Power and Wealth - C.1619

The situation suddenly changed, turning the tables in an instant. Just a moment ago, three arrogant drivers who blocked the road with a contemptuous attitude were now subjected to violent law enforcement by the city's traffic management bureau. They couldn't help but feel angry. These weren't their cars; they belonged to their department's leaders. If something happened to the cars, they couldn't explain it to their superiors. Moreover, having vehicles from the department responsible for the roads in the western part of the city towed away does not look good. It was embarrassing, just like when traffic police officers were issued tickets. It was truly disgusting and humiliating.

Driver Old Wang said, "Let go."

The law enforcement officer said coldly, "Move aside."

"Why do you have the right to tow our cars?" Driver Old Sun asked anxiously.

"You blocked the road for two hours. If we don't tow you, who will we tow?" The law enforcement officer didn't give them a good look, just like the drivers' attitude toward the residents earlier.

Seeing that the situation was irreversible, Old Wang immediately took out his phone and dialed the leader's number, regardless of whether the leader was in a meeting or not. Because it involved the leader's pride, this matter was not trivial. It had to be reported immediately, and the solution had to be discussed.

While they contacted their leader, over a dozen law enforcement officers continued to command the towing operation efficiently.

"Hook it up."

"Take it away."

"And this Audi."

"It's coming, almost there."

One by one, the Audis were towed out of the alley.

The tires of the cars with the handbrakes on made a harsh noise as they rubbed against the road surface.

Seeing the uncontrollable anger on the faces of the drivers and their frantic phone calls, the residents in the alley burst into laughter.

"They deserve it."

"Haha, great towing!"

"These kinds of people need to be dealt with like this."

"Let them be towed away and let them park illegally. Let them be arrogant."

"That's right, they blocked the road for so long and still think they're right. I've never seen such bastards."

"People from the transportation department can park illegally, too. See? There are still people to deal with you."

Everyone's pent-up anger was finally released, and they were all delighted. Some residents even applauded and cheered, mocking and ridiculing the three drivers incessantly, causing the drivers to blush with embarrassment.

Unable to bear it any longer, Driver Old Wang turned to the young traffic police officer who had been present earlier. "Old Chen, what are you still looking at? Stop them!"

The young traffic police officer hesitated. "Um..."

"Hurry up! Don't you know whose cars those are?" Old Wang shouted.

The young traffic police officer suddenly realized. Old Wang's superior was also his superior. They were all part of the same system. The traffic police couldn't just stand by and do nothing. Otherwise, if the leaders of their district's transportation department found out that they were at the scene but didn't say anything, it would be bad. Who knows if the leaders would blame them later? So, although they had reservations about the city's traffic management personnel, they understood that the owners of these Audi cars were their direct superiors. They naturally weighed their options and knew the most appropriate course of action.

The two traffic police officers exchanged glances and walked up to the leading law enforcement officer to communicate. "Comrade, there may be some misunderstanding."

The person looked at the two of them. "There's no misunderstanding."

The old traffic police officer said, "We're all part of the same system. Please give us some face. Otherwise, we won't be able to explain. Take a look."

Dong Xuebing was nearby and overheard their conversation. When he heard that the traffic police were pleading for the violators, he couldn't help but laugh in disbelief. He squinted at the two traffic police officers and said, "I wonder, you guys are wearing police uniforms, right? Several Audi cars blocked our road, affecting our lives and hindering our travel for more than two hours. And what did you do? After you arrived, not only did you turn a blind eye, you didn't issue fines, you didn't even leave tickets, and you didn't even look for the owners of the cars. Is this how you work? Now, you're even pleading for the lawbreakers and obstructing law enforcement officers. Are you still traffic police? I feel embarrassed for you."

The old traffic police officer became angry. "Law enforcement also has procedures. It's not necessary to tow the cars. Who said we turned a blind eye? We were dealing with it before."

Dong Xuebing said, "Ignoring the violations and even becoming accessories to them, this is your way of handling things? Well, I'm truly enlightened. You don't necessarily have to tow the cars, huh? That's a nice thing to say. Even in such a situation, you don't need to tow the cars. Then, how about I block the gate of your City West District Transportation Department for two hours with my car next time? I believe you definitely won't tow my car then, right? Is that what you mean? Well, that sounds good. Next time, I'll try it out, block your department and then block the entrance to your house. Let's see how you react."

The ordinary people also became agitated and started cursing again.

"Well said!"

"These people never intended to handle it from the beginning."

"Damn it, how did we encounter such a bunch of bastards?"

"Next time, let's block their gate too and let them talk nonsense."

The young traffic police officer and the old traffic police officer were also embarrassed, and their eyes widened.

The leading law enforcement officer from the city's traffic management department furrowed his brow, losing patience with the personnel from the City West District's transportation department. He felt these people might have become accustomed to acting recklessly, causing such a considerable disturbance. If, after the incident, the two traffic police officers could show some attitude, even if it was symbolically issuing fines to the Audi owners, even if they canceled the fines later, it would have been fine. At least it would have calmed the residents down, and the situation wouldn't have escalated like this. But they didn't. These two law enforcement officers still blatantly sided with the lawbreakers. They didn't even understand the saying that there will always be someone stronger, someone better. Look, they encountered a tough nut this time. He glanced at Dong Xuebing.

The towing continued.

The three Audis were towed to the side of the road outside the alley and stopped, probably waiting for the other law enforcement vehicles to arrive.

At this moment, the leading police officer from the City West District took out a cigarette, approached, and handed it to the leader of the law enforcement team. "Have one."

The law enforcement officer said, "I don't smoke."

The police officer put the cigarette away, smiled, and tried to smooth things. "Comrade, everyone's having a hard time. Isn't it easier to fine them and move on? Towing the cars is excessive, especially since they all have their handbrakes on. If we tow them back, the cars will be damaged, and it won't look good either."

The traffic police said, "That's right, it's unnecessary."

The police officer meant well and wanted to mediate between the two sides. It wasn't necessary to escalate the situation like this. On one side was the leadership of the City West District's transportation department, and on the other were personnel from the city's traffic management bureau. Both sides were not easy to deal with. It was best to resolve the matter peacefully. In his opinion, this matter wasn't a big deal. It would only make everyone lose face in the end, and it wasn't necessary. The law enforcement officer didn't respond.

Others may not know the situation inside, but can he not understand? It's impossible. In the eyes of others, perhaps this young man knows someone from the City Traffic Management Bureau, so he called them to intimidate them. However, he understands that things are not that simple. Because a top leader personally arranged this matter, and it was emphasized repeatedly. For a leader to have such an attitude, it isn't a personal matter. Otherwise, a leader wouldn't dispatch so many towing trucks in such a high-profile manner. A leader needs to be even more mindful of the impact. In other words, this matter was likely instructed from above. This "above" is at least a leader higher than their director who understands the situation. He naturally has an idea in his mind.

The words of that police officer made Dong Xuebing smile. He clapped his hands and turned to the leading police officer who had just commanded to arrest him, saying, "I remember someone said something just now. Oh yeah, it was you. You said that you are the public security, and traffic matters are not your responsibility. So, illegal parking has nothing to do with you. But after you arrived, not only did you not handle the situation, but you also came to question us, right? Hehe. Now, I want to ask, was your previous statement nonsense? The law enforcement officers from the City Traffic Management Bureau are enforcing the law. What does it have to do with you? How come you're getting involved? This situation is interesting. For innocent people, you act tough, but for the lawbreakers, you not only do you not question them but also speak up for them. You're considering the problem from the perspective of lawbreakers, so be considerate. I'm impressed. Our police comrades are indeed thoughtful, very considerate of lawbreakers."

The police officers felt highly annoyed by Dong Xuebing's words. His words were truly disgusting.

Sister Ci spat, "Not a single good person."

Auntie Zheng added, "When catching ordinary folks, you're faster than anyone to involve officials. You guys have more excuses than anyone else."

The leading law enforcement officer slowly approached Dong Xuebing and asked, "The cars have been towed away, so what do we do now?"

Upon hearing this, the ordinary people didn't say anything.

They had vented their anger through cursing, and their cars had been towed away, so the matter was considered resolved.

Although there was still some lingering anger, they knew this was probably its extent. Towing away a cadre's car exceeded everyone's expectations, which was quite satisfying.

The old neighbors were satisfied, but Dong Xuebing was not. This guy's temperament and way of doing things fundamentally differed from others.

Glare at me?

Shout at me?

Defending lawbreakers continuously?

In Dong Xuebing's eyes, the matter hadn't ended yet. He casually pointed at the remaining three law enforcement tow trucks, "There are still three cars left, right?"

The law enforcement officer was taken aback. "Yes, but the Audi has already..."

Dong Xuebing chuckled, "Since the tow trucks are already here, let's not return empty-handed. Besides, fuel prices aren't cheap now." He pointed at the two police cars and one traffic police car. "There are still three cars here. Let's tow them all away to make it even."

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned, and many almost fainted.