strokinit Chapter 57: Concealing one's merits and rewards!
Chapter 57: Concealing one's merits and rewards!
"Brother Zhou!"
Zhao Han and Chang Xuan had somehow joined in, their faces flushed with excitement.
Zhao Han lowered her voice and said mysteriously, "Have you heard? It's said that Captain Qin was able to solve this case because he secretly hired an amazing tracking expert!"
Based solely on Diao Laoqi's corpse and a few clues about his activities, they followed the trail and managed to uncover his hideout, which was as well-hidden as a groundhog's den! Truly amazing!
Chang Xuan nodded repeatedly, his face full of admiration:
"Yes, I don't know who this expert is, but his skills are amazing! He's many times better than the so-called veteran trackers that the bureau used to hire!"
The key is that they got the job done and then just left without even showing their face. Wow, that's truly the style of an ancient chivalrous knight.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Tong smiled and, following their lead, feigned a sigh, saying:
"Indeed impressive. Such a person must be a legendary figure in the martial arts world, of noble character, indifferent to fame and fortune, and acting solely out of righteousness."
"Having such a capable person assist us is truly our good fortune, and a calamity for those evil spirits."
Both of them nodded in agreement.
"That's right! I think it's precisely because it involves opium that such extraordinary people are willing to take action; they probably wouldn't even bother with ordinary cases."
"Yes, opium has caused endless harm. How can anyone with a sense of justice stand idly by?"
After chatting for a few more minutes, Zhou Tong turned and went into the office building, returning to his office.
In the office, everyone was discussing the newly solved opium case and the remarkable detective who had kept his achievements hidden.
Upon seeing Zhou Tong, whom he hadn't seen for several days, Chen Yan rushed over, first offering greetings, and then excitedly began to talk to him about the cracking of the opium case.
Others also gathered around, praising the tracking expert as if he were a miracle worker.
Zhou Tong chatted with them casually for a bit, asked about the team's recent situation, then made himself a cup of tea and sat down in a chair.
The morning sunlight streamed through the window, warming him and making him feel exceptionally comfortable.
About half an hour later, there was a knock on the door.
Qin Lie pushed open the door and entered, his face still bearing the lingering spirit of his youth. His gaze toward Zhou Tong had returned to its usual composure, but now held a deeper sense of closeness and admiration.
"Zhou Tong".
Qin Lie called out, his tone gentle: "Come out for a moment, I have something to tell you."
Zhou Tong got up and followed Qin Lie out of the office.
"Come on, let's find a teahouse to sit down and chat." Qin Lie looked at him, his tone relaxed.
"Okay," Zhou Tong readily agreed.
As I emerged from the police station, the sun was high in the sky, shining brightly on the bluestone streets, and a humid, post-rain heat rose up.
The two walked through two streets and alleys and arrived at a rather quiet teahouse.
The teahouse has a small storefront with a black lacquered plaque bearing the four green characters "Qingquan Teahouse" in vigorous calligraphy.
The storefront is an old-style wooden structure, the windows are covered with plain cotton paper, and two faded red lanterns hang under the eaves, swaying gently in the wind.
Qin Lie was clearly a regular customer. As soon as the waiter saw him enter, he immediately greeted him with a smile: "Captain Qin, you've arrived! We've reserved a private room for you."
"Okay, same as always." Qin Lie nodded and led Zhou Tong straight upstairs.
The private rooms on the second floor facing the street offer a view of the locust treetops at the street corner and the occasional passerby when the carved wooden windows are opened.
The room was simply furnished with an eight-immortal table, four rosewood chairs, and a large celadon vase in the corner with a few half-open gardenias, emitting a delicate fragrance.
The waiter quickly brought up the copper kettle, deftly scalded the teaware, and brewed a pot of fine Biluochun tea.
Four more tea snacks were served: a dish of pine nut candy, a dish of cloud cake, a dish of spiced broad beans, and a dish of freshly fried peanuts, fried to a golden brown and sprinkled with fine salt.
Once the waiter had left and gently closed the door, the private room was filled only with the aroma of tea and the faint sounds of the marketplace coming from outside the window.
Qin Lie picked up his teacup, blew away the foam, and looked at Zhou Tong's face before slowly speaking:
"After you reported the situation yesterday, I did not involve you in the follow-up actions."
Just now at the station, you heard it yourself. I attributed the credit for tracking down the hideout to a elusive expert, without mentioning you once or giving you a single opportunity to shine.
He paused, gently placed the teacup back on the table with a soft "tap," and fixed his gaze on Zhou Tong's face, not missing a single subtle change:
"This approach is tantamount to taking all the credit for myself. What do you think about this?"
Zhou Tong was holding a peanut when he heard this. Without stopping, he put the peanut in his mouth, chewed it slowly a few times, and then looked up with a calm smile on his face.
"Captain Qin, let me put it more clearly—you're asking me if I feel like I've worked so hard, only to have it all go to waste, and if I feel resentful, right?"
Qin Lie was taken aback, then smiled, pointed at Zhou Tong with his finger, and said with a laugh, "You little rascal, you're quite the direct one."
Zhou Tong smiled, picked up the teacup in front of him, took a sip to moisten his throat, and then continued:
"To be honest, I didn't think of it that way at all."
Qin Lie raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Really?"
He asked himself honestly, if they were in a different place, and he had made such contributions when he was young and ambitious, but his superior had completely erased his name from the list, he would inevitably feel some resentment, or at least feel unwilling.
Zhou Tong nodded, his expression calm, and said frankly:
"I think Qin did this because he felt that my cultivation level was too low, my body was too weak to withstand too much hardship, and I couldn't bear too much attention."
By actively shielding me from those potentially malicious glances, you are protecting me from the wind and rain.
At this point, he put down his teacup, cupped his hands in a respectful bow to Qin Lie, and smiled sincerely:
"I understand Captain Qin's intention to protect me. Thank you."
Qin Lie stared at Zhou Tong for a full two or three breaths, then suddenly burst out laughing, pointed at him, shook his head, and sighed:
"As expected of you...you truly have a brilliant and insightful mind!"
His expression visibly relaxed, and he picked up the teapot, personally refilling Zhou Tong's teacup before explaining:
"You're right. This raid on the opium den, with the perpetrators caught red-handed, has certainly boosted the morale of our local faction and delivered a resounding slap in the face to the pro-foreign faction and those foreigners. But precisely because the commotion was quite significant, they will hold an even greater grudge against us."
His tone turned serious, carrying a hint of warning:
"Those pro-foreigners may follow the rules on the surface, but we must be wary of their underhanded tactics."
If they find out that you, a mere squad leader in the Body Refining Realm, uncovered all of this... well, they'll be determined to make a living.
Zhou Tong's expression also turned slightly serious, and he nodded in agreement.
Qin Lie picked up the teacup, drank it all in one gulp, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes:
"As the saying goes, it's not the thief you should fear, but the one who has his eye on you. Your cultivation is still shallow, and your foundation is not yet stable; it's not suitable for you to show off like this. As for me..."
He put down his teacup, tapping his fingers lightly on the table with a calm and confident air.
"I have reached the peak of Bone Forging, and ordinary methods cannot harm me. If you want to take my life, only a master of the Refining Realm can do it personally."
"A cultivator at the Refining Realm—in the entire Cangzhou City, that's a figure truly capable of holding sway over a region. How could they be easily commanded?"
Qin Lie snorted coldly and continued:
"Moreover, if someone of my status were to attack me and the matter were exposed, the expert in the Refining Realm who made the move would face relentless retaliation."
Given their status, they wouldn't risk everything for something like this. While the situation is becoming increasingly tense, it hasn't reached the point of a life-or-death struggle or a complete breakdown in relations.
Therefore, I can handle this high-profile, hated job.
He looked at Zhou Tong, his gaze turning serious:
"But if those sinister gazes fall upon you... they could easily sacrifice a Bone Forging Realm expert, or even several, to avenge this. That would be truly impossible to guard against."
Zhou Tong nodded with a smile.
He spoke nicely just now, but the real reason he wasn't worried at all about Qin Lie taking credit for his work was because of his third senior brother.
With the relationship with his three senior brothers, as long as Qin Lie wasn't confused, he would never do anything despicable like stealing credit or bullying others.
He would naturally try to think the best of things immediately.
"However, those were all obvious reasons."
At this moment, Qin Lie changed the subject, tapping his fingers twice on the table, making a soft, rhythmic sound:
"To others, I only told them that I found a skilled tracker to solve the case. But to you, my third senior brother... I told you the truth, in detail, without any embellishment."
He looked at Zhou Tong, a smile in his eyes:
"Director Wei was very pleased to learn that this was all thanks to your keen observation and resourcefulness in navigating the situation alone, which ultimately led to the location of the thieves' hideout."
The part of this case in Cangzhou is considered closed, but there are still some more extensive threads that Director Wei needs to personally sort out and sever.
He's been so busy these past few days that he specifically asked me to tell you something—"
Qin Lie paused for a moment, then said:
"You handled things beautifully, you were meticulous, and you remained calm. He'll remember that. He'll let you hone your skills, and if a suitable opportunity comes along, he'll help you seize it."
Zhou Tong's eyes suddenly lit up!
Having these words from my third senior brother is far more valuable than any monetary reward, empty fame, or fleeting profit!
This means that his abilities have truly come into the view of this senior brother who holds real power, and have gained his recognition!
He took a deep breath, suppressed his excitement, and solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute: "Thank you for conveying this message, Captain Qin. Zhou Tong will certainly live up to your expectations."
Seeing that he was delighted but remained composed and steady, Qin Lie was even more satisfied.
He chuckled, reached into his robes and pulled out a palm-sized, deep purple velvet brocade box, which he gently pushed in front of Zhou Tong.
"Here, open it and take a look."
Zhou Tong raised an eyebrow and opened the box as instructed.
A refreshing yet mellow ginseng aroma immediately filled the air, seemingly overpowering the fragrance of Biluochun tea in the private room.
Inside the box, on a red silk lining, lay a section of ginseng.
The ginseng body is about two fingers thick, with a robust main root, dense rhizome, and long, distinct fibrous roots. It has a lustrous yellowish-brown color, and the surface texture is clear and like seal script. This is the quality of wild ginseng from Changbai Mountain that has been around for a long time.
Judging by its size, it's about one-third the size of a whole arsenal.
"Wild ginseng from Changbai Mountain, aged 53 years."
Qin Lie's voice rang out from the side, tinged with laughter:
"You handled this case cleanly and efficiently, and this is the reward from above. I divided this ginseng into three parts, and this one is yours. Don't think it's too little."
Zhou Tong quickly closed the brocade box, picked it up with both hands, and looked earnest:
"Captain, you flatter me. I only provided some clues. The specific arrangements, troop deployment, and even the final assault and capture were all thanks to Captain Qin's strategic planning and the brothers' desperate efforts."
How could I not know the value of this gift? To receive such a generous gift is already an unexpected joy; I am more than grateful, how could I possibly complain that it is too little?
He meant it sincerely.
He was well aware of the police station's rules; such controlled drugs that could directly accelerate cultivation were traditionally a reward that martial artists in the Bone Forging Realm could only receive after making great contributions.
Even if someone in the Flesh Refining Realm makes great contributions, they will most likely only receive more money as a reward, or be promoted for their merits.
Even if Qin Lie didn't give him this old ginseng, no one could say a word against it.
In fact, Zhou Tong never expected to obtain controlled drugs when he cracked the case.
For him, solving this case wholeheartedly was related to some principles from his past life. He had to persevere to the end if he had the ability. If he could also gain the approval of his third senior brother, he would be very satisfied.
I never expected this unexpected surprise.
Qin Lie carefully observed Zhou Tong's expression and saw that his eyes were clear and his tone was sincere and genuine. His smile deepened and his last bit of concern disappeared.
Sometimes, giving favors can backfire and create enmity if done poorly.
Some people are insatiable. If you give them something, they will not appreciate it, but will feel that you have given too little, that it is what they deserve, and even think that you are stingy.
If Zhou Tong were that kind of person, my good intentions might only create resentment.
Fortunately, this kid is a sensible person.
"It's best that you think this way."
Qin Lie nodded and picked up the teapot to refill their water.
"In martial arts training, resources are certainly important, but mindset and vision are even more fundamental. Only by being patient, calm, free from greed and resentment can one go far on the path."
Zhou Tong quickly replied, "Thank you for your guidance, Captain Qin."
The two chatted for a while over tea and snacks about trivial matters in the bureau, the local situation, and some recent changes in Cangzhou City.
About half an hour later, Qin Lie glanced at the sky outside the window and put down his teacup.
"That's about it. You've been working so hard these past few days, so go home early today."
He smiled and pointed to the brocade box beside Zhou Tong:
"Seeing this, you must be itching to get your hands on it. This stuff has a pure medicinal effect and can save you a lot of hard work."
The current situation is volatile and unpredictable, and the confrontation will only become more intense. I hope you can break through the Bone Forging Realm soon.
By then, they will be better able to protect themselves and do more for us.
Zhou Tong nodded solemnly: "Your subordinate understands."
He stood up, bowed solemnly to Qin Lie, picked up the brocade box, and turned to go downstairs.
Stepping out of Qingquan Teahouse, the afternoon sun was just right, and the streets were bustling with people, noisy and full of life.
Zhou Tong touched the warm, smooth brocade box in his arms, and the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned up.
Those who can receive controlled drugs as a reward for their merits in the Flesh Training Realm are probably extremely rare in the entire police department.
This time, he not only truly entered the field of vision of his third senior brother Wei Changfeng through his own abilities, but also obtained real cultivation resources.
The joy in my heart made me feel comfortable all over.
Without delay, he went straight home.
Back at the Zhou residence, Zhou Tong chatted with his father, who was checking accounts in the front hall, for a while, and then went to the back hall to talk with his mother for a bit.
He hasn't talked about his case these past few days, only saying that he's been busy at the bureau and hasn't been home for a week. He wants to have a good talk with his parents so they won't worry.
After doing all that, it's time to get down to business.
He took the prepared medicinal powder, along with a bottle of yellow wine, and went directly to the backyard.
Take out the brocade box, and there lies the wild ginseng quietly, its reeds tightly packed and its roots winding.
"With this... I'll be close to the peak of body training."
Zhou Tong stared intently at the old ginseng.