Power Struggle

Captain Wang gripped his phone, which was already emitting a busy tone, his knuckles turning white from the pressure. The morning breeze swept across the empty area at the highway exit, bringing a touch of coolness, but it couldn't dispel the heat in his heart and the extreme frustration he felt.

The leader's furious roar on the other end of the phone still seemed to ring in my ears—"Can't even handle a local police station? I don't care what excuse he gives, he has to be brought back to me!"

He took a deep breath, trying to suppress his surging anger, put his phone back in his pocket, and looked again at the unyielding Police Inspector Zhang in front of him. The man still stood straight, his face expressionless, but his eyes revealed a toughness rooted in this place, brooking no dissent from outsiders.

"Officer Zhang," Captain Wang forced his tone to soften, even taking on a hint of pleading, "We're all brothers in the same system, and solving cases isn't easy for anyone. We've come all this way, this case is important, the higher-ups are watching, and if we can't bring the person back, I really can't explain it. Do you think you could make an exception? Or, could you let us bring the person back first, and we'll fully assist with whatever your investigation needs, even getting the person to the place you designate! We absolutely won't delay your work!"

This was practically groveling. Captain Wang was seething with anger, but he was well aware of the consequences of failing the mission. Zheng Dong was pressuring him hard, and his superiors were practically roaring on the phone. If they left the man here, he would likely face more than just a scolding when he returned.

Zhang Zhigang listened quietly to him finish, then shook his head, his tone still steady but leaving no room for negotiation. "Captain Wang, I understand your difficulties. But my duty is to follow orders. Lin Feng is involved in a case in our city, the situation is urgent, and we must cooperate with the investigation on the spot. This is a matter of principle, and there's no room for compromise."

"Principles?" Captain Wang's voice rose slightly. "Aren't our procedures principles? Aren't the rules for cross-provincial cooperation principles? Officer Zhang, this is local protectionism!"

"Say what you will." Zhang Zhigang's face also turned cold. "I've said it before, you can't take the person away today. If you insist, you can follow procedure and send a formal, officially stamped statement and transfer application to our municipal bureau, and our branch will report it according to the process. But not now."

At this point, all pretense of civility had been laid bare. The plainclothes officers behind Captain Wang also turned grim, their hands unconsciously reaching for their waists again. Several policemen behind Zhang Zhigang immediately stepped forward, and the air instantly filled with tension.

Lin Feng, who had been standing silently by the car, slightly moved his handcuffed hands, the metal clanging softly. He raised his eyes, his gaze calmly sweeping over the two opposing sides, then lowered them again, as if the conflict that had arisen because of him had nothing to do with him.

Captain Wang's chest heaved violently. He knew he couldn't take the person away on his own. The other party's attitude was more forceful than he had expected. He gritted his teeth, took out his phone again, but this time he didn't call the leader he had just spoken to. Instead, he searched his contacts and found another number—a connection that the leader had almost begged him to use at the end of the call, saying it was a director in the S Province Public Security Department, an old comrade-in-arms of the leader, and that he should try this route.

The call connected, rang a few times, and was answered. Captain Wang immediately moved to a spot slightly away from the crowd, lowered his voice, and quickly reported the situation, emphasizing that the paperwork was complete, the other party was detaining people without reason, and there were suspicions of local protectionism obstructing the investigation. He concluded by pleading with the other party to "coordinate."

After listening to the call, Director Li on the other end pondered for a moment and said, "Give the phone to the comrade in charge over there."

Captain Wang perked up, quickly walked back, handed the phone to Zhang Zhigang, and said with renewed confidence, "Officer Zhang, our leader has contacted Director Li of your provincial department; he wants to speak with you."

Zhang Zhigang glanced at him, then at the phone handed to him, his expression unchanged, and took it. "Hello, this is Zhang Zhigang."

Captain Wang stared intently at Zhang Zhigang's face, trying to glean the content of the phone call from subtle changes in his expression. He hoped to see Zhang's hesitation, compromise, or even the slightest hesitation after receiving a call from his superior.

However, Zhang Zhigang just listened, occasionally humming in agreement, without even frowning. It seemed like the person on the other end of the phone was saying quite a lot, and Captain Wang could vaguely hear some stern, official-sounding admonitions.

Finally, the person on the other end of the phone seemed to have finished speaking. Zhang Zhigang spoke calmly, his voice not loud, but clear enough for everyone around, including Captain Wang, to hear. "Director Li, hello. I understand what you're saying. However, the case involving Lin Feng is a key case personally supervised by our city bureau leaders. The case is serious and the situation is urgent, requiring an immediate investigation. Our branch is strictly following the city bureau's instructions. We support cross-provincial cooperation, but it must be done under the unified coordination of our city bureau and according to our procedures."

He paused, his tone still respectful, yet carrying an undeniable firmness. "So, I'm sorry, Director Li, I can't release him right now. If you have any questions, you can contact our city bureau leaders directly."

After saying that, he didn't wait for the other party's response, but directly pressed the hang-up button and handed the phone back to Captain Wang, who was completely stunned.

The entire highway exit seemed to fall silent instantly, save for the occasional whoosh of passing vehicles. Captain Wang stared at Zhang Zhigang as if he were a monster, utterly unable to believe his ears—he had actually hung up on a provincial department director so decisively? And even said something like, "If you have any questions, contact the municipal bureau leaders?"

This isn't just being assertive, this is downright... arrogant!

"You... you..." Captain Wang pointed at Zhang Zhigang, his fingers trembling, "You don't even listen to the provincial leaders?!"

Zhang Zhigang handed the phone back to Captain Wang, his expression calm. "Director Li is a leader of the provincial department, which I respect. However, my direct superior is the S City Public Security Bureau, and my task is to execute the orders of the municipal bureau. The provincial department has a business guidance relationship with the municipal bureau, not a vertical leadership relationship. Our public security system combines vertical and horizontal management, with the horizontal management taking the lead. Our municipal bureau is responsible to the municipal party committee and government, and personnel and finances are handled locally. I heard what Director Li said, but the specific implementation still needs to follow the rules of our municipal bureau."

His words were clear and unambiguous, both explaining to Captain Wang and reiterating his stance and confidence. Simply put: I can give face to the provincial leaders, but do you think you can bypass our municipal bureau and directly order me to release them? No way.

Captain Wang's face flushed red and then paled. He was well aware of the "combination of vertical and horizontal management, with horizontal management as the primary focus" in the public security system, and he also knew that local public security bureaus were under the dual leadership of the local party committee and government and the higher-level public security organs, but the leadership of the local party committee and government was primary. However, in actual case handling, especially in cross-provincial cooperation, the coordination of the higher-level public security organs often carried significant weight. A situation like today, where even a phone call from the provincial department leader was ineffective, was extremely rare!

This can only mean one thing: the S City Bureau, or rather the person in the S City Bureau who made the order to protect Lin Feng, was extremely resolute and didn't care at all whether they would offend a leader in a department of the provincial government! Their backing was much stronger than imagined!

The young plainclothes officer who got out of the car with him was clearly also stunned. He couldn't help but lean close to Captain Wang's ear and whisper urgently, "Captain Wang, what... what do we do? The provincial leaders' words are useless. They're determined to protect him! We... we can't just forcibly take him, can we?"

Robbery? Looking at the sharp-eyed policemen behind Zhang Zhigang, their hands on their equipment, Captain Wang felt a chill. Robbery on someone else's turf? That completely changed the nature of the matter. Forget taking the people back; even their own escape would be questionable.

He suddenly felt a profound sense of powerlessness. All the paperwork was in order, pressure from superiors had been applied, connections had been used... all the conventional and unconventional methods had been employed, yet even a police inspector from a branch office couldn't do anything to him. Just who was this Lin Feng? And why were the S City police going to such lengths to protect him?

Captain Wang abruptly turned his head, his gaze like a knife shooting towards Lin Feng, who had been standing quietly to the side. Lin Feng also happened to look up at him, and their eyes met in mid-air. Captain Wang saw that in those eyes, there was still an unfathomable calm, and even... there seemed to be a hint of almost imperceptible understanding.

It was as if the fierce power struggle between two provincial and municipal bureaus, which he had initiated, was something he had already anticipated.

This realization made Captain Wang's heart sink even further.

Ignoring the stunned Captain Wang, Zhang Zhigang turned to his men and decisively waved his hand. "Get the man into our car. Be vigilant."

Two police officers immediately stepped forward, standing on either side of Lin Feng. One of them took out Key and skillfully unlocked the handcuffs belonging to the N Province police on Lin Feng's wrists, then replaced them with a new pair. The whole process was quick and professional.

Captain Wang watched helplessly, opening his mouth to speak, but finding himself unable to utter a sound of protest. His men, faced with the other side's clear and forceful attitude and absolute advantage as the host, seemed utterly powerless.

"Captain Wang," Zhang Zhigang said, turning to him one last time, his tone returning to its usual businesslike indifference, "You can send your case materials to our municipal bureau through official channels. If Lin Feng's cooperation is indeed needed, we will arrange it according to the progress of the case and instructions from our superiors. Now, please make way."

After saying that, he ignored Captain Wang's unpleasant expression and turned to walk towards his police car.

Lin Feng, led by two policemen, walked towards another police car. As he passed Captain Wang, he paused slightly, turned his head, and whispered something only the two of them could hear:

"Officer Wang, thank you for your hard work."

His tone was flat, without even a hint of sarcasm, as if he were stating a simple fact.

Then, under the "escort" of the S City police, he sat in the back seat of a blue and white police car.

The car door closed, and the engine started.

Captain Wang stood frozen in place, watching as four police cars from S City, their lights flashing (this time they were on), turned around, merged into the traffic, and sped away. He left behind only his three lonely, unlicensed cars and a few ashen-faced subordinates, standing in the cold wind at the highway entrance in the early morning.

The young plainclothes officer walked up to him, his voice hoarse. "Captain Wang... what do we do now?"

Captain Wang closed his eyes and exhaled a long, heavy breath.

what to do?

He took out his phone, found his boss's number, and hovered his finger over the dial button, but the small screen felt as heavy as a ton of bricks.

What should he report after the call is connected?

They say the person has been forcibly taken away by the S City police? They say even getting help from provincial leaders didn't work?

He could almost hear the leader's suppressed rage in silence on the other end of the phone, and the hysteria that Zheng Dong might erupt into upon hearing the news.

The wind blew across the empty intersection, stirring up dust from the ground.

In the end, Captain Wang did not press the dial button. He put away his phone, looked in the direction where the police car had disappeared, and his eyes were filled with complicated emotions.

The young man named Lin Feng, and the seemingly peaceful S City behind him, are more treacherous than they imagined when they arrived.

Their trip across provinces was destined to be fruitless.