hotmtlnovel Chapter 6 Doing Favors, Liu Quan
Chapter 6 Doing Favors, Liu Quan
According to his predecessor's memories, Liu Quan was a third-level police officer with a monthly salary of 9 yuan.
Police officers are classified by rank as assistant police officer, third-level police officer, second-level police officer, first-level police officer, deputy patrol chief, and patrol chief.
In a patrol team, the patrol leader is the highest commander of the team, assisted by one or two deputy patrol leaders.
The lowest rank is assistant police officer, usually a new recruit.
Then, based on merits earned and experience gained, one's rank is gradually promoted.
Shen Lang was able to become a first-class patrol officer at such a young age because three generations of the Shen family had been patrol officers.
Back when the Mai Lan Police Station was still called the Old North Gate Police Station, his grandfather was already a senior patrol officer.
He then followed in his father's footsteps and, thanks to his father's connections, joined the force as a second-level police officer at the age of 18, earning a monthly salary of 12 yuan.
Although he was not very educated and his handwriting was terrible, he had been physically strong and good at fighting since he was a child, so his fighting skills were still amazing.
After several years of experience, he was successfully promoted to first-level patrol officer.
However, after the old man passed away a couple of years ago, those connections faded away.
This led to too much resentment within the police station, resulting in his dismissal three days later.
Liu Quan is also a newcomer who has been with the company for two years. Before that, he was involved in a gang.
Once, he was beaten up by a group of people because he had offended someone. Shen Lang happened to be there and saved him. He also used his status as a first-level police officer to speak up and settle the matter.
Therefore, Liu Quan was very grateful to him and treated him like an older brother. Later, under his influence, he also joined the police station.
Shen Lang narrowed his eyes, his mind racing.
He secretly thought to himself: as long as you have a pass, you can travel from the Chinese-controlled area to the French Concession. As long as you don't carry guns or other contraband, you usually won't be extorted.
A silk scarf that can be exchanged for 3 yuan in pawn shops will cost at least 10 yuan to buy.
That's equivalent to a month's salary for him!
Those who can afford such expensive silk scarves are certainly not ordinary people.
The fact that they were willing to be extorted by the patrolling police must mean they had a reason to flee the Chinese-controlled area immediately.
The reason the police could extort money from the officers would likely be that it was too late and passage was prohibited, so they would offer extra benefits to allow passage.
Or perhaps... after obtaining the information, Hata Yagi alerted others, which is why he escaped from the Chinese-controlled area under the Nationalist government in the middle of the night and came to the French Concession!
Shen Lang's eyes lit up; it seemed like everything was connected!
If it were someone else, they might not have been able to find this clue.
After all, the rule is that passage is prohibited after 10 o'clock, but privately, quite a few people will pay money to secretly let people pass.
Even some dancers would go to the Public Concession and Chinese-controlled areas for overnight stays if they received business from regular customers.
Or some bosses might bring women across the line.
So although guarding the outposts is exposed to wind and sun, the pay is still quite good.
If there are multiple women around at night, trying to find someone based solely on a name is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Without the intelligence provided by the system, this anomaly would not have been discovered so precisely.
"Whether there are dates or not, just take a shot or two, and you'll know!"
Shen Lang narrowed his eyes, thinking quickly, and made a decision in his mind.
Regardless of whether it is true or not, we should at least ask around.
Right now, I only have a few copper coins left in my pocket, and I can't even afford to eat. Wanting to have a braised pork dish has become a luxury!
A reward of 100 yuan is quite tempting.
Ding Ding Ding ~
Just then, a tram came along and stopped next to the platform.
Without further hesitation, Shen Lang used his black leather coat to push through the crowd and became the first to board the bus, tossing in a copper coin.
He had lost another copper coin.
However, unlike rickshaws which charged based on distance, trams allowed passengers to ride for as long as they didn't get off, all for a single copper coin.
Ding Ding Ding ~
Amidst a cacophony of ringing bells, the tram slowly began to move forward.
It must be said that although there are not many vehicles on the roads nowadays, and there are no traffic jams like in later generations, the speed of trams is really slow.
After driving for about half an hour, we finally arrived at the edge of the French Concession.
Shen Lang got out of the car, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and let out a long sigh.
In his previous life, he was a small business owner who drove a Maybach, and it had been a long time since he had ever taken public transportation.
My gaze swept around and I saw the sentry post standing a hundred meters away.
Several police officers carrying rifles stood guard around the area to prevent anyone from trying to break through the checkpoint.
Dozens of men and women dressed in various styles of clothing were queuing up in a long line to be checked.
Among these people were scholars dressed in long gowns, compradors in Western suits carrying briefcases, and fashionable women.
Many vendors carrying bamboo baskets, as well as strong, healthy, and poorly dressed laborers, entered the French Concession to work.
The two police officers looked serious and were conducting a thorough inspection.
It wasn't that they were particularly responsible; everyone knew perfectly well what kind of people the police in the foreign concessions were.
The reason for conducting such thorough and responsible inspections is to find contraband so that they can justifiably extort money from others.
As checkpoints for inspection, the money they hand over to the police station each month is also subject to KPI assessment.
Otherwise, where would the police station get the money to issue subsidies?
Shen Lang adjusted his belt, swayed his hips, and strode over.
Judging from his walking posture, he's clearly not a good person.
Coupled with his all-black outfit, he caused passersby to avoid him.
From afar, he raised his hand and called out, "Ah Quan~!"
Liu Quan was checking a woman in a cheongsam's pass when he heard a familiar voice and turned to look.
His eyes lit up immediately: "Brother Lang, what brings you here?"
Holding the pass in his hands, his face showed surprise, clearly indicating that he was taken aback.
Shen Lang smiled calmly and said, "Brothers, you've worked hard on duty. I'm here to reward you all!"
As they spoke, he took out a box of pastries and handed it out, then tore open a pack of cigarettes and distributed them around.
Although it's just a cheap old knife brand, it's still pretty good for a low-ranking police officer.
"Thanks, Brother Lang!"
"Thanks, Brother Lang!"
"..."
In an instant, the patrol officers on duty were enjoying a bite of pastry and a sip of cigarette, their faces beaming with delight, and even their attitude became enthusiastic.
Although Shen Lang's reputation in the police station wasn't great, he was still a first-level police officer, and his rank was what it was.
They even brought food and cigarettes, and everyone was naturally very respectful.
Liu Quan lit a cigarette and asked curiously, "Brother Lang, what brings you here?"
As a friend, I know the other person's character well. They are usually frugal and spend their money wisely.
When they run out of money at the end of the month, they shamelessly eat and drink for free everywhere.
Now they're actually giving everyone food and even leaving an extra pack of cigarettes. Are they trying to ruin their lives?
There must be something else going on.
"Phew~".
Shen Lang exhaled a puff of smoke and, without any formalities, asked directly, "Did you extort a woman's silk scarf last night?"
Liu Quan thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's right. I exchanged 3 yuan at the pawnshop, and according to the rules, it should all be handed over to the police station. How did you find out, Brother Lang?"