HLM – Chapter 977 Pursuing to the End

The AOS and the police were lying in wait, catching anyone who came down. Soon, too many people had been apprehended, so they switched to guarding; there simply weren’t enough handcuffs or police cars.

The police cars formed a circle, and the Highland Māori were brought inside. New Zealand still valued humanitarian treatment, so food and drinking water were prepared for them.

But this wasn’t Wang Bo’s doing—he wasn’t the type to play the benevolent good guy, especially with the media watching. Some of the Māori had their clothes soaked with water and kept complaining about the cold, asking Wang Bo to provide dry towels and clothing.

Wang Bo exchanged a glance with Atulu and Li Xing. A few of his men stepped forward to shield him from the journalists’ view. Wang Bo went up and kicked one of the Māori away. “To hell with your towels!”

The reporters were ecstatic. Normally, they rarely had contact with the Highland Māori, but now they could—and it was during a major conflict, no less. Cameras and video recorders clicked and rolled continuously.

Wang Bo sat there, feasting with his men—wine and meat for them, while the Highland Māori were given bread and water. Someone kindly threw in a few water bottles so they could at least have hot water.

Lawyer Muller also arrived, and Wang Bo tasked him with drafting the indictment. He was determined to prosecute these people—not for compensation, but to send more of them to prison.

A lesson to scare others: he wanted everyone with thoughts of interfering in Sunset Town to know he was not to be trifled with.

The next day, even more important figures arrived in Sunset Town. The mayor of Oak City, Huta-Sack, led city council members; Prime Minister Lisa Lawrence arrived, and even Governor Sir Pike made an appearance.

Sunset Town became the center of a storm.

In the morning, Wang Bo received these dignitaries in the government conference room to discuss solutions to the situation.

Wang Bo shrugged. “There’s not much to discuss. They committed crimes, so they should be sentenced according to the law.”

Prime Minister Lawrence smiled. “Of course, that’s correct. But Mayor Wang, these people are suspected of illegal trespassing. Are you planning to prosecute and arrest all of them?”

“I act according to the law.”

“If that’s the case, who would dare enter Sunset Town in the future? Sunset Town is different from other areas; it’s a township built on your private land. Anyone who enters is committing illegal trespass.”

This made Wang Bo laugh. “Prime Minister Lawrence, I mean no disrespect to your policy. But as a Chinese saying goes: when friends come, offer beauties; when wolves come, offer guns. I welcome friends, not unlimited visitors.”

Lawrence clearly wanted to smooth things over, but that was unacceptable to Wang Bo.

The meeting ended on an unpleasant note. Lawrence and her team went to prepare a press conference regarding the incident, while Wang Bo returned to his office.

Not long after he sat down, Alexander appeared at the office door.

Seeing him, Wang Bo was somewhat surprised. “Hi, Vice Chairman, what brings you here?”

Alexander smiled. “I heard our young man got into trouble. As a staunch friend of yours in the party, of course I had to see what’s going on.”

Wang Bo thanked him, and Alexander continued: “Judging by your expression, the emergency response meeting didn’t go smoothly, right?”

“Yes. The Prime Minister wanted to smooth things over. Ha! Impossible. I will send all the criminals to prison.”

“I support you. It seems some have forgotten that New Zealand is founded on the rule of law. This is a disgrace!” Alexander said firmly.

“The Highland Māori broke the law; they must be punished. I’ve brought a capable legal team that should help you.”

With that, Alexander pulled a folder from his briefcase and handed it over. Inside were files on lawyers he had brought.

“I discussed this with them on the way. If the Highland Māori accept our charges, send them to prison. If not, they are opposing national law—tantamount to treason!”

By contrast, Alexander was a true politician—knowing when to be tactful and when to act with an iron fist.

Wang Bo reviewed the lawyers’ files. “Thank you, Vice Chairman. I deeply appreciate your help and the party’s support.”

Alexander waved his hand. “It’s only right. Wang, Prime Minister Lawrence is too soft on the Māori issue. She thinks she’s protecting the nation, but in fact, she’s encouraging bad behavior—it’s unacceptable!”

Wang Bo nodded in agreement. He vaguely understood Alexander’s intention: the matter could be used to attack the National Party.

He knew there’s no such thing as a free lunch. If the Green Party offered legal aid, it couldn’t be purely out of goodwill. That’s politics, and he accepted it.

With legal support, Wang Bo’s side became much easier. The case could be handled entirely by Lawyer Muller’s team; he only needed to appear as the plaintiff. This wouldn’t interfere with his other work.

Sunset Town had plenty going on. Over in Saudi Arabia, discussions concluded that a construction team hired by Safi Farm would build an airport in Sunset Town.

In fact, Saudi Arabia had long since completed evaluations of Sunset Ranch. This final discussion was to finalize some cooperation details.

For the airport’s location, Wang Bo chose the Oak City direction, at the southeastern edge of his territory.

This showed that while the Saudis were wealthy, they weren’t reckless. The location choice allowed Oak City to contribute partial funding, so both parties would benefit from the airport’s use.

After handling the Highland Māori matter, Wang Bo gave Atulu a short break—after being kidnapped while accompanying him, he deserved it.

Yet the next day, Atulu returned to work, looking gloomy.

Wang Bo asked in surprise, “Why are you back so soon? Weren’t you planning a vacation with your wife?”

“Forget it. Women are never as important as work. And I’ve had enough of her; I’d rather face work than her!”

“What happened? Did she hit you again? What was it this time?”

Atulu straightened his neck. “Hit me? Look, are there shoe marks on my face? No. She didn’t hit me this time. We were playing a game and didn’t have fun.”

“What game could affect marital feelings?”

“Rock-paper-scissors.”

“This game affects your relationship? Didn’t you try letting her win?”

“How could I? She beat me up, then made me guess how many punches she threw and how many hit me. I didn’t guess right…”