned to look at Jiang Zhenghua, and tentatively asked, "That Jiang Shun, the engineer from Hongxing Machinery Factory, is your...?"

Jiang Zhenghua replied, "That is indeed my father."

Director Qiao laughed heartily: "It really is true that 'birds of a feather flock together'! I've had drinks with your father before, and I was wondering why your name sounded so familiar. Turns out, I've heard your dad mention it before."

Jiang Zhenghua picked up the two white enamel mugs and said with delight, "That's really fate. It seems we're destined to work together."

The two had just sat down at the table when the office door was pushed open.

A middle-aged man walked in.

He was around forty years old, with a ruddy complexion, wearing a dark blue police uniform with the top button fastened tightly. The white shirt underneath was bulging from the muscles in his arms, making him look exceptionally muscular.

With a gentle smile, he looked at Jiang Zhenghua: "This must be Deputy Director Jiang, right? He exudes an air of integrity."

Chief Qiao quickly introduced, "Zhenghua, this is Zhang Chongguang, the instructor of the police station."

He then introduced Jiang Zhenghua, the deputy director sent by the higher-ups, to Instructor Zhang: "Old Zhang, this is the deputy director sent by the higher-ups."

"Hello, instructor."

Jiang Zhenghua immediately stood up and saluted.

"Hello, Deputy Director Jiang. We've heard you were coming and we've all been looking forward to it."

Instructor Zhang raised his hand in return, his gesture firm and steady.

Director Qiao waved his hand: "Sit down and talk. From now on, we'll be eating from the same pot, so don't be shy."

The three then took their seats.

Jiang Zhenghua quickly took out three "Daqianmen" cigarettes from his pocket and handed them to the two men.

After lighting a cigarette, Director Qiao said, "Speaking of which, Zheng Hua isn't an outsider. Old Zhang, do you remember Engineer Jiang, whom we drank with before?"

Instructor Zhang pondered for a moment, then asked softly, "Could it be courtyard number 88?"

Director Qiao nodded: "That's right, that's Zheng Hua's father."

Instructor Zhang laughed heartily, "What a coincidence! I was wondering why this name sounded familiar when I first saw it. Turns out I'd heard of it before, but I just couldn't make the connection."

Jiang Zhenghua was somewhat surprised and couldn't help but ask, "Director, Instructor, I just arrived and haven't submitted my materials yet. How did you two know about me?"

Chief Qiao chuckled and opened a drawer: "Because two things arrived at the police station before you did."

Jiang Zhenghua was even more puzzled.

Soon, Deputy Director Qiao took two small notebooks out of the drawer and handed them over.

Jiang Zhenghua picked up the book above out of curiosity.

The dark blue hard cover features the words "People's Public Security Work Permit" in gold foil, which is particularly eye-catching.

Turning to the inside page, a one-inch black and white photo shows Jiang Zhenghua with a resolute gaze, a clear stamp pressed in the corner of the photo, and the information on it is immediately apparent.

Name: Jiang Zhenghua

[Place of origin: Beijing]

[Position: Deputy Director of Taotiao Hutong Police Station]

[Issuing Authority: Sijiu City Public Security Bureau]

[Date of Issuance: August 2, 1958]

Jiang Zhenghua put down his work ID and picked up another red hardcover notebook.

The cover features the words "People's Police Gun License" in gold foil, conveying a solemn and orderly impression. Inside, the pages are filled with densely packed writing.

Name: Jiang Zhenghua

Gender: Male

Age: 21

[Place of origin: Beijing]

【residence:....】

[Affiliation: Taotiao Hutong Police Station, Dongcheng District Public Security Bureau]

[Position: Deputy Director]

[Reason for carrying firearms: Public security management]

[Type of firearm: Pistol]

[Gun number: 54-XXXXXX]

[Validity period: 1 year (annual inspection in December)]

[Issuing Authority: Public Security Bureau of Beijing]

[Date of Issuance: August 2, 1958]

The bottom of the page bears the red official seal of the Municipal Public Security Bureau's Public Security Division, as well as a clear steel stamp.

The terms and conditions are clearly printed in Song typeface: [Must be carried at all times for inspection; lending, alteration, and loss are strictly prohibited; firearms and ammunition must be stored in a designated cabinet and handed over to the police station's armory for unified storage after get off work.]

Jiang Zhenghua closed the document after reading it.