Underworld: Starting with conquering countless lustful beauties

"So what connections did Sister Hong use?" Chen Feng asked.

Jiang Hong's lips curled into a cryptic smile: "People from the city..."

"Someone from the city?" Chen Feng was taken aback. "Sister Hong, you're really something."

"The thing people in officialdom fear most is taking responsibility," Jiang Hong said calmly. "Liu Bin's petty schemes are nothing compared to those who play politics."

Attorney Zhou listened from the side, secretly astonished. He had been a criminal defense lawyer for over twenty years; what kind of cases hadn't he seen? But a woman like Jiang Hong, who could leverage her connections in the municipal party committee office with just a few words, was truly rare.

"However, the municipal party committee can only help smooth things over and prevent them from escalating the case," Jiang Hong said, then changed the subject. "But to actually release them, we still need to go through the proper procedures. Attorney Zhou is already preparing the materials for bail."

"Bail requires a guarantor and a security deposit," Attorney Zhou continued. "Mr. Jiang has already agreed to be your guarantor, and the security deposit is ready. As long as they agree, it could be processed as early as tomorrow."

Chen Feng looked at Jiang Hong, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him.

This woman didn't stand idly by when he was in his most dangerous moment; instead, she used her most important connections to save him. He remembered this kindness.

"Thanks, Sister Hong."

"What are you thanking me for?" Jiang Hong stood up, straightened her collar, and said, "You're someone I have high hopes for. I invested in you, not so you could end up in jail."

She picked up her bag, turned to leave, but then suddenly remembered something: "Oh, right, be careful in there. That old bastard Liu Dapao is very cunning; he might even arrange for someone to trip you up."

"Don't worry." Chen Feng's lips curled into a cold smile. "You'll feel more comfortable inside than outside."

Looking at his carefree attitude, Jiang Hong couldn't help but shake her head and left the meeting room with Attorney Zhou.

Leaving the meeting room and returning to the musty-smelling cell, Shen Zhou was huddled in a corner like a frightened quail. Seeing Chen Feng return, his eyes lit up instantly, and he tried to get up but dared not move.

Chen Feng walked straight over and sat down next to him.

"How is it, Brother Chen...? Can we get out?" Shen Zhou asked cautiously.

"It'll be quick." Chen Feng closed his eyes and leaned against the wall. "After I get out, I'll think of another way for you."

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhou's hands trembled with excitement, but he wisely refrained from asking further questions and instead silently shielded Chen Feng from the storm. He knew that if the man in front of him had spoken, he must be confident.

……

Nancheng Branch, Deputy Director's Office.

The air inside seemed to freeze, and the ashtray was piled high with cigarette butts.

Liu Dapao was also under considerable pressure at this time, pacing anxiously back and forth in his office.

Just half an hour ago, he received a call from the deputy director of the municipal public security bureau in charge of public order. Although his tone wasn't harsh, the meaning behind his words was like a needle pricking him:

"Old Liu, some leaders from the municipal party committee have inquired about this. They say there's a problem with the sand and gravel supply in the southern district, apparently because your southern branch arrested the supplier? We follow principles when handling cases, but we also need to consider the overall situation. Don't get caught in the crossfire; who will be responsible if things go wrong?"

Although the phone call did not directly order the release of the people, the accusation of "sabotaging the construction of a key project" was something Liu Dapao could not accept.

"Damn it! That slut Jiang Hong!"

Liu Dapao slammed his cigarette butt out on the table. He had planned everything perfectly, but he hadn't expected Jiang Hong to be able to extend her reach into the municipal party committee office and use a key project as a shield.

The situation is awkward: releasing the person would be tantamount to admitting that they made a mistake in arresting him; not releasing him means the municipal party committee is watching closely, and the pressure is mounting.

A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes, like a gambler placing his final bet: "We can't let him go! If we do now, we'll be at a disadvantage! We must solidify Chen Feng's guilt before the city exerts further pressure!"

He glared at Zhang Qiang: "Go, don't let him sleep tonight! No matter what means you use, you must make him sign the confession and the transfer agreement! Once it's in black and white, it'll be an ironclad case! Even if the municipal party committee intervenes, we'll be in the right; we can say we're handling the case according to the law and cracking down on organized crime!"

"Yes, Director! I'll arrange 'special treatment' right away!" Zhang Qiang accepted the order, a bloodthirsty glint in his eyes.

Liu Dapao sat back down in his chair, panting heavily, thinking to himself: as long as I get a confession tonight, I can transfer him directly to the procuratorate for arrest tomorrow morning, creating a fait accompli, and even a god can't save Chen Feng.

However, what he didn't know was that a media storm, even more terrifying than administrative pressure, was brewing.

……

In the office building of the Donghai Daily, Hao Mei, with dark circles under her eyes, was sitting on the sofa in the editor-in-chief's office, holding a newly printed sample copy in her hand, her eyes bloodshot with excitement.

Just yesterday, she took her manuscript, "Midnight Bloodbath: Hundreds of Armed Men Attack Private Enterprise, Who Is Holding an Umbrella for the Rioters?", and stayed in the editor-in-chief's office all day.

The editor-in-chief, Lao Wang, was a seasoned veteran in his fifties. When he saw that the article involved the police, he broke out in a cold sweat and refused to publish it no matter what.

"Grandma! This is the police! We need to be careful about the political implications!" Old Wang earnestly advised.

"What are you afraid of?" Hao Mei propped her legs up on the coffee table, looking completely fearless. "I'll take responsibility if anything happens! Besides, the photos are crystal clear; the police are biased—that's an undeniable fact! You're a journalist; are you going to just stand by and watch these criminal forces run rampant?"

"But……"

"No buts!" Hao Mei immediately played her trump card. "If you don't publish it, I'll submit this article to the provincial newspaper! Then our newspaper won't be able to get credited, and if the higher-ups investigate, they'll say we knew about it but didn't report it, suppressing public opinion..."

This combination of soft and hard tactics, along with Hao Mei's father being the director of the Public Security Bureau (although Lao Wang dared not say it outright, he knew it in his heart), finally made Lao Wang grit his teeth and sign the document.

"I'll post it! Fine, my goodness! It'll be on the front page! If anything goes wrong, I won't be responsible!" Old Wang roared tragically.

……

The next morning.

Newspaper kiosks in the streets and alleys of Donghai City had just opened.

The Donghai Daily, still smelling of fresh ink, was placed in the most prominent position.

In this era before the internet was fully developed, newspapers were the absolute nuclear weapon of public opinion.

The eye-catching, bold headline instantly drew the attention of all passersby.

Late-Night Bloodbath: Hundreds of Armed Men Attack Private Business – Who's Providing Umbrellas for the Rioters?

The accompanying pictures are even more amazing: one is a close-up of Chen Feng covered in blood being pinned to the ground and handcuffed, his eyes stubborn and indignant; the other is of Mad Dog Qiang standing next to a police car in the distance, grinning and "friendly chatting" with an officer (although his face is blurred, familiar people can recognize him as Zhang Qiang at a glance).

The article is sharp and passionate, vividly depicting the tragic scene that took place at the Fenghua Building Materials Sand Yard that night. It also sharply questions: Why are hundreds of perpetrators at large while dozens of self-defense fighters are imprisoned? Who is behind this?

The entire city of Donghai was in an uproar.

The citizens discussed it extensively during their leisure time, and the newspaper began to circulate in the offices of various government agencies.

……