activa-t Chapter 83 Sharp Blade Drawn
Chapter 83 Sharp Blade Drawn
Chapter 83 Sharp Blade Drawn
The hatch opened.
Renault was the first to step out.
"Clean up the scene. The bodies and the boat are to be handed over to the next team."
He glanced at the two mentally broken survivors in the corner. "Take these two away."
The group began to pack in silence. They cleared out some documents and valuables, which were the team's default loot.
Zhong Ding, however, was absent-minded and lacked enthusiasm, glancing at Zhou Xing every now and then.
"Why should I?" These three words kept running through his mind.
The cleanup was complete. The group had just stepped onto the dock gangplank when they were stopped.
Several men dressed in black short jackets suddenly appeared, their waistbands bulging.
The leader was a lean, middle-aged man, around fifty years old, with sunken cheeks and a calm gaze. He was quietly playing with two shiny walnuts in his hands, completely blocking the road.
A member of the Green Gang. Judging by his demeanor, he's at the level of a manager or hall master.
The adjutant, Hans, immediately stepped forward and placed his hand on the holster.
The lean man's gaze swept over the group's blood-stained uniforms, finally settling on Renault.
He cupped his hands slightly and said, "Gentlemen, thank you for your hard work. My name is He, and I make a living at this dock. This ship is property under our care. I wonder what went wrong and caused such a commotion? I don't know how I can explain this to my superiors."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Xing sneered inwardly. What explanation did they want? They just wanted something in return.
They wanted to save face for the Green Gang and give other merchants an explanation. As for an explanation, which Green Gang porter didn't have intricate connections with the foreign concessions? They were all birds of a feather.
Seeing that Renault didn't speak, he stepped forward, standing right between Hall Master He and Renault.
He stared at the middle-aged man before him and said, "Old He, is it? Your docks are hiding heretical and wicked people from Southeast Asia. I'd like to ask you, if something goes wrong on your territory, how will you explain it to the foreign concessions?"
He Laowu's eyelids twitched: "A heretical path? Never heard of it, just a few merchants from Southeast Asia—"
"Now you've heard."
Zhou Xing interrupted him, a half-smile on his face, "The evidence is conclusive, the bandit leader has been captured. The Municipal Council and the Police Department will send official documents soon. Or, would Boss He like to go directly to the police station, to the Municipal Council for a confrontation?"
He Laowu's face darkened. He didn't care about the lives of the Southeast Asians, but he did care about the opinions of the Westerners and his business in the concession. Several men behind him reached for their waists.
He stared intently at Zhou Xing, wondering to himself, "Where did this young man come from? He has no sense of propriety whatsoever."
"I see."
He Laowu suddenly smiled, the wrinkles on his face smoothing out: "Since it's about eliminating cults and maintaining public order, our gang will naturally support it. As for the boat, it's old and not worth much."
"Thank you for your hard work, officers."
He stepped aside to make way, "Please."
Renault didn't say a word from beginning to end, but when Zhou Xing finished speaking, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
He led the group past without looking to the side.
Zhong Ding followed behind, his palms sweating. He glanced back at He Laowu's gloomy face and felt his heart pounding.
Once they were a distance away, Zhong Ding lowered his voice and said, "Give them some benefits. If we offend them, they'll control the docks, the car dealerships, and half of the opium dens and gambling dens."
"benefit?"
Zhou Xing stared ahead, "No matter how powerful the Green Gang is, they still have to beg for food in the foreign concessions."
He knew that a grudge had been formed.
But so what? Renault just wants to make enemies everywhere so that in the end he can only rely on him, so let him have his way.
It was already past midnight when they returned to the Central Police Station. Everyone was exhausted and rested in the temporary dormitories arranged by the police station.
For the next two days, Renault's office remained closed to visitors.
The faint clicking of a typewriter could be heard from inside, along with Renault's low conversation in French with his adjutant. Occasionally, the door would open a crack, revealing newspaper proofs scattered on the floor.
On the third day, several influential newspapers in Tianjin published lengthy reports on their second and third pages.
Different titles, but similar meanings:
The French Concession Special Investigation Team strikes hard, dismantling a Southeast Asian sorcery gang.
New Security Risks: Unveiling the Connection Between "Yiguandao" and Underground Transactions
"The Judge of Tianjin? A Heretic and Bandit!"
The article was written in a very serious manner, using a mix of classical and vernacular Chinese.
The novel details the fierce battle aboard the "Shunfeng" ship, omitting the specifics and emphasizing the use of unorthodox methods such as flying heads and fish heads, highlighting their bizarre and brutal nature.
Of course, there was also the well-trained and fearless response of the French Concession police.
Between the lines, the author subtly links the "Judge of Tianjin" with these Southeast Asian sorceries, saying that he is a malignant tumor that endangers the security of the concessions and Chinese-controlled areas under the guise of chivalry and justice.
Finally, the author shifts focus, emphasizing the concession authorities' determination to protect overseas Chinese and crack down on all forms of evil and harmful practices.
Public opinion was in an uproar.
In teahouses and taverns, discussions were rife. Some believed, some didn't, but the word "evil magic" certainly sent chills down people's spines more than "knight-errant."
The Municipal Council of the Concession was very satisfied with this report that expanded the influence of the Concession.
The Chinese-controlled police were somewhat embarrassed, privately complaining that the French Concession had overstepped its bounds, but they still had to send a letter of congratulations outwardly.
This was, of course, Renault's doing. The testimonies of the survivors and the photos from the scene became the most powerful tools.
What he wants is not the truth, but the direction of public opinion. He's using this as an excuse to muddy the waters and firmly grasp the banner of "fighting against evil" in his own hands.
Another day later, an appointment order was posted on the bulletin board of the Central Police Station.
Zhou Xing, formerly a third-rank Chinese constable, is promoted to Acting Chief Detective of the Foch Road District Police Station, with provisional authority as Deputy Captain of the Special Investigation Team. His future appointment will be discussed based on his performance upon completion of his term.
Below it is the bright red seal of the Municipal Council and Renault's signature.
Special Investigation Team Office.
"At the branch office, there's a deputy for routine tasks. You'll be nominally in charge, but your main focus will be on the search team."
Renault instructed, "Vice Captain, you have independent leadership authority. In case of emergency, you can call upon some patrol officers from the branch office and neighboring jurisdictions."
A map was spread out on his desk, and he pointed to a triangular area.
"Your first task is to clean up the security environment around Foch District; this is the key area."
He looked at Zhou Xing: "Public opinion has been created, and now we have a reason to take action."
Regardless of whether it's Yi Guan Dao or any other organization, any clues related to evil arts or illegal transactions will be thoroughly investigated.
You immediately enter the no-man's-land to investigate, but be careful in your approach; don't give the Japanese any leverage.
He handed over a document: "Take Hans, Zhong Ding, and Chen Qi with you, and also transfer a few reliable Chinese constables."
Remember, what I need is evidence and results. In France, the term of office is the best test of competence.
"You can only remove the word 'agent' if you handle things well."
Zhou Xing took the document; it was a letter of appointment, the paper crisp and the seal bright red.
He thought to himself: It seems Renault won't be taking any further action for the time being.
Expanding the colonial influence of the French Concession and seizing the maximum amount of political resources is Renault's most pressing task right now.
He showed no emotion on his face, but simply stood up and bowed slightly to Renault: "Thank you for your promotion, Captain. I will do my best."
I stepped out of the office and walked through the slightly noisy corridor.
When the Chinese constables saw him, their expressions immediately changed, and they nodded cautiously: "Detective Zhou."
Zhong Ding happened to be walking towards them from the opposite direction, holding a newly published newspaper. When he saw Zhou Xing, he stopped in his tracks, and his expression instantly became quite interesting.
He opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to call out "Zhou Xing" as usual, or perhaps "Detective Zhou" with a hint of sarcasm, but his gaze fell on the corner of the letter of appointment in Zhou Xing's hand—
Finally, the voice seemed to be squeezed out of his throat, dry and awkward, yet clear: "Zhou—Vice Captain."
Mixed feelings.
Zhou Xing stopped and looked at the bell and tripod. A sad, thick barrier had already formed between us.
He patted Zhong Ding on the shoulder with a light touch, then walked straight over.
Zhong Ding stood there until Zhou Xing disappeared at the top of the stairs, then suddenly spat and muttered, "A mere agent—what's with all the swagger!"
After he finished cursing, he looked at the crumpled newspaper in his hand and then at the empty corridor. He felt powerless and empty, wondering what he had gained from all his hard work in currying favor with the foreigners.
The next morning.
Zhou Xing and his men stood at the entrance of the Central Police Station, where a pickup truck assigned to the search team by the police station was parked.
In addition to Hans, Zhong Ding, and Chen Qi from the original search team, eight more strong but slippery Chinese detectives were drawn from other branches, making a total of twelve people.
Everyone was armed, and there was plenty of ammunition.
Zhou Xing changed into a more crisp detective uniform, without a hat, and his hair was shaved short, revealing his tanned skin. He took out his pocket watch and checked the time; it was exactly nine o'clock in the morning.
Renault's intention in putting him in this position is sharp:
If it succeeds, it will be credited to the French Concession for expanding its influence; if it fails, or causes great trouble, Zhou Xing, as the "agent," will be the ready scapegoat.
The word "agent" is Renault's next promise to Zhou Xing.
"I'm a glutton," Zhou Xing chuckled silently. "Once I eat it, I can't spit it out."
Further news from Yiguandao regarding the River God Festival, the untouchable establishments of the charity association, the possible tokens between the two, and opportunities for further official advancement—
There is still much to do, and much to gain.
The spectacle of a fox borrowing the tiger's power has begun. It's time for him to take the stage and put on a show of arrogance, domineering behavior, and lawlessness.
"Buzz".
The truck started. Zhou Xing was the last to get on and closed the door.
He sat in the passenger seat, glancing back at the team members who were either curious or nervous, his eyes calm: "Hans."
"Yes."
"Let's go, to Laolongtou Flower Interspersed Area."
"Yes."
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