"Shouldn't I be the one asking Miss Liu Xue why you are here? This sort of place is hardly suitable for you—a gathering spot for common folk. It must be an insult to a noble, great star such as yourself."

Zhu Da slammed his palm on the table. "Get them! Beat him!"

The men of the Brotherhood were absolutely obedient to orders. They didn't care who Tan Tian was. Three strong young lads surrounded him, unleashing a barrage of punches and kicks. Tan Tian never expected them to be so ruthless, attacking without a word. For a moment, he covered his head, crouched on the ground, and yelled, "Stop!"

Zhu Da waved his three subordinates back. Tan Tian, bruised and swollen, scrambled up from the floor. "Zhu, you’ve got nerve. This feud is set in stone. If I don't crush the Brotherhood, my name isn't Tan!"

Zhu Da shrugged dismissively. "Fine, I’ll wait for you. But you better gather your evidence before you come for me, or I’ll just beat you down again. I’m not Zhao Qian; I don't need to worry about my reputation. For me, fighting is the greatest reputation because I am underworld."

Having lost face in front of the great star, and seeing that she seemed repulsed by his appearance as she turned away, Tan Tian grew even angrier. He pulled out his phone, dialing as he spat at the three men who had hit him, "The three of you won't escape, and you, you fat bastard, are the mastermind! Damn it all, I'm calling the police to arrest all of you."

Zhu Da just shrugged. "We don't care if you call. At worst, it’ll cost us tens of thousands to bail out, and we'll even cover your medical fees. Worth it."

Tan Tian sneered, "Heh heh. Once you’re in the detention center, your life won't be in your own hands anymore!"

Zhu Da retorted, "Our country is governed by law. Otherwise, you’d have been dead ten thousand times over. I’ve taken note of everything you just said. If anything happens to any of us, we'll hold you accountable. Now, I need to call my lawyer. She will track every step of your proceedings and file a lawsuit with the People's Court at any moment. She is the foremost legal expert in our Great Dragon Country."

Tan Tian was momentarily stunned. Zhu Da was right. While the law might not restrain police officers from using unwarranted force, who dared to lay a hand on the leader of the Brotherhood? Moreover, having a lawyer present meant even fewer people would dare to act recklessly, as it would only leave them with a bigger trap to fall into. Still, Tan Tian called the police. At least arresting those three lackeys would vent some of his immediate fury.

Putting down his phone, Tan Tian put on a fawning smile and approached Liu Xue again, reaching out to take her hand. "Miss Liu Xue, don't you feel your purity is sullied by being around these boors? Come with me. I’ll take you to the best Western restaurant in the capital. Someone as noble and beautiful as you deserves nothing less than such an establishment."

Liu Xue recoiled slightly. "I don't associate with people like you. Please show some respect. I’ve heard you’re nothing but a thug and a scoundrel."

Tan Tian burst into laughter. "I'm a thug and a scoundrel? I think Miss Liu must be mistaken. The real scoundrel is that man surnamed Zhao! Do you know what he did? He stole my wife and has occupied countless common women. Furthermore, he has repeatedly opposed our Tan family. Our Tan family could have brought stability and prosperity to the people, but it’s this scoundrel! With his constant scheming, he erodes the strength of justice, and he has instigated foreign wars time and again. His actions have ruined the nation and brought endless wartime suffering to the populace. Massive military procurement has depleted the national treasury, causing the economy to plummet drastically. The people are destitute, sighing everywhere, wishing they could eat his flesh and drink his blood!..."

Liu Xue quietly asked me, "Zhao Qian, are you that terrifying? I don't know much about national affairs."

"Pah!" I leaped up in anger, pointing directly at Tan Tian's nose. "Spit out your foul lies! I admit Xiao Rou was once your wife, but did you ever fulfill your duty as a husband? Where were you when she was sick? Off having fun with some mistress? She was married to you for two years—did you ever offer her a single word of comfort? Did you spend a single day with her? You didn't! You thought her plain appearance was wasting your prime years, you scorned her, cursed her, and deliberately flaunted your affairs with other women right in front of her. Therefore, you are utterly unworthy of Xiao Rou!"

Tan Tian backed away under my tirade, but he puffed up his chest to retort, "My wife is irrelevant. But you are a sinner who ruins the country and harms the people. Our Tan family will punish you on behalf of the populace!"

I let out a cold snort. "Your Tan family represents nothing but bullshit! My return to the capital is specifically to deal with your Tan family. Don't make me find the evidence, or your entire clan will face the executioner's blade! I will show absolutely no mercy!"

"How dare you!" Tan Tian suddenly stiffened his back. "Our Tan family represents nothing but bullshit? You are insulting the entire nation! Let me tell you, Zhao, I am a representative of the National People's Congress. I exercise state power on behalf of the people. If I say you die, you die. If I let you live, you won't be able to die! Don't think you can do whatever you want just because you command the forces of two military regions. The nation doesn't belong to you; it belongs to all the common people!"

To hear such words from Tan Tian's mouth—it seemed he had been studying diligently lately. I recalled saying something similar to Tan Zhong once, and now his grandson was throwing it back at me. It was truly outrageous! If the Tan family truly cared for the common people, fine. But which of the corrupt officials uncovered by the Rectification Office wasn't connected to the Tan family’s big boat? Which of those arrogant gangs harassing the populace wasn't surviving under their covert support? It was only because the cunning old Tan Zhong covered his tracks so well that I hadn't put him to death scores of times already.

Seeing our silence, Tan Tian assumed his words had stunned everyone. He grew overly pleased; his facial and bodily injuries seemed to matter less now. Smugly, he declared, "I am a People's Representative, representing the people. Who dares to strike me? Hmph! Who dares? Assaulting a People's Representative is a violation of criminal law! Call your lawyers! Let’s go to the hospital for injury assessment. This time, you are all finished! You dare strike me? Come on, hit me! Hit me!"

Three figures suddenly rushed forward, knocking Tan Tian back to the floor, followed by another round of brutal kicks. This time, Tan Tian didn't even have the strength to scream "Mom." Lying on the ground, he thrashed as if convulsing, nodding frantically. Cai Bao'er bowed to the crowd watching from a distance. "Good people, you all witnessed this. This People's Representative requested that we strike him. As the people, we should exert a little effort for our representative. I suspect this representative is a masochist. If he isn't satisfied, anyone else is welcome to come up and try their hand. Don't be afraid. The people beating the People's Representative is not against the law, because it is the representative’s reasonable request. We must satisfy him."

Many in the surrounding crowd knew the background of Young Master Tan. Although they all wanted to land a kick or two, none dared to actually do it. I squatted down and patted Tan Tian's face. "Young Master Tan, I'm giving you one chance now. If you stop right here, your Tan family might still survive. If you continue, I can't guarantee I won't wipe you out when necessary."

Tan Tian was in too much pain to speak for a long time. He wanted to summon his father and grandfather for revenge, but those two old fogeys had repeatedly warned him not to stir up trouble during this critical period. If they learned about today's events, they would likely berate him severely. Thus, Tan Tian caught his breath. "Zhao, don't get cocky. I’ll tell you the truth: your good days are numbered. By then, even your position as Deputy Head of the Song and Dance Troupe will be gone, and you will become the public enemy. You will regret offending me!"

I replied, "Fine, then let's see what happens as we ride the donkey to watch the performance!" I had originally intended to spare the Tan family for his past relationship with Yi Xiaorou, but clearly, he wasn't accepting the gesture.

"Who is fighting in here!" Four police officers pushed the door open. Their eyes immediately landed on Liu Xue. Firstly, our location was the best spot in the restaurant. Secondly, Liu Xue’s stunning beauty was far beyond that of ordinary girls, naturally drawing high attention—otherwise, she wouldn't affect so many young fans.

"Isn't this the movie star Miss Liu Xue? Could you give us an autograph and take a photo?"

The four officers stepped forward toward Liu Xue.

Liu Xue smiled and nodded. "Good evening, everyone. Yes, I can, but we didn't bring a camera."

The movie fans who had been watching from the sidelines immediately seized the opportunity. "We have a camera here! Miss Liu Xue, let us take photos with you too! We are your most loyal fans, and we will continue to support you no matter which company you sign with!"

Liu Xue gave the three of us a helpless glance and went to the side to satisfy their requests. Tan Tian on the floor was so enraged he almost spat blood. He had called the police, yet those four officers completely ignored him now, clearly humiliating him.

Tan Tian struggled up from the ground, cursing furiously, "Fuck your mother! Which precinct are you from? I am Tan Tian, a People's Representative!"

The four officers startled, snapping back from their fascination with Liu Xue’s image. They had come here on official business following a report. To act so improperly in front of a People's Representative was serious—it was inviting trouble for themselves. So, the four of them immediately rushed respectfully to Tan Tian's side. "Forgive us, Representative Tan, we apologize for not noticing you just now."

Tan Tian was satisfied with their reaction. He pointed at the six people who had hit him earlier. "It's these six. Please follow procedure. You don't need to make exceptions for me. Detain them if necessary, sentence them if warranted. The nation has laws, and the dignity of a People's Representative cannot be infringed upon."

The four officers spoke in unison, "Understood, Representative Tan. We will arrest them immediately and ensure we follow regulations."

One officer turned back and barked at the six of us, "Do not resist, or your crimes will be greater. There are patrol units outside, so don't even think about escaping."

The officer closest to us suddenly pulled the leading officer aside and whispered, "Take a closer look at these three. They look awfully familiar."

Another officer gathered around. "You're right. Isn't that Boss Zhu from the Brotherhood and Fatty Cai from the Hualong Society? This situation is tricky; we can’t afford to offend either side."

The leading officer also scrutinized them carefully. He suddenly pointed at me and whispered, "The other one—didn't you recognize him?"

The three looked surprised. "Could it be Minister Zhao?"

The leading officer said, "I'm going to ask. None of you move to arrest anyone yet. If something goes wrong, you will be held responsible."

These four police officers thought their voices were low enough that I couldn't hear them, but my hearing was extraordinary; I could have heard them even if they had run out onto the street. It seemed they held no ill will. The leading officer approached me. "May I ask if you are Zhao Qian, Minister Zhao?"

I nodded. "Does who I am really matter that much?"

Tan Tian shouted from the side, "Yes, it does! Even a prince is equal under the law! Furthermore, he is currently just a petty Deputy Head of the Song and Dance Troupe! Hurry up and arrest them, or I will charge you with dereliction of duty!"

"Shut up!" The leading officer suddenly turned and roared at Tan Tian. "What the hell are you, to dare order us to arrest our Minister Zhao? What qualifications do you have to shout at him? If you have the guts, go to Tibet and reclaim our territory!"

"You, you..." Tan Tian was shocked that the officer, who had just been so respectful, had suddenly turned on him. "What gives you the right to speak to me like that? You’re just a small police officer! I’m telling you, Zhao Qian is no longer the Deputy Commander of the Chengdu Military Region, nor the Deputy Minister of Public Security or State Security! He is now just a minor Deputy Head of the Song and Dance Troupe! I order you to arrest them! Arrest them now!"

"Pah!" Two officers stepped forward and spat at Tan Tian. "Others fear you, and honestly, we do too. But even our fear of your Tan family cannot make us betray our conscience. Minister Zhao has always been clean in his official capacity, and he even dug into his own pocket to help struggling employees like us. Without his benefits, we might not even be able to afford housing now. Even setting aside these small matters, he unified Taiwan and recovered Southern Tibet, realizing the great nation's dream of strength that had been unobtainable for a century. Based on this alone, he deserves to be called a national hero! Arrest him? Not only will we refuse to do that, but ask any man in this room—would any of them permit you to arrest him!"

The crowd immediately surged forward, forming a circle to shield the six of us. A man in his thirties stepped forward. "Damn his ancestors! I have a friend working in Zhongnanhai, and he let slip some information: Minister Zhao was dismissed precisely because the Tan family was playing dirty behind the scenes. The Central Committee has even issued an order to withdraw troops from the Chengdu Military Region and seek peace with the Niuguos [Indians]. To hell with them! Withdraw their asses! I say Minister Zhao should return to the Tibetan border, command the iron cavalry, and ride straight to the Niuguo capital to destroy their temples and avenge the shame of the past!"

Another man in his forties stepped forward, pointing at Tan Tian. "Qin Shuan! This is the contemporary Taiguan [a historical official who executed corrupt officials]! If you don't cut the tiger’s root, it will eventually bite us again. I agree with this younger brother’s words—kill the Niuguos, destroy their temples, and restore the thousand-year enterprise of China!"

"Damn them for daring to move against Minister Zhao! Any real man, stand up and beat him soundly!" Someone yelled, and immediately a large group responded. A throng surrounded Tan Tian, seemingly showing off in front of Liu Xue, beating him until he only had gasps of air left.

The leading officer approached me. "Minister Zhao, you should leave quickly. We would rather die than arrest you. You are the hope of our Great Dragon Country. Take care of yourself, and in the future, wipe out Japan for us so our countrymen can finally breathe a sigh of relief!"

I said, "Actually, everyone doesn't need to go this far. It will only bring trouble upon yourselves."

"Trouble? Minister Zhao, if you aren't afraid of trouble, why should we be? At worst, we quit the police force and follow you into battle," another officer added.

The leading officer continued, "Minister Zhao, we are just ordinary people, and we can’t help you much in the grand scheme of things. We hope you recover quickly and return to the battlefield. But if you need anything we can provide, please don't hesitate to ask."

I patted his shoulder. "Thank you, brother. Hearing you say that makes all my past work worthwhile. Rest assured, those A-san [slang for Indians] from Niuguo will definitely pay the price for their past sins. Moreover, their negotiating team has insulted me repeatedly. That price will certainly be painful. What are your names, the four of you? Could you tell your humble servant?"

The four introduced themselves in turn. I silently committed them to memory, so that if Tan Tian dared to cause them trouble later, I could shield them. The meal was nearly finished, and after the crowd dispersed following the beating of Tan Tian, we left as well.

As we walked, Cai Bao’er said, "I originally wanted Tan Tian to call me 'Grandpa,' but he only has half a breath left. That’s not my fault. Big Potato, you’ve forced me to take your surname."

Zhu Da scoffed, "Forget it. If you wanted to take my surname, I wouldn't allow it—don't bring shame to my Zhu family. Commander Zhao, I truly envy you. So many people support you, it’s so glorious and impressive."

I spoke sincerely, "Yes, I never expected this either. As long as everyone agrees with my actions, I’d be willing even if they stripped me of all my positions. I never liked being an official anyway."

At the parking lot, Liu Xue opened the car door for me. "Great Hero Zhao, please take the seat of honor. Let this humble woman be your chauffeur."

I could only sit in the front passenger seat. "Miss Liu, why such politeness all of a sudden? Since you've already sworn brotherhood with my wives, you are my sworn sister and sister-in-law. With a relationship this close, there's no need for formalities between us."

Liu Xue drove, saying, "Zhao Qian, you really are a good person, truly admirable. Although I grew up in Hong Kong, I have never forgotten that I am Chinese. Seeing everyone supporting you like that today, I see the hope for China's future. The rise of a great nation is always accompanied by war, but judging by the reports from the front lines, you achieved the greatest benefits with the least cost. I believe the Tan family absolutely cannot defeat you, because you have the support of the broad masses behind you."

I leaned my head back against the seat and let out a long sigh. "Thank you. The Central Government is currently controlled by Tan Zhong, and even the Chairman’s position is affected. It seems Tan Zhong is determined to fight me to the death. I know the order to make peace has reached the Chengdu Military Region, but I will not compromise on this matter. Perhaps in the future, I won't even have the Deputy Head position in the Song and Dance Troupe, and I fear Li Qi will complain about me again."

Upon returning home, the women were gathered in the living room watching television. Seeing me and Liu Xue return together, they laughed, "Back from a romantic date, are we?"

Liu Xue blushed. "Everyone, please don't misunderstand. Zhu Da and Cai Bao'er invited me to dinner, and I dragged Zhao Qian along. By the way, did you see the news just now? Zhu Da wiped out the Japanese Yamaguchi-gumi! From now on, I no longer have to worry about them coming after me."

Xiao Chuchu replied, "We saw it. I told you not to worry, but you insisted on overthinking things. So, are you planning to pledge yourself to Zhu Da out of gratitude? I know both he and Cai Bao'er are interested in you."

Liu Xue shook her head. "It’s not like what Chuchu says. My future boyfriend definitely won't be the type like Zhu Da and Cai Bao'er. I'm not saying they don't know how to care for people, nor that they lack ability, but I just don't feel that spark with them."

Fang Yanmeng chimed in, "Come on, our great star. My ex-boyfriend aimed for a 'God-level' partner, praised by Zhao Qian. But in the end, I fell for him uncontrollably. Forget all about feelings or romance; I just decided on him and will never give him up for a lifetime."

I said to the women, "You chat amongst yourselves; I’m going inside to check on the front lines."