Chapter 116: Deputy Factory Director Li

Since he already knew where the money was, Chen Liang didn’t want to waste any time. The longer the night dragged on, the more chances for things to go wrong—if that happened, his legs would be in serious trouble.

Once the team was assembled, they hurried to the place Lei San’er had mentioned: an abandoned compound in the western part of the city known as the Great Barrier.

Dealing with a bunch of small-time thugs didn’t require elaborate plans. After confirming there were people inside, Chen Liang gave a signal, and his men surrounded the entire courtyard.

Without hesitation, Chen Liang led the charge, bursting through the door. “Don’t move! Hands up!”

The gang, who had been dreaming of the colorful life they’d lead once they got their hands on the money, were caught completely off guard. Before their dreams even ended, Chen Liang’s sudden arrival was like a divine force descending. They scattered in panic like mice seeing a cat.

The chaotic scene made Chen Liang frown deeply. Raising his rifle, he fired a warning shot into the air.

“Hands on your heads, get down on your knees! Anyone tries to run, and I’ll shoot them dead!” Seeing the smoking barrel of Chen Liang’s gun, the thugs had no choice but to obey, kneeling with their hands on their heads.

Only after the security department’s elite task force arrived to take control and handcuff all the thugs did Chen Liang finally relax.

Honestly, for the security unit’s mobile team to handle these small-time crooks was like using an anti-aircraft gun to kill mosquitoes—overkill and a waste of resources.

Walking up to the kneeling thugs, Chen Liang scanned them with a scrutinizing gaze. “Which one of you is Little Fox?”

“Reporting to the government… I—I am. What do you want from me?” One of the shifty-eyed ruffians trembled as he raised his hand and stammered out his confession.

“Heh! What do you think? Don’t you know what this is about? Speak up—where’s the money hidden?”

“Boss, I really don’t know what you’re talking about. How much do you need? My brothers and I can chip in!”

Chen Liang studied Little Fox closely. Though the fear was convincingly played, deep in his eyes Chen Liang detected a trace of greed.

Ah, this guy really is someone who values money over his own life! He had underestimated him.

Little Fox’s refusal to cooperate didn’t faze Chen Liang. With a sudden kick, he struck the thug squarely in the face, painting it red like a blooming peach blossom.

Without further ado, Chen Liang turned to the rest of the gang. “Little Fox is the mastermind. Whether he talks or not, the peanuts are his for sure. But you others are just accomplices. The government will judge your sentences based on how serious your crimes are.”

After a pause, allowing the thugs a moment to consider, he continued, “I’m giving you one chance. If you help me find the money, I’ll make you a tainted witness. When the government sentences you, I’ll submit written testimony to get you a lighter punishment. Only one chance—now make your choice.”

He fell silent, crossing his arms, calmly staring down the kneeling criminals.

After a while, one thug, unable to bear Chen Liang’s oppressive gaze, raised his hand. “Boss, I know Little Fox hid the money in the kitchen, but I don’t know exactly where.”

“Boss, see, isn’t this me ratting them out?”

“Magan, you traitorous dog! How dare you betray me…” Little Fox wailed from the ground in fury.

Unfortunately for him, Chen Liang stood right beside Little Fox and delivered another hard kick, this time forcing him to spit blood.

“Good, that counts. Now, what’s your name?”

“Thank you, boss. My name’s Magan—no, Ma Yong.”

Nodding to acknowledge, Chen Liang turned to a burly man behind him. “Brother Xing, take some men and search the kitchen.”

“Got it, Xiao Liang. Thanks in advance!”

Chen Liang deliberately let Brother Xing take credit. He knew he would claim the lion’s share of the success anyway, so it wouldn’t do to hog all the glory—after all, that would make enemies.

Besides, Brother Xing, Xing Lirong, was one of the trusted lieutenants of their senior uncle. Letting him have this modest but memorable achievement was like keeping the bounty in the family.

The kitchen in this abandoned compound was small, and there were only a few possible hiding spots. Xing Lirong and his men searched carefully several times before, under Chen Liang’s direction, they smashed open the stove and pulled out four large cloth sacks.

Chen Liang took them and opened one right away. It was stuffed full of large, crisp bills—so dazzling it almost blinded him. Sounds of swallowing echoed around.

“All right, Brother Xing, wrap it up!” Chen Liang never used money as a test of loyalty. People were the easiest to betray; the only reason they didn’t was that the price wasn’t right.

Without a supermarket backing him, even Chen Liang might have been tempted to steal this cash. Imagine how tempting it would be for others—no one could resist.

So Chen Liang, carrying four heavy sacks weighing nearly two hundred pounds, rode at the front. Behind him, other security officers escorted the prisoners, rifles at the ready, providing a deadly sense of security.

Damn it, the boasting of wealthy people in the future really was true—people could literally be crushed by money.

Both happy and burdened, Chen Liang finally returned to Red Star Steelworks, escorted by a dozen rifles.

Without pause, he ordered the Little Fox gang locked up in prison. Then he sent Xing Lirong to capture the accountant Zhang Zhiming before finally entering his senior uncle’s office with the heavy sacks.

It was as comfortable as coming home. Opening the door, Chen Liang saw a middle-aged man in a sleek black Zhongshan suit, hair slicked back and shining, laughing heartily with his senior uncle.

Seeing Chen Liang, the man stood up. “Director Lu, I won’t disturb you any longer. Let’s chat again when there’s time.”

Passing by the doorway, Chen Liang nodded in greeting. This was Deputy Director Li—the one who always won in the end. Although Chen Liang didn’t want to get involved in the factory’s internal struggles, Li was different.

In the special era to come, this man would be wildly influential, with immense power. If they clashed over something trivial like this, although Chen Liang wouldn’t fear him, it wouldn’t be worth the trouble.

Chen Liang wasn’t a fierce dog who had to fight everything and everyone to feel comfortable. With someone like Deputy Director Li—a hypocrite who could be neither friend nor foe—it was best to keep things cordial and distant.

“Water doesn’t meddle with water. You’re good, I’m good; everyone being good—that’s the real win.”