The entrance to the national highway in Funing County.

Zhong Te wrapped his police overcoat tighter around himself, the cold wind stinging his face like knives. Behind him, a dozen or so police officers hunched their shoulders, stamping their feet, their resentment almost palpable.

"Chief Zhong, it's almost frozen solid. Is that guy surnamed Zhang ever coming back?" a young policeman couldn't help but complain, his voice trembling.

Zhong Te didn't even lift his eyelids, his voice sounding like it had been pulled from an ice cellar: "If you can't stand it, then get out! Our revolutionary predecessors suffered much more when they were climbing snow-capped mountains and crossing grasslands!"

The police officer was so choked up that his eyes rolled back, and he dared not utter another word.

The national highway was deserted. Occasionally, a car would pass by, but they would stop it as if facing a formidable enemy, question it, and then let it go.

As dawn broke and everyone was exhausted, their eyes were dark from staying up all night.

Zhong Te was a stubborn mule; he let the others take turns napping in the car while he stood by the roadside like a nail.

Jiefang Street Police Station, Chief's Office.

As Hu Bingyang listened to his deputy Huang Dehai's report, a mocking smile appeared on his lips.

"Chief Hu, has Zhong Te really lost his mind? He took most of the police force to the national highway for some fresh air, leaving only a handful of officers at the station. If something really happens, we won't have enough manpower." Huang Dehai took a deep drag on his cigarette, his face full of worry.

Hu Bingyang flicked his cigarette ash: "What can I do? He has powerful connections, let him do whatever he wants. Jiaxing only asked Zhang Cheng to cooperate with the investigation, but he's acting like he's arresting a wanted criminal. When he actually brings the guy back in handcuffs, let's see how he explains himself to the city."

"Exactly, it's a thankless task," Huang Dehai snorted.

The door creaked open, and Zhao Daming walked in.

"Old Huang is here too."

"Director Zhao, what a rare guest!" Huang Dehai hurriedly got up to get a water glass.

Hu Bingyang pointed to the chair opposite him: "Old Zhao, you came here for Zhang Cheng, right?"

Zhao Daming sat down and didn't beat around the bush: "Zhong Te has been setting up a checkpoint on the national highway all night?"

"Yeah, they're just bored." Hu Bingyang scoffed.

"Aren't you going to do anything about it?"

"How am I supposed to manage this?" Hu Bingyang spread his hands. "How about I transfer you over there, then you can manage it?"

"No way, I can't afford to be treated like a god." Zhao Daming waved his hands repeatedly. "I mean, what if he really manages to take down Zhang Cheng?"

Hu Bingyang took a deep drag of his cigarette and slowly exhaled: "He can arrest the person. After arresting him, I'll take him away."

"Alright, with your words as a safety net, I understand." Zhao Daming stood up. "I'm going to the bureau."

Huang Dehai watched Zhao Daming's retreating figure, wondering, "What kind of bewitching drug did Zhang Cheng give Old Zhao?"

Hu Bingyang stubbed out his cigarette: "Zhang Cheng is no simple man. He's a country bumpkin from the mountains, bold and meticulous. From the medicinal herb business to the clothing store, and then to the video arcade, every step he took was perfectly timed. I heard he brought back tens of millions of yuan in treasury bonds from Jiaxing this time. Otherwise, how could he have gotten involved with such a ruthless gang? Zhong Te wants to suppress him by force, but it'll be difficult. Unless Secretary Liu personally gives the order."

Huang Dehai clicked his tongue in amazement: "Is it really that strange?"

“Funing is about to become a city, and this is the perfect time to attract investment. If Zhang Cheng is willing to invest, he'll be a godsend. Isn't Zhong Te just causing trouble for the city by jumping out at this time?” Hu Bingyang smiled meaningfully.

...

The Santana sped along the national highway.

After driving for nearly four days straight, Zhang Cheng's eyelids felt heavy, and all he wanted to do was lie down and sleep.

But tonight is Shengzi's lantern-hanging night, so he must rush back to the village.

"Brother, we're almost in the county town," Li Fuguo called out from the passenger seat.

Zhang Cheng hummed in agreement: "When we go into the city later, you should go to the supply and marketing cooperative first and buy more sacrificial offerings, food, and other necessities."

"Okay!"

The outline of the national highway toll station is becoming clearer.

Zhong Te's bloodshot eyes were fixed on the distance. A black Santana drove up, and he habitually raised his hand to signal it to stop.

The license plate number...that's it!

Zhang Cheng!

Zhong Te's spirits lifted instantly, all the fatigue of the past few days vanished, "I've finally waited for you!"

Inside the car, Zhang Cheng frowned slightly as he looked at Zhong Te, who was waving his hand in front of him. He was dressed in a police uniform but looked more like a highway robber than a policeman. He turned the steering wheel slightly and the car gradually slowed down.

"Get off the bus! Everyone get off the bus!"

As soon as the Santana came to a stop on the side of the road, Zhong Te pounced on it like a hungry wolf, pulled out a pistol from his waist, and smashed the butt of the gun hard against the driver's side window!

"Clang!"

Glass shards flew everywhere.

Zhang Cheng suddenly turned his head to the side, and a shard of glass flew past his cheek, leaving a few thin streaks of blood.

"Get down here!" Zhong Te roared, pointing his gun directly at Zhang Cheng's head.

"Director Zhong, why are you in such a bad mood so early in the morning?" Zhang Cheng raised his hands, his voice calm. "Can I open the door myself?"

"Enough talk! Now!"

Zhang Jianhao, sitting in the back seat, suddenly sharpened his eyes and silently reached for his lower back with his right hand.

Zhang Cheng remained expressionless, slowly reaching out to push open the car door. He was afraid of provoking Zhong Te, who was already somewhat crazed; at such close range, if a shot were fired, even a god couldn't dodge it.

He had barely taken a step when Zhong Te grabbed his arm and slammed his upper body against the scorching hot hood.

Just as Zhong Teteng reached for the handcuffs on his waist, the back door suddenly sprang open, and Li Fuguo pounced out like a leopard, delivering a powerful kick to Zhong Teteng's side!

"Ugh!" Caught off guard, Zhong Te grunted and was kicked sideways, his pistol slipping from his hand and rolling a long way on the ground.

He never dreamed that this group of people would be so audacious as to attack a police officer in broad daylight!

Zhong Te rolled on the ground in a sorry state, ignoring the pain, and lunged at the pistol that had fallen two or three meters away.

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