When the villager saw that the man was in military uniform and that the guards following behind him were carrying real weapons, he shrank back in fright and quickly answered.
"Yes, yes, the one who was arrested is Xiao Weiguo."
The middle-aged man frowned, peeked into the yard, and found that there was a lively commotion inside.
He waved his hand and strode into the courtyard with two guards.
"Stop! Everyone stop! What's going on?"
The middle-aged man had a rough voice and a very loud voice. His shout immediately stopped the people who were fighting.
"Excuse me, who are you? Don't obstruct us from performing our official duties."
A police officer stepped forward and stopped the middle-aged soldier.
A guard answered loudly, "We are from the county's armed forces department. This is our Minister Liu."
Upon hearing the words "Minister Liu," the four police officers quickly released Xiao Weiguo and stepped forward to salute.
Although the Public Security Bureau and the Armed Forces Department are not part of the same system, they are both public officials. In terms of rank, the Minister of the Armed Forces Department is on the same level as the head of their county's Public Security Bureau. As ordinary police officers, they must be given appropriate respect.
"Minister Liu, we are on official business. Please provide instructions."
The middle-aged soldier nodded with a gloomy face.
"My name is Liu Changhe. What official business are you carrying out? Could you please explain in detail?"
The police officers exchanged glances, and one of them replied, "Reporting to the commander, we received a tip from the public that this person is engaging in speculation and profiteering. We are about to take him back for questioning."
No sooner had they finished speaking than Xiao Weiguo seized the opportunity and jumped out.
"Reporting to the commander, I did not engage in speculation or profiteering. I simply helped the workers at the sock factory sell their surplus socks, thus solving their livelihood problems. How can this be considered speculation or profiteering?"
At this point, the authorities had already made a relatively clear definition of speculative activities.
Only acts of profiting through improper means (such as hoarding, short selling, adulteration, and price manipulation) can be classified as speculation.
Strictly speaking, selling a few pairs of socks like Xiao Weiguo doesn't constitute this crime.
The socks are produced in their county, and they can't even sell them all, so there's no such thing as a scarce commodity.
Upon seeing Xiao Weiguo, Liu Changhe did not say much on the matter.
He put on a smiling face, quickly stepped forward, and reached out to shake hands with Xiao Weiguo.
"Comrade Xiao Weiguo, right? I came here today specifically to thank you. Thank you for risking your life to save my elderly mother. Thank you so much."
He gripped Xiao Weiguo's hand tightly, his voice filled with excitement.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Weiguo immediately understood the man's background.
This morning he had just taken an old lady to the township clinic. Needless to say, this was the old lady's son who worked in the county town.
Surprisingly, he was also the head of the county's armed forces department.
No wonder the ancients said, "Do good deeds and don't worry about the future." Sometimes, an unintentional act of kindness may sow the seeds of good fortune for oneself.
Xiao Weiguo grinned modestly.
"Minister Liu, you don't need to be so polite. Grandma Liu is so old, anyone would lend a hand if they saw her. I just don't know how Grandma Liu is doing now. Has her condition improved? I was just saying that after I finished my work, I would go to the clinic to see her later."
"The condition has now stabilized and is gradually improving. The doctor said that it was thanks to your reminder that the cause of the illness was found in time, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable."
"I also heard that because of your reminder, your township health center has discovered two more patients with fever. They also have the same disease, and it has already been reported. You have done a great service this time, and the county may even reward you."
Liu Changhe looked at Xiao Weiguo with admiration.
What a fine young man, neither humble nor arrogant, without a trace of pride or conceit.
"Oh, right, this is the hundred yuan you paid for my hospital bill."
Liu Changhe took out a stack of ten-yuan notes and handed them to Xiao Weiguo.
Xiao Weiguo quickly declined.
"Minister Liu, don't mention it. This little bit of money is just for Grandma to buy some supplements to help her recover. You don't need to be so polite."
Liu Changhe's face darkened, and he said seriously, "One thing at a time. Since you call me Grandma, then I'll accept you as my nephew. If you bring me things to visit the old lady in the future, I will never refuse. But this is the hospital fee you paid in advance. As her son, I can't not pay it back. Otherwise, how can I face people in the future?"
Seeing that he was serious, Xiao Weiguo realized that if he didn't accept the gift, the man might really turn against him, so he had no choice but to accept it with a wry smile.
"Since Uncle Liu puts it that way, I won't stand on ceremony with you."
He spent his entire life in business in his previous life, and he had honed his skill in taking advantage of opportunities to the fullest.
The moment he addressed him as "Uncle Liu," their relationship immediately became extraordinary.
They chatted amongst themselves, leaving the four police officers standing aside.
At this point, they finally couldn't hold back any longer. "We're here investigating a case, what's with you chatting like this?"
"Sir, Xiao Weiguo is our suspect. Please allow us to take him back to cooperate with our investigation."
These men were straightforward. They were ordered to bring Xiao Weiguo back, so they were determined to do so. What was wrong with being the Minister of Armed Forces? He couldn't possibly obstruct the law enforcement of the public security department, could he?
But who is Liu Changhe? He was someone who carried a gun and earned a second-class merit in the war against the Southern Monkeys; otherwise, he wouldn't have become the Minister of Armed Forces.
The fighting spirit of soldiers and the mentality of public security officers under local administration are completely different.
He looked at Xiao Weiguo and thought, "Xiao Weiguo must be a good person. How could a hero who disregards his own life and sacrifices himself for others become a criminal?"
Are there criminals with such a strong sense of righteousness?
Those who have come from the battlefield value character most and cherish loyalty and camaraderie the most.
Liu Changhe frowned and turned to ask the policeman.
"Comrade, didn't they say they only sold a few pairs of socks? They're not some scarce commodity. How did that become speculation and profiteering?"
"Besides, wasn't he trying to solve the practical difficulties faced by the sock factory workers?"
"this......."
Several police officers hesitated. Liu Changhe was right. According to regulations, this could not be considered speculation at all. Society today is not like it was in 1979, when ordinary people could not even sell vegetables.
Xiao Changxiao, who had been peeking from outside the door, was extremely anxious when he discovered that Xiao Weiguo's situation had taken a turn for the better.
How can we let him slip away so easily when we've finally seized this opportunity?
When his son called the village office to tell him the news, he was overjoyed. He hadn't had a chance to get revenge on the little rascal who slapped him.
He gritted his teeth and squeezed through the crowd.
"Sir, I'm reporting that this kid is selling socks at extremely high prices, with profits several times over."
After all, price gouging is a form of speculation. Xiao Weiguo bought it for 60 cents and sold it for 1.5 yuan, so his profit was more than double.
When Xiao Weiguo saw the old man, he immediately understood.
Needless to say, it must have been this family who reported him.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
