In the name of supernatural powers

Chapter 170 Qiankun Bag

October 7th.

Lu Zhao received a call from Liang Chengyun and learned that he had been reported.

It's obvious that it was the bald monk who reported it.

Strangely, these people never came to his door, which prevented Lu Zhao from using his Qiankun Bag to trap them.

That afternoon, Lu Zhao received an invitation from the Federation, an invitation to be a VIP on the anniversary of the Great Patriotic War, to be held on January 10, 3242, in Cangwu City, South China Sea.

January 10th is Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War, and there is a seven-day holiday every year.

Because the Nankaido region suffered the most casualties that year, the event was held there as a form of encouragement.

There were over a thousand distinguished guests, including not only military leaders, representatives from various regions, and social celebrities, but also mostly living combat heroes or family members of martyrs with outstanding achievements.

The special counter-terrorism detachment soldiers who survived carrying the explosives with Lu Zhao also received invitations.

Although the scale of the Fangshi outpost was small compared to the Tuen Mun battlefield, it was the most brutal and in line with the federal government's main theme.

Naturally, it should be used as a model for promotion.

Zhang Like walked into the office during his lunch break and saw the gold-embossed invitation. He said enviously, "The treatment you get for risking your life is really different. By the way, when will your first-class merit be awarded?"

Lu Zhao replied, "These past two days, I think. Yesterday, my superiors informed me that they were going to promote me to the rank of colonel."

"So fast?"

Zhang Like looked surprised and said, "You were promoted to captain in July, and now you've been promoted again in just three months. A first-class merit makes all the difference."

"I think it's more about protecting me."

Lu Zhao recounted the incident of being reported to Zhang Like.

"The border garrison was upgraded to the regimental level. Logically, at least a colonel should be able to serve as the commander. As soon as they reported me, I was transferred and a new commander was parachuted in."

Zhang Like, who had just relaxed, immediately tensed up. He complained, "I didn't feel a thing about all this swordplay. If I went up there, I'd probably be kicked away before I even had a chance to react."

If a report is made in advance, the actual organizational structure of the Production and Construction Corps remains at the battalion level, and the entire organizational structure is not upgraded to a regiment.

At worst, we can terminate the process ourselves, for example, by suppressing all the materials that were originally supposed to be submitted, and dragging it out until Lu Zhao is promoted to a rank officer.

Once the border garrison's upgrade process was completed, they immediately filed a report, which shows they were well-prepared.

Lu Zhao's superiors are no pushovers either; they probably anticipated this from the beginning, which is why they arranged for his exceptional promotion.

"So what are you planning to do with those monks next? They're holed up in the state and not under our jurisdiction."

Zhang Like couldn't help but recall the past, when they had just discovered the smuggling route and were also stumped by this problem.

Any action taken outside of one's authority or responsibility may be illegal.

Lu Zhao smiled and said, "A few days ago, I dreamed of an old immortal who enlightened me and taught me a wonderful technique called the Qiankun Bag. Once the border crossing opens, I will deal with them."

Goods entering through the treaty ports would be transported to the state area, and the border garrison, as the department responsible for the security of the treaty ports, could naturally foreseeably curb crime.

Even if the monks hide inside and don't move, Lu Zhao still has a way to use his great magic to suppress them across realms.

You think you can just run away after offending me?
Zhang Like asked with a puzzled look, "What exactly is it?"

Yesterday, an order was issued to strengthen the management of personnel at border crossings, but the people there are in the state area, not on the border or Ant Ridge.

"The secrets of the law should not be passed on to six ears; ask less, observe more, and learn more."

Lu Zhao shook his head, then asked, "Where is the project at now?"

Zhang Like replied, "The roadbed is finished, and we will start pouring cement tomorrow. It should be completed by the middle of next month at the latest."

Lu Zhao asked, "Can it be finished by the end of the month?"

Zhang Like shook his head and said, "I asked the construction team, and they said that the concrete needs to be left for at least 25 days after it is poured. It's definitely not going to be finished this month."

"If it starts raining again halfway through, it may take even longer."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhao had no choice but to call the city to report the project's delay.

It's impossible for everything to go smoothly.

-------------

On the other side, in Fangshibang District.

The purpose of Monk Jingxian's visit to Fangshi was simple: to gather dirt on his competitors for the Dragon-Subduing and Tiger-Taming Supernatural Powers in preparation for the future.

Buddhism has a unique advantage in this regard.

Sometimes, gathering evidence of wrongdoing is easier by starting with the state or local authorities than by working within the system. Any region where states or local authorities exist inevitably becomes a major dumping ground for stolen goods.

Previously, Lu Zhao relied on controlling the district and using the power of the investigation team to overthrow the entire defense team, forcing Zhao De to cut off his own arm.

Originally, Monk Jingxian did not intend to report it, because even if the report was successful, the most he would get was a transfer, which would hardly be able to further damage Lu Zhao, and would instead alert the enemy.

Besides, reporting it is somewhat overstepping boundaries.

They collect intelligence by handing it over to higher-ups, and as outsiders, constantly reporting and exposing officials is a bit too much.

But after gathering a lot of information, Jingxian was surprised to find that Lu Zhao seemed to have no blemishes.

There wasn't even the slightest hint of corruption or bribery.

Despite being the top official in charge of a border region, a position far removed from the central government's direct control, which is prone to corruption and inevitably involves cooperation with foreign entities, he himself has no blemishes or scandals.

Lu Zhao did indeed cooperate with overseas entities, but these were normal trade activities with official backing.

There is still a notice posted at the entrance of the municipal building announcing the opening of the port for trade.

It seems this person only has one flaw: "assuming a position beyond their authority." Therefore, he was forced to report them, at least he'd have some credit to show for it, and wouldn't leave empty-handed.

"Are you kidding me!"

Jingxian slammed his fist on the table and stood up, glaring at Atipeng, the head of the district, showing no demeanor befitting a monk.

"I gave you a million fucking dollars, and you investigated for five or six days, and you're telling me there's not a single piece of dirt on you?"

Atipeng said with a bitter face, "Master, I really can't find anything. Lu Zhao has only been in office for three or four months, so he probably hasn't had time to embezzle. Give me a few more months, and I'm sure I can find out."

"Give me three more months, and I'm sure I'll be able to find it."

"He got promoted and left in three months, give me my money back!"

Seeing the potential for profit about to be made, Atipeng had a sudden inspiration and said, "Ant Ridge has been under reconstruction for the past two months. How could they not embezzle the disaster relief funds? Master, you can go to the site and check."

"I have a few underlings here who come from Ant Ridge, they can show you the way."

Upon hearing this, Jingxian pondered for a moment and felt that he should indeed visit the other party's jurisdiction.

Is there any official in the world who is completely without blemishes?
Even if you only take office for three or four days, countless people will rush to deliver gifts to your door. Three or four months is enough to thoroughly clean up your jurisdiction.

That afternoon, Jingxian led two monks out of the city and headed towards Ant Ridge.

He simply refused to believe that Lu Zhao had absolutely no flaws.

The sudden appearance of three monks in Maijiu Town immediately attracted the attention of others. Since Lu Zhao had already given orders to report any suspicious individuals within his jurisdiction, the news quickly reached the camp.

Master Jingxian was unaware of this, and even if he had, he wouldn't have cared.

Could it be that Lu Zhao could come over and shoot him dead?

He found the largest restaurant in the area, a place where various departments inevitably try to extort money from him.

Jingxian first spoke with the shop owner under the pretense of asking for alms. After a while, the shop owner started complaining about the trivialities of daily life.

For example, if you want to run a shop peacefully, you have to deal with security, fire safety, sanitation, and so on. You might not make much money at the end of the year, as the little devils will eat it all up.

The monk Jingxian asked, "I heard that the commander of the border garrison seems to be quite good, and is fair and honest in his official duties."

At times like these, if Lu Zhao has any blemishes, the local people rarely can't help but curse him.

The boss gave a thumbs up and said, "That's not just fair and honest, he's practically Bao Zheng reincarnated! Whenever we farmers encounter any problems, we can go to Station Chief Lu for help."

“You might not believe it, but I’ve known for a long time that he’s not simple. More than ten years ago, his family brought me here for dinner, and we sat in that very spot.”

The moment Lu Zhao was mentioned, the boss would launch into a frenzy, boasting endlessly about his various exploits.

A child prodigy who was famous far and wide more than a decade ago, a top student who was admitted to the Imperial Academy, a family of three generations of martyrs, a four-year patrol of the mountains to kill monsters, a hero in flood relief and disaster relief...

In Ant Ridge, Lu Zhao enjoys a very high reputation. Many of his deeds are constantly being unearthed, passed around as gossip, and gradually exaggerated.

Upon hearing the boss say that Lu Zhao could write at the age of one, Jingxian knew that this trip would probably be fruitless again.

This person has been deified; how could you possibly find any flaws in him?

Just as he was about to leave, five military vehicles stopped outside, and dozens of fully armed border guards got out and surrounded the restaurant.

A handsome military officer walked towards him. Jingxian recognized the man at a glance, and an ominous premonition welled up in his heart.

Lu Zhao led his team into the restaurant and immediately identified the three monks inside. Their mental probing revealed that they were all second-tier extraordinary beings.

He said, "We have received a tip that we suspect you are engaged in illegal smuggling activities. Please come with us."

Jingxian murmured "Amitabha" in a low voice, then adopted the demeanor of a high monk and said, "Esteemed benefactor, this is our first time visiting Ant Ridge. How could we possibly be engaged in smuggling activities?"

Lu Zhao said, "Whether you've been involved in smuggling or not, come with us first."

“We are here to preach, and we have federally approved documents.”

Jingxian took out the document that Zhao De had stamped some time ago, which was also the reason he dared to come to Ant Ridge.

Lu Zhao took a look and flew into a rage, saying, "How dare you forge an official seal! Arrest him!"

Jingxian and the other two monks were dumbfounded.

Isn't he an honest official? How can he blatantly lie?

When the border guards stepped forward to detain Jingxian, Jingxian simply shrugged his shoulders slightly, which immediately caused the border guards to stumble back three steps.

This action caused all the border guards to immediately raise their guns and aim, the dark muzzles pointing at Jingxian.

To do it again would be a crime.

Lu Zhao arresting them is at most a violation of regulations, but if they dare to resist, or even kill, it is a crime.

With only second-tier strength, they couldn't possibly defeat dozens of fully armed soldiers.

Jingxian's face was so gloomy it could drip water. He regretted not taking the civil service exam and instead going to the Buddhist academy.

In the end, Jingxian and his two accompanying monks had no choice but to surrender.

Back at the camp, Zhang Like was stunned to see that Lu Zhao had indeed caught the man and to hear what had happened.

He asked, "Is this your magic method?"

Lu Zhao nodded seriously and said, "The Qiankun Bag, as the name suggests, can hold anything."

That evening, the monks who discovered Jingxian's disappearance immediately called the police and reported the matter to Zhao De.

Upon learning the news, Zhao De called to inquire about Lu Zhao, and sure enough, he had been captured and taken to the border garrison.

He ordered, "This is a violation of regulations. Release the person immediately."

(End of this chapter)