82: Chapter 82 Arrest That Night

The sound of paper rustling came from the other end of the phone, and a low, male voice said indifferently: "Speak."

"Xiao Bei, a Standing Committee member of Beijiang County, interfered with one of our debts tonight..."

Xiang Jinlong stated the sequence of events concisely, "He also mentioned Police Chief Zhao Zhigang..."

"Xiao Bei?" Director Mou Zhengping's voice suddenly sharpened. "That former secretary of Mayor Qin Ruoxi?"

"Yes, that's him." Xiang Jinlong wiped away his sweat. "He took the IOU and even said..."

"Idiot!" Director Mou Zhengping was uncharacteristically furious. "How many times have I warned you? The province is currently conducting a 'look-back' review on organized crime! Do you think everything is fine just because the heat from last time died down?"

The office fell silent, and even the sound of breathing became cautious. Xiang Jinlong gestured with his eyes, and his subordinates immediately retreated.

"Director Mou, what should we do now?" Xiang Jinlong lowered his voice. "That money..."

"Put the matter of the money aside for now." Director Mou Zhengping's tone returned to calm. "This Xiao Bei is not simple; he has Mayor Qin Ruoxi behind him."

Xiang Jinlong's face turned pale. "Then..."

"Don't panic." Director Mou Zhengping interrupted him. "Tomorrow I will call Police Chief Zhao Zhigang to sound him out. You must immediately do three things: first, encrypt all ledgers from the last three years; second, suspend all 'special business'; third, have those who caused the trouble go into hiding for a while."

"Yes, I'll arrange it immediately." Xiang Jinlong nodded repeatedly. "What about the Su family..."

"Do as Xiao Bei said for now, just the legal interest." Director Mou Zhengping sneered. "Once the heat dies down, there will be plenty of ways to deal with them."

Hanging up the phone, Xiang Jinlong let out a long sigh of relief and pressed the intercom. "Old Zhou, transfer everything in the B-zone safe. Also..." He narrowed his eyes. "Check if Xiao Bei has any weak spots in Bishi Town."

At the same time, downstairs at the residential complex in Qinglin Town. Xiao Bei sat in his car as his phone screen lit up. The person from the County Commission for Discipline Inspection he had asked replied: [According to the investigation, this Xiang Jinlong does indeed have a protective umbrella, but the clues point to the municipal level, and the County Public Security Bureau lacks the authority.]

He frowned and thought for a moment, then replied: [Received, keep in touch.]

Looking up at Su Yun's window, the light was still on. Xiao Bei remembered what Mayor Qin Ruoxi had once said: "To kill a snake, strike at its seven-inch mark; to eliminate organized crime, first eliminate the umbrella."

Xiao Bei hesitated for a moment, then dialed the number of the County Public Security Bureau Chief, Zhao Zhigang.

It rang six times before being answered. Police Chief Zhao Zhigang's voice carried clear drowsiness: "Standing Committee Member Xiao? It's so late..."

"Police Chief Zhao, sorry to disturb you." Xiao Bei's voice was low and firm. "A case of violent debt collection involving high-interest loans occurred in Qinglin Town, involving Xiang Jinlong's gang."

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds, and then Police Chief Zhao Zhigang's voice immediately became alert: "Xiang Jinlong? Standing Committee Member Xiao, are you at the scene?"

"Yes, I have just finished handling the situation at the scene." Xiao Bei glanced at his watch. "The victim's family was threatened with violence, an elderly person was injured, and the IOU shows a monthly interest rate of thirty percent. It is clearly a usurious loan."

Police Chief Zhao Zhigang's breathing became heavy. "This... Standing Committee Member Xiao, Xiang Jinlong has a rather complicated background..."

"Combating organized crime is a special task deployed by the Central Government, Police Chief Zhao." Xiao Bei interrupted him, his tone brooking no argument. "Regardless of background, illegal and criminal activities must be cracked down upon. I suggest organizing an arrest operation immediately."

The sound of paper rustling came from the other end of the phone, and Police Chief Zhao Zhigang seemed to be thinking quickly. "Standing Committee Member Xiao, are you safe at the scene? Do you need me to send police support?"

"Not for now, they have already been intimidated by me." Xiao Bei glanced at the rearview mirror, confirming there were no suspicious individuals around. "But we must act before dawn to prevent them from destroying evidence or fleeing."

Police Chief Zhao Zhigang sighed. "Alright, I will organize a Special Investigation Team immediately, but... Standing Committee Member Xiao, Xiang Jinlong has close relationships with certain leaders in the city. This matter, I'm afraid..."

"Police Chief Zhao." Xiao Bei's voice suddenly turned cold. "You are the Chief of the County Public Security Bureau; upholding the dignity of the law is your duty. If you have any concerns, you can report directly to Secretary Qi Zhengming."

Mentioning Secretary Qi Zhengming clearly panicked Police Chief Zhao Zhigang. "No, no, no, Standing Committee Member Xiao, you've misunderstood. I will deploy the operation right now and guarantee that Xiang Jinlong's gang will be wiped out before dawn!"

Hanging up the phone, Xiao Bei let out a long sigh of relief and leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest. He knew that Police Chief Zhao Zhigang's hesitation was not unreasonable—in Beijiang County, Xiang Jinlong had been entrenched for many years, and his network of relationships was intricate. But precisely because of this, thunderous measures were all the more necessary.

The phone vibrated again; it was a message from Police Chief Zhao Zhigang: [Thirty special police officers have been organized, and the arrest plan is being formulated. The operation is expected to take place in three hours.]

Xiao Bei replied: [Maintain confidentiality, notify me before the operation.]

He put down his phone and looked toward Su Yun's window. His thoughts drifted back to a year ago, when he had just been transferred by Mayor Qin Ruoxi from the Municipal Government Office to Beijiang County to serve as the Party Secretary of Bishi Town.

At the farewell banquet, Mayor Qin Ruoxi said to him: "The grassroots level is the place that trains people the most, and also the place where one can see people most clearly." Now, he finally understood the meaning of those words.

At 4:50 AM, the phone rang again. Police Chief Zhao Zhigang's voice sounded tense: "Standing Committee Member Xiao, we have locked onto Xiang Jinlong in his office on the top floor of Jinlong Building, but he has six bodyguards with him, all of whom may be armed."

Xiao Bei immediately sat up straight: "Do not storm the building; seal off all exits first. I am coming over immediately."

He quickly drafted a text message to Su Yun: [I have urgent official business, leaving now. Contact me if anything happens.] Then he started the car and drove toward the county seat.

Jinlong Building was a landmark of Beijiang County; its twenty-eight-story height appeared particularly abrupt in the county town. When Xiao Bei arrived, the building was already surrounded by police, and the flashing police lights were particularly glaring in the darkness before dawn.

Police Chief Zhao Zhigang jogged up to meet him with a solemn expression: "Standing Committee Member Xiao, the situation has changed. Ten minutes ago, Director Mou Zhengping from the Municipal Party Committee Office called me to inquire about this operation."

Xiao Bei's heart tightened. As the Director of the Municipal Party Committee Office, Director Mou Zhengping should theoretically be their superior supporter, but to suddenly inquire at such a critical moment... "What did he say?" Xiao Bei asked calmly.

"He said... he said that combating organized crime must be done in accordance with the law and regulations, and cannot be a campaign-style enforcement." Police Chief Zhao Zhigang wiped the sweat from his forehead. "He even specifically asked who gave the order."

Xiao Bei sneered: "In accordance with the law and regulations? A usurious loan with thirty percent monthly interest and violent debt collection resulting in injury—which one of these is not enough to meet the criteria for filing a case?"

He took out his phone and dialed a number he rarely used. The call was answered quickly, and a cold, clear female voice came through: "Xiao Bei?"

"Mayor Qin Ruoxi, I apologize for disturbing you so early." Xiao Bei said. "A violent debt collection case involving high-interest loans occurred in Beijiang County. We are organizing an arrest, but we have encountered some resistance."

On the other end of the line, Mayor Qin Ruoxi's voice immediately became serious: "Tell me in detail."

Xiao Bei reported the situation concisely, specifically mentioning Director Mou Zhengping. After listening, Mayor Qin Ruoxi only said one sentence: "Arrest the people first. As for Director Mou Zhengping, I will talk to him afterwards."