Chapter 21

After sending Sun Jie away, at the end of the workday, the head of the Industry and Commerce Bureau, Cai Jin, popped up, grinning and saying he wanted to treat Lu Zheng to a drink, to have a few sips together.

Cai Jin was nominally the director of the Strike Office, but the deputy director in charge of the Industry and Commerce Bureau was Wang Donglei, also known as Fat Wang. Usually, Old Cai never came around this place, and he had little interaction with Lu Zheng.

When Old Cai invited him to dinner, Lu Zheng knew he must have something on his mind and wanted to find out what it was.

In Guangning, there were now several privately-owned restaurants, one of which, called "Dongmiyuan," was the most famous. It was said that the owner had lived in Shenzhen and even crossed the sea to Hong Kong, so he was well-versed and had decorated the restaurant with a lot of style, quickly making it well-known. In fact, from the name, you could tell that most restaurants on the mainland were called something like "Victory Hotel" or "Peace Hotel," as if they weren't restaurants unless they had "hotel" in the name. This one was different.

Lu Zheng and Old Cai went to Dongmiyuan and booked a private room on the second floor. Old Cai, always in his Industry and Commerce Bureau uniform, soon had the owner come over to toast. Old Cai knew him and, after introducing Lu Zheng, chatted with him briefly before sending him away.

In the future, although merchants would still rely on certain officials, they had gained a certain status. However, at that time, the power of the authorities was still terrifying.

Lu Zheng and Old Cai chatted about various topics, gradually moving on to work. Old Cai sipped his wine and said with a smile, "Comrade Zheng, it's almost mid-year, and our Strike Office is under a lot of pressure this year. We've seized goods worth hundreds of thousands, but we haven't caught many criminals, just some small fry!" As he said this, his small eyes flickered.

Lu Zheng knew that what he had been doing had likely reached Old Cai's ears. Not only had he turned a blind eye since becoming deputy director of the Strike Office, but even before, he had released any second-hand dealers who hadn't been formally recorded. After all, in a couple of years, the focus of the Strike Office would shift to combating smuggling, and as a coastal open city, Wushan would see changes even earlier.

At this critical moment, those caught could face sentences of ten to twenty years, but the next moment, their activities might be considered normal business practices to invigorate the economy. Were these second-hand dealers really guilty? Even if the policy changed, those already sentenced would likely serve their time, at best getting a reduced sentence. There was no such thing as state compensation at the time.

And how many of those who dared to start businesses early weren't capable people?

Therefore, Lu Zheng not only didn't "crack down" on them but also found ways to legitimize their business activities.

Lu Zheng didn't know that his kindness would later give rise to the so-called "Guangning Gang," a group of merchants and capitalists from Guangning. As a great benefactor of the Guangning Gang, he would naturally face the ups and downs and the complex relationships with them in the future.

Now, Lu Zheng was thinking about how to deal with Old Cai. Ten years ago, Old Cai was an expert at catching speculators, and it wouldn't be easy to fool him. After all, the heads of the county bureau were all seasoned veterans, skilled in political struggles. Some might look like farmers, but if you offended them, you might be in trouble without even knowing why.

However, since Old Cai had invited him to dinner, it probably wasn't out of malice. Otherwise, even if Lu Zheng wanted to treat him, Old Cai might have declined. Having a meal alone was different from a formal banquet.

Lu Zheng picked up a piece of food, placed it on his plate, and thought for a moment before saying, "Director Cai, I know you care about me, but let me ask, what is the central reform really about? Revitalizing the economy is the top priority. To do that, goods need to circulate, and this circulation will eventually be legalized, don't you think?"

Cai Jin was taken aback. Before Lu Zheng joined the Strike Office, he had thoroughly investigated him, so the name "Lu Gangtou" (Lu the Stubborn) was already well-known to him. He hadn't expected this stubborn man to talk about the economy and revitalization, which was somewhat surprising.

While Cai Jin didn't entirely agree with Lu Zheng, he found him too young to dismiss. Despite some setbacks, Lu Zheng had solved the May 16th case, showing potential. His future was unpredictable. As a native of Guangning, Cai Jin might need help from Lu Zheng one day, and it was always good to have connections in the police system.

So, Cai Jin just smiled and said, "No matter how the policy changes, we still need to follow the provincial and municipal guidelines for now." He didn't say more, having made his point. He didn't want to be implicated if anything went wrong. After all, he would pretend not to hear or see anything.

After a satisfying meal, the restaurant staff brought in sunflower seeds and tea. Lu Zheng and Cai Jin chatted about various topics. Although Lu Zheng didn't deliberately show off, his occasional insights left Cai Jin puzzled. Wasn't he supposed to be stubborn? How could he be so knowledgeable and deep?

Suddenly, they heard a commotion outside, with the sound of waitresses screaming and dishes breaking. Various noises mixed together.

Lu Zheng frowned and said, "What's going on?" He was about to get up to check, as he was in charge of public security and needed to ensure safety.

But the noise was coming their way. A woman's rough voice shouted, "Where is he? Tell me, where is he?" followed by the sound of slaps, as if someone was fighting.

Old Cai's face suddenly changed, and Lu Zheng noticed.

The door curtain was pushed aside, and five or six people rushed in. Four or five women were pushing a young, attractive woman, pulling her hair and clothes. The young woman was disheveled and trembling in fear. The only man present was the owner of Dongmiyuan, Mr. Wang, who was trying to persuade them, smiling but with a hint of anger.

The group of women causing a disturbance was led by a tall, strong woman who, upon seeing Old Cai and Lu Zheng, shouted in a hoarse voice, "You old Cai! Didn't you promise me you wouldn't come to this den of foxes? I see through you! You're just a liar!" She started to wipe her eyes, showing that even the toughest women knew how to use tears as a weapon, though some made you feel sorry while others just annoyed you. This was definitely the latter.

The woman shouting at Old Cai was his wife, and the young woman being pulled by her hair was Mr. Wang's new wife, surnamed Dong. Hearing the wife call her a "fox" and a "whore," Mr. Wang's temper finally flared, and he said, "You're being too rude!"

"Shut up, you turtle!" The wife turned to scold him, her eyes bulging like copper bells.

Seeing his wife like a tigress, Mr. Wang's confidence waned. He had heard that when Director Cai was ill with dysentery, his wife had stayed by his side, and without her, Cai might have died. After the policy was implemented, Cai's position grew, but he remained submissive to his wife, a classic case of a henpecked husband.

"Enough!" Old Cai slammed the table, his face turning blue with anger.

Lu Zheng, seeing the situation, quickly intervened, "Sister, listen to me, it's a misunderstanding..."

The wife was furious, turning on Lu Zheng, "Stay out of this! What's it to you? Do you have balls?"

"Unacceptable! You're unacceptable!" Pointing at the wife, Old Cai was so angry he couldn't speak, "Get out! Go!"

Mr. Wang whispered to the wife, "This is Comrade Lu, the Political Commissar of the County Public Security Bureau."

"Ah?" The wife paused, looking at Lu Zheng.

"Alright, everyone, let go, let go! Sister, come sit here, and you all, go to the next room! Attacking people is illegal. If you don't leave, I'll have you all detained!" Lu Zheng frowned, looking at the women who had come with the wife, likely her relatives.

They were all rural women, and because the wife had always bullied Old Cai, they didn't fear him. But hearing that this man was a high-ranking police official, they all stepped back.

Lu Zheng signaled to Mr. Wang, who led the women to the adjacent private room and then helped his wife, who was crying, to leave.

"Sister, calm down. I suggested coming here today, not Director Cai," Lu Zheng said, pouring a cup of tea for the wife.

The wife sat down, still breathing heavily, not quite believing it, "Is that true?" She then realized that there was no reason for him to lie, and even if she was tough, she knew Old Cai wouldn't bring a police official to meet a mistress.

Old Cai stood by the window, looking outside, silent.

Lu Zheng paused, giving the wife time to think, then sighed and said softly, "Sister, no matter what, you shouldn't have caused such a scene. Our county is small, and soon everyone will know. Why cause trouble? It's very bad for Director Cai's reputation."

The wife huffed, "He deserves it. Besides, it's better if he doesn't hold this position. He hasn't made much money, but his attitude has changed. He looks down on our family now!"

Lu Zheng smiled, "Brother Cai isn't like that." He added, "Sister, you must have misunderstood. Brother Cai is in charge of all the businesses and individual traders in the county. He has many social obligations. I, for example, have many things to ask him to do, and he hasn't agreed. If you affect Brother Cai, it's not a big deal, even if you get him removed from his position. Brother Cai respects and loves you, and you are a couple who have been through hard times together. He won't complain. But if Brother Cai doesn't speak up, others will be unhappy."

The wife didn't fully understand, "Who? Who will be unhappy?"

Lu Zheng pointed to himself, "For example, me. I'm asking Brother Cai for help, and it's almost settled. But if you ruin it, do you think I'll be happy? I won't be, and I like to arrest people. I can't arrest you because of Brother Cai, but I can arrest your relatives, like those who came in just now." Lu Zheng laughed to himself, feeling a bit dirty, but he knew he had to deal with this unreasonable person. He felt sorry for Old Cai.

Throughout the entire incident, there was no eye contact between Old Cai and Mr. Wang's wife, suggesting it might have been a misunderstanding.

But whether it was a misunderstanding or not, it didn't matter to Lu Zheng. What mattered was that if Old Cai fell because of this, he would become a laughingstock in the entire Guangning political circle, and the story would inevitably involve him.

So, he had to suppress the incident.

Lu Zheng sighed, feeling unlucky. "You dare?" The wife's voice rose sharply.

Lu Zheng smiled coldly, "Why wouldn't I? That's my job." Lu Zheng had killed in battle, and when he showed his fierce side, it was truly terrifying.

The wife shuddered, realizing that this young man was not like Old Cai and was dangerous.

The room was tense, with only the wife's heavy breathing breaking the silence.

After a while, Lu Zheng smiled, "Sister, I'll arrange a meal for you and your relatives in the next room. After that, go home. In the future, talk more with Brother Cai and don't believe rumors."

"Meal?" The wife was confused by Lu Zheng's sudden change of topic.

Lu Zheng had a purpose, but he just smiled, "Yes, I'll treat you. Order whatever you like."

The wife hesitated, looking at Cai Jin, who was still silent by the window.

The wife felt she had overreacted and was unsettled by Lu Zheng's changing demeanor. After a few moments, she finally stood up and went to the next room. Soon, laughter could be heard, indicating that her relatives were excited about the free meal.

Cai Jin finally turned around, smiling bitterly, "Brother, thank you for today."

Lu Zheng waved his hand, "Don't mention it. Brother Cai, I'll settle the bill later. You go sit for a while, and I'll leave."

Seeing that Lu Zheng showed no curiosity about the incident, Cai Jin nodded, finding him increasingly likable.

Cai Jin understood Lu Zheng's intention, giving him time to calm his wife and remind the owner and staff not to spread rumors.

"That's not right," Cai Jin shook his head.

Lu Zheng smiled, "We're friends. Next time I go to the city, I'll buy some clothes for your wife. I see she's frugal. Women need new clothes, and I know she's upset with you."

Cai Jin laughed, feeling a bit better.

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