Power and Wealth

Inside the ward.

When he saw Dong Xuebing’s ID card, Public Bureau Chief Chang Lin shocked everyone by suddenly saying, “Release him immediately.”

Release him?

Immediately?

What on earth was going on?

Forget the other issues—this alone was a serious criminal case of assaulting a police officer! How could he release him under these circumstances? So when Chief Chang gave the order, Hu Hanbin, and several police officers from the county bureau were baffled. Their minds were in a fog. After all, just a moment ago, Chief Chang had told Liu Xing and the other two injured officers that he would stand up for them and that the county bureau would take over the case personally. But now, in the blink of an eye, everything had changed. And not just changed—he was ordering the suspect's release, which made no sense at all.

"Chief Chang."

"What are you..."

"Why are we releasing him?"

Hu Hanbin and the others asked, thinking Chang Lin must have misspoken.

But Chang Lin’s next words confirmed it, “I said release him right now.”

The others didn’t know who Dong Xuebing was, but how could Chang Lin not know? Even though Dong Xuebing hadn’t officially taken office, news of his appointment had long since spread within their circle. Lower-level officers or those with less seniority might not have heard about it. Still, as the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee and a county standing committee member, Chang Lin was fully aware. After Secretary Li Gui’an’s transfer, the person set to replace him as the new county party secretary was a young man named Dong Xuebing, about 26 or 27 years old. Chang Lin even knew that he was from Beijing. So when he saw the ID card named "Dong Xuebing," he instantly put two and two together. Sure, it was a common name, but it wasn’t likely that just anyone with that name would appear in their remote county. They weren’t a tourist destination, after all. And a guy from Beijing is showing up here? The answer was glaringly obvious.

From the moment he saw that ID card, Chang Lin knew the truth: the person the Chengguan Police Station had arrested was undoubtedly their new county party secretary.

Realizing this, Chang Lin immediately forgot everything he’d said to his subordinates. His face turned pale, and he almost felt like cursing in frustration.

The county bureau officers were confused.

Hu Hanbin blinked at his superior. “Chief Chang, this situation is serious. He’s already broken the law and assaulted our officers. How can we just—"

Another officer said, “Yeah, this isn’t proper procedure.”

Just moments ago, Chief Chang had been all fire and brimstone, so why had his attitude suddenly flipped?

Seeing they weren’t following his orders, Chang Lin lost his temper, pointing at Hu Hanbin and yelling, “What’s with all the nonsense? I told you to release him immediately! Do it now and as fast as you can! You lot are something, aren’t you? Of all the people to arrest, you just had to arrest him. You’re giving me nothing but trouble!”

Hu Hanbin wasn’t one of Chang Lin’s men; the two didn’t have a particularly close relationship, either professionally or personally. So Chang Lin didn’t bother explaining anything to him. Too many people were around, and it wasn’t the right place to talk openly. After shouting these orders, Chang Lin rushed out of the ward and headed to the end of the hallway. As he walked, he made several phone calls to his friends and colleagues in the county, speaking rapidly.

“Hey, old Chang, I heard something is happening over there.”

“It’s not just something small, Old Liu, get over here right now.”

“What’s going on? You sound urgent.”

“Just get over here! It’s serious!”

Chang Lin didn’t bother explaining things to his subordinates. Since Dong Xuebing had come to Jiao Lin County alone and hadn’t notified anyone or reported to the city authorities, he intended to keep a low profile. He was probably conducting a covert inspection. Since Chang Lin knew who Dong Xuebing was, he felt obligated to inform a few county leaders.

So, Chang Lin made a string of phone calls.

After he left to make the calls, those left behind in the hospital ward stared at each other, bewildered. No one could figure out why the chief had suddenly blown up after being fine moments before.

Release him?

Why would they release him?

Hu Hanbin was utterly confused, but given Chief Chang’s attitude, he knew he had to act. After conferring with a county police officer, he was on good terms with who also didn’t seem to know what was happening—Hu Hanbin had no choice but to leave the ward. He glanced at Chang Lin, who was still on the phone in the distance, hesitated and decided not to approach or ask any more questions. He hurried out of the hospital and returned to the police station.

Not long after...

Inside the police station interrogation room.

A few armed officers still stood around, maintaining a tense standoff with Dong Xuebing. But Dong Xuebing seemed to have made himself right at home. With one leg crossed over the other, he leisurely smoked one cigarette after another. He even found a disposable cup, bent over, and poured himself some hot water from the water dispenser. Taking a sip, he sighed with satisfaction, enjoying the warmth.

Hmm, he was starting to feel hungry.

Dong Xuebing opened his luggage.

The police officers exchanged confused glances, some reaching for their guns, unsure of what Dong Xuebing was up to. But soon, they saw him pull out a box of instant noodles, pickled vegetables, and a few sausages from his suitcase. It was all the food he had brought from Beijing in case something unexpected happened during his drive to his new post. Now that he was hungry, Dong Xuebing took out the instant noodles and prepared them with hot water from the dispenser.

A bite of noodles.

A bite of pickled vegetables.

A nibble of sausage.

The officers looked on with complicated expressions. Only then did the ones gripping their guns relax and let go.

Dong Xuebing didn’t seem to care about his surroundings or the tension in the room. He continued to enjoy his meal as if utterly alone, unaffected by the situation. This was just his nature—regardless of time, place, or company, he rarely let external factors influence his behavior. He did as he pleased.

Finally, Hu Hanbin returned from the hospital and again pushed open the interrogation room door. This time, however, his expression was far from calm. Though he hadn’t been gone long, it was as if he had become a different person when he returned. Surprised, The officers glanced at him, thinking something must have happened to their injured colleagues.

“Chief Hu.”

“How are Old Liu and the others doing?”

“Their condition has stabilized. Don’t worry.”

“Chief Chang also went to the hospital, so what’s the plan now?”

Hu Hanbin paused, not answering right away. He knew everyone was waiting for Dong Xuebing to be dealt with. While they had managed to bring him back to the station, they couldn’t interrogate him or get any answers. From the start, Dong Xuebing had refused to cooperate. The officers were naturally frustrated. If the county police took over the case, it would be much easier for them, and they wouldn’t have to deal with Dong Xuebing directly. The local station didn’t have enough manpower or authority to handle someone like him, but the county police wouldn’t have those limitations.

Yet now, Chief Chang Lin seemed to have completely changed his mind. He wasn’t even concerned about the fact that Dong Xuebing had assaulted officers. He hadn’t asked about the details of the incident or the extent of the injuries. All he had done was glance at Dong Xuebing’s ID card before swiftly ordering his release.

Who was this guy?

Wasn’t he just some tourist?

Could he have such a powerful background? If so, what kind of background was it?

Hu Hanbin finally turned his attention to Dong Xuebing. The moment he saw him, he almost blew a fuse. Dong Xuebing was casually lounging with his legs crossed, enjoying his steaming bowl of instant noodles. The enticing aroma filled the room, and several officers, who hadn’t eaten all day, found their stomachs growling. This sight only fueled Hu Hanbin’s frustration. Damn it, we’ve been working tirelessly all day without a meal, and here you are, eating comfortably like you own the place? You’re in our police station and still not behaving yourself!

“Who gave him that?” Hu Hanbin demanded, barely containing his anger.

One officer shrugged with a wry smile. “He brought it himself,” the officer explained, pointing to Dong Xuebing’s suitcase.

Dong Xuebing, seemingly oblivious, continued eating, never lifting his head or acknowledging their presence.

The more Hu Hanbin watched, the more enraged he became. But despite his growing anger, he couldn’t ignore Chief Chang Lin’s order. He was stuck at a crossroads—should he release Dong Xuebing or find a way to delay the decision? If they released Dong Xuebing, the reputation of the Chengguan Police Station would be utterly destroyed, and Hu Hanbin would lose face in front of his officers. His emotions were running high, and he couldn't understand what was going through Chief Chang’s mind.

Follow orders, or find a way to stall and save face?

By now, Hu Hanbin knew that Dong Xuebing wasn’t an ordinary person. The fact that he had flipped a minibus with a single kick and provoked such a strong reaction from Chief Chang Lin meant he had to have a significant background. Hu Hanbin wasn’t a fool—he could see that. But it didn’t mean he could just let it slide. Background or not, you can't just go around assaulting my officers. Who gave you that right? How could he face his subordinates if he didn’t stand up to this?

Just then, the door opened.

“Chief Hu, there’s someone important outside,” a young officer rushed in, looking flustered.

Hu Hanbin looked at him. “Who is it? Chief Chang?”

The officer, visibly anxious, stammered, “You’d better come out and see for yourself. Almost everyone is here—lots of leaders. Chief Chang’s there too.”

What?

So many leaders?

Hu Hanbin was stunned, completely caught off guard. Why was there such a large turnout? Who could have possibly come?

The young officer hadn’t provided all the details, so Hu Hanbin decided to see for himself and, of course, greet whoever had arrived. But as he stepped out of the building and looked into the courtyard, the scene before him left him utterly speechless. Standing there was the county’s top brass—the head of the United Front Work Department, the head of the Discipline Inspection Commission, the head of the Propaganda Department, and Chief Chang Lin, the head of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee.

One, two, five...... It seemed like half the county’s leadership had shown up. These were all members of the county’s Party Standing Committee, the highest governing body in the area.

Behind them, the yard was packed with officials. Many lower-level cadres had also arrived, and more were trickling in. There were so many cars in the yard that the parking space was running out.

Hu Hanbin and his officers stood in shock, their jaws practically on the floor. What on earth was going on? Why had so many leaders and officials gathered here?