Power and Wealth

The next day, Saturday.

County’s Ministry of Education Director Yu Zhengzhi’s home.

“Cousin, you are here?” Yu Zhengzhi’s wife opened the door to let Hu Yiguo enter. Yu Zhengzhi, who was watching TV also walked to the door to welcome him.

Hu Yiguo smiled and nodded. He sat down on the sofa and said. “I am investigating a case nearby and drop by to visit you all. Zhengzhi, what happened at Hui Tian Village’s Middle School? Chief Dong is also there?” He had heard about yesterday’s incident.

Yu Zhengzhi poured a glass of tea for Hu Yiguo. “That brat wants me to help his mother get a transfer, but I did not agree. Cousin, that Dong Xuebing, is too full of himself and should be taught a lesson. He is just a little brat.” Yu Zhengzhi knew Hu Yiguo, who helped him get his current position, had clashed with Dong Xuebing and wanted to help him get back.

Hu Yiguo nodded. “Ok, but don’t be too much.”

Yu Zhengzhi replied. “Don’t worry. I will not kick his mother out of the school, but she can’t be transferred to the County Town. She will stay in the village for the rest of her life. I will not do anyone any favors. As long as I don’t give the approval, Dong Xuebing’s mother can never join any County school.” He said this purposely, but if the County Government’s leaders called him, he would still have to listen to them. However, he had asked around and knew Dong Xuebing does not have any backings in Yan Tai County.

Hu Yiguo was pleased to know Dong Xuebing had hit a wall. He is power-hungry and often snatches credits from others. This is the first time someone had snatched his credit. “Dong Xuebing thinks too highly of himself. You are right by doing this and he should be taught a lesson.”

Yu Zhengzhi laughed. “I guess he should know where he stands now.” Usually, he will give in to these transfer requests, but this time, he purposely refused Dong Xuebing, and what can Dong Xuebing do to him?

......

Dong Xuebing did not return to County town yesterday and stayed at his grandmother’s house.

In the living room, Dong Xuebing’s uncle and aunt heard about what happened in school and were furious.

Dong Xuebing’s uncle banged the table. “That old bastard is too much. How can he treat Xiao Bing like this? Did he think that the Ministry of Education in the Ministry of Finance?!”

Dong Xuebing’s First Aunt added. “This old pervert is too much!”

Although Dong Xuebing might seem to have forgiven his uncle and aunt, in his heart, he still blames them. He looked at his mother and was frustrated at his mother for telling them about this incident.”

Luan Xiaoping was afraid that her son might get into trouble and sighed. “Xiao Bing, I will not go and work in town. I don’t mind staying in the village.”

Dong Xuebing said. “What’s so good in this village school? Just leave this to me.” Dong Xuebing still have lots of cards up his sleeves. But he will not use them easily. He got to save these cards for critical times, and it is not worth to use them on someone like Yu Zhengzhi.

Dong Xuebing’s cousin, Tang Jin, said angrily. “Yu Zhengzhi and his family were notorious in the Yu Village in the past. He is still like this now.”

Dong Xuebing paused for a second and asked. “Yu Village? The Yu Village in Hui Tian? Is that Yu Zhengzhi’s hometown?”

Dong Xuebing’s second aunt said. “He is from Yu Village.”

Dong Xuebing asked. “Who else is there in his family, and what are they doing now?”

Second aunt’s husband said. “His whole family had moved to town. Oh, his nephew often comes back to the Yu Village. Xiao Jin has a colleague who lives in Yu Village. I heard Yu Zhengzhi’s nephew is jobless and spend his time playing mahjong.”

Dong Xuebing’s eyes brighten up. “Gambling?”

The second aunt’s husband replied. “Should be. But they are gambling in small amounts.”

Even 10 cents are considered gambling! Dong Xuebing immediately knew what to do. He called Liu Dahai after walking out of the room. “Hello, Chief Liu? I have some problems here. Can you get a young officer who is familiar with all the villages in Hui Tian to meet me?” Dong Xuebing wanted a younger officer because this place was under Hu Yiguo in the past, and he does not trust the older officers. This must be confidential and cannot be leaked.

Liu Dahai was puzzled, but he did not ask anything. “I will ask Chu Feng to meet you. This young man is smart.”

After a while, a skinny and tall police officer in his 20s walked towards Dong Xuebing.

Dong Xuebing sat in his Buick and looked at the officer. He lowered the window and asked. “Chu Feng? Come in first.”

Chu Feng was stunned and quickly greeted Chief Dong before entering the front passenger seat. Station Chief Liu had just told him Chief Dong needs him to do something. On his way here, he was nervous and excited. He knew this is a rare opportunity.

After observing him for a while, Dong Xuebing smiled. “Chief Liu told me that you are familiar with all the villages nearby. I have a mission for you.”

Chu Feng straighten his back and said. “Yes, Sir. I will complete this mission without fail!” Chu Feng was not very confident, but he knew if he hesitates, the leader will lose confidence in him.

Dong Xuebing nodded. “Do you know Yu Wei from Yu Village?”

Chu Feng was surprised. “I know who he is, but we are not close. We had met during an investigation in the past.”

Dong Xuebing replied. “Ok. I want you to investigate on Yu Wei. I heard he loves to play mahjong. I want to know where and when he plays mahjong. Xiao Chu, I am sure you know this must be done in secret. Don’t let anyone knows about this.”

Chu Feng’s heart is racing. “Yu Wei is... Director Yu’s......”

Dong Xuebing looks at him. “If you cannot do this, I will get someone else.”

Chu Feng gritted his teeth and pumped out his chest. “I will complete this mission!”

Dong Xuebing patted him on his shoulder and said. “Go.”

Even if this fails, Dong Xuebing also does not mind. But to Chu Feng, it is different. He knew he had gotten involved in the political struggle between Dong Xuebing and Hu Yiguo. If he is not careful, he might be a sacrifice. But along with the risk, there are high rewards. He will earn Chief Dong’s trust if he can complete the mission and Chief Dong is Hui Tian Police Station’s direct supervisor!

Chu Feng has no choice but to complete Chief Dong’s mission.

At about 4 pm, Dong Xuebing received Chu Feng’s call. “How is it?”

Liu Dahai had recommended the right person to Dong Xuebing. Chu Feng is very efficient. “Chief Dong, I found out Yu Wei had been living in his old house in Yu Village the past few days. He will start playing mahjong at around 7 pm after the skies are dark and will stop at 3 or 4 am. They might be gambling, but the bets are not high. The winnings and losses should not exceed 1,000 RMB.”

Dong Xuebing asked. “Are they going to play this evening?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes Sir! I am sure!”

Dong Xuebing praised him. “Good job. Come back and don’t let anyone see you.”

The skies turned dark.

After dinner, Dong Xuebing called Liu Dahai. “Chief Liu, get a few trusted officers to follow for a case.”

Liu Dahui was surprised. “What case is it?”

“We will talk when we meet. Remember, don’t drive police cars. I will wait for you all at the junction west of the station.” Dong Xuebing hangs up before Liu Dahai could ask anything.

5 minutes later, a van reaches the junction.

Dong Xuebing saw Liu Dahai’s figure from his rear-view mirror. He did not alight and put on the hazard lights to signal to them before driving straight. The van stopped for a while and followed the MPV. The main roads’ conditions were still fine, but after they entered the villages, the road condition becomes bumpy. Soon, both vehicles entered Yu Village.

They parked at a secluded area, and Dong Xuebing and Chu Feng alighted.

4 officers and Liu Dahai alighted from the van. “Chief Dong, what case is this?”

Dong Xuebing replied. “It is a gambling raid.”

Liu Dahai grumbled in his heart. It’s only a gambling raid. Why are you so secretive about it?

Dong Xuebing spoke with Chu Feng softly and points to the third house. “That is our target. Keep one officer to stand guard at the village entrance. We must hurry!”

Liu Dahai’s face changed when he looks at where Dong Xuebing was pointing. “That house...” It’s Yu Zhengzhi’s house.

Dong Xuebing looked at Liu Dahai. “Prepare to move!”

Liu Dahai was troubled. He could tell Chief Dong knew this is Director Yu’s house. Damn! If I know Chief Dong is going to conduct a gambling raid at Director Yu’s home, I will not come! Shit! Now I am involved in this too!

The officers also noticed the seriousness of this and looked at each other. They could see the hesitations in each other’s eyes, but they know they cannot defy Chief Dong’s orders. Times had changed, and Chief Dong is overseeing their station now.

“Go!”

Chu Feng was the first to move after Dong Xuebing gave out the order. Dong Xuebing, Liu Dahai, and two other officers ran towards that house and left an officer behind to stand guard in case anyone tried to escape.

50 meters...

30 meters...

10 meters...

1 minute later, everyone reached the entrance of the house and waited for Dong Xuebing’s instructions.

Dong Xuebing nodded. “Kick open the door and go in!”

Chu Feng was still the first to act, and he kicked open the door with one kick. Liu Dahai knew Chief Dong was serious and dare not delay. He waved to the officers to surround a brightly lit room.

Dong Xuebing stepped forward and kicked the room’s door open.

Chu Feng caught up with Dong Xuebing and shouts: “Don’t move! Po...” He stopped and froze.

Dong Xuebing was stunned too. No one is in the room, and there are only a mahjong table and a few bottles of beer. Dong Xuebing turned and look Chu Feng. “What’s happening?!” They had come here for a gambling raid but there is nobody.

Chu Feng panicked. “This should not be. They said they will be playing...” Chu Feng stepped forward and touched the few bottles of beers. He also noticed two pieces of 100 RMB notes on the floor. “Chief Dong, they had just left. The beer is still cold, and they could not keep their money in time. They might know we are coming!”

Dong Xuebing’s face changed. “Someone leaked to them?”

Liu Dahai said. “Maybe someone in the village saw us and called them?”

Dong Xuebing believed no one had seen them in the village as he did not see a single villager earlier on their way in. Damn! It must be one of the officers who leaked the news of their operations. They had been working in this area for years and must have some connections. Furthermore, Hu Yiguo was formerly in charge of this station, and it’s impossible for him to not have any ‘eyes’ here!

F**k! Creating trouble for me time and time again! Dong Xuebing was furious! He wants to see which asshole leaked the news of this raid!

You want to find trouble with me again?!

BACK 2 minutes!!!

......

Time returned to 2 minutes ago!

It was quiet, and there was the scent of earth and grass in the air. Dong Xuebing returned to the village’s entrance and the few officers were looking at the house of their target. Liu Dahai said with a troubled look on his face. “That house is......”

Dong Xuebing took a glance at everyone and said. “Go!”

Liu Dahai, Chu Feng, and the rest rushed forward.

The officer, Old Zheng, who was tasked with guarding the entrance, saw everyone running forward and quickly move behind the van. He took out his phone and made a call. Ring... ring... A figure appeared behind him and snatched the phone before the other picks up the call.

Old Zheng was shocked and turned around. “Dong... Chief Dong?”

Dong Xuebing sneered and hangs up the call. He looked at the number at the name was Yu Wei.

Old Zheng panicked. He did not expect Chief Dong, who was running forward to return suddenly!

Dong Xuebing saw Liu Dahai, and the rest had reached the house. But he had caught the mole and was in no hurry to raid the house. He signaled to them for them to come back.

“Chief Dong, no... I... I...” Old Zheng was sweating and thinking of an excuse.

Liu Dahai and the rest returned to the van. “Chief Dong, what’s wrong? The raid is canceled?”

Dong Xuebing laughed. “Before we catch them, we must settle our internal issues first. Chief Liu, look at this.” Dong Xuebing passed Old Zheng’s phone to him, and the screen shows the last dialed number, name and time. Dong Xuebing points to Old Zheng. “This is your man? Is this person really an officer with Public Security? There are criminals in front of him and instead of catching them, he is calling them to inform them about our raid?”

Although Liu Dahai was reluctant to go to Director Liu’s house to catch people, he hated snitches more. His face changed: “Old Zheng! You have been an officer for so long, why are you doing this?!”

Old Zheng argued. “Chief Dong, Chief Liu, I am not informing them about our operation... I am calling... to see if they were inside and not let you all waste time!”

Dong Xuebing interrupted. “Stop wasting time! Cuff him!”

Chu Feng sighed and took out his handcuff to arrest Old Zheng.

Dong Xuebing looks at Liu Dahai. “He is your man, and I don’t care how you are going to deal with him. But I do not want to see this person in Hui Tian Village station again!”

Liu Dahai nodded.

After the arrest of Old Zheng, everyone looks at Chief Dong differently. They had thought Chief Dong was young and had been working in the State Security. He should not be familiar with how the Public Security works at the grassroots level. But now, their opinion of Dong Xuebing had changed. He is too alert and seems to know Old Zheng will call Yu Wei beforehand. Even Liu Dahai, who had been working at the grassroots level for years, did not notice this!

“Everyone, off your phones now!” Dong Xuebing ordered: “Go!!!”

Everyone started moving towards the house again. This time, the house was not quite like the previous time. They could hear laughs and the sounds of playing mahjong. Dong Xuebing smiled coldly and looked at Liu Dahai and Chu Feng, signaling to them with his eyes.

Bang!

Chu Feng kicked the door open!

“Who is it?” Someone shouted from the room on the north side. “Who dares to kick my door? You want to die?!”

“Damn! Brother Yu, I will go out to see what happened.”

Before that man got out of the room, Crash! The room’s door was kicked open by Dong Xuebing. “Squat down and hands on your head!”

Chu Feng showed his work pass. “Police!”

Yu Wei and the other 3 men were stunned. “Chief Liu? Xiao Chu? What’s the meaning of this?”

Liu Dahai replied emotionlessly. “Gambling raid.”

Dong Xuebing looked at the mahjong table and saw stacks of RMB on the table. He walked over and checked the small drawers under the table. There were more than 3,000 RMB in the drawers and 10,000 RMB on the table which Dong Xuebing took. “These bets are confiscated and bring them back!”

Yu Wei sneered and looked at Liu Dahai. “Chief Liu, we are only playing for fun. Are you joking with me?”

Chu Feng and the rest of the officers ignored them and went forward to hold them down.

Yu Wei’s hands were twisted behind his back, and his face changed. He looked at Dong Xuebing, but do not know who he was. “Wait! I want to make a phone call. I think this is a misunderstanding!”

Dong Xuebing laughed. “Let him call!”

Yu Wei took out his phone and quickly dialed a number. “Hello, Uncle? The officers from the police station want to arrest me... Hui Tian Village station... We are only playing mahjong...” After a while, Yu Wei laughed and passed the phone to Liu Dahai. “My uncle wants to speak to you!”

Dong Xuebing snatched the phone and hang up. “Alright! Bring them back!”

Yu Wei was shocked. “What are you doing?!”

The officers escorted Yu Wei and the other 3 young men out of the house.

“Let me go!” Yu Wei panics. “I know the County Bureau Chief Hu! You all know who you are arresting? AH?!”

Dong Xuebing pushed Yu Wei’s back. “You are the one I want to arrest!”

Yu Wei’s heart skipped a beat. This... they are going after me???

Hui Tian Village Station.

In the interrogation room, Liu Dahai and Dong Xuebing sat near the entrance, and Yu Wei was opposite them.

Yu Wei was scared. He had never expected to end up in a police station. “Can I have a smoke?”

Dong Xuebing banged the table. “Who do you think you are?! Admit to your crimes!”

Yu Wei replied with a troubled face. “I am only playing mahjong with my friends. Do you all even need to arrest us? Which family do not play mahjong at home once in a while?”

Dong Xuebing purposely scares him. “You think we arrest you just for gambling?”

Yu Wei was stunned. He was arrested for something else? He had caused lots of trouble, but those were not serious crimes. At most, it was gambling or getting into fights. Did someone report him to the police? Is it that guy who was severely beaten up by him? Yu Wei broke out in cold sweat.

Dong Xuebing patted Liu Dahai’s shoulders. “Old Liu, let’s go out for a breather and get Xiao Chu to interrogate him.”

After walking out of the room, they saw Chu Feng coming out from another interrogation room.

Dong Xuebing said. “Xiao Chu, I will leave the questioning of Yu Wei with you. Try to get something worthy out of him.”

Chu Feng immediately stood at attention. “Yes Sir!”

......

County’s Ministry of Education Director Yu Zhengzhi turns pale when he heard his nephew was arrested. This was like giving him a slap in his face! “That bastard Dong Xuebing! What is he trying to do? Who gives him the right to arrest people? He is abusing his authority!”

Yu Zhengzhi’s wife sighed. “I told you to monitor Xiao Wei several times before! He is always gambling in the village and will get into trouble sooner or later! Luckily their bets are not big and should be let off with a fine.”

Yu Zhengzhi scolded his wife: “What do you know?! Dong Xuebing will not let him off so easily! Xiao Wei should be suffering in the station now!”

His wife retorted. “Why are you shouting at me? You are the one who wants to get involved between your older cousin and Dong Xuebing! This has nothing to do with you in the first place! Look, because of you, Xiao Wei is implicated! I had said before that we should not offend any leaders from the Public Security!”

“Shut up!” Yu Zhengzhi immediately called Hu Yiguo and told him about his nephew’s arrest.

......

Dong Xuebing and Liu Dahai were smoking outside when Liu Dahai’s phone rang.

Dong Xuebing saw the caller display, and it was Hu Yiguo. He laughed. “Answer it in speaker mode.”

Liu Dahai knew Chief Dong was forcing him to choose a side. He helplessly answered and switched to speakerphone. “Hello, Chief Hu.”

Hu Yiguo roared: “Release him immediately!”

Liu Dahai looked at Dong Xuebing, who was standing beside him. “Are you talking about Yu Wei? He is caught red-handed for gambling and we got all the evidence. I can’t...”

“Just issue a fine! Is there a need to arrest him?! Ah?! What are you all doing?! Release him immediately!”

Dong Xuebing took the phone from Liu Dahai and said. “Chief Hu, we know what to do and don’t need outsiders to interfere. If you think we had done anything wrong, you can report to the higher-ups.” Dong Xuebing hangs up the call. Yu Wei was arrested with evidence, and no one can say anything.

1 minute...

5 minutes....

10 minutes...

Ring, ring, ring... Yu Zhengzhi finally called Dong Xuebing. “Hello, Director Yu? Haha, why are you calling so late at night? It is too late now. Let’s talk tomorrow, aright?”

Yu Zhengzhi controlled himself from screaming at Dong Xuebing. “Did you all arrested Yu Wei?”

“Yu Wei? That’s right. He is arrested.”

“Chief Dong, your station does not have the right to detain him!”

“Haha, I did not detain him. We had only brought him back for questioning. But it is still too early to say whether if we have the right to keep him in detention.” Dong Xuebing continued. “Other than gambling, Yu Wei also admitted to some other things he had done. I will apply for his official detention in the morning!”

Yu Zhengzhi was stunned. “What other things did he do?”

Dong Xuebing replied. “I cannot tell you about these. Director Yu, why are you so concern with Yu Wei?”

Yu Zhengzhi gritted his teeth: “He is my nephew!”

“Ah... why didn’t you tell me earlier? So, you two are relatives? Sigh... Director Yu, this is your fault. As a Party member, you must set an example. How can you allow your relatives to gamble? Do you know how much gambling bets we have confiscated? More than 10,000 RMB! This is too serious!”

Who the f**k you think you are to lecture me? But Yu Zhengzhi was scared. He knew Dong Xuebing could not do anything to his nephew with just a gambling charge. But he was afraid his nephew would confess to other things. He took a few deep breaths and said. “Chief Dong, I will help you ask around earlier. The town’s 4th Middle School has a vacancy for year 2 language. I am thinking of transferring your mother over...” Yu Zhengzhi had no choice but to bow down. His wife was right. He should not involve in Hu Yiguo and Dong Xuebing’s fight. To help his older cousin get back at Dong Xuebing and got his nephew implicated was not worth it. Dong Xuebing is the County’s Public Security Deputy Bureau Chief after all, and if he continues going against him, all his relatives might be arrested multiple times!

Dong Xuebing replied. “Director Yu, it’s fine. You also said that there are no more vacancies, and I should not trouble you.”

Yu Zhengzhi paused for a second to wonder what Dong Xuebing meant. Suddenly he took in a deep breath. Damn! Dong Xuebing is not satisfied with a regular middle school now! He is asking for more now! “But the County’s 1st Middle School...”

Dong Xuebing exclaimed loudly. “Oh, there is a vacancy in 1st Middle School? That’s great! Thank you so much!”

Yu Zhengzhi almost curses at him. He controlled himself and said. “I will help Teacher Luan arrange for the transfer.”

Dong Xuebing was okay with any school, but since Yu Zhengzhi had purposely made him lose face in public, he got to get back at him 10 times more. This will be a slap to his face. Just one day earlier, Yu Zhengzhi had announced that Luan Xiaoping cannot be transferred, and he has to move her to the best Middle School in town!