Chapter 72 These are his soldiers

When Section Chief Zhang stepped into the "Northeast Tiger Barbecue" branch again, the embarrassment he had shown last time was gone, replaced by a cold and hard expression.

At 3 p.m., there were hardly any customers in the store.

Fang Che and Cheng Tieniu were testing new dishes in the kitchen when Xi Rong ran in: "Brother Che, Section Chief Zhang is here again, and he brought two unfamiliar faces with him!"

Fang Che's heart sank. He washed his hands and went outside.

Section Chief Zhang stood with his hands behind his back in the lobby, followed by a man and a woman, both in uniform and carrying folders.

He Shirong leaned against the counter eating potato chips, and raised his chin: "Brother Fang, they said it's a 'routine inspection'."

"Section Chief Zhang, welcome." Fang Che forced a smile. "What are you checking today? The documents are all posted on the wall."

Section Chief Zhang didn't smile: "We're not investigating those today. We received a report that your 'community school' is suspected of operating illegally. This is Officer Wang from the Education Bureau, and this is Ms. Li from the Social Welfare Department; they're here to verify the situation."

Officer Wang adjusted his glasses: "Please show us your school operating license, teacher qualification certificates, teaching syllabus, and fire safety registration."

Fang Che maintained a composed expression: "The procedures are still being processed, as for Grandma Lin..."

“Grandma Lin is Grandma Lin, and the school is the school.” Miss Li interrupted him, her tone rigid. “Without legal permits, it must be shut down, otherwise it can be seized and fined.”

He Shirong put down the bag of potato chips: "The school has been open for three months, and everyone in the neighborhood knows about it. The children have a place to study, and you just shut it down like that?"

"Young Master He, we are acting in accordance with the law." Section Chief Zhang glanced at He Shirong, his tone softening slightly but his attitude unchanged. "Incomplete procedures are a matter of principle."

Fang Che knew that arguing back was useless, so his mind raced: "The procedures are indeed being processed. Grandma Lin just received the approval last week. The original is with her, and I'll have someone pick up the copy. Please have a seat, I'll contact them right away."

He winked at Xi Rong, who then turned and went upstairs to make a phone call.

Section Chief Zhang and the other two sat down.

Officer Wang took out his notebook to make a note, and Miss Li got up to check it, her eyes full of scrutiny.

Cheng Tieniu poked his head out from the kitchen: "Che, do you want me to..."

"Tiezi, you're busy." Fang Che waved his hand, pulled up a chair and sat down opposite Section Chief Zhang. "Section Chief Zhang, let's not beat around the bush. You saw that we had all the necessary permits when we opened last time. This time, you suddenly say there's a problem with the school... Did someone pass on a message to us?"

Section Chief Zhang's expression changed slightly: "You can't say things like that carelessly. When we receive a report, we must verify it."

"A report?" Fang Che laughed. "Who reported it? The neighbors on Portland Street? Or should I invite them all here for a face-to-face confrontation?"

Section Chief Zhang was speechless.

Xi Rong rushed downstairs, her face pale: "Brother Che, Grandma Lin isn't answering her phone. A Ming has already gone there."

Fang Che's heart sank.

What a coincidence!

Seeing this, Section Chief Zhang's tone hardened further: "Mr. Fang, since you can't produce the paperwork, then..."

"Wait a minute," He Shirong suddenly said, pulling out his mobile phone. "I'll call my grandfather. He knows Director Chen of the Education Bureau and ask him about the situation."

Section Chief Zhang's face turned pale: "Young Master He, this is unnecessary..."

“Why wouldn’t it be necessary?” He Shirong raised an eyebrow. “I wash dishes here, and these kids are practically my colleagues. If the school closes, who will keep me company?”

He dialed the number as he spoke, his movements slow and deliberate.

Officer Wang and Ms. Li exchanged a glance, somewhat flustered.

Who is Stanley Ho?

If they alert him, they'll be in deep trouble.

Just as He Shirong was about to press the call button, the store door was pushed open.

Grandma Lin came in leaning on her cane, followed by Ah Ming, who was panting heavily.

The old man's face was flushed, and he walked quickly.

"Zhang Ming!" Grandma Lin called as she entered the door, "Are you here to cause trouble again?"

Section Chief Zhang stood up: "Grandma Lin, this is official business..."

"Official business?" Granny Lin slammed the file folder on the table. "The approval document is right here! The original! It was approved last month, and I'm only bringing it over today. Do you have a problem with that?"

She pulled out a stack of documents: school operating license, fire safety certificate, teacher registration form... everything was complete, and all were stamped with official seals.

Officer Wang took it and looked through it. The more he looked, the uglier his expression became. The paperwork was complete and there was nothing wrong with it.

Miss Li said softly, "Section Chief, this..."

Section Chief Zhang, sweat beading on his forehead, forced a smile: "As long as the paperwork is complete, that's fine. We're just following the procedures..."

"Follow procedure?" Granny Lin tapped the floor with her cane. "Zhang Ming, I've known you for over twenty years! When you were a kid, you stole Aunt Li's mangoes, and I was the one who covered for you! Now that you're an official, you've learned to bully your own people?"

The noise was so loud that even a few guests turned to look.

Section Chief Zhang's face flushed red: "Mother-in-law, please don't say that..."

"That's exactly what I said!" Granny Lin glared at him. "Go back and tell your superiors that I, Lin Xiuying, am determined to protect the school on Portland Street! If you want to touch this place, you'll have to get past me first!"

Section Chief Zhang and his two companions slunk away.

After they left, Grandma Lin took a breath and sat down.

Fang Che handed over a cup of hot tea: "Grandma, thank you."

"No need to thank me." Granny Lin lowered her voice. "Chezai, the approval document is real, but someone deliberately blocked it from being issued. I went to the Education Bureau and made a scene today before I finally got the original document."

Fang Che's heart sank: "Is it Jiang Tianqi?"

“It’s not just him,” Granny Lin said. “The Dongsheng Society has connections in the Education Bureau, but the one who really exerts influence is… Li Ruoxue. She knows a few officials’ wives and has been in touch with them.”

Li Ruoxue.

Fang Che clenched his fist.

He Shirong put away his mobile phone and sneered, "Is that woman crazy? She's even trying to mess with her own brother's business?"

“She’s not trying to do business, she’s trying to mess with Chezai.” Granny Lin looked at Fang Che with a complicated expression. “Ruoxue… I’ve watched her grow up. She’s liked Hanzhou since she was little, she’s very obsessive about it. Now that she sees you getting close to Hanzhou, she can’t get over it.”

Fang Che smiled wryly: "But Brother Li and I are brothers..."

“You treat him like a brother, but he might not think that way.” Granny Lin spoke bluntly. “I can see the way Hanzhou looks at you, even I, an old woman, can tell.”

Fang Che's face flushed, and he didn't know how to respond.

Xi Rong asked softly, "Grandma, what do we do now? Now that the paperwork is complete, will they find other faults?"

"Yes," Granny Lin affirmed. "Jiang Tianqi and Li Ruoxue have joined forces; they won't let this go so easily. A-Che, you need to prepare early."

Fang Che nodded: "I understand."

After seeing Granny Lin off, Fang Che called everyone to the backyard for a meeting.

As the sun sets, unopened tables and chairs are piled up in the courtyard.

The children sat in a circle, Cheng Tieniu squatted on a stone stool, He Shirong leaned against the wall, and Xi Rong sat next to Fang Che.

"Everyone, you've all seen the situation," Fang Che said bluntly. "Jiang Tianqi and Li Ruoxue have joined forces to try and destroy us by targeting the school. Today, Granny Lin is holding us off, but what about tomorrow? The day after?"

Amin raised his hand: "Brother Che, we're not afraid! Every time they come, we'll fight them!"

"Hitting, hitting, all you ever do is hit!" Xi Rong slapped his head. "Haven't you had enough of being hit last time?"

Amin shrank back: "Then what should we do..."

Fang Che took a deep breath: "A head-on collision won't work; we need to use our brains. Jiang Tianqi thinks we have a weak foundation and are easy to bully. Then we'll show him just how deep the roots of Portland Street really are."

He paused, then looked at everyone: "From today onwards, the school will officially open and classes will begin. Xi Rong, you are in charge of enrollment. All school-age children on Portland Street who want to study will receive free education. Tie Niu, you take the children to clean up the empty house in the backyard to use as a classroom. If we don't have enough desks and chairs, we'll go to the secondhand market to find some, and we'll paint and renovate them ourselves."

Cheng Tieniu nodded: "Okay! I know carpentry, I can fix anything that's broken!"

“Shirong,” Fang Che turned to He Shirong, “Could you help me find a few retired teachers for your grandfather’s side? They don’t need to be stationed here permanently, just a few classes a week will do. I’ll pay them at market rate.”

He Shirong thought for a moment and said, "I'll give it a try. Grandpa knows a few retired teachers, and they're just sitting around doing nothing anyway."

“Okay.” Fang Che then looked at Xi Rong. “In addition, we need to let the neighbors know about the benefits of the school. Starting tomorrow, we will set up a ‘homework tutoring corner’ at the entrance of the shop every afternoon at four o’clock. Children can come here to do their homework after school, and we will tutor them for free. When the neighbors come to pick up their children, they will see the real benefits and will naturally stand on our side.”

Xi Rong's eyes lit up: "That's a great idea! I'm pretty good at math, I can teach the younger students!"

Amin also raised his hand: "I can read! I can teach younger children!"

The children eagerly signed up, and the atmosphere became lively.

Looking at this group of teenagers, Fang Che felt a warm feeling well up in his heart.

These are his soldiers.

They may lack power and influence, but they are flesh and blood, and full of feelings and loyalty.