A total of fifteen ghost messengers faced the City God, bowed, and said in unison.
Without uttering a single wasted word, the City God directly ordered, "Set aside all other patrols and concentrate all your efforts on patrolling Fuhe City. Any official found to be misbehaving, abusing their power, abusing their authority for personal gain, or engaging in corrupt practices, regardless of rank, shall be severely warned through their family members. For those whose crimes are serious, their family members shall be compelled to report them. Any ghost messengers with the authority to enter the dream realm shall be punished according to the regulations of the City God's Office!"
"We obey your command, sir!" the ghost messengers replied in unison, their voices loud and their manner imposing.
The City God nodded and instructed Su Peng and Wang Yonggan to stay, while the other thirteen ghost messengers withdrew first. Then, the City God gave Su Peng and Wang Yonggan some further instructions.
In real society.
At the entrance of Jinghui Logistics Company, two middle-aged men in suits ran out in a disheveled state.
Behind them walked slowly Chen Chaojiang, his figure as thin as a javelin, his face cold and his narrow eyes icy, devoid of any warmth or humanity.
Zhan Xiaohui, Cao Gangchuan, and Liu Bin then walked out and watched as the two men, who had been beaten and were limping but showed no signs of weakness, got into a van. They all sneered.
You dare to come to Jinghui Logistics Company to scare people and try to cheat them out of money? You're tired of living, aren't you?
Well, they all believed what Chen Chaojiang told them on behalf of Xu Zhengyang; Chen Chaojiang, on the other hand, didn't care whether these words were true or false. He would do whatever Xu Zhengyang asked him to do without hesitation. He had rushed back from the capital overnight last night.
Volume 4, City God Chapter 203: Psychological Game
There's a saying, isn't there?
Oh right. Might makes right.
Actions speak louder than words, and they clearly show people that you have a big, hard fist that you're not hiding in your pocket and that you're ready to pull it out and beat someone up at any time.
Just like what Xu Zhengyang said to the old man, "Actually, I have a rather fierce temper, and I'm very protective of my own." Xu Zhengyang is not a bad person, but he is definitely not a purely kind person. He has his own shrewdness, selfishness, considerations, face-saving, and soft-heartedness. However, he also definitely has violent moments.
The old man once believed that Xu Zhengyang would not do anything drastic, and he was never worried that Xu Zhengyang would do anything drastic because he was not qualified; at most, Xu Zhengyang was just a point or line existing between two forces to maintain balance. Like the Chu River and Han Border on a chessboard.
Even when Xu Zhengyang's behavior suddenly became more assertive, the old man still believed that he was merely speaking on behalf of the deity behind him, or that he was simply being possessed by the deity to communicate with people.
It's like a clash between nations. Small countries are always used as pawns, performing like monkeys following orders. While large countries may have various struggles in other areas, the most substantial confrontation, resorting to force, is unlikely to occur in today's world.
The old man had considered things very clearly. Since gods had appeared, there must be a legendary divine system and rules, the so-called heavenly laws and regulations. As one of the most influential figures in the human world, he was confident that within the divine system, no divine punishment would be allowed to be imposed on someone like him.
This has always been the case!
Moreover, the old man was confident that he had made outstanding contributions in his life, and that he had a clear conscience, a clear conscience before the people, and a clear conscience before—Heaven! That mysterious system existed.
The deity in question doesn't seem to be of high enough status. Based on the current investigation, strange things have only happened in a small area like Fuhe City across the country. Even in the capital, there have been a few special events, but those were all because of Xu Zhengyang.
This suggests that Xu Zhengyang and that deity seem to have some special and closely related relationship.
Controlling Xu Zhengyang is a form of coercion against that deity!
Xu Zhengyang is a human. He is an extremely loyal and righteous person, and dealing with him would be a very simple matter. Therefore, the old man believed that by having Xu Zhengyang contend with that deity, he would force that deity to compromise, at least... to do one thing: to behave as a god and not interfere in human life.
Because humans don't need gods, and are even more worried that if gods interfere in human affairs, it will cause various beliefs, which we simply call various gods, to manipulate humans into wars for their own benefit, just as recorded in history.
Ultimately, regardless of who benefits in the end, ordinary people are the victims.
In this respect, Xu Zhengyang admired the old man.
However, Xu Zhengyang is not only a god, but also a human being—an ordinary mortal with no special abilities beyond his divine duties and provincial connections. He has his own family, friends, and basic human emotions. Similarly, he possesses the inherent selfishness of humanity—protecting his own.
Therefore, when things deviate from his expected trajectory and may affect his relatives and friends, he has no choice but to take some measures to protect his own interests.
In particular, why not protect him when he has absolute power?
Of course, we know that Xu Zhengyang's own interests, including his personal connections, are also at stake.
However, the wise old man was already at the top and felt lonely. He couldn't understand that Xu Zhengyang, who had risen from the bottom of society, had different thoughts, perspectives, and ways of solving problems compared to those who had grown up in high society.
You could say he was short-sighted, or that he was reckless and impulsive!
But who would have thought that this is human nature!
In Xu Zhengyang's current opinion, it would be: "Stop spouting those lofty theories about great men. I don't have that kind of enlightenment, but I won't belittle myself either. I want you, me, and everyone else to be well, and for all the people in the world to be well. That's the ultimate goal. But until all of that is achieved, as long as our own people are doing well, I'm doing well! Anyone who makes things difficult for me can't be well!"
So the old man is really having a headache because of Xu Zhengyang's series of actions.
Was this young man the one who decided to do these things, or was it some deity who was enabling him to do them?
In recent days, the old man hadn't used any official channels, but had instead sent his trusted confidants to do certain things. Initially, everything went smoothly, but after Xu Zhengyang finished his two games and left, things suddenly changed: Xu Zhengyang suddenly attacked, injuring Qin Liangyu and Zhao Rong, two people who had gone to investigate; Chen Chaojiang and the people from Jinghui Logistics Company, undoubtedly acting on Xu Zhengyang's orders, also attacked and beat two more people.
These events occurred on the same day, and in less than half a month thereafter, a series of highly unusual events occurred in the government departments of Fuhe City and its districts and counties. More than 30 family members of government officials took the initiative to report that their relatives had accepted bribes and committed illegal and criminal acts, and more than a dozen officials also took the initiative to confess some of their own problems to their superiors.
From the Standing Committee members of the Municipal Party Committee to officials in various departments of the County Government.
This was a major upheaval in officialdom!
Following the case involving the head of the Futou Town Police Station last year, and the subsequent major drug trafficking case in Cixian County, Fuhe City has once again been thrown into turmoil!
The municipal party secretary, Yu Zhenbang, smashed the telephone in his office!
As the saying goes, "Water that is too clear has no fish." In officialdom, how many are truly clean and incorruptible? Leaving aside whether you've accepted bribes, who can guarantee they have no selfish motives and are solely dedicated to serving the people? But there's something we'll call an unspoken rule involved: everything has its limits.
For example, you can use your power to help your relatives and friends find a good job, or to make things easier and faster for them when they are doing something legitimate...
But you can't support them breaking the law and committing crimes, or even committing crimes themselves, right?
In any case, the recent turmoil has caused the Fuhe City Party Committee and government to show signs of panic, which is rare. Provincial leaders are furious. If this news spreads, what will become of the government's credibility and reputation among the people?
...
Xu Zhengyang's series of actions greatly surprised the old man!
The elderly man was caught off guard and didn't know what to do.
Thinking back to the two games that day, in the first game, Xu Zhengyang launched a fierce attack with no regard for the consequences after the opening move. Then, when there seemed to be a gap in his defense and a crisis, he immediately turned around and launched a counterattack. He did so without any worries or burdens, with the same confidence and momentum as when he attacked.
The game of chess represents a series of actions in reality.
The old man suddenly realized that he seemed to have chosen the wrong path from the beginning and had underestimated Xu Zhengyang.
It wasn't that Xu Zhengyang was particularly outstanding, unusual, or unconventional; rather, the old man had been in a high position for too long, had become too shrewd, and had forgotten the simplest principles of human nature.
In this world, not everyone is like those in high positions who have long-term plans, cunning minds, and complex considerations.
When these people deliberately create a mess to see who is more meticulous, wiser, and has a longer-term vision, while they are racking their brains and scheming, what can truly break through their wisdom and plans is precisely a knife that doesn't mince words or play games with them, but instead chooses to strike directly and ruthlessly!
Cut the Gordian knot! The goal is to be efficient and clear!
Just like when people are looking at a maze and racking their brains trying to figure out how to get out, it's better to just draw a straight line between the entrance and the exit!
This is breaking the rules, but Xu Zhengyang is not one of those people who follow those rules.
One day, the old man called Xu Zhengyang and said seemingly casually, "Won't you turn back until you hit a brick wall?"
Xu Zhengyang's reply was simple: "Grandpa, you probably still don't understand me. Others only turn back after hitting a wall, but me... I won't turn back even after hitting a wall. I'll choose to push the wall down!"
How arrogant! How domineering!
In the past, Xu Zhengyang wouldn't have said that, but who is he now? He is the City God of Fuhe City, the only deity in the world at present! He has the power to say that! He can tear down any high wall in his way!
Moreover, he has seen very clearly that it is not possible to achieve his goal through one party's forbearance and the other party's accommodation, nor by simply wishing to coexist peacefully and maintain a balance for survival.
The old man reminded him: "Zhengyang, you are still young and easily act impulsively. Have you ever thought that this will bring you disaster, and even your relatives and friends?"
Xu Zhengyang said, "I believe in the existence of the underworld, and I am confident that I will not enter the underworld after I die!"
"So what?"
"I was thinking of others, but I was harmed and my family was implicated. What do you think I should do?"
The old man sighed deeply and said, "Take care of yourself!"
Xu Zhengyang's tone softened slightly as he said earnestly, "Grandpa, I've said it before, I'm not a bad person!"
The old man was speechless; Xu Zhengyang was a madman.
Xu Zhengyang's words made it very clear: let's talk things out, each person takes responsibility for their actions, and never involve others, especially my family, in this; similarly, if you involve my relatives and friends, whom I care about, I will retaliate in kind.
Although what he said to the old man on the phone sounded a bit boastful and like he was just bluffing, Xu Zhengyang knew he wasn't gambling. He understood what the old man was thinking and what his taboos were! That's why he dared to say such things.
If we have to say that Xu Zhengyang was gambling, then he was 100% certain of winning.
From the old man's perspective, his bet was too big; Xu Zhengyang's bet was too small.
Would you dare bet that Xu Zhengyang, or the deity standing behind him, only has authority within the territory of a single city?
Volume 4, City God Chapter 204: After the Blizzard
Even Xu Zhengyang himself hadn't considered the magnitude of the shock his counterattack would cause if the outside world knew about it.
In this world, how many people would dare to threaten this old man so directly and actually do it?
The answer is no.
People with the strength to their level would not say such things, much less dare to do such things; and those who have not reached that level are not qualified to take any real action, you don't even have the chance to threaten the old man.
Well, if there is such a person, it could only be some incredibly powerful figure, known as "Brother Deng," who lives deep in the mountains of some country, leading a group of extremists who spend their days plotting to crash planes into buildings and using suicide bombers to go on rampages. That bearded guy is no ordinary person; he's practically a god. Fortunately, Brother Deng doesn't seem to have any deep-seated hatred for Lee or this country. He's only concerned with forging close ties with a certain superpower in the West. No one can be his leader; he's determined to make things difficult for them…
In reality, Harden's fame is absolutely no less than that of any head of state, and even surpasses that of countless historical figures.
So if what Xu Zhengyang did this time gets out, it will definitely cause a sensation, though it won't reach the same level of "prestige" as Deng Ge.
However, this matter is destined to be deliberately concealed and will not be exposed to the world.
The elderly man, in a helpless situation, thought of a rural proverb: "Those who have nothing to lose are not afraid of those who have something to lose."
But is Xu Zhengyang a barefoot person? The old man shook his head, no; but what is Xu Zhengyang, what level of person is he? The answer is no level.
The elderly cannot afford to gamble, nor dare to gamble.
He had the audacity to provoke a deity because, from their perspective, their thinking and decisions were not simple or reckless, disregarding consequences and other considerations. However, Xu Zhengyang was an ordinary person who, with the mindset of a commoner from the bottom of society, acted out some very genuine things, completely catching the old man off guard. This left him helpless and forced to back down.
In this situation, it is generally referred to as "disregarding their common sense" or, euphemistically, "contempt."
In reality... in a sense, it's fear.
For example:
In today's world, a superpower bullies a weaker nation, a bullying spree that has never ceased. But if this smaller nation were to be led by a young, naive, and impulsive youth lacking maturity and common sense, he would become a cynic, acting impulsively and recklessly, shouting, "Damn it, I can't take this anymore! Let's start a war! Let's fight to the death! Nuclear weapons! Biological weapons! Mutual destruction!"
That would give leaders of all countries a headache, a major headache, and something to be wary of.
Of course, the chances of this happening are almost zero.
Thinking of this, the old man couldn't help but smile bitterly and sigh. With Xu Zhengyang and a deity in the world, things were probably about to change.
Upon learning that the old man harbored such thoughts, Xu Zhengyang repeatedly cried out inwardly that he was wronged, thinking to himself, "Am I that naive? Am I that impulsive? Am I that irresponsible?"
As a patriotic young man with deep national sentiment, Xu Zhengyang could never bring himself to do something that would disregard national security and disrupt social stability. Doing so would only allow other countries to take advantage and laugh at him. The reason he did this was because he understood the old man's mentality and dared not confront him to the death. That's why he arrogantly did something that others saw as extremely arrogant, barbaric, reckless, and impulsive.
I don't care who it is!