Zhang Like

Biodata

Background

Zhang Like had served at Ant Ridge Border Station for more than ten years and held battalion command for five. He had promoted practically every frontline officer at the station, giving him an extensive network among its troops 20 32. Although subordinate to Station Chief Lü Jinshan, he controlled important operational matters and was described as effectively the station’s second-in-command 6 11.

Two years before his introduction, Lu Zhao saved him during a shootout with drug traffickers. They became close friends, and Zhang subsequently resisted pressure against Lu Zhao, arranging a frontline assignment that allowed him to earn merit and eventually become a lieutenant and platoon leader 2 6.

Zhang had been promoted to major two years before Lu Zhao considered seeking the deputy station chief position. He believed he would need another two years before pursuing that appointment himself. His uncle also considered his Life Development insufficient for a substantial post at the county seat 26 36.

Personality

Zhang is loyal to his comrades but more willing than Lu Zhao to compromise with authority. He repeatedly seeks help for Lu Zhao, tolerates refusals of his advice, and admires the principles behind his friend’s stubbornness. Nevertheless, he urges Lu Zhao to consider his family’s financial needs and accept the occasional necessity of asking powerful people for favors 18.

His concern for his soldiers can override obedience. During a dangerous mountain search, he openly defies Lü Jinshan to withdraw the team from worsening weather. Before the Ning County assault, he risks disciplinary consequences by privately contacting Lu Zhao, believing his presence would improve the troops’ chances of survival 13 19 20.

Zhang prefers to “fight without breaking ties,” a position that sometimes puts him at odds with Lu Zhao. When he suggests waiting for Liang Fei to mishandle flood prevention before removing him, Lu Zhao objects that civilians could die. Zhang apologizes rather than continuing to defend the tactic 34.

He is also irreverent and occasionally careless: he jokes about Lu Zhao using his looks to gain Lin Zhiyan’s favor, sometimes skips work, and tends to skim official documents for their general meaning rather than studying them closely 10 41 44.

Abilities & Skills

First-Tier Physique

• His first-tier transcendent physique metabolizes alcohol quickly enough for him to be sober while driving back from the victory banquet 32.
• He struggles with the physical labor of the Ant Ridge search after becoming accustomed to a leadership role 12.

Command and Combat Experience

• Controls duty deployments, case handling, and associated operational information at the station 11.
• Recognizes dangerous field conditions and orders a withdrawal when visibility falls below thirty meters and signs of flash flooding appear 13.
• Reacts to the Ning County explosion by closing his eyes and warning nearby soldiers to get down before the blast wave reaches them 20.
• Commands Group Three during the ensuing firefight; its snipers and machine gunner suppress the enemy’s gunfire in less than three minutes 21.

Political and Social Judgment

• Uses his connections to seek promotion and transfer opportunities for Lu Zhao, while acknowledging that personnel decisions exceed his own authority 2.
• Teaches Lu Zhao how loyalty, alliances, tact, and informal social contact affect advancement within the Federation 26 32.
• Identifies the likelihood that Lü Jinshan has a powerful protector in the South Sea Circuit administration, though he does not know that person’s identity 32.

Story Role

Supporting Lu Zhao’s Career

After Lu Zhao kills a dangerous fugitive, Zhang offers to approach higher authorities on his behalf. Lu Zhao asks him to seek a military transfer. When the Chen family’s influence continues to obstruct advancement, Zhang obtains Chen Qian’s telephone number and encourages an apology as a possible way out 2 4.

His assistance also extends to Lu Zhao’s household expenses. He lends money for Lu Zhao’s mother’s treatment, but later refuses a cash request because he fears Lu Zhao might use it to travel to Cangwu City for revenge. Instead, he personally buys Lu Zhao a replacement phone 4 6.

Fate Bone Search and Patrol Liability

During the search for the Greenwood fugitive’s hidden property, Zhang explains that the unit lacks the money and personnel to expand the search to the back of Ant Ridge. He later suspends the operation in heavy rain despite Lü Jinshan’s direct order to continue 12 13.

Lu Zhao subsequently discovers a smuggling route behind the station that has been used for six months. Although Lu Zhao trusts that Zhang would not knowingly tolerate smuggling, Zhang bears responsibility for the defective patrol arrangements and fears punishment for dereliction of duty 14 16 17.

The problem becomes more serious when Lu Zhao finds Zhang’s signature on a patrol-route modification plan from a year and a half earlier. Because the government network has preserved the document, Zhang cannot simply distance himself from the decision, strengthening his need to oppose Lü Jinshan alongside Lu Zhao 26.

Thunderbolt 021

Zhang argues with station leadership after Lu Zhao is excluded from the counterterrorism operation, then approaches Lin Zhiyan and her deputy for help securing his participation 17 18 19.

When reduced Special Response Brigade staffing forces his border soldiers into an assault role, Zhang privately calls Lu Zhao and asks him to prepare for deployment. He assures his troops that any consequences for this irregular contact will fall on him rather than them 19 20.

During the ambush, Zhang survives the initial explosion and helps fight the gunmen. Lao Gao later melts his rifle barrel, leaving him and the surrounding troops dangerously exposed 20 21 22. After Lu Zhao’s intervention ends the battle, Zhang credits him with saving their lives and urges the border soldiers to maintain contact and protect one another 24.

Building Support and Investigating Smuggling

Zhang arranges a victory banquet to help Lu Zhao build relationships with the station’s officers. He also agrees to sound out the troops about Lu Zhao’s proposed five-hundred-yuan training allowance 26 32.

Following Lü Jinshan’s suspension, Zhang helps Lu Zhao investigate Lü Bowen’s suspected smuggling business. He identifies Lü Bowen as the operator of three bars and accompanies Lu Zhao as they trace a shipment of life supplements into Fang City 35 37.

He obtains nine bottles of intermediate life supplement for Lu Zhao at the internal price, producing a receipt to show that he has not accepted Mo Kun’s attempted gift. After learning how quickly Lu Zhao’s vitality is increasing, he lends him another twenty thousand yuan and enthusiastically predicts a much higher future position 36 37.

When Lu Zhao considers using the special task force’s authority against Lü Jinshan, Zhang takes the proposal seriously. However, after learning that Lin Zhiyan’s circumstances involve dangerous conflicts among powerful figures, he advises Lu Zhao to stay out of the struggle and reconsider his planned move to the Red Water Army 42 44.

Relationships

• Lu Zhao — Subordinate, close friend, and political ally who saved his life. Zhang supports his career and finances while frequently disagreeing with his uncompromising approach 2 18 34 37.
• Zhang Laoniu — Second uncle. Laoniu criticizes Zhang’s limited advancement and sometimes shares important information with Lu Zhao before telling his nephew 6 26 32.
• Lü Jinshan — Superior and increasingly open opponent. Their disputes concern troop safety, Lu Zhao’s exclusion from operations, and the station’s patrol failures 13 17 26.
• Lin Zhiyan — Task force leader whom Zhang petitions for Lu Zhao’s inclusion in operations. He initially views her connections as an opportunity, but later warns against involvement in her political conflicts 18 44.

Notable Quotes

“Because we’re soldiers, and they were border defense soldiers.”
— Explaining why the murdered soldiers refused to betray information 16.

“You don’t need to worry too much. Even if anyone is held accountable, it won’t fall on you.”
— Reassuring his troops before contacting Lu Zhao outside normal procedure 20.