Surgery Godfather

Chapter 184: Chapter 0175 Punishment

Director Han arrived at the police station and was greeted by Officer Wang and Director Zhao.

“You’ll really have to persuade him. He’s as stubborn as a bull. He also wounded the other party seriously. They have already submitted and are willing to resolve the matter without detention. However, this deadlock can only result in both parties being held in custody.”

The case isn’t big – I would summarize it as a violation of public security regulations. However, the two cases are interrelated and involve many intricate details. Chief Feng of the police station has received several phone calls from both parties and naturally he does not dare to be ambiguous about the matter.

Now there are no alternative solutions – either they reach a compromise right here and all of them are let off, or we comply with the law and both are detained. Detaining only one party is impossible; unequal punishment for the same crime simply won’t fly. If it gets out, there will be serious consequences to pay.

Even if we try to smooth this over, whether they are willing to reconcile or not, let’s educate both of them and then let them go. The assaulting party would certainly be glad, but this kid won’t allow it.

Under such circumstances, if we release them without properly handling the matter, the kid, not having achieved his goal, might cause even more trouble later.

“I’ll go take a look!” Director Han headed into the police station, with Officer Wang leading the way.

Director Han and Director Zheng from the municipal bureau are close friends which Chief Feng and Officer Wang are aware of. Therefore, they do not dare to neglect him. When Director Zheng was injured while crackdown on drug trafficking, it was Director Han, the chief surgeon, who saved his life. Since then, the two have become like brothers.

Upon entering the police station’s office, Chief Feng and Dean Sun were discussing the situation. Seeing Director Han enter, they both stood up.

“Professor Han, sorry to trouble you. We’re stuck between a rock and a hard place – releasing him isn’t the answer, but neither is detaining him. Can you please persuade him? If he could just resolve the issue through a settlement,

wouldn’t it be better for everyone?” Chief Feng, who was on familiar terms with Director Han, said.

“Old Han, this kid’s defiant and impervious to reason, refusing to compromise. We absolutely cannot let this blow up; it would create a very bad impression and have a bad impact on the hospital’s reputation,” Dean Sun said in dismay.

Chief Feng and Officer Wang took Director Han into a room. Zhang Lin was sitting in a chair with a police officer by his side. He was surprisingly calm, his face showing no signs of anxiety or worry.

The kid seemed resolved and ready for the worst.

“Zhang Lin!” Director Han called.

Hearing Director Han’s voice, Zhang Lin immediately turned around, stood up, his face turning red, he lowered his head: “Director, why are you here?”

After a pause, he continued in a shameful tone: “I’m sorry, Director. I’ve let you down.”

“You impulsive kid—” Director Han stretched out his hand to pat his head.

“You’ve vented your anger and the person you beat up was hurt. Make him sincerely apologize to Li Shan and let it end there, okay?” Director Han softly suggested.

“If you really do get detained, you’ll have a criminal record for your entire life. Don’t act foolish.” Dean Sun chimed in.

“Administrative detention is a form of punishment, it won’t result in a criminal record, only a record of violation, it doesn’t count as a criminal record!” Zhang Lin defended his actions.

Director Han was stunned, this had indeed been a calculated move. He admires his stubbornness, especially seeing that the kid appeared to have thought through things very carefully.

“Professor Han, please have a seat,” Officer Wang offered a cup of water.

“Zhang Lin, if you get detained, it’s detrimental for both parties. If this matter can be settled, then we can protect you. If you get detained, the hospital will definitely have to take disciplinary action and firing you wouldn’t be excessive,” Dean Sun said sternly, trying a different approach.

“Let’s sit down and discuss this,” Director Han motioned.

Officer Wang filled a disposable cup with water and handed it to Zhang Lin.

Zhang Lin sat down, pondered for a moment, and said: “Director, I am prepared to be fired. A doctor, till this point, it doesn’t matter anymore. There are many things I could do in the world. I’ve come to terms, really. Each day, I earn a vegetable seller’s wage while my heart aches like a drug dealer’s. My wife was beaten up and I’m not allowed to retaliate. I can only watch from afar while he struts around. Others may swallow their pride, but I cannot do the same. I really can’t! Director, I’m sorry for disappointing you after so many years of guidance. I will repay that in the future! Regarding this matter, I won’t make the hospital feel uncomfortable. If the hospital wants to punish me, I will accept it! But I am steadfast in this matter, I won’t take a step back. Equal punishment for the same crime—if only I get detained and he goes free, I’ll take this matter up again once I’m out. If they just absentmindedly let us go, I will still continue to pursue it until the end!”

In the middle of his speech Zhang Lin’s eyes welled up with tears, and after a few sobs, Director Han handed him a tissue.

“Such a defiant brute, impervious to reason!” Dean Sun muttered under his breath, extending his hand as if to hit his head a few times, but he retracted it.

“What benefits do you gain from being so stubborn, just to vent your anger? Are you stupid? Sometimes, by taking a step back, the whole world opens up to you. Why would you push yourself into a dead-end? Don’t you believe we might just detain you?” Director Zhao stuttered, noticeably annoyed.

“Try detaining Me, see what happens! I refuse to believe that he can manipulate the system. If the law doesn’t work here, we can take it to the city. And if the city doesn’t work, we still have the province, and if the province doesn’t work, we still have the capital, right?” Zhang Lin retorted defiantly.

“Zhang Lin!” Officer Wang scolded, “What kind of talk is that? Are you suggesting that you don’t trust the law, do you not trust us?”

Zhang Lin’s tone softened a bit: “Officer Wang, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. I do trust all of you and I trust the law. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be so persistent. Anyone who commits assault must be punished. This applies to him and it applies to me too!”

“Zhang, you’re still young, and your thinking can get stuck in a rut. Look at the bigger picture. A compromise is the best way out to avoid mutual destruction. He hurt your girlfriend, and you hurt him. As young people, haven’t you both already vented your anger?” Chief Feng patiently advised. He needed to resolve this matter clearly; any ambiguity could lead to future troubles.

“Chief Feng, thank you all for patiently trying to convince me. You are all doing this to protect me, I know and I understand, but I’m already stuck in this dead-end and can’t get out. I only stick to one principle – anyone who commits assault must be punished by law, definitely!”

After listening to Zhang Lin’s words, Director Han understood that any further persuasion would be futile.

He gave up on persuading and said, “Zhang Lin, I’ll have Little Five bring you some clothes. Take care of yourself while you’re in there for a few days. We’ll pick you up when the time comes, your colleagues are waiting for you.”

Zhang Lin stood up and deeply bowed to Director Han, “Thank you, Director, for your understanding!”

He bowed again to Chief Feng, Officer Wang, Dean Sun and Director Zhao, “Thank you all, really, I deeply appreciate it!”

“Chief Feng, let’s stick to procedure. Detention, no need to persuade him any further. Detain both of them, there’s no room for reconciliation,” Director Han concluded, patting Zhang Lin on the shoulder.

“What?” Dean Sun was puzzled. He had called Director Han over to talk him down, but now they were on the same side after a few words.

If Director Han wasn’t persuading anymore, there was no need for anyone else to persuade. Everyone followed Officer Wang and Chief Feng out.

“My goodness! This situation will be troublesome if it escalates. Let’s try to mediate again, consider the bigger picture here,” Dean Sun was getting desperate.

Director Han chuckled, “Do you think you can persuade him? I couldn’t, you heard him, he doesn’t care about anything now.”

Chief Feng had no other options for now. He helplessly shook his head. Given the current situation, they needed to enforce the “Public Security Administration Punishments Act” and detain both individuals for five days. He understood Director Han’s implication, proceed with the detentions!

“Enforce the ‘Public Security Administration Punishments Act’, detain both of them for five days, send them to the district detention center tonight and complete the paperwork with the division bureau tomorrow.” Chief Feng made the punishment decision, it was clear-cut and able to stand any scrutiny.

Officer Wang acted upon the order and drafted administrative punishment decisions for the two individuals. The assailant’s family member saw the decision paper, his hands trembling slightly, unable to believe this was real.

“Right now, the other party is refusing to reconcile. If there’s no reconciliation, both of you will be detained. Should I inform the family members based on the number you’ve left?” Officer Wang said.

The assailant’s family member, still in a daze, took repeated looks at the decision without responding.

Five days of detention?

“Why does he also need to be detained? I’m willing to pay. He should name his price! Didn’t you receive any phone calls?” The assailant’s family member was surprised.

Officer Wang shook his head, “We didn’t receive any calls. Everyone is equals before the law. Our decision is not influenced by anyone. We act in accordance with legal provisions.”

“Can’t you just detain him alone?” The assailant’s family member cautiously proposed.

Officer Wang sneered, “You’re oversimplifying it, and the statement is naive. If there was a reconciliation, there wouldn’t be a need for detention. If there was no reconciliation, why would the punishments be different? Detain him alone? What an idea. What do you take the law for? How could you even say that? Sign it!”

“So, there’s no room for maneuver?” The hand of the assailant’s family member was trembling as he held the decision paper.

“No, there isn’t. Sign it, it’s pointless to delay. Let it be a lesson!” Officer Wang said, opening the ink pad and sliding it over.

“You’ll also need to imprint your fingerprint!” Officer Wang added.

The assailant’s family member, with trembling hands, picked up the pen. He, however, hesitated a few times before signing.

“Are you sure there’s no room for maneuver?” he insisted.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

“Absolutely none!” Officer Wang decisively replied.

Gritting his teeth, he finally signed and imprinted his shaky fingerprint.

The necessary calls were made, and there was no use in regretting now. Arrogance and impulsiveness are always punished, if not today, someday.

After this, Officer Wang went over to Zhang Lin.

“Would you also like to sign?” Officer Wang held out Zhang Lin’s administrative punishment decision.

Zhang Lin took a glance at it, picked up the pen, then stopped, as if wanting to say something.

“He has already signed. Everyone is equal before the law.” Officer Wang knew what he wanted to say.

Zhang Lin didn’t say anything more, swiftly signing his name, “Thank you! There should be a copy of his punishment decision, right? Will it be sent to the victim, Li Shan?”

“Yes, similarly, a copy of yours will be given to him, and his copy will be handed to Li Shan.” Officer Wang said.

“There will be a car to bring you to the district detention center later. Who should we notify about the situation? Director Han said we should notify him, do you agree?” Officer Wang asked.

Zhang Lin nodded, falling silent again.

Overnight, a few policemen took the two of them to the district detention center in a police car.