A Divine Farmer

Chapter 271 - Just You Wait!

“What's the rush?” Zheng Ming asked Zhang Xiaolong before standing up. “Get Chang Tian in here, please.”

Regardless of who was at fault in this case, Chang Tian's negligence was certain to face consequences.

“Bureau Director, you should take that phone call first. It's Bureau Director Liu from the city bureau on the line. He seems quite upset. I'm not sure what the issue is, but he insisted that you call him back immediately,” relayed the officer, quickly delivering the message.

Zheng Ming could only shake his head in resignation. “Alright, Xiaolong, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to remain here for now. But rest assured, this matter will be settled soon. If you've been falsely accused, I will personally unlock your handcuffs and work to clear your name.”

“No need to worry about my reputation. Many people are aware of who I am,” Xiaolong said with a smile, rising to his feet. “I trust you, Bureau Director Zheng, to deal with these issues justly and to help us reclaim a clean river.”

“I must be going now; there's a lot to attend to at the bureau,” Zheng Ming said, offering an apologetic tone.

Understanding the urgency, Xiaolong quickly nodded in acknowledgment.

Zheng Ming rushed back to his office and called Bureau Director Liu Luo.

“Bureau Director Liu, did you need me for something?” Zheng Ming inquired cautiously.

He had been warned about the director's anger and was keen to avoid making matters worse.

“Tell me, did your team arrest someone named Zhang Xiaolong?” Liu Luo's anger had subsided somewhat, but his tone remained stern.

“Zhang Xiaolong? How did you come to know about that? I've only just been informed…” Zheng Ming began, eager to clarify, but he was cut off before he could continue.

“So you did arrest him? Then I'll ask you once more: do you have solid evidence and justification? If not, release him immediately,” Liu Luo demanded, his voice growing firmer.

Zheng Ming paused, his expression one of confusion. “Bureau Director Liu, may I ask why you're taking such an interest in him? The records suggest Zhang Xiaolong is a farmer, correct?”

“A farmer? Have you ever heard of a farmer who the mayor personally inquires about?” Liu Luo asked with a sense of resignation. “Let's not dwell on this, release him. It's not his identity that concerns us; it's the pressure from above. They're accusing us of detaining people arbitrarily without any investigation, and that's an accusation we can't afford, especially with someone like Zhang Xiaolong. We must tread very carefully. A single misstep could severely damage the reputation of our entire police department.”

“I'm still puzzled. What makes Zhang Xiaolong so different from other farmers?” Zheng Ming remained perplexed.

“This Zhang Xiaolong is the one from Clear River Village. Does that ring a bell?” Liu Luo hinted.

“Clear River Village? Oh, that's the place with a surge in vegetable growers…” Zheng Ming pondered.

“You're out of the loop, aren't you? You must have heard of the Soaring Dragon Company, the one that took over Xu's Strong Dragon Group?” Liu Luo realized he needed to clarify things for Zheng Ming to be fully on board. “The current CEO of Soaring Dragon Company is Chen Yaru, Zhang Xiaolong's girlfriend. And the true owner behind Soaring Dragon? That's Zhang Xiaolong himself.”

Zheng Ming inhaled sharply, finally understanding the gravity of the situation. No wonder the higher-ups were so attentive; the young man who appeared so imposing actually wielded significant economic power.

“Strong Dragon Group used to be Qingyang City's flagship enterprise, but Soaring Dragon has since surpassed it in strength,” Liu Luo continued urgently, pounding the table. “But it's not about fear. It's about evidence, evidence… Without concrete proof, we can't just go after him, let alone make baseless arrests. That would be utterly senseless.”

“Bureau Director Liu, please, calm down. I've just spoken with him, and he seems to be quite understanding. I don't think he'll react rashly over this incident. Plus, I've already assured him that we'll resolve this matter swiftly,” Zheng Ming reported, trying to ease the tension. “In fact, I have a personal connection to this issue…”

“Director, we have a serious problem!” The officer came running back in a panic.

“We'll discuss this later!” Zheng Ming, in the midst of his report, was clearly displeased by the interruption.

“There's no time, Director. The police station is surrounded!” the man exclaimed anxiously.

“What are you talking about? Who would dare?” Zheng Ming responded, taken aback.

He quickly spoke into the phone and, without waiting for a reply, dashed out the door.

An assault on the police station was no small matter. The potential for widespread panic was immense if the news spread.

As he stepped outside, Zheng Ming was confronted with a sea of green military trucks blockading the station. Armed soldiers stood at the ready in front of the vehicles.

Zheng Ming's face turned ashen. The opposing force could easily raze the station with their superior firepower. But why would the military encircle a police station? Could they be impostors?

Even a fake military unit couldn't possibly have access to such an arsenal, nor the well-trained soldiers that stood before him.

While bandits might match the military in combat, they lacked the strict discipline of an organized army.

Yet here, the soldiers, despite their siege, were orderly and disciplined.

“I'm Zheng Ming, the director here. Which unit are you from, and why have you surrounded the station?” he demanded loudly.

Liu Zhongjun emerged from the crowd, unarmed, and strolled toward Zheng Ming, stopping a mere few meters away.

“We've come to take someone,” Liu Zhongjun said, unfazed by the guns aimed at him. “He's a key figure related to national security, and we cannot let him be threatened or detained by just anyone.”

Zheng Ming had an inkling of whom Liu Zhongjun referred to but sought confirmation, “Who are you talking about?”

“Zhang Xiaolong.” Liu Zhongjun's words were quiet, but his lips betrayed his message.

A storm of emotions raged within Zheng Ming. The revelation that Xiaolong owned Soaring Dragon Company was shocking enough, and now there were implications of national security?

Still, Zheng Ming was a principled man, known for his tenacity and refusal to yield under pressure. Being coerced at gunpoint was not in his character.

Moreover, as a police station, releasing a suspect prematurely could turn into quite the farce in the future.

“First, you'll need to verify your identities. Secondly, Zhang Xiaolong is under investigation by the police. Once we uncover the truth, he will be released accordingly. You'll need to be patient,” Zheng Ming responded.

“No,” Qu Moyao insisted resolutely, “We're the military garrison stationed at Clear River Village. I'm sure you've been informed. Regardless of your procedures, if we can't see him, none of you will be leaving.”

“You…” Zheng Ming was taken aback by the beautiful officer's even more irrational stance, “Very well, you'll just have to wait.”