Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Learning Task
Yang Wenqing’s arrival at the sub-bureau was clearly drawing an unprecedented amount of attention. This was because, despite his youth, he held the rank of a senior sergeant—a clear sign that he was a young Qi Cultivator.
The Action Department’s offices were located in the sub-bureau’s main building, but Yang Wenqing had no idea where. And since the main building was far more complex than the East City Public Security Office, he thought for a moment before heading toward a room off the main hall marked "Information."
Inside the Information room, several young people in auxiliary police uniforms were speaking with visitors. As Yang Wenqing entered, a female auxiliary officer immediately walked over to him. Her eyes quickly scanned his rank insignia before she asked, "Hello, sir. How can I help you?"
Yang Wenqing presented his badge, his tone even. "Hello. Could you please tell me how to get to the Archives Department?" According to procedure, he had to report to Archives, where someone from the personnel office would then escort him to the Action Department.
The female officer stepped aside toward the doorway. "It’s on the first floor. Head down the corridor to your right, and you should see a sign for it."
She pointed down the corridor to the right.
Yang Wenqing said, "Thank you."
After thanking her, he strode down the right-hand corridor. Sure enough, just as the officer had said, he immediately spotted the sign for the Archives Department. Inside was a large, open-plan office, and a quick scan of the room led him straight to the personnel office.
A middle-aged, bespectacled female officer was there to receive him.
After verifying his transfer orders and identification, the female officer stamped a document and instructed a young officer beside her, "Xiaoli, take Chief Yang to the Action Department."
"Yes, Sister Yang."
The young officer stood up, gave Yang Wenqing a nod, and led the way out. They headed down the left corridor of the main hall, passing a passage that led to the rear training grounds. Opposite the passage was a stairwell leading up.
The corridor was much quieter on the third floor. The two of them stopped at the end of the hall, in front of a door marked "Office Area," and knocked lightly.
"Who is it? Just come in!"
It was a man’s voice, and it sounded a little impatient.
The two pushed the door open and entered. The office resembled that of the Second Patrol Team, only much smaller. To the left were three workstations, all occupied by people busy at work. To the right was a small reception area. Straight ahead was a half-open door bearing a plaque that read: Section Chief’s Office.
"Bringing in a new recruit, Xiaoli?"
A female officer with a senior rank, sitting at a desk outside the Section Chief’s office, stood up to ask.
The young officer, Xiaoli, nodded. He walked straight to the half-open door, pushed it open, and stepped inside. He was out again in less than ten seconds, followed by a voice from within shouting, "Xiaosong, bring him in."
The female officer by the door seemed to recall something. She picked up a prepared file, got up, and walked over to Yang Wenqing. After glancing between the file and his face, a warm smile appeared. "You can call me Sister Song. Follow me."
By then, the young officer, Xiaoli, had already left discreetly.
As she spoke, Sister Song walked to the half-open door and knocked gently.
"Come in!"
The voice from inside was composed.
Sister Song glanced back at Yang Wenqing before pushing the door open and stepping inside. She stopped after just two paces and said respectfully, "Section Chief Li, Sergeant Yang Wenqing is here."
The office contained two desks, but only one was occupied—by an older man with the rank of a senior sergeant. He raised his eyes to glance at Yang Wenqing before shifting his gaze to Sister Song. "Give me the file. You can get back to your work. And close the door on your way out."
"Yes!"
Sister Song stepped forward and placed the file on a stack of papers to Vice Section Chief Li’s left. She then retreated respectfully from the office, closing the door as he had instructed.
"Come and sit."
Vice Section Chief Li said, pointing to the chair in front of his desk as he picked up the file and began to flip through it.
Yang Wenqing did as he was told and sat down. He knew about this man, Vice Section Chief Li. Within the Action Department, he was in charge of Internal Affairs and regulations and had a reputation for being strict. The Section Chief, by contrast, handled training and operations.
"According to regulations, the Section Chief himself should be handling your assignment. However, it’s the beginning of the year, so the factories have just reopened and the port is in chaos. The Section Chief has to lead our colleagues from the Action Department on round-the-clock patrols, which means your case has fallen to me."
"Do you understand?"
Yang Wenqing quickly replied, "I’ll do as I’m assigned."
Upon hearing this, Vice Section Chief Li gave Yang Wenqing a proper, scrutinizing look, then began to speak.
"For the next half a month, your core mission is to study two main subjects. First: the fundamentals of tactical command for units of under one hundred people. You need to understand how to assess a situation when facing enemies of varying scales and natures, how to utilize terrain, how to deploy personnel, and how to execute effective encirclements, assaults, interceptions, and defensive maneuvers."
"Second..."
Vice Section Chief Li’s tone grew heavier. "Specialized criminal investigation methods. Crimes committed by Qi Cultivators are entirely different from ordinary cases. You need to learn how to identify, preserve, and analyze special types of evidence; how to track criminals who have used Magic; and how to use regulations and the law to bring them to justice."
He leaned forward slightly. "In half a month, there will be an internal assessment. It will consist mainly of a written exam to test your grasp of this theoretical knowledge. There will also be a tabletop wargame, and I will be your opponent."
"Do you understand?"
"Understood. I’ll give it my all," Yang Wenqing replied, his posture straight and his tone earnest.
Vice Section Chief Li seemed reasonably satisfied with his attitude. He set the file down, rose, and walked to a metal filing cabinet against the wall. Taking out a key, he unlocked one of the doors. Inside were neat stacks of books and documents wrapped in brown kraft paper.
He pulled out a thick stack—a dozen or so books by the look of it—returned to his desk, and dropped them in front of Yang Wenqing with a THUD.
"These..." Vice Section Chief Li patted the pile. "Are what you need to chew through in the next half a month. *Basic Theory and Case Analysis of Small Unit Tactics*, *Command Outline for Low-Intensity Urban Conflict*, *Introduction to Spiritual Qi Trace Identification and Tracking*, *Outline of the Criminal Psychology of Qi Cultivators*, *Criminal Law (Qi Cultivator Section): Commentary and Case Studies*..."
He rattled off several book titles in one breath, and every single one of them looked hefty.
"Take these back with you. In the next half a month, you are not only to read them, but to commit them to memory." Vice Section Chief Li’s gaze settled on Yang Wenqing. "With a mind enhanced by your level of Cultivation, it shouldn’t be hard to memorize these basic theories by rote, as long as you’re willing to put in the work. You just need to memorize it all; you’ll learn how to apply it on the job."
Yang Wenqing couldn’t describe his current feelings. With a complicated look in his eyes, and under the watchful gaze of Vice Section Chief Li, he had no choice but to stand and cradle the stack of books in his arms.
"Alright, I’ll see you again in half a month. Until then, you are free to manage your own time."
"Yes, Section Chief Li. I’ll take my leave, then."
"Go on." Vice Section Chief Li waved a hand dismissively, sat back down, and picked up another file, no longer paying him any mind.
Cradling the books, Yang Wenqing walked steadily out of the Section Chief’s office. Sister Song, who was waiting outside, saw him emerge with the massive stack, and a knowing smile flashed in her eyes. Yang Wenqing gave her a nod and, embracing his "heavy" new assignment, left the Action Department’s offices.
