Mesa City, Special Police Base.
Landon Lu looked at the utterly shocked Warren Wen and said calmly, "The 96th Division's Guard Company has been arrested!"
"You dare? Aren't you afraid of our 96th Division's revenge!" Warren Wen instinctively stepped back. After witnessing Landon Lu's methods, he was already afraid.
Landon Lu smiled. "Afraid? Of course I'm afraid. But right now, my identity is Special Police. Even if I'm afraid, I still have to do this. Men, arrest them!"
A group of Special Police surged out and arrested the Guard Company soldiers, including Warren Wen. None resisted at all—because with Landon Lu present, they knew any resistance was just pointless struggle.
At the 96th Division headquarters, division commander Harvey Guan could no longer hold back. He stood up from his desk and barked, "Someone, get the car ready! We're going to Mesa City!"
Mesa City, City Government.
Mayor Victor Liang laughed heartily. "Hahaha, this is great! Landon Lu is really making our government look good! Someone, get the car, we're going to the Special Police Base!"
On Planet Natura, the Federation's ruling territory is divided into twelve major districts, and Mesa City belongs to the Aries District.
The highest government official in Aries District is Samuel Chen, and the top military commander is Titus Lou.
One is the head of government, the other is the head of the military.
Naturally, the two didn't get along. Once news of the Mesa City Special Police Base incident spread, both rushed to Mesa City by car.
Inside the Special Police Base.
Warren Wen and the others were securely detained.
Gordon Gao looked at Landon Lu with a complicated expression. "Minister, I've received word—Mayor Victor Liang will be arriving soon!"
"Mm. You go handle the reception. Leave things here to me," Landon Lu said calmly.
"What? You want me to go?" Gordon Gao was surprised. Welcoming the mayor is a great chance to curry favor, and Landon Lu was actually giving it to him. He could hardly believe it!
"What, you don't want to go?" Landon Lu looked at him.
"No, I'll go! I'll go!"
Watching Gordon Gao leave in high spirits, Ryan Zhang said sourly, "Minister, you just gave him such a great opportunity. Wasn't that a little too generous?"
"Stop whining. Stick with me and you'll get your chance to shine!" Landon Lu shot him a glare.
"Yes, sir!"
Ryan Zhang gave a sheepish smile.
Just then, Secretary Xiao Liao came to report: "Minister, Helen Lu—the deputy minister—is here and requests to see you."
"Let her in," Landon Lu said. He'd already been in Mesa City for a week, but Helen Lu had never once shown her face. Now she was suddenly appearing—clearly because she'd heard about what happened at the Special Police Base.
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in!" Landon Lu called out.
As soon as he finished speaking, a thin, middle-aged woman pushed the door open and came in. Her chin was sharp and narrow, her eyes were small, and her brow bone stood out.
"Hello, Minister Lu. I'm Helen Lu."
"Hello, Deputy Minister Lu." Landon Lu stood up and shook her hand. "Please, have a seat!"
"Minister Lu, I've come today to discuss something with you," Helen Lu said solemnly.
"Go ahead."
"I hope you'll release everyone from the 96th Division," Helen Lu said gravely.
"Give me a reason," Landon Lu's expression darkened slightly.
Helen Lu sneered. "Minister Lu, you're new here and don't understand the situation. How can us Special Police afford to offend the army? I have some connections with Commander Harvey Guan of the 96th Division. If you release them now and apologize, I can plead with Commander Guan for you so he won't pursue the matter."
Landon Lu couldn't help but laugh. He'd thought Helen Lu rushed over to claim a share of the credit, and he'd even planned to give her some. But she turned out to be a foolish woman who judged everything with her eyes—actually demanding he release the prisoners and apologize. It was sheer stupidity.
His expression turned cold. "I'll consider your suggestion. If there's nothing else, Deputy Minister Lu, please leave."
"What's there to consider? I think you should release them right away!" Helen Lu sneered.
"And what if I don't?" Landon Lu's face grew cold as well.
"Minister Lu, don't be ungrateful. I'm only thinking of your best interests!" Helen Lu mocked.
Bang!
Landon Lu slapped the desk, fixing Helen Lu with a cold stare. "Deputy Minister Lu, are you my elder? If not, what right do you have to call me 'Little Lu'? Don't forget, I'm your superior. From now on, address me as Minister Lu or by my name, Landon!"
"...You...!"
Helen Lu pointed at Landon Lu in anger, her face instantly turning red.
"Out!" Landon Lu barked, pointing at the door.
"Hmph! Like the proverb says, 'A dog bites Lu Dongbin, unable to recognize a good person.' You'll regret this!"
Watching Helen Lu storm out, Ryan Zhang scoffed, "That woman really is all hair and no brains!"
"Enough. You go get back to work," Landon Lu waved him off.
Five minutes later, Mayor Victor Liang arrived at the Special Police Base for an inspection. He praised the base's work, gave strong commendation to Minister Landon Lu and Deputy Minister Gordon Gao, and personally inquired about the case against Kevin Guan, sternly declaring, "Not a single criminal must be let off!"
While Mayor Victor Liang was inspecting the Special Police Base, 96th Division commander Harvey Guan arrived—not with an army, but accompanied only by two guards.
Harvey Guan had only just arrived when Chen Sanshui, the top government official of Aries District, and Titus Lou, the district's senior military chief, also showed up.
Like before, Chief Chen Sanshui praised the Special Police Base and offered high commendation to Landon Lu and Gordon Gao. Titus Lou, however, remained grim-faced throughout, casting unfriendly looks at Landon, and soon called Harvey Guan aside for a harsh scolding.
Afterward, Mayor Victor Liang, Chen Sanshui, Titus Lou, and Harvey Guan all observed Landon Lu's casework firsthand.
In the end, Kevin Guan was sentenced to eighty years of mining on a penal planet, ordered to pay Spring Moon Tavern 100,000 credits in damages, and to compensate five injured Special Police officers 10,000 credits each for medical expenses.
As for Zhou Zhengqi, Wen Liang, and the others, they were handed over to the 96th Division for internal handling.
In just a few days, Landon Lu had firmly established himself in Mesa City.
Yesterday, the Mesa City government officially issued an order, formally appointing him as Minister of the Mesa City Special Police Base. His 'acting' title was removed, and his military rank was promoted from major to lieutenant colonel.
At the same time, the Aries District government allocated one hundred million credits to Mesa City and awarded Landon Lu a Divine Dragon Mech, valued at two hundred million.
Additionally, the Aries District government promised to send three hundred highly qualified Special Police officers to the base within a month.
Moreover, Landon Lu's name gradually spread among the native Mesa people—he was the first to stand up for their interests, even at the risk of offending the military.