I'm not a genius detective

Chapter 121 Individual First-Class Merit (Two chapters combined)

The next day.

Han Ling and Tong Feng found Wang Mengqi and informed her that the murderer who killed Dai Bin had been caught, and then focused their questioning on the motive behind the will.

The investigation team that had previously been responsible for investigating the Wang siblings had informed Wang Mengqi of the existence of her will. The unexpected extra money did not improve her mood.

Dai Bin is dead, and her brother is about to go to jail for intentional injury. Money means little to her; it might not even be enough to cover compensation.

However, with this money, the Wang family wouldn't be completely bankrupted due to Wang Mengjie's criminal behavior, provided that Wang Mengqi was willing to contribute it to her brother.

In this light, Dai Bin really did have "foresight".

"Did you know that Dai Bin went out to collect folk songs for a week four months ago?" Han Ling asked.

Wang Mengqi nodded: "I know, he mentioned it to me."

Han Ling: "Was anything unusual after it ended?"

Wang Mengqi's answer was very different from Xiao Yuxuan's. She immediately affirmed, "Yes, he has emotional problems. I guess he encountered something special."

I asked him, but he wouldn't tell me, so I didn't ask again.

The difference between a wife and a mistress has become clear.

Xiao Yuxuan, as his wife who lived with him day and night, did not understand or comprehend Dai Bin, while Wang Mengqi was able to keenly grasp the subtle changes in Dai Bin's emotions. No wonder Dai Bin was so deeply involved that he couldn't extricate himself and even added Wang Mengqi's name to his will.

After asking a few more questions without getting any useful information, the two said goodbye and left.

By questioning Xiao Yuxuan and Wang Mengqi, it can be basically confirmed that Dai Bin was definitely not normal during that period. His motivation for making a will was not a whim, but had a clear purpose.

On the way back to the branch office, Tong Feng said, "It seems that Dai Bin really encountered some trouble, but he didn't tell anyone. He secretly made a will. Your suspicion is correct."

Han Ling: "He sensed a threat, but the threat didn't materialize; it was more like he was taking precautions."

Tong Feng nodded: "Four months is a long time. If someone wanted to do something to him, they would have done it already. It's impossible for them to wait this long. Let me guess... Dai Bin is facing a life-threatening situation, but as long as he keeps quiet, the danger will not happen."

He dared not gamble, so he made a will in advance without telling anyone.

The reason he didn't choose to call the police was because the threat involved his entire family, and he didn't want them to bear any risk. There are numerous examples of criminal suspects retaliating after being released from prison.

Han Ling agreed: "You're right, that's what I think too."

Tong Feng: "It seems that Qingchang is not peaceful."

Han Ling: "Such a big city is bound to have dark corners and a variety of criminal activities. If my guess is correct, what Dai Bin encountered shouldn't be too serious, otherwise he would have been silenced long ago."

Tong Feng: "Yes."

If Dai Bin were to encounter something like murder or drug trafficking, his chances of survival would be slim.

For example, when Dai Bin was on a field trip, he accidentally encountered a gang theft. After discovering Dai Bin, the suspects threatened him not to tell anyone and left behind Dai Bin's detailed personal information.

If Dai Bin dares to call the police or tell others, the suspect will immediately attack Dai Bin's entire family.

Regardless of whether the suspect dared to do it or not, Dai Bin wouldn't gamble, so he chose to remain silent and made a will just in case.

That makes more sense.

He never imagined that while the threatening person didn't actually make a move, the reader did, unknowingly doing the threatening person a great favor.

Back at the branch office, Ji Bowen and others called Han Ling to their office and questioned her about her motives for leaving the will.

Having learned from the Hou Jiarou case, Fang Zhou had already reported Han Ling's concerns, and Ji Bowei and Hu Lihui took it very seriously.

The two sides discussed the matter and determined that the motivation for the will likely stemmed from Dai Bin's accidental encounter with illegal and criminal activities.

But Dai Bin was already dead, and four months had passed. Qingchang is such a large area that it would be almost impossible to find him again.

"Captain Ji, Captain Hu, let's put this on hold for now," Han Ling said. "I'll reread Dai Bin's novel in my spare time, and I'll report back if I find anything."

Dai Bin loved to incorporate reality into his novels, and there was no doubt that Yu Dahai found Dai Bin's home address precisely because of this.

If Dai Bin encountered any unusual events during his research trip, these might be subtly revealed in later parts of the novel.

This is the only research direction that might yield results.

Setting it aside doesn't mean Han Ling will completely forget about it; the investigation will still proceed.

If the other party is a well-hidden criminal gang entrenched in Qingchang, they will inevitably be exposed sooner or later.

“Okay, let’s do it this way for now,” Ji Bowei agreed.

The evidence collection process lasted several days, with Han Ling and Tong Feng participating. After the case file was reviewed by the Legal Affairs Brigade, it was submitted to the Procuratorate for further review.

After the procuratorate approves the case, it will file a public prosecution with the court on charges of intentional homicide, including Wang Mengjie's case.

The Criminal Investigation Division's work is basically complete. As long as the procuratorate does not request further investigation, the Dai Bin poisoning case can be considered closed.

The investigation was conducted in a standard manner. Yin Yunliang from the provincial department was of great help. Everyone performed their duties without any outstanding performance, so there was no commendation.

Investigating cases is the duty and job of the police.

Two weeks later, at noon.

Han Ling and the others were eating in the cafeteria when Tong Feng brought up Dai Bin's matter again: "Have you almost finished reading the novel? Did you make any discoveries?"

Today we're eating ribs. Han Ling spat out the bone from his mouth and said, "There's a tiny clue. A few days after Dai Bin returned from his field trip, he added a new plot to his novel. It's not described in much detail, but it involves a logistics company."

I think if Daibin encountered any problems, it was likely due to a logistics company.

Upon hearing this, Tong Feng thought for a moment and then said, "Xiao Yuxuan said that when she went on field trips with Dai Bin, they would visit places like factories, but she didn't mention logistics companies. Did Dai Bin go there by himself?"

Han Ling: "Perhaps. In the past two years, the number of logistics companies across the country has reached a peak. As a national logistics hub city and a key logistics area in the peninsula, Qingchang's logistics industry is also developing rapidly."

I checked, and several hundred new companies register every year, bringing the total number to around seven thousand, large and small.

"So many?" Sun Yujie said. "I'm impressed. Won't seven thousand logistics companies be saturated? How can they make money?"

Han Ling said, "It's already close to saturation. The competition will intensify, and it's estimated that it will start to go bankrupt."

With too many companies competing for too little profit, most are small, have limited assets, and low profits. They can't compete with the larger companies and will eventually be eliminated.

Sun Yujie understood: "That makes sense. I was wondering how there could be seven thousand logistics companies."

Han Ling: "Precisely because there are so many companies and the management is so chaotic, it cannot be ruled out that some people are using the name of logistics companies to secretly engage in illegal and criminal business. If we investigate them one by one, we will definitely find something."

Sun Yujie: "Smuggling?"

Han Ling: "That's one possibility."

At this moment, Yang Rui spoke up: "It's impossible for the branch office to investigate the logistics company for no reason. There are many things involved, including the postal department and the transportation department. You can't bypass those two places."

There's also Qingchang Customs; they're responsible for supervising import and export logistics, which has nothing to do with us.

Han Ling didn't say anything.

He only read Dai Bin's novel analysis in his spare time, without really intending to investigate.

Aimless searching is pointless.

If similar cases arise in the future, they may be able to be linked together, thus bringing a perfect conclusion to the Daibin case.

He doesn't have OCD; this depends on luck and fate.

Just as the four were about to leave after lunch, a colleague from the Political Department of the branch office arrived. Upon spotting Han Ling in the restaurant, he quickened his pace.

"Han Ling, your third-class merit and first-class merit awards have been issued!"

The voice wasn't lowered, and all the police officers and staff in the restaurant heard it, turning their heads to look over and stopping what they were doing.

Third-class merit and... first-class merit?!
Everyone had heard about the case in Weijiazhuang Village, and it was judged that the provincial department was very likely to award Han Ling a first-class merit. After waiting for so many days, we didn't expect that there would actually be a result.

It's not a second-class merit, it's a first-class merit!

The first-class merit award is an honorary title for high-ranking officials, while for ordinary police officers it is approved by the provincial department. This means that the level of honor is very high. Therefore, the subsequent commendation process will not be limited to the branch bureau; the municipal bureau will also be involved.

There is no commendation ceremony for the third-class merit, only a public announcement, but there is definitely a first-class merit, it just depends on whether it is set up in the branch bureau or the municipal bureau.

The colleagues in the political department were very excited. They were the first to know that the first-class merit was not only an honor for the police officer, but also an achievement and glory for the entire branch.

"Uh." Han Ling didn't know how to respond at this moment, and after a long while, she managed to utter two words, "It's fine."

Everyone: "..."

That's it?

Let's not talk about Fan Jin passing the imperial examination; we should at least have something to say about it.

It's okay, we'll cheer you up if you're unhappy. As one person clapped, the entire restaurant erupted in applause, congratulating Han Ling.

The political department colleagues applauded and said with a smile, "We'll have a small internal meeting at 2 PM. Leaders at all levels who are available will come, so don't be late."

Han Ling checked the time; there was still over an hour left. He nodded and said, "Okay." After his colleagues from the political department left, Han Ling turned back and waved to all of them. Everyone smiled in response and then continued eating.

Many police officers will be attending the commendation ceremony; now is not the time to celebrate.

"My god...you're really awesome!" Tong Feng finally had a chance to speak and exclaimed in a low voice.

Sun Yujie and Yang Rui were still in a state of shock, staring at Han Ling with their eyes to express their respect. Although they were of similar age, a first-class merit was no joke and was enough to make every policeman admire him.

Tong Feng continued to wail, "Ah... I really got a first-class merit, I'm really going to get promoted, I'm really going to salute!"

His entire body was resisting.

Han Ling coughed lightly, straightened her clothes, and looked at Tong Feng with anticipation in her eyes.

"What are you doing?" Tong Feng asked, puzzled.

Han Ling: "Salute!"

Tong Feng: "I... I'll talk to you after you get promoted! I must have owed you something in my past life, you keep bothering me!"

Sun Yujie didn't mind at all, and half-jokingly gave a salute: "Superintendent Han, please take care of me in the future."

Yang Rui smiled.

Of the four who graduated from police academy, it seems that Han Ling will be the one who far surpasses everyone else in the future.

I have a feeling that even the branch office is about to become unsustainable.

……

1:45 PM

Han Ling arrived at the branch office conference room. He had arrived fifteen minutes early, but he was still a little late.

The political commissar was there, Zhao Xingbang was there, the director of the political department was there, the captain of the criminal investigation team, Feng Yao, was there, and the deputy captain, Ji Bowen, was there...

What my colleague from the political department said earlier was right; almost all the relevant leaders who could come did come, which shows how much importance is attached to the individual's first-class merit.

Among them, Han Ling even saw the bureau chief, whom he rarely saw. When the bureau chief saw him, he stood up from his seat with a smile, expressing his respect for the first-class merit.

"Now that everyone's here, please sit down," the bureau chief said.

Han Ling wouldn't sit in the front; she crouched down in the back.

In the entire conference room, he was the only one without a title; it was best to keep a low profile.

The meeting was simple: to formally announce the good news and to study and determine the preliminary plan for receiving the commendation order and holding a commendation ceremony. This matter needed to be discussed internally by the branch bureau first, and then reported to the municipal bureau for instructions.

This time, the Municipal Bureau will be deeply involved, and they will also benefit from the honor of being awarded the First-Class Merit, and will also have the responsibility of publicity.

"Should the commendation ceremony be held at the branch office or the municipal office?" the director asked Zhao Xingbang for his opinion.

Zhao Xingbang said, "Let's go to the Municipal Bureau, it'll be more elaborate."

The director nodded: "Contact the local media to report on it. I just contacted the municipal bureau, and they plan to make Han Ling a model for the whole city to learn from."

All tasks must be completed within a week.

Zhao Xingbang: "Don't worry."

After discussing the basic tasks, the director looked at Han Ling and smiled, "Han Ling, the 10,000 yuan bonus will take a few more days. Don't worry, it will definitely come. The Municipal Police Logistics Department will handle it then. What I want to talk about is your police rank."

According to regulations, individuals who have received a first-class merit can be promoted to a higher police rank ahead of schedule. The process is currently underway, from Qingchang to the provincial department, and from the provincial department to the ministry, so the approval process will be a bit slow.

"Having been promoted to Second-Class Superintendent after only one year on the job, what are your thoughts?"

Before Han Ling could speak, Ji Bowei interjected, "I think it's better for Han Ling to save his thoughts for the awards ceremony, where he'll be the main character."

The director nodded with a smile: "That's true. Okay, you can handle the rest of the work. I will definitely attend the commendation ceremony in a week."

Everyone stood up and watched the bureau chief leave.

As soon as the director left, the atmosphere in the meeting room relaxed. Zhao Xingbang, worried that Han Ling wouldn't understand, explained the process and location of the commendation meeting in detail.

It is impractical to hold a separate commendation ceremony for first-class merit, so there are other items on the agenda.

Based on Zhao Xingbang's experience, the location was in the city bureau's large conference room.

The municipal bureau's auditorium is needed for higher-level and more solemn events, so it is impossible to use the auditorium. Most of the police officers from the branch bureau will be present to participate.

Han Ling listened attentively, but wasn't very interested; she just wanted the awards ceremony to end quickly.

After the meeting, the main leaders left quickly to attend to various matters related to the commendation ceremony, leaving only the criminal investigation team members in the conference room.

"Han Ling." Ji Bowei walked over and instructed, "Wear your regular clothes to the commendation meeting, not your police uniform. You must wear your police number and badge. Many leaders from the Municipal Bureau will be there, so be mindful of the occasion when you speak, understand?"

Han Ling nodded: "Okay, Captain Ji, I understand."

Ji Bowei chuckled: "This is your first time showing your face. If there were no case, both Captain Hu and I would have gone. I won't say more, but anyway... well done."

Just as Han Ling was about to speak, the phone rang.

Seeing this, Ji Bowen and the others made a gesture and left the conference room one after another.

Han Ling was the only one left in the empty conference room. He took out his phone and glanced at the caller ID: Sun Qing.

Ok?
Han Ling was a little surprised. The other party did have her own phone number, but had never called in all this time.

"Hello?" The call was answered.

Sun Qing asked hesitantly, "Brother Han... did I disturb your work?"

Han Ling smiled and said, "No, what's up?"

Sun Qing: "My birthday is next month. Are you...would you like to come over for dinner?"

Han Ling remembered that when he and Fang Zhou were capturing Wang Mengjie, they ran into Sun Lang, who had mentioned it briefly.

After a moment of silence, Sun Qing quickly said, "It's okay, I know you're busy, it's alright if you don't have time."

Han Ling pondered for a moment and said, "If there are no cases at that time, I'll go. Is that okay?"

Sun Qing's tone became noticeably happier: "Okay, okay, I'll call you again next month."

Han Ling: "Okay."

After hanging up the phone, Han Ling put away his phone and got up to return to the First Squadron.

The previous act of saving her and lending her money seemed to have left a deep impression on Sun Qing. If this girl needed a guiding light, he wouldn't mind illuminating her path forward.

However, it's important to strike the right balance.

High school girls are in their adolescence, and the seeds of love are already sprouting. It's fine if she sees him as a brother, but if she sees him as someone else, then it must be nipped in the bud.

Han Ling wasn't narcissistic; such a thing was absolutely possible, given the extent of his experiences in his past life.

Back at the First Squadron, Fang Zhou and his team were discussing the case in Weijiazhuang Village. The recovery of the stolen antiques and cultural relics was almost complete, and the case should be closed within a week.

In order to investigate this case, colleagues from other squadrons have been on many business trips during this period, the furthest being over a thousand kilometers away.

Upon seeing Han Ling, the conversation immediately ceased, and everyone congratulated her on receiving a first-class merit award.

Compared to the First-Class Merit, the Third-Class Merit seems somewhat overshadowed.

In future promotions, leaders will definitely give priority to Han Ling. To get promoted, you either need to have ability or connections. If you don't have either, you can only rely on your ability.

It seems that, in terms of ability alone, no one in the entire criminal investigation team is a match for Han Ling, not even Fang Zhou.

At this moment, Fang Zhou spoke up: "If this continues, our First Squadron will probably have an extra deputy squadron leader next year."

The deputy squadron leader position is not strictly a leadership position, so it's not that difficult to get promoted.

Based on Fang Zhou's experience, two third-class merits and one first-class merit would be enough to make Zhao Xingbang consider this issue.

Placing capable police officers in captain positions often improves the efficiency of case investigation, as ordinary criminal police officers, no matter how capable, will tend to hesitate and be overly cautious.

The Hou Jiarou case and the Weijiazhuang Village case are both good examples.

"This is too slow." People his age chat without any inhibitions, and Han Ling joked, "Can't we just go straight to the company commander level?"

Fang Zhou chuckled: "Then you'll have to ask Captain Hu for his opinion."

Everyone laughed. They weren't jealous that their younger colleagues had become leaders. This was a serious crime squad; if you became a leader and couldn't solve cases, you would not only lose face but also bear responsibility. It was fundamentally different from an administrative position.

Whoever can solve the case goes up, and everyone in the team agrees. There aren't many complicated things involved.

Besides, you can also get a collective third-class merit, second-class merit, and first-class merit, so why not?
Regarding the issue of promotion, everyone knows in their hearts that, looking at the long term, Captain Feng is about to be transferred to another position. If the internal structure of the Criminal Investigation Brigade changes at that time, no one can say for sure.

By then, Han Ling will have grown rapidly under Yin Yunliang's tutelage. Where will he ultimately sit?
(End of this chapter)