Chapter Sixteen: The Twelve Black Tiger Guards

Early in the morning, the weather was gloomy, and a light rain was drizzling down.

“Be careful,” Tang Long said as he looked at Li Ergou. “Yuxia, Sister-in-law Li, Ermao, and Xiaoyue—make sure you all take good care of one another.”

“Don’t worry, Chief!” Li Ergou nodded emphatically.

Tang Long had already reminded him that this trip to the provincial capital was to accompany the village doctor, Qiu Yuxia, and that whatever she asked him to do, he should do without question.

“Did you remember the number?” Tang Long asked quietly.

Li Ergou nodded. “I’ve got it memorized.”

Tang Long smiled. “If anything comes up that you can’t handle, you or Doctor Yuxia can call that number. Don’t hesitate—he’ll find a way to resolve whatever it is.”

“I understand!”

Tang Long patted Li Ergou on the shoulder and walked over to Zhang Xiu’e and the others. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Zhang Xiu’e, but he didn’t want those from Yutou Village, once in the provincial capital and at a loss, to wander around in a panic like headless chickens, earning nothing but scorn.

“I’ve already contacted our people. I bought your train tickets online. Once you arrive at the station, you’ll need your ID cards to pick them up,” Zhang Xiu’e reminded them tirelessly, going over every detail, every step.

It was clear she genuinely cared for the villagers.

“All right, Yuxia has traveled before—she’s a college graduate, after all,” Tang Long teased with a smile as he approached.

Qiu Yuxia blushed, somewhat shy. She wasn’t good at dealing with people; otherwise, she wouldn’t have chosen to return to the village as a humble doctor. With her education and skills, she could easily have stayed in a major hospital elsewhere.

Zhang Xiu’e gave Tang Long a sideways glance, then turned to Lian Sheng. “Be careful on the road!”

Lian Sheng could drive, so he was the one to take them to the county to register the car. The money had already been transferred to the bank card—one million yuan, which Qiu Yuxia could access as she wished.

If you’re going to use someone, trust them. Both Zhang Xiu’e and Tang Long had complete faith in the village doctor’s character—they knew her well and weren’t afraid she might run off.

Only after watching the car disappear into the distance did Zhang Xiu’e finally look away.

“Let’s go. With this rain and overcast sky, it’s the perfect time to go over last night’s plans with the villagers.”

“Mm.” Zhang Xiu’e hesitated, wanting to say something to Tang Long, but in the end, she stayed silent.

Those who remained in the village had all signed the “Collective Agreement.”

Tang Long and Zhang Xiu’e each held fifteen percent of the shares, with the understanding that for the next ten years, both were required to stay in Yutou Village and lead everyone toward prosperity. If they left early, their shares would only be converted to cash.

Yutou Village Limited Liability Company had a registered capital of five million yuan, with Zhang Xiu’e as its legal representative.

For now, the company’s focus would be agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries, with details yet to be finalized. However, the development of Liangou Valley would be the first “key project” to launch.

If Qiangyuan Company could profit from Liangou Valley, why couldn’t the villagers of Yutou Village?

Who was willing to stay? This was the most direct question, and half of the able-bodied villagers were hesitant.

Zhang Xiu’e and Tang Long, along with the village committee and representatives, went door to door, persuading people.

“Stay, even if it’s just for a year—or half a year at the very least. Let’s give it a try. Maybe it’ll work out.”

“Making money right at home, coming back to a warm stove, a wife, and children—what could be better?”

“It’s hard now, but the future will be sweet.”

Zhang Xiu’e and Tang Long talked themselves hoarse. They could make no promises, only reason with the villagers and appeal to their emotions.

The effect was obvious—on the spot, over a hundred people agreed to stay and work with them.

“Why didn’t you tell the villagers that working for the village company means earning a wage as well as merit points?” Zhang Xiu’e asked Tang Long, surprised.

Tang Long smiled. “If they agree to stay even without that knowledge, they’re the ones who will become the backbone of the company. We’re not short of people who just want to add icing to the cake—we need those who will stick with us through thick and thin. Only then will we truly share prosperity and never forget one another.”

“There are always differences between people—close and distant, high and low. We’re ordinary folk; such things can’t be avoided, even here in the village.”

Zhang Xiu’e instantly understood, giving Tang Long an amused and curious glance. “You’re a real schemer!” she scolded with a laugh.

The plan hadn’t even taken shape yet, and already he was thinking of future glory? In her mind, every extra person who stayed meant more strength for the village. This wasn’t the time for tests of loyalty or drawing lines between close and distant.

“If you disagree, you can tell everyone—you’re the Party Secretary of Yutou Village. That’s your right!” Tang Long replied with a smile.

Zhang Xiu’e kicked him lightly and ignored him.

By noon, the rain had stopped, but the sky was still gloomy. The weather forecast predicted heavy to torrential rain that night, with extremely heavy rainfall in some areas.

A police car drove into Yutou Village.

Three officers emerged—two men and a woman. The leader was a burly, intimidating middle-aged man, while the other two were young.

“Captain Xing, shall we go straight to the person of interest, or start by going house to house and investigating?” The young policewoman glanced around the village, then turned to the burly man, lowering her voice.

“What’s there to investigate?” Xing Jun replied, his face stern.

The policewoman, Mu Xiaoxia, had just graduated from the police academy the previous year and had been assigned to the Taoyuan County Criminal Investigation Unit.

Xing Jun’s words left Mu Xiaoxia puzzled. Weren’t they here to investigate the case of Qiangyuan Company’s employee being assaulted by villagers from Yutou Village?

If they didn’t investigate, how would they know how the conflict started, or who had injured the employees?

It seemed this wasn’t Xing Jun’s first time here—he walked off purposefully in the right direction.

“Secretary Xiu’e, Chief Tang Long, there’s a police car in the village!” someone called.

Zhang Xiu’e and Tang Long exchanged glances. They were in the middle of a village meeting, but the children, all outside, had spotted the police car and quickly ran to alert the adults.

“Could they be here for the ten million?” Zhang Xiu’e asked Tang Long, frowning.

Tang Long shook his head, uncertain. “They’re here now—whatever it is, we’ll find out soon enough.”

It was all in black and white—the money was not being returned, and from now on, Liangou Valley would have nothing to do with Qiangyuan Company. Qiangyuan Company would have to vacate Liangou Valley and get out of Yutou Village’s jurisdiction.

Tang Long stood up from his bench and smiled. “Let’s go greet them.”

Zhang Xiu’e followed, and the two led the way outside.

“Tang Long?”

Xing Jun stopped in his tracks, looking at the young man approaching. For a moment, his stern, intimidating face broke into a smile—albeit a rather grim one, but genuine nonetheless.

“Tang Long!” Tang Long greeted him with a smile, extending his hand. “Old Brother, you are…?”

“Captain of the Criminal Investigation Unit—Xing Jun.”

As the two shook hands, a powerful grip traveled up Tang Long’s wrist. Still, Tang Long’s expression didn’t change; his hand was steady as steel.

He smiled. “I’ve heard of you, Captain Xing—former spearhead of the Black Tiger Regiment. I’ve long admired your reputation.”

Xing Jun paused, surprised. “It’s been almost ten years. Are there still people in the Black Tiger Regiment who remember me?”

“Nine years and two months,” Tang Long replied softly with a smile.

Xing Jun regarded Tang Long with a hint of amazement, then laughed. “Not bad. You’re my kind of man—straight to the point. So, are you going to introduce yourself too?”

After a brief hesitation, Tang Long quietly said, “Seven years ago, I was with the Black Tiger Regiment for three months—I dealt with twelve of the Black Tiger’s finest.”

Xing Jun’s face changed; he stared at Tang Long. “So you’re…”

Tang Long interrupted him with a smile. “That was before. The past is past—now, I’m just the village chief of Yutou Village.”

Xing Jun swallowed, a bit embarrassed as he let go of Tang Long’s hand. He knew full well that, had they met on the battlefield, he might have lost that hand.

The legendary Twelve Black Tiger Guards of the Black Tiger Regiment were said to have been personally taken down by an extraordinary king of soldiers.

Xing Jun believed that, had he not retired wounded, he might have been one of the twelve.

Yet here was that legendary figure, standing right before him.

What do men respect most?

Strength.

And what do soldiers respect most?

Deeds.

To defend the nation, to fight on the battlefield, to dye the enemy’s land with blood—these are the missions of every soldier, even those who have retired.

If called upon, they answer; if they answer, they fight; if they fight, they must win—never admitting defeat.

This is the spirit of the warriors of Huaxia.

With a snap, Xing Jun saluted.

The gesture was a bit rusty, but still crisp and clean, as if carved into his soul and never to be erased.

Tang Long’s eyes were deep and thoughtful. After more than ten seconds, he slowly returned the salute.

Behind him, Mu Xiaoxia was watching in astonishment. She couldn’t understand why the usually aloof Captain Xing, who barely bothered to greet the bureau chief, would show such respect to a young man he’d never met.

The mutual admiration between the two men seemed almost excessive to her.

Was it really necessary?

She simply couldn’t grasp the bond between comrades-in-arms.

“We’ll be seeing a lot of each other in the future—let’s not make a spectacle of ourselves today. Old Xing, please, come inside,” Tang Long said with a smile.

Xing Jun shook his head, chuckling wryly. “Don’t call me old brother—I can’t bear it. Just call me Old Xing.”

“All right, Old Xing,” Tang Long replied, smiling without the slightest formality.

He invited them inside.

“It’s a humble place—please, make yourselves comfortable,” Tang Long said, and after greeting everyone, fetched a few chipped bowls from the kitchen. Though they looked a bit dirty, with fine cracks along the surface, they were scrubbed clean.

He poured water for each of them.

Mu Xiaoxia frowned privately. She’d never drink from such bowls unless she was dying of thirst.

When Zhang Xiu’e first arrived, she too only drank from her own cup and refused to eat the village’s food.

Xing Jun didn’t mind, however. He took a sip and said, “Before I came, I was wondering who in Yutou Village could have kicked that bastard Zhang Kang half to death. It must have been you, right?”

Tang Long nodded. “You’re here about the Qiangyuan Company security guards being beaten?”

Xing Jun’s expression grew serious. “Yes. Qiangyuan Company has filed a report. Of the dozen or so security guards, Zhang Kang was the most seriously injured. The rest either had broken arms or legs. If Qiangyuan Company pushes for it, these are all considered serious injuries. This could be a big deal.”

Zhang Xiu’e interjected, “Didn’t the township say that Qiangyuan Company wouldn’t press charges?”

Xing Jun looked at her and shook his head. “Whatever the township told you, I don’t know. But as of now, Qiangyuan Company has reported the incident and is pursuing criminal charges.”

Mu Xiaoxia spoke up, “So, you’d better give us a detailed account of what happened that day.”

She wasn’t naive—she could tell that ever since they’d met the village chief, Captain Xing had been clearly biased. But even before coming, she’d heard that he wasn’t fond of Qiangyuan Company.

Zhang Xiu’e said coldly, “Qiangyuan Company has the nerve to press charges against us? If we hadn’t held back that day, we might have killed them.”

Mu Xiaoxia was taken aback. “What did Qiangyuan Company do in the village to provoke such outrage?”