Xu Kuo took a deep breath, suppressing his surging anger, and instead smiled, a somewhat cold smile: "Secretary Shi, since you don't trust Jubaozhai, then how about this, you take your men to search my warehouse right now! See if there are any of those 'stolen goods' you mentioned!"
He paused, his eyes sharp as knives, staring directly at Shi Jixing, and added, word by word, "However, I must warn you, you can search, but don't regret it after you've done it!"
"Regret? Hahaha!" Xu Jianguo jumped out from the side, pointing at Xu Kuo's nose and sneering, "Still being stubborn even when you're about to die! Xu Kuo, I think you're just a fool! Once Secretary Shi finds all the evidence against you, let's see how arrogant you can still be! Don't be begging us to spare you then!"
Shi Jixing was also suspicious of Xu Kuo's unusual behavior, but the die was cast, and he was certain that Xu Kuo was bluffing. He snorted coldly and waved to the two guards beside him: "You two, keep a close eye on him! Don't let him get away!"
Although the two security officers were wary of Xu Kuo's military strength, they dared not disobey Shi Jixing's orders and could only grit their teeth and stand on either side of Xu Kuo, ostensibly to "guard" him, but in reality to monitor him.
"Let's go! To the warehouse!" Shi Jixing waved his hand and led Xu Jianguo, the remaining security officers, and a group of villagers who were waiting to see a good show, heading aggressively toward the warehouse that Xu Kuo had rented.
Xu Kuo watched their departing figures, a cold smile curving his lips. "Want to go to the warehouse? Sure, but I hope your hearts can handle it!"
He turned around and grinned at the two nervous security officers beside him: "Come on, comrades, come with me somewhere."
The two security officers were taken aback, wondering what Xu Kuo was up to.
Xu Kuo didn't offer any further explanation and walked straight in another direction. That direction was where Zhou Changke's house was located.
One of the more astute security officers immediately realized something was wrong. Xu Kuo wasn't going to the warehouse, but instead heading towards Zhou Changke's house? What was this kid up to? His first instinct was to turn around and run back to inform Shi Jixing.
"Hey, what's the rush?" Xu Kuo seemed to have eyes in the back of his head. He stretched out his arm and casually put it on his shoulder, but the force was so strong that he could not resist, and he pulled him back from taking the step.
He felt a sudden weight on his shoulder, a tremendous force that rendered him immobile, and cold sweat instantly beaded on his forehead. Seeing this, the other security officer dared not make a move either.
Soon, the three of them arrived at the entrance of Zhou Changke's courtyard.
Xu Kuo stepped forward and knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" Zhou Changke's slightly puzzled voice came from inside the house.
Soon, the door creaked open. Zhou Changke was taken aback when he saw Xu Kuo standing in the doorway, along with two uniformed, tense-looking security officers behind him: "Xiao Xu? What brings you here?"
Xu Kuo immediately put on a warm smile and, without saying a word, pulled the two security officers into the house: "Brother Zhou! Long time no see! I just happened to be passing by, so I brought these two comrades in to say hello!"
As he spoke, he winked at Zhou Changke, "Brother Zhou, I'm in a little trouble, I need your help!"
Zhou Changke frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping over Xu Kuo and the two security officers who were clearly uneasy, with a hint of scrutiny: "Xiao Xu, what are you up to? What's the matter that requires these two comrades to 'accompany' you here?"
Xu Kuo didn't beat around the bush. His smile vanished, his expression turned serious, and he gave a concise and clear account of the whole story.
"Brother Zhou! Something terrible has happened! I need your help! That old bastard Shi Jixing, together with my good-for-nothing brother Xu Jianguo, insists that the items I got at the auction are stolen goods, and they're even going to raid my warehouse! They've already bribed the auction house, and we can't find any witnesses! You were at the auction that day and saw everything clearly, you have to be my witness!"
"Outrageous!" Zhou Changke slammed his hand on the table beside him after hearing this. His face was ashen, and he was filled with rage. "Shi Jixing has some nerve! How dare he frame someone like this in broad daylight? I think he's forgotten who he is!"
The sudden aura of authority emanating from this old comrade made the two security officers tremble and lower their heads even further.
Zhou Changke looked at Xu Kuo, his eyes sharp and firm: "Don't worry, Xu! With me here, let's see who dares to touch you! I'm determined to handle this! I will give you justice!"
Li Qiang and the other security officer felt a chill run down their spines. It's over! Secretary Shi has really messed with them this time! This is Zhou Changke!
Others might not know, but those within the system had heard rumors. Zhou Changke wasn't just any ordinary veteran; years ago, he had donated a batch of extremely valuable family heirlooms to the country, which earned him special treatment!
It is said that he has a certain power to supervise the actions of local officials and can even directly report the situation to higher authorities! Of all people to offend, Shi Jixing had to mess with this big shot who rarely shows his face!
Now, they're probably going to suffer a big fall! The two exchanged a glance, both seeing fear and a hint of... relief in each other's eyes. Luckily, they hadn't tried to stop Xu Kuo earlier, otherwise they would probably be in trouble too.
Without saying a word, Zhou Changke turned around and went into the inner room. He quickly picked up the old-fashioned but well-maintained black telephone and dialed a number.
He spoke into the microphone, his tone steady yet carrying an undeniable authority: "Hello? Old leader?... Yes, it's me, Section Chief... Um, I've encountered a situation here, involving local officials abusing their power and framing people... Yes, it's quite serious... I need to send a capable person down to investigate... Okay, I'll wait for him."
After hanging up the phone, Zhou Changke's expression remained somber. He walked out and nodded to Xu Kuo: "Wait, someone from above will be sent down to handle this immediately."
Not long after, the sound of a jeep engine grew louder as it approached, eventually stopping outside the courtyard. A middle-aged man, around forty years old, dressed in a neat Zhongshan suit, with a serious face and sharp, hawk-like eyes, strode in.
He first greeted Zhou Changke respectfully: "Old Zhou."
Zhou Changke nodded and pointed to Xu Kuo: "Xiao Xu, this is Comrade Sheng Xu, who is in charge of handling these kinds of issues, especially those involving cadres' conduct and economic problems."
He then turned to Sheng Xu: "Comrade Sheng Xu, this is Xu Kuo, the victim in this matter. Go with him and make sure to get to the bottom of this matter. We cannot let an upright comrade suffer an injustice!"
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