PCJ – Chapter 455 Stirring Up a Large Area

Zhang Jiaohua and Liu Zhaodong had just reached the main road when the lights in every household in the village lit up.

Liu Zhaodong, delighted, said eagerly, “The power’s back on! How about we go back and check? If the phone works, you can make another call home to reassure your family.”

“No need. My mother will feel at ease knowing I’ve called. She’s probably already on her way here,” Zhang Jiaohua guessed. He could well imagine that if his mother knew he was here, she might be coming frantically.

“That works too.” Liu Zhaodong thought of his empty pockets. Making another call would require borrowing money, and judging by the look on Village Chief Liu Zhongyang’s face earlier, he would certainly be unwilling. Though Liu Zhongyang meant well, fearing his own money would not be repaid if Zhang’s family refused later, Liu Zhaodong knew Zhang Jiaohua was no ordinary person. His alchemy skills were even better than the old Daoist’s. How could such a person be simple?

Before they had walked far, Liu Zhongyang came huffing and puffing after them. “Wait! Wait! The phone line is working now.”

“We’re not making another call,” Zhang Jiaohua said, clearly disliking Liu Zhongyang, who seemed too opportunistic.

“Maybe we should?” Liu Zhaodong hesitated. Money wasn’t the issue; he’d be willing to pay any amount—if only he had it.

“No, it’s not that. The county public security bureau just called. They’re sending people over right away and instructed us to keep you here no matter what. You haven’t done anything bad in our county, have you?” Liu Zhongyang asked doubtfully. Zhang Jiaohua looked no older than fifteen or sixteen; how could such a young kid commit a major crime?

“Secretary Zhongyang, what are you even saying? Jiaohua is just a child. What could he possibly have done? Clearly, the public security bureau values him highly because he contacted someone important. And now they want us to make sure he stays safe,” Liu Zhaodong said with certainty. A child with skills superior to an old Daoist wouldn’t stoop to petty theft. Liu Zhaodong would bet his life on it.

“No, no. I’m just puzzled as to why the public security bureau is so concerned about a child,” Liu Zhongyang muttered, scratching his head.

“They’re probably worried about him wandering off again,” Liu Zhaodong asserted confidently.

Zhang Jiaohua immediately understood: Luo Changjun must have contacted someone in Changfeng County. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be such a fuss. The Jade Spring Beverage company was a nationally renowned enterprise, and the disappearance of its owner’s son had drawn significant attention from the authorities. Not only had the Zijiang City police received directives from the provincial department, but other counties and cities in the province had also been instructed to assist in the search.

When Zhang was found in Changfeng County, the local police couldn’t let this opportunity slip by. They had to act decisively.

After receiving the news, Changfeng County’s Public Security Bureau Chief Jiang Liangkai rushed to Xiu’an Township with his team, all while reporting the situation to County Party Secretary Mao Baoshan.

Upon hearing that the missing son of the Jade Spring Beverage Group was found in his county, Mao Baoshan immediately recognized this as a rare opportunity for Changfeng County. He had visited Xintian County before, which had similar agricultural conditions to Changfeng. However, Xintian County had leveraged the Jade Spring Beverage company to become a nationally renowned leader in tea production. With the company’s influence, its tea industry and tourism boomed, turning Xintian County into an economic powerhouse.

“If we can seize this opportunity and bring the Jade Spring Beverage company to Changfeng County, why couldn’t we replicate Xintian County’s success?” Mao Baoshan thought.

He quickly called his secretary, Zhu Nianying, “Nianying, notify Xiu’an Township officials to establish contact with Muyun Village immediately. Ensure the safety and proper care of the missing middle school student from Xintian County.”

Thus began an eventful night in Changfeng County. First, Jiang Liangkai received a call from the Public Security Bureau, followed by Mao Baoshan briefing the county’s top officials. Soon, the entire county’s administrative machinery sprang into action.

But when they tried to contact Muyun Village, they hit a roadblock: the village couldn’t be reached. With its remote location, the village’s only telephone was in Liu Zhongyang’s home. Xiu’an Township’s Party Secretary, Yang Fugeng, discovered the line was down when he tried calling. Red Rock Town, where Xiu’an Township was located, had a power outage that disrupted all telecom services.

Fortunately, Yang Fugeng guessed the issue and reported it to county leaders. Secretary Zhu Nianying immediately instructed the power company to restore electricity to Red Rock Town without delay.

Soon, the phone lines in Muyun Village were restored, and calls flooded Liu Zhongyang’s home. The first to get through was Jiang Liangkai, setting the events in motion.

“Chief Jiang of the Public Security Bureau just called, asking us to ensure you stay here. Dr. Liu, why don’t you and Zhang rest at my place for a while? The county will send someone shortly,” Liu Zhongyang said cautiously.

“Jiaohua, shall we go?” Liu Zhaodong asked, not wanting to offend Liu Zhongyang.

Zhang Jiaohua nodded. “Alright.”

A few hours later, cars filled Muyun Village’s elementary school playground. The county’s top officials, including Mao Baoshan, arrived, turning the village into an impromptu county-level meeting venue.

“Zhang Jiaohua, hello. I’m Mao Baoshan, the County Party Secretary of Changfeng County. The county takes your situation very seriously. Have you suffered here? Additionally, we will thoroughly investigate how you ended up in Changfeng. If any criminal activities are involved, the Public Security Bureau will handle it with utmost seriousness!” Mao Baoshan said as he stepped out, immediately setting the tone for the event.

Watching this unfold, Liu Zhongyang was stunned. Who was Zhang Jiaohua to command such attention? The highest-ranking visitor to the village before this was a mere township Party Secretary.