Era: Starting from the local police station

"In order not to alert the suspect, we discussed with Section Chief Cheng of the security department of the machinery factory and decided to cooperate in the investigation. This afternoon, we will arrange for Qi Ronggen to lead a team to support us in conducting security patrols in the area, citing the occurrence of a murder case and the need to ensure public safety."

Jiang Zhenghua pondered for a moment and said, "Qin Weijun, you will be in charge of liaising with them and leading the patrols. Any problems?"

Qin Weijun stood up straight and said loudly, "I guarantee I will complete the mission."

Jiang Zhenghua nodded and continued, "There is a key figure in this case. As long as we can break through him, the truth will come out."

As he spoke, he pointed to Hu Decai's name with chalk.

Jin Hong asked, "Have you decided what to do?"

Jiang Zhenghua said, "We have a preliminary plan. Hu Decai has a seventeen-year-old son who is currently unemployed. I'm thinking of investigating him, and if he has any bad behavior, I'll bring him back for a reprimand."

Jin Hong nodded: "This plan is feasible. As long as his son is brought here under a different pretext, he will definitely come to inquire about the situation and will not suspect anything."

Jiang Zhenghua continued, "To be on the safe side, we first need to find those temporary workers. With their testimonies, it will be much easier to break through Hu Decai's account."

At this moment, Geng Jianwu stood up with the list in his hand: "I remember once when I was drinking with Director Liao of the Public Security Committee, one of the team members mentioned something. He said that a capable person had emerged from the village next door. He could often take the villagers to the city to earn some money to supplement their household income."

Qiao Fuping asked, "Do you remember your name?"

Geng Jianwu shook his head: "I've forgotten the name."

Jiang Zhenghua said, "Here's what we'll do: you and Zhang Yi go to the community security committee to look for this person and see if you can get any useful clues."

Geng Jianwu and Zhang Yi replied, "Yes."

After saying that, the two quickly walked outside.

Jiang Zhenghua looked at Jin Hong: "Deputy Director Jin, do you have any other instructions?"

Jin Hong shook his head: "You've arranged everything perfectly."

Jiang Zhenghua looked at the others and saw that they all shook their heads, so he said, "Then the meeting is adjourned."

Qiao Fuping stood up and said, "Deputy Director Jin, Lao Yu, Lao Lin, let's go to my office for tea."

Jin Hong nodded: "Zheng Hua is here too."

Jiang Zhenghua nodded.

The group quickly walked out of the conference room and into the director's office.

After the tea was poured, Jin Hong sat behind his desk, exhaled a smoke ring, looked at Jiang Zhenghua, and asked, "Is it alright not to arrange surveillance on Hu Decai?"

Jiang Zhenghua said, "That's exactly what I was about to say. It's not that we don't monitor them, but the people from our two institutes are too familiar with each other. I'm afraid the other side might investigate, and if we're exposed..."

Jin Hong nodded: "What you said makes sense. I think it would be more convenient to transfer people directly from the township police station."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Jin Hong turned the phone around, saying as he cranked the handle, "I remember there are two retired reconnaissance soldiers at the Hongxing Town Police Station; they'd be perfect for this job."

Shortly after, Jin Hong hung up the phone: "They will report to the Yu'er Hutong Police Station around 3 p.m., and you can go and make contact with them then."

Yu Yong said, "I'll take responsibility."

Qiao Fuping nodded and took out a black-and-white half-length photo from his pocket: "This is his photo."

Yu Yong took it, glanced at it a few times, and carefully put it in his shirt pocket.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Jiang Zhenghua stepped forward and opened the door.

Zhang Chongguang stood at the door holding a large iron basin, while Qin Weijun behind him held an enamel basin, and Liu Baojia held a small basin of steamed buns made from two kinds of flour.

Jiang Zhenghua quickly moved aside to open the door.

Not long after, the group put down their chopsticks.

As Jiang Zhenghua was refilling the teacups of the group with the kettle, a voice came from outside the office: "Report."

Zhang Chongguang stood up: "I'll go. It's Hu Gui's voice. They must have found out about Hu Decai's son."

Soon, he returned with a few sheets of paper. As soon as he came in and closed the door, he said, "Hu Decai's son, Hu Tianshun, spends a lot of time hanging out with a group of young people in the alley. He just wanders around the streets all the time."

Jin Hong laughed and said, "He must be someone who's always causing trouble."

Zhang Chongguang nodded: "This guy is always generous, so a group of thugs call him Brother Shun. He also often acts like the leader and likes to settle things for others."

He glanced at it a few times and continued, "Hu Gui found out that a few days ago a thug harassed a girl, but her boyfriend was from a military academy, so he got beaten up. Right now, both sides are making a scene. Today I beat up one of you, tomorrow the other side brings people to beat up another one. It's a back-and-forth."

Yu Yong smiled and said, "Isn't it time for both sides to negotiate?"

Zhang Chongguang nodded: "That's right. There are reports that Hu Tianshun has expressed his desire to meet with the other side's leader to discuss how to resolve the issue, but the date has not yet been set."

Lin Song shook his head helplessly: "Sigh, these kids nowadays are really lawless. They're so young and they're already trying to pick up girls. Because of this, so many fights and brawls have happened."

"Which district does Hu Tianshun live in?"

"Dongdan is under the jurisdiction of our branch."

Jin Hong nodded: "That's more convenient. We can bring them back directly. We can just say that our people are passing by, and I'll give the Dongdan Police Station a heads-up."

Jiang Zhenghua asked, "Have you found out who the injured person is? If you can't catch them in the act, you can just call the police and bring them back as injured persons."

Zhang Chongguang nodded, and was about to speak when Geng Jianwu's report came from outside the office.

Jin Hong said loudly, "Come in."

Geng Jianwu pushed open the door, stood at attention, and saluted: "Reporting to Deputy Director Jin, I found Comrade Zhang Youming. He looked at the list and confirmed that those people are from Houjia Village near his hometown."

Jin Hong slammed his hand on the table with a loud "bang," and shouted, "Good, finally found him. Where is Zhang Youming now?"

Geng Jianwu reported: "I'm with Director Liao of the Public Security Committee in the Public Security Police Headquarters office."

Jin Hong nodded in satisfaction: "Well done! You haven't eaten yet, have you? Go down and eat first."

Geng Jianwu saluted and responded, then turned and walked out.

Jin Hong glanced around and noticed that everyone had a happy expression on their face.

He chuckled and said, "I think it's convenient for Director Qiao to stay and keep in touch with the machinery factory. How about I, Deputy Director Jiang, and Instructor Zhang go to Houjia Village?"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Chief Qiao, we have news. We'll try to contact the station immediately."

"I have a radio in my car. Take out the emergency radio from your station and use it to transmit messages."

"No problem. Once we have the exact location of Hou San's house, I will immediately lead a team to investigate."

Lin Song, the instructor at Yu'er Hutong Police Station, asked, "How about I come with you?"

Jiang Zhenghua shook his head: "Instructor Lin, there's another lead here that needs someone to investigate, and I think you'd be more suitable."

Everyone looked at him.

"The cart used by the two suspects didn't smell of feces, and professionals like them wouldn't use their own tools, so I guess it was either stolen or borrowed."

"I understand what you mean. I will contact other police stations to see if they have received any reports, and I will also have someone investigate."

Jiang Zhenghua added, "You can ask those landlords. If they rented it, the price they paid probably wouldn't be low. It'll definitely spread around in the industry."

Lin Song nodded.

"Then let's find Director Liao and the others now and set off immediately."

After saying that, Jin Hong took the lead and walked outside.

The group arrived at the front yard.

Director Liao of the Public Security Committee was standing at the entrance of the large office with a young man in his early twenties.

Jin Hong greeted him with a smile from afar, saying, "Director Liao, thank you for making this trip in person."

Liao Baohua reached out his hand to greet him from afar: "Hello, Deputy Director Jin. It's not hard work at all; it's all for the sake of the job."

Jin Hong shook hands with him: "Have you two eaten?"

Liao Baohua nodded: "I ate before coming."

Jin Hong looked at Zhang Youming beside him.

Zhang Youming stood at attention, saluted, and said loudly, "Good morning, leader. I am Zhang Youming, a member of the security patrol team."

Jin Hong immediately returned the greeting, lowered his hand, and said with a smile, "Director Liao, a strong general indeed has no weak soldiers under his command. You can tell at a glance that you are a shrewd and capable elite."

Liao Baohua looked at his subordinate with satisfaction: "Youming is indeed very hardworking, and he is usually serious and responsible in his work."

Jin Hong nodded and said seriously, "Director Liao, you know something about the case. Since it's urgent, I won't beat around the bush. We need Comrade Zhang Youming to lead the way to Houjia Village to ask some questions."

"Understood, we are ready to depart at any time."

"Let's go then, we'll talk about the details on the way."

Soon, the three-wheeled vehicle and Deputy Director Jin's jeep drove out of the compound.