Director You chuckled and flipped open my transfer report. He perfunctorily flipped through it and said, "I can see that you don't have a normal opinion of me!
That day at the conference, you slammed the table and angrily left the room.
I've always wanted to talk to you, but there have been too many things going on these past few days. Today, I think it's time to talk to you. "
I gathered my courage and said, "I also want to talk to Director You."
Director You raised his head and looked at me. "Then you go first."
I said, "Director You go first. I'll organize my thoughts."
Director You used two fingers to pinch the bridge of his nose. His body swayed a few times and he said, "You go first. Xiao Zhao, I want to hear what you've prepared for today. Don't worry, we're just going to talk about daily life. There's no need to be too tense. Relax and speak boldly."
I coughed twice to clear the noise in my throat. Then, I took a deep breath and gathered my courage. "Then I'll go first.
Director You, I'm a straightforward person. I don't like to beat around the bush. If there's anything inappropriate, Director You, I hope you won't take offense. "
Director You chuckled. "I've already said that we're talking about daily life, not work. You can say whatever you want."
In order to help me overcome my nervousness, Director You handed me a cigarette and said, "Let's smoke and talk. We're not superior and subordinate anymore. Okay, you can speak."
I didn't hold back and lit the cigarette. I took a deep breath and said, "Director You, I think that the way you've been handling the problems recently … You've been too biased towards some people.
To be honest, Director You used to be a righteous and righteous person in my heart. But now, I have to say that Director You's way of handling problems has lost a lot of people's support. "
I thought that Director You would be angry after hearing this, but he looked calm and didn't seem angry at all.
He pretended to listen and seemed to want to hear me continue.
This made me even bolder, and I continued, "Just the matter of Director Qi alone is enough for me to have a problem with Director You.
According to the relevant regulations, Director Qi's mistakes are enough for him to be dismissed, but Director Qi's methods are quite clever. First, you gave Director Qi a 'serious warning', and then you praised Director Qi … Then, the grievances I suffered before became a stepping stone for Director Qi's improvement?
I think that although Director Qi is your best subordinate, you shouldn't be so biased, right?
By doing this, you're actually setting a precedent for the Secret Service. It's like planting a bomb in your future work, and it'll definitely affect your prestige … "
I poured everything I wanted to say out of my mouth in one breath.
Even I couldn't believe that I dared to be so calm and bold in front of a Republic of China General!
After Director You heard this, he was unexpectedly calm. He even chuckled and said, "Xiao Zhao, you actually dare to speak the truth!"
I was slightly angry and said, "I don't like to lie.
Therefore, if I offended Director You in any way, Director You, please forgive me. "
Director You said, "Okay, now that you're done, isn't it my turn?"
I said, "Director You, please tell me. I'll definitely listen carefully."
Director You said, "I called you here today for two reasons. First, I want to tell you a story. Second, I want you to see something."
I was slightly surprised, but I continued to listen.
Director You stood up with his hands behind his back. There was an indescribable light in his eyes that contained many elements such as memories, sadness, and longing.
Director You said, "First, I'll tell you a story.
The story took place in 1979. At that time, I was still a small platoon leader. One day, I suddenly received a special order … "
Hearing this, I couldn't help but have a lot of doubts. I thought to myself, what is Director You up to? Why is he telling me this kind of story?
The bureau chief continued, "What order is it?
That year, China's self-defense war against Vietnam was at its fiercest. The Secret Service sent twenty or so security officers to Vietnam to train.
One of them was me and a platoon leader called Huzi. Huzi and I had been in the same platoon for one year, and we had a good relationship. When we entered the Vietnam battlefield, we were assigned to the same platoon … Those who have been on the battlefield can understand the value of friendship. Huzi and I fought together, ate and slept together, and killed Vietnamese together.
Because of Huzi's bravery in battle, he received many commendations from his superiors. I was also happy for his progress … But one day, after we won a battle, while we were cleaning up the battlefield, an injured Vietnamese soldier suddenly got up and pointed his gun at me … "
Hearing this, I was even more surprised and puzzled. Director You, why are you telling me this? Are you trying to show off his great achievements on the battlefield?
At the same time, I was also puzzled. Our Central Secret Service, as the trump card of the Central Bureau Chief, why would we be sent to the battlefield to train?
Isn't this a little hard to believe?
Before this, I had heard a lot of rumors about this. Some said that there were a few generals and deputy commanders in the Secret Service who had personally experienced the Vietnam battlefield. Up until now, I had always been skeptical and didn't have a deep understanding of this matter.
Director You's words are a confirmation of these rumors.
However, the situation is really hard to understand. Because, as the security officers of the Bureau Chief, in peacetime, they usually don't participate in wars.
As for the matter of being sent to Vietnam to participate in the self-defense war, it is even more inconceivable.
Regarding this, I was always skeptical. I even consciously went to the Special Guard Regiment's History Museum to collect evidence, but I couldn't find any records.
However, I started to make guesses about Director You's intentions.
I really couldn't figure out what his intentions were for bringing up the past in Vietnam.
Thus, with doubts in my heart, I could only patiently continue to listen.
Director You continued, "At that time, I didn't have time to react. When I saw the gun pointed at me, it happened in an instant. At that time, I thought I was finished … But when the gunshot rang out, a figure suddenly jumped in front of me and took the bullet for me.
This person wasn't just anyone, it was Platoon Leader Hu Zi.
The bullet went through Hu Zi's chest … "
I felt that Director You's story was very similar to the scenes in the movies.
What does this mean?
Are you using the battlefield to educate me?
Or, Director You wanted to use the story of our friendship in order to persuade me and Director Qi to resolve our differences and reconcile?
If this was your motive, then it wasn't a big deal. However, it seemed like you were going too far.
You were going to talk about the self-defense war against Vietnam!
Although my heart was full of doubts, I continued to listen to Director You's story, "Hu Zi later passed away because he couldn't be saved.
He died in order to save me. If he hadn't rushed forward, then the person who died wouldn't have been Hu Zi, but me.
Before Hu Zi died, he asked me to do three things for him. The first was to work hard in the Secret Service for him and fulfill his unfulfilled wish. The second was to ask me to take care of his son, Xiao Qiang. Hu Zi's wife remarried right after giving birth to Xiao Qiang. Xiao Qiang has been living with his grandmother ever since.
Once Huzi leaves, his son will become an orphan … "Speaking to here, Bureau Chief You actually reached out his hand and rubbed his eye sockets. Being observant, I discovered that his eyes were brimming with something white and bright.
Director You calmed down and continued, "Hu Zi asked me to take care of his son, Xiao Qiang. He held my hand and begged me to let Xiao Qiang join the Secret Service in the future. It would be best if he could become a high-ranking officer. He also begged me to help Xiao Qiang find a good wife, and not be like Xiao Qiang's mother, who despised the poor and loved the rich … At that time, I was very emotional and tears flowed down my face because I clearly knew that Hu Zi, who was at the end of his life, was my savior. He was the one who used his own life in exchange for the lives of his comrades.
I felt guilty and moved, so I immediately told Hu Zi that he didn't need to worry. I even promised him that if he didn't mind, and if I had a daughter in the future, I would be willing to marry my daughter to Xiao Qiang … This could be considered the best way to repay my savior in the netherworld … "
At this point, I finally understood the situation.
However, I was stopped by a strong earthquake!
Looking at Chief You's sad eyes and regretful expression, I understood a lot in an instant. A lot.
I asked, "That Xiao Qiang, is he the current Director Qi?"
Director You nodded. "Correct.
Director Qi is Hu Zi's son, Xiao Qiang.
After returning from the war in Vietnam and returning to the Secret Service, I remembered Hu Zi's request and wanted to take care of Xiao Qiang. However, Xiao Qiang's grandmother didn't let me.
After Xiao Qiang's grandmother passed away, Xiao Qiang was raised by his uncle until he was seventeen years old.
Later, I used my connections to let Xiao Qiang enter the military academy. He didn't disappoint me, and his academic and military achievements were always among the best. Later, he was sent to the National Defense University to further his studies.
Although Xiao Qiang was now an adult and had a promising future, in my heart, there was always some faint uneasiness and regret, and even apologetic.
I feel that Xiao Qiang didn't fulfill the wishes of his comrades, which made him suffer a lot when he was young … "
Chief You seemed to be a little choked up at this point.
This was the first time I heard Director You talk about such an extraordinary past.
While I was shocked, I thought of a lot of things.
Perhaps, this story solved many of my doubts, but it also struck a deep chord in my heart.
Director You continued, "Even now, I often think of my old comrade who took a bullet for me. Every time I see Director Qi, I remember that it was his father who sacrificed his own life on the battlefield to save mine. It was his father who sacrificed his own life to give me a chance to live.
I've always wanted to continue my guilt and gratitude toward my comrade's son, as well as the friendship between comrades-in-arms. I wanted to do my best to create any conditions and opportunities for him so that my old comrade could rest in peace. Director Qi is still quite capable. He has always been very hardworking and motivated in his work. His achievements today are actually inseparable from his hard work … "
Perhaps, at this moment, I can understand Director You's difficulties and thoughts.
When he talked about the past, there were two small lines of tears in his eyes. Although he didn't squeeze them out of his eyes, they were very clear.
He wasn't just brushing me off with a beautiful story. This story made me understand a lot of things in an instant.
It turned out that there was a reason Director You was biased towards Director Qi.
Although it was said that a person in a high position should be impartial and should treat everyone equally, but if someone had the experience of being a bureau chief, how should they deal with it?
I believe that Director You's mentality is also very conflicted. When Director Qi made a mistake, he was even more depressed and angry than me. However, in order to fulfill his promise to his comrade, he risked being misunderstood by his subordinates and took all the pressure for Director Qi.
Why did he do that? He did it for his savior in the netherworld. Also, at this moment, I finally understood why the You family wanted Director Qi to be their son-in-law.
It turned out that there was such a relationship between the two of them.
To be exact, I was somewhat moved.
I pondered for a long time before opening my mouth, "Director You, maybe you're right!"
When I said this, I suddenly felt sad.
Director You sighed softly and held my shoulder, "But I wronged you because of this!
I made you, a great hero of the Secret Service, unable to see the result when Chen Jiao was avenged. "
I said, "Director You, if you had told me this at the beginning, I might not have been so serious with you.
After all, Director Qi did those things because … because of love. I didn't want to destroy him. I just wanted the Bureau to deal with it fairly and to give myself a reasonable comfort. "
Director You said, "Originally, I didn't mention this story to anyone except You Meng's mother.
The reason why I'm telling you this today is to let you understand that Director You's eyes are as sharp as snow. I know that Xiao Zhao has been wronged, and I want you to stay.
You're the Secret Service's proudest security secretary, and you've made great contributions to the Secret Service. Director You have seen all of this and will remember it in your heart. "
After saying this, Director You returned to his desk and sat back on his chair. He took out a few sheets of paper from the file on his left and handed them to me.
Director You said, "Xiao Zhao, take a look at this."
I doubtfully took it and looked at it. I was immediately startled.
On the cover of the paper was written: Career Transfer Report.