Chapter 90: I Kicked That Constable Flat On The Ground, And We Snatched His Dagger
“Prefect, Captain, after our investigation, Assistant Prefect Shang did indeed hang himself.”
The Investigator, along with the coroner, presented the results of their investigation. In Anzhou, they had never handled such a major case. The deceased was an Assistant Prefect. Although his rank wasn’t high, he was still an official with a rank.
Before even investigating the cause of death, he had considered that if the investigation revealed murder, he would have to gauge the Prefect and Captain’s reactions. If anything seemed amiss, he absolutely could not speak the truth.
He was well aware of the recent drastic changes in Anzhou.
Everyone knew the newly appointed Captain was cleaning up Anzhou. As someone on the fringes of power in Anzhou, he naturally knew which faction Assistant Prefect Shang belonged to.
The power struggle between the Captain and the Prefect was not something anyone could get involved in.
To be caught in the middle.
It was likely he wouldn’t even know how he died before he was dead.
But now that they discovered Assistant Prefect Shang had indeed hanged himself, he could naturally speak the truth.
“Are you sure?”
Prefect Zhao asked repeatedly.
The Investigator replied, “Replying to the Prefect, your subordinate is sure. Both the scene’s traces and the corpse’s condition are consistent with suicide by hanging, with no signs of foul play.”
No one knew what Prefect Zhao was thinking at that moment.
Now, Assistant Prefect Shang’s body was taken down from the noose and lay peacefully on the ground. He walked to the body, looked down at the tightly closed eyes, the pale face, and the smell of urine filling the air – this was incontinence during self-hanging.
The ligature marks on his neck were clearly visible.
He had never hanged himself and didn’t know what the process was like, but he imagined it must have been very painful.
Madam Shang knelt with a thud beside Prefect Zhao, “Prefect, how will my orphaned child and I manage from now on, *sob sob sob*…”
Prefect Zhao helped Madam Shang up and comforted her.
……
Outside the Prefecture.
Prefect Zhao and Lin Fan stood side-by-side, the atmosphere subtle.
“Captain Lin, no one wishes to see such a thing happen. Regardless of what crime he committed, I implore Captain Lin to show mercy and allow him to retain some dignity,” Prefect Zhao said sincerely, his attitude one of submission.
Lin Fan glanced at Prefect Zhao, sighing.
“To commit suicide just like that, this is the second one I’ve seen.”
Impressive.
Truly impressive.
Assistant Prefect Shang’s death was undoubtedly to protect Prefect Zhao. He was clearly afraid of being exposed by Qi Lianhai and the others. If he couldn’t withstand the pressure after being brought to the Public Security Bureau, he might betray the Prefect.
This was probably not what Assistant Prefect Shang wanted to see.
That’s why he chose to die.
Prefect Zhao naturally understood the implication in Lin Fan’s words and shook his head, “He was a man who valued his reputation. He must have known his crimes were inescapable and felt ashamed to face the law and his colleagues, thus choosing this desperate path.”
“As the saying goes, death absolves debt. He probably wanted to preserve a sliver of his dignity in this way.”
After speaking, Prefect Zhao thought about it and felt his words were not problematic.
“Prefect Zhao, do you truly believe death absolves debt?” Lin Fan asked.
Prefect Zhao’s gaze met Lin Fan’s, without any hint of avoidance.
“This official believes so.”
Lin Fan chuckled, “Dignity? Dignity isn’t something one can simply decide to have. He died easily, ending everything, but have you considered how innocent the scapegoats he harmed were? Their families might still be crying out for justice even now.”
Prefect Zhao’s expression instantly turned grim, and his tone deepened, “Captain Lin, I have already conceded again and again with utmost sincerity. Are you not going to show any leniency at all?”
At this moment, Prefect Zhao was about to explode.
Bastard.
He had listened to advice and didn’t continue to clash with Lin Fan.
He had even immediately instructed the treasury to produce silver and send it to him.
Not even half a day had passed.
The other party was being so uncooperative.
Even if you threw a chicken leg to a naturally ferocious wild dog, the dog would wag its tail and be fawning for a while.
What he was doing now was like throwing a steamed bun to a dog – it would go there and never return.
“Prefect Zhao, dignity is earned.”
“I’m leaving.”
Lin Fan waved his hand and left with Ning Yu.
Prefect Zhao stood in place, watching Lin Fan’s receding back, clenching his fists until they creaked. The flames of fury had never subsided.
He was truly furious now.
He had never encountered someone as unyielding and indifferent to both persuasion and threats as Lin Fan.
He had already laid out a stepping stone for the other party, and if they had just followed it, they could have all been at peace.
But… but this fellow insisted on smashing the stepping stone.
Damn him!
Damn him to hell!
……
On the street returning to the Public Security Bureau.
The common people looked at Lin Fan with awe. Although Lin Fan had not been in Anzhou for long, he was now known to everyone, primarily because of his distinctive characteristics.
The Chief Lin was the one carrying an iron rod on his back.
“Master, did Assistant Prefect Shang really hang himself?” Ning Yu asked, still full of doubt as she followed beside him.
Lin Fan said lightly, “Who knows? Can you tell the difference between suicide by hanging and murder?”
Ning Yu thought for a moment and said, “If the scene was messy, with signs of a struggle, it would definitely be murder. If there were no traces at all, I wouldn’t be able to tell.”
Lin Fan said, “After we return, have someone investigate the Investigator and the coroner. If they don’t have too strong a connection to the Prefect and the others, ask them if they’d be willing to transfer to the Public Security Bureau.”
“Understood, Master,” Ning Yu replied with a nod.
Arriving back at the Public Security Bureau.
Lin Fan didn’t rush to deal with other gangs. After all, he had only been here a few days and had already taken down Huang Shan and arrested Ximen Hai. He needed to give things a little time to settle, especially since there were quite a lot of local ruffians locked up in the prison.
It would definitely take time to complete all the interrogations.
He walked towards the prison. The constables he passed respectfully greeted him as Chief Officer. They greatly admired the Chief Officer, as if a continuous, surging river.
Entering the prison.
The sounds were noisy.
A constable was pulling out a local ruffian for interrogation.
They had only recently become constables and were unfamiliar with many aspects. Yang Ming and Xu Ming had been constables in Yong’an for many years and had experience in training people.
Therefore, they were having them start with interrogations.
Lin Fan approached slowly without making a sound.
He saw a young constable, who looked no older than eighteen or nineteen, with a stern face, attempting to interrogate a local ruffian with a brutish face and fierce eyes.
“Speak, who instructed you to sever that person’s leg tendons?” This constable was young and inexperienced, but he glared, feigning seriousness.
“I say, constable, you need evidence. You believe whatever that person says. Can’t you use your brain?” The ruffian shook his head dismissively, not taking the constable in front of him seriously at all.
“How dare you!” the constable said angrily.
“Dare? Officer, I am very timid. I don’t even dare to kill a chicken. You dare to accuse me of severing someone’s leg tendons? Don’t try to frame this commoner, or I’ll sue you.”
Hahaha…
Some of the other ruffians being interrogated nearby let out mocking laughter.
In their eyes, these young constables were just a bunch of green recruits. Who would take them seriously? Besides, they were shameless by nature.
A hooligan should act like a hooligan.
To confess truthfully just because someone asked was foolish.
“Silence, no laughing,” the new constable ordered. He was flustered by the ruffian. The previous arrests had gone smoothly because they had been led by experienced hands.
When they had to handle interrogations themselves.
They realized things weren’t as simple as they thought.
At this moment, Lin Fan coughed, drawing everyone’s attention. The constables conducting the interrogations all stood up and respectfully greeted him. The local ruffians around them, however, showed fear in their eyes and also immense anger.
If it weren’t for this guy, they wouldn’t have been locked up here.
“Chief Officer!”
“Chief Officer!”
In response to their greetings, Lin Fan walked to the side of the new constable and lightly patted his shoulder, “Interrogation isn’t done like this. When you have free time, you can ask the Squad Leader and Deputy Squad Leader for advice.”
“Yes, Sir,” the new constable nodded.
Lin Fan’s gaze fell on the ruffian being interrogated. This ruffian seemed to know that Lin Fan was not to be trifled with, lowering his head slightly and avoiding Lin Fan’s eyes.
But… bang!
Lin Fan quickly reached out, grabbed the back of the ruffian’s head, and smashed his face onto the table in front of him with a dull, loud thud.
Blood spurted from the ruffian’s nose, and his face turned extremely red from the pressure.
“Give me the bamboo skewers,” Lin Fan extended his hand.
The new constable immediately handed over the bamboo tube placed there, which contained many slender bamboo skewers.
“Sir, I’ll confess, I’ll confess,” the ruffian panicked upon seeing the scene.
Lin Fan ignored him, grabbed a handful of bamboo skewers, and forcefully thrust them into the back of his hand. With a squelch, the skewers pierced the flesh.
The ruffian let out a piercing scream, a pathetic sound that made all the ruffians and thugs in the prison tremble.
This scene also made the new constables tremble and their eyes twitch, finding it truly terrifying.
Lin Fan clapped his hands and said softly, “As constables, we have a lot of things to deal with every day. Against these kinds of ruffians, speaking kindly to them is useless. You must learn to utilize every torture instrument in the prison. Otherwise, why would these instruments be here?”
“Are they for decoration?”
The new constables listened to the Chief Officer’s words.
Some nodded.
Clearly, they had taken his words to heart.
Lin Fan said, “You continue your interrogation. Remember, don’t be afraid. I will bear the consequences of anything that happens. I don’t want the constables under me to be living Bodhisattvas. Show your skills, be ruthless. Don’t be soft-hearted towards them.”
“Alright, you continue the interrogation.”
With that, he turned and left.
As Lin Fan was about to leave the prison, he heard the new constables’ powerful shouts and threats of using torture.
He nodded with satisfaction.
Good, that’s how it should be done.
……
Chief Officer’s Office.
Inside, Lin Fan called Xu Ming and the others over. In addition to the team he brought from Yong’an, there was also Lu Zhongtian.
“Assistant Prefect Shang really committed suicide?”
Li Zhengdao’s expression was complicated. He had actually found Assistant Prefect Shang through connections. He hadn’t expected that in such a short time, he would become a corpse.
Lin Fan said, “His death is inconsequential. But I need to say something now. Since the constables of the Public Security Bureau are all newly recruited and lack experience, I hope you will put in extra effort during this period and impart your experience to them.”
Yang Ming and the others nodded.
“Sir, experience is cultivated and passed down gradually. There are quite a few prisoners locked up in the prison now, so they can try their hand.”
“I believe the confidence a qualified constable should possess comes from the atmosphere of the Public Security Bureau. Under the leadership of Sir, our Public Security Bureau has a very good atmosphere, and I believe they will grow rapidly.”
Everyone chimed in.
“Deputy Squad Leader Li, say a few words. You’ve been a constable for decades; no one has more experience than you. Do you have any good suggestions?” Lin Fan asked.
Li Zhengdao smiled.
Experience?
It was a rather unfamiliar concept.
Wasn’t being an official all about human relationships and etiquette?
“Chief Officer, what good suggestions could I have? It mainly depends on whether they have the will. If they are determined to be a good constable, they can grow rapidly in a very short time even without anyone teaching them,” Li Zhengdao said.
Lin Fan nodded.
What he said was indeed true.
Lin Fan said, “Alright, let’s end this topic. Tell everyone to go home early tonight to rest. Working overtime until now, you must all be very tired. You should rest well and replenish your energy so you have the drive tomorrow.”
“Go.”
He waved his hand, and they left.
……
Ximen Manor.
“Master, what should we do now? This child has never suffered hardship since childhood. Now he’s locked up in the Public Security Bureau’s prison. You know what kind of environment it is,” a woman said tearfully.
Master Ximen frowned, feeling very troubled. His once invincible background and connections were of no use at this time.
The current situation was clearly beyond the Prefect and the Commander’s capabilities.
“Don’t bother me, I’m thinking of a solution,” Master Ximen said.
Just then, the butler hurried in.
“Master, something has happened. We just received news that Assistant Prefect Shang hanged himself at home.”
“What did you say?”
Master Ximen was horrified and stood up abruptly, disbelieving, “Are you sure he died by hanging?”
“He died by hanging, it’s absolutely true,” the butler stated emphatically.
Master Ximen’s expression became serious. Assistant Prefect Shang’s death at this time conveyed a very intriguing message. Primarily, was this suicide truly by hanging?
And not man-made?
Having been in Anzhou for many years, he was deeply entangled with the local powers.
Whether it was the Prefect or the Commander.
They were all interconnected.
Now, a bumpkin transferred from Yong’an had made them helpless. This was the first time he had encountered such a situation.
“Master, the matter you asked me to investigate is also clear. This man named Lin is very skilled. When he was in Yong’an, he was ambushed at night on his way back and fought eighteen armored assassins alone,” the butler said, fear flickering in his eyes as he mentioned this. In his opinion, this was something no human could do.
He was practically a monster.
“So skilled.”
Master Ximen had considered hiring assassins to kill Lin Fan, but upon hearing this news, that idea had to be put aside. If they failed and became implicated, it would be difficult to handle.
The butler stood still on the spot, not speaking.
He was just the butler.
He obeyed the Master’s orders in all matters.
After a moment, Master Ximen looked up and said, “In a while, take my letter and immediately go to Zhuoming Prefecture. No matter what, you must deliver the letter to Mr. Yang.”
“Yes, Master.”
The butler knew his master had extensive connections outside.
Zhuoming Prefecture was a region governed by a Prince.
It seemed that to get his young master out, the Master was going to exert his influence.
……
In the evening, the setting sun dyed the horizon a fiery orange.
The gates of the Public Security Bureau opened, and constables who had been busy for two days filed out.
Many unconsciously stretched their limbs, loosening their sore muscles, their faces showing fatigue.
But as their gazes fell upon the passing commoners on the street, they immediately straightened their backs reflexively, suppressed their weariness, and tried their best to appear spirited and imposing.
After all, they were constables, representing the dignity of the Public Security Bureau.
No matter what, they had to be energetic.
In the past, when they were commoners, they had disdained the constables in the Public Security Bureau. In their eyes, none of them were good.
Now, heaven had eyes, and with Chief Lin taking charge, they had found that the current Public Security Bureau was worlds different from its past state within just two days.
To describe it.
The previous Public Security Bureau was like a latrine – smelly and detested.
But the current Public Security Bureau was like a towering structure under a clear and bright world, allowing everyone within to see the light of hope.
Hong Hao was one of these new constables.
He came from a poor family. His parents scrimped and saved to send him to school, telling him that a person must understand what is right in life. They sent him to school not for him to achieve official titles, but in hopes that he would arm himself with the knowledge from books, so that when he encountered difficulties, he would remember the principles taught in his studies.
Do not give up, do not admit defeat.
The afterglow of the sunset cast a golden halo around his young silhouette.
He arrived at the shed area, wearing a constable’s uniform and a saber at his waist, looking out of place in the surroundings.
Suddenly.
He heard a commotion of crying coming from ahead.
The direction of the sound was where his home was. Worried that something had happened at home, he quickened his pace.
Upon arriving at the scene, he discovered that it wasn’t his home that had a problem, but his neighbor Aunt Zhang’s house.
At the moment, a crowd of neighbors had gathered at the entrance.
“Please, sirs, have mercy, let my daughter go! Her father’s gambling debts have nothing to do with her, a young lady. Her damned father, he doesn’t even know where he’s run off to.”
Aunt Zhang held tightly onto her daughter’s arm, crying heartbrokenly. Her gaunt body trembled violently from fear and exertion.
Three fierce-looking local ruffians cursed, “Damn it, you must be blind! If you don’t pay your gambling debts, then your daughter has to pay them.”
“Let go, let go of me.”
As they spoke, the three ruffians made a move to kick the woman away.
“Stop.”
Hong Hao saw this and became furious. He pushed through the crowd and stepped out.
The three ruffians frowned upon seeing Hong Hao, “Who the hell are you?”
However, seeing he was wearing a constable’s uniform, they became somewhat nervous. But they also harbored doubts. This was the shed area, the poorest residential area in Anzhou.
Could a constable come from here?
“Son, what are you doing?” Hong Hao’s parents rushed over to block him when they saw their son step out.
They hadn’t seen their child for two days.
They were wondering where he had gone.
Who would have thought that when he returned, he would get involved in this matter? It wasn’t that they were cold-blooded and stood by, but these three local ruffians were not people that their poor family could afford to offend.
They heard these three were from the Black Stone Gang.
The Black Stone Gang was no joke.
Offending them could lead to death.
“Father, Mother, it’s alright, don’t you worry.” Hong Hao pulled his parents aside and then angrily said, “How dare you forcibly abduct a young girl? Do you have no regard for the law or justice? Do you really think your Black Stone Gang can do as they please in Anzhou?”
The three ruffians were indeed somewhat intimidated by Hong Hao’s imposing demeanor.
After all, they had never encountered anyone so arrogant.
But at this moment, a sharp-featured, sly-looking ruffian whispered into someone’s ear, “Brother Snake, don’t be intimidated by him. Do you forget what happened a few months ago? That liar who pretended to be a constable, he also looked decent, but wasn’t he eventually exposed by us?”
The ruffian called Brother Snake narrowed his eyes; he did have a recollection.
That person, just like the one in front of him, wore a constable’s uniform and had a saber at his waist, claiming to be a constable, but it turned out he was a fake.
As Brother Snake was thinking about this matter.
Another ruffian mumbled, “Brother Snake, these poor folks will do anything to protect themselves. I heard the Public Security Bureau was just reorganized, and who they recruited, how many they recruited, is not clear outside. At this juncture, it’s possible someone might put on a fake uniform and act tough.”
“I heard an elder brother tell me that it doesn’t matter who becomes a constable to us. There are no officials who don’t take bribes. With our Gang Leader’s capabilities and methods, he must have already established contact with the new Chief Officer. So, even if he is a real constable, so what? Our Black Stone Gang’s reputation must not be lost.”
“Moreover, he’s wearing a commoner’s constable uniform, which means he has no status.”
Indeed.
Ruffians who would cause trouble at this juncture generally lacked a few screws loose.
Thinking of this.
Brother Snake roared with rage and kicked out, sending Hong Hao to the ground. As Hong Hao, who had been kicked down, was about to get up and draw his saber to confront them, Brother Snake’s two followers were fiercer than each other.
They immediately rushed out. One lifted his foot and delivered a series of kicks to Hong Hao’s head.
The other snatched the saber from Hong Hao’s waist.
“Damn it, you a constable? If you were a real constable, I’d be the Chief Officer of Anzhou.”
“Wearing a constable uniform you got from who knows where, and you dare to act tough in front of me? I think you’re tired of living.”
Hong Hao’s parents immediately rushed to their son’s side, pleading for them to stop hitting him.
Seeing that the situation was almost complete, Brother Snake waved his hand, “Take her daughter with us, let’s go.”
The commoners present were all stunned.
None dared to intervene.
“Son…”
Hong Hao’s parents looked at their son, who had fainted with a bruised and swollen face, and cried heartbrokenly, filled with immense pain.
For any parent, how could they watch their child be beaten so miserably without feeling heartbroken?
……
Public Security Bureau, Chief Officer’s Office.
Lin Fan was at his desk, writing something.
The situation in Anzhou was still quite complex, with too many gangs. Although taking down Huang Shan and other syndicates had indeed intimidated many gangs and made them hesitant to act recklessly.
However, this was far from enough.
It would still take time to completely clean up.
Thinking of the constables they had recruited, they had the will, but their physical condition was not yet up to par. He was currently writing training content; to sweep away black and eliminate evil, one needed a strong physique.
Creak!
The door opened.
Ning Yu walked in with a bowl of soup, “Master, have some soup.”
Lin Fan put down his pen and smiled, “Why aren’t you going back to rest? You’ve been busy for two days; you should go back and get some good rest.”
Ning Yu said, “If Master isn’t going back, how can I go back? Besides, Yang Ming and the others haven’t gone back either.”
Lin Fan took the bowl, took a sip, the warmth spreading through him comfortably, “How is the welfare system coming along?”
“Don’t worry, Master, I’m almost done with it.”
“Mm, you need to investigate this thoroughly. How much silver is enough for a living? Don’t let our brothers in the Public Security Bureau work like dogs every day and still struggle to make a living.”
“I will handle it, please rest assured, Master. I, Ning Yu, am never stingy,” Ning Yu guaranteed with confidence.
Lin Fan looked at Ning Yu’s smug expression and couldn’t help but smile. After she finished setting up the welfare system, he would have to review it himself. Otherwise, if it turned out to be ten taels of silver per month for each person, that would be quite alarming.
……
At this time.
Restaurant.
Members of the Black Stone Gang were having a gathering. Those dining here were all high-ranking members of the Black Stone Gang. The Gang Leader had invited them, but he had not arrived yet.
Of course, this restaurant belonged to the Black Stone Gang; everyone inside and out was one of their own.
The group was freely chatting about recent events.
The arrest of Huang Shan was treated as a topic of amusement.
The arrest of Ximen Hai made them feel that the Public Security Bureau’s Chief Lin was indeed ruthless, daring to touch even Ximen Hai, truly unaware of the Anzhou Chamber of Commerce’s influence.
As for Assistant Prefect Shang’s suicide, they had heard some rumors but didn’t know much. And everyone tacitly avoided discussing Assistant Prefect Shang’s matter.
“The Gang Leader has arrived.”
A loud shout announced his arrival.
All gang members stood up to welcome him. Then, a stern man with a full beard appeared. His eyes, like an eagle’s, scanned everyone, and he nodded with satisfaction. He gestured, “Brothers, please be seated.”
Everyone took their seats.
Gang Leader Zhou Hanshan spoke slowly, “I invited all you brothers here today for no other reason than to discuss some recent events. The new Chief Officer of the Public Security Bureau is not a simple character. I hope you will all be more restrained in the coming days and avoid running into trouble.”
He had been observing the situation for the past two days.
He had initially expected Prefect Zhao and Commander Qin to swiftly apprehend the other party.
But from the current situation, the outlook was not optimistic.
For their Black Stone Gang, it posed a significant threat.
Therefore, Zhou Hanshan decided to gather the gang’s stewards and instruct them to avoid causing trouble and to endure for a while, waiting to see how the situation unfolded.
“Gang Leader, is this guy really that difficult to deal with? If he’s so brutish, can the Prefect and Commander tolerate him?” spoke a Hall Master of the Black Stone Gang, who was in charge of the gambling houses.
After Huang Shan’s gambling houses were cleared out, his business had been booming. In the end, he actually had to thank the Chief Lin, whom he had never met.
A good man.
He provided him with an opportunity to make a fortune.
Zhou Hanshan said, “They are like gods battling; each displaying their divine powers. That’s not something we can participate in. We just need to obediently wait for their battle to end, for a victor to emerge, and then see how things are.”
Despite their good standing and dominance in Anzhou Prefecture,
And knowing many officials.
Compared to officials like the Prefect or the Commander, they were nothing. If the Commander wanted to deal with the Black Stone Gang, he could directly arrest them under the charge of rebellion.
In that case, who would the Imperial Court believe?
Would the Imperial Court believe them?
No one present was foolish. The fact that the Gang Leader personally came to explain these matters to them was enough to indicate the severity of the current situation. Everyone nodded in agreement.
Indicating they understood.
Suddenly.
Crying was heard from downstairs, accompanied by shouts of “What are you crying for? If your father doesn’t pay, we’ll sell you to a brothel.” Immediately after, footsteps were heard on the stairs.
Zhou Hanshan frowned and looked at the high-ranking members present, his meaning clear.
Whose men were these?
Why were they causing trouble?
“Gang Leader, they are my men,” the Hall Master in charge of the gambling houses said. “These subordinates of mine are all ruthless. They hate those who owe money and don’t pay the most. They can’t even endure a little.”
Soon, Brother Snake, holding the girl, arrived upstairs with two subordinates. Upon seeing the Gang Leader, he immediately restrained his arrogance and respectfully said, “Gang Leader.”
Zhou Hanshan’s expression was grim. He ignored his greeting and coldly asked, “What’s going on? Who told you to arrest someone?”
Brother Snake quickly explained, “Gang Leader, this girl’s father owes us money and ran off without paying. We couldn’t find him, so we had no choice but to go to his home and seize his daughter to repay the debt.”
“Now, immediately, send her back. She must be returned without a single hair out of place,” Zhou Hanshan said sternly.
Hearing this, Brother Snake looked confusedly at his Hall Master.
“Didn’t you hear the Gang Leader? The situation has been a bit unusual lately. Stop causing trouble for me. Send the person back. Also, I know your methods of doing things have likely offended some neighbors. When you get there, apologize to them one by one,” the Hall Master said.
“Yes.”
Brother Snake was helpless, all that effort wasted.
“Wait,” Zhou Hanshan pointed at the knife in one person’s hand, “What’s with this knife? Did you use a weapon?”
Brother Snake shook his head, “We didn’t use a weapon. This knife was snatched. When we went to grab the girl, a young kid from her neighborhood, who knows where he came from, rushed out and blocked us, even wanting to draw his knife on us. We beat him up directly.”
The gang members around them couldn’t help but laugh upon hearing this.
“Old Chen, your subordinates are truly brave. They weren’t afraid even when someone had a knife and even snatched it away. Impressive, impressive.”
Old Chen smiled modestly, “Not at all, not at all. These youngsters around me have no other skills, but they are bold. What’s a knife? Even with a knife to their throat, they won’t flinch.”
Praised by his Hall Master, Brother Snake proudly held his head high.
As a trusted subordinate of the Hall Master.
He was very proud.
Zhou Hanshan stared intently at the knife, feeling it looked increasingly familiar. It resembled the sabers of the Public Security Bureau constables.
“Was the person you beat up a constable?” Zhou Hanshan asked.
“No!” Brother Snake replied resolutely.
Zhou Hanshan suddenly breathed a sigh of relief. It was good it wasn’t. He was just afraid… But before he could fully relax, Brother Snake’s next words made Zhou Hanshan’s hair stand on end.
“He claimed to be a constable, but I saw through him at a glance. He was just a wolf in sheep’s clothing, wearing a constable’s uniform and acting tough. He even asked if we had any regard for the law. I told him to go to hell and kicked him to the ground.”
“My two brothers didn’t hesitate either. One snatched his saber, the other kicked him in the face. When we left, he looked like he’d been kicked unconscious.”
At this moment, Brother Snake hadn’t realized the atmosphere was a bit off.
Zhou Hanshan stared, his body beginning to tremble.
Even Hall Master Chen, who had just praised Brother Snake, kept glancing at the Gang Leader’s expression.
He hadn’t expected his subordinates to dare beat a constable, let alone snatch his saber.
Although he didn’t know how terrifying the new Chief Lin was, someone who could make both the Prefect and the Commander helpless was definitely not someone they could afford to provoke.
And at this moment… Brother Snake finally realized something was wrong, belatedly. He looked at the ghost-like expressions on the faces of the Gang Leader and the Hall Master. The smug smile on his face gradually froze, and an ominous premonition began to rise within him.
“Gang Leader, Hall Master, is there something going on?” Brother Snake asked nervously.
Just as Zhou Hanshan was about to speak, he heard the sound of dense footsteps approaching from outside the street.
He immediately went to the fence and looked down. He saw a vast, dark crowd below. The one at the forefront had a very cold expression illuminated by the firelight.
Seeing the iron rod on his back, he recognized him instantly.
This must be the new Chief Lin.
At the entrance of the restaurant, Lin Fan’s face was cold. With a wave of his hand, he said, “Surround the restaurant. The rest of you, follow me upstairs.”
Lin Fan kicked open the restaurant door. The shopkeeper stepped forward to inquire but was berated by Lin Fan and scurried away with his head tucked.
At this moment, Zhou Hanshan was terrified.
He hadn’t expected them to arrive so quickly.
When Lin Fan reached the upper floor, Zhou Hanshan quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said respectfully, “Sir Lin, it’s a misunderstanding, a complete misunderstanding. I had no idea this had happened. It was all these three who did it. It has nothing to do with me.”
Lin Fan didn’t speak. The constables behind him rushed forward.
“Draw sword.”
Clang!
The swords were drawn, their bright blades glinting coldly.
“Anyone who dares to resist will be executed on the spot,” Lin Fan said.
“Yes, Sir.”
At this moment, Lin Fan looked at Zhou Hanshan, his face like frost. “What a wicked audacity to dare beat a Public Security Bureau constable and even steal his saber. Fine, fine. It seems I, Lin Fan, haven’t done enough, haven’t killed enough people in Anzhou, for you all to be so brazen.”
Zhou Hanshan felt a strong killing intent.
He saw murderous intent in Lin Fan’s eyes.
None of the gang members present dared to speak.
“Kneel, kneel before Sir Lin,” Zhou Hanshan roared at the three, including Brother Snake.
Thump!
Thump!
Thump!
The three immediately knelt, trembling.
Lin Fan looked at the girl crying profusely and asked, “Who beat Hong Hao?”
The girl pointed at the three kneeling men.
“Good, good, good.” Lin Fan’s eyes were icy as he looked at the three. The chill made them tremble, their faces pale. In front of the constables, they didn’t have the slightest courage to resist.
“Someone, arrest everyone here and throw them in prison,” Lin Fan ordered.
The constables, upon receiving the order, immediately took action.
They had already returned home, sharing their joy of joining the Public Security Bureau with their families. They hadn’t been happy for long before receiving news to gather at the bureau.
They didn’t know what had happened.
But the one thing they knew was that when they arrived at the Public Security Bureau, Chief Lin’s face was grim, the face of a man ready to kill.
When they learned that their fellow constables had been beaten by thugs from the Black Stone Gang and had their sabers stolen, they were all stunned and filled with rage.
Such audacity.
“Sir Lin, it’s a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!” Zhou Hanshan yelled desperately. He was truly scared because this Chief Lin hadn’t looked at him once, nor had he spoken a word to him.
That was the most terrifying thing.
It meant the other party was truly prepared to deliver a fatal blow.
After the constables escorted Zhou Hanshan and the others away.
Xu Ming said, “Sir, should the brothers work a little harder tonight and stay to interrogate them?”
Lin Fan said coldly, “No need. We have all the evidence concerning them. Just write something down, have them sign and fingerprint it, and have them beheaded tomorrow.”
“I still killed too few, which is why they dare to be so brazen, actually daring to attack constables. They didn’t attack constables; they attacked my, Lin Fan’s, face.”
“They dared to touch my face; I will have them die.”
Xu Ming swallowed.
He was awestruck by Brother Lin’s murderous intent.
Truly, killing was like drinking water; he killed when he wanted to.
If it were him, even if these people were truly facing execution, he would have to carefully consider and hesitate for a long time.
…
Shed Area.
Neighbors surrounded Hong Hao’s doorway.
“Was he really a constable?”
“How is that possible? If a constable could be kicked unconscious and have his saber stolen, I’d say he was fake ninety percent of the time.”
“That’s not right. Didn’t someone wearing a constable’s uniform visit Hong Hao just now, learn about his situation, and leave immediately, saying he was going to inform Chief Lin?”
“You’re too naive, easily believing what others say. Do you think constables are people like us from the lower classes?”
“Yeah, you haven’t seen how imposing those constables are nowadays. They’re all dignified, walking tall with chests puffed out, full of energy. Where are the constables who get kicked a few times and fall unconscious?”
Inside the house.
Hong Hao’s head felt heavy and painful.
“Dad, Mom, I’m fine. They won’t escape. Aunt Zhang, don’t worry, Cuihua will come back. My colleague already knows about this. He’s gone to inform my superior. The Black Stone Gang definitely won’t get away with this,” Hong Hao said.
Father Hong said, “Son, don’t talk nonsense. Impersonating a constable is against the law. Let’s be honest and not think of any crooked ways.”
“Dad, what I’m saying is true.”
“True? Look at how skinny you are, like skin and bones. A gust of wind could blow you over. It’s not that Dad doesn’t believe you, but with your physique, how can Dad believe you?”
Hong Hao: …
Outside at this moment.
“Excuse me, please make way.”
Xu Ming spoke, clearing the path for Lin Fan.
The onlookers, the neighbors, all froze when they saw a group of people in constable uniforms appear. At the same time, some had seen Lin Fan before. Upon seeing him, they couldn’t help but exclaim.
“Sir Lin!”
Lin Fan nodded slightly, acknowledging them.
Huh?
They’re really constables.
The neighbors who had previously doubted if Hong Hao was a constable stared, stunned.
He has this physique and can be a constable?
