The crowd laughed heartily. Since they were all colleagues, they naturally understood my situation. Everyone took their seats as the dishes and wine were swiftly brought out. Gao Jianhua said, "Minister Zhao, I didn't hold back on expenses this time. I heard your monthly income is forty thousand yuan—you can still afford this meal, right?"

I replied magnanimously, "It's a trifle. The Chairman gave me a lump sum payment covering six months of back pay. Since I usually don't do much anyway, everyone dig in today. Don't worry about the Rectification Office investigating corruption over my personal spending, as long as we avoid waste."

The others chuckled. Xiao Jian remarked, "When the Central Committee established this Rectification Office, we all thought it would just be a formality. Who knew it would become such a powerhouse? To be honest, the conduct of officials has genuinely improved compared to before. Everyone thinks twice before acting now, wondering if it's right and if the Rectification Office will investigate. This sense of accountability has not only reduced bribery and corruption but has also significantly boosted efficiency."

Everyone began praising the brilliance of the Chairman and the Premier. Then, someone questioned who led the Rectification Office, as this leader had never publicly handled a case; no one had truly seen their real face. Eventually, everyone's gaze turned toward me. In Great Dragon Country, few dared to act so unrestrainedly, and I was one of them.

Xiao Jian chuckled, "Heh, some things are best understood implicitly. Let's not put Little Zhao in a difficult position."

I wasn't afraid of revealing my identity in front of them, so I stated it plainly, "I won't hide it from you all. I am indeed that Director. However, I rarely work in the office; those four people put in far more hours than I do."

The crowd laughed again, saying, "Even if you hadn't said so, we could guess. Think about the Q Province Secretary who was dismissed a few days ago—what a position he held, with the Tan family backing him, yet the Rectification Office still brought him down. In all of Great Dragon Country, you're the only one who doesn't defer to the Tan family. If you hadn't given the order, would those four young people dare to stir up so much trouble? Tan Zhong would have dealt with them long ago."

My relationship with Tan Zhong is one of 'old acquaintance,' and in the future, we will continue to 'interact.' I plan to uproot his influence eventually. However, he has genuinely been much more restrained lately. Is he brewing some new conspiracy? I must remain vigilant about him.

My phone rang, and I excused myself to answer it. It was Xiao Chuchu. "Husband, where are you? I'm exhausted after a whole morning of work."

I said sympathetically, "I'm having dinner at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Why don't you come over? Since we're all from the Ministry of Public Security, it would be good for you to meet everyone."

"I happen to be right at the entrance," Xiao Chuchu replied. "Ask a waiter to meet me downstairs."

Xiao Chuchu certainly arrived as soon as she said she would. In the time it took me to take a call from Su Xue, I heard her familiar footsteps outside the door. Su Xue said she was coming with Xu Chen—what was that about? I didn't believe her claim that Xu Chen missed me.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Chuchu arrived with Taozi. The woman and the cat had been cooperating well recently. Many of the business dealings for Taozi’s Peach Blossom Financial Investment Company required Xiao Chuchu's presence, as having a cat handle negotiations was, after all, quite bizarre.

Many present knew that Xiao Chuchu was the daughter of Xiao He. While they exchanged pleasantries, Taozi secretly sent me a mental message: Boss, your third wife is trying to acquire the National Agricultural Bank. She transferred over ten billion RMB from me. Make her write me an IOU later; I’m afraid she’ll bully me.

I smiled, "Alright, I'll help you draft one when we get home, and I guarantee she'll pay you back with interest."

Taozi then sent back, Actually, I don't really need the money that badly. Just talk to her for me and tell her to stop squeezing me when she holds me. I can't stand it. I prefer sitting on people's shoulders.

I nearly got a nosebleed: "Fine, Commander Taozi, you’re taking advantage of my wife. When you find a female cat someday, I’ll make sure to take advantage of you too."

Taozi quickly defended herself, "Oh, Boss, it's your wife taking advantage of me! She won't let me go on her shoulder, what choice do I have? Luckily, she doesn't have those two huge breasts like the other two, or I'd just lie down on top of them."

I knew it was ridiculous to be jealous of a cat, and besides, Taozi had no gender, so what was the point of 'taking advantage'? "I'll discipline her tonight and make her change tomorrow. Wait, what did you just say? Acquiring the National Agricultural Bank? I only told her to withdraw the deposits from the companies banking with the Agricultural Bank and close the accounts; I never told her to acquire it."

Taozi responded, "Boss, you lack your third wife’s long-term vision on this matter. Think about it: although my Peach Blossom Financial Investment Company has vast capital and strong capabilities, fundamentally, besides money, we only have some assets in Country M. Your third wife suggested using this opportunity to acquire the National Agricultural Bank and leverage its network of branches across the towns and countryside of Great Dragon Country to expand the business of Peach Blossom Financial Investment Company."

I praised her, "Wow, even though my wife didn't study economics, her mind is no less sharp than my eighth wife who specialized in finance and economics. Well done. It seems my evening lessons weren't in vain; she shows promise."

Taozi scornfully retorted, "Look who's talking, Boss. What exactly were you teaching her last night? A beautiful young lady turns into a completely different person once she gets into bed with you. You're something else."

Taozi, of course, couldn't understand a man's peculiar interests, so I didn't bother explaining. Moreover, staring at a cat for too long might raise suspicion from others. Just then, Xiao Jian raised his glass for a toast, so we ceased our exchange.

Xiao Chuchu scooped up Taozi, truly holding the cat without reservation against her chest. She quietly murmured to me, "Did Taozi tell you? You’re not angry about my decision, are you?"

"Angry about what? I said the companies have operational freedom. The only question is whether this transaction belongs to Taozi or to you?"

Xiao Chuchu kissed Taozi and asked, "Can’t we cooperate? Are you jealous?"

I was caught between laughter and tears, and could only whisper in Xiao Chuchu's ear, "It doesn't matter if I'm jealous. The key is that Brother Taozi seems overly fond of your chest. I like that part of you, but he’s terrified of it. I need you to stop being so intimate with him; he can't handle it."

Xiao Chuchu's face flushed bright red. She gently patted Taozi’s head, "Silly thing, what do you know? Sister likes you; others can't even dream of enjoying this kind of attention."

I decided to bring up the matter Hu Qing mentioned while Minister Xiao was present, as I couldn't possibly be at the office every day to monitor things. "Minister Xiao, I learned some things just now. Since everyone is free, let me share and we can all discuss our views."

Once the issue was raised, those present offered feedback on some situations. Although the salaries of civil servants had increased significantly, prices had also risen over the years. Furthermore, some comrades carried heavy family burdens, leading to many in difficult circumstances.

Minister Xiao responded, "I have instructed the Public Security Departments in every province to conduct thorough investigations on this matter. We offer subsidies where we can provide care, but national funding is limited each year, so I cannot possibly cover everyone comprehensively."

I asked, "Don't the local public security systems have fines? It seems those funds are not being remitted to the central government. Where does that money go?"

The few individuals present all looked visibly awkward. It had become an unspoken rule for local branch bureaus to use fine money to set up slush funds. Most of this money was used for fixed asset investments, entertainment, and bonuses for leaders, though some portion did go toward employee welfare.

Seeing the expressions on their faces, I knew it was impossible to divert that money for other uses. I conceded, "Never mind. I'll cover it myself. I will invest one billion RMB initially. Have the provincial Public Security Departments compile and report the lists of employees facing hardship, and we will grant them appropriate subsidies based on the severity of their difficulties."

Taozi was the first to object: "Boss, you're trying to squeeze my money again! You two are simply modern-day Huang Shiren!"