Chapter 309: True Feelings in Times of Trouble

For people in later generations, mobile phones are essential in daily life, seen everywhere and used for communication as commonly as eating and dressing.

But that's more than twenty years later. In 1988, information technology was still very backward. Even telephones hadn't been widely installed in every household. Pagers were still rare enough to show off, and for many people, mobile phones were an entirely new concept. To them, phones were supposed to be wired. How could a wireless phone work? Shouldn't that be called a walkie-talkie?

Because of this, even someone like Gao Ming was stunned when he heard the term. He stared at Zhou Ming in bewilderment.

"It's just this," Zhou Ming said to Gao Ming, as he removed the large mobile phone from his belt. He dialed a number in front of Gao Ming and said, "Major Lin, it's almost done here. You can bring your men over."

Gao Ming immediately sneered, "What are you pretending to be in front of me, Boss Zhou? Do you think you're Sun Wukong? Do you think that brick can be used as a phone? Are you calling a major? Can you summon the military? Why not just call the president and issue orders to the Central Military Commission?"

"Knowledge changes fate. A foolish person will remain foolish no matter what," Zhou Ming sighed. He didn't bother to explain anything to Gao Ming. In this situation, Zhou Ming felt it would be a waste of time to explain.

Just like Zhou Ming told Luo Wei on the way here, Zhou Ming would never joke with his own life. Before coming, he made thorough preparations. He first checked the current status of mobile communication base stations and signal coverage. Even when he followed Gao Ming here, he tested the signal with the mobile phone to ensure everything was foolproof before getting out of the car.

As for the military, Zhou Ming had arranged that in advance as well. He wasn't sure how powerful the backing of the Jinning Company was, but considering the Provincial Public Security Bureau's investigation team had been beaten up, it was clear that there were issues in Hubei Province. At least, there was no hope from the police.

Since the police couldn't help, Zhou Ming had to find another way. Besides, he had another plan in mind…

Suddenly, the sharp sound of police sirens broke the silence in the room, making Du Peng and Luo Wei tense up. Du Peng instinctively said, "Didn't they say the Jinning police don't care? How did they respond so quickly? This is as fast as the severe crackdown in Beijing!"

Gao Ming sneered, "Now you realize your mistake? Don't you know who I am?"

Zhou Ming responded seriously, "Indeed, we've taken the son of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary hostage. How could the police not respond immediately? Unless they want to lose their jobs."

What Zhou Ming said reflected the reality of the time. Before the government agencies reformed, their efficiency was notoriously low. If it weren't for this inefficiency, there wouldn't be the saying, "The four difficulties: hard to enter the door, hard to see a friendly face, hard to hear kind words, and hard to get things done." But those difficulties only applied to ordinary people. The children of the powerful were exceptions, and as the son of the city's third-ranking official, Gao Ming naturally received special treatment.

At this moment, a loudspeaker outside announced, "To those inside, you are surrounded. Drop your weapons, release the hostages, and surrender!"

As the police officer outside called out, Gao Ming spoke to Zhou Ming inside, "Boss Zhou, you know the policy: resist, and the punishment is severe; confess, and the punishment is lenient. I advise you—"

Before Gao Ming could finish, Du Peng slapped him, forcing him to swallow his words. "Shut up!"

Then Du Peng asked Zhou Ming nervously, "What should we do?"

Before Zhou Ming could reply, Luo Wei spoke first, "Boss Zhou, is the situation very serious now?"

"The situation is troublesome, but it's within my expectations," Zhou Ming replied.

"Boss Zhou, this whole situation originally had nothing to do with you. You were dragged into this because of me, so let me resolve it," Luo Wei said.

Zhou Ming frowned and asked, "What do you want to do?"

"The police outside are asking us to surrender, right? Let me go out and surrender. I've already been lucky enough to see my wife again, and I'm content. I'll take all the blame myself. But," Luo Wei continued, "I just ask one thing of you, Boss Zhou—please take care of my wife."

"No!" Liya Weina immediately stood up. "Husband, what are you doing? We just reunited, and now you want to leave me again?"

Luo Wei adjusted the sheet that Zhou Ming had wrapped around her and said, "I'm sorry, my dear. I failed to protect you. My incompetence led to this, and I don't deserve to be your husband. I just want to use what little time I have left to help you."

"No, I won't accept this!" Liya Weina shook her head desperately. "Husband, you're the best. I've never blamed you, and you're my husband. Wherever you are is home for me! After all we've been through, you're the only reason I have to keep living. If you leave now, what reason do I have to live in this world?"

Luo Wei was stunned by her words, unable to speak as he choked up.

As the saying goes, when deep emotions are expressed, there's always some fool to ruin the mood, and here, there were plenty of such fools.

"I am Gao Jianhui, Deputy Secretary of the Jinning Municipal Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission. Those inside, you are surrounded. Armed police snipers are on their way. I urge you to release the hostages and surrender. If you resist, we will take the most severe action. Think of your families and your future. Don't make things worse!"

Hearing this, Gao Ming laughed loudly, "My father is here! Let's see how long you can keep up your arrogance. You think one person can take the blame for everyone? What do you think this is, some heroic tale? Today, none of you will escape!"

Luo Wei and Liya Weina's faces turned ashen, while Du Peng, enraged, slapped Gao Ming twice more, leaving him seeing stars. "Why can't you just shut up?"

Zhou Ming pulled Du Peng back and said to Luo Wei and Liya Weina, "Engineer Luo, it seems the mood has been ruined, so let me say this: It's too early to lose hope. We're not at a dead end yet."

Hearing this, Luo Wei and Liya Weina's hope flickered, but only for a moment. Luo Wei then said, "Boss Zhou, you don't have to comfort me…"

Luo Wei's words were cut off by Zhou Ming. "As a businessman, I'm good at lying, but this time I'm telling the truth."

Luo Wei and Liya Weina exchanged confused looks, not understanding where Zhou Ming's confidence came from. With the entire Jinning police force outside and the armed police on the way, how could they escape from this cramped building?

The idea that they would be let off was laughable. Given what the Gao family had done in Jinning, they would certainly seek revenge. Even if they had just had a minor conflict, they would retaliate. Now that they had hit Gao Ming and taken him hostage, the Gao family would undoubtedly seek deadly revenge.

In other places, they might trust the party and government, but in Jinning, controlled by the Gao family, that was a joke.

Zhou Ming was about to explain, but at that moment, hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway. Soon, a man in a police uniform, looking very authoritative, appeared at the door. From Gao Ming's call of "Dad," it was clear this was Gao Jianhui, the Deputy Secretary of the Jinning Municipal Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission.

Seeing this high-ranking official, Zhou Ming couldn't help but think that appearances can be deceiving.

Looking at Secretary Gao, one would hardly imagine he was the protector and father of the biggest crime boss in Jinning.

Gao Jianhui entered the room, glanced around, and finally focused on Zhou Ming. "Comrade Zhou Ming, what are you doing? You are a businessman of the party and the people. Why are you engaging in such lawless activities? I order you to put down your weapons and release the hostages immediately!"

Gao Jianhui's authoritative tone filled the room. If an ordinary person were present, they might have complied without thinking. But Zhou Ming only responded with a scornful smile.

"Secretary Gao, are you joking with me? I suggest you take a good look around this room before you speak. It's your son who illegally detained Engineer Luo and his wife, and organized their abuse. Instead of addressing that, you blindly accuse me? Have you no shame?" Zhou Ming retorted.

Gao Ming tried to speak, but Gao Jianhui silenced him with a gesture. Gao Jianhui then said to Zhou Ming, "Comrade Zhou Ming, you're just trying to confuse the issue with baseless arguments to excuse yourself. This place is surrounded. Do you think you can escape? I advise you not to resist."

Zhou Ming sighed, shaking his head

. He knew Gao Jianhui wouldn't give up easily, but he didn't expect such blatant disregard for the truth. Gao Ming had kept Luo Wei and his wife here for days, yet Gao Jianhui had the nerve to call Zhou Ming lawless. This was absurd.

But Zhou Ming knew the real reason Gao Jianhui was doing this: power. As the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, Gao Jianhui could cover up his son's crimes. That's how corruption works. The powerful protect their own, no matter how heinous their actions.

At this point, Zhou Ming realized he wouldn't win with logic. He would have to use his plan B.

"Secretary Gao, I don't have time for your nonsense. This is your last warning. Let your son go, and maybe we can talk. If not, then don't blame me for what happens next," Zhou Ming said coldly.

Gao Jianhui sneered. "Blame you? For what? What can you do?"

Zhou Ming smiled and said, "Secretary Gao, you'll find out soon enough."

At that moment, the mobile phone in Zhou Ming's hand rang. Zhou Ming answered it calmly, "Major Lin, you've arrived? Very well, bring your men in. Let's clean up this mess."

Zhou Ming ended the call and looked at Gao Jianhui with a cold smile.

For the first time, doubt flickered in Gao Jianhui's eyes.

Before Gao Jianhui could react, the sound of helicopters filled the air outside. Moments later, fully armed soldiers burst into the building, catching the police outside off guard.

Major Lin entered the room with his soldiers and saluted Zhou Ming. "Comrade Zhou Ming, we've secured the area. The Gao family's influence is over."

For the first time, Gao Jianhui looked genuinely shocked. "What... what is this? Who are you?"

Major Lin handed him a document. "We're here on orders from the Central Military Commission. Gao Jianhui, you're under arrest for corruption and collusion with criminal organizations."

Gao Jianhui's face turned white as he realized the truth. This was not a local issue anymore. The central government was involved, and there was no escaping it.

As Gao Jianhui was led away, Zhou Ming turned to Luo Wei and Liya Weina. "It's over. You're free."

Tears of relief and joy filled their eyes as they realized they were finally safe. The nightmare was over.

Zhou Ming, however, felt no joy. He had won, but at what cost? The Gao family was finished, but the fight had drained him. He walked out of the building, not as a victor, but as someone who had barely survived a brutal battle.

As the sun set on Jinning, Zhou Ming knew one thing for sure: this city would never be the same again.