Chapter 180 – Gambling Raid! (1/2)

The next day, Saturday.

County’s Ministry of Education Director Yu Zhengzhi’s home.

“Cousin, you are here?” Yu Zhengzhi’s wife opened the door to let Hu Yiguo enter. Yu Zhengzhi, who was watching TV also walked to the door to welcome him.

Hu Yiguo smiled and nodded. He sat down on the sofa and said. “I am investigating a case nearby and drop by to visit you all. Zhengzhi, what happened at Hui Tian Village’s Middle School? Chief Dong is also there?” He had heard about yesterday’s incident.

Yu Zhengzhi poured a glass of tea for Hu Yiguo. “That brat wants me to help his mother get a transfer, but I did not agree. Cousin, that Dong Xuebing, is too full of himself and should be taught a lesson. He is just a little brat.” Yu Zhengzhi knew Hu Yiguo, who helped him get his current position, had clashed with Dong Xuebing and wanted to help him get back.

Hu Yiguo nodded. “Ok, but don’t be too much.”

Yu Zhengzhi replied. “Don’t worry. I will not kick his mother out of the school, but she can’t be transferred to the County Town. She will stay in the village for the rest of her life. I will not do anyone any favors. As long as I don’t give the approval, Dong Xuebing’s mother can never join any County school.” He said this purposely, but if the County Government’s leaders called him, he would still have to listen to them. However, he had asked around and knew Dong Xuebing does not have any backings in Yan Tai County.

Hu Yiguo was pleased to know Dong Xuebing had hit a wall. He is power-hungry and often snatches credits from others. This is the first time someone had snatched his credit. “Dong Xuebing thinks too highly of himself. You are right by doing this and he should be taught a lesson.”

Yu Zhengzhi laughed. “I guess he should know where he stands now.” Usually, he will give in to these transfer requests, but this time, he purposely refused Dong Xuebing, and what can Dong Xuebing do to him?

……

Dong Xuebing did not return to County town yesterday and stayed at his grandmother’s house.

In the living room, Dong Xuebing’s uncle and aunt heard about what happened in school and were furious.

Dong Xuebing’s uncle banged the table. “That old bastard is too much. How can he treat Xiao Bing like this? Did he think that the Ministry of Education in the Ministry of Finance?!”

Dong Xuebing’s First Aunt added. “This old pervert is too much!”

Although Dong Xuebing might seem to have forgiven his uncle and aunt, in his heart, he still blames them. He looked at his mother and was frustrated at his mother for telling them about this incident.”

Luan Xiaoping was afraid that her son might get into trouble and sighed. “Xiao Bing, I will not go and work in town. I don’t mind staying in the village.”

Dong Xuebing said. “What’s so good in this village school? Just leave this to me.” Dong Xuebing still have lots of cards up his sleeves. But he will not use them easily. He got to save these cards for critical times, and it is not worth to use them on someone like Yu Zhengzhi.

Dong Xuebing’s cousin, Tang Jin, said angrily. “Yu Zhengzhi and his family were notorious in the Yu Village in the past. He is still like this now.”

Dong Xuebing paused for a second and asked. “Yu Village? The Yu Village in Hui Tian? Is that Yu Zhengzhi’s hometown?”

Dong Xuebing’s second aunt said. “He is from Yu Village.”

Dong Xuebing asked. “Who else is there in his family, and what are they doing now?”

Second aunt’s husband said. “His whole family had moved to town. Oh, his nephew often comes back to the Yu Village. Xiao Jin has a colleague who lives in Yu Village. I heard Yu Zhengzhi’s nephew is jobless and spend his time playing mahjong.”

Dong Xuebing’s eyes brighten up. “Gambling?”

The second aunt’s husband replied. “Should be. But they are gambling in small amounts.”

Even 10 cents are considered gambling! Dong Xuebing immediately knew what to do. He called Liu Dahai after walking out of the room. “Hello, Chief Liu? I have some problems here. Can you get a young officer who is familiar with all the villages in Hui Tian to meet me?” Dong Xuebing wanted a younger officer because this place was under Hu Yiguo in the past, and he does not trust the older officers. This must be confidential and cannot be leaked.

Liu Dahai was puzzled, but he did not ask anything. “I will ask Chu Feng to meet you. This young man is smart.”

After a while, a skinny and tall police officer in his 20s walked towards Dong Xuebing.

Dong Xuebing sat in his Buick and looked at the officer. He lowered the window and asked. “Chu Feng? Come in first.”

Chu Feng was stunned and quickly greeted Chief Dong before entering the front passenger seat. Station Chief Liu had just told him Chief Dong needs him to do something. On his way here, he was nervous and excited. He knew this is a rare opportunity.

After observing him for a while, Dong Xuebing smiled. “Chief Liu told me that you are familiar with all the villages nearby. I have a mission for you.”

Chu Feng straighten his back and said. “Yes, Sir. I will complete this mission without fail!” Chu Feng was not very confident, but he knew if he hesitates, the leader will lose confidence in him.

Dong Xuebing nodded. “Do you know Yu Wei from Yu Village?”

Chu Feng was surprised. “I know who he is, but we are not close. We had met during an investigation in the past.”

Dong Xuebing replied. “Ok. I want you to investigate on Yu Wei. I heard he loves to play mahjong. I want to know where and when he plays mahjong. Xiao Chu, I am sure you know this must be done in secret. Don’t let anyone knows about this.”

Chu Feng’s heart is racing. “Yu Wei is… Director Yu’s……”

Dong Xuebing looks at him. “If you cannot do this, I will get someone else.”

Chu Feng gritted his teeth and pumped out his chest. “I will complete this mission!”

Dong Xuebing patted him on his shoulder and said. “Go.”

Even if this fails, Dong Xuebing also does not mind. But to Chu Feng, it is different. He knew he had gotten involved in the political struggle between Dong Xuebing and Hu Yiguo. If he is not careful, he might be a sacrifice. But along with the risk, there are high rewards. He will earn Chief Dong’s trust if he can complete the mission and Chief Dong is Hui Tian Police Station’s direct supervisor!

Chu Feng has no choice but to complete Chief Dong’s mission.

At about 4 pm, Dong Xuebing received Chu Feng’s call. “How is it?”

Liu Dahai had recommended the right person to Dong Xuebing. Chu Feng is very efficient. “Chief Dong, I found out Yu Wei had been living in his old house in Yu Village the past few days. He will start playing mahjong at around 7 pm after the skies are dark and will stop at 3 or 4 am. They might be gambling, but the bets are not high. The winnings and losses should not exceed 1,000 RMB.”

Dong Xuebing asked. “Are they going to play this evening?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes Sir! I am sure!”

Dong Xuebing praised him. “Good job. Come back and don’t let anyone see you.”

The skies turned dark.

After dinner, Dong Xuebing called Liu Dahai. “Chief Liu, get a few trusted officers to follow for a case.”

Liu Dahui was surprised. “What case is it?”

“We will talk when we meet. Remember, don’t drive police cars. I will wait for you all at the junction west of the station.” Dong Xuebing hangs up before Liu Dahai could ask anything.

5 minutes later, a van reaches the junction.

Dong Xuebing saw Liu Dahai’s figure from his rear-view mirror. He did not alight and put on the hazard lights to signal to them before driving straight. The van stopped for a while and followed the MPV. The main roads’ conditions were still fine, but after they entered the villages, the road condition becomes bumpy. Soon, both vehicles entered Yu Village.

They parked at a secluded area, and Dong Xuebing and Chu Feng alighted.

4 officers and Liu Dahai alighted from the van. “Chief Dong, what case is this?”

Dong Xuebing replied. “It is a gambling raid.”

Liu Dahai grumbled in his heart. It’s only a gambling raid. Why are you so secretive about it?

Dong Xuebing spoke with Chu Feng softly and points to the third house. “That is our target. Keep one officer to stand guard at the village entrance. We must hurry!”

Liu Dahai’s face changed when he looks at where Dong Xuebing was pointing. “That house…” It’s Yu Zhengzhi’s house.

Dong Xuebing looked at Liu Dahai. “Prepare to move!”

Liu Dahai was troubled. He could tell Chief Dong knew this is Director Yu’s house. Damn! If I know Chief Dong is going to conduct a gambling raid at Director Yu’s home, I will not come! Shit! Now I am involved in this too!

The officers also noticed the seriousness of this and looked at each other. They could see the hesitations in each other’s eyes, but they know they cannot defy Chief Dong’s orders. Times had changed, and Chief Dong is overseeing their station now.

“Go!”

Chu Feng was the first to move after Dong Xuebing gave out the order. Dong Xuebing, Liu Dahai, and two other officers ran towards that house and left an officer behind to stand guard in case anyone tried to escape.

50 meters…

30 meters…

10 meters…

1 minute later, everyone reached the entrance of the house and waited for Dong Xuebing’s instructions.

Dong Xuebing nodded. “Kick open the door and go in!”

Chu Feng was still the first to act, and he kicked open the door with one kick. Liu Dahai knew Chief Dong was serious and dare not delay. He waved to the officers to surround a brightly lit room.

Dong Xuebing stepped forward and kicked the room’s door open.

Chu Feng caught up with Dong Xuebing and shouts: “Don’t move! Po…” He stopped and froze.

Dong Xuebing was stunned too. No one is in the room, and there are only a mahjong table and a few bottles of beer. Dong Xuebing turned and look Chu Feng. “What’s happening?!” They had come here for a gambling raid but there is nobody.

Chu Feng panicked. “This should not be. They said they will be playing…” Chu Feng stepped forward and touched the few bottles of beers. He also noticed two pieces of 100 RMB notes on the floor. “Chief Dong, they had just left. The beer is still cold, and they could not keep their money in time. They might know we are coming!”

Dong Xuebing’s face changed. “Someone leaked to them?”

Liu Dahai said. “Maybe someone in the village saw us and called them?”

Dong Xuebing believed no one had seen them in the village as he did not see a single villager earlier on their way in. Damn! It must be one of the officers who leaked the news of their operations. They had been working in this area for years and must have some connections. Furthermore, Hu Yiguo was formerly in charge of this station, and it’s impossible for him to not have any ‘eyes’ here!

F**k! Creating trouble for me time and time again! Dong Xuebing was furious! He wants to see which asshole leaked the news of this raid!

You want to find trouble with me again?!

BACK 2 minutes!!!

……

Time returned to 2 minutes ago!

It was quiet, and there was the scent of earth and grass in the air. Dong Xuebing returned to the village’s entrance and the few officers were looking at the house of their target. Liu Dahai said with a troubled look on his face. “That house is……”