Chapter 56: Ah! Squad Leader, My Squad Leader!
Nonsense.
Besides me, Lin Fan, who else is qualified to serve as deputy squad leader.
Of course, he wouldn’t say it.
Instead, he nodded to the Prefect with a normal expression, counting as a greeting.
At this time, the Prefect was also very confused.
As soon as he arrived, he saw Lin Fan publicly beating Chen Ban Tou without regard for the occasion. As a commoner constable daring to hit a squad leader, if promoted to official constable, wouldn’t he dare to beat even him, the Prefect?
Therefore, between promotion to official constable and deputy squad leader.
He chose to promote Lin Fan to deputy squad leader.
“Prefect…” Master Hu was just about to speak when he was interrupted by the Prefect.
“Master Hu, please wait a moment. This official has a matter to announce. We’ll discuss our matter later, no rush.” The Prefect knew what Master Hu wanted to say, but the situation now was very off, not as simple as thought.
This kid is for real.
And he even performed a set of staff technique at his Li Mansion.
Was that performing staff technique?
That was a blatant threat.
If forced to choose between ‘being beaten to death’ and ‘being cursed’.
Extremely sorry, he chooses to be cursed to death by Master Hu.
Then, the Prefect coughed a few times again, cleared his throat, and said in a deep voice:
“Everyone! This official hereby formally announces a personnel promotion. Lin Fan, though new to the job, is loyal, brave, decisive, exceptionally capable, has cracked major cases repeatedly, upholds justice impartially, fearless of power—his spirit is truly a model for us colleagues!”
“To recognize his merits and inspire his resolve, this official now exceptionally promotes Lin Fan to deputy squad leader of the Public Security Bureau. I hope you all take him as an example, work together, and jointly maintain peace in Yong’an!”
After speaking, he sternly scanned the shocked, stunned, incredulous faces in the crowd, finally landing on Lin Fan, his face showing flawless appreciation and relief.
The meaning was very clear.
See, this Prefect acts very swiftly.
Now that this Prefect has promoted you to deputy squad leader, you can’t lay hands on this Prefect anymore, okay.
At this time, the crowd was shocked.
The constables on Chen Ban Tou’s side stared dumbfounded at the scene before them, all suspecting they had misheard.
They really wanted the Prefect to check his conscience—do those words you said live up to anyone?
In contrast, on Lin Fan’s side, Xu Ming and Yang Ming were trembling with excitement, faces flushed. Promoted—he hadn’t expected Brother Lin to be elevated to deputy squad leader.
This promotion speed is too fast.
And this also means that Brother Lin’s power in the Public Security Bureau will only grow greater in the future.
“Congratulations, Lin Ban Tou.” Yang Ming said.
” felicitations, Lin Ban Tou.” Xu Ming said.
Lin Fan waved his hand humbly, saying: “Deputy, deputy.”
The Prefect stroked his beard, smiling: “Lin Ban Tou, whether main or deputy doesn’t matter. What’s important is that this official hopes Lin Ban Tou will continue to strive hard, do practical things for the common people of Yong’an, do good things, do the right things.”
Three “do”s, spoken with perfect articulation and righteous indignation.
“That’s natural. But this lowly officer has a proposal; I wonder if the Prefect can approve.” Lin Fan said.
“Oh? Speak freely.”
The Prefect’s heart tightened, fearing he would make some excessive demand.
Lin Fan looked at Xu Ming, then at the Prefect.
“Xu Ming has been in the Public Security Bureau for many years, works diligently and conscientiously, bears hardships without complaint. His efforts are obvious to all, yet he remains a commoner constable. I wonder if the Prefect, in consideration of his hard work, can promote him to official constable?”
As soon as these words were out.
Xu Ming abruptly looked up, completely stunned in place, his heart gripped by a giant hand then suddenly released, pounding wildly, his breathing becoming extremely rapid.
“Mm, Xu… Xu Ming’s situation, this official is aware of it. Indeed as Lin Ban Tou said, diligent and conscientious, a rare talent. As for promoting him to official constable, this official agrees.” The Prefect had thought Lin Fan would demand something excessive; now hearing this, he agreed without thinking.
Commoner constable promoted to official constable.
That was just a word from him.
Besides, if Xu Ming knew how to get things done, with a little gift or two, he would have been promoted long ago.
As for why he was still a commoner constable now, it could only be said that this kid really didn’t know how to get things done.
“Thank you, Sir Prefect, thank you, Ban Tou.” Xu Ming was so excited he could hardly contain himself; his eyes instantly reddened as he deeply bowed to both.
He hadn’t expected that after just following Brother Lin.
Brother Lin had immediately taken care of his matter.
The initial choice was right.
He had really followed the right person.
Sure enough, choice matters more than effort.
“Mm.” The Prefect nodded.
Meanwhile, Chen Ban Tou lying on the ground couldn’t hold back anymore. Gathering strength from who knows where, he abruptly got up, incredulously saying: “Sir Prefect, how can he become squad leader? How does he have the qualifications?”
“Sigh!” The Prefect lightly sighed: “Chen Ban Tou, this official knows you are prejudiced against Lin Ban Tou, but as officials, we must set aside preconceptions and view others’ merits fairly. Lin Ban Tou may be young, but he is full of merits.”
While saying this, the Prefect’s heart faintly ached.
But as a veteran, he could spout words against his conscience with eyes closed, face unflushed, heart unperturbed.
“He… merits? Isn’t he just a foul-mouthed, violence-filled thug? Merits? I see shit merits.” In rage, Chen Ban Tou spoke without restraint.
The Prefect’s face gradually cooled; he was very unhappy.
For a decision made by him as Prefect, for a subordinate to not agree was one thing, but to publicly refute it—this clearly showed no regard for him as Prefect.
At this point, Chen Ban Tou belatedly realized his stupidity.
Just as he wanted to salvage it.
Lin Fan stepped forward, kicked his abdomen, grabbed his collar, and delivered two resounding slaps. “Foul-mouthed? I’ll make you spout nonsense. Don’t you go ask around Yong’an—who doesn’t know I, Lin Fan, am well-read in the classics, speak elegantly.”
“Violence? I’ll violent your grandma’s leg. Everyone knows I, Lin Fan, handle things by the law, by evidence. If you spout nonsense again, I’ll make sure you’re done for.”
This series of moves flowed smoothly, brimming with dominance.
Used to beating.
Chen Ban Tou was completely beaten senseless.
Even the Prefect couldn’t bear to watch. Chen Ban Tou, were you dropped on your head by your mom at birth? Why must you go against him?
He really is one to resort to hands.
No respect for hierarchy.
Didn’t you see even I have to go along with him?
Precisely afraid this guy won’t play by the rules but flip the table outright, disregarding rules.
After beating Chen Ban Tou, Lin Fan clasped his fists: “Sir Prefect, forgive this lowly officer’s impulsiveness.”
The Prefect waved his hand: “No matter. How can young people be young without vigor? This official was the same. But no more in the future. We’re all colleagues—harmony, love, mind the influence, don’t let it spread and make us a laughingstock.”
“Yes, this lowly officer understands.” Lin Fan said.
The Prefect nodded quite satisfied.
See how sensible Lin Fan is. Clearly able to flip the table, but in front of everyone, he still gives this Prefect face.
Pfft…
Chen Ban Tou, supported by his subordinate, was so furious his heart seized; he couldn’t help spitting out a mouthful of blood, feeling the world spin, and collapsed to the ground, completely passing out.
“Ban Tou…” His confidant constable wailed, holding Chen Ban Tou and emitting heart-wrenching cries of grief.
His Ban Tou had… passed out again.
The Prefect shook his head: “Master Hu, forgive the unsightly scene. As for your young master’s matter, since Lin Ban Tou is fully in charge, just hand it over to him. This official has other matters and will take his leave first.”
With that, the Prefect turned and left without looking back, running faster than a dog.
Not a shred of reluctance.
“Prefect, Prefect Li…”
Master Hu inexplicably panicked; he realized the Prefect really wasn’t doing anything for the gold bars.
But no matter how he shouted, the Prefect was long gone.
Silence.
The scene was very silent.
Master Hu’s face flickered uncertainly, cold sweat sliding down his temple. He arduously turned his head, looked at the expressionless Lin Fan, and with a last shred of hope, tentatively and cautiously asked.
“The Prefect told you to release my son. Will you?”
“Release your mom!”
Master Hu: …?
