Golden Scale [EN]: Chapter 28

Completely disregarding the fact that Yang Jing had initiated the attack, Hou Longtao and the others were forced to take full responsibility in exchange for the opportunity to negotiate privately with the Yang family. If the matter were to be resolved through normal legal channels, they could potentially face a three-year sentence in a juvenile detention center.

During the meeting with the parents of the four boys, Yang Jing’s father, Yang Lixin, incessantly quoted scriptures and bombarded them with countless legal terms, taking advantage of their lack of understanding of laws and regulations to indirectly intimidate them. The final agreement was that because Ge Zi’s strike had caused the most damage, his family would pay 4,000 yuan, while the other three families would each pay 2,000 yuan, totaling 10,000 yuan, as compensation for Yang Jing’s medical and recuperation expenses. The parents of the four boys stayed behind to discuss the administrative penalties for their sons with the school, while Yang Lixin left the Ideological Education Office with his subordinates. Hou Longtao and the other three were leaning against the wall in the hallway. “These are the kids who fought with your son. This is Yang Jing’s father,” a teacher said, pointing at them.

Yang Lixin stopped and pointed at them. “You little bastards, consider yourselves lucky this time. Be careful in the future.” He hadn’t really intended to prosecute these four children and didn’t even remember their names. “You’re still not convinced, are you?” he asked, noticing the resentment in one of the boy’s eyes. “No, sir,” Hou Longtao said, lowering his head submissively.

“You… you were one of the ones who hit my son back then, right?” Yang Lixin couldn’t be completely sure. Over the years, Hou Longtao had grown into an adult, and his appearance had changed significantly. “Director Yang, long time no see. What’s wrong? Still not promoted after nine years? That 10,000 yuan, your son spent it happily, didn’t he?” Hou Longtao recognized him at a glance, and the contempt and hatred in his tone were obvious.

Yang Lixin didn’t know how to answer that question. Yes, why was he still just a section chief after nine years? Not knowing how to curry favor with his superiors, only knowing how to squeeze money from the parties involved, was the root cause of his inability to get promoted and make a fortune. “Enough nonsense. Let’s talk about it.”

“Talk about what? I don’t even know why you brought me here. What do you want me to say?” Hou Longtao looked blank. “Don’t play dumb. Did you order someone to beat up my nephew, Zhang Yue?” “Do you have any evidence? If you do, arrest me. If not, don’t waste my time.”

“Heh heh,” Yang Lixin sneered. “You’re resisting me, huh? You and I both know whether you did it or not. You want to play, do you? Fine, I’ll play with you. Our police have the right to detain you for 48 hours. I won’t give you food or drink. Let’s see if you can take it. Although what I’m doing isn’t aboveboard, it’s completely in accordance with legal procedures, leaving you with a bitter taste you can’t complain about.”

“Hahaha, in accordance with legal procedures? Great, I want to see my lawyer.” “Denied. This is assisting in an investigation, not detention. You don’t have the right to see a lawyer.” “Okay, then let’s not talk about the lawyer. On what basis are you asking me to assist in the investigation?” “It is a citizen’s obligation to cooperate with the police.” “Are you representing the police now?” “Nonsense. If I were a bandit, I would have beaten you up already,” Yang Lixin roared fiercely.

“If you’re here to see me about your nephew’s matter, you’re not representing the police.

You’re from the Chaoyang Branch. Why are you meddling in a case in the Xicheng District? Do you have a letter of request from the Xicheng Branch asking you to assist in the investigation? What kind of section chief are you? Is that kind of criminal case within your jurisdiction? This case involves your nephew. Shouldn’t you recuse yourself?” Hou Longtao asked a series of questions in one breath.

“Don’t try to avoid the important points. I’m telling you, as long as I get your confession, everything else is not a problem. Any procedures can be supplemented later.” Although Yang Lixin knew that he had underestimated this kid, he wasn’t too worried. There was no reason for the police to be afraid of thieves.

“You think I’m an ignorant kid, don’t you? In law, a confession is no longer the most important evidence. A conviction cannot be based solely on a confession without evidence. A conviction can be based on sufficient evidence even without a confession. Back then, when you came to the school to arrest me, it was cross-regional law enforcement. But who told me I was ignorant at the time? I thought I would never have a chance to get justice in this lifetime. You don’t know how happy I was when I saw you just now.” Hou Longtao’s expression was very gloomy.

“What do you mean?” Yang Lixin still didn’t take the young man in front of him seriously. “You still want to retaliate against me? Are you kidding me?” “Kidding? Am I laughing?” Hou Longtao took out a tape recorder. “Our conversation is all here. This is your evidence of abuse of power and overstepping your authority. There’s also your threat to torture me, which should be considered coercion. I wonder what your director will think after hearing it. If the news media finds out, you’ll probably be in even more trouble.”

“Knowing you have a recording is good, but showing it to me only proves how stupid you are.” Yang Lixin waved his hand, and the two policemen behind Hou Longtao suddenly grabbed his arms and handcuffed him to the leg of the chair. “You think this tape can leave this room?” Yang Lixin tore the tape out and threw it into the ashtray, lighting it on fire. “Do you think I’ll be intimidated by a hooligan like you? You think too highly of the police. As long as I have your confession, it’s too easy to find someone to testify against you.”

Hou Longtao wasn’t flustered at all. The goal of making his opponent underestimate him had been basically achieved. “You want to use torture to extract a confession? But there are many people who know I was brought here. If anything happens to me, you won’t be able to escape responsibility.” “So what? Do you think they’ll dare to rush in and save you? I’ll ask you one more time, did you order someone to injure Zhang Yue?”

“Hmph, no matter how many times you ask me, it wasn’t me.” Hou Longtao raised his head, looking nonchalant. “Fine, you ignorant kid. Today, I’ll settle both my son’s and my nephew’s debts with you.” “Come on, electric baton, belt, fire tongs, use whatever you have. Let me see your methods.” His tone was full of provocation.

“Don’t think the police are fools. Would I leave external injuries on you, giving you evidence to sue me? I really don’t dare to look down on you now. You understand the law, hahaha. How could I use the methods for dealing with hooligans on you? You need special treatment. Come on, light a cigarette for our distinguished guest.” Yang Lixin was determined that even if this kid confessed, he would first beat him half to death to vent his anger.

The two policemen behind him each lit five cigarettes, and Yang Li-
xin came over and took the cigarettes. “Kid, have a smoke.” “You… you better not mess around.” A trace of fear flashed in Hou Longtao’s eyes. “Give him a hand.” One policeman immediately came up and locked his neck with his arm, forcing him to look up, while the other pinched his nose hard. Just as Hou Longtao couldn’t bear it anymore and opened his mouth to breathe, Yang Lixin pinched his cheeks and stuffed all ten cigarettes into his mouth. This was terrible for Hou Longtao. A large amount of smoke rushed straight into his trachea. “Cough cough cough…” He spat out the cigarettes and coughed violently, with snot and tears streaming down his face.

“Don’t waste them.” Yang Lixin picked up the cigarettes from the ground. “Let’s do it again.” This was repeated three or four times, and Hou Longtao’s eyes were already glazed over, saliva uncontrollably flowing from the corners of his mouth, swaying back and forth in the chair. “Ah… uncomfortable…” “Uncomfortable? Then be honest.” “…You motherfucker…”

“You bastard, light another ten.” “Boss, this kid’s face is turning green. A few more times and he’ll die of nicotine poisoning,” one policeman reminded Yang Lixin. “That’s for the best. He desperately smoked while accepting the investigation, and suddenly he was done for. Hmph, but I won’t let him off so easily. Let him sober up.”

One policeman helped Hou Longtao take off his shoes and socks and rolled up his trouser legs, while another policeman brought a basin of cold water and put his feet in it, then handcuffed his ankles to the chair. “Cold… cold…” Hou Longtao shivered from the cold. “This will help you enhance blood circulation.” Yang Lixin walked around him with an electric baton. Direct contact with the electric baton would leave obvious burn marks on the human body, but now with water as a conductor, there was no need to worry about leaving evidence. Yang Lixin turned on the electric baton, and electric sparks flashed on the head, and he suddenly plunged it into the basin of water, then immediately lifted it. This alone was enough for Hou Longtao to endure. “Ah!” He screamed, and both he and the chair were knocked backward, lying on the ground twitching…

Because Yue Ling had returned to her parents’ home, Ru Yun was alone in the room, re-examining the large investment projects she had approved this month. Suddenly, she received a call from Da Pang, saying that Hou Longtao had been arrested by the police from the Chaoyang Branch, and there was no clear reason.

Ru Yun was immediately anxious. The Guomao Building was located in Dabeiyao, Chaoyang District, and IIC was the largest tenant in Guomao. They usually had a lot of dealings with the Chaoyang Branch and had a good relationship. They had also donated twenty police vehicles to the Chaoyang Branch, and she had a good personal relationship with their Director Zeng. Now that a senior employee of the company had been arrested, no one had notified her in advance. Although there was no such provision in the law, it was basic courtesy and respect.

She made an appointment with the company’s legal counsel and met him in front of the Chaoyang Branch, and they came to the lobby together. Da Pang and the others hurriedly greeted them. “It’s been more than half an hour since he went in, and there’s no news at all.” Ru Yun walked to the information desk. “I’m Xu Ru Yun, the general manager of IIC. May I ask why my company’s manager, Hou Longtao, was arrested? This is my company’s legal counsel, Attorney Chang. I request to see him, and a lawyer must be present when he is interrogated.”

The female police officer in charge of reception recognized Xu Ru Yun and knew that she was an important figure, so she didn’t dare to neglect her. “I’ll check for you.” She looked through the records on the side and checked the computer again. “I’m sorry, there is no record of summoning or arresting Mr. Hou. Could he have been taken away by another branch?”

“Impossible,” Liu Nan interjected. “The five of us followed that police car here and saw him being taken upstairs with our own eyes.” “But there’s really no record,” the female police officer checked again. “Then can we go up and look for him?” Ru Yun already felt that something was wrong. “That’s not allowed. This is a judicial organ. How can we let you run around everywhere?” The female police officer certainly didn’t agree. “Is your Director Zeng here?” “He’s already off work and gone home.”

Ru Yun took out her cell phone. “Hello, is Director Zeng there? Director Zeng, I’m Xu Ru Yun from IIC. I’m sorry to bother you so late.” “Oh, Xu, it’s nothing. It’s not even nine o’clock yet. It’s not late at all. What’s the matter?” “Could you come to the bureau? My company’s manager, Hou Longtao, was brought here, but there’s no record of it. I suspect that someone under your command is illegally detaining him and using torture.”

“It’s that serious? Where are you now?” “I’m in your bureau.” “Okay, I’ll be right over.” After hanging up the phone, Director Zeng was furious. “These bastards, they’re just looking for trouble for me.” In fact, how could he not know what his subordinates were doing? He was angry that they had to cause trouble for those with status and position who would talk about this law and that law and loved to leak things to the media.

As soon as Lao Zeng [Old Zeng, a respectful nickname] entered the gate, he saw a group of people arguing. It turned out that Wu Da had seen a policeman who had taken Hou Longtao away and asked him about Hou Longtao’s situation. The policeman had been told by Yang Lixin to keep it a secret, so he didn’t know anything. “Don’t you leave.” “What? You want to attack the police? You’re brave enough.”

“Everyone shut up,” Lao Zeng walked over. “This is a government agency. What kind of decorum is this for you to be arguing here?” Everyone stopped talking. Ru Yun walked over. “Director Zeng, this comrade brought Manager Hou here. I have five people here who can prove it, but he doesn’t admit it. There must be something wrong.”

“Which department are you from?” Lao Zeng asked with a stern face. “From the Special Operations Section.” “Where are the people you brought?” “It was Director Yang’s order. I’m just running errands.” “What nonsense are you talking about? I’m asking where the person is.” “In interrogation room number three on the second floor. Director Yang is taking his statement.” When the director spoke, how could the police dare not answer truthfully.

“Why isn’t there a record of summoning him?” “This… this…” “Speak!” “I only know that it’s not a case from our district. Director Yang’s nephew was injured, and he suspected that the person named Hou ordered it, so…” “What evidence do you have?” Ru Yun wouldn’t let it go. Although she didn’t understand the police’s methods of extracting confessions, she knew that her lover would not have a good time in their hands.

“Xu, don’t worry. We’ll go up now. If they really have any acts of torture to extract a confession, I won’t condone or cover it up.” Lao Zeng knew that there must be acts of torture to extract a confession, and now he could only stabilize this difficult woman and try not to make things bigger. “Sister Xu, do you want me to have my dad find a dozen reporters to report on it?” Er Dezi added fuel to the fire on the side.

“We’ll talk about everything later. Let’s go find someone quickly.” Lao Zeng glared at Er Dezi, seeing that he was dressed plainly and really looked down on him, thinking, “You dead kid, dare to scare me with the media. I’ll deal with you when I have the chance.” A group of people rushed upstairs…

“I… I… I all…” After being electrocuted twice, Hou Longtao really couldn’t hold on anymore. Even if he could, he wouldn’t. The evidence he wanted was already complete enough. “I knew you were a coward. Record his statement.” Yang Lixin sat back behind the table in the posture of a victor. One policeman took out the file, and the other helped Hou Longtao up and sat him down, then put on his shoes and socks.

“Name.” “Hou… Hou Longtao.” “Age.” “Twenty-four.” “Occupation.” “Manager of the Investment Department of the American IIC Company’s Beijing… Beijing Branch.” Yang Lixin was shocked. “What do you do?” “IIC Investment Department Manager.” “Based on you, a hooligan?” “Heh heh heh, are you afraid?” Hou Longtao’s painful and weak face changed to a sinister expression. “Afraid… afraid of you? What am I afraid of? Hahaha.” The arrogant laughter couldn’t hide Yang Lixin’s nervousness. “I warned you a long time ago not to treat me like an ignorant kid, but you didn’t listen. I will sue your ass off.” “What the fuck?” Yang Lixin didn’t understand the last sentence, but he understood in his heart that this time there was trouble.

The other two policemen were also a little flustered. “Boss, what do we do?” Yang Lixin’s only way out now was to shut Hou Longtao up, shut him up forever, but he didn’t have the guts. He really regretted not investigating him clearly first. Just as he was hesitating, the iron door was suddenly opened from the outside with a key. “Yang Lixin, what are you doing?” Lao Zeng took the lead and walked in. “Longtao, how are you?” Ru Yun disregarded her status and rushed to Hou Longtao’s side. Seeing her lover handcuffed to the chair, she really felt sorry for him. “Quickly open it for him.”

“Can’t open it. He’s a suspect.” Now that things had come to this, Yang Lixin could only hold on. Fortunately, he hadn’t left any particularly obvious evidence, so he could muddle through. “Why isn’t there a lawyer present when you interrogate the suspect? Do you have the necessary documents to arrest him?” Attorney Chang came out. “He… he’s assisting in the investigation. He doesn’t have the right to find a lawyer, and he doesn’t need any documents.” “Since it’s assisting in the investigation, why did you handcuff him? Handcuffing him is taking coercive measures, and he has the right to hire a lawyer.”

“Who are you?” “I’m Chang Kun, the legal counsel of IIC Company. We reserve the right to take this matter to court.” Lao Zeng saw that it was getting worse and worse. “Yang Lixin, quickly open the handcuffs.” A policeman quickly carried out the director’s order. Ru Yun realized that Hou Longtao’s face was ashen and he didn’t have his usual suave spirit. “You… did you hit him? This matter isn’t over.”

“Did you use torture to extract a confession?” Lao Zeng’s position was neutral, and he first wanted to see how the situation was. “No, Director Zeng, you know me. I have always enforced the law impartially. How could I use torture to extract a confession? We can take him for a medical examination.” The other two policemen also echoed, “Yes, absolutely didn’t hit him.”

“There’s no need for a medical examination. Er Dezi, help me get that tape recorder.” Hou Longtao wanted to do it himself, but his legs were a little disobedient. “Fourth Brother, there’s no tape in here.” Er Dezi handed him the tape recorder. “Yes, the one I wanted him to find has already been destroyed by him.” Hou Longtao opened a hatch with a battery symbol, and inside was not a battery, but another tape. “This tape recorder is rechargeable and has no external battery. This tape has been recording all the time.”

Yang Lixin was immediately dumbfounded. The older the ginger, the spicier it is [an idiom meaning the more experienced, the wiser]. Lao Zeng quickly smoothed things over. “I think Mr. Hou doesn’t look too good. Xu, you should quickly send him to the hospital for a checkup. We’ll talk about everything after confirming that Mr. Hou’s body is fine, okay?” “Okay,” Ru Yun was really worried about her lover, so she helped Hou Longtao up and turned her head to look at Yang Lixin with hatred. “Attorney Chang, go back and prepare. File a lawsuit with the Chaoyang Court tomorrow.”

A group of people left for the parking lot. Hou Longtao walked to Lao Zeng and shook his hand. “Director Zeng, thank you for saving me today. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know what that bastard would have done to me.” “Okay, it’s what I should do.” Lao Zeng’s mind was not on talking to Hou Longtao at all. He was now trying to buy some time and was calculating how to minimize the loss. If ICC really sued the Chaoyang Branch, it would be difficult for him, the director, not to be implicated.

“Director Zeng, I’m not the kind of person who doesn’t know what’s good for me,” Hou Longtao lowered his voice. “Hmm?” “I won’t make it difficult for you. Tomorrow at twelve noon, the Tianlun Pavilion of the Tianlun Dynasty Hotel, I’ll be the host. Can you do me the honor of coming?” “Okay, I’ll definitely be there.” Lao Zeng weighed the words of the young man in front of him who revealed a trace of gloom in his eyes. “You just want to get rid of Yang Lixin?”

“We all know it, let’s talk more about it tomorrow at noon. Rest assured, I won’t go against the Party, I won’t go against the country, this is my creed. The Public Security Bureau represents the face, represents the country, right?” As he spoke, he stuffed the tape into Lao Zeng’s hand. “Yes, yes, yes, then we’ll see you tomorrow at noon.” Lao Zeng was sure that he would not sue the Chaoyang Branch, and he felt a lot easier in his heart. The most worry-free thing was dealing with people who knew the rules.

Ru Yun drove Hou Longtao’s Benz, and Hou Longtao sat in the passenger seat. Chang Kun walked to the car window. “Manager Hou, give me that tape so I can go back and prepare.” “No need, I don’t plan to sue them. Attorney Chang, thank you for running over so late.” “It’s okay, it’s my job.” Chang Kun drove away in his car. Da Pang and the others also went back to their respective homes to find their mothers.

“Let’s go to the hospital.” Ru Yun started the car. “What are we going to the hospital for? Going to your place for a sauna and massage will take care of everything.” “I’m not kidding you, look at how pale you are…” Suddenly, she saw that her lover’s face was already rosy. “I’m really fine, let’s go.” Hou Longtao didn’t know what was going on with himself, but he did feel much better. Maybe it was really because he had been taking medicine for a while and his physique had become much stronger.

“What did you say to Lao Zeng just now? Why did you give him the tape too?” “You saw it all? I really can’t hide anything from my Yunyun. There’s no need to make things difficult with the public security organs. Maybe he’ll be useful to us in the future.” “Then you gave them all the evidence. Aren’t you afraid they’ll cause you trouble again?” “Yunyun, you’re better than me in other aspects, but you don’t understand the police’s methods of doing things as well as I do. Don’t worry.”

“You’re saying it so easily, how can I not worry?” “Will this reassure you?” Hou Longtao pulled out a screwdriver from the multi-functional Swiss Army knife, disassembled the tape recorder’s casing, and then took out a tape from inside. “The six hundred dollar tape recorder was worth the money. The tape I gave Lao Zeng just now was to stabilize him first, so as not to push him to desperate measures. If he can cooperate with me, that would be the best, otherwise…” Ru Yun glanced at him and smiled slightly.

Lao Zeng returned to the office, and Yang Lixin was already waiting for him. “Director Zeng, I…” “No need to say anything. How did you do things? So careless? Everything will wait until I see him tomorrow, then you go home and wait for news.”

Watching Yang Lixin leave in despair, “This bastard, all he does all day is cause trouble. Keeping him around will cause trouble sooner or later. It’s better to take this opportunity to transfer him away.” Lao Zeng had made up his mind and began to draft the transfer order, so that he could give Hou Longtao an explanation tomorrow. From the conversation in the parking lot just now, he could already feel that the young man was not simple. After he went home and listened to the tape, he cursed Yang Lixin’s incompetence even more, but he didn’t hear from his words that he had a certain background…(Golden Carp is not a thing in the pond) [meaning someone is out of their depth or in the wrong place].