Era: Starting from the local police station

Jiang Zhenghua stood quietly in front of the blackboard, waiting for everyone to stop discussing.

Seeing his expression, Qiao Fuping gave an awkward smile and said loudly, "Everyone, quiet down and let Deputy Director Jiang continue. He got a little excited when he heard there was progress in the case. You continue."

Everyone smiled and then looked at the stage.

Jiang Zhenghua said loudly, "Based on the above evidence, I think we can concentrate our efforts on investigating the whereabouts of these two people. Since they came from the east, when we visit them tomorrow, we should focus on searching eastward, along the Fuxue Hutong and Ximi Hutong."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

He continued, "There's another issue, which is the origin of this handcart. Where did such a clean, odorless cart come from? I feel that the murderer certainly wouldn't have used his own."

Zhang Chongguang continued, "The appearance of these two people, the tarpaulin, and the cart proves Deputy Director Jiang's suspicion that this was a professional crime."

"That's right. People who live a life of constant danger wouldn't usually pull a cart like that as a laborer. They probably stole or borrowed it from somewhere, or maybe even robbed it."

Qiao Fuping nodded: "Then ask other police stations if they've received any reports of stolen carts recently. Leave this to me; I'll call and ask in a bit, and I'll also ask the branch office to inquire throughout the city."

Jiang Zhenghua added, "This matter will be troubled by the director. Also, this cart is the apple of the eye of those cart owners, so unless it's offered a high price by an acquaintance, or it was stolen, whatever the reason, it will definitely spread throughout the cart owners' circle."

Chen Junsheng immediately stood up: "Deputy Director Jiang, leave this to me. I have a fellow villager who does this kind of work nearby. I'll ask him tomorrow."

"Alright, I'll leave it to you."

Jiang Zhenghua turned around and circled the two men's features: "When you're doing your interviews, pay attention to these two men's features; you might find something unexpected."

Then, he looked at Qiao Fuping and Zhang Chongguang.

Seeing that they both shook their heads, he said, "If everyone has no further questions, let's adjourn the meeting."

Qiao Fuping stood up first and said, "Everyone except those on duty should go home and get some sleep. We have things to do tomorrow."

Everyone got up and walked outside.

Geng Jianwu said, "I won't go back tonight. I'll just stay in the dorm to avoid having to travel back and forth."

Qin Weijun also laughed and said, "I'm not going back either, it's too much trouble to go back and forth."

After everyone had left, Qiao Fuping took out a pack of Daqianmen cigarettes from his jacket pocket, pulled out three cigarettes, and handed them over.

He grinned and said, "Zhenghua, well done! In less than twelve hours, you've almost figured out the case."

Jiang Zhenghua took the cigarette: "Chief, this is just speculation at the moment, and it may not be correct yet. If it really is cracked, it's just a matter of luck."

Zhang Chongguang took the cigarette from Qiao Fuping and said with a smile, "Don't be modest. Luck is also part of ability. In our line of work, sometimes luck is more important than ability. Besides, your observation and analytical skills are indeed better than ours."

"Whether you have the ability or not, we can all see it. You should go home soon; your family is probably waiting for you."

After saying that, Qiao Fuping gently patted Jiang Zhenghua's arm.

"Chief, Instructor, how about we go over for a couple of drinks?"

Qiao Fuping waved his hand with a smile: "Let's skip tonight. I reckon everyone in the compound is waiting for you. We'll go to your place for a couple of drinks after the case is over."

Jiang Zhenghua asked in confusion, "You also know about what's going on in my department?"

Zhang Chongguang laughed heartily: "Everyone in our area knows the rules of your compound."

Why?

After exhaling a puff of smoke, Qiao Fuping squinted and said, "The higher-ups have always advocated for thrift and opposed extravagance. How can we keep having banquets and feasts? Old Zhao from your compound is something else entirely; he's always finding excuses to get everyone together to eat. The neighbors have all seen it. How could the police station not know?"

Jiang Zhenghua's expression changed immediately, and he was about to speak.

Zhang Chongguang interrupted him with a smile: "Don't be nervous, it's not a big deal. It's all voluntary for the neighbors in the courtyard. To put it nicely, it's about neighborly harmony and mutual support, which is in line with the principles of the community. If someone goesssips and says that he's using the gathering to be extravagant and forcing others to participate, at most we'll criticize him a bit and tell him to change. It's not a big mistake."

"Hurry back, your family must be getting impatient. I'll have someone make your bed for you, so you won't be disturbed tonight."

"Thank you, Director and Instructor. After the case is closed, I'll work a few more shifts so you can both get some rest."

After saying that, Jiang Zhenghua strode outside, sighing to himself.

That's really true. They say the word "official" has two mouths; it can be reasonable from both sides.

Today I finally witnessed it firsthand, and what's more, what they said made a lot of sense.

While lost in thought, I ran into Cao Hui in the front yard.

The other person asked in confusion, "Deputy Director Jiang, didn't the director say you were at your residence?"

"I'm going home first, then I'll come back to sleep. Are you on duty tonight?"

"Just put the weapons away and I'm about to go home. Tonight, Baojia and Uncle Chen are on duty."

"Where do you live? How do you get back?"

"I'm from Beijing. My parents live in Xicheng District, and my apartment is near Dongzhimen. I bought a second-hand bicycle for convenience when I go to work."

"Okay, be careful riding your bike on the way back."

Cao Hui hesitated for a moment, then called out to Jiang Zhenghua, who was about to leave.

Then he cautiously pointed to the holster on his waist: "Deputy Director Jiang, losing a gun is a serious matter."

Jiang Zhenghua grinned: "Thank you for reminding me. But my situation is special; my superiors gave me special permission to carry it with me at all times."

Cao Hui's eyes sharpened, and his gaze towards Jiang Zhenghua held a different meaning: "Deputy Director Jiang, I'm sorry, I didn't know..."

Jiang Zhenghua waved his hand: "You meant well. This is also your duty, and you did a good job."

Cao Hui watched Jiang Zhenghua walk out of the compound and muttered to himself, "Even though I had already thought highly of him, I still underestimated him."

Suddenly, he frowned, thinking to himself, "I remember asking the branch office about Deputy Director Jiang's gun issue before, and he told me not to worry about it, that the higher-ups would handle it..."

Thinking of this, Cao Hui's eyes widened suddenly, and he looked again in the direction Jiang Zhenghua had left through the doorway.

Although the place was empty, he still felt a sense of unreality and a strange pressure.

"That means...that gun was always on him, so his superiors always made him carry it, and he was always on guard..."

Thinking of this, Cao Hui couldn't help but swallow.

While I was lost in thought, my shoulder suddenly felt heavy.

He immediately jumped up.

Then Chen Shan looked on with a smile.

Cao Hui said with a wry smile, "Old Chen, don't you know that scaring someone can kill them?"

Chen Shan chuckled and said, "What are you thinking about? You didn't answer when I called you. I thought you were bewitched by something. Also, when did you become so timid?"

Cao Hui pulled out a pack of Dachansheng cigarettes from his pocket, took out two, and handed them over: "I just ran into Deputy Director Jiang, and I suddenly realized he's quite extraordinary. I'm so engrossed in him now."

Chen Shan took the top one and said with a smile, "Nonsense, how could it be easy? Didn't you hear the instructor say that it's two individual second-class merits? You were a soldier too, you know how hard it is to get."

He lit his cigarette using Cao Hui's famous match and muttered, "The first thing they do is appoint someone as deputy director. Do you think it'll be simple?"

Cao Hui opened his mouth.

In the end, she refrained from mentioning the gun, and instead went along with it, saying, "What you said makes sense. I'm completely impressed by his reasoning skills."

Chen Shan sighed, "Some people are just born to do this kind of work; we can't help but envy them."

"I have to go home now. See you tomorrow."

Cao Hui waved and walked towards the bike shed.