Chapter 1 The next day, in the evening

On the way to the Qingyi Bureau office, Zhang Ming sat in the business car, his face pale and his spirit listless. His right forearm was completely broken, a very serious injury. He had only been recuperating for a little over a week, and in principle, he should not have been discharged from the hospital so rashly. But Kang Dinghuang had urged him several times, insisting that he show his face to appease the people.

Inside the car, Zhang Ming had gauze wrapped around his left shoulder, supporting his right arm in front of his chest. He looked very miserable. People outside who didn't get along with Zhang Ming had given him a nickname: the number one one-armed chairman of Dragon City.

"Has everyone arrived?" Zhang Ming asked, supporting his forehead with his left hand.

"Except for the Zha Nan District branch and the Longkou District branch, everyone else is here," the secretary replied.

"Mm." Zhang Ming nodded slowly, saying nothing more.

At half past five in the evening, the car stopped in front of a large courtyard. Escorted by a dozen people, Zhang Ming quickly walked into the main building.

This courtyard was also an industry under the Dockworkers Association. Next to it was the current Qingyi Bureau office in Dragon City. Zhang Ming's choice to hold the meeting here was obviously for a deeper purpose.

About five minutes later.

Zhang Ming led his people into the conference room of the main building, where he saw sixty or seventy people already seated below the stage, discussing animatedly.

"Quiet, everyone, the chairman has arrived," the secretary called out.

The crowd below the stage immediately fell silent, looking up at the one-armed chairman as he took the stage from the side.

Zhang Ming walked alone to the podium and waved to everyone: "It's been a week. I heard rumors outside that I was dead?"

The branch chairmen, members of the Elder Council, and core members below the stage did not react to this dark joke, because they were all very nervous.

A lot had happened in Dragon City during this period, but many people below the association didn't know the specific reasons. They only knew that Dong Pengyu had been taken out by Lao Li's people, and the entire Dockworkers Association in Donggang District had been almost crippled. And in this situation, the Dockworkers Association's president had been shot and lost an arm.

These incidents left many people feeling uncertain, completely unaware of the attitude of those above and the current situation of the Dockworkers Association.

Zhang Ming leaned over and sat on the podium, turning his head to scan the venue. He asked with great energy, "I know that everyone has doubts and worries in their hearts. The doctor told me that I need to receive treatment and observation in the hospital recently and shouldn't be moving around. But I was afraid that if I didn't show my face, everyone below would panic. So today, I came at the risk of my life... Ask whatever questions you have."

As soon as he finished speaking, a small leader from Daonan District immediately stood up. "Chairman, I want to ask right now, is the city targeting us like this? What kind of solution can the association offer? Dong Pengyu was taken out just like that, and we're all very uncertain now. We don't dare to expand the branch's business, for fear of being caught with something...!"

Zhang Ming nodded slowly, pointing to the wall on the left side of the room. "Do you know what's next door?"

Everyone was silent.

"Let me tell you! Next door's courtyard is currently occupied by the staff of the Special Intelligence Department of the Seventh Security Bureau of the Da'an District!" Zhang Ming said in a heavy tone, "They came to Dragon City to thoroughly investigate corruption, gangs, cliques, and even those politicians who sell out the interests of the greater district!! This Special Intelligence Department is not a judicial department in the conventional sense. The authority given to them by the Da'an District Security Bureau is comparable to that of the Regulatory Commission! With such neighbors next door, what are you afraid of?"

As soon as he finished speaking, there was whispering in the venue.

"Since the establishment of the Dockworkers Association, we have always followed the policies of the greater district, supporting one greater district, but adhering to the principle of regional autonomy! And we have been diligently and lawfully contributing to the construction of Dragon City." Zhang Ming's words were subtle and full of positive energy. "But our influence, our unity, has touched the interests of some people, some crooked politicians, so we have been suppressed! But this difficulty is only temporary! You have also seen that relevant departments of the greater district have secretly entered Dragon City and launched operations! Wen Zhanbo, who was arrested a few days ago, is the best example! He disregarded the law and disobeyed military orders, so the higher-ups dealt with him as soon as they said they would, without leaving any room for maneuver!"

"That's right!"

"Yes, Lao Wen's incident was caused by the Qingyi Bureau."

"...!"

The people from each branch below were discussing, and their expressions had eased a lot.

Zhang Ming suddenly stood up, passionately raising his arms and shouting, "Don't panic at the slightest thing! Our Dockworkers Association has been established for decades, what storms haven't we seen? You must believe in the General Association's ability to handle emergency events! And don't be too afraid of those corrupt elements! Outsiders know that Wen Zhanbo and some people are wearing the same pants, but the former was arrested, and the latter didn't even dare to fart?!"

"Bang!"

While Zhang Ming was speaking, the door of the venue was suddenly pushed open, and Wei Xiangzuo walked in with a dozen people, a toothpick in his mouth, clapping and shouting, "Chairman, what eloquence! Your mouth is indeed harder than your arm!"

Hearing this, everyone turned to look at the entrance of the door.

Wei Xiangzuo led his people towards the podium, smiling as he asked, "Chairman Zhang!! I just want to ask, your own arm is broken, your top henchman Dong Pengyu has been arrested! The ledgers of Donggang District's smuggling have also been investigated! In this situation, how can you be so calm and boast like this?!"

"Wei Xiangzuo! What are you good for?! Everyone knows you're the other side's dog!"

"Yeah, what are you doing here?!"

"...!"

Dozens of people in the venue instantly stood up.

Wei Xiangzuo pointed at the few people in the front row and replied, "I just said a few words, and you're already trying to bite people for your Zhang daddy?! Am I wrong? Zhang Ming was recruited without even saying hello! He got the money and the status, what did you get?! Besides a pair of silver bracelets, what benefits did Dong Pengyu, who has the best relationship with him, get?!"

"Fuck you, Wei Xiangzuo!" Several of Zhang Ming's brothers had already walked over. "The internal affairs of the Dockworkers Association have nothing to do with you anymore, understand?"

Wei Xiangzuo ignored them, only putting his hands behind his back and shouting at the podium, "Wake up! Zhang Ming is working with the Qingyi Bureau, and they can get money, maybe even an official position! But what can you get? There's an old saying, 'When gods fight, mortals suffer'! When the higher-ups engage in infighting, our little fish and shrimp can't escape that calamity. Dong Pengyu is the best example! When you're arrested and thrown in jail, Zhang Ming will take all the benefits and retreat, finding a place to be a carefree lord. Tell me, who will be the one suffering in the end?"

"That makes sense!" An elder, hearing this, immediately stood up and asked, "Chairman, why didn't you tell everyone that you were cooperating with the higher-ups?"

"I think you're senile!" Zhang Ming stood up and roared, "He's sowing discord, can't you see that?!"

In the corridor, a dozen men blocked Wei Xiangzuo, the leader pointing at him and cursing, "You son of a bitch! If you don't get out, I'll beat you to death!"

Wei Xiangzuo looked at him with disdain, "You better not get physical with me! I know kung fu...!"