When the crowd drove up to the tofu production workshop, Zhu Da was already confronting the joint confiscation team, staring them down toe-to-toe. If I hadn't given him prior instructions, a fight would have already erupted.

Seeing me arrive, Zhu Da immediately started ranting, "Commander Zhao, tell us what to do. I held back for their sake, but with one word from you, I’ll send these sons of bitches home to their grandmothers. I’ve had enough of them; they must be instigated by someone. Let’s beat them until they reveal who’s pulling the strings."

A public security officer snapped back, "Are you rebelling? What is a triad in the face of the state? Hand over that woman and child, and we’ll settle this down at the Public Security Bureau."

"Mom, I’m not going with them!" The little girl hid behind her mother, wiping tears in fright.

I ignored Zhu Da and instead paused, struck by the mother and daughter. The world truly was small; they were actually working in my factory.

Han Fen certainly remembered the faces of her benefactors. Without that money, she and her daughter might very well have starved to death on New Year’s Eve.

Plop. Han Fen knelt again, "Benefactor! Han Fen has seen you again!"

The little girl, being so young, had a vague memory of me. Hearing her mother call me benefactor as she knelt, she knew this was the Uncle-Benefactor she had longed for day and night, and she rushed into my arms, crying.

"Uncle! The bad people are bullying us! They want to take me and Mom away, and they want to move all our things. Uncle, please help us again. Mom and I love it here; we are willing to stay and work for a lifetime."

I stroked the little girl’s hair, "It’s alright, stop crying. With Uncle here, no one dares to misbehave. Go on, help your mother up and play in the room. If they are disobedient, big brother will spank their butts later."

Gao Jianhua turned to me, "Xiao Zhao, what fresh mess is this?"

I explained, "I helped them, mother and daughter, a while ago. I haven't been to the factory in ages, so I didn't realize they were working here."

That public security officer, clearly not knowing his place, continued, "You all step aside and don't interfere with us carrying out our official duties, or we’ll arrest you all too."

Gao Jianhua’s expression shifted, "My, what authority you wield! Which bureau are you from? Show me your identification badge."

Seeing the old man’s displeased demeanor, the officer couldn't gauge his background and dared not be too brazen for a moment. "You shouldn’t meddle in other people's business. Our reinforcements will be here soon, and then not a single one of you will escape."

Gao Jianhua sighed, "Fine, then none of us will escape. Xiao Zhao, could you trouble yourself to have some men keep an eye on these curs? I need to call a meeting of all branch bureaus; a real rectification is necessary."

While Gao Jianhua stepped aside to make a call, the joint confiscation team in the center grew restless. I gave Zhu Da a meaningful look, and the Brothers Alliance quickly formed a circle around them. Now, truly, none of them would escape.

The public security officer started making a call, "We are surrounded. Yes, the situation is critical... You’ll be here soon? Thank you, brother units, for the reinforcement..."

Before Gao Jianhua had finished his phone call, police sirens wailed outside. More than a dozen police officers in riot gear rushed into the courtyard, each carrying a rubber baton, and immediately surrounded the Brothers Alliance members again.

Before any opening speeches could be made, one of the officers tapped his helmet with his baton and walked toward me. I heard him say, "I was wondering why you were looking for money everywhere. What business does your little brother have here this time?"

I was utterly bewildered—it had to be Hu Qing, who manages to show up every time. "What, are you seriously attached to me or something? You're in on it every time."

"That’s right, you’re never missing either," Hu Qing turned back to the officers holding rubber batons. "Comrades, relax, it’s a misunderstanding. My brother here is a good person. Let’s not have the people opposing the people."

The police officer trapped in the circle was urgently shouting, "Which precinct are you from? Why aren't you siding with your own people? I'm filing a complaint against you!"

Hu Qing pointed his baton at the officer, "You’re from the East District Public Security Bureau, aren't you? I could tell even if you hadn't said anything. Look at your attitude; only the East District Bureau could produce someone like you. I’m just a 110 patrol team leader, ordered around by you people all day long. Every time, doesn’t your East District send us on pointless errands and pointless work? You want to complain about me? Go ahead and complain. My name is Hu Qing, badge number 0718. I’ve received countless complaints; I’m not afraid of one more."

The public security officer was silenced completely by Hu Qing’s tirade. Gao Jianhua looked at Hu Qing with great appreciation, patting his shoulder. "Young man, you’ve got guts. Why aren’t you willing to get mixed up with them?"

Hu Qing replied, "You flatter me, sir. Though I am poor, I don't take that dirty money. Besides, if my brother here were doing anything wrong, let them be the first to arrest me."

Good brothers are built on mutual trust. I never expected that after only meeting Hu Qing and Tang Han twice, they would trust me this much. In this life, it’s rare to find true confidants. Even if heaven called me to die right now, I would be content. Zhu Da, who grew up with nothing; Xia Huren, the most in-sync comrade from the army; the loyal Village Chief and Er Sha; the generous and forthright Hu Qing and Tang Han—it is because of them that my life is more vibrant.

"Uncle!" The girl ran out from the room. "I recognize you! You are the good police officer who helped us that night along with this uncle!"

Gao Jianhua was very interested in the girl's words and asked her, "A good police officer? Do you think there are bad police officers?"

The girl pointed at the few officers trapped in the circle, "They are. Mom and I like it here. Uncle Tie Niu treats me well here, and Grandpa, Grandma, and the Aunties are all very nice to me. I don’t want to leave. Why do they insist on taking us away?"

"Nonsense! Utter nonsense!" Hearing the innocent voice of the child, Gao Jianhua rubbed his scalp in agitation. "They don’t have a temporary residence permit? Can’t they just apply for one? Calling such a young child a child laborer—isn't that blatant lying!"

The teams from Industry & Commerce, Taxation, and Epidemic Prevention started arguing again, "If you won’t let us investigate, we’re leaving! If you keep blocking us, you are breaking the law yourselves."

"Then let us break it," Gao Jianhua stated. "Since you’ve already broken it, what’s one more time for me?"

As the group was about to retort, one police car after another arrived outside. The people stepping out were all leaders; judging by their broad waists and beaming faces, it was clear they were senior officials.

"Director Gao, good day. Director Gao, good day..." The directors of the various municipal bureaus nodded and greeted him one after another.

Not only were the few police officers trapped in the circle stunned, but even Hu Qing jumped in surprise. As a mere 110 patrolman, he had never seen bureau directors before. He hadn't expected to have been swearing so freely right in front of them.

Gao Jianhua cleared his throat, "I called everyone here today to let you see what kind of image the People's Public Security truly holds in the eyes of the common people. Children do not lie; we’ll let her recount the events."

The little girl was initially scared, but then, with Xu Jing's gentle encouragement, she recounted everything: how she met me and Hu Qing at the café, how we helped her and her mother seek justice from the Japanese people and provided them with funds, how they came to the Tie Niu Tofu Company afterward, how happy they were living there, what problems the company had recently faced, and everything that happened today. She focused heavily on how these people came to check this and that, claiming this was substandard and that was not up to code. Gao Jianhua grew increasingly agitated. "The comrades here are all state civil servants! You draw high salaries but don't do proper work! Don't think I don't know—each of you is acting under someone’s orders! I have some experience; don't try to fool me!"

After a brief pause, Gao Jianhua pulled Hu Qing over and declared to the assembled group, "What should a civil servant be like? I say, they should be like this! They don't covet profit and keep the people in mind; they dare to boldly point out mistakes. Having people like them is a blessing for our country! A blessing for the people and the common folk!"

Hu Qing blushed for the first time. He truly hadn't expected someone like him to be held up as a model by a high-ranking director. It wasn't that he didn't want to take shortcuts or earn more money; it was because he knew that once he reached for that dirty money, he would never escape it and would only become a pawn for the wealthy.

Gao Jianhua turned back to the police officers who had come to make the arrests and asked, "Which bureau are you from?"

This time, those guys dared not hide anything, their eyes darting toward Director Kong of the East District. Gao Jianhua noticed and asked further, "Who gave you the order to be dispatched, and who ordered the arrests?"

One of them mumbled, "We came because of a report to check the situation. The arrests were a misunderstanding; we just wanted to invite them back to assist with the investigation."

This wasn't the time to discuss internal matters, and besides, these fellows wouldn't easily reveal the mastermind behind the scenes. So, Gao Jianhua didn't press further. "This matter is not over. You go back and write a detailed report. When you can't sleep tonight, I suggest each of you touch the national emblem on your caps and reflect on what you’ve done each day—which things you did right, and which things you did wrong. Everyone, stop sitting in high positions relying on money and failing to do your jobs!"

After delivering his lecture, Gao Jianhua waved his hand, "Everyone disperse, go on. Do the Industrial and Commercial or Tax departments have any other issues? If so, have your bureau directors come see me directly. You certainly gave me 'face' today; you made me lose all my dignity. If you have nothing else, hurry up and leave."

Long after everyone had gone, Gao Jianhua remained standing in the yard, lost in thought. Honestly, the incident had been quite embarrassing for him. He had come for a cheerful visit to a newly appointed colleague—one personally selected by the Chairman—only to be made a laughingstock on the very first day. This thoroughly exposed the loopholes in his previous work, making it all seem like wasted effort.

"Director Gao, don't overthink it," I walked over to console him. "Even a cat has nine lives, and those nine kittens aren't all the same. Just take the East District Branch in hand and properly reorganize it in a few days."

Gao Jianhua sighed, "Director Kong of the East District Branch is a direct subordinate of the Tan family. I want to reorganize things, but I don’t dare make a move."

I assured Gao Jianhua with a guarantee, "I don't have time right now. Wait a few days for me. Once I sort out what I’m handling, I promise to straighten out the East District Branch for you."

The higher-ups all knew about the history between me and the Tan family, so when I said I was going to deal with the Tan family, it certainly wasn't an empty threat. Gao Jianhua was very pleased, but he was too embarrassed to stay any longer. He quickly bid farewell and left with Guangyuan.