Since arriving at the office this morning, Director Zhao, who was suffering from a cold, had met with at least twenty groups of people.
On average, he had to receive a new group every half hour.
Everyone he met with today was related to the international branch's unauthorized summoning of Li Qianfan, their rash use of firearms, and their severe injury of Zhaixing.
Therefore, Director Zhao referred to the incident as the "Branch Incident" in his reports.
The Branch Incident—
The name of an event is not to be underestimated; there is great wisdom behind it.
Why did Director Zhao not call it "Zhaixing Shot" or "Li Qianfan's Massacre of Branch Employees Incident"?
Because that would have been detrimental to Li Qianfan!
From this, one could see how furious Director Zhao was about the branch's unauthorized actions.
And what attitude Director Zhao held towards Li Qianfan!
Today—
Director Zhao first summoned the chief responsible officer of the branch, Man Laise. He didn't spare him, despite their lack of direct subordination, and immediately gave him a dressing-down.
He even resorted to vulgar language.
Director Zhao demanded a reasonable explanation from the International Special Operations Headquarters: why had they summoned an honored official of the East beyond its borders without authorization?
Facing Director Zhao's thunderous rage, Man Laise broke out in a cold sweat, nodding and bowing incessantly, criticizing himself and offering apologies.
He swore that he would provide a satisfactory resolution for the victim (Li Qianfan).
After lecturing Man Laise, Director Zhao immediately summoned Yicheng Xia and a certain bureau in the area where the Du family resided.
Both Yicheng Xia and the bureau in the Du family's region were instructed that they must swiftly intervene and resolve dangers when the lives and property of innocent ordinary citizens were threatened. Any dereliction of duty would be severely punished!
Innocent ordinary citizens—
The Du family was certainly not ordinary citizens.
Therefore, when the lives and property of the Du family were threatened, it was no longer the concern of Yicheng Xia and the bureau.
Following this.
Director Zhao then summoned the heads responsible for network operations, including video, forums, and trending topics, demanding that they maintain strict censorship and absolutely prevent events that could have a negative impact on society from being spread online.
"Understood, understood."
The responsible official, of course, slapped his chest and made a military pledge on the spot, promising not to let any false or negative news stir up trouble online.
After dealing with these three parties, Director Zhao then extended invitations to the family heads of the Shen family and 12 other influential families.
The heads of the Shen family and others were completely clueless about the branch incident, knowing nothing when questioned.
In short.
Director Zhao, despite his illness, was busy all day.
Only when he finally received phone calls from Elder Du and Elder Xu did Director Zhao heave a sigh of relief.
He then immediately called Su Nanyin and sternly ordered her to ensure that a certain brat would come to his house that night to be lectured.
"I have no idea where that brat is right now."
Su Nanyin, who was at a hospital visiting the unconscious Zhaixing, gave a wry smile. "He's not at the hospital, not at the socialite club. Not in Lijia Village, and certainly not at Ding Xiaolang's house. His phone has been off the entire time. Sigh."
Upon hearing this, Director Zhao's expression immediately darkened. "Don't tell me he's still up to no good?"
Su Nanyin shrugged, saying she genuinely didn't know what was going on.
Sigh.
Director Zhao also knew that Su Nanyin would never lie to him, so he could only sigh and end the call.
He then immediately contacted Li Wujiang—
Without a word, he launched into a torrent of scolding.
The gist of it was that if he dared to alter the plan of encircling and annihilating reinforcements, thereby affecting his negotiations with the Rhode family, then he shouldn't blame Director Zhao for turning on him ruthlessly and having his brat thrown into prison to endure ten tortures daily.
Li Wujiang was still quite indignant.
Director Zhao berated him again: "Li Wujiang, do you really think I don't know! That little brat can come and go freely from the forbidden death zone. How could a mere Duan Wei, who doesn't know his place, injure him with a handgun? That little girl (Zhaixing) was just protecting her master and got hurt. Now, eight people from the Xu family and seven from the Du family have met with accidents. The Xu and Du families are also about to disappear from Sijiu! And you still dare to argue with me? Try me!"
Having such a formidable boss—
Li Wujiang dared not be too stubborn. He only muttered a few words, and as long as the Shen family and the other 12 families remained unharmed, he would obediently comply with Director Zhao's demands.
After dealing with that truly ferocious divine beast, Director Zhao finally breathed a true sigh of relief.
He also secretly felt lucky that she (presumably Li Qianfan's mother or guardian) was not at home.
After all, the brat was somewhat restrained in his actions and knew which people could have accidents and which could not.
What if it had been Li Wujiang instead?
Thinking of that divine beast's savage methods—
Director Zhao shivered and dared not continue thinking.
"Fortunately, Su Nanyin is stationed in Sijiu and can clean up the mess for the brat in a timely manner. Such a capable woman, yet she was hidden away by Shen Yue before. It's such a waste. It seems Su Nanyin's burden must continue to increase. Capable people should do more."
Director Zhao mumbled to himself, tidied up his belongings, and left for home.
Even though he didn't know where the brat, who had been killing people all day, had gone.
But Director Zhao was certain that once the Xu and Du families announced the news of their family members' accidents and their withdrawal from Sijiu, the brat would have no reason to continue his slaughter.
As for whether the brat would target the Shen family and the other 12 influential families, the possibility was slim.
After all, the Shen family and the other 12 influential families had not participated in this branch incident.
As long as the brat had any sense, he would not resort to bloody methods to cause trouble.
"I still need Su Nanyin to guide this brat's methods of struggle more. What true knowledge can he learn by following someone like Li Wujiang, who only knows how to fight and kill all day?"
Director Zhao frowned as he thought this, and immediately took out his phone and called Su Nanyin again.
He clearly expressed his intentions and directly said, "I've decided to make the brat your seconded secretary. He'll hone his skills by your side. As for his identity as the heir to Longxu, humph! Li Xiao is currently in his prime, and he won't need to take over for another ten years. Besides, he should be grateful to me for tempering and training him for Li Xiao."
Su Nanyin naturally had no objections to Director Zhao's arrangement.
She was also very happy that Li Qianfan could have an official position (albeit seconded).
Su Nanyin also pledged with all her heart to impart all her expertise to Li Qianfan.
After finishing the call with Su Nanyin, Director Zhao, while in the car, made successive calls to Li Wujiang and Longxu's Li Xiao.
This pair of parents naturally had no objections.
They were even sincerely grateful to Director Zhao for giving their "son" an opportunity to broaden his horizons.
And so.
Li Qianfan's position as the covert blade's chief secretary was settled.
If it were someone else, Director Zhao would indeed fear them becoming too powerful to control.
After all, the chief director of the covert blade was Li Wujiang, the deputy director was Su Nanyin, and the operations section was Du Junlin.
The relationship between these three and Li Qianfan was unusual.
But Li Qianfan's future position as the Dragon Lord was a foregone conclusion.
Only a fool would think that managing the covert blade was better than becoming the Dragon Lord of Longxu.
"Once Du Junlin matures, Li Wujiang and Su Nanyin will automatically leave the covert blade. Li Qianfan's seconded position will then end. Hehe, making the young Dragon Lord of Longxu work for me for free without leaving any hidden dangers. I'm truly brilliant for coming up with such a good idea."
As Director Zhao couldn't help but feel triumphant, the car stopped.
He had arrived home.
Director Zhao strolled leisurely back to his doorstep.
Pushing open the door and entering—
He saw a young man sitting at the dining table with his elderly wife, his eldest daughter-in-law, and his granddaughter Mengmeng, who had just started the fifth grade, making dumplings together.
Upon seeing this young man, Director Zhao's nose almost twitched with anger.
Who else could it be but Li Qianfan, that brat, whom he had searched for all day without success?
He searched for him a thousand times, yet he was making dumplings at my home!
And he had even made his old wife, eldest daughter-in-law, and granddaughter laugh heartily.
"Where is my 40-meter long saber?"
As Director Zhao searched around for his long saber, his wife began to scold him: "What's with the long face the moment you come in? Who are you showing it to? Are you blaming Qianfan for visiting this old woman? Don't forget, he was deskmates with Junzi (Director Zhao's eldest grandson) in kindergarten! He was the only good child who ever stayed overnight at our house."
Good child?
You call this brat a good child!?
Director Zhao's nostrils flared with anger.
But his wife's next words immediately deflated Director Zhao's temper: "Qianfan came over this time mainly to visit Junzi. He said that Junzi's leg injury from Blackwater Forest can be healed! He just finished writing the prescription and hasn't rested yet, and now he's making dumplings with me. And you're walking around with a long face, who are you trying to show it to?"
"Really?"
Director Zhao's eyes widened, and his face quickly flushed.
His grandson's injury and disability in Blackwater Forest had become Director Zhao's greatest concern.
If Junzi could regain his former vitality, he wouldn't mind serving Li Qianfan as a grandfather.
Director Zhao was impartial when it came to work, making even the divine beast Li Wujiang wary.
But he was also an ordinary grandfather!
What grandfather wouldn't want their beloved grandson to be healthy?
On other matters, Li Qianfan might dare to boast to Director Zhao.
But when it came to Junzi's health, he would not dare to exaggerate in the slightest.
If he said he could make Junzi stand up again in about three months, he would certainly do it.
Director Zhao, brimming with spirit—
He pulled Li Qianfan into the study and proactively offered him a cigarette.
First, he impatiently inquired about Junzi's injuries. After receiving Li Qianfan's affirmative reply, Director Zhao smiled and said he would give him an opportunity to gain experience, which was to serve as Su Nanyin's secretary in the covert blade.
"What?"
Li Qianfan was stunned. "You want me to be Su Nanyin's secretary?"
Before Director Zhao could say anything, Li Qianfan shook his head like a rattle drum.