118: Chapter 118 The True Use of Connections

Pang Dahai immediately decided and said,

"Brother, don't worry. Let's file a case first. I'll have my colleague help me check on Jiang Tao. I'll give you an answer today."

Chen Hao was a law-abiding citizen, and on some matters, he still believed in the law. If the law couldn't solve it, Chen Hao wouldn't mind using his own methods.

Thus, led by Pang Dahai, Chen Hao took Zhang Menglu to the police station to file a case for investigation first.

Having someone influential made things easier. Pang Dahai's connections proved quite reliable. After stating their purpose, the Police Officers received them patiently.

In the reception room.

Deputy Director Ji entered, shook hands with Pang Dahai, and the two exchanged polite greetings.

"The situation you reported, after verification, we found that the campus loan is reasonable and legal, not the illegal loan sharking you mentioned."

"It's not?"

Pang Dahai was momentarily stunned. Deputy Director Ji continued,

"That's right. The procedures and the business license are completely legal. Although there's a suspicion of exploiting loopholes, it is definitely not an illegal, high-interest loan."

Pang Dahai rubbed the bridge of his nose upon hearing this.

"Exploiting legal loopholes, so you can't file a case for investigation?"

Old Ji patted Pang Dahai's shoulder.

"Times have changed. Thugs aren't scary; what's scary is a thug with an education."

"Knock, knock, knock."

Just then, someone knocked on the door, and a righteous-looking Police Officer entered.

"Director, a call from the bureau."

Old Ji nodded, indicating he needed to excuse himself for a moment. After he left, the air in the reception room became unusually tense.

Chen Hao was deep in thought.

Times were changing, and criminals were keeping pace.

Where there is a high road, there is a high wall. Over the years, loan sharks have constantly found new names: campus loans, small online loans, Huabei, Jiebei, Qufenqi, and other disguised high-interest loans have sprung up endlessly. There is always some method to exploit loopholes.

If they couldn't file a case, it seemed this matter would ultimately require Chen Hao to use his own methods.

Not long after, Deputy Director Old Ji walked back in, a barely perceptible trace of apology on his face.

"Old Ji, isn't there any other way?"

Pang Dahai still wanted to try, but Old Ji sat down helplessly.

"This matter has become troublesome. Are you the ones being sued?"

"What? Who is being sued?"

Pang Dahai's eyes widened, and even Chen Hao looked incredulous.

Old Ji said helplessly,

"The three thugs you mentioned have been identified as employees of the campus loan company. They were beaten by a creditor during work hours today, and all three are hospitalized with serious injuries."

"The campus loan company's legal department immediately called the police. The bureau has already filed a case. They are counter-suing and now require your assistance for the investigation."

Pang Dahai managed a wry smile upon hearing this.

"This world has truly gone mad! The thief is crying thief, right is wrong, there's simply no justice."

Deputy Director Old Ji said helplessly,

"There's nothing we can do. They have legal counsel, lawyers, and formal procedures. Following the official process, we can only act according to regulations."

After speaking, Old Ji said earnestly,

"I suggest you settle this privately. If it escalates, I'm afraid you might end up in jail."

What he feared most had happened. Pang Dahai felt his head buzzing. He truly let Chen Hao down and now felt too ashamed to face him.

"We agree to settle privately."

Unexpectedly, Chen Hao was extremely calm and stated directly,

"Ask the other party how much money they want so they won't pursue future claims against us."

Old Ji nodded, indicating he would go ask immediately.

As soon as the person left, Pang Dahai became anxious.

"Hao Zi, you can't compromise. This is aiding and abetting evil."

Chen Hao smiled.

"Brother Dahai, I haven't compromised. It's just that I want to solve this in my own way."

Pang Dahai was startled.

"Your way is?"

Chen Hao changed the subject and said,

"We are both people who run legitimate businesses. We can't afford to clash with thugs who have background and education. We still have jobs and lives to lead."

"I came back from Guangcheng this time with something I wanted to discuss with you. I want to open a Decoration Company and bring you in as a partner, to make your Decoration Company bigger and stronger..."

Chen Hao explained his idea in detail.

The general idea was that in the future, whenever Zhang Menglu opened a chain store in any city across the country, Pang Dahai's construction team would be responsible for the renovation.

"We all earn money together, right?"

Pang Dahai was very willing, but he didn't understand what cooperation had to do with compensation.

"It's fine, but I don't quite understand. It's clearly their fault, but if you compromise, it becomes our fault."

Chen Hao looked at the silent Zhang Menglu.

"Brother Dahai, the barefoot aren't afraid of those wearing shoes. I have the money. Paying some money to ensure our personal safety is no big deal."

Pang Dahai was about to say something else when Chen Hao added,

"Besides, I'm not the type to swallow insults. If you trust me, let me handle this matter. I guarantee Jiang Tao will personally come to apologize tomorrow."

Pang Dahai took a deep breath, genuinely unable to figure out what Chen Hao was planning.

A short while later, Deputy Director Ji returned, his face as long as a bitter gourd.

"The other party is making an exorbitant demand. They say, besides the money owed, they want the principal, interest, plus the injured employees' hospitalization fees, lost wages, and emotional distress compensation—all totaled up, they want 750,000."

Before Chen Hao could say anything, Pang Dahai's voice shot up several octaves.

"How much? Why doesn't he just rob us?"

Chen Hao stopped Pang Dahai in time.

"750,000? Not expensive. Agree to it. We agree to settle privately."

Seeing Chen Hao agree so readily, Deputy Director Ji found it hard to say anything, though Pang Dahai felt deeply aggrieved.

After leaving the police station, Chen Hao patted Pang Dahai's shoulder.

"Brother Dahai, do me a favor. Can I borrow your men for a bit?"

Pang Dahai froze.

"What are you planning to do? I warn you, don't mess around!"

It wasn't that Pang Dahai was overly nervous; he worried Chen Hao might take his employees to fight, which would inevitably lead to jail time again.

"Brother Dahai, what are you thinking? Isn't the new store finished renovating? Since the old one was smashed, I just need to borrow your people to help me move. We should save money where we can."

"You scared me! I'll call them right now."

Pang Dahai made the call, and a flash of undetectable cunning crossed Chen Hao's eyes.

Chen Hao didn't want Pang Dahai to know about the next action, because the upcoming plan wasn't exactly using violence to stop violence, but it would definitely keep Jiang Tao on edge.

Although the old saying goes, the barefoot aren't afraid of those wearing shoes.

There was another saying: the stupid fear the stubborn, and the stubborn fear those who don't value their lives.

Chen Hao secretly took out his phone and, utilizing his connections, sent out a mass message.

"Have you heard of Jiang Tao from Jiang City? I have a business matter I'd like to discuss with him. Can you tell me some information about him?"

Not long after, every businessperson in Jiang City who knew Chen Hao sent him a message. Through this social network, Chen Hao managed to investigate almost everything about Jiang Tao's background.

Including Jiang Tao's home address, how many people were in his family, his company address, license plate number, and other information—Chen Hao knew it all.

This was the true use of connections!

After summarizing the information about Jiang Tao, Chen Hao smiled calmly.

"Next, it's time for a confrontation."