Qian Qingfeng’s face fell instantly. He thought the man must have mental issues. I’m here to help, how did I run into such an ungrateful dog?

He started to pull his hand back with a cold expression, but Wang Zhuo’s grip, perfectly measured, held fast. He tugged twice, and still couldn’t break free!

This finally infuriated him completely. He’s just some rich merchant. I only came to smooth things over because he might invest in Tianlu. Since he refuses my good intentions, I couldn't care less who he is!

With a sharp wrench, Deputy County Head Qian Qingfeng wrenched his hand free from Wang Zhuo’s tight grasp. He reappraised Wang Zhuo, and now his tone carried a distinct official stiffness: “Mr. Wang, I’m surprised you’d grace our county with your presence, yet bypass the County Government to cause such a scene on the street. What is the meaning of this?”

He had already resolved to put Wang Zhuo in his place today. For one thing, the superior official who introduced Wang Zhuo had been vague, stressing neither the need for deference nor deliberate flattery. On the other hand, local officials always possessed an inherent superiority complex over merchants. Put simply: when you are useful, you are the God of Wealth; when you are not, who the hell are you?

But Wang Zhuo paid his thoughts no heed, maintaining that irritating smile as he continued his questioning: “Mayor Qian must have some very profitable businesses at home, otherwise, how could you afford a world-famous watch that starts at a hundred thousand yuan? Truly worthy of the surname Qian. With you presiding over Tianlu County, shaking off the label of a provincially designated poor county must be just around the corner, eh.”

Tianlu County was situated in an economically underdeveloped remote region, with an average annual income of barely a few thousand yuan. The family of a common resident couldn't afford the Vacheron Constantin watch on Qian Qingfeng’s wrist even after ten years of saving every penny. While the locals knew officials were connected and wealthy, this was the first time they had such a concrete glimpse into their actual fortunes. Many residents didn't even grasp the concept of high-end watches. Hearing that County Head Qian wore a watch worth over one hundred thousand yuan, the surrounding crowd was simply dumbfounded.

Enthusiastic chatter erupted among the onlookers. Secretary Wang, being from a small town, was experiencing such a scene for the first time. He never imagined his leader’s warm gesture would be met with such cold disdain. After a moment of stunned silence, he snapped back to reality and hastily directed the accompanying police officers and civil servants to disperse the crowd.

Having been slapped in the face repeatedly, Qian Qingfeng finally couldn't suppress his temper, sneering, “Mr. Wang, I was asked by a friend to assist you. This attitude of yours is quite uncalled for.”

“My attitude?” Wang Zhuo laughed dismissively. “County Head Qian, in your jurisdiction, the area is riddled with pyramid scheme dens everywhere. The moment we entered the county seat, we were tailed by police. When we finally rescued our pyramid scheme associates and tried to leave, we were met with violence from both the police and the schemers, nearly losing our lives. After all that, you expect me to have a good attitude?”

Did leaders need to practice empathy? The answer was yes, but only when trying to fathom the minds of their superiors! As for those below them, what they thought or felt, leaders simply didn't care! Qian Qingfeng was precisely that kind of leader. Thus, when Wang Zhuo delivered his reasonable, evidence-backed retort, he treated it as wind passing by, not hearing a single word of it!

I don't care what you went through! he thought, shaking his head with a cold smile. He turned to his secretary, Wang Yongming, and said, “Yongming, handle this matter, and then host Mr. Wang and his party. I have other matters to attend to and must leave now!”

The last half of the sentence was directed at Wang Yongming, but clearly intended for Wang Zhuo. Having delivered the statement, the County Head shot Wang Zhuo a glance, said nothing more, and walked toward his vehicle.

The Passat sedan was worth over two hundred thousand yuan, clearly exceeding the official vehicle standard for a small county head in a provincially poor county. However, the VW emblem was far more subdued than the Audi’s four rings. Moreover, the car had been purchased by the previous County Head, so using it carried no burden for him.

Sliding into the car, he snorted and ordered the driver to go. Then, he took out his phone and called the secretary of his 'big brother' superior.

“Secretary Long, I’m ashamed. I met the man, but he holds a serious grudge against me. He publicly embarrassed me in front of hundreds of onlookers…”

The Municipal Party Committee’s chief secretary naturally wanted to hear the full story. So, Qian Qingfeng slightly embellished the account, narrating the events to Secretary Long. As a division-level cadre and a key figure in local governance, he possessed this rhetorical skill—he could artfully convey his sense of grievance and Wang Zhuo’s arrogant disregard for propriety without excessive exaggeration.

“You were wearing a Vacheron Constantin?” Secretary Long asked, frowning after hearing the story.

Qian Qingfeng immediately cried injustice: “It’s a high-quality fake! My daughter bought it at a stall in Xiushui Street—cost only two hundred yuan! How could I refuse such a filial gesture?”

“Let me seek instructions from the higher-ups first!” Secretary Long wasn't sure how to proceed. Qian Qingfeng had indeed lost face, and the fault wasn't truly his. Now Qian Qingfeng was wronged, but the man was still in Tianlu, and the matter needed resolution.

A moment later, the superior’s instruction arrived: County Head Qian no longer needed to show his face. Since Mr. Wang was difficult to placate, let the County Head’s secretary accompany him until he got tired and left on his own.

Qian Qingfeng wanted to voice his dissatisfaction, but one sentence from Secretary Long extinguished his desire to confront Wang Zhuo. He heard that even the higher-ups were only paying attention to Wang Zhuo because provincial leaders had put in a word. Qian Qingfeng asked himself if he, a mere acting county head, should risk conflict with such an established figure.

By the time these calls were made and Secretary Long sought instructions, Qian Qingfeng had already returned to his office in the government building. He reached for the desk phone, intending to call Secretary Wang Yongming, when the mobile phone just placed on the desk suddenly rang—it was Wang Yongming calling.

He answered, casually asking, “Yongming, I was just about to call you. How are things over there?”

“County Head Qian,” Wang Yongming’s voice was tight with anxiety and bitterness. “Director Li just got into an argument with that Mr. Wang. Now Mr. Wang is exploding, leading his people to smash up the pyramid scheme dens all over the streets, beating anyone who resists. That’s two already, and he shows no sign of stopping!”

“What?!” Qian Qingfeng could hardly believe his ears. The butt that had just touched the sofa sprang back up immediately. “Bureau Director Li Donglei? Why did he argue with Wang? What’s this about smashing dens? How did they even find the dens?!”

Wang Yongming hastily explained the detailed sequence of events. It turned out that after Qian Qingfeng left, Wang Yongming and Li Donglei took over the task of hosting Wang Zhuo’s party. Li Donglei stepped forward to urge Wang Zhuo to take Ji Guang and leave Tianlu County quickly. Unexpectedly, his condescending and impatient tone angered Wang Zhuo. The woman accompanying Wang Zhuo suddenly chimed in, accusing Li Donglei, as a bureau director, of dereliction of duty for neglecting the pyramid schemes in his jurisdiction.

One of Li Donglei’s subordinates got into a debate with Wang Zhuo’s female companion and accidentally swore. This hit a hornet's nest. Wang Zhuo motioned for his people, and they walked off. Not fifty meters later, they charged into a roadside hotel, seizing propaganda materials and account books from inside a pyramid scheme den.

“Huh? What did you say?” Qian Qingfeng paused, asking in disbelief, “You mean they not only videotaped and photographed everything but also snatched the promotional materials and financial ledgers?”

“Yes! At first, I thought they were just smashing things out of anger, but I didn’t expect them to go this far! I rushed to call you, but your line was busy the whole time,” Wang Yongming said urgently. “They’ve already finished looting the second place. Director Li tried to stop them and got slapped. County Head, please give instructions!”

...

On Tianlu County’s busiest thoroughfare, the scene was unprecedentedly lively, surpassing even the excitement of the Liberation and founding days of the nation.

Wang Zhuo led the way, with Siyuan closely following, filming with his phone. Lu Weimin followed behind them, carrying the seized pyramid scheme materials. The driver borrowed from Qi Ji drove the commercial van alongside the street, while Fu Xinran and Ji Guang sat inside.

The conduct of the local officials had thoroughly enraged Wang Zhuo. First, Qian Qingfeng, the designated official, permitted pyramid schemes, treating this "economic cult" as an industry to be managed. Then there was Li Donglei, aiding and abetting, a director tasked with maintaining public peace who acted as an accomplice and enforcer for the schemers, all while remaining coldly arrogant, treating Wang Zhuo like an obtuse fool.

But what truly set Wang Zhuo off was Li Donglei’s parting threat, delivered with a mix of soft words and hard pressure—what kind of statement was “The local customs are fierce; if you don’t leave soon, we cannot guarantee your safety.” Was that advice or a thinly veiled threat?

If it was just advice, so be it; it would only show the police chief’s limited capability. But Wang Zhuo’s sight could pierce the human heart, and he clearly saw contempt lurking deep within Li Donglei’s eyes. Seeing that the director dared to use safety as leverage against him, Wang Zhuo immediately ignited!

When Li Donglei tried to stop Wang Zhuo from smashing the scheme locations, he received a slap—a colossal loss of face. He immediately declared, Do whatever you want, I’m not getting involved anymore!

But Wang Zhuo’s ferocity exceeded his imagination. Li Donglei expected the schemers to swarm and beat Wang Zhuo, at least leaving him bruised and swollen. Instead, the scene of a group ganging up on one person never materialized; instead, the spectacle of one man beating several played out repeatedly.

When Wang Yongming handed him the phone, Wang Zhuo was already striding purposefully toward the third pyramid scheme location. No one knew how he found these dens, yet he hit every target with perfect accuracy. Many lookouts from the scheme locations who had gathered to watch the commotion had already fled back to send warnings!

“County Head Qian, if you let him continue like this, the situation will become uncontrollable!” Li Donglei’s tone was sharp and menacing.

“The people above told me to stand down, let him vent until he tires and leaves on his own. Therefore, I cannot manage this anymore,” Qian Qingfeng’s voice sounded strangely hollow. “You shouldn’t manage it either. We have fulfilled our obligation to protect him. From now on, if any accident befalls him, he has brought it upon himself. Do you understand?”

Li Donglei instantly understood, nodding repeatedly. His gaze cut through the crowd toward Wang Zhuo and his group, who were hurrying into an alleyway. A cold, sinister smile played on his lips.