Starting from scratch, Batman crushed my dream of getting rich

Chapter 368 What is Connections? (Tactical Lean Back)

Although Erlin was used to tough methods, he still retained basic rationality. He knew what he could and could not do. If it was just arresting an Asian, then it wouldn't be a big problem. But the detectives and inspectors of the Central City Police Department were clearly not under his jurisdiction. Their argument with him was even limited to a conflict of duties, so he wasn't in the wrong.

Even if he were in a fit of rage, he wouldn't order the two policemen to be taken back to the army together; he could only try to get them to compromise through threats.

"Are you really going to mess with those two?" Ma Zhaodi raised an eyebrow, his expression rather strange. "Honestly, buddy, for your own sake, I advise you not to do it."

Erlin gave him a cold look, completely ignoring what he said and the people from the Central City Police Department, and simply waved his hand: "Take him away."

Two soldiers who were following him immediately stepped forward without hesitation.

However, Ma Zhaodi shrugged and turned to Joe, saying, "Joe, didn't you tell me to come to the police station today to cooperate with the investigation?"

Upon hearing this, Joe and Singh's eyes lit up immediately. They were both veteran police officers with extensive experience and were highly adept at improvisation.

“Sorry, you can’t take him away.” Qiao took two quick steps to stop the two soldiers, grabbed Ma Zhaodi by the hands behind his back, and pushed him into the police station: “He is a witness in two cases I’ve been investigating recently, and a suspect in another case. I need to detain him at the police station for questioning.”

Ma Zhaodi couldn't help but glance at Qiao, thinking to himself, "We're just acting and cooperating, why are you being so forceful? Are you planning to send me straight in?"
At this moment, Singh nodded in agreement: "That's right, this is a prisoner from the police station. If the military wants him, please wait until we have finished our investigation before coming back."

What do you mean by "criminal"? Don't label someone like that so bluntly!

Ma Zhaodi sighed, but he couldn't say anything more at this point, so he could only follow them into the police station.

Erlin's face was as black as the bottom of a pot, but he had no control over the Central City Police Department, nor could he possibly be on good terms with the police. The reason he had for arresting people wasn't very strong either, so he could only watch as Ma Zhaodi was taken into the police station.

“Very well, Superintendent Singh, Detective Joe.” He pointed at the two men with his hand. “You will soon understand how unwise it is to go against an admiral.”

"I'm giving you one last piece of advice, you'd better not get involved with them." Ma Zhaodi's voice could still be heard from inside the police station: "This is for your own good."

Erling naturally took this as a provocation. He smiled contemptuously and left with two soldiers.

At this point, he had forgotten that his original intention in seeking out Ma Zhaodi was simply to find Susie. Now that things had progressed to this stage, it was no longer important whether Ma Zhaodi had any information about Susie.

As a general accustomed to a tough style, Erlin values ​​his reputation highly, second only to interests. He was tricked twice by Ma Zhaodi today, and if he doesn't get his revenge, he'll probably have trouble sleeping tonight.

He wants to win so badly.

After Erlin left, the officers from the Central City Police Department returned to their posts, while Ma Zhaodi chatted with Joe for a few minutes.

"What Erlin said isn't true, is it?"

"You don't know if what he said is true or false, yet you dare to help me?"

“You’ve been in the city center for almost a year, and we’ve been eating here for so long. I, an old policeman, know what kind of person you are and whether you’re trustworthy.”

Ma Zhaodi smiled; he really liked his friends in Central City.

"Whether it's true or not, you can ask Barry."

"Huh? What, is he involved too?"

"You'll know when you ask. There are too many people here, so I can't say directly. By the way, can I sell all the spicy strips first?" he asked. "I'll sell them right in front of the police station. The kids will come to pick them up soon. I promised to save some for them yesterday."

"You're alone?" Joe glanced outside; Ma Zhaodi's food cart was less than ten meters from the police station entrance. "Be careful, don't let Erlin catch you coming back—or should we have Jimmy come with you?"

"Forget it, you all have things to do, why are you wasting your time with me?"

Singh then went straight to Joe's desk.

“Joe, come to my office for a moment. We need to talk about General Erling—things might get complicated.” “Sure, no problem.”

Joe followed Singh away, and before leaving, he turned back and gave Ma Zhaodi a "watch out" look.

Ma Zhaodi gave a thumbs up.

He had just set up his food cart when two people came to his stall.

They're old acquaintances, the Dentons.

How was your day?

"Today was pretty exciting—what brings you guys here?"

Before Denton could finish speaking, the straightforward Elizabeth couldn't help but ask, "Old Ma? Are you alright? We saw online that you were being held at gunpoint by some old bastard, and the news said you almost died."

Elizabeth is not usually a person who swears, but this time the news actually made her swear.

"We wouldn't dare to say such things." Ma Zhaodi looked around. "Although he is indeed an old scoundrel, he is petty and a general. You shouldn't mess with him."

"Hmph, does having power and influence make you so great?"

“Think about Steig,” Ma Zhaodi reminded him. “Having power and influence is truly remarkable.”

“Steig is finished,” Denton said calmly. “He’s just trying to fight back in his death throes—putting his situation aside, is there anything we can help you with?”

"Not at the moment, I can handle it."

"Don't force yourself," Elizabeth said worriedly. "That old bastard is a general."

"Just trust me, that's all. If I really need any help, I'll contact you."

"Can"

"Okay, we get it."

Denton gently patted Elizabeth's back, interrupting her. As a fellow intelligent man, he knew that Ma Zhaodi already knew what was going on, and that there was no point in asking any more questions.

He bought two packs of spicy snacks and left the police station with his wife.

The three-wheeled vehicle suddenly spoke into the earpiece: "Old Ma, Denton sent a text message to the mysterious man, saying that if the 'multiverse' needs to take action, we can talk to him anytime."

Ma Zhaodi chuckled: "A smart person can't be kept in the dark—by the way, did he give himself that nickname? His ability to self-correct the timeline is quite something."

While he was still pondering why Denton had guessed his identity, another guest arrived.

What are we selling today?

"Handmade Chinese spicy strips. A generous gift to thank you, how dare you even show up?!"

Ma Zhaodi stared at the man in the trench coat in front of him, who was none other than Snart, who had recently disappeared from the Star Labs' pursuit.

"This is right in front of the Central City Police Department, you really dare to show your face here?"

(End of this chapter)