A Dish Best Served Cold (The Man In Rage)
Chapter 1820

On the main street of Yunzhou, a dozen motorcycles with hazard lights flashing fiercely surrounded Chu Wenfei's car as it made slow progress.

Curious bystanders gathered on both sides of the street.

Chu Wenfei was pleased with the attention he was receiving. His heart swelled with joy.

Isn't this what one strives for in life? The adoration of one's fellow men? To see the look in my parent's eyes when I return with triumph and riches makes slogging out there worth it, especially when somebody tells my parents what a good job they did in raising me.

Chu Wenfei leaned forward, impatience to arrive home spurred by the uplifting thought. "Driver, please drive faster."

A crowd comprising of government officials and distant relatives must have already gathered outside my parents' house. I will be met with cheers and applause when I get out of the vehicle!

As soon as the command left his lips, the car braked with sudden violence. Chu Wenfei nearly collided with the seat before him, rudely interrupting the fantasies of basking in his glorious arrival. "What happened?" he demanded.

The driver pointed to the road in front, indicating that the car ahead had stopped first.

Chu Wenfei wound down the window to address the person who was driving the car in front. "Why aren't we moving?"

"Apologies, Mr. Chu. It appears that the road ahead is sealed."

Chu Wenfei chuckled. "Lin Shi is so thoughtful to have sealed off the road in preparation for my arrival. Tell them that Lin Shi is expecting me, Chu Wenfei. They'll let us pass when they hear my name." Chu Wenfei's tone barely concealed his arrogance.

I'm becoming more and more fond of this newly-elected mayor. It's really kind of him to do all of this to welcome my arrival! It sends a strong message about my status and influence. However, the captain pulled an apologetic face. "It's no use, Mr. Chu. I did tell them that. They said they'd never heard your name."

Chu Wenfei's eyes widened. "There must be a misunderstanding! Why would you go through all the trouble to prepare for my arrival only to deny me passage? It sounds to me like your men need proper training."

The captain hastened to appease Chu Wenfei's growing anger. "Please remain calm, Mr. Chu. I'll make a call. As a guest of Lin Shi, nobody will dare restrict your access to anywhere in Yunzhou. I'm sure that there's a very simple explanation for this. Hang on, I'll be back with a clarification soon, and we'll be on our way."

Wang Hu smiled reassuringly before stepping away to speak to his superior.

To his confusion, Wang Hu had consulted all of his colleagues only to find out that nobody knew of the order to seal the main road. "That's strange. Who ordered them to do so, then? Maybe Lin Shi had ordered another department too?" Wang Hu's suspicion grew.

After pulling some strings, he got in touch with Lin Shi's secretary, whose answer was the same as the others he had heard.

"Lin Shi did not order for the main road to be blocked!"

Wang Hu was mystified by that answer.

He jerked his head up to study the men manning the roadblock. "Where did they come from?" he muttered. "Could they be bandits or kidnappers masquerading as government employees to abduct Mr. Chu?" Chu Wenfei emerged from his vehicle as Wang Hu was busy speculating. "What the hell is going on? Aren't you all operating under the same jurisdiction?"

Wang Hu shook his head. "I'd made some inquiries, Mr. Chu. Those men are not underthe employ of our provincial government."

"Who are they, then?" barked Chu Wenfei.

"I don't know, sir."

"What are you standing there for?" Chu Wenfei chastised. "Since you're sure that they're not sanctioned by your government, what right do they have to seal off the road? Shouldn't you be arresting them instead?"

His words jolted Wang Hu to his senses.

"You're right, Mr. Chu. Don't worry. We'll handle it."

There were only seven or eight men manning the blockade.

Wang Hu had more than a dozen men under his command. With the advantage of numbers and moral superiority, they proceeded without fear and stopped before the tape.

"Who are you?" Wang Hu questioned roughly when they were within earshot. "How dare you seal off the road without approval and disrupt traffic within the city! Get lost before we arrest you for disruption of social order!"

Undeterred by Wang Hu's threats, the men merely replied that they were simply carrying out orders.

"Preposterous!" Wang Hu snorted, incredulous at their cheek. "Whose orders? Even the mayor gave no such order. You've had your chance, men. Now we'll do it the hard way."

I've asked my superiors and even contacted the office of Lin Shi himself! How dare they stick by their bald-faced lie?

Feeling agitated, Wang Hu ordered them to be arrested.

"By my orders!" A sonorous voice sounded from behind just as Wang Hu's men were about to seize the others.

Wang Hu whipped around and saw Lu Tianhe and He Lanshan approach, flanked by thousands clad in military uniforms behind them.

"By my orders," repeated Lu Tianhe, "all roads from here to Mount Yunding Villa are to be sealed and placed under military control. Unrelated vehicles or personnel are strictly denied access!"

"Yes, sir!" the men chorused, and the collective voices of thousands rumbled across the skies like righteous thunder.

Fully equipped with battle gear, the soldiers marched into the city via its main road toward its heart, where Mount Yunding Villa lay.

The road stretching over several miles was manned at regular intervals.

It appeared that the entire city of Yunzhou was being placed under martial law.

"What's going on?" cried Wang Hu, flustered.

Chu Wenfei was equally dumbstruck.

Even the people of Yunzhou who witnessed the spectacle were no less thunderstruck.

Why is there an influx of armed soldiers? Are we being invaded?

"General Lu, what about them?" One of the officers pointed at Wang Hu and his men.

Lu Tianhe waved his hand dismissively. "Have them detained. How dare these lesser men to create a scene on the day of Mr. Chu's body returning home? Hold them for a day and let them go after the funeral. Immediately, a platoon came over and escorted Chu Wenfei, Wang Hu, and the rest of the group away.

"What did I do?" Chu Wenfei stammered. "Why am I being arrested? I just want to go home to pay my parents a visit. Is that illegal? I demand to see Lin Shi. As his honored guest, I demand the right to speak with him!"