The Supreme Soldier in the City-Chapter 552 - 563: The Awesome Section Chief

"Old classmate, this is James Smith, the deputy section chief of the City Bureau’s turnover tax department. He’s quite promising. I specifically asked him to help us out with this matter. With Smith Chief’s support, the lower precincts won’t refuse to give face."

Emma Campbell’s Aunt Mary’s classmate is named Michael Johnson, now a section chief at a precinct. However, he’s not in the same precinct as Aunt Mary’s husband. In a precinct, personnel management is decided by the director, especially temporary workers, which can be settled with just a word from the director. However, as a section chief in one precinct, he can’t dictate anything to directors of other precincts, but a deputy section chief from the City Bureau does have such influence.

It’s not to say that a deputy section chief from the City Bureau ranks higher than a precinct director, but because the City Bureau often inspects the precincts, during which, people like James Smith can affect a precinct’s evaluation ranking significantly, which impacts a director’s achievements greatly.

Moreover, a deputy director from the City Bureau can be transferred to a precinct as a deputy director, and the chances of promotion in the City Bureau are high. If promoted to section chief in a couple of years, then James Smith would be on an equal level with a precinct director, and with some networking, he could be transferred to a precinct as a director.

Therefore, although James Smith’s power doesn’t quite compare to a precinct director’s, the directors usually give him face.

Additionally, James Smith has quite a background; it’s said that his promotion to section chief is imminent, known to most within the system, making others wary of offending him.

Upon hearing Michael Johnson mention James Smith’s identity, Emma Campbell’s Uncle John became excited, knowing that there’d be no problem with this matter.

Everyone went into the private room together, where Aunt Mary introduced James Brown and Emma Campbell. James Smith glanced at James Brown with a hint of disdain in his eyes, but his gaze towards Emma was filled with passion.

In terms of looks, Emma Campbell is indeed beautiful. Although such beauty is rare, people like David Johnson have seen many. However, someone with Emma’s temperament is uncommon; her vulnerability and tenderness stir a man’s protective instincts and give the sense that marrying such a girl assures lifelong happiness. James Smith was smitten the moment he saw Emma. Though Emma has a boyfriend, who’s just a department manager at a YODC City company, he pales in comparison to James. Winning Emma over shouldn’t be difficult.

James Brown, having read countless people and being the second-in-command of the Hawk Squad, frequently safeguards important figures. Assessing people around him is a compulsory skill, so he noticed James Smith’s interest immediately. However, out of respect for Emma’s Aunt Mary, and since James wasn’t overtly expressing anything yet, James had no reason to confront him.

Once the food was served, Michael Johnson cheerfully said, "Old classmate, I made a point of inviting Smith Chief here. Getting it done or not is a word from Smith Chief; you must make him happy."

Emma’s Aunt Mary promptly raised her glass and said, "Smith Chief, I toast to you. We rely entirely on you for our Mr. Jones."

James Smith laughed heartily and said, "It’s no big deal. Your Mr. Jones has worked in this department for many years. But even if he hadn’t been in the tax bureau before, just one word from me to their director would make the arrangement effortless."

Emma’s Aunt Mary clinked glasses with James Smith, saying, "Thanks, Smith Chief, I’ll drink first to show respect."

James Smith also had a drink, saying, "No problem, I’ll call their director later."

Having sipped some wine and nibbled on some food, Emma Campbell asked, "Smith Chief, isn’t there a labor law regulation that in the same unit, employees working for over ten years should receive regular benefits? My Uncle John has been working for nearly twenty years, why can’t he get a permanent position?"

Smith Chief, always looking for a chance to converse with Emma, was pleased when Emma initiated the conversation. He immediately looked at Emma and said, "Emma, you certainly know your laws. But aren’t some societal laws just set for ordinary folks? We in law enforcement, how to act is also up to us."

"Isn’t that breaking the law?" Emma frowned slightly.

Smith Chief chuckled softly, from Emma’s words, he gathered she was inexperienced in worldly matters, saying, "You may say that, but who’s truly coming to enforce the law here? Those labor laws target enterprises, and law enforcement departments can manage them. If your Uncle John were in another company, he could use the law to fight for it. But in the tax bureau, that’s not feasible."

Emma found such talk grating, and she couldn’t help but frown.

Noticing Emma’s displeasure, Smith Chief quickly said, "Emma, you’re young and unaware of many societal matters. In today’s society, laws are set for common people; those with real privileges aren’t bound by them. Take your Uncle John, for instance; whether they use him or not is just a word away. If you genuinely wanted to regularize him through the law, it’s impossible. But through other methods, it might not be impossible."

Emma’s Aunt Mary immediately exclaimed, "Smith Chief, such a thing can be done?"

No wonder Emma’s Aunt Mary was excited. Her husband now works at the tax bureau, earning less than Two Thousand Dollars a month, without any benefits. While official tax bureau staff earn around four thousand, with various benefits and bonuses, plus hidden earnings, making a hundred thousand a year is easy, utterly different from temporary workers.

Smith Chief saw that Emma Campbell’s Aunt Mary and Uncle John were both so excited, and Emma herself was also visibly thrilled. He took a sip of beer and, with a somewhat showy tone, said, "Yes, this can indeed be done, but it depends on whether there’s someone above who can speak for you. If someone up there says the word, then it can be implemented according to the labor law. So, the most important thing is to have someone with that kind of power, just like how I can easily let Mr. Jones return to work without being fired, and a word from someone higher up can make Mr. Jones a permanent employee."

Emma’s Aunt Mary asked nervously, "Smith Chief, can you find someone to handle this?"

James Smith squinted his eyes, looking quite troubled, and said, "It’s not that easy to do such a thing."

Emma’s Aunt, who was quite astute, immediately said, "Smith Chief, I know this isn’t an easy task, and it’ll definitely cost money, which we’ll pay, as long as we can make Mr. Jones a formal staff member."

James Smith looked at Emma and said, "If it were as simple as just spending money, a lot of people could do it, but the money has to go to the right place, right? Even the City can’t pull this off; it has to be someone in the City Center."

At this moment, Michael Johnson chimed in, "Smith Chief, isn’t your dad in the City Center?"

James Smith nodded and said, "My dad is indeed in the City Center, but he’s not in charge of personnel. This is really hard to handle."

Emma’s Aunt immediately said, "Smith Chief, we’re counting on you to handle this for us. If you can get this done, our whole family will be grateful to you."

James Smith chuckled and said, "Looks like it’s only you and Mr. Jones drinking with me."

Emma, not being foolish, quickly raised her glass and said, "Smith Chief, I toast to you, hoping you can help my Uncle John get confirmed."

James Smith laughed heartily and said, "With you saying that, Emma, if I don’t help, I would seem unreasonable. But this matter is indeed difficult; I can only do my best. I can’t guarantee success."

Although he really wanted to showcase his power in front of Emma, converting a temporary worker to a formal one is definitely not a small matter. James Smith wasn’t stupid enough to make an outright guarantee.

Then he changed the subject and said, "Although your Uncle John’s case is difficult, it’s much easier for a university student to directly enter the tax bureau. Emma, would you consider working in the tax bureau?"

Emma’s Aunt suddenly exclaimed excitedly, "Smith Chief, Emma will graduate in another year. Can you get her into the tax bureau?"

"This isn’t difficult. As long as Emma wants to come to the tax bureau, she can come to me anytime. I will definitely make it happen for her." Finding a job nowadays is so difficult, and being a civil servant is a job many dream of. A good unit like the tax bureau is a place many people would break their heads to get into. He didn’t believe Emma wouldn’t be tempted.

As long as Emma wanted this job, he would have many opportunities to interact with her in the future, and he could then win her over.

Before Emma replied, her Aunt Mary quickly and excitedly said, "That would be wonderful. Whatever you need, just ask. We understand there’s an expense involved, and we certainly won’t let you work for free."

James Smith generously waved his hand and smiled, saying, "Saying that is unnecessary. I’m helping you because of Michael Johnson, but seeing your family, I feel we get along well, which makes me want to voluntarily help. Let’s consider it a good deed. Emma, don’t worry. I promise that if I agree to this, I can help you get in, and I can even place you in City Center. Even if you can’t get into the City Center, entering the T District won’t be a problem." fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

This is an enticing offer; for an average fresh graduate, it’s an irresistible temptation. Emma indeed wanted to find work independently and didn’t want to completely rely on James Brown. If it were a job in YODC City, it would be okay, but she absolutely didn’t want to move to City Center. Even if it was a better unit than the tax bureau, she wouldn’t go.

However, she also didn’t want to offend Smith Chief, so Emma tactfully said, "Thank you, Smith Chief. I still have a year before graduating, so I’m not in a hurry."

James Smith quickly responded, "What do you mean by not in a hurry? You truly don’t understand how hard it is to secure a job. You need to start preparing now. Waiting until you graduate is too late. By then, who knows how many people will be vying for such positions, and the resistance will be much greater. If you start now, you have an advantage and can even choose a good place. No, no, I have to arrange it for you soon. Tonight, I’ll take you to meet someone above, so you can be more confident."

Emma glanced at James Brown, then turned to James Smith and said, "I’m sorry, Smith Chief. My boyfriend is in YODC City, so I only wish to find a job there and not in City Center."

James Smith looked at James Brown, who hadn’t spoken much, so he didn’t pay much attention to him. He then said indifferently, "One should be more realistic. Once you’re in the tax bureau at YODC City, you can find any kind of boyfriend you want. Why stick to just one?"