Though Liu Song was accustomed to Nan Sheng’s unpredictable ways, he was still stunned by her boldness—taking down a town Party secretary just like that?
After this incident, Nan Sheng was eager to train Liu Song properly. Otherwise, every time she was away, the disciplinary inspection team would fall apart, which was downright embarrassing.
"Liu Song, did you catch how I phrased my words just now? Pick five more names at random from the list and call them. Tell them to report to the disciplinary inspection office tomorrow to prove their innocence. Assign whatever charges you see fit—just don’t forget to make the whistleblowing letters look convincing."
Liu Song let out a long breath. Only now did he feel like he could breathe again. With the director around, no problem was too big to solve.
"Should we deal with our internal issues as well, Director?"
"That’s not your concern. I’ll leave it to Su Jie."
Nan Sheng then turned her gaze to Luo Xiaoxuan and Liang Kechang. "Do you two have any ideas on how to proceed with your tasks?"
Liang Kechang, adapting quickly, nodded. "Don’t worry, Director. I’ll draft a plan right away, starting with the county government departments."
Nan Sheng offered a suggestion: "Hang a box by the entrance labeled ‘Whistleblowing Mailbox—No Signature Required.’ Then, tomorrow, publicly retrieve the letters from it in front of everyone."
Liang Kechang marveled inwardly—this move was pure genius. Just where had Director Nan honed her skills? Ideas seemed to flow effortlessly from her.
Luo Xiaoxuan, however, was rigid in his principles—black was black, white was white. He couldn’t stay silent while the director faked evidence.
Though nervous, he mustered the courage to voice his concerns. "Director, isn’t this unethical? We haven’t received any actual complaints or concrete evidence."
Nan Sheng shrugged indifferently. "What’s unethical about it? All’s fair in war. If nothing turns up, we’ll just send them back—no harm done. Relax, I’m not fabricating evidence to frame anyone.
"These people have been causing trouble for our disciplinary team. Either they’re hiding something, or someone’s pulling their strings. We need to investigate to put our minds at ease."
Luo Xiaoxuan felt slightly reassured by her explanation—until Nan Sheng’s next words made him flush with embarrassment.
"Since you’re still new here, I’ll humor you with an explanation today. But if you dare question me again, I’ll slap you silly!
"If you’re going to be this dense and disobedient, what’s the point of keeping you around? Fattening you up for New Year’s dinner?"
Luo Xiaoxuan felt his dignity ground into the dirt. His face burned, but he didn’t dare argue back.
He had to admit—on the battlefield of wits, the rest of them combined probably couldn’t match Director Nan.
"Director, then how should I proceed with my work?"
Luo Xiaoxuan resigned himself to his shortcomings. Fine, he’d learn everything she knew—then he wouldn’t be the fool anymore.
"Simple. Create the illusion that the public trusts the disciplinary team, with a steady stream of whistleblowers. Distant relatives, friends, neighbors—put them all to work.
"Have them drop by a few times. Once the door’s closed, who knows what you’re discussing? Once our reputation spreads, real complaints will start pouring in."
After the meeting, she sent them back to their shared office while she enjoyed the luxury of her own.
Leaning back in her chair, she closed her eyes, reviewing whether anything had been overlooked. Before she knew it, she dozed off—only waking half an hour before quitting time when the team came to report.
Su Jie was the most aggrieved. "Director, the storage room is packed. It’ll take at least a week to sort through everything."
She was a mess—covered in dust like a little mud monkey.
"Don’t the county government have interns? Supervise them and let them handle the grunt work."
Nan Sheng handed her a list. "First thing tomorrow, notify all towns—the people on this list are being dismissed early from their internships. If they’re government staff, send them back where they came from.
"Also, announce that the disciplinary team is expanding. Qualified candidates are welcome to submit their resumes for interviews!"
Su Jie scanned the list and nearly gasped. Six dismissals at once—four of them current government employees. Talk about killing two birds with one stone.
Not only were they being sent back in disgrace, their original positions had likely already been filled.
After work, Liu Song and the other men returned to their government-assigned dormitory, stopping for dinner first.
Over the meal, Liang Kechang couldn’t hold back.
"Brother Liu, has the director always been this decisive? Tackling so much at once—isn’t she overreaching?"
He worried things might spiral out of control. Investigating town Party secretaries was no small matter—and she was targeting six at once. With their already short-staffed team, firing six more only added pressure.
Each of them was swamped with work, leaving no room to assist others. If trouble broke out, containing it would be near impossible.
He laid out his concerns, but Liu Song remained unshaken.
"Why do you think those secretaries only made trouble when the director was away? Just wait—tomorrow, when they see her, they won’t dare raise their voices. They’ll answer whatever she asks!"
He couldn’t speak for the city, but in the county, everyone knew of Director Nan’s… illustrious reputation.
Cause trouble?
Would those armed officers allow it?
Anyone foolish enough to test her could take a stroll through the black market—the bloodstains there probably hadn’t even faded yet.
Director Nan was a force to be reckoned with, both in military and political circles.
Luo Xiaoxuan couldn’t help doubting again. "Is Director Nan really that formidable?"
Liu Song nodded. "At her age, rising to county-level disciplinary director—what does that tell you? You’ll understand in time."
As far as he knew, those who crossed Director Nan never fared well—while she soared ever higher, climbing the ranks with ease.
Meanwhile, Nan Sheng had arrived at the hospital. The moment her family saw her, their eyes lit up—especially Lin Han, who clung to her like a child.
This man—wounded yet acting so childish. Amusing, really.
"Darling, I still haven’t seen our new home. Can I go back with you tonight? I’ll return to the hospital tomorrow!"
Nan Sheng recognized the effects of the medicine. She decided to save the second pill—waiting until Lin Han’s follow-up in the city before deciding whether to administer it.
She deftly changed the subject. "I’m guessing you haven’t stayed in bed much today, Deputy Regimental Commander Lin?"
Siqi’s eyes widened in shock. She immediately turned to Lin Han. "Dad! I didn’t say anything—it wasn’t me!"
Sizhe facepalmed. His foolish sister—Mom’s trick worked every time, always exposing the truth.
Sure enough, Lin Han paled at Nan Sheng’s stern expression. All talk of visiting their new home vanished, his meekness so comical that Little Hou had to step outside to hide his laughter.
"I was wrong, honey. I promise I'll listen to you tomorrow!"
