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

The name "Zhao San" was like two red-hot iron spikes, shoving hard into Master Liu's eardrums!

The smile on his face froze instantly, like an ice sculpture, and all the color drained away in a flash, leaving only a deathly pale ashes.

The overwhelming fear and rage almost swallowed him up, but his decades of experience in the martial world managed to suppress this monstrous wave.

He never imagined that Zhao San, whom he regarded as a pig or a dog, could stir up such a storm.

With just a pause in his breath, the muscles on Liu Siye's face began to twitch again. His stiff smile, like dough that had been forcibly kneaded, reappeared, only deeper and more distorted. Fine beads of cold sweat instantly seeped from his forehead, gleaming faintly in the early winter morning light.

Old Master Liu slapped his thigh suddenly, his voice rising in a dramatic tone, filled with exaggerated realization and deep regret:

"Oh my God! It's a misunderstanding! A huge misunderstanding, boss!"

He stepped forward, gesturing frantically with his hands, his spittle almost landing on the dark-faced inspector's face.

"That Zhao San! He's a hopeless scoundrel! A complete gambler! A worthless gambler!"

"He owed a mountain of loan sharks, the interest kept piling up and he couldn't pay it back. The creditors came knocking on his door, and because he's not very mobile, he got into a fight and was accidentally injured! What does this have to do with me, Liu Si! I swear to God, boss!"

He took a breath, his eyes filled with the grief and indignation of being wronged and the eagerness to defend himself, and he spoke even faster:

"As for his wife and children, that's none of my business! It's his own fault! He was blinded by gambling and mortgaged his wife and children to loan sharks!"

"If someone loses all their money and can't pay it back, it's perfectly reasonable for them to take people in to settle the debt, according to the rules! How did that become me trafficking people?"

"This is clearly Zhao San, that desperate bastard, resorting to desperate measures and making false accusations! He's trying to extort money from me, Liu Si!"

"Boss, you are all very perceptive; please don't let this scoundrel fool you!"

As he spoke, he observed the dark-faced patrolman's expression, trying to find a hint of relaxation in that expressionless face.

[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: ①⓪①ⓚⓚⓢ.ⓒⓞⓜ]

The dark-faced patrolman listened expressionlessly, his gaze as sharp as an icicle piercing Liu Siye's face, without the slightest fluctuation.

After Master Liu finished speaking, he coldly opened his mouth, his voice devoid of any warmth:

"Liu Si, save those words for the police station courtroom. We're only responsible for arresting people, not for solving cases."

"The truth will be revealed. Come with us."

He turned his head to look at the two patrol officers behind him.

Two young patrol officers immediately stepped forward, one on the left and one on the right, subtly forming a pincer movement.

Master Liu's heart sank to the bottom, like a stone falling into a bottomless, icy pool.

He knew that any further explanations would be futile in the face of a police officer determined to arrest him.

What is meant to be will be; what is meant to be will be.

Right now, the only thing I can do is to stall for time as much as possible, try to gain some room for maneuver, and at the same time stabilize the situation so that the car factory and Tiger Girl don't get into chaos.

Master Liu reached into the inner pocket of his mandarin jacket and rummaged around. When he pulled it out, there were seven or eight heavy, gleaming silver dollars in his palm.

He plastered an almost fawning smile on his face, with utmost humility and pleading, and carefully handed the silver coin to the dark-faced patrolman, his knuckles turning white from the force of his grip.

"Boss, boss, please calm down, please calm down."

He spoke in a very low voice, with a heartfelt sincerity.

"You've had a hard time on this business, this is just a small token. It's for the bosses to have some drinks to warm them up and ward off the chill."

"I, Liu Si, dare not defy the law, nor dare I cause trouble for the bosses. But..."

He paused, his face displaying just the right amount of embarrassment and pleading.

"Look, I'm an old man, I can't run away. Could... could you allow me to have a few words with my good-for-nothing daughter about some family matters?"

"It's just a few words, I've finished explaining, and I'll leave with the bosses immediately. I won't dare delay even a moment! Please, bosses, do me a favor!"

He bent even lower, almost to the ground, and pushed the silver dollar forward with his hand.

The dark-faced patrolman's gaze lingered on the silver dollar for a moment, then he raised his eyelids and swept his gaze over Liu Siye's pleading old face, as well as Hu Niu, who was pale-faced and trying to remain calm beside him.

He let out a barely audible hum, reached out and quickly took the seven or eight silver dollars, weighed them in his hand, and casually stuffed them into his pocket.

He gestured with his chin toward the bare old locust tree in the corner of the courtyard wall, his voice still icy:

"You'd better not try anything funny, or you'll regret it."

"No, no! Thank you, sir! Thank you for your mercy, sir!"

Master Liu felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and thanked him repeatedly, his wrinkles bulging as he forced a smile.

He immediately turned around, winked at Tiger Girl, and gave a low shout:

"Tiger Girl, come here!"

The father and daughter walked quickly to the old locust tree at the far corner of the courtyard wall, about seven or eight steps away from the patrolling policemen.

With his back to the patrolman, Master Liu used his hunched body to try to block Tiger Girl.

Tiger Girl was completely disoriented; her lips trembled, tears welled in her eyes, and her voice was low and choked with sobs.

"Old man... what... what are we going to do! How dare that bastard Zhao San..."

"Shut up!"

Master Liu gave a low shout, and two beams of light shot out from his cloudy old eyes, instantly suppressing Tiger Girl's panic.

He spoke extremely fast, his voice barely audible, yet each word was clear, carrying the ruthless composure of a seasoned veteran in the face of danger.

"Listen, don't panic! The sky isn't falling! What is Zhao San anyway? He's a penniless gambling addict. He'll go to the authorities empty-handed. What will he have to offer to win the case?"

He took a breath, his gaze sweeping across his daughter's pale face like lightning:

"However, this case has gone directly to the police station, so our family is definitely going to suffer bloodshed! There's no escaping it!"

Master Liu leaned even closer, almost touching Tiger Girl's ear, his breath coming in rapid gasps.

"In my room, under the third tile from the east on the central beam in the main room, there's an oil paper package containing two hundred-dollar banknotes!"

"Go right now! Take this money and go to the Xisi North Police Station! Find Chief Liu Jiaxiang! Remember, only find him! Give him the money and beg him to save me! Be humble and make sure you say the right things!"

He looked into Tiger Girl's wide, terrified eyes and emphasized his words:

"Remember, only contact him! Only he can handle this! We'll definitely need more money later, it won't be cheap."

"Once I'm taken to the police station, after you've discussed things with Chief Liu, if he says he needs more money, come to the police station to find me. I'll then tell you what to do next! Understand?"

Tiger Girl nodded vigorously, tears finally rolling down her cheeks. She bit her lower lip hard, trying not to cry out, only managing to squeeze out a few words:

"I...I understand, old man..."