Hearing Yi Zhonghai's words, Xu Damao really wanted to say that Sha Zhu deserved it. This kid had been bringing kitchen stuff home, making the neighbors envious and resentful. To be honest, people are honest these days; no one reported him, otherwise this kid would have been in jail long ago.

But Yi Zhonghai found him, and coincidentally, the security department was nominally under his jurisdiction, so he couldn't refuse to show up. If he showed up and Sha Zhu couldn't come out, that was none of his business; if he didn't show up, sooner or later, rumors about him would spread throughout the courtyard.

"Where's Qin Huairu?" Xu Damao asked curiously. Why hadn't his wife shown up when Sha Zhu had gotten into trouble?

“She was already waiting at the factory security office, worried that Sha Zhu would get into a fight and get punished,” Yi Zhonghai said.

Given Sha Zhu's personality, he's very likely to get into conflicts with people, and it's perfectly normal for him to get beaten up.

"Okay, I'll pack up and come right away. You just wait at home," Xu Damao said.

After telling his family about the situation, Xu Damao picked up a steamed bun, ate it in two or three bites, and then hurriedly rode his bicycle out.

Xu Damao knew the chances of getting things done on this trip were slim. He'd never been able to get involved in the security department; Ma Dabao controlled it very tightly. Besides, the person handling this was Fang Hu, the deputy head of the security department, not just an ordinary security officer. Xu Damao's words might not be enough to sway Fang Hu's approval.

As soon as Xu Damao arrived at the gate of the steel rolling mill, he saw Qin Huairu standing at the entrance, looking out. Upon seeing Xu Damao, she immediately came to greet him.

Under Sha Zhu's constant feeding over the past few years, Qin Huairu's figure has become increasingly plump—well, a bit too plump, approaching 150 pounds, and starting to resemble Jia Zhangshi more and more. Given her running and sprinting speed, Xu Damao worries that if he were to hit her, it would definitely be a car accident.

"Da Mao, you're finally here! Hurry and save Sha Zhu. I just heard the sound of Sha Zhu being beaten outside. It's so awful. I'm worried he'll be beaten to death if we don't go soon." Qin Huairu grabbed Xu Da Mao's hand and started to pull him inside.

Xu Damao subtly withdrew his hand; Qin Huairu was becoming too greasy, and he couldn't handle it. However, Xu Damao was still surprised to hear that Sha Zhu had been beaten.

Although law enforcement was brutal in those days, these were all acquaintances in the factory. Sha Zhu was, after all, the deputy director of the canteen and had a good relationship with the leaders. Even if something happened, they generally wouldn't beat people.

Fang Hu's act of assaulting someone indicates that the other party has suffered a significant loss of face in front of their family and friends, making the situation difficult to handle.

As Xu Damao walked to the door, the security officer immediately stood at attention and saluted. To ordinary officers, the head of the armed forces department was their official superior; while the section chief and deputy section chief might disregard Xu Damao, they couldn't.

"Did you arrest Sha Zhu? Is Section Chief Fang inside?" Xu Damao asked directly.

"They arrested Sha Zhu, and Section Chief Fang is interrogating him inside. But Section Chief Fang said no one is allowed to go in right now." The junior clerk was clever; he explained the situation clearly in just a few words.

It seems that Fang Hu had anticipated Xu Damao's arrival and had taken precautions in advance.

The security department has a row of buildings next to the guardhouse. In addition to the accommodations for the security officers, there are several cells specifically for detaining people. Therefore, the security measures are very strict and require the approval of the security department.

"Alright, I know. You continue standing guard. I'll go check the area." Xu Damao led Qin Huairu to the side.

When the two security officers on duty saw Xu Damao pass by, they exchanged a glance, as if to say that something interesting might happen today. After one of them signaled to the other, he immediately followed quietly behind, ready to watch the excitement.

When they arrived at the house next door, Xu Damao was about to go in when he was stopped by someone.

"Halt! No entry without permission." A guard sitting nearby stood up.

“I am Xu Damao, I’m going in to see your Section Chief Fang,” Xu Damao said.

"Ah, Minister Xu, I'm sorry, I didn't see it clearly." The gatekeeper was quite flustered.

"Since you know me, can I go in?" Xu Damao asked.

“I know him, but Section Chief Fang specifically instructed that no one can go in without his permission. What, what should we do?” The gatekeeper looked like a newbie who hadn’t been working long and had no idea how to handle the situation.

For him, the instructions from his direct superior were very important, but the minister in front of him was the highest-ranking leader he had ever come into contact with, putting him in a dilemma.

"You can go directly to Section Chief Fang to report. I'll wait here." Xu Damao wouldn't make things difficult for a child and directly told him to go find Fang Hu.

Hearing Xu Damao say this, the gatekeeper felt relieved and immediately ran to the back to find Fang Hu. As for whether Xu Damao would come in directly, he had completely forgotten about it.

Xu Damao remained standing at the door. He was indeed a leader in the Armed Forces Department and had the right to enter any area under its jurisdiction, but today's matter concerned Sha Zhu, and he had no need to push things too far.

After waiting for about ten minutes, just as Qin Huairu was getting impatient, Fang Hu came out.

"Minister Fang, what brings you here so late at night to give us your guidance?"

Fang Hu was old enough to be Xu Damao's father and was also a powerful leader, so his words naturally showed little respect for Xu Damao.

When Xu Damao was first appointed as the head of the Armed Forces Department, Ma Dabao's old subordinates were prepared to give him a hard time. However, to their surprise, Xu Damao simply refused to come to the Security Section, thwarting their plans.

As time went by, the idea of ​​dealing with Xu Damao naturally weakened, but unexpectedly, the other party delivered the goods to their door today.

Xu Damao was displeased by the other party's unfriendly tone. In officialdom, mutual respect is paramount; even leaders without real power maintain a facade of mutual respect as long as there's no conflict of interest.

But for a deputy section chief under him to speak to him in such a tone, he truly didn't know his place. If Xu Damao didn't take any action today, his image as weak and easily bullied would become deeply ingrained in the security department.

"Hehe, Deputy Section Chief Fang, is it your shift today?" Xu Damao asked directly.

"Oh, it's not my shift today. No, boss, what do you mean? Are you questioning me?"

Fang Hu was furious that Xu Damao had questioned him despite not targeting him. This brat, barely out of his teens, dared to act tough here. He was determined to make Xu Damao suffer a crushing defeat.

“I’m not questioning you, but someone has complained that you abused your power by physically assaulting a suspect. Did you do that? If you did, correct it immediately. Otherwise, you will be held accountable once the investigation is complete.”

Xu Damao found a stool and sat down, then asked Fang Hu. Today's matter was no longer just about Sha Zhu, but about whether Xu Damao could continue working in the Armed Forces Department. Therefore, he had to handle things according to his own plan.

"What? I abused my power? Xu Damao, do you really think you're something? Let me tell you, in our security department, you're nothing but a fart."

"I'll let you in if I consider you a minister; if I don't, get out of here!" Fang Hu roared.