30. Exultant Triumph at the Second Precinct

"Hey! What are you doing? What are you doing? Do you have any idea what kind of place this is? You dare to come here and stir up trouble—are you all tired of living? Let go of him!"

It took a moment for the officers of the First Precinct to react. They scrambled to find people and even summoned their own precinct chief. The two sides collided, creating a chaotic scene that drew a crowd of onlookers outside the station, pointing and whispering at the commotion.

The chief of the First Precinct was named Ren Minsheng. He was an aging officer nearing retirement with no powerful connections to speak of. He was the type of man who sought only a peaceful departure, possessing a soft, yielding temperament that prioritized avoiding trouble over achieving merit.

However, soft as he was, he was still the precinct chief. He led his men forward, pushing the Second Precinct officers back and even firing a shot into the ceiling.

"Bang!"

The gunshot left a hole in the ceiling, sending a shower of wood splinters raining down onto the chief's head.

Chief Ren shook his head, looked at the swarming, crowded lobby, and roared at the top of his lungs: "What are you people doing? What is this? A mutiny? Do you even know what you're doing?"

Zhou Hongyi smoothed his clothes and gave a cold snort. "Chief Ren, my apologies. The matter was urgent and I didn't have time to pay you a formal visit, but this Ma Zhixin deserves his fate. He has been colluding with insurgents, trafficking intelligence, and intentionally assaulting officers from my Second Precinct. His heart is wicked and his crimes are unforgivable! I am here today to take him into custody. This has nothing to do with the other brothers here, so I ask that you not obstruct us in our official duties."

"What? Ma Zhixin is colluding with insurgents? Trafficking intelligence? You... who are you?"

Xu Guodong stepped forward, smiling. "Chief Ren, this is the captain of our Second Precinct's Special Action Group, Deputy Chief Zhou Hongyi."

"What? Captain? Deputy Chief? What exactly is his rank?"

The old chief was completely bewildered, his mind a mess. Zhou Hongyi did not give him time to think and shouted, "Men! Take this Ma Zhixin back and subject him to a rigorous interrogation! I want him to confess his crimes and identify his accomplices!"

"Yes!"

Xu Guodong bellowed, gave a wink to Wang Shun, and the two moved forward to seize Ma Zhixin, who was curled on the floor, wailing with blood covering his face.

Chief Ren finally snapped out of it, raising his gun. "Don't move! I am the chief here! How could I not know there were insurgents in my precinct? Even if there were, it is not for the Second Precinct to handle. Aren't your hands reaching a bit too far? Do you have any respect for me as chief? Where is Old Feng? Why isn't Feng Jinxiong here?!"

Zhou Hongyi let out a cold laugh and scanned the room. "This trivial matter hardly requires the presence of Chief Feng. Chief Ren, I hope you won't obstruct justice. Today's arrest is not just an operation of the Second Precinct; it is a joint operation with the No. 76 Headquarters."

"What? How did No. 76 get involved in this?"

Before Chief Ren could process this, several agents in trench coats pushed through the crowd, flashing their badges in his face.

"Ren Minsheng, we have received intelligence that this Ma Zhixin is suspected of colluding with insurgents and must be taken into custody immediately. If you have any questions, you may contact Director Ding. We are taking him now. Any obstruction will be viewed as complicity with the insurgents!"

"Chief... Chief Ren, I've been wronged... I've been wronged! How could I possibly collude with insurgents? They are just settling a private vendetta! They are settling a private vendetta! Help me!"

Ma Zhixin was dragged from the floor, his mouth full of blood, howling in protest to his chief.

Seeing this, Xu Guodong gripped his baton and jabbed it hard into Ma Zhixin’s side. The strike made Ma Zhixin gasp, rendering him unable to utter another sound.

Zhou Hongyi stood there with a cold face, his gaze sweeping over all the officers of the First Precinct. Although they looked indignant, not a single one dared to meet his eyes.

"I am Zhou Hongyi, Captain of the Special Action Group of the Second Precinct, holding the rank of Deputy Chief. Furthermore, I am an operative for the No. 76 Secret Service Headquarters! If anyone is dissatisfied, feel free to come to the Second Precinct to argue the point. I, Zhou Hongyi, am a reasonable man. If you can convince me with evidence, I will release him. If you cannot convince me and have no evidence... then I am sorry, I will treat you all as accomplices to the insurgents. Withdraw!"

The officers of the Second Precinct came in a swarm and left in a swarm, leaving behind a group of bewildered First Precinct officers and their soon-to-be-retired chief in total disarray.

"This... what in the world is going on here? Can someone explain this to me?!"

Looking at the chaotic office and the officers moaning on the floor, Chief Ren was so angry his blood pressure spiked, yet he found himself utterly helpless.

Zhou Hongyi’s operation was a resounding display of power. Halfway back, they dropped off the brothers from No. 76, slipping each of them a red envelope before returning to the Second Precinct. Under the stunned gaze of Chief Feng, they all returned to their posts.

Zhou Hongyi looked at his men, cupped his hands in a salute, and said, "Brothers, I, Zhou Hongyi, will remember what happened today. You men of the Second Precinct are the best! Tomorrow, everyone gets a pack of Three Cannons cigarettes! And for those who took action, there will be a red envelope for each of you; I never break my word! If there is ever anything you need in the future, I will be sure to return the favor. I thank you all!"

The officers of the Second Precinct were buzzing with excitement. Even though they hadn't received the cigarettes or money yet, the feeling of triumph was intoxicating.

"Don't be so polite, Young Master Zhou. Since we are all in the same precinct, we must stand united against outsiders, right brothers? Besides, Young Master Zhou's affairs are our affairs. Isn't that right?"

"That's right! Exactly!"

Zhou Hongyi cupped his hands again. "I thank you all once more. Throw that man we just brought in into the dungeon and let him sit for two days."

Only after Zhou Hongyi finished speaking did Chief Feng find an opportunity to interject. He patted him on the shoulder and said, "That... Zhongliang, come with me for a moment."

Zhou Hongyi signaled for everyone to return to their work—those who were patrolling should patrol, and those slacking off could continue slacking off. He followed Chief Feng into his office and locked the door behind him.

Feng Jinxiong frowned and let out a heavy sigh. Just as he turned to speak, Zhou Hongyi preemptively gripped his extended hand, his face wreathed in smiles. "Chief Feng, I’ve been at this precinct for a while now, and the brothers have been very good to me, especially you. Not only did you prepare a new office for me, but you also applied for the Deputy Chief position on my behalf. I told my brother-in-law about this, and he asked me to convey his gratitude, saying he would certainly remember Chief Feng’s kindness."

Feng Jinxiong froze. As his gaze drifted down, he felt something placed in his palm—a sensation he knew all too well. It felt like his favorite: a gold leaf 'little yellow fish.'

"This... Zhongliang, since you’ve come to our Second Precinct, you are one of my men. Naturally, I have to take care of you; it’s my duty! For Director Ding to say something like that is far too formal. Hahaha! Come, come, sit."

Chief Feng smoothly slipped the gold leaf into his pocket, completely forgetting the question he had intended to ask.

He walked behind his desk, smiling broadly. "How has Director Ding been lately? Please tell him to take care of his health. Work is important, but his health is his greatest asset. I have a box of excellent tea here; please take it to him for me."

As he spoke, Chief Feng pulled a bag of tea from his drawer, placed it on the desk, and pushed it toward him.