Chapter 154: Chapter 147: Zhang Teng’s Strength
After receiving the news, Zhang Teng laughed in rage. He was angry that the other side held him in such disregard, but found it amusing that it was just a few dozen special police officers. Even though they carried two heavy weapons, the idea of capturing the Zhang Family’s stronghold in a short time was nothing but a pipe dream.
Zhang Teng did not want to leave, but before leaving, he needed to find out who was trying to wipe out the Zhang Family. He also wanted to make the assailant pay some price. The Zhang Family could not be moved at will, not even by the Yanjing Hua Family, without shedding some skin.
Zhang Teng made two phone calls. One was to the county’s bus company, arranging for a seemingly accidental car crash on the road from the city exit to the Zhang Family’s direction to delay them for twenty minutes. The other was to Old Ghost from Jiangling Old Street, a big shot who controlled the Jiangling Underworld, but who had to bow before Zhang Teng.
Since the other party made the move and aimed to overthrow the Zhang Family’s rule in Jiangling, Zhang Teng naturally wouldn’t hold back. After making these two calls, he immediately instructed the Zhang Family’s bodyguards to enter the secret chamber.
As the local emperor of Jiangling, the power around Zhang Teng was not something the Old Ghost from Old Street could contend with. In the Zhang Family’s basement were more than thirty light weapons and four heavy ones, even a couple of rocket launchers and ten rockets. In Huaxia, where gun control is strictest, possessing such weaponry is startling; only in a place like the Zhang Family’s remote stronghold could have the resources and influence to own so many weapons.
The Zhang Family had more than forty bodyguards, all confidants of Zhang Teng. Some even got into prison for crimes and were bailed out by Zhang Teng. They were dedicated to him, and Zhang Teng treated them well, providing good food and drinks. If they needed money, they only had to submit a request stating the purpose.
In the hall, Zhang Teng summoned all his bodyguards. Standing on his left and right were his right-hand men, T-Rex and Scorpion—one a warrior, the other a strategist. T-Rex was tall and mighty with muscular build, while Scorpion, true to his name, was a vicious character. Both had committed numerous crimes and murders in the past, and when cornered, they sought refuge with the Zhang Family. Over the years, they helped Zhang Teng accomplish many tasks.
"We’ve lived comfortably these years. Many of you even have wives and children now, living leisurely. But now, someone wants to disrupt your tranquil lives. Are you willing?" Zhang Teng stood high in the hall, speaking calmly. He didn’t use many words or threats, just a simple statement.
"No, we absolutely refuse!"
"Whoever tries to disrupt my peaceful life, we will resist to the end!"
"When were we ever afraid? If not for Mr. Zhang, forget about marrying, we’d probably spend our lives in prison. We’ve practically died once already; even if we take risks now, there are no regrets!"
The enthusiastic support made Zhang Teng feel that nurturing these people over the years hadn’t been in vain. Especially since they routinely took turns going out with T-Rex or Scorpion to do tasks, obtaining such a group of Deadpool indeed felt worthwhile to Zhang Teng.
"Of course, I, Zhang Teng, also cannot ignore your current feelings. If any of you who have families want to leave, I, Zhang Teng, absolutely will not say a word against it. Here, fifty bank cards are prepared, each with three hundred thousand yuan. If anyone wants to leave, Zhang Teng will gift one card, without insistence!" Zhang Teng was full of joy but didn’t show it on his face.
"Whoever leaves at this time, their conscience is eaten by a dog!"
"Even if Mr. Zhang lets them go, we brothers won’t let him off!"
Amidst the clamor, some who were initially tempted hesitated, forced to embark on this rogue ship after hearing these words.
"Alright, I’ll ask once more. If anyone doesn’t want to stick together, you can leave now, and Zhang will definitely provide a bank card!" Zhang Teng looked at the over forty strong-willed warriors below, feeling waves of killing intent and momentum. Even facing the unruly guys from the Yanjing Bureau’s special police, they would be quite a headache, right?
Of course, Zhang Teng sincerely offered such terms because the ensuing battle would be intense. With this combat ability, as long as the other side didn’t use high-powered weapons like rocket launchers, capturing the Zhang Family’s mid-mountain position would be difficult.
The Zhang Family’s geography was advantageous, surrounded by mountains on three sides. In the center of the three mountains was raised terrain where the Zhang Family’s mansion was located. By holding the entrance, even with two hundred or more special police officers, breaking through was not guaranteed. Even if they did, it would come at a great cost. Zhang Teng did not believe the Yanjing Bureau would pay such a price.
None of the people below stood up to leave, and no one dared to. Everyone knew Zhang Teng was not easy to provoke. To leave now would be suicidal. In other words, even if Zhang Teng truly had a mind to let them go and they even got their thirty-thousand-yuan cards, where could they go? Everything they had now was given by the Zhang Family. If the Zhang Family fell, they would have nothing.
"Alright, since everyone trusts Mr. Zhang, T-Rex, Scorpion, take them to the basement, you have five minutes!" Zhang Teng looked at T-Rex and Scorpion and said. These two, being Zhang Teng’s right-hand men, naturally understood what it meant for Zhang Teng to have them lead these bodyguards to the basement. Were those weapons going to be taken out?
Thinking of this, both T-Rex and Scorpion became somewhat excited. They were absolutely people who had crawled out from piles of corpses, and the thought of the upcoming battle made their blood boil uncontrollably.
After these bodyguards passed through the hall in succession, Zhang Teng picked up the phone and called Chen Yongming. Once connected, he said, "Yong Ming, you must already know that SWAT officers stationed at the traffic police squad are heading this way. The guard there is weaker now. Go rescue your sister, then we’ll leave Jiangling together!"
"Hmm, I know what to do now!" At this moment, Chen Yongming had little hesitation. Yanjing dispatched such a formidable force to capture Zhang Teng, clearly intending to uproot the Zhang Family. If the Zhang Family was uprooted, at least forty percent of Jiangling County’s officials would fall, and at least seven members of the standing committee would be dismissed and investigated.
Since fate was already sealed, Chen Yongming acted straightforwardly. On his way back, he promptly contacted officials he worked with regularly to mobilize any forces he could.
The turmoil in Jiangling gradually spread to Yanjing after a few hours, and many already knew that the Jiangling upheaval was orchestrated on orders personally issued by Hua Muyun, with Deputy Director Lin Zhifang from the Yanjing Bureau acting as the vanguard.
Some officials close to the Chen Family started to feel nervous because, generally speaking, Jiangling was considered the Chen Family’s territory. Now, with Hua Muyun suddenly launching an operation against Jiangling, weren’t they afraid of the Chen Family’s retaliation?
After hearing these voices, Elder Chen simply responded with four words: "Reap what you sow!"
Elder Chen gradually learned about the actions of the Jiangling Zhang Family through various channels, and although Hua Muyun spoke very humbly over the phone earlier, Elder Chen felt a bit uncomfortable. But upon understanding why Hua Muyun targeted the Jiangling Zhang Family, Elder Chen could only lament their failure to live up to expectations.
Jiangling officials appealed to Yanjing for help, while the Yanjing-based Chen Family officials, upon hearing Elder Chen’s words, simply shut down their phones. Since Elder Chen had spoken so, even those who wanted to take action had to consider whether they had the clout to speak before Hua Muyun. It’s said that Secretary Hua smashed several cups upon hearing the news, showing the extent of his anger.
Xiao Lin, sitting in a police car with Wu Shuang and two team members, had a criminal police officer sent by Sun Chuanxuan in the passenger seat. This officer was quite familiar with the Zhang Family and was introducing the Zhang Family’s layout to Xiao Lin and Wu Shuang. The more Xiao Lin listened, the more alarmed he became. The geographical location was such that it could be used for offense or defense, occupying such a strategic position. It seemed that the Zhang Family in Jiangling knew well that this day would come sooner or later.
"Why did we suddenly stop? What’s going on?" Wu Shuang and Xiao Lin felt the vehicle stop and asked almost in unison. Then they looked out the front windshield, noticing the vehicles ahead had all stopped as well.
At this time, a SWAT officer jogged to Wu Shuang’s car and knocked on the window. Wu Shuang rolled down the window and asked, "What’s the situation ahead?"
"Report! There’s a traffic accident ahead. Three buses collided and blocked the intersection. We’re waiting for the traffic police now!" The SWAT officer saluted and said.
"A traffic accident? Blocking the intersection?" Wu Shuang was taken aback. This was too much of a coincidence, right? The road is still quite wide, enough for four cars to travel side by side.
"Let’s go and take a look!" Xiao Lin decisively said, feeling that this might be the Zhang Family’s doing. Jiangling was the Zhang Family’s turf, especially after listening to the criminal police officer in the passenger seat describe the Zhang Family, which was essentially a castle-like villa situated on a hillside surrounded by mountains on three sides. The geographical location was exceptionally good, with only one entrance.
Given Zhang Teng’s influence in Jiangling, who knew how much he had developed? It’s even possible that he possessed heavy weaponry.
Thinking of this possibility made Xiao Lin’s heart sink. He hadn’t imagined the Zhang Family was far more dangerous than he thought. In Xiao Lin’s estimation, the Zhang Family certainly had guns. But according to the criminal police officer’s description, building such a castle-like villa in such a place far exceeded his expectations of the Jiangling Zhang Family’s capabilities.
Soon, Xiao Lin and Wu Shuang arrived at the accident scene. However, now it’s already past eight, and each bus had only two or three people, all of whom had disembarked and gathered with the drivers around the buses. (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian () to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)