Chapter Forty-Five: The Siege of the Police Station (Part Two)

Inside the Shanghai Police Headquarters, Chief Tian Guoqiang was in the midst of listening to his subordinates’ work reports when his phone suddenly rang. Seeing that it was a call from the Municipal Party Committee, he instinctively sprang to his feet and sternly ordered his subordinates, “All of you, step outside for now.”

Once the others had left, he answered the call respectfully. “Secretary Liu, good afternoon. What instructions do you have for me?”

A cold voice replied, “Xiao Tian, I’ve heard that your Yangpu Branch has been acting recklessly, arresting people at will, and has even detained a university student named Liu Fan as a criminal. This is sheer nonsense! Who gave you the authority to act so brazenly? I want you to get to the bottom of this immediately—no matter who is involved, if they’ve broken the law or violated regulations, they must be dealt with severely.” Without even giving Tian Guoqiang a chance to explain, the call was abruptly ended.

The call had come from Secretary Liu Yanzheng of the Municipal Party Committee. Not long before, he had received a call from his in-law Zhao Changshan, who told him that the person who had saved his daughter and granddaughter had been found—only to be falsely accused of a crime and brought to the police station within Liu’s own jurisdiction. Furious, Liu had called the police chief and given him a thorough dressing down, ordering an immediate investigation.

Tian Guoqiang, upon hearing Liu Yanzheng’s words, broke out in a cold sweat. He knew that the secretary was truly enraged this time. Having transferred from the military and served under Liu Yandong in the East China Military District, Tian had been forced to leave the army for certain reasons. With the recommendation of his former superior, he’d joined Liu Yanzheng’s team and quickly risen to his current position as police chief—his success owed much to the Liu family’s patronage.

Now, someone under his command had managed to offend such a powerful figure. Wasn’t this inviting disaster upon himself? Those bastards would have to be dealt with harshly; if they made his life difficult, he would make sure they suffered as well.

With this resolve, Tian Guoqiang wasted no time. He picked up the phone and dialed the Yangpu District Police Branch. What had just happened now replayed itself on the other end of the line.

Having hung up, Chief Tian urgently set out for the Yangpu branch himself.

Outside the Yangpu Police Branch, a black Audi screeched to a halt, leaving a long skid mark on the ground—a testament to the urgency of the arrival. Out stepped a man in his forties, hair slightly disheveled and nearly dropping his briefcase in his haste. He was Jiang Minghui, Chief of the Yangpu Branch, and had rushed back as soon as he received a call from the city headquarters.

Entering the lobby and spotting the busy staff, he grabbed one of them and barked, “Has Deputy Chief Qian brought in a young man today?”

The startled staff member stammered, “Chief… Yes, about an hour ago Deputy Qian brought in a young man. He’s in Interrogation Room Eight right now. I just passed by and I think I heard screams coming from inside—sounded pretty bad.”

Jiang Minghui’s heart nearly stopped. Disaster loomed. Chief Tian had specifically warned him: if anything happened to that young man, Jiang’s own career would be over. He quickly ordered, “Stop Qian Huafu immediately! Otherwise, we’re all finished. Damn it, this is digging our own graves!”

Without delay, Jiang Minghui rushed to Interrogation Room Eight. To his surprise, there was complete silence inside. Panic gripped him—he feared Liu Fan had been beaten to a pulp. He kicked the door open with a bang, only to be stunned by the scene before him.

Inside, a young man sipped tea leisurely, while several men sprawled on the floor, groaning in pain. Among them, nearest the door, lay Qian Huafu himself.

Usually, Qian Huafu relied on backing from city leaders and paid little regard to Jiang Minghui’s authority. Jiang, newly transferred from another region and lacking both local roots and powerful patrons, was generally ignored by his subordinates.

Now, seeing his nemesis brought low, Jiang felt a surge of satisfaction and walked past Qian without a glance, heading straight to Liu Fan. He asked respectfully, “Are you Mr. Liu Fan?”

Liu Fan, though unfamiliar with Jiang, recognized that his earlier arrangements had worked. Still, he had always harbored distrust towards the police, so he merely nodded in response.

To Jiang, this was only natural. Anyone important enough to draw the attention of a Politburo member was hardly ordinary. The young man’s distinguished air suggested an elite background, perhaps even a descendant of a central government dignitary. Jiang was already dreaming that if he could forge a connection here, his own rise would be unstoppable. His tone was thus full of deference.

“Mr. Liu, I’m here on Chief Tian’s orders to escort you out. Chief Tian will arrive shortly. We will ensure you receive a satisfactory resolution to this incident.”

Then, turning to Qian Huafu, Jiang barked, “Qian Huafu, you and Zhao Qijin conspired to frame an innocent man and attempted to assault a woman. On behalf of the branch, I hereby announce your dismissal. You will be handed over for judicial prosecution.”

At these words, Qian Huafu, who had been feigning unconsciousness, leapt up in outrage. “Jiang! You’re abusing your authority for personal revenge. What proof do you have that I framed anyone? What right do you have to dismiss me? If Mayor Lu hears about this, you’ll pay dearly!”

Even with his career in jeopardy, Qian still tried to wield the mayor’s name as a threat. But Jiang, though lacking evidence, felt emboldened by the backing of heavyweights; even if the mayor intervened, he had nothing to fear. If he weathered this storm, promotion would be within reach. Just as Jiang was about to retort, a furious voice sounded from behind: “He may not have the authority, but what about me?” It was Tian Guoqiang, who had just arrived and heard Qian’s brazen threats.

“You… who are—Chief Tian, I—” Qian froze mid-sentence, recognizing the city police chief. His face turned ashen, legs trembling violently, words tumbling out incoherently.

“Hmph. You’re dismissed effective immediately. Prepare to face investigation by the Discipline Inspection Commission,” Tian Guoqiang declared coldly, not deigning to spare Qian another glance. The latter, upon hearing this, simply fainted dead away.

Turning to Liu Fan with a warm smile, Tian said, “Mr. Liu, my name is Tian Guoqiang, Chief of the City Police. I sincerely apologize for the mistreatment you’ve suffered at the hands of a few rotten apples in our force. I assure you, we will not let the perpetrators go unpunished.”

Though Liu Fan did not know him, he appreciated the gesture and responded politely, “Chief Tian, you are too kind. I am but an ordinary university student—how could I trouble you to come here in person?”

Indeed, as the saying goes, respect begets respect; one gives face, and face is received in return. In today’s society, arrogance only leads to offense—measured deference paves the way for future progress.

Tian Guoqiang laughed. “You are too modest, Mr. Liu. I am merely fulfilling a request entrusted to me—it’s nothing at all.” He then turned to a young man beside him. “Allow me to introduce you: this is Jiang Tao, Secretary Liu’s chief aide.”

“Mr. Liu, pleased to meet you. I am Jiang Tao. I look forward to your guidance,” said the young man, steady and composed for someone barely past thirty. Though his words were polite, Liu Fan noticed a trace of arrogance and condescension in his eyes. It was understandable—rising so quickly at a young age, he was at the height of his confidence, and his humble origins perhaps made him disdainful of those he took for idle scions.

As a result, Liu Fan’s impression of Jiang Tao took a sharp downturn. He responded only with a cool nod, which Jiang Tao noticed, feeling a flicker of anger. Even district police chiefs usually greeted him with deference, and even lesser vice mayors did not dare snub him as Liu Fan just had.

Still, he knew nothing of Liu Fan’s identity, only that his own boss wished to meet him. Swallowing his annoyance, Jiang Tao held his tongue. At that awkward moment, a police officer burst in, out of breath. “Chief Jiang, there’s a squad of heavily-armed special forces outside. They’ve surrounded the building and say if we don’t release their commander immediately, they’ll storm the station!”

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Thanks to “fanyajie” for the reward, and to all of you for your votes. The next chapter will be even more exciting. Please look forward to it, and don’t forget to recommend this story. Thank you!