Chapter Summaries

Dong Xuebin faced down the officers trying to arrest him while the Black Car Driver charged at him in a minibus. He dodged and used Stop to kick the vehicle onto its side, leaving everyone stunned.

• Dong Xuebin knocked back the officers and the Black Car Driver, then challenged Police Station Chief Hu Hanbin to arrest him.
• Hu Hanbin ordered the officers to surround Dong Xuebin and cuff him, while Dong Xuebin accused them of protecting the Black Car Driver.
• The Black Car Driver climbed into his minibus and drove straight toward Dong Xuebin as Su Yan and the bystanders shouted warnings.
• Hu Hanbin told his officers to arrest Dong Xuebin as soon as they had an opening, while Su Yan and the bystanders condemned their response.
• Dong Xuebin dodged the minibus, shouted "Stop!", and kicked its front end during the frozen moment, sending it skidding onto its side when time resumed.

Dong Xuebin stopped a minibus that was trying to run him down by kicking it off the road, shocking the bystanders and police. He left the Black Car Driver unconscious and faced Hu Hanbin and the officers, who no longer dared arrest him.

• The Black Car Driver drove the minibus at Dong Xuebin, who kicked it aside and sent it crashing through the guardrail, narrowly missing a sedan.
• The sedan's passengers cursed the injured Black Car Driver, while the witnesses stared in shock at Dong Xuebin's feat.
• Dong Xuebin asked the Black Car Driver if he still wanted to run him over, then kicked him unconscious when he apologized.
• Dong Xuebin returned to Hu Hanbin and the officers and asked what they had said, but none dared challenge him.
• The Big Man from the black car hid behind the officers, afraid Dong Xuebin would come after him.

Dong Xuebin agreed to go to Chengguan Police Station after confronting Hu Hanbin and the officers over their handling of the black car driver and the attempted run-over. Hu Hanbin planned to deal with him at the station, while a nervous older officer rode with Dong Xuebin under orders to stay armed and alert.

• Dong Xuebin told Hu Hanbin he would go to the police station but demanded explanations for the black car matter, police collusion, and the minibus attack.
• Hu Hanbin ordered Dong Xuebin to get into a police car, and Dong Xuebin calmly complied.
• Medical staff treated the Black Car Driver and reported that he was unconscious with a fractured leg but was not in danger.
• Hu Hanbin ordered an officer to accompany the Black Car Driver to the hospital and privately told Lao Zhou to ride with Dong Xuebin while armed.
• Dong Xuebin sat calmly in the back of the police car as Lao Zhou tensely guarded him with a hand on his gun.

Dong Xuebin voluntarily returned to Chengguan Police Station after confronting officers over their handling of a black-car driver, and the staff treated him warily because he had overturned a minibus. In the interrogation room, he challenged Hu Hanbin’s accusations and handed over his ID, revealing that he was from the Capital City.

• Dong Xuebin arrived at Chengguan Police Station with Hu Hanbin and the other officers, while staff stared at him and discussed his extraordinary strength.
• Hu Hanbin ordered the officers to take Dong Xuebin to the Interrogation Room, where they surrounded him with guns but kept their distance.
• Hu Hanbin questioned Dong Xuebin, who refused to answer directly and argued that he had acted to stop a crime and defend himself.
• Dong Xuebin accused the officers of siding with the black-car driver and insisted that they explain their actions.
• Dong Xuebin tossed his ID card to Hu Hanbin, who saw that Dong Xuebin was from the Capital City.

Hu Hanbin struggled to control Dong Xuebin, then brought the case to Chang Lin at the hospital. After seeing Dong Xuebin’s ID, Chang Lin abruptly ordered the officers to release him.

• Hu Hanbin reported that Dong Xuebin was uncooperative and could not be restrained, so Chang Lin summoned him to the hospital.
• Chang Lin comforted the injured Liu Xing and the young officer, promising that the County Public Security Bureau would handle the case.
• Hu Hanbin described Dong Xuebin as dangerous and handed Chang Lin his ID, revealing that he was from the Capital City.
• Chang Lin examined Dong Xuebin’s ID, changed expression, and urgently ordered the officers to release him.

After recognizing Dong Xuebin as Jiaolin County’s incoming County Party Secretary, Chang Lin ordered his immediate release and urgently summoned county leaders. Hu Hanbin returned to the station uncertain what to do, just as a crowd of senior officials arrived, leaving the confrontation unresolved.

• Chang Lin recognized Dong Xuebin’s ID and ordered Hu Hanbin to release him immediately.
• Chang Lin left the hospital ward and called several county leaders, while Hu Hanbin returned to the Police Station confused by her order.
• Dong Xuebin calmly ate instant noodles in the Interrogation Room as the officers waited around him.
• Hu Hanbin struggled over whether to obey Chang Lin’s release order or delay, despite realizing Dong Xuebin was no ordinary man.
• An officer told Hu Hanbin that many leaders had arrived, and Hu saw County Party Committee Standing Committee Members and a crowd of officials filling the courtyard.

Dong Xuebin’s identity as Jiaolin County’s new County Party Secretary was exposed after he was arrested by the local Police Station. Chang Lin entered the interrogation room to apologize, leaving Hu Hanbin and the officers stunned by whom they had detained.

• County leaders gathered outside the Police Station and discussed the arrest of the incoming County Party Secretary.
• Chang Lin ordered Hu Hanbin to release Dong Xuebin and went to the interrogation room himself.
• Dong Xuebin calmly ate instant noodles while the officers wondered why the County leaders had arrived.
• Chang Lin introduced himself to Dong Xuebin and apologized for the Police Station’s mistake.
• Hu Hanbin and the officers learned Dong Xuebin was Jiaolin County’s new County Party Secretary and were terrified.

After learning that the man they had arrested was Jiaolin County’s new County Party Secretary, Dong Xuebin, Hu Hanbin and the police officers panicked over the consequences. The news reached the injured Liu Xing and the Big Man, who both realized they had seriously provoked their new superior.

• Chang Lin addressed Dong Xuebin as Secretary and revealed that he had just taken office as Jiaolin County’s new County Party Secretary.
• Hu Hanbin and the officers understood that they had arrested their own new superior and feared the fallout.
• An officer told the injured Liu Xing that Dong Xuebin was the new secretary, leaving Liu Xing stunned and afraid.
• An officer informed the Big Man that Dong Xuebin was County Party Secretary, and the Big Man realized he had extorted and threatened the county’s top leader.

After Jiaolin County officials learned that the man arrested at the Police Station was incoming County Party Secretary Dong Xuebin, Chang Lin tried to smooth things over and get him out of the Interrogation Room. Dong Xuebin refused to leave, saying he would stay at the Police Station until the incident was properly handled.

• News of Dong Xuebin's identity spread through the Police Station, leaving the officers who had arrested him stunned.
• Dong Xuebin finished his noodles slowly while Chang Lin waited, then made clear that he had not yet officially taken office.
• Chang Lin told Dong Xuebin that several County Party Committee Standing Committee members were waiting outside, but County Chief Zhang Dongfang had not come.
• Dong Xuebin refused to meet the waiting officials before taking office, and Chang Lin offered to arrange a hotel for him.
• Dong Xuebin rejected Chang Lin's attempts to resolve the matter with apologies and accommodations, insisting that he would stay at the Police Station and cooperate with the investigation.

After Jiaolin County officials arrived at the Police Station, Dong Xuebin refused to leave and insisted the station investigate how he had been arrested and assaulted. The chapter ended with the others returning to work while Chang Lin remained behind, worried about the situation.

• Dong Xuebin insisted on staying at the Police Station and cooperating with the investigation despite Hu Hanbin calling his arrest a misunderstanding.
• Dong Xuebin recounted that he had defended himself against an illegal taxi driver and had been stopped from rescuing someone who was dragged away by the taxi operators.
• Dong Xuebin told Chang Lin that officers had struck him with a Police Baton and drawn their guns, prompting Chang Lin to angrily confront Hu Hanbin.
• Chang Lin learned that Hu Hanbin had given an incomplete account of the incident and apologized to Dong Xuebin, who said he would remain at the station until the matter was resolved.
• Chang Lin told the waiting officials that Dong Xuebin would not see anyone or leave the Police Station, and they returned to work while Chang Lin stayed behind.

Dong Xuebin stayed at Chengguan Police Station while awaiting a resolution to the incident, treating the duty room as his home and refusing to withdraw his case. His casual daily routine left the station officers increasingly unsure what to make of their new County Party Secretary.

• Dong Xuebin woke in the station’s prepared duty room and reassured his mother, Luan Xiaoping, that he had found a place to stay without mentioning the previous day’s incident.
• Dong Xuebin brushed his teeth beside a young police officer, who recognized him as the new County Party Secretary and grew nervous about why he was staying at the station.
• Dong Xuebin left the station in winter slippers, ignored officers’ greetings, and ate breakfast at a nearby stall.
• Dong Xuebin said he intended to remain at the station until the incident was resolved, then visited the vegetable market and bought groceries.
• Dong Xuebin returned to the station with vegetables, leaving the officers astonished that he planned to cook and settle in.

After Dong Xuebin’s arrest by Chengguan Police Station spread across Jiaolin County, the station’s officers anxiously prepared for his continued stay. Dong remained relaxed and cooked lunch in the duty room, while his unusual arrival and strength cemented his authority among local officials.

• Colleagues from other police stations called Chengguan officers to ask whether they had really arrested County Party Secretary Dong Xuebin, and rumors spread that Hu Hanbin and officers involved in the operation had been summoned by discipline inspectors.
• The deputy station chief held a meeting, warned officers to be careful in their conduct, and urged them to avoid any further problems while Dong stayed at the station.
• Dong cooked several dishes and soup in the duty room as officers watched through its windows and discussed his relaxed behavior.
• Officers speculated about Dong’s temper and recalled how he had kicked over a minibus, while stories about him spread through Jiaolin County and established his authority.

Dong Xuebin cooked lunch at Chengguan Police Station, where Director Chang Lin came to apologize and share a meal with him. She told him Hu Hanbin had been dismissed and investigated, the involved officers suspended, and the men from the unlicensed vehicle detained; Dong Xuebin left the handling to her.

• Dong Xuebin cooked lunch in the duty room while police officers watched him curiously.
• Chang Lin arrived, learned Dong Xuebin was cooking for himself, and went to see him.
• Dong Xuebin invited Chang Lin to eat with him, and they shared his food and Moutai.
• Chang Lin apologized for the incident and told Dong Xuebin that Hu Hanbin had been dismissed and investigated, the involved officers suspended, and the two men detained.
• Dong Xuebin said Chang Lin could handle the matter and raised another glass with her.

Dong Xuebin left Jiaolin County and reported to Baohong City's Municipal Organization Department for his new post. He suspected the city was deliberately signaling that it did not welcome him, foreshadowing difficulties ahead.

• Chang Lin arranged a car for Dong Xuebin and saw him off as he left Jiaolin County.
• Dong Xuebin arrived at the Municipal Party Committee courtyard, registered with the guard, and found the Organization Department.
• A staff member directed Dong Xuebin to Executive Deputy Minister Ma Wei because the department minister was away.
• Ma Wei checked Dong Xuebin's Letter of Appointment and said he would take him to assume office after finishing his work.
• Dong Xuebin inferred that the department minister's absence reflected the city's hostility, likely connected to the Fang family's influence.

Dong Xuebin traveled with Ma Wei to Jiaolin County to take office as County Party Secretary, sensing that Ma Wei and the city authorities did not take him seriously. He arrived at the shabby county compound without a welcome, and when county officials finally came out, he suspected Zhang Dongfang and Ma Wei had arranged a show of force.

• Dong Xuebin told Ma Wei he was ready to serve the people of Jiaolin County despite its poor conditions, while privately resenting Ma Wei’s condescending attitude.
• Ma Wei failed to notify Jiaolin County that they were arriving, and Dong Xuebin noticed the driver’s hesitation but said nothing.
• Dong Xuebin and Ma Wei arrived at Jiaolin County’s dilapidated Party Committee compound, where Ma Wei claimed he had forgotten to arrange a welcome.
• Dong Xuebin pointedly told Ma Wei that a welcome was unnecessary and made clear he would not tolerate being treated as a pushover.
• Zhang Dongfang and more than twenty county officials hurried out to greet Dong Xuebin after his car arrived, and Dong Xuebin wondered whether Zhang and Ma Wei had deliberately staged the delay as a show of force.

Dong Xuebin arrived in Jiaolin County and was formally appointed County Party Secretary. After meeting the county leadership and delivering an impromptu speech, he took office as the county’s top leader.

• Ma Wei introduced Dong Xuebin to County Chief Zhang Dongfang and the other Jiaolin County leaders.
• Ma Wei introduced the county’s Standing Committee members, including Wei Zhixuan, Chang Lin, and Meng Hanmei.
• Dong Xuebin noticed the old, leaking auditorium as the county leaders gathered for the appointment ceremony.
• Ma Wei announced Dong Xuebin’s appointment, and Dong Xuebin delivered a composed speech without a prepared draft.
• The assembled officials applauded as Dong Xuebin formally took office as Jiaolin County’s top leader.

Dong Xuebin attended a welcome banquet with Ma Wei and Jiaolin County’s leaders, then declined a tour so he could avoid disrupting their work. He stayed behind with Meng Hanmei, who offered to show him his office and hand over the keys to his new residence, giving him a chance to assess whether she would support him.

• Dong Xuebin learned that the county cafeteria had been closed because its damaged roof made it unsafe, so the group ate at a restaurant instead.
• At the banquet, Dong Xuebin declined alcohol and kept the conversation casual while observing the County Party Committee Standing Committee Members.
• After the meal, Ma Wei left, and Zhang Dongfang offered to show Dong Xuebin around the compound; Dong declined and said he would begin work the next day.
• Zhang Dongfang mentioned that the New County Party Committee Compound project would soon need Dong Xuebin’s approval, then returned to work with the other leaders.
• Meng Hanmei stayed behind to take Dong Xuebin to his office and give him the keys to his residence, while he considered whether she would align herself with him.

Dong Xuebin toured the County Party Committee offices with Meng Hanmei, who showed him respect and made clear she wanted his support. She briefed him on the county and its facilities, leaving him pleased to have gained a potentially valuable ally.

• Meng Hanmei led Dong Xuebin through the County Party Committee building, introducing him to cadres who greeted him as the new County Party Secretary.
• Meng Hanmei brought Dong Xuebin to his office, gave him the labeled keys to his home, office, and assigned car, and offered to help him whenever needed.
• Dong Xuebin recognized that Meng Hanmei was signaling her desire to join his side and considered her Standing Committee vote an important source of support.
• Meng Hanmei briefed Dong Xuebin on the county's population, economy, towns, Family Compound, and transportation while he listened attentively.

Dong Xuebin chose a secretary for his new post as County Party Secretary in Jiaolin County. After reviewing Meng Hanmei’s candidates, he asked her to arrange a meeting with Su Yan, whom he had met before.

• Dong Xuebin trusted Meng Hanmei to choose his driver and asked her to recommend candidates for his secretary.
• Meng Hanmei handed Dong Xuebin files for candidates she had screened and said she knew them well.
• Dong Xuebin eliminated candidates based on their age, gender, and his impressions of their photographs.
• Dong Xuebin told Meng Hanmei he already had someone in mind: Su Yan, a deputy section chief in the County Party Committee Office’s Secretarial Section.
• Meng Hanmei reacted with surprise, and Dong Xuebin asked her to arrange a meeting with Su Yan.

Dong Xuebin considered Su Yan for his secretary despite Meng Hanmei's concerns about Su Yan's impulsiveness, average ability, and low rank. After asking to review Su Yan's file and meet him, Dong left the decision pending as Meng Hanmei went to bring Su Yan over.

• Dong Xuebin asked Meng Hanmei about Su Yan and heard about his past conflicts, work record, and lack of an administrative rank.
• Meng Hanmei explained that Su Yan could be promoted to Deputy Section Chief and appointed Deputy Director of the County Party Committee Office if Dong chose him.
• Dong Xuebin asked for Su Yan's file and requested that Su Yan come speak with him.
• Meng Hanmei assigned Xiao Chen to find a reliable driver for Dong Xuebin.
• Su Yan ended a phone call with his worried mother, who had heard that he had gotten into another fight.
• Meng Hanmei entered the Secretarial Section and asked Su Yan to come with her.