Official excuse: I've put you on patrol in Handong, and the whole province is in a panic.

At the same time, on the riverbank in a remote county town in southern Guangdong Province, Gao Qiqiang was sitting in a folding chair fishing, with Tang Xiaolong and Tang Xiaohu standing behind him. Gao Qisheng, having already grown bored, went to the county town alone.

Gao Qiqiang looked at the water and asked, "Shu Ting still refuses to eat today?"

Tang Xiaohu replied, "My sister-in-law ate a few bites. She's been unhappy ever since she left Jinghai."

"It's my fault that I dragged her down with me."

Gao Qiqiang reeled in the fishing line: "Good news has come from Jinghai. Sha Ruijin has started to pay attention to the chaos caused by the inspection team. As long as the people below continue to cause trouble, we will be able to go back soon."

Tang Xiaolong gritted his teeth and said, "Brother Qiang, they've captured dozens of our brothers. Why don't we send Lao Mo over there, take care of that Su Zhe, and teach them a lesson?"

Gao Qiqiang turned around, raised his hand and slapped Tang Xiaolong across the face, followed by a second slap, and then kicked him to the ground.

Tang Xiaohu quickly stopped him: "Brother Qiang, Xiaolong misspoke, please don't hit him."

Gao Qiqiang shoved Tang Xiaohu aside, pointed at Tang Xiaolong on the ground, and yelled, "Do you know what kind of influence the Central Inspection Team carries?"

Tang Xiaolong covered his face: "Brother Qiang, I'm just so angry."

"Is it acceptable to kill central government officials simply because you're angry?"

Gao Qiqiang kicked him again: "They're arresting us, investigating the evidence, and going through legal procedures. If you dare touch a hair on Su Zhe's head, the matter will be handled as a major security case. Nobody will care about the rules of the underworld then."

Tang Xiaolong curled up on the grass, not daring to respond.

Gao Qiqiang squatted down and looked at him: "At the end of the day, we're just thugs that Zhao Lidong keeps on the sidelines. Even Zhao Lidong has to bow down to the inspection team. What makes you think you can touch Su Zhe?"

"Brother Qiang, I was wrong."

"If I hear you say that again, get out of the construction group and don't ever call yourself my brother again."

Tang Xiaolong nodded repeatedly: "I will never dare to do it again."

Gao Qiqiang stood up. The float on the river had already sunk into the water, but he did not lift the fishing rod.

He knew that as long as Su Zhe was alive, they could wait for the political winds to change; but if something happened to Su Zhe, everyone would be buried with him.

Inside a high-end nightclub in Shanghai, Xu Jiang leaned back on a sofa, holding a Royal Salute cannon in his hand. Two young women sat beside him, and a fruit platter and stacks of cash were laid out on the coffee table.

When Crazy Donkey called, Xu Jiang answered: "How's Jinghai?"

"Brother Jiang, the inspection team arrested more than a dozen people. Bai Jinhan's back alley and the auto repair shop were raided."

"Who were they arresting?"

"Neither Ma Zi nor A Bao mentioned you; the brothers have kept their word."

Xu Jiang took a sip of his drink: "I told you long ago, let them only admit to causing trouble while drunk. As long as they can't catch me, their men won't be locked up for long."

"Brother Jiang," Mad Donkey asked, "are you safe in Shanghai?"

"The most bustling places are the safest. Su Zhe thought I would hide in the mountains, but I insisted on staying in the most expensive hotels and going to the best venues. He never dreamed of this."

"Gao Qiqiang is hiding in the countryside of southern Guangdong, and he doesn't even dare to turn on his cell phone."

Xu Jiang laughed loudly, "Gao Qiqiang is a coward. Even wearing a suit can't change his fishmonger's nature. I, Xu Jiang, have traveled all over the country. What haven't I seen?"

"Brother Jiang, you should still be careful."

"I'm not using my own ID card, and the phone is brand new. Who can find me?"

Xu Jiang put his arm around the woman beside him and said into the phone, "Once the inspection team gets out of Jinghai, I'll go back and throw a banquet for the brothers. I'm hanging up now."

Inside the command center of the Jinghai City Public Security Bureau, An Xin stood at the door waiting for Su Zhe. Seeing him approach with Yang Hong and two technicians, she went up to him and said, "Team Leader Su, we have checked all the vehicles, bank cards, and mobile phone numbers under the names of Gao Qiqiang and Xu Jiang, but found no useful traces."

Su Zhe asked, "Where is Gao Qisheng?"

"He also left Jinghai, probably using a fake identity."

An Xin added with a wry smile, "These people have already prepared their escape routes, changed their ID cards, changed their phone numbers, and made cash transactions. It's difficult to find them in a short period of time using traditional investigation methods."

An Changlin came out of the command center and took over the conversation, saying, "I heard from Li Wei that you want to call up the Skynet system, but Jinghai's existing platform can only check vehicles and designated surveillance cameras, and does not have mature facial recognition capabilities."

Su Zhe said, "We don't lack equipment, we lack algorithms."

An Changlin looked at the technicians behind him: "Who are these two?"

"An engineer from a domestic technology company, responsible for system deployment."

One of the engineers opened his laptop bag and said, "Director An, we only provide algorithm services. Data access is handled by the public security authorities. Operation logs are automatically saved, and we do not access unauthorized information."

An Changlin nodded and said, "The authorization documents are ready, and the coordination procedures from the Provincial Department and the Ministry of Public Security have also arrived."

An Xin followed the others to the control panel, still not optimistic: "There are so many people passing through traffic nodes across the country every day. Wouldn't the false alarm rate be too high if we only relied on photo comparison?"

Su Zhe handed a CD to the engineer: "Install it first, and we'll discuss the false alarms after the results come out."

The engineer imported the program into the console and brought up the data interface page: "Team Leader Su, the target personnel information can now be entered."

Yang Hong placed the prepared files on the table: "Gao Qiqiang, Xu Jiang, Gao Qisheng, Tang Xiaolong, Tang Xiaohu, Crazy Donkey, the core targets are tentatively six people."

Su Zhe said, "Let's record the first three."

An Xin pointed to the screen and asked, "Should we use a passport photo or a screenshot from the surveillance footage?"

The engineer replied, "Once everything is entered, the system will create a facial feature model, and it can automatically correct for changes in age and hairstyle."

An Changlin, standing to the side, said, "Let's begin."

The engineer pressed the confirmation button, and the progress bar on the console moved forward rapidly. Several candidate screens then popped up on the large screen.

The first image is taken at the entrance of an underground casino in a county town in southern Guangdong Province. Gao Qisheng, wearing a floral shirt, is talking to casino staff.

The second image comes from road surveillance footage in the same county. Gao Qiqiang is sitting in the back seat of an SUV, which eventually drives into a riverside villa area.

The third image is from the elevator lobby of a high-end hotel in Shanghai. Xu Jiang, wearing a baseball cap, is seen entering the elevator with his arm around a woman.

An Xin did not retract her hand that was originally resting on the control panel. The information on the screen already indicated the time, location, and similarity.

He turned to look at Su Zhe: "You found it already?"

The engineer said, "The system is still performing a second verification. Gao Qisheng's matching rate is 99.7%, Gao Qiqiang's is 98.9%, and Xu Jiang's is 99.4%."

An Changlin approached the screen, looking at the three red dots on the map: "They've all changed their identities. How can the system confirm that the people in the hotel and casino are the same people?"

Su Zhe said, "Identities can be faked, but facial bone structure cannot be changed."

An Xin asked, "Is this the latest technology in China?"

Su Zhe smiled and nodded: "The technology from domestic companies is legal, the procedures are legal, and the data is compliant; that's sufficient."

An Changlin and An Xin exchanged a glance, and neither of them pressed for further questions. They already understood that this system was not widely used by the public security organs, and Su Zhe's ability to complete the deployment in such a short time indicated that the technical channels behind it far exceeded those of ordinary discipline inspection cadres.

Su Zhe took out his encrypted phone and dialed the Ministry of Public Security's duty phone: "I am Su Zhe, the leader of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection's special anti-corruption task force stationed in Handong. Please verify my identity number."

After the other party completed the verification, they said, "Team Leader Su, your identity has been confirmed. Please speak."

"The inspection team identified three key targets for investigation: Gao Qisheng, who was located in the Yongsheng underground casino in Qinghe County, Guangdong Province; Gao Qiqiang, who was located in the Hewan villa area in the eastern suburbs of Qinghe County; and Xu Jiang, who was located in the Jinjiang International Hotel in Shanghai."

"Should the arrest be carried out locally?"

"Gao Qisheng is involved in identity fraud, gambling, and organized crime. Take him into custody immediately. Gao Qiqiang and Xu Jiang will be temporarily placed under surveillance on the periphery. Do not alert them until we complete the summons procedures."

"Can you provide the location data?"

"The technical means will be kept confidential for the time being. The specific coordinates and images will be sent through a dedicated network. Local police will only be responsible for verifying the target and controlling the personnel."

"Understood, we will coordinate with the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department and the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau immediately."

After hanging up the phone, An Xin asked, "Why arrest Gao Qisheng first, and not Gao Qiqiang and Xu Jiang at the same time?"

Su Zhe pointed to the big screen and said, "Gao Qiqiang has family members with him, and the place where Xu Jiang is located has a complex mix of people. A hasty arrest could easily alert other targets. Gao Qisheng is in an underground casino, and the local police can go in under the pretext of investigating gambling without arousing suspicion."

An Changlin said, "Arrest the younger brother first. Once the news gets out, Gao Qiqiang will move."

"Therefore, the news cannot be leaked."

Su Zhe turned to An Xin: "You are responsible for keeping an eye on the relevant personnel in Jinghai. No one is allowed to inquire about the technical route or the progress of the arrest."

An Xin asked, "Has Zhao Lidong not informed us either?"

"No notification will be given."

An Changlin said in a low voice, "Secretary Zhao just reported to the Provincial Party Committee today that the inspection team will not be able to catch the key figures and will only exacerbate the conflict."

Su Zhe glanced at him: "Who told you that?"

"Director Bai verified the data with the Municipal Bureau, and I guessed what the report would contain."

"Let him continue his report."

Su Zhe looked at the screen again: "Once these people are brought back to Jinghai, we will naturally find out who is telling the truth and who is using the chaos to protect the criminal forces."

An Changlin braced himself against the control panel, his chest heaving faster and faster: "Team Leader Su, if Gao Qiqiang and Xu Jiang are apprehended, there will be a chance to unearth the cases that have been piling up in Jinghai over the years."

"When you wrote that anonymous letter to the inspection team, wasn't this the day you were hoping for?"

An Changlin stopped adjusting his cuffs, then looked up at Su Zhe: "You know I wrote the letter?"

"The letter describes Zhao Lidong's work habits in too much detail and details the internal problems of the Jinghai Public Security Bureau in a way that ordinary people would not be able to access."

An Xin glanced at An Changlin: "So you wrote those documents."

An Changlin did not deny it: "I can't investigate further, so I can only send out what I know."

Su Zhe said, "The materials can be anonymous, but the responsibility cannot be anonymous. When the investigation reaches the Jinghai City Public Security Bureau, you will also be subject to investigation."

"I accept the responsibility, as long as the web behind Zhao Lidong can be uncovered."

Inside an underground casino in Qinghe County, southern Guangdong Province, Gao Qisheng shoved all his chips onto the table and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Bet on big! All in on big!"

After the dealer opened the dice cup, Gao Qisheng slapped the table and laughed, "I told you we could win it all back today! Let's play another round!"

A gambler nearby remarked, "There are quite a few police cars outside."

The casino owner rushed into the lobby shouting, "Police are raiding! Everyone stay put! If you run out, the SWAT officers will hold you down, and you'll face the consequences!"

The gamblers immediately rushed to the back door. Gao Qisheng stuffed his chips into his pocket, cursing, "Why did they have to come so soon? They've ruined my luck."

Someone nearby pulled him back, saying, "Run! Run!"

"Why are you running? I have an ID card. If I get caught, the worst that can happen is a fine."

Gao Qisheng followed the crowd to the entrance and looked up to see rows of police cars parked inside the courtyard. Special police officers in protective gear guarded the walls and exits, and all gamblers had to queue up for inspection.

He muttered, "Does sweeping up a casino really require so many people?"

The gambler in front turned around and yelled, "You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?"

The police officers verified the identities of each person. When it was Gao Qisheng's turn, the officer in charge looked at the photo in his hand and then looked up to confirm his face.

"Gao Qisheng?"

Gao Qisheng nearly dropped the fake ID card in his hand, then replied, "You've mistaken me for someone else. My name is Wang Qian, and my ID card is right here."

The officer took the identification: "Wang Qian, right?"

"Yes, I'm here on vacation. My friend brought me here to play a few rounds."

"Then why are you running?"

Everyone else was running, so I followed suit.

The officer handed his identification to a staff member next to him: "Check your fingerprints."

Gao Qisheng turned around and tried to squeeze into the crowd, but as soon as he stepped out, he was tackled to the ground by two special police officers, and his hands were immediately handcuffed behind his back.

He struggled and shouted, "Why are you arresting me? I have a valid ID!"

The officer in charge squatted down beside them and said, "The person the central inspection team specifically requested has had their photo and location sent to our phones. How long are you going to keep up this act?"

"Impossible! I didn't use my own phone, and I didn't stay in a hotel. How did you find me?"

"With Skynet and facial recognition, what's the point of changing your ID card?"

The police officer next to him said, "The main purpose of deploying so many people to raid the casino tonight is to ensure you can't escape. As for this fake ID, we'll take it back and investigate it later."

Gao Qisheng lay on the ground, his face pressed against the cold cement, repeating, "Impossible, they couldn't have found this place."

After hearing this, the casino owner immediately yelled, "You're someone designated by the central authorities, and you still dare to gamble here? Who do you want to ruin?"

The surrounding gamblers also joined in the cursing.

"No wonder so many special police officers came; he's the one who attracted them."

"Take him away, don't drag us into this."

"People like that can go in and never get out."

When Gao Qisheng was being led into the police car, he still couldn't understand why a single face could expose all his arrangements when he had prepared a fake identity in advance, did not use any bank cards under his name, and did not contact any acquaintances in Jinghai.

Inside the riverside villa, Gao Qiqiang was helping Gao Xiaochen build with blocks, while Chen Shuting sat on the sofa, her expression unpleasant.

Gao Qiqiang put the last building block away and turned to say, "Shu Ting, we're only out here temporarily to avoid trouble. We'll go back as soon as things stabilize in Jinghai."