Chapter 271

Chapter 271 - Just You Wait!

“What's the rush?” Zheng Ming asked Zhang Xiaolong before standing up. “Get Chang Tian in here, please.”

Regardless of who was at fault in this case, Chang Tian's negligence was certain to face consequences.

“Bureau Director, you should take that phone call first. It's Bureau Director Liu from the city bureau on the line. He seems quite upset. I'm not sure what the issue is, but he insisted that you call him back immediately,” relayed the officer, quickly delivering the message.

Zheng Ming could only shake his head in resignation. “Alright, Xiaolong, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to remain here for now. But rest assured, this matter will be settled soon. If you've been falsely accused, I will personally unlock your handcuffs and work to clear your name.”

“No need to worry about my reputation. Many people are aware of who I am,” Xiaolong said with a smile, rising to his feet. “I trust you, Bureau Director Zheng, to deal with these issues justly and to help us reclaim a clean river.”

“I must be going now; there's a lot to attend to at the bureau,” Zheng Ming said, offering an apologetic tone.

Understanding the urgency, Xiaolong quickly nodded in acknowledgment.

Zheng Ming rushed back to his office and called Bureau Director Liu Luo.

“Bureau Director Liu, did you need me for something?” Zheng Ming inquired cautiously.

He had been warned about the director's anger and was keen to avoid making matters worse.

“Tell me, did your team arrest someone named Zhang Xiaolong?” Liu Luo's anger had subsided somewhat, but his tone remained stern.

“Zhang Xiaolong? How did you come to know about that? I've only just been informed...” Zheng Ming began, eager to clarify, but he was cut off before he could continue.

“So you did arrest him? Then I'll ask you once more: do you have solid evidence and justification? If not, release him immediately,” Liu Luo demanded, his voice growing firmer.

Zheng Ming paused, his expression one of confusion. “Bureau Director Liu, may I ask why you're taking such an interest in him? The records suggest Zhang Xiaolong is a farmer, correct?”

Zheng Ming's face turned ashen. The opposing force could easily raze the station with their superior firepower. But why would the military encircle a police station? Could they be impostors?

Even a fake military unit couldn't possibly have access to such an arsenal, nor the well-trained soldiers that stood before him.

While bandits might match the military in combat, they lacked the strict discipline of an organized army.

Yet here, the soldiers, despite their siege, were orderly and disciplined.

“I'm Zheng Ming, the director here. Which unit are you from, and why have you surrounded the station?” he demanded loudly.

Liu Zhongjun emerged from the crowd, unarmed, and strolled toward Zheng Ming, stopping a mere few meters away.

“We've come to take someone,” Liu Zhongjun said, unfazed by the guns aimed at him. “He's a key figure related to national security, and we cannot let him be threatened or detained by just anyone.”

Zheng Ming had an inkling of whom Liu Zhongjun referred to but sought confirmation, “Who are you talking about?”

“Zhang Xiaolong.” Liu Zhongjun's words were quiet, but his lips betrayed his message.

A storm of emotions raged within Zheng Ming. The revelation that Xiaolong owned Soaring Dragon Company was shocking enough, and now there were implications of national security?

Still, Zheng Ming was a principled man, known for his tenacity and refusal to yield under pressure. Being coerced at gunpoint was not in his character.

Moreover, as a police station, releasing a suspect prematurely could turn into quite the farce in the future.

“First, you'll need to verify your identities. Secondly, Zhang Xiaolong is under investigation by the police. Once we uncover the truth, he will be released accordingly. You'll need to be patient,” Zheng Ming responded.

“No,” Qu Moyao insisted resolutely, “We're the military garrison stationed at Clear River Village. I'm sure you've been informed. Regardless of your procedures, if we can't see him, none of you will be leaving.”

“You...” Zheng Ming was taken aback by the beautiful officer's even more irrational stance, “Very well, you'll just have to wait.”