Chapter 440: Doorstep Negotiation

"What?"

Qin Shou stood up: "They didn't come, were taken away? Which Police Substation took them, why haven't I received any news?"

If they really were taken by a Police Substation, at least that would save him the trouble; we could just go straight to demand the person.

But the junior police officer panted and gave a result that left him puzzled.

"It wasn't a Police Substation; the Railway Bureau seized the person."

"The Railway Bureau arrested its own people?" Qin Shou asked in disbelief, wondering what scheme this was.

The junior officer nodded: "That's what the call said, and it added that if Lu Cheng is truly guilty, they'll interrogate him themselves, sparing our Police Substation any trouble."

Qin Shou squinted instantly; his own people interrogating their own? That would get them nowhere.

He knew that the Railway Bureau was the most protective of its own.

So in the end there would definitely be nothing at all.

He paced, thinking for a while, and the more he thought, the more something felt off.

He looked at the junior officer and immediately ordered, "Prepare a vehicle; I'm going to the Railway Bureau."

The junior officer hesitated: "Does that mean we're now taking the initiative to go to them?"

Hearing that, Qin Shou felt a bit helpless; indeed, although he held the advantage, the Railway Bureau's top leaders had to personally lower themselves and come to plead, and after only a morning, the situation suddenly flipped.

Finally, Qin Shou shook his head: "I can't put it that way; we're just going over to inquire normally, and our attitude still needs to be firm. If the Railway Bureau really did seize the person, then we must come over."

The junior officer nodded and immediately went to ready the vehicle.

In the Traffic Police Unit office, Lei Zhan'ge was holding the microphone, answering a call, with Tang Qiusheng's voice on the other end.

"Lao Lei, this time Lu Cheng wants to be detained, and that kid surnamed Qin, once he hears the news, will definitely not give up. I reckon he'll soon come knocking to demand the person."

Lei Zhan'ge first covered a cough with laughter, then said, "Back during the war, I never retreated even once through countless hail of bullets, and I can still not be scared of a little kid."

Tang Qiusheng was still a bit worried: "You obviously aren't afraid of him; I'm the one fearing that kid's arrogance. If we get angered again, given your condition… if you really can't handle it, I'll go over to the Traffic Police Unit to deal with him."

Lei Zhan'ge refused: "No need. To handle a mere kid, why involve the General Bureau? I'll stay put and receive him; that's enough respect."

If he weren't Director Qin's son, Lei Zhan'ge would be too lazy to bother, and wouldn't want to escalate the matter; a single meeting wouldn't hurt.

In any case, they couldn't let Qin Shou take Lu Cheng away; otherwise Lei Zhan'ge would find it hard to locate a satisfactory successor.

Before the call ended, Lei Zhan'ge looked out the window and saw a jeep pulling into the courtyard.

"Alright, Lao Tang, the kid's here; I'll wrap things up on my end."

Since Lei Zhan'ge was transferred, all the big and small matters in the unit have been handled personally by him.

He wants, within his limited life, to use his own body to do as much for the country as possible.

Saving Lu Cheng this time is what he deems worth doing.

The office door was quickly pushed open without even a knock, causing Lei Zhan'ge to furrow his brow.

He frowned, merely out of concern for Director Qin; with such a son, a disaster is bound to happen someday.

Lei Zhan'ge sat there unmoving; after Qin Shou entered, he asked directly, "You are Lei Zhan'ge, right?"

Lei Zhan'ge, expressionless, replied, "Kid, even if your father is here, you still have to wait obediently at the door."

Sensing Lei Zhan'ge's displeased tone, Qin Shou realized he was there to demand the person and didn't want the atmosphere to become too tense.

"Hello, Captain Lei."

Qin Shou extended his hand proactively, but Lei Zhan'ge made no move.

The awkward Qin Shou could only gesture toward a chair: "May I sit down and talk with you?"

"Stand and speak."

Upon hearing Lei Zhan'ge's dismissive tone, Qin Shou understood.

This time demanding the person would certainly not be easy.

"Captain Lei, why do I hear that you all seized the person?"

Lei Zhan'ge leaned back in his chair, arms crossed: "Is there a problem?"

Lei Zhan'ge's posture made his attitude clear, and Qin Shou could no longer worry about that; today he was determined to get the person.

"Of course there's a problem! To dare block a police car in broad daylight and snatch the criminal, that's not merely obstruction of law enforcement; it's illegal, and it's a dereliction of duty by your unit, a failure on your part as a leader."

Listening to Qin Shou's relentless words, Lei Zhan'ge finally fully grasped Lu Cheng's approach.

Even with Qin Shou coming to the door with this attitude, if that old man showed up, who knows how they'd point and scold him.

If he wants others not to nitpick, that straight‑backed spine really has to bend.

But Lu Cheng voluntarily suggested entering Haozi Li, willing to endure grievance himself, not wanting him to bow, while preserving the Railway Bureau's dignity.

Lei Zhan'ge couldn't help but show a pleased smile, but in Qin Shou's eyes, he still thought the old man was frightened by his words and was using the smile to flatter.

"Actually, I understand; that kid surnamed Lu is so unruly that it's normal you leaders can't control him, so this incident can't be blamed on you."

"My decision now is: as long as you hand Lu Cheng over to our Police Substation, I won't pursue responsibility from you as a leader."

Lei Zhan'ge smiled: "In that case, I must thank you for your magnanimity."

Qin Shou waved his hand, about to speak, but Lei Zhan'ge cut in: "To be frank, Lu Cheng taking the Educated Youth away was authorized by our General Bureau."

That meaning couldn't be clearer: Lu Cheng's kidnapping was a General Bureau order, and Lei Zhan'ge, as a leader, is willing to bear all responsibility.

Qin Shou felt awkward, giving the old man a way out, yet he still didn't step down.

Lei Zhan'ge holds Chief Hall Official Rank; I'm just a minor deputy substation chief, how could I have the authority to hold Lei Zhan'ge accountable?

Lei Zhan'ge made it clear, telling Qin Shou to stop the hollow talk.

"I don't care who authorized it; in any case, Lu Cheng seized the criminals. Either he hands those criminals over, or he must face punishment from our Ministry of Public Security."

Qin Shou also realized that the Railway General Bureau couldn't be moved; even if they tried, it would be troublesome, involving the department, and would end up with just a handshake, turning big matters into small ones.

Therefore, he could only focus on Lu Cheng.

Lei Zhan'ge placed both hands on the table: "You keep saying those Educated Youth are criminals. I want to know how they became criminals, and which law they violated."

Qin Shou directly replied: "They are causing trouble, affecting social stability."

"Causing trouble? Did they beat, smash, and loot?"

"No."

"Did they steal chickens and dogs?"

"No."

"Then did they kill people or set fires?"

Qin Shou inhaled and said: "No."

"Since none of those happened, where does the accusation of causing trouble come from? It's even less true that, as you claim, they are criminals!"

When Lei Zhan Ge said that, he immediately reduced Lu Cheng's charge from a crime to at most a violation.

The Ministry of Public Security then has no reason to deal with Lu Cheng.

Little did Qin Shou know, he only wanted to settle a personal grudge, to first drag Lu Cheng into his own territory and give him a good fixing.