Chapter Summaries

Zhou Yi returned to the Yangcheng Public Security Bureau after his investigation ended and moved against officials who had opposed him. Xie Bingyi and Ye Ru escaped before police reached them, but Zhou Yi remained confident they would be found.

• Ma Jun reviewed how he had protected Zhou Yi and decided to turn against Zhan Keliang to prove his loyalty.
• After seeing a video exposing their crimes, Ye Ru hurried Xie Bingyi and her younger brother into preparing an escape from Yangcheng.
• Zhou Yi ordered Li Pingwu and Fu Zhigang to arrest Xie Bingyi and Ye Ru, and they deployed officers despite Qiu Weiping and Luo Qing's objections.
• Zhou Yi returned to the bureau, where the officers welcomed him; Discipline Inspection Commission officials detained Qiu Weiping and Luo Qing, while Zhou ordered the arrest of the Special Case Task Force members.
• Li Pingwu told Zhou Yi that Xie Bingyi and Ye Ru had fled, and Zhou called an ally who he believed knew their location.

Xie Bingyi was captured as a political purge spread from Yangcheng across Liaodong Province, bringing down dozens of officials and exposing the Xie Family’s crimes. Shan Wenxu recognized Zhou Yi’s role in the upheaval and promised him his choice of a future post.

• Ye Ru and Ye Peng fled with Xie Bingyi, but Ye Ru took his pistol and Ye Peng knocked him unconscious before they surrendered him to police for leniency.
• Gong Li and Sun Yi separately turned themselves in and denounced their fellow Yangcheng officials.
• Provincial investigators arrested Qiu Ling, Gong Li, Sun Yi, and Zuo Hongwei; Qingyuan Mayor Wu Yongguang and provincial executive vice governor Yao Zhiyi were subsequently placed under investigation.
• Police solicited public reports about Xie Bingyi’s gang, prompting victims and witnesses to flood the authorities with accounts of its crimes.
• Shan Wenxu told Zhou Yi that the political earthquake had strengthened his own position and that Zhou could choose a future post after serving a year as Public Security Director.

Zhou Yi agreed to lead the next phase of Yangcheng’s crackdown on local criminal forces and coal mines, while negotiating funding for temporary auxiliary police officers. At Changxing Coal Mine, Ma Zhiyong covered up a deadly collapse, but an anonymous caller reported the disaster to the Public Security Bureau.

• Shan Wenxu told Zhou Yi that the Special Police Brigade had been approved and asked him to tackle criminal gangs controlling mines around Yangcheng.
• Zhou Yi agreed to begin the next phase after a month of preparation, then persuaded Shan Wenxu to fund up to twenty auxiliary police officers.
• Ma Zhiyong ordered a rescue after a collapse at Changxing Coal Mine and threatened miners against reporting the accident.
• After nine trapped miners were brought out, Ma Zhiyong ordered the dead buried and the seriously injured concealed.
• An anonymous caller reported the Changxing Coal Mine disaster to the Public Security Bureau, claiming more than a dozen people had died.

Zhou Yi investigated a gas explosion at Changxing Coal Mine after recognizing the cover-up from a remembered account of the disaster. He exposed that four workers had died and two seriously injured workers had been buried, then presented the truth to Mayor Shan Wenxu.

• Zhou Yi ordered an immediate investigation into the Changxing Coal Mine explosion and reported it to Mayor Shan Wenxu.
• Shao Mingbao initially reported one death and five minor injuries, but Zhou Yi sent him back to investigate.
• Shan Wenxu and municipal officials arrived at the mine, where Zhou Yi questioned the suspicious injury and death figures.
• Zhou Yi coached Shao Mingbao to confront Huang Qi, who realized the workers had confessed and that the cover-up was exposed.
• Zhou Yi presented the findings that nine workers had been underground: four died, three suffered minor injuries, and two were seriously injured and buried with the dead.

Zhou Yi took charge after the Changxing Coal Mine accident, arrested the suspects, and suspended Ma Jian amid questions about the mine’s owners and past deaths. Later, Shan Wenxu assigned Zhou Yi to handle reporters covering the investigation, and Zhou recognized a familiar figure arriving at the mine.

• Shao Mingbao took Huang Qi to identify the burial site while Zhou Yi’s officers detained the suspects, and Ma Wenwu remained missing.
• Ma Baojin and Feng Zhihong arrived, and Zhou Yi questioned Ma Jian about Ma Wenwu, the mine’s true owner, and earlier fatal accidents before suspending him.
• Ma Baojin and Feng Zhihong tried to intervene for Ma Jian, but Shan Wenxu left the decision to Zhou Yi, who refused to entertain their appeals.
• On the afternoon of March 7, a provincial and city joint investigation team arrived at Changxing Coal Mine with newspaper and radio reporters.
• Shan Wenxu ordered Zhou Yi to accept interviews on the city government’s behalf, and Zhou recognized an old acquaintance getting out of the arriving minivan.

Director Zhou Yi welcomed reporters Tian Tian and Lin Fang to interview him about the Changxing Coal Mine accident, while officials investigated the illegal mine and discussed penalties. When angry villagers gathered outside, Mayor Shan Wenxu called for Zhou Yi.

• Zhou Yi warmly greeted Tian Tian and coldly received Lin Fang, then said he was authorized to answer questions on behalf of the Yangcheng accident investigation team.
• Tian Tian began interviewing Zhou Yi about why the reported death toll had risen from one to six.
• Wu Xiande reported that excessive gas had ignited in the mine, and Zhao Ming questioned whether the mine and its safety staff had the required permits and certifications.
• Shan Wenxu announced the removal of Wu Xiande and Zhan Hongqiang and promised a campaign to rectify or close small coal mines.
• Yang Hao reported that an angry crowd of villagers carrying banners was approaching, and Shan Wenxu urgently called for Director Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi confronted a crowd of miners and their families protesting the mine closures at the Changxing Coal Mine Company, where agitators pushed the gathering toward violence. After firing three shots to stop the crowd, he used his authority over Ma Baojin and Feng Zhihong to take control, but someone struck him on the forehead from within the crowd.

• Secretary Yang summoned Zhou Yi after a large, agitated crowd gathered at the company compound, and Zhou hurried there with officers as Lin Gongzhi followed with her TV crew.
• Zhou Yi ordered the crowd to stop and offer representatives, but hidden agitators stirred the miners and villagers into chanting and pushing against the police.
• When a man claimed the police had hurt him and the crowd raised shovels and pickaxes, Zhou fired three shots and warned that Ma Baojin and Feng Zhihong were afraid of him.
• Zhou challenged the injured man to prove his claim and warned the crowd not to let agitators exploit them, then shouted at someone trying to incite them.
• Someone concealed in the crowd swung a club and struck Zhou Yi on the forehead.

Zhou Yi stopped a violent confrontation between miners and police, then persuaded the crowd to hear Mayor Shan Wenxu’s promises about compensation and new employment. As the miners dispersed, Reporter Tian cleaned Zhou Yi’s wound and asked why he had risked his life.

• After a miner struck Zhou Yi with a club, Zhou Yi ordered the officers to stand back and disarmed and incapacitated the attacker.
• Zhou Yi acknowledged the miners’ hardships and explained that the mine closures were meant to prevent further deaths, prompting the miners to lower their tools.
• Zhou Yi identified a suspicious man posing as a miner and had Chen Zhong seize him, then invited the miners to send representatives to meet the city leaders.
• Shan Wenxu addressed the miners and promised compensation, employment assistance, and a way to contact him with complaints.
• Tian Tian assured the miners that the Provincial Daily Newspaper would report their concerns, and the crowd dispersed.
• Reporter Tian treated Zhou Yi’s forehead wound and asked why he had risked his life; Zhou Yi silently reflected that he had fought to protect what he had gained.

Zhou Yi faced Ma Baojin and Feng Zhihong after they were removed from office, openly confirming that he had threatened to break their legs. The two men fell down the stairs as they left, and rumors spread that Zhou Yi had made good on his threat.

• Yang Hao escorted Zhou Yi to meet Mayor Ren Changqing and the other officials, who praised him for resolving the miners' crisis.
• Shan Wenxu announced that Ma Baojin and Feng Zhihong had been removed from their township posts, but the two men implied they still held sway in Sitong Township.
• Ma Baojin and Feng Zhihong taunted Zhou Yi about his threat, and he confirmed that he had said he would break their legs.
• Ma Baojin challenged Zhou Yi to act, but Shan Wenxu dismissed the dispute and the other leaders ignored the two men.
• Ma Baojin and Feng Zhihong left, fell down the stairs, and were taken to a health center with injuries.
• Rumors spread through the surrounding villages and townships that Zhou Yi had broken the two men's legs.

Mayor Shan and Zhou Yi planned to use Zhou’s fearsome reputation to help shut down Sitong Township’s small coal mines. Zhou’s officers arrested Ma Zhiyong and Ma Wenwu despite local resistance, and Ma Baojin later berated the men who had let them pass.

• Mayor Shan saw the circumstances of Ma Baojin and Feng Zhihong’s injuries as an opportunity to strengthen the crackdown on small coal mines, and Zhou Yi agreed to try using his reputation.
• Zhou Yi said he had sent Shao Mingbao, Cai Xiaobo, Chen Zhong, and other officers to arrest Ma Zhiyong and Ma Wenwu at the New Village Restaurant.
• Shao Mingbao’s team arrested Ma Zhiyong and Ma Wenwu, but locals armed with clubs and hunting guns blocked the police cars.
• Shao Mingbao invoked Director Zhou’s authority, and Cai Xiaobo warned the locals not to provoke him, so Ma Ben and the crowd let the officers leave.
• Ma Baojin angrily demanded to know why Ma Ben had not fought the police, while Ma Ben privately wondered why Ma Baojin had not dared challenge Director Zhou himself.

After Tian Tian said goodbye to Zhou Yi and urged him to protect his life, Mayor Shan and Zhou Yi launched a forceful campaign to overhaul and close Yangcheng’s small coal mines. The effort shut or consolidated every mine below the output threshold without a mass incident, strengthening their records of achievement.

• Tian Tian warned Zhou Yi not to risk his life again, promised to visit for his birthday, and left after saying goodbye.
• Rao Yu broke up the office workers’ gossip about Tian Tian and Zhou Yi.
• After Ma Wenwu and Ma Zhiyong were arrested, Ma Baojin and Feng Zhihong failed to persuade other mine owners to resist Zhou Yi.
• Mayor Shan convened township leaders and ordered them to cooperate with inspections and closures of noncompliant small mines.
• Beginning March 11, Zhou Yi led a multi-agency rectification team that inspected mines, dismantled equipment, confiscated explosives, and punished obstruction.
• Within a month, all nearby small mines producing under ninety thousand tons annually were closed or consolidated, with no mass incidents.

Zhou Yi learned that Sima Yanan would soon become Yangcheng City’s Party Committee secretary, and Shan Wenxu made clear he wanted Zhou’s support against her. In Liaoyang, Qi Jing tried to suggest Zhou Yi as a match for Tian Tiantian, but Mu Yalan interrupted by arranging for Zhou and Yue to have lunch at home.

• Shan Wenxu thanked Zhou Yi for helping shut down the small coal mines, while Zhou worried the crackdown might not last.
• Shan Wenxu told Zhou Yi that Sima Yanan would take over as Yangcheng City’s Party Committee secretary, and asked whether Zhou was on his side.
• Zhou Yi accepted tea and a birthday gift from Shan Wenxu, who escorted him to the government building’s entrance to display their closeness.
• At Tian Ruping’s home, Qi Jing asked about Tiantian’s birthday and suggested she join the television station.
• Qi Jing began suggesting Zhou Yi as a match for Tiantian, but Mu Yalan interrupted and called Yue to arrange lunch at home with Zhou Yi.

Mu Yalan, Tian Ruping, and Qi Jing traded veiled boasts about Zhou Yi and their daughters while discussing his dangerous police work. Meanwhile, an unnamed woman traveled to the Public Security Bureau and heard Master Zhang describe Zhou Yi as a powerful, connected figure.

• Qi Jing improvised an explanation for discussing Zhou Yi, and Mu Yalan praised him while implying Jian Shuyue had chosen well.
• Tian Ruping and Qi Jing recognized Mu Yalan's disguised bragging, while Tian Ruping recalled hoping Zhou Yi would date Tian Tian.
• Mu Yalan described Zhou Yi's dangerous work at the Changxing Coal Mine, and Qi Jing and Tian Ruping praised his courage and record.
• An unnamed woman took a taxi to the Public Security Bureau and asked Master Zhang about Yangcheng's reputation for disorder.
• Master Zhang told the woman stories about Zhou Yi taking down Xie Bingyi and corrupt officials, leaving her with the impression that he relied on powerful connections.

Sima Yanan visited Yangcheng Public Security Director Zhou Yi ahead of her appointment as Municipal Party Secretary, after hearing that he held unusual influence in the city. She invoked her cousin Xiao Han and asked Zhou Yi to help her, leaving him unsure of her intentions but unable to refuse outright.

• A woman criticized Director Zhou for beating people, and Mr. Zhang defended him before dropping her off at the Yangcheng City Public Security Bureau.
• Sima Yanan questioned General Office Director Fu Zhigang about a saying that Zhou Yi controlled Yangcheng, and Fu praised Zhou’s campaign against crime.
• Zhou Yi recognized Sima Yanan as the incoming Municipal Party Secretary and suspected she had arrived for an incognito inspection.
• Sima Yanan said Xiao Han had told her she would need Zhou’s support, while Zhou denied having any influence beyond police work.
• Xiao Han called Zhou and revealed that Sima Yanan was his cousin, then ended the call before Zhou could introduce them.
• Sima Yanan told Zhou that she was new to Yangcheng and asked him to help her.

Zhou Yi weighed Sima Yanan’s offer against his growing alliance with Shan Wenxu and avoided pledging himself to either side. As Sima left satisfied, Shan learned of her visit and planned to return to Liaoyang, while Ma Ben ordered Ma Quan to monitor Zhou Yi because someone else was preparing to deal with him.

• Zhou Yi considered the risks of choosing sides and told Sima Yanan he would support her work without promising to join her camp.
• Sima Yanan toured the Yangcheng Public Security Bureau with Zhou Yi, then held a lengthy work discussion with him before leaving satisfied.
• Shan Wenxu learned that Sima Yanan had visited Zhou Yi and decided to return to Liaoyang the next day.
• Ma Ben told Ma Quan and Feng Yuan to watch the entrance to Sunshine Residential Community and report if Zhou Yi left the city.
• Ma Ben explained that the team only needed to track Zhou Yi because someone else had been assigned to deal with him.

Director Zhou, Sima Yanan, and their companions were ambushed on the road to Liaoyang, but their attackers were defeated and arrested. The chapter ended with Sima Yanan remarking on Zhou Yi’s large police escort, while he claimed he was only trying to stay alive.

• Director Zhou drove Sima Yanan and Xiao Miao toward Liaoyang in his old Jetta, and Xiao Miao spotted vehicles following them.
• A truck charged toward the Jetta, but Yu Xiao swerved off the road and avoided a collision.
• The truck driver attacked Yu Xiao, who struck him down, while Xiao Miao knocked out the bald young man accompanying him.
• Ma Quan ordered the attack to begin, and masked men poured from two vans to assault the Jetta.
• Police officers arrived in three vans and aimed their weapons at the attackers, while Shao Mingbao and Cai Xiaobo arrested Ma Quan and Feng Yuan.
• Sima Yanan noted Zhou Yi’s large police force, and Zhou Yi said he was afraid of dying.

After police arrested nearly all the masked attackers, Zhou Yi and Sima Yanan discussed the public support they had earned through their work for the people. Elsewhere, Ma Baojin learned that Ma Yuancheng had helped arrange the attack on Zhou Yi and beat him for acting without permission.

• Li Linsen and Zhao Xin thanked Zhou Yi after police captured nearly all the masked thugs, while Meng Shen and the other officers continued guarding him.
• Sima Yanan told Zhou Yi that people’s respect for him impressed her, and they discussed their records of public service.
• Sima Yanan considered recruiting Zhou Yi for her upcoming post after hearing about his successes and Shan Wenxu’s experience in Yangcheng.
• Ma Baojin confronted Ma Ben about the attack, and Ma Yuancheng admitted that he had coordinated with people from the Province and ordered Ma Quan and Feng Yuan to intervene if needed.
• Ma Baojin accused Ma Yuancheng of acting without permission and beat him while insisting that his broken leg had resulted from a fall, not an attack.

Liu Xin considered helping Tong Xuan escape from Ma Changxi, while Zhou Yi reunited with Jian Shuyue and won over her mother during a meal with provincial leaders. At East Hill Villa, Tian Tian showed off her remarkable stock gains as Secretary Jian and Deng Yadong discussed their stalled investigation into Xie Bingkun.

• Liu Xin asked Liu Defu to help Tong Xuan escape, but Liu Defu warned that the Ma family still controlled Changxing Village and urged him to contact Zhou Yi instead.
• Zhou Yi arrived in Liaoyang, embraced Jian Shuyue outside the Provincial Party Committee Compound, and joined her family and Deng Yadong for lunch.
• Mu Yalan warmly urged Zhou Yi to eat more, while Jian Wanyan and Deng Yadong discussed Xie Bingkun and the possibility of leaks within the investigation team.
• Jian Wanyan let Jian Shuyue take Zhou Yi around the city, then asked Deng Yadong about replacing the Special Task Force.
• At East Hill Villa, Xu Heng and Bai Haoxuan marveled at Tian Tian's soaring stocks, and Tian Tian declared herself the stock market god.

At Tian Tian’s birthday gathering, Zhou Yi received gifts and attention from influential figures, while Director Qi acted on his criticism of reporter Lin Fang. After dinner plans complicated Mayor Shan Wenxu’s attempt to meet him, the chapter ended with Tong Xuan raising a brick over Ma Changxi as he suddenly opened his eyes.

• Tian Tian told Xu Heng that she had bought shares with her savings and borrowed money from her mother, and she refused to sell because Zhou Yi expected prices to rise.
• Zhou Yi and Jian Shuyue arrived with birthday gifts for Tian Tian, including a present from Shan Wenxu.
• Tian Ruping welcomed Zhou Yi and introduced him to Director Qi, who decided Lin Fang was unsuitable for interviewing after hearing Zhou Yi’s assessment.
• Shan Wenxu called to invite Zhou Yi and Jian Shuyue to dinner, but Zhou Yi said they had already made plans with Xiao Han and agreed to speak later.
• Bai Haoxuan warned Zhou Yi that Shan Wenxu might be plotting against him and claimed he had always supported Zhou Yi’s relationship with Jian Shuyue.
• Tong Xuan pulled a brick from beneath a cabinet and raised it to strike Ma Changxi, but he suddenly opened his eyes.

Tong Xuan escaped Ma Changxi and called the police, while Zhou Yi dined with Xiao Han and their companions. Their dinner was interrupted when three men harassed the women, and one of them was knocked down after trying to slap Xiao Miao.

• Tong Xuan knocked Ma Changxi unconscious, freed herself, called the police, and fled into the mountains.
• Zhou Yi and Jian Shuyue joined Xiao Han, Sima Yanan, and Miao Xiaomiao for dinner at the Old Courtyard restaurant.
• Sima Yanan and Jian Shuyue briefly left the table, and Zhang Yuxuan, Ouyang Jing, and Fan Tingbai noticed them outside.
• Zhang Yuxuan, Ouyang Jing, and Fan Tingbai entered the private room and made unwanted advances toward the women.
• Miao Xiaomiao ordered the three men to leave, and Fan Tingbai tried to slap her.
• An unidentified man punched Fan Tingbai in the chin and sent him flying.