Chapter 39: The Old Master Is Still the Old Master

"Welcome, everyone, to the Linyang Traffic Police livestream."

"Today, we are conducting an online live law enforcement operation."

"Standing beside me is Li Zhonghai, captain of the Law Enforcement Brigade."

"Captain Li, please say hello to everyone!"

As a veteran propaganda officer, Wang Zheng was completely at ease in front of the camera. Li Zhonghai, however, was on camera for the first time and appeared a bit hesitant.

"Hello everyone, I am Li Zhonghai."

"This month is our Linyang City Traffic Safety Awareness Month. We will be conducting similar law enforcement activities in multiple areas. We hope everyone will keep an eye on us and consciously follow traffic rules."

Although they didn't say it aloud, both men knew this live broadcast was targeted. Wang Zheng quickly steered the conversation to the main point.

"As you can see, we are currently on the national highway on the outskirts of Linyang Town. This is the main road through the town. Citizens have reported to us multiple times that non-motorized vehicles often occupy the motorized lanes here, and there are even unregistered and unlicensed illegal vehicles. Today, please follow our camera and see what is going on."

The location chosen by Wang Zheng and Li Zhonghai was strategic. They knew from the traffic police's "Haiyan" big data system that this road was the mandatory route for that illegally modified vehicle.

Sure enough, two minutes later, a gray SUV drove into the frame. Li Zhonghai reacted quickly, immediately standing in the middle of the road to intercept it. Wang Zheng began his commentary.

"Up ahead, we see a very high-end SUV; it looks like a luxury car worth millions. But by my estimation, this luxury car is not displaying a license plate as required by law."

The camera panned, giving a full view of the vehicle. In an instant, the few viewers in the livestream were stunned.

'Holy cow! What a cool Land Rover!'
'Linyang Town's consumption level is no joke.'
'Even the Range Rover doesn't come in that color; it must be a custom mod.'
'Wait, how can a Range Rover have a green plate?'
'Buddy, open your eyes and look closely, is that a green plate?'

A sharp-eyed viewer spoke up. Everyone then realized.

Hey! What the heck! While the car had a plate, it wasn't a blue one, nor was it a legal new-energy green plate. It was a fake plate specifically for "Old Man Scooters."

'Elec-D·00001! Nice!'
'Hahahaha'
'LMAO! Which genius gave a Land Rover that license plate!'
'A real car with a fake plate, how abstract.'
'@Whtgi, they're doing a show here!'

'@Delong Dongqiang, I have a feeling this stream is going to blow up!'
'[Dinosaur is so funny LV.33] shared the stream'
'[Liccao LV.8] shared the stream'
'[Mountain Apricot Leaf LV.22] shared the stream'

With the appearance of the silver Land Rover, the stream's popularity skyrocketed. Wang Zheng, the host, had never seen so much traffic in his life and felt greatly relieved. The more people, the better. That was the only way to accomplish the promotional task assigned by the brigade captain. Traffic safety: punishment is secondary, education is primary!

He signaled the cameraman to follow Li Zhonghai as he walked straight toward the car. Captain Li, a second-rank police superintendent and captain of the Enforcement Brigade, had climbed his way up from the grassroots and possessed excellent professional skills. He took one look and knew the car had several violations. However, considering the driver's advanced age, enforcement required a certain tact and approach.

He approached with a smile and saluted. "Comrade driver, please step out of the car."

Old Man Yang, seeing the police and the camera, was instantly energized. Good things come in pairs! He had just bought a great car, imposing and flashy, and now he had run into the traffic police, complete with a camera. Wouldn't his neighbors be jealous as hell?

"Comrade, am I going to be on TV?"

Li Zhonghai suppressed a laugh. "Sir, never mind the TV for a moment. Where are you headed?"

"I'm going home."

Li Zhonghai asked, "Where do you live?"

"Nanhe Village."

Nanhe Village was to the east, which was the direction the old man was heading. The problem was, the old man was driving in the wrong lane. So, Li Zhonghai tried to guide him gently: "Sir, if you are going home, which lane should you be in?"

Old Man Yang didn't even think about it. "National Highway 405."

Li Zhonghai was speechless. "No, sir, I mean, which lane is safe for you to take to get home?"

Old Man Yang's eyes were innocent. "National Highway 405 is safe; there are fewer potholes."

"Sir, I know you're taking National Highway 405. The point is, how should you be driving on National Highway 405?" Li Zhonghai was starting to break down, gesturing toward the correct lane on the opposite side.

"You just keep going east, then turn left at the big willow tree. Don't you know where Nanhe Village is?"

Pfft...

At this moment, Wang Zheng and the cameraman behind him couldn't hold it in anymore. The comments section was rolling with laughter.

'God, the "National Highway 405" excuse.'
'The policeman is about to have a breakdown.'
'Honestly, I suspect the old man is playing dumb on purpose.'
'Old man is always your old man.'
'If I drove against traffic like that, my license points would be bankrupt.'
'Having said that, the old man's car is seriously cool!'

Li Zhonghai just realized he had seemingly fallen into the "Tan Tan Universe." No. He had to pull himself together; if this back-and-forth continued, he might become a viral sensation.

"Sir, first of all, let me tell you. No matter what car you drive, you must follow traffic rules. You cannot drive against the flow of traffic. Secondly, what's the deal with this car? This is a motor vehicle, why don't you have a license plate?"

Old Man Yang was displeased. "I do have one! I specifically picked the number 00001!"

"..."

Li Zhonghai was at a loss. The problem was precisely that 00001. He admitted the Land Rover looked cool, but the plate was definitely fake.

"Sir, this license plate was made by the manufacturer. It's not in our system. If you drive a motor vehicle on the road, you must have a proper license plate."

Old Man Yang waved his hand. "No need."

"How is there no need?"

Old Man Yang replied, "Because I don't have a driver's license."

"???"

No plate was one thing, but no driver's license either? Good grief! Li Zhonghai finally understood why the brigade captain had specifically ordered them to check this old man's car. The old man had practically committed every traffic safety violation possible.

"Sir, to drive, you must have a driver's license, a vehicle registration, and a license plate—the three certificates in one. It is very dangerous to get on the road without any of them. This is not allowed."

Old Man Yang was skeptical. "It's road-legal. The person who sold me the car said you don't need a license to drive this."

"How could you not need one?" Li Zhonghai became more stern. "This is clearly a motor vehicle—it's a Land Rover Range Rover!"

Old Man Yang clicked his tongue twice. "You're young, but your eyesight is worse than mine. Look closer! This is a disabled-accessible mobility scooter—a 'Land Rover Range-Almost'."

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Li Zhonghai was stunned. Everyone in the livestream was stunned.