Chapter 2: Making Trouble

  Luo Fei was also secretly worried, just now he wanted to take advantage of the conflict between Su Zhi and him to shift the attention of the villagers who were fighting, and then take the opportunity to mediate the dispute. Who knew that the police station happened to arrive at this time. Following the usual practice, a large-scale gathering of armed fighting, if you don't catch a few troublemakers to show your power, it's absolutely not the style of the police station.

  Before it happened, the Su family had already understood the situation clearly. The Su family suspected that the Luo family had stolen a head of cattle from their home. But the Luo family said they didn't steal and felt humiliated by the Su family. As a result, it ended up like this now.

  If the police station were to arrest someone now, which side would they arrest? One side is the victim, and the other side feels wronged. Arresting either side might provoke public resentment. If both sides are arrested, that's just asking for trouble.

  As expected, as soon as the police car stopped, the village name that was slightly calm before immediately revealed a nervous expression.

  Director Zhu Yumin had just gotten off the car when more than a dozen plainclothes police officers followed closely behind.

  Well, there are just a few people in the police station, which is good, they all came out.

  Lao Zhi Shu and Su Xiao Peng hastily went forward to welcome them. Luo Fei also quickly released Su Zhi Huan and walked over quickly.

  "Director Zhu, you've arrived just in time. If you were a step later, the situation would probably be out of control." Su Xiaopeng spoke first.

  Zhu Yumin's serious face patted Su Xiaopeng's shoulder, then smiled and nodded at Lao Zhi Shu, before finally looking at Luo Fei with great impatience and saying: "Little Luo, how are you doing as the head of the security department? Stone Plate Village was chaotic in the past, but it never had such a big incident. How come problems keep arising one after another since you took over?"

  "You'd better replace me, I really can't do this job." Luo Fei sighed bitterly. Zhu Yuemin didn't wrong him, the police station had been to Shipai Village three times this month, and each time was more severe than the last.

  "What nonsense are you talking about?" Old Branch Book glared at him fiercely, then turned his head to smile at Zhu Yumin: "Although Director Zhu has just taken office for a short time, you also know the special situation of Shipai Village. Since you came in person today, there must be a way to solve it. If there's any problem, we'll definitely cooperate and assist with all our might."

  Zhu Yumin nodded, the reason why he personally led the team over today is to show his attention to this matter. Secondly, such a large-scale gathering of armed fighting is quite serious. If handled well, it will be a great achievement. If not handled properly, he should quit as the head of the department.

  He's only thirty-five years old, and being sent to a hardship post is just for show; going to the county or even the city is almost a sure thing. If he were to capsize because of this matter, it would be too unjust. So as soon as I heard about this matter, I immediately decided to come over and resolve the issue personally.

  After a moment of contemplation, Zhu Yumin took two steps forward and stood in front of the villagers, saying loudly: "Fellow villagers, before I came here, I had already understood some basic situation. If you have any grievances or lost something, naturally there will be zhèng?fǔ to come out and take charge for you."

  "Come on, last year our family lost a bike and after reporting it to the police, there was no result until now. What's the use of finding you guys?" A sarcastic voice came from the crowd. In their eyes, an ox head is more important than the face of the police station chief.

  "We have our own procedures." Zhu Yumin's face didn't change, "Solving a case always has a process. But you're not allowed to fight with weapons in your hands, that's against the law. Now please everyone pack up and go home, each side recommend two people who can take charge to come with me to the town to clarify things."

  "Let's settle this here and now, we don't need to go to the police station." The two families of Su Luo were firmly opposed, and unexpectedly united their front.

  Is the police station a place where people go? Once you enter, even if nothing happens, something will be made up. The police stations in small towns are not as particular as those in big cities. Many of the police officers haven't even received regular training, let alone have basic common sense.

  Luo Fei has been very clear about this since he became the director of the treatment and protection department, so he also understands the concerns of his fellow villagers.

  "What can be solved here?" Zhu Yumin got angry, he was born to do criminal investigation, and had little experience in handling such village disputes. "I warn you, now immediately go back to your own homes, I can waive the legal responsibility for gathering and fighting... otherwise I will arrest people."

  "What right do you have to arrest people, our family's big water buffalo was stolen by the Luo family, and you don't go catch them, is there still justice in heaven?" The Su family was immediately enraged.

  "We didn't steal any cows, all we want is a clear conscience, why are you arresting us?" The Luo family immediately retorted.

  "It was you who stole it, someone in the village saw you."

  "Where is the witness? You bring him out."

  。。。。。。。。。。。?

  Zhu Yuemin didn't say that sentence, it would have been fine. As soon as he said it, a strong backlash was triggered immediately. Many hot-tempered people even targeted the police station's civilians, and for a time, curses, shouts, and noises filled the air.

  What's more, some of the hot-tempered ones were excitedly raising their tools in hand, waving them about continuously, and it seemed like the situation was on the verge of getting out of control again.

  Zhu Yumin's face was stern, it seemed that if he didn't catch a few troublemakers today, it would be impossible. Originally, he had decided to come over today to kill the chicken and scare the monkey, intimidating these country bumpkins who had never seen the world.

  It is said that poor mountains and evil waters produce many wicked people. This Shí Pái Village, nestled between the mountains and beside the water, should be a good place, so why is it so difficult to educate its people?

  With a wave of his hand, Zhu Yuemin followed by more than a dozen militiamen, quickly squeezed into the middle of the two groups. This was done to control both sides and prevent them from accidentally hurting each other. Also, they wanted to take advantage of the situation to separate the village leaders who were stirring up trouble.

  "The police are coming to arrest people, the police are coming to arrest people."

  In the crowd, someone suddenly shouted a few words, and the villagers on the scene immediately boiled up. The village name on the scene began to show signs of unrest.

  Luo Fei's heart skipped a beat, the owner of that voice was someone he knew very well, named Hu Kan. How did this kid end up hiding in here too? It had nothing to do with him, neither his surname nor his faith were related to this matter.

  Just as they were about to look for him, the situation on the scene suddenly became even more severe.

  At this moment, the people of the Su and Luo families didn't care about each other anymore. They immediately picked up their tools and surrounded more than ten civilians in the middle of the village.

  Some of the bolder ones even kicked them a few times in secret, and punched them twice. For a time, more than ten police officers looked disheveled.

  One or two villagers may be timid and afraid of trouble, but with many people, they become brave. Once one person takes action, the others probably won't consider the consequences anymore.

  The situation immediately became chaotic.

  Watching his own people suffer, Zhu Yuemin was furious, and he pulled out the pistol from his waist and fired three shots into the air "bang bang bang" to intimidate.

  Local police stations are not as formal as public security bureaus, and generally only the director and a limited number of regular personnel can be equipped with handguns. Otherwise, how would they become people's police?

  Perhaps it was the sudden gunshot that frightened them, but the scene that had just been chaotic and disorderly instantly fell silent.

  After a deadly silence, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted loudly: "Don't be afraid of him, we haven't committed any crime, he doesn't dare to shoot us, if anyone is killed, even the county head will be affected, unless this director wants to quit."

  As soon as the words fell, the silent villagers burst out again. This time they directly surrounded Zhu Yumin, the village chief.

  Zhu Yumin's forehead was sweating profusely, and he knew the consequences of this. In his heart, he secretly resented the person who had spoken up earlier, if not for him, the situation would have temporarily stabilized. He wanted to find out who it was, but at this moment, looking around, apart from farming tools like wooden sticks and hoes, all he saw were swaying heads, where could he see clearly who it was?

  Lu Fei also cried out in dismay, originally the warning shot just now could intimidate some of the timid ones, and as long as they were comforted with all their might, a few of the bolder ones would be deceived, and today's events might have passed peacefully. But at this moment, Xiao Zi suddenly spoke up to stir up trouble, fearing that the world would not be chaotic, what was his intention?

  "What... what are you trying to do? Rebel?" Zhu Yumin, unable to hold back, retreated a few steps, finally showing some cowardice.

  Just as the situation was about to get out of control, Su Xiaopeng stepped forward two steps and said loudly: "Fellow villagers, calm down, we must be calm, whatever happens, let's talk it over."

  Lao Zhi also snorted, saying in a low voice: "Xiao Peng, don't bother with them, let them come over. I'd like to see just how big their guts are. They're giving up good rice bowls, what do they think they're doing?"

  Although the old village chief is advanced in years, his prestige still exists. At critical moments, he has more face than the director of the police station.

  The rioting villagers stopped in their tracks. Those who were trapped inside took the opportunity to run out.

  "We just want to find the stolen cows."

  "We just want our innocence back."

  "Is that all you've got? Who are you trying to scare?"

  In the crowd, there are some people who were previously taken away by the police station for some minor issues. Can't they take advantage of this opportunity to gain some verbal benefits?

  Luo Fei hastily pulled Zhu Yumin back two steps, letting him be in a safe position before whispering: "Director Zhu, we can't afford to provoke them further now. If we really stir up public outrage, I'm afraid..."

  "What good advice do you have?" Zhu Yumin nodded his head with a lingering fear, he indeed thought things were too simple. If the situation earlier had gotten out of control, his strengths would likely become unavoidable scapegoats.

  "Just meet their demands." Luo Fei smiled. "They just lost a cow head, right? It's fine once they find it."

  "What you said is easy, but it's not that simple. How am I supposed to find their cows?" Zhu Yumin was a bit annoyed, wasn't this kid intentionally causing trouble? This Shitai Village is surrounded by mountains and water, if someone really wants to hide a cow, you basically can't find it, and if someone secretly takes it away, you'll be even more helpless. He didn't dare make such a promise.

  "I can give it a try." Luo Fei thought of the Qimen Dunjia he had studied for several years, but unfortunately, he never had the chance to try it out.

  "Can you find their draft cattle?" Zhu Yumin was overjoyed.

  "That... I can only try." Luo Fei coughed dryly, he really didn't have any confidence. "In case we can't find it, isn't it also an opportunity to ease the emotions of the villagers? Just now I noticed that every time things slightly eased up, someone would intentionally provoke the anger of the fellow villagers..."

  "Don't worry, I'll settle the score after autumn. You help me find this person in two days." Zhu Yumin let out a cold hum, he had thought of this matter, but unfortunately, after being frightened earlier, he didn't dare to take action now.

  Lu Fei nodded: "I also think this person is suspicious. However, the most important thing now is not to establish authority, but to calm things down."

  Zhu Yumin nodded in agreement and patted his shoulder, saying: "Your analysis is very correct, but these people are now furious and hard to calm down."

  Lu Fei turned his head to look over and only then did he realize that the people from both the Su and Luo families had already surrounded them, but hadn't approached. Lu Fei noticed that although their emotions seemed to be calming down slightly, at this moment, if someone said something provocative, it would immediately become a storm. He hastily stood in front of Zhu Yuemin, looking at the crowd and shouting loudly: "Everyone, just now Director Zhu has authorized me to handle the cow incident with full authority, please don't worry, I will think of a way to help the Su family find the cow and clear the Luo family's name."

  Zhu Yumin nodded secretly in appreciation of Luo Fei's cleverness. The situation had developed into a terrible mess, and this kid had taken the initiative to take charge of it. Wasn't that equivalent to forcing himself, who had just mishandled the problem, to step down? Thinking of the several civilians who had followed him and were now displaying expressions of "not seeking merit, but seeking no fault", he felt a slight stir in his heart.

  "It's easy for you to say, but isn't the cow that got lost yours? If you're so capable, go find it now!" Su Zhi sneered coldly, "If you can't find it, how will you explain yourselves to us?"

  "Even if you can't find it, do you think the Su family wants to rebel? Luo Fei let out a cold snort and suddenly put on a big hat. "Director Zhu just said that today's matter, if everyone disperses, the matter will be easily resolved. If things get out of hand, no one present will have a good outcome. Unlawful assembly, assault, illegal gathering... these charges, none of you can escape. Are there over a hundred people here? Which prison can't hold prisoners? Do you really think the government doesn't dare to move against you?"

  Here is the translation:

  Having said that, Luo Fei saw that everyone fell silent, so he paused for a moment to give them some time to think. However, this thinking time couldn't be too long, as he was worried that these people would come back to their senses and start making trouble again. So he continued: "Today, Director Zhu has personally come over to properly help our fellow villagers resolve their difficulties. If the Su family can really find a witness to prove that it was someone from the Luo family who stole it, we will immediately apprehend the person. But if there is no witness, then it means that you Su family are being unreasonable and taking things too far. You should consider the consequences for yourselves!

  Zhu Yumin was nervous and anxious, to be honest, with so many people, even if he borrowed a bit of courage from someone else, he wouldn't dare to make an arrest. At this moment, seeing Luo Fei coming forward with both hard and soft tactics, he couldn't help but secretly praise the young man's cleverness. Seeing him looking at himself, it was clear that he wanted to leave the last opportunity to be a good person for himself. He looked at him with approval, cleared his throat, and said loudly: "Fellow villagers... I am also a peasant by birth, I know what a head of cattle means to you? Today, I'm putting my words here, guaranteeing that we will fully resolve the issue with everyone. However, everyone must give us time to deal with the problem. Since none of you are willing to go back now, you can wait here. Our staff will take down your statements one by one."

  As the villagers retreated, some of them simply sat down on the spot. Zhu Yumin furrowed his brow and pulled Luo Fei back to one side, saying in a low voice: "You're most familiar with the environment around Shipai Village, I'll arrange for a few people to go with you later, it's best if we can bring someone from the Su family..."

  "I'll go home and get something." Luo Fei smiled, "Director Zhu, you can let Old Branch Book and Director Su calm down their emotions first. By the way, delay some time, until I come back, no matter what the result is, their anger will have dissipated a lot."

  Zhu Yumin was very satisfied, and he thought so too. He patted his shoulder and laughed: "To be honest with you, the matter of Shibao Village has already shocked the town mayor. If you handle it well today, I'll try to transfer you to the town hall, to my office as a civilian police officer. This right I still have..."

  Lu Fei was taken aback for a moment, then overjoyed. This Zhu Yumin is not good at handling matters, but unexpectedly he is well-versed in the art of using people in official circles. He has already promised a big pie before things are done, how can he not do his best?