PCJ – Chapter 671 A Harsh Scolding

“No worries. Just bring me what I asked for. I’d really like to see if this Zhi Huming really dares to cover the sky with one hand,” Zhang Jiaohua said unhurriedly, placing what he was holding onto the table. In that brief moment when Zhi Shengfeng attacked him, Zhang Jiaohua had managed to push the items on the table aside and then slammed the table into Zhi Shengfeng, injuring him to the point of vomiting blood.

The night snack stall owner, Yang Chenglin, thought Zhang Jiaohua was relying on his martial prowess and wasn’t afraid of Zhi Shengfeng retaliating. He quickly said, “Young man, you better get out of here! Zhi Shengfeng suffered a big loss—he definitely won’t let this go. I already saw them on the phone earlier. I’m afraid his uncle Zhi Huming will be here soon with people.”

“It’s fine. I’ll make a call too.” Zhang Jiaohua pulled out a sheet of paper—it was a contact directory listing the heads of key departments in the county. He found the number for Public Security Bureau Chief Liu Tiande and dialed.

“You should just go! Ordinary folks can’t fight the authorities. That Zhi Huming—he’s practically lawless in Daihua County,” Yang Chenglin urged anxiously.

“Don’t worry, uncle. There’s always someone who can rein in Zhi Huming,” Zhang Jiaohua replied with a calm smile.

Yang Chenglin was about to say more, but Xiang Kehui discreetly tugged his sleeve and said, “Old Yang, if the guest isn’t afraid, what are you scared of? Hurry up and get that barbecue going.”

Pulling Yang aside, Xiang Kehui said, “This guy isn’t ordinary. He completely disregards Zhi Huming—he must have the means to deal with him. That tiger, Zhi Huming, needs someone to tame him sooner or later.”

“What if he’s just a hot-headed young man? He stood up for us, and if Zhi Huming ends up retaliating against him, how could we live with that?” Yang Chenglin still worried.

Meanwhile, Zhang Jiaohua had connected the call. “Chief Liu? This is Zhang Jiaohua. We met earlier today during the meeting.”

At first, Liu Tiande didn’t register it. But when Zhang mentioned the meeting, he immediately caught on. “Ah, Deputy County Chief Zhang! Hello, hello. I was just thinking of reporting to you on the county’s public security situation.”

“Speaking of public security, I have something to ask you. Are you aware that there’s a thug in the county who blatantly extorts protection money? I was just eating at a night stall and almost got beaten up. I fought back and sent someone named Zhi Shengfeng to the hospital. But it seems he called for reinforcements just now. I don’t understand—does Daihua County still belong to the people? It feels like we’ve gone back to the old days. Thugs do as they please, and the authorities collude with them to oppress the people! Just what kind of police chief are you, exactly?” Zhang Jiaohua’s tone grew heavier and angrier as he spoke.

Xiang Kehui, smiling, said to Yang Chenglin, “See? Didn’t I say this young man isn’t ordinary? I think he’s probably the new deputy county chief.”

At this point, Yang Chenglin relaxed, flipping the skewers with renewed energy.

Liu Tiande was quite annoyed by the call. As both Public Security Bureau Chief and Political-Legal Committee Secretary, and a member of the county committee standing committee, his rank was technically equal to that of this yet-to-be-promoted deputy county chief. But in terms of actual authority, he wielded more power. And now Zhang Jiaohua was giving him a tongue-lashing—he felt like smashing his phone. But he didn’t dare. He knew this deputy county chief wasn’t to be trifled with; even city leaders gave him extra respect. As a mere county police chief, he had even less room to act tough.

“Deputy Chief Zhang, there are some details I’d like to explain to you in person later. Where are you now? I’ll bring some people over immediately. We absolutely cannot let some people act as if they rule the county,” Liu Tiande replied tactfully. Since he couldn’t handle the local tyrant Zhi Huming alone, he figured he might as well ride Zhang Jiaohua’s coattails to dismantle Zhi’s influence. He quickly called Security Squad Captain Hu Yijiang, one of his trusted men whom he had personally promoted.

But Zhi Huming moved faster. After receiving the call, he immediately phoned Yin Jianzhuang, the head of the Chengguan Police Station, ordering him to rush to the scene and detain the attacker. Zhi then headed to the hospital to check on his nephew’s injuries.

Yin Jianzhuang didn’t dare ignore Zhi’s orders. He threw down his chopsticks mid-meal and rushed to the night food stalls with several officers. Daihua County wasn’t large, and there were only a few night stalls. All of them were in the jurisdiction of the Chengguan Police Station, so Yin Jianzhuang was very familiar with the area and hurried over.

“Who the hell dares lay hands on the Zhi family’s punk? Are they trying to overturn the heavens?” Yin Jianzhuang muttered as he half-jogged his way to the location. Luckily, he lived in the residential building attached to the station and wasn’t far from the scene.

Though Zhi Shengfeng’s men had frantically sent him to the hospital, two of them stayed behind to watch the area, worried that Zhang Jiaohua might flee. When they saw Yin Jianzhuang arriving, they rushed over.

“Chief Yin, you’re just in time. The guy who beat up our big brother hasn’t left—he’s right over there!” one of them said quickly.

Yin Jianzhuang looked in surprise at the man the subordinate pointed at—Zhang Jiaohua. He had assumed the culprit would’ve fled by now and was already dreading the trouble he’d be in if he couldn’t find the guy. But to his shock, the man was still calmly sitting there as if waiting for him.

This guy knows what he’s doing, Yin Jianzhuang thought.

Zhang Jiaohua glanced up at him. The night stall owner had been right—Zhi Shengfeng really did have backing in the police. They’d just had the altercation, and already the police had shown up.

Having never met Zhi Huming, Zhang assumed Yin Jianzhuang was him. He gave him a brief, indifferent glance, then continued slowly savoring his meat skewer.

Something felt off to Yin Jianzhuang. This man was hard to read. Normally, someone who just beat another up would flee the scene. Sitting calmly and eating while the cops showed up? That was rare—unless he had powerful backing.

Walking closer, Yin Jianzhuang took a good look and realized he didn’t recognize Zhang. There didn’t seem to be such a person in Daihua County.

“We got a report—you just injured someone. Come with me to the station,” Yin Jianzhuang said, reaching out to place a hand on Zhang Jiaohua’s shoulder to detain him.

“What’s this? No questioning, just detaining? Do you really think Daihua County is your personal fiefdom? That you’re the emperor of this place?” Zhang Jiaohua asked coldly.