Chapter 10: Drinking is also not allowed

  Peng Fei led his men to the front of a small farmhouse, where Dongzi and his brother were waiting. Dongzi pointed at the door and said: "Captain Peng, it's this house. You all go ahead, I won't go in."

  "Alright, you can go now. Come to the team tomorrow to collect your prize money."

  The reward is a rule set by the local branch itself. In recent years, gambling has become prevalent, and in order to maintain social stability, the branch stipulates that anyone who reports it will be rewarded, with the amount of the reward being 5% of the confiscated gambling funds.

  Although the bonus ratio is not high, the amount will not be small, especially when reporting a large gambling case, the informant will inevitably receive a small reward.

  The rules are well-defined, and the authorities also promised to keep the whistleblower's identity confidential. However, there are very few people who dare to report such things. Everyone in society knows that doing so will lead to loss of face, and it's not worth it just for a little money, as one would become ostracized in the town.

  Peng Fei finished speaking and led the people to push open the gate into the courtyard. As he walked, he arranged for people to surround the doors and windows of the house, not letting any of them escape.

  When Peng Fei arrived at the door, he felt that something was off. The sounds coming from inside the house sounded like people drinking, not like they were in a meeting.

  Peng Fei has been very arrogant in recent years, the bureau attaches great importance to him, and he became the captain of the criminal police team before the age of thirty. The local thugs are even more afraid of him, and they all call him Captain behind his back.

  Although the voice didn't sound right, Peng Fei didn't think much of it. Since he had come, he might as well go in and take a look. Now, which of the town's rascals dared to mess with him? Even if they hadn't gone in to gamble, just going in to see who was inside would make them not dare fart.

  Peng Fei kicked open the door and walked in.

  The gamblers drinking in the house were startled by Peng Fei, who was wearing a police uniform. After seeing clearly who it was, they all became afraid. Someone whispered: "The detective has arrived, we're in trouble."

  Hei Zi just picked up his wine glass and turned around to look at Peng Fei who had just come in, but didn't say a word. He had just returned and didn't know what this policeman was here for.

  Yin Le's heart was filled with fear and he was also frightened stiff, knowing Peng Fei's ferocity. Even if the game hadn't started yet, Peng Fei could easily deal with them if he wanted to.

  Xiao Fei had long been prepared in his heart. Seeing Peng Fei come in, he jumped from the kang to the ground and said: "It's Captain Peng, is there something?"

  Peng Fei didn't know Zhu Xiaofei, he scanned the people in the room, most of whom he knew, except for gamblers and rascals, knowing that when they gathered together, nothing good would come of it.

  "What are you all doing here?" Peng Fei asked coldly.

  Xiao Fei's face was filled with smiles as he said: "Captain Peng, my friend has just been discharged from the army. It's been years since we brothers have seen each other, let's get together and have a drink."

  "Which one is your friend?" Peng Fei asked.

  Xiao Fei pointed at Heizi and said: "His name is Cheng Heizi. We are very good friends."

  Peng Fei, the head of Cheng Hezi, knew that it was he who had taken over the case of Ouyang Qiang being beaten three years ago. Later, he learned that Ouyang Qiang had led people to make trouble at school, and when he rushed to the school, he searched two daggers from Ouyang Qiang's two younger brothers. After returning, although Ouyang Qiang's father had found the branch bureau leaders to request a warrant for Cheng Hezi's arrest, they couldn't find him after searching the troops. Later, the branch bureau leaders reconsidered and withdrew the case, treating it as an ordinary fight.

  "Cheng Heizi, I know it was you who severely injured Ouyang Qiang three years ago." Peng Fei looked at Heizi coldly.

  "Hei Zi put down his wine cup and stood up, saying: 'Commander Peng, are you here to catch the murderer or is there another purpose?'"

  Peng Fei let out a cold snort and said, "Cheng Heizi, I'm here today on official business. As for past matters, unless the higher-ups give me an order, I won't pursue them."

  Hei Zi was very familiar with the case at that time. At that time, because Ouyang Qiang and others made trouble in school, after sending people to the troops to find someone but not finding him, the branch did not dare to expand the situation, so it was handled hastily. Therefore, Ouyang Qiang's father had also been at odds with the leader of the branch.

  Hei Zi nodded after hearing Peng Fei's words and said: "Since Captain Peng has official business, we brothers won't detain you."

  While Peng Fei and Heizi were talking, several of Peng Fei's subordinates had already rummaged through the boxes and found it.

  Hei Zi asked after Peng Fei finished speaking: "What are you all looking for?"

  A few people found nothing but two poker cards and some household items, looking very embarrassed.

  Peng Fei glared at a few people and said: "What nonsense are you spouting? Get out, all of you."

  Several police officers left with their tails between their legs. Peng Fei stared at Heizi and said, "Cheng Heizi, just because past matters have been let go doesn't mean there won't be any issues in the future. Don't make me find out you're involved in anything illegal. If I do, I won't show mercy again."

  Hei Zi smiled and said: "So it seems that Peng's team let me off last time, so thank you brother for now. How about we have a drink together?"

  Peng Fei didn't find out anything and was furious, saying: "I still have official business, I'll leave first."

  Peng Fei slammed the door shut with a loud bang and waved his hand at several subordinates waiting outside, saying: "Let's go."

  As soon as Peng Fei arrived on the street, he searched everywhere for Dongzi, but found nothing. He had run around in vain all night and was furious with nowhere to vent his anger.

  Peng Fei led his men out of the courtyard and onto the street, while Heizi and his family followed them to the entrance of the courtyard. They wanted to see if Peng Fei had left, and if so, they would continue playing.

  Standing in the yard, Heizi whispered: "Don't anyone speak, listen if they've left."

  Before long, Peng Fei's voice came from the street: "Dongzi, you little rascal, are you messing with me? You're making Laozi take a midnight stroll."

  "Manager Peng, they were indeed playing before you arrived. They were still playing when you hadn't come yet." The voice was very low and respectful, just like a grandson's.

  "Dongzi, don't play tricks on me, I still don't know what kind of thing you are, dare to play with me. Next time I catch you making a move, I'll make a big fuss and kill you." Peng Fei said viciously.

  The people in the courtyard heard clearly, and the faces of more than a dozen gamblers changed. Someone said: "Damn it, Dongzi this bastard betrayed us, tomorrow will be his turn."

  "Alright, I think we can't play anymore today. Let's go back and have a drink first."

  Everyone returned one after another, Heizi didn't leave, he and Da Kui stood in the yard quietly listening to the movements outside.

  Peng Fei was not going to let them go for nothing, so he scolded Dongzi and asked: "Dongzi, be honest with me, whose house has a gathering tonight? Can't let the brothers run in vain, right?"

  Dongzi really didn't want to say, he was very clear in his heart which family had a gambling den at night in the village, but he knew that if he said it out loud, someone would definitely be caught, and if they found out it was him who said it, he would be completely finished.

  "Peng team, you'd better go back, there's no way in the village." Dongzi pleaded.

  "Let me tell you something, are you going to speak or not? If you don't, I'll catch you today!" Peng Fei kicked Dongzi's foot and asked.

  Dongzi knew that Peng Fei was capable of doing anything, even if it meant getting himself arrested and locked up for a couple of days before releasing himself. He didn't dare to fart, let alone do anything else, because Peng Fei had too many handles on him, enough to put him behind bars.

  Under Peng Fei's coercion, Dongzi confessed everything. Peng Fei led his men to search three houses as they wished and arrested more than 20 people. The gambling funds were not much, but the fines were considerable. They finally left with satisfaction.