Chapter 165: Unexpected Joy

As Fan Dashan spoke, everyone's gaze shifted to Lu Cheng.

Lu Cheng hadn't expected Fan Dashan to act like a mad dog; after being docked a point himself, he was displeased and even turned to bite him.

The atmosphere on the spot grew solemn; as a Railway Passenger Police officer, colluding with smugglers is no ordinary offense.

Docking points is a minor matter; it could even land someone in prison.

When he heard Fan Dashan's words, Lei Zhan'ge also formed a thought.

He had always favored Lu Cheng, but this month Lu Cheng hadn't caught a single smuggler, which inevitably disappointed him.

He originally intended to reprimand him on the spot at the meeting, but after seeing the scratches on his Military Coat, he ultimately let him off.

Nevertheless, Fan Dashan's words forced Lei Zhan'ge to take them seriously; could this be the reason Lu Cheng hadn't caught any smugglers?

"Xiao Lu, what's really going on?"

Lu Cheng had no idea what was happening; he had only interacted with Ding Yuanmin, and if it stemmed from that previous incident, he wasn't worried at all.

At that time, Director Tang had issued the order, so there was no problem.

"Captain Lei, like you, I don't know what Chief Fan means, but since Chief Fan said it, whoever makes a claim should provide evidence,"

Everyone's gaze turned back to Fan Dashan.

"Captain Lei, I'm not framing him; you can go to the detention center and ask the relevant comrades—every time a smuggler is released, Group Leader Lu actually gives them money,"

Everyone's eyes again looked at Lu Cheng, all baffled as to why he would do this.

At this point, Lei Zhan'ge spoke: "Xiao Lu, is that really the case?"

Lu Cheng didn't deny it at all: "It is, Captain Lei."

"Look, I didn't frame him, right? We all worked hard to catch smugglers, and then you give them money—what does that mean?" Fan Dashan said, clapping his hands.

Lu Cheng also stood up: "Hehe, I thought it was something else, but so that's it. I give them money as travel expenses home; it doesn't involve any collusion, does it?"

Those who don't know might think he committed a huge crime.

Fan Dashan was very dissatisfied with this answer: "How can that not be collusion? They're bad people; you give them money, which blatantly insults our Railway Passenger Police,"

Lu Cheng waved his hand, signaling him not to be so agitated.

"How can that be an insult? I think it actually shows the Railway Passenger Police's magnanimity and paternal care; when they get home, it promotes a good reputation for our unit,"

Fan Dashan couldn't argue, forced a retort: "You don't need to act the good guy…"

"Hey, you're actually right. I'm the type who likes to play the saint, can't stand any human suffering, otherwise I'd feel uneasy and couldn't sleep,"

"You…" Fan Dashan was at a loss for words, angrily sat down.

On the stage, Lei Zhan'ge shook his head, stood up and said: "Xiao Lu, come to my office for a moment; the other chiefs can take their team to collect their wages."

After making the arrangements, Lei Zhan'ge turned back and went to his office.

When Lu Cheng arrived later, Lei Zhan'ge, who was about to take a cigarette, hurriedly stuffed it into his pocket.

Lu Cheng noted his small move: "Captain Lei, is that necessary! Come on, have my cigarette."

"Yo, a foreign brand—where did you get it?"

Lu Cheng was momentarily stunned; the Marlboro cigarettes in his hand were, of course, taken from the warehouse last time, but he couldn't reveal that.

"You forgot, Captain Lei, Qing Yan went to West Germany last time and bought them for me."

Lu Cheng could have said he bought them with a Foreign Exchange Voucher at the Friendship Store, but she deliberately brought up Lin Qingyan, and indeed Lei Zhan'ge's tone softened a bit as he recalled the warship purchase.

"Tell me, why give those smugglers money to go home?"

"Captain Lei, didn't I just say that?"

"I want the truth."

Seeing Lei Zhan'ge insist on pressing the issue, Lu Cheng felt helpless.

It's not that he didn't want to tell the truth; he simply couldn't.

In a few years, with Reform and Opening Up, these people will become powerful helpers for the Lu family's rise, but such words aren't suitable to say now.

"Captain Lei, I can give you a guarantee here: if these people are smuggling drugs or weapons, I will certainly not let any of them go."

"But these people only sell some agricultural products and daily necessities to make a living; I don't think that's a great crime."

Lei Zhan'ge waved his hand: "I don't share your view; they disrupt the market and damage the planned economy. Catching them is our Railway Police duty."

The older generation's mindset is hard to change, and Lu Cheng could only say: "Fine, since they've already been punished for their actions, once they're out, are they ordinary citizens?"

Lei Zhan'ge replied without hesitation: "They certainly are; what's been deducted has been deducted, what's been punished has been punished, so they naturally are lawful citizens."

"Since they're lawful citizens, my contact with them isn't illegal, right?"

Lei Zhan'ge was momentarily choked, but he couldn't refute, because Lu Cheng was using his own money for their travel expenses.

"Enough, enough. Who you give money to is your choice, but if you encounter Speculative Profiteering, you must let me arrest them."

Lu Cheng thought the matter was settled, but Lei Zhan'ge suddenly drew a Handgun.

Lu Cheng was instantly flustered: "Captain Lei, that's not—what are you doing? I can arrest, I can still arrest later; there's no need to use a gun. Even if I perform poorly, it shouldn't be a death sentence…"

"For you," Lei Zhan'ge handed it over.

Lu Cheng was stunned: "Give it, give it to me?"

"Thanks to your suggestion, Beijing Station now has funds to build a train. This Handgun, which I carried in battle and was made in Germany, is a reward for you,"

Clearly reluctant, Lei Zhan'ge let Lu Cheng pull the gun several times before he finally took it in his hand.

"You should've said earlier; you almost scared me to wet myself... Hey Captain Lei, why are there no bullets inside?"

Lu Cheng fiddled with it, especially fond of it, for no other reason; any man who touches a gun inevitably falls in love with the feeling of "truth in hand."

But giving a gun without bullets is like giving a cigarette without fire—purely teasing.

Lei Zhan'ge, however, didn't intend to give him bullets: "What bullets? They're kept as a memento, rewarding your contribution to Beijing Station."

Seeing Lu Cheng's displeased face, Lei Zhan'ge reached out: "If you don't want them, give them back to me. Honestly, I really don't want to part with them."

Lu Cheng could never return them: "I want them, I want them."

Even without Bullet, just pulling out the gun is enough to generate deterrence.

Lei Zhan'ge seemed to read his mind: "Don't bring it onto the train; just leave it at home. When it's not needed, take it out for maintenance."

"Don't worry, Captain Lei, I'll definitely cherish it like a wife."

Lu Cheng truly likes it, and he also decides that when he has time he'll go to the black market to see if he can buy some Bullet.

It happens that today wages are paid; everyone says Railway workers have good benefits, and Lu Cheng is already eager to go see what he can get.