I make a living solving crimes.

When the first ray of sunlight barely penetrated the dilapidated window frames of the old house and shone on Uncle Wei's wrinkled face, he had already gotten up.

There was no hot breakfast, only a few slices of dry and hard steamed bread and a bowl of cold boiled water.

He chewed slowly, as if savoring the ups and downs of life.

The furniture was so shabby that there was almost nothing left.

A tattered wooden bed, worn-out tables and chairs, a few sets of clothes, and a yellowed old photo. It was his only family photo and the only comfort in his heart.

Whenever it was late at night and everyone was asleep, he would gently stroke the photo, recalling the laughter of the past, with tears in his eyes.

The departure of a loved one is not a rainstorm, but a long period of dampness. Trapped in this dampness, it stirs up a storm in every calm day.

"Grandpa Wei, Grandpa Wei." Chang Xiaoman was led by Chang Da, jumping up the stone steps and shouting loudly into the house.

The river breeze brought the sounds of laughter and talking, instantly lifting the old man's spirits. He stood up with the help of his cane, first looked at his clothes, then lifted his sleeves and smelled them, then he walked slowly to open the door with confidence.

The door opened, and a little girl with two buns hanging behind her head blinked her big eyes and raised the basket in her hand high.

"Grandpa Wei, look what delicious food I brought?"

It’s steamed cake, which Chang Da learned how to make after coming to Sichuan province.

"Why are you bringing me food? I've already eaten." The old man quickly looked at Chang Da and refused.

Following behind Chang Xiaoman, Chang Da smiled kindly, "This is Xiaoman's gift, please have some."

The little girl picked one up and held it high, "Grandpa Wei, please eat one. Don't be so polite!"

Her cheeks were round and her eyes were full of anticipation.

The old man couldn't bear to refuse, and took it with tears in his eyes, trembling, "Okay, I'll eat one, and you too."

Chang Xiaoman was very proud. She took out a steamed cake from the basket with her little hands and walked to the table with the old man.

Chang Da glanced at the boiled water on the table, then silently took the stove and went out to light a fire.

In the wooden house, Chang Xiaoman was holding a piece of steamed cake in her hand, chattering to the old man about her uncle. After saying a few words, she would take a bite with a miamiamia sound, and then continue chattering.

They say he catches bad guys, he raises kittens, he is a good livestock owner.

That face was full of pride.

Uncle Wei's hair had already turned gray, and he had a kind smile on his face. He was holding a piece of steamed cake in his hand, chewing it in small bites, reluctant to swallow it.

His face was covered with wrinkles, and he had no idea who the uncle the little girl was chattering about was. He just felt that he must be young and promising to make his niece so proud.

Chang Da lit a fire outside the house and brought it in. The flames illuminated everyone's faces, making them look red and prosperous.

At this time, Chang Wei had already walked into the office building of the Investigation Department and was contacting Beijing through the red telephone.

The call was transferred three or four times before it was finally connected.

Well, the main reason was that the person he was looking for was of too high a level. He couldn't get in without the other party's consent.

"Mr. Luo, congratulations!" Chang Wei complimented with a smile.

"You are well-informed, kid. Why don't you come to see me when you come back?" Old man Luo complained softly, but his tone was full of joy.

He has just been appointed as deputy chief of staff and now is the chief of the General Staff, which means he is in charge of both military and political affairs.

"I'm only going to be back for one day, but I'm afraid of delaying your work." Chang Wei smiled innocently.

"I'm indeed busy, so please say what you want to say quickly." Old man Luo was not very polite when facing the person he had trained.

Chang Wei also said bluntly: "Old leader, Sichuan Province is in a difficult situation now."

“…” There was silence on the other end of the phone.

"You are from Sichuan Province." Chang Wei frowned and said, "You are the one who told me to pay more attention to your hometown."

"I...Xiao Changwei, thank you for your kindness, but the whole country is like one chessboard." Old man Luo's voice was full of helplessness.

Chang Wei was dissatisfied and said angrily: "That can't be a pitfall for only one place in Sichuan Province."

There were only helpless sighs and gasps on the other end of the phone.

Chang Wei also sighed, and after a moment he gritted his teeth and said, "Can you tell me how much grain we need to transfer from Sichuan Province this year?"

"What do you want to do?"

"I want to go out and rob." Chang Wei said arrogantly.

"You are a cadre, don't talk nonsense." Old Man Luo scolded softly, and then gently comforted, "Xiao Changwei, it's very dangerous outside."

"Just tell me, can you let me out?" Chang Wei was being shameless, talking nonsense, "It's a mess outside right now. Confucius once said, I'd rather die than let my fellow Taoist die. You guys are talking about international affairs, and I'm just a villain, so let me do the bad things."

After a long while, the other party finally replied: "I can't make the decision on your matter. I need to ask the chief for his opinion."

"He invited me to dinner a few days ago, so he will definitely agree." Chang Wei was confident. "Go and ask him right away. I will only be in Sichuan for a week and will be heading south soon. If he agrees, I will have to find a way to change my plan."

The whole world is in chaos at this time, with wars happening everywhere, which is a perfect opportunity to fish in troubled waters.

If all else fails, go to Japan and collect some of the interest you owe.

Old Man Luo did not respond to his words, but mentioned another matter, "General Fan came to see me yesterday and mentioned your views on the subcontinent. We held a meeting to analyze it, and we need more specific intelligence."

"What kind of intelligence do you need? Their minister publicly mentioned last year that he wanted to occupy Shannan. Everyone knows what Sima Zhao is thinking."

"That's just a suggestion. Our General Staff needs more detailed intelligence. You're going to Hong Kong Island soon, so make sure you collect some intelligence there. Also, to give you a heads up, we're planning to give you a military post to be in charge of intelligence work... just a temporary post."

"Where is the officer?"

"I'll give you five sets."

"Then you can consider it."

After hanging up the phone, Chang Wei sat in the room for a long time and then made another call to Yangcheng.

The person who answered the phone was Old Man Li.

Zhang Long and Zhao Hu have already escorted the grain back to the capital. The entire train has thirty carriages and is heavily escorted. The retired soldiers that Chang Wei wants are also being organized.

"Did you know about letting me take up the position?" Chang Wei asked cautiously.

Old man Li holds a deputy position in the General Staff.

"Yes, I suggested it."

"Does it fit?"

"What's inappropriate? You don't have a military position. If I give you someone, how are you going to lead him? Who would accept that?"

Chang Wei said no more.

He knew what was good for him, and that Old Man Li was really treating him like his grandson.

"Don't be so stressed, little Chang Wei. We all have high hopes for you. Just go for it." The old man's voice was unusually kind. "We are all old and need someone to take over."