The Republic of China: I, Xiangzi, a Hero in a Chaotic Era

He never imagined that what had just been a life-or-death struggle could turn into a completely different situation.

Liu Jiaxiang's figure remained motionless in the moonlight, and his words clearly reached the ears of the sea dog:

"These days, can you really shut down all the casinos and brothels? What I need is order."

"I've given my approval, so you can do these business deals. You're a decent person, not a hothead. Giving you a job isn't a problem."

He shifted his tone slightly, his words carrying an undeniable air.

"But you have to be sensible."

The sea lion was shocked and instantly understood the weight of the word "order".

Without further hesitation, he abruptly broke free from the patrolman's grip, bowed deeply towards the top of the wall, his posture extremely humble:

"If you, sir, are willing to spare our lives, we are willing to obey your orders without hesitation!"

The sea dog's voice carried a sense of urgency and submission, a feeling of relief at surviving a catastrophe.

Liu Jiaxiang nodded slightly, seemingly expecting his response.

"Okay, you take your brothers and follow the patrol officers back to the police station."

"We'll discuss the specific regulations when we get back to the institute."

"Children always obey their parents!"

The sea lion answered decisively.

He voluntarily extended his hands, signaling the patrol officers to tie them up. His face showed no further resistance as he obediently allowed the cold ropes to bind his wrists.

Seeing this, his men also gave up struggling and were dejectedly tied up by the patrol officers.

Meanwhile, the thorough search and arrest operation in the courtyard house has concluded.

Patrolman Zhang Kui strode to the wall, looked up at Liu Jiaxiang, and reported, his voice tinged with regret and tension at not having accomplished his mission completely:

"Reporting to the director, two of the casino's thugs escaped in the chaos, and more than twenty gamblers also fled."

"The remaining people, including the bookmaker, a few thugs, and the gamblers who didn't escape, were all arrested and brought under control."

"As you instructed, we didn't dare fire, otherwise..."

He paused, not daring to finish saying the unspoken implication that "otherwise none of them will escape."

Liu Jiaxiang smiled calmly, then lightly leaped down from the wall, landing silently.

"Let them run away. If they come back after firing the gun, the higher-ups will question them, and we might not even be able to keep half of the money we find."

He patted the dust off the hem of his new police uniform, his tone relaxed.

"Alright, tell the brothers to regroup."

At Liu Jiaxiang's command, the patrol officers immediately sprang into action.

They drove the gamblers and casino thugs, who were tied up in a string, like herding a herd of livestock to be slaughtered, in a long line in the quiet of the night, and escorted them back to the Xisi North Police Station with faltering steps.

The dim gas lamp was carried by the patrolman, its light flickering and illuminating the prisoners' ashen and desperate faces and the patrolman's tense yet barely concealed excitement.

Back at the police station, the courtyard was brightly lit.

The prisoners were temporarily detained in the guard cells, and pleas and curses could be faintly heard.

Liu Jiaxiang walked straight into his director's office.

A moment later, Zhang Kui walked in with a light step, carrying a heavy bundle. His face was filled with barely suppressed joy as he carefully placed the bundle on Liu Jiaxiang's desk.

"Chief," Zhang Kui said, his voice filled with respect and a hint of excited pride.

"All the money on the casino tables tonight, the dealer's rake in the cash box, and the loot taken from those gamblers are all here."

"The brothers counted the money overnight, and it totaled 1,500 silver dollars. Please take a look."

He untied a corner of the bundle, revealing gleaming silver dollars and several rolls of banknotes tied with rubber bands.

Liu Jiaxiang's gaze swept over the bundle, but he did not count it in detail.

He thought for a moment, then tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a soft tapping sound.

"Our arrests tonight were quite a big operation; the higher-ups will definitely know."

"Our station made a little extra money, but we also have to give some to the police station to shut them up."

Liu Jiaxiang looked up at Zhang Kui and gave the order.

"In that case, take out four hundred dollars, exchange them for banknotes, and I'll give them to my superiors to bribe officials."

"The remaining 1,100 yuan,"

He paused, then clearly delineated the boundaries.

"Following the method I mentioned before, I'll take 40%, which is 440 yuan."

"The institute will keep 20% as reserve funds, which is 220 yuan."

"The remaining four hundred and forty dollars will be distributed among the brothers below."

He added, his tone carrying an undeniable air of concern:

"If any brothers are injured during tonight's operation, give them a larger share so as not to discourage them."

"As for the cost of the brothers' medicine, it will be covered by the institute's funds, so they don't have to pay out of their own pockets."

Hearing the clear and generous distribution plan, especially the clauses that "medicine expenses will be covered by public funds" and "the injured will receive a larger share," Zhang Kui's eyes lit up instantly, and a huge surge of surprise and gratitude welled up in his heart.

He suddenly straightened his back and gave Liu Jiaxiang an unprecedentedly standard police salute, his voice trembling slightly with excitement:

"Chief! You truly keep your word! Brothers... brothers..."

"From now on, unless it's your order, even if the Heavenly King himself comes, the brothers won't obey!"

Seeing his excited expression, Liu Jiaxiang gave a very faint smile and waved his hand:

"Alright, alright, you bunch of brats, just stop making me worry."

He composed himself and gave the order.

"Go, bring the sea lion to the office."

"Yes, Chief!"

Zhang Kui responded loudly, turned around and strode quickly out of the office, his steps so light they seemed to fly.

Shortly after, the office door was gently pushed open.

Hai Gouzi was brought in by Zhang Kui. The ropes on his hands had been untied, but he looked more reserved than when he was tied up.

He stood at the doorway, looking somewhat helplessly at the room that symbolized power. His gaze swept over the gleaming desk and Liu Jiaxiang sitting calmly behind it, and he subconsciously swallowed.

Liu Jiaxiang leaned back in his chair, sizing up the Tianjin thug he had just subdued, and smiled calmly:

"For street thugs like you, ending up in the police station is a daily occurrence. Why are you so nervous now that you're in the chief's office?" There was a hint of mockery in his tone.

The sea lion forced an unnatural smile and bowed slightly:

"In reply to you, sir, in the past, when I was in the police station, I would sit in the detention room or in a cell. This is the first time I've ever been to the station chief's office."

He spoke frankly, his voice carrying a hint of reverence.

Liu Jiaxiang smiled and pointed to the chair opposite his desk:

"You'll get used to it. Okay, sit down."

Upon hearing this, the sea lion cautiously walked to the chair.

He only sat on one side of his buttocks, his back was straight, and his hands were placed properly on his knees. His posture was as upright as a primary school student listening to a lecture, completely different from the fierce and shrewd "Brother Hai" in the casino.