※…When the police car from the police station sped to the courtyard of Taoyuan Xiaozhu, Zhang Guodong was under a large umbrella, sipping warm tea. The hotter the weather, the more comforting a pot of hot tea felt, as soon as it went down his throat. It made every pore on his body open up, bringing him immense comfort.
"Hey! This kid's pretty laid-back, seeing his buddies arrive, he's just drinking tea?!" The police car stopped, and the door opened. Zheng Chun led five men out. One of the auxiliary police officers glanced at the man under the umbrella in the yard and immediately cursed. It was Zhao Wu! Now Zheng Chun's lackey.
The two police officers glanced at the small villa, a hint of hesitation in their eyes. Someone who could afford to spend millions to build a villa must have some powerful connections.
However, forced by Zheng Chun this time, they had to bite the bullet and go for it. The two exchanged a knowing glance, nodded almost imperceptibly, and then glanced at Zhao Xiaowang and the auxiliary guard Zhao Wu. They decided that they would let the two auxiliary guards charge first.
"Hmph!" Zheng Chun, displeased, snorted coldly at Zhang Guodong and led the way into the courtyard. He had seen plenty of pretentious people and wealthy individuals, but Zhang Guodong's ordinary attire, lacking any extravagance, and his youth, immediately swayed Zheng Chun into the ranks of pretentious individuals.
"What are you doing here?" Zhang Guodong frowned and stood up. Then he suddenly realized. "Oh, look at my memory. You're the people who accompanied the township leaders on their inspection tour earlier, right? What brings you here?"
"Kid, you're putting on quite a show. You just released a poisonous snake that bit Township Chief Liu, and you've already forgotten about that? Heh heh!" Zhao Wu, eager to prove himself, rushed forward.
This pale-faced man in front of me must be Lan Hua's lover, right? Hmph, you messed with Director Zheng this time, you deserve your bad luck! Zhao Wu's actions can be considered settling personal scores while keeping his public and private interests in check.
"You've got it wrong, haven't you? This is Snake Valley, everyone in Jixing Village knows that. Village Chief Zhao Sanshun and I warned them, but your township head wouldn't listen. This has nothing to do with me, right?" Zhang Guodong said unhappily. "You dare say I didn't say that? Let the villagers confront me, and then it'll be clear!"
"Hmph, I am Zheng Chun, the police station chief. Now, please cooperate with our work, show me your ID card, and give a statement. Whether you released the poisonous snake or not will be clear in a moment!" Zheng Chun said with a stern face, seemingly intending to handle the matter officially.
He gave the order. His men, especially Zhao Wu, were the fastest to run. They stared at Zhang Guodong and chuckled.
“Okay. Cooperating with the police is a citizen’s duty. Please wait a moment, I’ll go upstairs to get my ID.” Zhang Guodong agreed and turned to walk upstairs.
"Director Zheng, should we follow them? I'm afraid this kid might be up to something." Zhao Wu said, seizing the opportunity.
Zheng Chun gave Zhao Wu an approving look; this kid was quite perceptive. He nodded in agreement. Zhao Wu, following orders, went upstairs.
Zhao Xiaowang was a little worried, but the two police officers next to him saw that there were cold drinks under the parasol. One of them immediately said, "Chief Zheng, it's very hot outside. Please sit down. You're really enjoying yourself here. There are even cold drinks."
"kindness!"
Zhang Guodong went upstairs, Zhao Wu following behind. He looked impatient and grumbled. Zhang Guodong glanced at him indifferently and said, "This bedroom is private. You wait outside!"
Without waiting for Zhao Wu to act, Zhang Guodong went inside briefly, closed the door, and came out in the blink of an eye. He had two official ID cards. Upon seeing him, Zhao Wu was immediately enraged.
"Damn it! You're messing with me!" He was actually refused entry by Zhang Guodong, and tried to grab Zhang Guodong's chest.
"What do you want to do? Hit someone?" Zhang Guodong exclaimed in exaggerated surprise. "Ouch!"
Zhang Guodong stumbled back a few steps.
*Slap!* In his panicked outstretched hand, Zhang Guodong's hand made intimate contact with Zhao Wu's face, producing a loud sound.
Then Zhao Wu lost his balance and tumbled down the stairs. This was witnessed by Zheng Chun and the others below.
"Damn it! Get him! Beat him to death!" Zheng Chun was furious when he saw this. Zhao Wu had actually been beaten up. The stairs weren't long, but rolling down them would probably give him a concussion.
The two police officers were somewhat surprised, not expecting that the owner of this Peach Blossom Abode would dare to assault a police officer? Could this be considered legitimate? Only Zhao Wang was surprised, took a step back, and then became resolute.
He's prepared. If they betray us when the game really starts, the zone defense won't have to work anymore!
Just then, Zhang Guodong, who had come downstairs, shouted, "Chief Zheng, I acted in self-defense! I was going upstairs to find my ID card. Your joint defense team actually tried to force their way into a private residence, and when they failed, they resorted to violence! I acted in self-defense!"
Zhang Guodong seemed to be scared, but Zheng Chun sneered repeatedly and said, "Self-defense? I didn't see it. I only saw someone violently attacking the police. Get him! Arrest him! Hehe."
"Wait!" Zhang Guodong hurriedly called out. "Chief Zheng, please sit down and talk. I believe your police force will deliver justice."
Zhang Guodong winked at Zheng Chun and rubbed his hands together. The gesture was subtle, but Zheng Chun noticed it. Money? He frowned, his anger instantly subsiding.
"Damn it. Money talks. This kid actually knows how to use money to throw things around?" Zheng Chun cursed inwardly, but finally decided to see how things went.
He waved to the three men, who then led the groaning Zhao Wu into the car. They also brought several bottles of cold drinks. Why not have some?
The two police officers, however, were quite perceptive. Zhao Xiaowang, standing in front of the car, asked curiously, "Brother Ming, what's there for Chief Zheng to talk about with him?"
Ming chuckled three times and said, "Little Wang, learn more in the future. Director Zheng naturally has 'important matters' to discuss with people."
This didn't explain much. Zhao Xiaocai pretended to be confused and asked, "Important matter?"
Then, looking at Ming's hand-clasping gesture, Zhao Xiaowang exclaimed in surprise, "Money? What about the case investigation?"
"Shh, don't let Chief Zheng hear us. This is a huge problem! Don't make a fuss, it's nothing. This is a run-down place like the police station, we don't even get paid, and there are no bonuses. If we don't make some extra money, we'll starve." Ming said nonchalantly. "And the case investigation? If you don't have money to bribe your way in, just wait for the investigation. Rich people will naturally be treated leniently. Once the investigation is over, they'll just leave!"
"Don't go anywhere, you'll get used to it!" another police officer said impatiently. "Don't say things like that again. We're only reminding you this time because we're all here together. If you say it again and Chief Zheng hears you, your position in the joint defense will be in jeopardy. It's always right to listen to your superiors!"
Indeed, we've seen this kind of thing many times. If you participate in the operation, you might get a share of the spoils, which is easier than getting a salary. So everyone shut up. Besides, Zheng Chun is not only the police station chief but also a member of the township party committee, a deputy section-level leader, and has Secretary Chang backing him. The police station treats this gray income as bonuses, so what's there to be afraid of?
Zhao Xiaowang and the others waited in the car, glancing at the yard every now and then. It was incredibly hot inside the car; the fan was barely blowing any air, and everyone was sweating profusely.
"Damn it, I need to go back and take a hot shower, this is so uncomfortable!" Ming said, opening his collar and fanning himself.
Just then, a commotion broke out on the other end, and Zheng Chunteng suddenly stood up. He yelled at them, "You three, come here!"
Zheng Chun's face was ashen; his anger was palpable. Zhang Guodong had enraged him. Damn it. How dare he play me for a fool? Trying to settle things peacefully with a penny-pinching attitude? And he even dared to threaten me?
Zhang Guodong's smile vanished this time. He said calmly, "Chief Zheng, I don't have 100,000 yuan. If it's just to treat everyone to a meal on this hot day, that's no problem; I have 1,000 yuan in my pocket. It's a matter of police-community cooperation. We can't let everyone suffer too much in this heat! But you're openly soliciting bribes like this; aren't you afraid of breaking the law?"
"Don't give me that platitude. When did I solicit bribes? I'm officially warning you now, you're bribing the police, and I now suspect you of murdering Township Chief Liu. Once we get to the station, everything will come to light!" Zheng Chun smiled coldly and said in a low voice. "I'll let you know what happens to those who try to cheat others. In Zhangba Township, even if you're a dragon, you'll have to coil up before me."
“You’re threatening a law-abiding citizen!” Zhang Guodong said coldly.
"Interpret it however you like!" Zheng Chun sneered, and with a wave of his hand, Ming Ge and his companions tried to grab Zhang Guodong, even taking out their handcuffs.
"Hey sis, take a look!" It was Zheng Chun's phone ringing.
He glanced at the number and saw it was an unfamiliar number. Zheng Chun hung up, but the phone rang again. He answered angrily, "Who are you? Don't you know I'm busy right now?"
There was a pause on the other end of the phone. Then he said, "Chief Zheng? This is Guo Shangyun, the deputy secretary of the township discipline inspection commission. I've been ordered to work with the police station to investigate the owner of Taoyuan Xiaozhu. I'll be there soon!"
Who is Guo Shangyun? The deputy secretary of the township discipline inspection commission! Zheng Chun was taken aback, his brow furrowing. What's going on with these people from the discipline inspection commission? Investigating an individual. Investigating a civil case—that seems like a police station matter, doesn't it?
He hadn't expected the disciplinary committee to intervene, especially not on orders. By whose orders?
"Deputy Secretary Guo, I didn't receive any orders from Secretary Chang!" Zheng Chun said coldly. "Besides, does your Discipline Inspection Commission investigate civil and criminal cases?"
Zheng Chun naturally couldn't tolerate the overstepping of his authority in investigating the case and interfering in the affairs of the police station, so he didn't speak kindly to him.
Guo Shangyun was slightly annoyed and said, "This was decided at a temporary meeting of the Party Committee, jointly decided by Secretary Chang, Mayor Wang, and several other leaders. You can call and inquire!"
The phone rang and then went dead, because the disciplinary committee's car had arrived.
Guo Shangyun led the two men out of the car and walked into the courtyard. The atmosphere became somewhat tense. Were the Discipline Inspection Commission and the police station vying for the right to handle cases?
Zheng Chun hadn't expected that the Discipline Inspection Commission personnel were exercising a vague power: supervision! Zhangba Township didn't have an independent supervision office; this power fell under the Discipline Inspection Commission. So, in a way, it wasn't too outrageous for the Discipline Inspection Commission personnel to be here.
"What are you doing? Director Zheng, is there already a result? Why are you arresting people?" Guo Shangyun looked at Zheng Chun and said without a smile when he saw the situation.
"What kind of result is this?!" Zheng Chun sneered. "If you hadn't come, there would have been a result soon. I suspect this man released a poisonous snake to bite Township Chief Liu, so naturally he needs to be taken back for interrogation!"
"So there's no evidence? Director Zheng, you're violating regulations!" Guo Shangyun shouted angrily. "Release them immediately, or I will report this to Secretary Chang, Township Head Wang, and Secretary Chen. You're conducting an investigation, not arresting criminals!"
Seeing Zhang Guodong easily break free from the control of Ming Ge and his companions with a wave of his hand, Zheng Chun was furious. However, under pressure, Guo Shangyun refused to compromise and finally chose to release him.
Township Head Wang? Everyone was stunned. Did this person know Township Head Wang? Or were there several township heads with the surname Wang? Only the actual township head, Wang Kang!
Zhang Guodong shook his head slightly, walked aside, and made a phone call to the fat man. The commission was complete. Zheng Chun was finished! He never expected this guy to walk right into his line of fire.
"Fatty, the police station and the discipline inspection commission are here. I'll be in the township soon, you'd better come over, I have something to give you!"
After quickly finishing the phone call, Zhang Guodong said to Guo Shangyun and the bewildered Zheng Chun, "I need to borrow your car for a bit. Is there anything you want to know? I'll go to the township with you!"
"Thank you for your cooperation!" Guo Shangyun said politely. He wondered to himself, did this man really know Mayor Wang? Regardless, this was just an investigation; being polite was never a bad thing.
Zheng Chun was different. He was surprised. Could this person be related to Fatty Wang? But then he thought, even if they were related, so what? The township secretary, Chang, was the one who called the shots!
"Hmph, I have no objection. It would be best if you could cooperate. You two, please ask this gentleman to get in the car!" Zheng Chun and Ming Ge winked at each other.
“I think we should get in our car. Your car is too crowded with five people!” Guo Shangyun said.
The police station's vehicles were too crowded, so I ended up taking the disciplinary committee's vehicle instead.
Zhang Guodong finally got to ride the bus. The Discipline Inspection Commission and the local police station were all mobilized, yet he remained completely unfazed. Some things at the grassroots level are actually quite simple, yet also very complex. In any case, the matter the fat man had entrusted to him had come to a conclusion.
When they arrived at the police station, they found an extra car inside – the township head's seat!
Sure enough, as soon as the fat man heard the car outside, he came out immediately. He was accompanied by Li Hong, the instructor of the institute, and Jin Xiangyang, the deputy director.
"Mayor Wang!" Guo Shangyun was startled to see the fat man there and immediately got out of the car to greet him respectfully. Zhang Guodong got out of the car a little later. Zheng Chun, however, had a gloomy expression.
Damn it, what's this fat guy doing here? He's here?
"Comrade Shangyun, you've worked hard!" The fat man shook hands with Guo Shangyun and said with a smile.
"No trouble at all, no trouble at all!" Guo Shangyun hurriedly replied. "Zhang Guodong, the owner of Taoyuan Xiaozhu, has already been invited to assist in the investigation. What do you think, Township Head Wang?"
He had a brief conversation with Zhang Guodong on the way and confirmed that Zhang Guodong knew Mayor Wang and that they seemed to have a good relationship. Before investigating the matter thoroughly, he decided it was best to remain polite. Now, seeing Mayor Wang come in person, he was even more certain of this.
"This is under Chief Zheng's jurisdiction. Let the police station handle it. Your Discipline Inspection Commission can carry out the Party Committee's decision. However, Chief Zheng, I'd like to speak with Zhang Guodong. That might take a little time. How about that? Comrade Shang Yun, you come too." The fat man said seriously.
Guo Shangyun was taken aback, then nodded as if he understood and followed. This was because Mayor Wang was avoiding suspicion; with the disciplinary committee members present, things would be easier to discuss.
Zheng Chun felt neglected and couldn't understand why Fatty Wang had come in person. Just to be on the safe side, he called Chang Lin, but the latter hesitated for a moment, seemingly also puzzled, and only said to follow the rules and investigate the truth of the matter!
In a room at the police station, only Zhang Guodong, Fatty, and Guo Shangyun were present. As soon as Fatty entered the room, he dropped his pretense and said to Guo Shangyun, "Zhang Guodong is my college classmate. I should have avoided him in this situation, but I have complete faith in his character!"
Guo Shangyun smiled and nodded. He understood immediately. It really was true!
“Fatty, your station chief is a real scoundrel! Last time, when I was handling the household registration transfer, he started making things difficult and stalling. In the end, I had to spend nearly a thousand yuan at the restaurant run by his wife to get it done smoothly. This time, I wasn't so stupid. I reminded that Township Head Liu to be careful, but this Station Chief Zheng instigated it, and in the end, something really bad happened. I was wondering if I was going to get into trouble. Sure enough, the police arrived. If Secretary Guo hadn't been there, I probably would have been interrogated!” Zhang Guodong said, half-jokingly angry.
His words were astonishing, at least to Guo Shangyun's surprise. To directly address Township Head Wang as "Fatty"—what kind of relationship was this? It was even closer than Guo Shangyun had imagined!
The fat man rolled his eyes and said with a wry smile, "I'm the township head, after all. You have to give me some face in front of Secretary Guo, right?"
Zhang Guodong snorted, pulled out an ordinary electronic voice recorder, and tossed it to the puzzled fat man—the long-range kind, of course. Its effective range could reach 500 meters!
"This is the evidence, I'm not lying. If it weren't for my hobby of collecting these recording pens, which came in handy this time, I'd probably be in deep trouble if I went to your police station!" Zhang Guodong said, still seething with anger. He was also saying this to Guo Shangyun. Did he need such high-sounding words to explain his relationship with the fat man? It was all a pretense.
The fat man's expression changed, and he solemnly put the item away. He then said seriously to Guo Shangyun, "Secretary Guo, let's listen to this together!"
The voice was already tinged with anger. The fat man's acting was also quite good.
Note: Second update, 4800 words. Regardless, I'm doing my best to write. Please continue to subscribe and vote.
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