Chen Feng arrived at the People's Armed Forces Department, A Zhe's hometown, and found a large office with only one person inside, all other seats empty.
Chen Feng's first thought was that he was too early and they hadn't started work yet.
Glancing at the time again, Chen Feng felt dizzy.
It was already past ten in the morning, long past the start of work.
It seemed these people were habitually late and left early.
If this were in Mingshan City, he would definitely intervene.
Considering that his primary purpose was to help A Zhe with his documents, Chen Feng decided to avoid unnecessary trouble.
"Comrade, I'm here to handle some business," Chen Feng called out softly to the sole staff member.
To his surprise, the staff member completely ignored him.
Chen Feng looked closely and realized the staff member was playing a mobile game.
Chen Feng's anger flared.
The vast office was full of people who were late or left early, which was bad enough, but the only staff member present was playing games.
However, he restrained himself.
China was vast, and he was merely the Deputy Mayor of Mingshan City; he couldn't manage so many things.
It was more important to get A Zhe's documents processed.
So, Chen Feng entered the office from the doorway.
"Comrade, I'm here to handle some business."
Chen Feng spoke softly again.
The staff member glanced up at Chen Feng briefly, then immediately lowered his head to play his game.
He saw that this person coming to handle business was a young man, dressed ordinarily, clearly from the lower strata. There was no need to be overly attentive to such people.
"I'm busy, wait a moment," the staff member replied nonchalantly, his hands still occupied with the game.
Chen Feng suppressed his temper.
It was the same reason: he was just the Deputy Mayor of Mingshan City, with a little influence there, but in the broader political landscape of China, he was nothing. He couldn't possibly rectify all the corrupt practices in the entire system.
Therefore, Chen Feng waited patiently on the side.
He waited for half an hour.
When Chen Feng saw that the staff member's game had finished a round, he quickly spoke softly again.
"Comrade, can you handle my business now?"
"Are you annoying? I told you to wait. I don't know why you're in such a hurry."
Having lost the game, the staff member was in a bad mood and directly yelled at Chen Feng.
At this point, Chen Feng could no longer tolerate it.
He was here to process a martyr's certificate for A Zhe, a very solemn matter.
Yet, this staff member was treating it so casually, preferring to play games rather than process his request.
There was no need to endure it further.
"I'm here to process a martyr's certificate. I have a permit from higher authorities…" Chen Feng said with a stern expression.
Unexpectedly, the staff member didn't listen to Chen Feng's explanation at all and instead stood up and pushed Chen Feng out of the room.
"What do I care? We're not working today." The staff member yelled impatiently.
"It's Tuesday, a workday. Why aren't you working?" Chen Feng retorted directly.
"If I say we're not working, we're not working. What's with all the nonsense? Don't you see I'm the only one in this large office? I can decide the working hours." The staff member said, continuing to push Chen Feng out.
Chen Feng was completely enraged. He reciprocated with a push, sending the staff member to the ground. There was no point reasoning with such a scumbag; he wouldn't listen anyway.
At the same time, he felt a sense of melancholy.
This staff member was a reflection of the Chinese political system.
Relying on being a state employee and having connections, he coasted through his job and treated ordinary citizens seeking services with contempt.
How could such a country become a global power?
It had to change!
"You damn bastard, are you tired of living? You actually assaulted a state official. Fine, you wait…" In a fit of rage, the staff member made a phone call.
Soon, security guards from downstairs entered the office.
"Quickly escort this ignorant fool to the police station. He's unbelievably audacious, daring to assault a state official in broad daylight. Tell Director Hu to handle this seriously." The staff member cursed furiously.
Chen Feng, observing the staff member's arrogant demeanor, decided not to resist. He wanted to see what kind of influence this staff member had by going to the police station. He was not only playing games during work hours but also refusing to process such a serious matter as a martyr's certificate for his brother.
As soon as the staff member gave the order, the two security guards, without a word, escorted Chen Feng to the police station.
The police station chief, seeing that this was a suspect whom Xiao Zhang from the People's Armed Forces Department had specifically requested, dared not delay and personally came out to interrogate Chen Feng. Xiao Zhang's father was the head of the Personnel Bureau, someone he couldn't afford to offend.
"Name, place of origin…" the chief questioned Chen Feng sternly.
"Are you interrogating a criminal?" Chen Feng asked with knitted brows.
"How curious. This is a police station, and you've been brought in. What else are you but a criminal?" the chief said with a smile.
"I advise you not to act like this, or your fate will be the same as that staff member surnamed Zhang," Chen Feng replied seriously.
"Kid, you're quite the actor. You're already in the station, and you're still acting tough. I advise you to confess honestly, and you might get a lighter sentence. Otherwise, believe it or not, for assaulting a state official, I can make you serve ten years." The chief threatened Chen Feng.
"You can interrogate me, but first, call the local garrison. If they agree to your interrogation, I will cooperate," Chen Feng replied word for word.
"Notify the local garrison? Hahaha, young man, do you think this is a novel? Are you the protagonist who can summon powerful figures with a single phone call? Judging by your age, you're at most a minor official. I don't fear someone of your rank at all." The chief said gloatingly.
Chen Feng wasted no more words and handed the permit from higher authorities to the chief.
Upon seeing it, the chief's arrogant attitude did a complete 180-degree turn.
This was because the permit bore an embossed seal.
Embossed seals were very difficult to forge, and no one dared to forge them.
"You… you… you're really here at the People's Armed Forces Department to get a martyr's certificate?" the chief asked, stammering.
"It's clearly written. Do you still doubt it?" Chen Feng replied coldly.
"Well… I was blind to your status. I apologize for offending you. Please don't be angry. I'll call Xiao Zhang right away and have him process it for you immediately." The chief said fearfully.
"No hurry," Chen Feng continued coldly.
"Then what is your intention?"
"I will have the martyr's certificate processed directly from higher up; there's no need to trouble Xiao Zhang. The problem is, Xiao Zhang made me very unhappy. You are the chief; you should handle this matter…"
"By rights, I should comply with your request without reservation. However, Xiao Zhang from the People's Armed Forces Department, his father is the head of the Personnel Bureau…" the chief explained with a look of difficulty.
"So that's how it is. No wonder Xiao Zhang is so arrogant; he has a powerful backer," Chen Feng sneered.
"How about this? I'll personally go and find Xiao Zhang and have him come to apologize to you. Considering Xiao Zhang's father, and your magnanimity, let this matter pass," the chief advised Chen Feng in a low voice.
"If it were a minor matter, I could overlook it. However, I came here to handle the solemn and serious matter of my brother's martyr's certificate, and Xiao Zhang acted with such arrogance. This matter cannot be overlooked. Arrest Xiao Zhang now, with a minimum sentence of five years…" Chen Feng said sternly.
"What? You want Xiao Zhang to be sentenced?" the chief asked, aghast.
"Shouldn't scum like Xiao Zhang be punished? Martyrs are people who contributed to the country. How can he treat martyrs with such disrespect? If such people are not punished, how can we do justice to the martyrs?" Chen Feng retorted with a killing intent in his eyes.