In the name of supernatural powers

Chapter 77 Pressure
Zhang Like walked in, looking somewhat helpless, and said, "Old Lu, sometimes if you soften your attitude, all a woman wants is a change in attitude."

He was listening outside and knew it would start arguing, but he didn't expect it to get this bad.

Lu Zhao said, "Public matters are public matters, and private matters are private matters. I cannot give you an attitude that doesn't distinguish between public and private matters."

It was originally a mutually beneficial arrangement, and now he couldn't very well implicate Lin Zhiyan.

Zhang Like hesitated, wanting to say that a woman who doesn't distinguish between public and private matters treats you like family.

But then I thought about Lao Lu's personality, and I figured he'd probably spout some outrageous remarks again.

He asked, "What if they really use their connections to transfer you? A temporary position in the task force can be revoked at any time."

Lu Zhao said, "It doesn't matter, the main evidence has already been handed over."

"And then what?" Zhang Like asked, puzzled. "The higher-ups are fully capable of turning your case back on you, or at worst transferring you away and having someone else overturn your investigation."

"You've offended people and gained nothing in return."

Although this wasn't the first time Lu Zhao had done something like this, Zhang Like still couldn't understand it.

Especially this time, facing the Daozheng Bureau, Lu Zhao remained so tough.

Lu Zhao remained calm and said, "I am only responsible for investigating cases, not for judging them."

Zhang Like smirked and lowered his voice, saying, "Stop giving me empty promises and just tell me the truth: have you got the support of other big shots?"

“No.” Lu Zhao shook his head and asked in return, “If it comes to this point and no one is brought to trial, do you think I still need to stay in Nankaido?”

Zhang Like looked thoughtful, then seemed to realize something, and his expression gradually became serious.

It's rotten to this extent, so what's the point of keeping it?
"So..." he said in a very low voice, "you're going to join the Liangshan bandits?"

Lu Zhao said, both amused and exasperated, "I want to go to Zhongnan Road and find a way out in the army."

Even the worst federal government is still an official, and even the most powerful bandits are still bandits.

"Let's go eat."

Lu Zhao and Zhang Like went to the mess hall to collect their lunchboxes and saw the cooked beef inside.

Zhang Like's expression changed slightly, and he asked before Lu Zhao could, "Where did this beef come from?"

The head cook replied, "Sir, we found it in a cold storage in the district. There was too much, so we took some to make a beef rice bowl for the brothers."

"Nonsense! This is evidence of a crime; how can you eat it?"

Zhang Like reprimanded him, then turned to Lu Zhao and said, "I'll handle it later, and this won't happen again."

Lu Zhao shook his head and said, "Just tell them to keep an eye on it. With so much beef being searched, some of it is bound to spoil."

He didn't fly into a rage as Zhang Like had imagined; instead, he was surprisingly tolerant.

"Give me a box without beef."

The head cook said, "Brother Lu, this means we only have vegetables left."

"It can be eaten with green vegetables."

Lu Zhao took the lunchbox containing only vegetables and, like the soldiers around him, found a place to squat down and eat.

The soldiers were very happy to be able to eat beef, and smiles were on everyone's faces.

In this era, happiness is that simple.

Zhang Like also squatted down to the side with his boxed lunch in hand, half-jokingly complaining, "You're making me unhappy even when I'm eating beef."

“You make it sound like I’m completely impartial,” Lu Zhao said. “I’ve never thought there’s anything wrong with beef, nor do I think there’s anything wrong with wanting to eat beef. It’s all about people’s yearning for beautiful things.”

He recognized that the problem in today's society is not beef, but the tense relationship between people and land.

Beef is merely a contradictory entity, a victim of the planned economy system aimed at alleviating the food crisis.

Even without beef, there are still other meats like chicken, duck, fish, and lamb. Beef is considered a luxury item simply because it's banned.

"My favorite dish is stir-fried beef with yellow peppers. I haven't had it in years." Zhang Like immediately said, "I'll have the cooks bring you the recipe tonight."

Lu Zhao shook his head and refused: "No need."

"Then why did you say eating beef was no problem?" Zhang Like picked up a piece of beef and put it in Lu Zhao's lunchbox, saying:
"No one will die from eating a bite; it's the people who will die. What's the use of you being the only one following the rules? Few of the big shots follow the rules."

Lu Zhao didn't reply, but just smiled and put the meat slices back to Zhang Like. After finishing the last bite of his meal, he got up to return the lunchbox.

Soldiers kept running towards him, drawn by the aroma, but Lu Zhao left alone against the flow of people.

Zhang Like stared at him intently, as if he were seeing Lu Zhao for the first time.

He was not simply stubborn, nor was he arrogant.

He could accept that soldiers ate some beef, and he could also understand the scheming and corruption in officialdom.

But he remained determined to fight against the city government, and even the entire Nankaido region.
-
2 p.m.

Lu received a call from the South China Sea. The caller claimed to be the Director-General of Dali, a federal official.

However, there are differences between positions. The Chief Justice of Dali is in charge of the law and is a person of high status within the Federation, wielding extremely high power.

He is also the highest-ranking federal official Lu Zhao has been in contact with so far.

"Comrade Lu Zhao, the issue of market prevention is a holistic one. We need to examine it carefully and not act rashly. I hope you can withdraw the lawsuit."

Lu Zhao replied, "If the leader feels there is a problem, then please dismiss my lawsuit in the form of an official document."

"..."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

"Comrade Lu Zhao, the procedures will take some time. However, the government is very satisfied with your impartial enforcement of the law and your ability to root out corrupt elements within the Federation. You played a crucial role. You should be considered for this year's outstanding cadre selection."

Lu Zhao refused without hesitation, saying, "If my lawsuit is untrue, then I have not done anything meritorious. If I have done anything meritorious, then it should be when the truth comes out."

"I demand that you reinvestigate."

The voice on the phone turned stern, and Lu Zhao retorted firmly, "My investigation has no problems. I request that the Dali General Headquarters handle this matter as soon as possible."

They then engaged in a tedious pulling and tugging.

But no matter how the other person on the phone hinted or threatened him, Lu Zhao always said the same thing.

Handle business as usual.

If there are doubts about his evidence, then produce corresponding evidence. If you feel that the lawsuit should not be filed, then dismiss the lawsuit.

As the teacher said, rules are made to maintain balance, and if you follow the rules, no one can be a match for Lu Zhao.

Problems can be solved through informal means, but one must bear the risks and consequences.

After an hour-long call, the Nankaido Dairi Soji was furious.

Seeing that neither gentle persuasion nor forceful tactics worked, the person on the other end of the phone switched to blatant threats.

"You should rein yourself in. This is not something you can interfere with. If you let go now, there's still room for redemption. If you keep going, you won't even be able to patrol the mountains anymore."

Lu Zhao calmly replied, "As the deputy head of the task force, I have the authority to investigate anyone in Fangshi."

"Don't be so ungrateful, you lowly lieutenant!"

"The Dali Chief has no right or responsibility to tell me what to do."

"Fine! Fine! Fine! You just wait."

After hanging up the phone, Lu Zhao calmly put his phone back in his pocket, and he also noted down the name of the Dali Chief.

Today is June 28th, 3242. We'll check who's on duty in the future, following the dates.

It is on record.

(End of this chapter)