Chapter 5 Flanking and Attacking from the Side

  "Old leader, you're back, why didn't you make a sound to greet us. If I hadn't seen Little Liu's records earlier, I really wouldn't have known you were back." A middle-aged man, about 1.8 meters tall, with a lieutenant colonel's badge and wearing military uniform, appeared in front of Zhou Zheng. This person was none other than Zhou Zheng's old comrade-in-arms Wang Pu Chu, who had also retired from the army the same year as Zhou Zheng, but at that time Zhou Zheng was a regimental commander when he retired, while Wang Pu Chu was a battalion commander. Seeing his old comrade, Zhou Zheng hastily stood up to welcome him.

  "Old comrade, it's been a long time! I was thinking of looking you up to catch up on old times when I got back this time, but unfortunately, I ran into this matter and have to take care of it." The two warmly shook hands like long-lost relatives, exchanging pleasantries.

  "This matter is not urgent, it won't be done so quickly anyway. I will urge my subordinates to handle this matter well and give you an account."

  "I don't have to, I need to tell this female comrade clearly that the culprits must be severely punished. This gang of thugs is extremely ruthless and wanted to beat this female comrade to death. If I hadn't stopped them in time, I'm afraid Yongsheng County would have had another murder case." Zhou Zheng pointed at the middle-aged woman lying in the hospital bed, filled with righteous indignation.

  "Old leader, you still have this temper. Seeing you, I feel like I've returned to the troops. I'll give you a detailed report on the specific situation later. Why don't you come home with me first, have a simple meal, and we can chat for a bit? What do you think?" Wang Pu asked tentatively.

  "This way, this female comrade won't wake up for a while. Let's go to your home. Besides, I also want to see my sister-in-law." The sister-in-law that Zhou Zheng was referring to was Yang Tao, Wang Pu's lover. Back then, when Wang Pu and Yang Tao were in love in the army, it was Zhou Zheng who played matchmaker for them.

  Sitting in Wang Pu's Santana police car, the vehicle passed by the Yongsheng County Party Committee building. Zhou Zheng opened his mouth and said: "Is Yongsheng County still under Zhou Qiuball's command?"

  "Who else could it be, this Eternal County has become his family's, a hereditary emperor. Wang Pu was always straightforward in front of Zhou Zheng, who liked him because among their current comrades-in-arms, only Wang Pu was the most loyal and spoke the truth."

  "What's going on? Is it that serious?" Zhou Zheng came over with interest.

  "You don't know, in Yongsheng County, from top to bottom, all the departments with real power are personally appointed by Zhou Qiball, and most of them are petty people who are oily and cunning. Many righteous people have left, leaving us behind who can't leave, and we can only rot in this pit. This Yongsheng County is really hopeless." Wang Puchu suddenly sighed.

  "Come on, Xiao Wang, don't be discouraged, I'm willing to bet that Zhou Qiball won't last much longer."

  "Old leader, I believe what you say. I also know that the county party secretary can't be in office for a lifetime. But I don't think Zhou Mou will step down in a short period of time." Wang Pu didn't even want to mention Zhou Qiuball's name and replaced it with "certain person".

  In Zhou Zheng's view, Wang Pu Chu was indeed not bought by Zhou Qiuball. Zhou Zheng felt a sense of relief in his heart because he had found the right person. Although Zhou Zheng believed in Wang Pu Chu, there were many people who changed sides in the power struggle, and how could Wang Pu Chu escape unscathed with the poor security situation in Yongsheng County? This was what Zhou Zheng worried about most. Now, from Wang Pu Chu's words, it can be confirmed that he is not Zhou Qiuball's man.

  "Old leader, do you know who is Zhou's 'backstage boss'?" Wang Pu Chu asked further.

  "Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee member and United Front Work Department Head Liao Chunsheng." Zhou Zheng did not hide anything, facing a comrade and old fellow soldier like Wang Puchu. Zhou Zheng felt that this conversation was very comfortable, straightforward and to the point.

  "Yes, old leader, your information is indeed accurate. I believe what you said." Wang Pu suddenly changed his political views on Zhou Qiball.

  The two were chatting enthusiastically when they arrived at the Public Security Bureau's residential building.

  This is a house built in the early 1990s, and although the exterior wall has been repaired, it still shows its age. The mottled exterior wall cracks can't be hidden, and the wooden structure windows reflect strong light under the sunlight, making it dazzling. On the old-fashioned balcony, women's clothes are hung up, gently swaying in the breeze. A smiling face appeared on the corridor of Building No. 1, waving at Zhou Zheng. This is Wang Pu's lover, Yang Tao. Although they haven't seen each other for many years, she still looks as elegant and full of vitality as before. No wonder she almost dumped Wang Pu that silly boy back then. Zhou Zheng thought to himself, but didn't say a word out loud. He smiled and got off the car, walking towards her.

  "Yangtao, you're still as lovely as ever! That young Wang Puchu is a lucky guy to have landed someone as beautiful as you. He should be content with his lot!" He said with a sly grin, taking a glance at Wang Puchu.

  "Old leader, you're still so humorous. Now I've become an old hag and Old Wang doesn't even look at me anymore. He's always watching the handsome guys and beautiful girls in 'My Fair Princess'." Yang Tao said to herself, laughing with a trembling voice.

  "You old hag, you're still teasing me. Don't you watch 'My Fair Princess' too? And aren't you fond of Erlin?" Wang Pu retorted.

  "Alright, stop it. I'm here to eat, not to watch you two bicker. Besides, what are you two even arguing about? You're both just making a big deal out of nothing." Zhou Zheng pretended to be angry. This only made Yang Tao laugh even harder.

  "Let's go inside and talk about it later, or others will think we're here to mediate a family dispute." Wang Pu urged, looking around.

  Entering the house, it's indeed simple and everything is kept in a military style, neatly arranged and square.

  "Soldier's feelings!" Zhou Zheng suddenly sighed, looking at everything in front of him. Zhou Zheng thought of his life in the army and it was indeed "an iron-clad camp, flowing water soldiers". With Zhou Zheng's words: Soldier's feelings, all three were deeply moved, after all, they had dedicated their youth to the army, to the motherland.

  But returning to hometown construction, many people are not satisfied, perhaps because of their straightforward nature, perhaps they don't understand the local situation, or perhaps they are doing unsuitable things in an unsuitable position.

  Zhou Zheng used to be the team's political commissar and was arranged to work in the discipline inspection committee, which should have been a suitable position for him. However, he couldn't achieve any results, and his talents were wasted, being suppressed by his superiors to the point where he couldn't even fart, and after more than a decade, he's still just an old clerk.

  Wang Pu Chu, a battalion commander, was very impressive in the army and did an excellent job. However, after returning to his hometown, despite being a deputy director of the public security bureau, he felt unfulfilled. His temperament didn't fit well with his superiors, and often his work was directly taken over by higher-ups, leaving him feeling empty and unhappy.

  Only Yang Tao is not bad, working in the county cultural department, with a relaxed job, she doesn't seek political breakthroughs, taking care of her husband and children, living a comfortable life, because she has a considerate husband, honest and down-to-earth, never leaving or abandoning her. When bored, she can even bicker with her husband.

  Looking back on the storms of the past, thinking about today's hardships, Zhou Zheng and Wang Kuo met with a smile, knowing that the two would be engaged in a fierce battle at the table tonight, not drunk or leaving.