The power of official connections is often unimaginable to ordinary people who haven't experienced it firsthand.

Take Jiang Gongguo, for instance. He was merely a moderately well-connected junior police officer, holding a vice-section level title, one of countless such positions in Jiangzhou.

Yet, even that non-substantive, vice-section level post cost him over a hundred thousand in influence fees to secure. If it weren't useful, would he really waste money on it for kicks?

After Wang Zhuo left, he immediately activated his network within the police system. First, he used the temporary license plate number on Wang Zhuo's Audi to identify him, and then pulled the accommodation registration records from every hotel in the city to pinpoint where Wang Zhuo was staying.

Then, remotely viewing the surveillance footage from Yiping Hotel, he knew Wang Zhuo’s every move without ever leaving his spot.

See? It was that simple!

As the saying goes, only fierce dragons dare to cross the river. Although Jiang Gongguo managed to uncover Wang Zhuo’s superficial identity and location, Wang Zhuo’s utter lack of fear instilled in him a profound sense of awe. He refrained from taking rash action, choosing instead to dig deeper into his opponent’s background before deciding on his next move.

However, he hit a wall after just one minute of searching. A friend at the Temporary Residence Management Office, upon hearing the name and ID number he intended to query, blurted out over the phone, "Brother, this is the Wang Zhuo who took down Hui Hai! What are you looking into him for?"

The truth was, Wang Zhuo had no record at the Temporary Residence Management Office. Everything has its exceptions; he should have transferred his household registration to the school upon enrollment but didn't, and naturally, he wouldn't bother getting the damned temporary residence permit. But a person's reputation precedes them. Ordinary officers like Jiang Gongguo might never cross paths with Wang Zhuo, but the management office dealt with people from all walks of life, so it wasn't surprising they knew Wang Zhuo was someone flagged within the system.

Jiang Gongguo was dumbfounded. After hanging up, he paced around like an ant on a hot pan for half an hour before desperately starting to call in every favor he had, trying to save himself.

After a flurry of activity, he actually found a connection: it turned out his superior had been in the same class at the police academy as Yuan Xinyu. He knew the internal workings of how Director Yuan rose through the ranks in detail. Upon hearing that his capable subordinate had caused such immense trouble, even if he wanted to stay out of it, he couldn't. If things escalated, letting "Little Jiang" go or even dismissing him would be a small matter; the fire would inevitably reach him!

This wasn't the time for self-preservation; helping "Little Jiang" was helping himself! Deputy Director Shen sighed and placed a call to Yuan Xinyu.

This was why Yuan Xinyu was there. He had tried calling Wang Zhuo’s cell phone, but it remained off. Not daring to go upstairs and knock on the door, he was waiting obediently in the hotel lobby.

Yuan Xinyu truly didn't want to get involved in this kind of mess, but Shen Xinglai had once saved him at the police academy—otherwise, he would have been expelled long ago. That favor had been outstanding for over twenty years. Now that his old classmate was genuinely pleading for help, he had no choice but to step in.

Jiang Gongguo thumped his chest, emphatically guaranteeing that last night’s incident had been a complete one-sided affair. All he wanted was to retrieve his and his friends’ identification, phones, and DV. He was willing to accept any penalty otherwise—verbal abuse, beatings, kowtowing apologies—anything.

He wished he could act tough, but did he dare? Did he intend to keep wearing this irritating, toad-skin uniform of authority?

As if completely ignoring Wang Zhuo’s cold demeanor, Yuan Xinyu smiled warmly, “Wang Zhuo, come, come, sit over here for a moment. Give Little Jiang a chance to explain himself. What do you say?”

Wang Zhuo scanned the three of them and stated flatly, “Fine. I’ll listen to what he has to say.”

The four of them relocated to the sofas in the hotel lobby. The difference in their posture immediately revealed the gap in status. Wang Zhuo’s rear was settled firmly against the back cushion of the sofa, leaning back very relaxed—an obvious sign of high status. Yuan Xinyu and Shen Xinglai sat upright, rigidly formal. As for Jiang Gongguo, he only dared to perch on the very edge of the sofa, keeping his posture extremely low, terrified of provoking any dissatisfaction from Wang Zhuo.

Crossing one leg over the other, Wang Zhuo nodded toward Shen Xinglai and asked Yuan Xinyu, “Director Yuan, who is this?”

“Shen Xinglai. Deputy Director of the Jinjiang Branch, in charge of public security.” Yuan Xinyu introduced him with an ingratiating smile, “We were classmates at the police academy; we have an old friendship spanning over twenty years.”

“Oh.” Wang Zhuo understood, realizing why Old Yuan had waded into this murky water—it was a bond he couldn’t easily refuse.

Friendship from school days—if you say it doesn't exist, it’s as thin as the vacuum of outer space; but if you say it does, sometimes it’s closer than blood brothers. Hearing Yuan Xinyu’s introduction, Wang Zhuo’s dissatisfaction toward him lessened considerably.

However, he had no intention of shaking hands or being polite with this man named Shen. The mere fact that he was willing to sit down and talk was already giving face to Yuan. Anyone who would plead on behalf of Jiang Gongguo was likely no good either!

“Ahem.” Shen Xinglai noticed Wang Zhuo’s arrogant posture and his clear lack of intention to shake hands. Not daring to show displeasure, he cleared his throat and spoke with some awkwardness, “Mr. Wang, I am truly sorry about last night. After Little Jiang reported the incident to me, I have already severely criticized him.”

“What use is criticism?” Wang Zhuo interrupted him, scoffing dismissively, “Do you think I’ll let him keep wearing that green skin?”

“Uh…” Shen Xinglai felt a major headache coming on. He thought, why is this Wang fellow as unyielding as Qin Xue? He really wasn't giving anyone any leeway.

Just as Yuan Xinyu was about to intercede, Wang Zhuo raised his hand to stop him and asked, “How did you find your way here?”

Yuan Xinyu dared not conceal anything and truthfully recounted the events, emphasizing that Jiang Gongguo didn't know Wang Zhuo’s identity before investigating him, and that he himself came here to wait downstairs only because he couldn't reach him by phone.

Logically, he should have established contact and arranged a meeting with Wang Zhuo, but Shen Xinglai felt time was of the essence. If Wang Zhuo had already ordered someone to deal with Jiang Gongguo, the situation could become irreversible.

After hearing Yuan Xinyu’s explanation, Wang Zhuo nodded slightly, then turned to Jiang Gongguo and said, “Jiang Gongguo, let me ask you. Last night you looked into my whereabouts—were you planning to take back your belongings and then pin an assault-on-a-police-officer charge on me?”

Jiang Gongguo contorted his face into an expression resembling a bitter melon, shamefacedly replying, “I wouldn’t dare.” Truly, he wouldn’t. “I just wanted to contact you and find a way to get our things back.”

“Oh.” Wang Zhuo nodded faintly and asked, “What about your two colleagues? Perhaps I should say, accomplices?”

Jiang Gongguo dared not quibble over words, replying glumly, “They are hospitalized. Little Li’s nasal bridge is broken; the doctor said surgery can only happen after the swelling goes down. Little Zhang’s leg has a minor fracture.”

“Hospitalized?” Wang Zhuo looked at Yuan Xinyu. “Should I perhaps cover some of their medical expenses?”

The three quickly waved their hands in refusal. Shen Xinglai had already been rebuffed once and didn't want to speak up again. Being lectured by a young man younger than his own son was a humiliating experience, and his face was already burning with shame.

Yuan Xinyu cleared his throat and glared at Jiang Gongguo. It was time for him to show his own stance; no amount of pleading from others would help—the person who tied the bell must untie it.

“Mr. Wang…” Jiang Gongguo nervously glanced at Wang Zhuo and said humbly, “What we did last night was terribly wrong. We are deeply sorry. We hope you can forgive us.”

Wang Zhuo looked at him coldly. There were countless curses bottled up inside him, yet for a moment, he felt stifled—this was the reality of society; the rot hadn't set in overnight. What good was punishing this one officer? If he stripped off his official skin, another scoundrel would simply take his place. Could he peel them off one by one? Would he ever get to live his life?

After a moment's thought, he spoke faintly, “If you want my forgiveness, then show some sincerity…”

The three of them were instantly overjoyed. Wang Zhuo had finally softened his stance; there was hope for a reversal!

“You,” Wang Zhuo pointed a finger at Jiang Gongguo’s nose and sneered, “You have a sharp mind to think up this kind of moneymaking scheme. You’re capable too; even with an unlicensed car, you found me so quickly. Did you use the street surveillance cameras?”

“No, I didn’t use them.” Jiang Gongguo dared not lie; Yuan Xinyu had already warned him on the way that playing tricks in front of Wang Zhuo carried a price. “I memorized your temporary plate number and had a contact in traffic police check your registration details.”

Wang Zhuo was speechless. The actual process was even simpler than he had imagined: check the vehicle owner's information via the temporary plate, then track him through the networked hotel registration system, and voilà, they found him!

It seemed he couldn't be so careless when driving for illicit rendezvous in the future. He should probably register his vehicle under someone else’s name, or better yet, acquire a foreign passport or something…

“Then I’ll state my terms,” he said, sitting up straighter. “You and that man named Li will serve three years as patrol officers. I mean the kind walking the streets on foot, no driving. As for that urban management officer named Zhang, I heard a formal position costs two hundred thousand nowadays? Then let him serve three years as a contract employee, also patrolling the streets. He won’t starve on the eight hundred yuan a month salary anyway.”

Jiang Gongguo’s face fell, ready to plead, when Wang Zhuo coldly interjected, “I am letting you off easy out of respect for Director Yuan. Otherwise, I believe you understand the penalty for extortion and blackmail.”

Shen Xinglai quickly signaled Yuan Xinyu, hoping his old classmate could intercede further. Yuan Xinyu returned a look of helplessness, shrugging slightly.

He thought this was already Wang Zhuo showing considerable respect. Otherwise, for the three troublemakers, keeping their jobs would be the least of their concerns; the doors to the detention center and prison would already be waiting for them!

Shen Xinglai had no choice but to grit his teeth and ask, “Mr. Wang, is there truly no room for further leniency?”

Wang Zhuo glanced at him and shook his head coolly. “Director Shen, please don’t make me question your ability to do your job, alright? You are pleading for police officers who engage in extortion and blackmail. Aren't you afraid of similar incidents happening again in the future?”

Shen Xinglai was silenced, only able to nod sheepishly. Seeing that a resolution had been reached, Yuan Xinyu hurriedly thanked Wang Zhuo while simultaneously chastising Jiang Gongguo, telling him to redeem himself through future service and strive for Wang Zhuo’s eventual leniency.

Given the circumstances, Jiang Gongguo could only agree, thinking that once Wang Zhuo’s anger cooled down in a while, he could try to appeal for his original position back. Little did he know that Wang Zhuo intended to use him as a deterrent. The reason he wasn't stripping him of his position entirely was precisely so he would be out on the streets every day, ringing an alarm bell for those greedy individuals who seek profit from every little thing and fail to act when necessary.