Era: Starting from the local police station

At this time, the backyard was very lively and brightly lit.

A row of people with their hands tied were squatting in the corner, along with several members of the community security committee and two police officers who patrolled back and forth.

Upon seeing him come out, Jiang Lirong immediately said, "Deputy Director Jiang, Deputy Director Jin is in the conference room, and Director Qiao and Instructor Zhang are leading a group of people in the interrogation."

Jiang Zhenghua nodded: "Watch closely, don't let anyone approach. You're allowed to fire if necessary."

Jiang Lirong's expression hardened, and he stood at attention, replying, "Yes, sir."

Jiang Zhenghua called out to Liu Baojia, who was not far away: "Liu Baojia."

Liu Baojia immediately responded, strode over, stood at attention, and saluted: "Deputy Director Jiang."

Jiang Zhenghua loudly ordered, "You and Niu Fu guard the gate. No one is allowed to enter or leave without orders."

Liu Baojia's expression changed, and he immediately replied, "Yes."

He pulled a pistol from his waist and ran quickly toward the front gate.

Jiang Zhenghua ordered Zhang Yi, who was guarding the courtyard, "Zhang Yi, keep a close eye on these people. No one is allowed to move."

Zhang Yi responded, "Yes."

The patrolman assisting nearby also changed his expression, gripping his wooden stick and staring warily at the squatting person.

After arranging everything, Jiang Zhenghua ignored everyone in the hospital and strode towards the conference room.

Hearing the commotion, Zhang Chongguang and Qiao Fuping quickly came out from the rooms on either side.

Qiao Fuping asked, "What happened?"

Zhang Chongguang's eyes were also filled with worry.

"Let's talk in the meeting room."

As he spoke, Jiang Zhenghua strode to the gate and shouted, "Report!"

He heard a sound coming from inside, so he pushed the door open and went in, where he saw Jin Hong and Liang Jing chatting.

Jin Hong asked, "Did they confess?"

Jiang Zhenghua nodded emphatically: "Leave it all behind."

Seeing that his expression remained serious, Jin Hong seemed to have thought of something and said with a smile, "You don't need to worry about those people outside. I contacted the director, and Director Yang ordered that no matter who it is, they must be handled strictly according to procedures."

Upon seeing Qiao Fuping and Zhang Chongguang following behind, his smile instantly vanished: "What happened?"

Jiang Zhenghua handed over the transcript with both hands: "Deputy Director Jin, please take a look, this is Qian Bao's transcript."

Seeing his serious expression, Jin Hong composed himself, took the transcript, and immediately began to read it.

Jiang Zhenghua said in a deep voice: "Qian Bao confessed that he belonged to the Second Bureau of the Nationalist Party's Ministry of National Defense, and his code name was 'Blue Eagle'."

Qiao Fuping exclaimed, "He's a spy?"

Zhang Chongguang stared wide-eyed: "Really?"

Liang Jing stood up, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Jin Hong remained unmoved and gently turned the pages of the notebook.

Jiang Zhenghua glanced at the three of them and nodded emphatically: "Ever since I learned about Tu Shan's ordeal, I've been suspicious. What real gambling tycoon doesn't quickly drain their victims after setting a trap? They wouldn't keep them hanging on forever."

Jin Hong stood up: "Where is he?"

"Jiang Lirong stood guard outside the interrogation room, Qin Weijun kept a close watch on him, and Liu Baojia and Niu Fu guarded the main gate."

Jin Hong nodded and ordered Zhang Chongguang, "Zhang Chongguang, take two men to the courtyard that Lao Lin searched, retrieve the roster from behind the main house, and have Lao Lin guard it."

Zhang Chongguang raised his hand in salute: "Yes, sir."

He turned to Qiao Fuping and said, "Go to the courtyard and keep watch. Don't let anyone into the interrogation room."

Qiao Fuping replied, "Understood."

Jin Hong turned to Liang Jing beside him and said, "Director Liang, have the patrol team keep an eye on those people."

Liang Jing replied, "I'll personally keep an eye on it."

Watching Liang Jing walk out the door, Jin Hong said to Jiang Zhenghua, "Come with me, we need to report this immediately."

The two arrived at the director's office.

Jin Hong quickly cranked the handle, then grabbed the receiver: "Is this the switchboard? Connect me to Director Yang's office at the Dongcheng Branch."

Soon, a voice came from the other end: "This is Yang Zhan, the director of the Dongcheng branch. Who is this?"

Jin Hong straightened up: "Director Yang, I am Jin Hong."

"Has something happened over there again?"

"Reporting to Director Yang, during our interrogation, Qian Bao, the person behind the gambling den, confessed that he was a spy codenamed 'Green Eagle'."

"Immediately seal off the police station and protect him. I'll report it right away."

"Yes."

Jin Hong responded and then hung up the phone.

He pulled a pack of Daqianmen cigarettes from his pocket, took out two, and handed them over: "You really think he wasn't involved in the case?"

Jiang Zhenghua took the cigarette, lit it for Jin Hong with a famous match, and said, "I don't think he has any reason to lie to us. So far, there is no evidence to prove that he is a spy, and he can completely deny it."

Jin Hong plopped down on the stool and nodded emphatically.

Jiang Zhenghua continued, "As for our case, as long as we bring Hu Youshan back and interrogate him, we'll know whether he was involved or not."

"I initially thought it was just a simple murder case, but then a second murder occurred. I thought it would be difficult to solve, but you solved it in just one day. Now, another enemy agent has emerged, and we don't know what will happen next."

Jin Hong paused slightly, then looked up and asked, "Do you think Tu Shan is hiding something from us? Otherwise, why would these people be interested in him?"

Jiang Zhenghua took a deep drag on his cigarette and said slowly, "I do have some guesses about this, but I have no evidence to support them."

Jin Hong sat up straight and pointed to the chair opposite him: "The director and the others won't be here for a while. Sit down and have a good talk with them."

Jiang Zhenghua pulled out a chair and sat down: "Do you still remember the burlap sacks?"

Jin Hong nodded, then frowned: "What does this have to do with sacks?"

Jiang Zhenghua exhaled a puff of smoke: "We've been thinking about what the other party wants to take out of the factory, but we've never considered the possibility that they might bring something in from outside and then bring it out again."

Jin Hong paused in his smoking motion: "My brain's a bit muddled right now."

Jiang Zhenghua explained, "These people abandoned Tushan at the beginning of last year. That was exactly the time when he was fired from the factory, so I speculate that their goal was to get him to do something at the factory."

Jin Hong nodded.

Jiang Zhenghua continued, "And this time is close to the time when Hu Decai was looking for people to enter the factory. This is too much of a coincidence, so I have to connect the two things together."

Jin Hong nodded slightly and exhaled a smoke ring: "Could it be that they want to sabotage the workshop? That doesn't make sense. These two factories aren't connected, are they?"

"You should have overlooked one thing, and that is the skills of the Tushan Society."

Jin Hong stubbed out his cigarette: "Car repair? Does that really mean property damage? Like vehicles?"

Jiang Zhenghua shook his head: "He's a fitter."

Jin Hong was taken aback, then realized, "Indeed, I completely overlooked the fact that he knows how to do fitter work. And if we're looking for something in common between a machine repair shop and a machine factory, it's that they both have lathes, which can process parts..."

He stopped, his eyes showing a mixture of doubt and certainty.

Jiang Zhenghua said, "This also explains why Section Chief Cheng didn't find any obvious problems during the warehouse inspection. Because they didn't actually take much; that money was just a subsidy from someone. Otherwise, how much waste would it take to distribute it like that?"

Jin Hong lit another cigarette: "Under normal circumstances, if the factory discovers a problem and things are really exposed, as long as no connection with enemy agents can be found, these people won't be in any big trouble. At most, they'll be accused of abusing their power to process some parts for others."

"That's right. And I suspect they've already finished the work and are preparing to erase the traces."

"You mean someone offered a bribe a few days ago?"

Before Jiang Zhenghua could answer, Jin Hong muttered to himself, "If Qian Bao hadn't never given up on Tushan, and if we hadn't decided to let him take action this time, it's hard to say whether all of this would have come to light. Even now that Qian Bao has been exposed, we have no evidence to say that the machinery factory incident was done by spies; it's all just speculation."

"I think you're right again this time. Road control is much stricter now than it was right after liberation. It won't be so easy for the enemy to transport weapons in. But if we assemble them ourselves, it will not only save them trouble, but we also won't rely on others, and the risk of exposure will be reduced."

Jin Hong stubbed out his cigarette in the wooden box, stood up and said, "Let's go, Director Yang and the others should be here soon. We'll report this to the higher-ups later and see what they say."

Jiang Zhenghua got up and quickly walked outside.

The entrance to the Taotiao Hutong Police Station.

The sound of a car engine grew louder as it approached, and a dim yellow light pierced the night, illuminating the road in front of the door.

A GAZ MB jeep led the way, followed by a brand-new domestically produced Changjiang 46 jeep, and finally a Jiefang truck, with two rows of public security soldiers carrying rifles standing in the back of the truck bed.

"Creak..."

Almost instantly, the brakes sounded simultaneously, and the vehicle came to a steady stop at the gate of the compound.

Jin Hong and his group, who had been waiting nearby, quickly went to greet them.

A middle-aged man jumped out of the GAZ jeep.

He was robust, in his fifties, with a square face, some graying temples, and neatly combed hair. The seams of his summer police uniform were clearly visible.

Jin Hong immediately stood at attention and saluted: "Director Yang."

Jiang Zhenghua and the others immediately followed suit and saluted.

Yang Zhan, the director of the Dongcheng branch, quickly returned the greeting: "Thank you for your hard work."

After saying that, he quickly walked towards the Yangtze River Jeep.

At this moment, the simple door of the Changjiang Type 46 jeep was pushed open.

A man in his forties with a square face, wearing a Zhongshan suit, got out of the car. Seeing Director Yang and his group, he smiled and extended his hand: "Director Yang, it's been a long time."

Director Yang quickly reached out and grasped the other person's hand: "Director Feng, I'm sorry to bother you so late again."

Feng Yi said, "After this matter was reported, the vice minister attached great importance to it and demanded that it be handled properly."

Jin Hong raised his hand in salute.

Jiang Zhenghua and the others quickly saluted, saying, "Hello, Director Feng."

Feng Yi raised his hand in return: "Hello, comrades."

He lowered his hand, reached out to shake hands with Jin Hong, and then shook hands with Yu Yong: "Director Yu, I didn't expect to see you here."

Yu Yong smiled and shook hands with him: "Director Feng, this is a case that our two institutes are handling together."

When he reached Jiang Zhenghua, he raised his hand in salute: "Jiang Zhenghua, deputy director of Taotiao Hutong Police Station, greets you."

Feng Yi returned the greeting and then shook hands with him.

At that moment, a second lieutenant ran over, stood at attention, saluted, and loudly reported, "Reporting, sir, the troops are assembled. Please give instructions."

Feng Yi said, "Platoon Leader Jing, you take two men with me inside to hand over the duties. Tell the rest of the comrades to stay put."

Platoon Leader Jing responded, "Yes, sir."

Director Yang stepped forward and said, "Director Feng, let's go inside to talk. Deputy Director Miao of the Municipal Bureau is on his way and will be here soon."

Feng Yi nodded: "Let's go."

The group walked quickly toward the police station's courtyard, where several soldiers quickly arrived at the entrance and formed two lines to stand guard.

Liu Baojia stood ramrod straight at the entrance of the guardhouse, raising his hand in salute, his eyes gleaming with excitement; Niu Fu stood at the window, equally upright.

Feng Yi and Director Yang quickly returned the greeting, nodding to each other at the same time.

Upon entering the front yard, one sees many people squatting there, their hands bound, heads bowed, not daring to speak.

Some people occasionally peeked out and saw the group, especially the armed soldier at the back, and immediately lowered their heads.

The patrol team members and police officers who were on guard immediately straightened up when they saw the group.

Feng Yi asked in confusion, "Who are these people?"

Jin Hong quickly explained, "That man secretly organized a casino. These people were invited by him, and he planned to make money tonight. We brought them all back, but we haven't finished dealing with them yet."

Director Yang interjected, "Many of them are government officials, factory workers, and managers."

Feng Yi said coldly, "They are all parasites who have forgotten their roots and must be dealt with seriously."

Jin Hong and the others responded, "Yes."

Qiao Fuping leaned close to Jiang Zhenghua's ear: "Do you know who this Director Feng is?"

Jiang Zhenghua shook his head.

Qiao Fuping explained in a low voice: "Currently, our country has three departments for counter-espionage. The first is the Ministry of Public Security, which is the highest authority in charge of espionage cases nationwide and commands the national counter-espionage work. The core functional department is the First Bureau (Political Security Bureau), which is responsible for the investigation and handling of anti-revolutionary and espionage cases and is the central hub of counter-espionage work. The other three bureaus are the Intelligence Department, which are responsible for the collection, analysis and reporting of espionage intelligence and coordinating counter-espionage operations in various regions."

Jiang Zhenghua glanced at Feng Yi in front of him and said in a low voice, "Director Feng is from the First Bureau?"

Qiao Fuping nodded: "Yes. The second one is the Investigation Department, which is responsible for intelligence work and counter-espionage, conducting intelligence analysis on the infiltration and dispatch of foreign intelligence agencies, and coordinating the counter-espionage struggle on the hidden front."

Jiang Zhenghua nodded.

This department became widely known in later generations and was headed by "Farmer," who was known as the number one intelligence officer in China.

Qiao Fuping continued, "The third is the General Staff Intelligence Department, also known as the Second Department of the General Staff: responsible for counter-espionage in the military field, preventing and combating espionage activities targeting the military, defense industry, and military facilities, collecting military intelligence, and analyzing the military sabotage intentions of foreign spies."

Jiang Zhenghua nodded in realization.

Yu Yong chimed in, "To be honest, the three departments overlap and aren't completely separate. They often coordinate and cooperate to solve cases together."

As they spoke, they had already passed through the hanging flower gate and arrived at the backyard.

Jin Hong said, "That person was detained in the second interrogation room, guarded by two comrades."

Feng Yi turned to Platoon Leader Jing and said, "You two take over the guard."

Platoon Leader Jing responded, "Yes, sir."

Upon seeing this, Jiang Lirong, who was guarding the door, saluted the three people and then pushed open the door.

Qin Weijun quickly came out.

Platoon Leader Jing ordered, "The two of you will keep a close watch on him."

Two soldiers responded and went inside.

"Qin Weijun, you two go and keep an eye on the front yard."

Qin Weijun and his companion responded and left.

"Director Feng, let's go to the conference room and have the comrades explain the details."

The group arrived at the conference room and sat down on either side.

On one side was Yang Zhan, followed by Jin Hong, Qiao Fuping, Yu Yong, and Jiang Zhenghua; on the other side was Feng Yi, followed by three young men wearing Zhongshan suits.

Feng Yi said in a deep voice, "We're all family, so let's not stand on ceremony. Which comrade would like to introduce the situation?"

Jin Hong said, "Director Feng, Director Yang, let Comrade Jiang Zhenghua introduce it. He has been involved in this case from beginning to end, so he knows it best."

Feng Yi nodded and looked at Jiang Zhenghua: "Then please let Deputy Director Jiang speak."

Jiang Zhenghua stood up, stepped forward, saluted, and said loudly, "Comrades and comrades, this matter stems from a murder and body disposal case that occurred in our jurisdiction. The deceased... just yesterday morning, we received a report that the driver..."

Three knocks on the door interrupted Jiang Zhenghua's words.

Qiao Fuping quickly got up, went over and opened the door.

A middle-aged man in a Zhongshan suit stood at the door, followed by four officers in police uniforms. Zhang Chongguang stood at the very back.

Qiao Fuping immediately stood at attention and saluted: "Good morning, Deputy Director Miao."

Miao Qing returned the greeting and strode inside, extending his hand from afar: "Director Feng, I'm sorry I'm late."

Feng Yi smiled and shook hands: "It's not late, we just arrived too."

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, everyone sat down again.

Feng Yi said, "Comrade Jiang Zhenghua, please continue."

Jiang Zhenghua responded and continued, "Under the guidance of our superiors, we acted decisively and arrested 'Brother Leopard'... Qian Bao confessed that his code name was 'Green Eagle'... He hoped we could rescue his wife and children."

After listening, Yang Zhan said coldly, "These people haven't improved at all; they're still threatening people's families."

Feng Yi chimed in, "I doubt they'll make any further progress."

He looked at Jiang Zhenghua: "You just mentioned taking away more than twenty people. Do you have any information on these people?"

Zhang Chongguang, who was sitting at the end, stood up and handed over a notebook with both hands: "Director Feng, this is the information that Qian Bao recorded. I took it from the secret compartment he mentioned."

Feng Yi took the document, flipped through it a few times, and handed it to someone nearby: "Take a look. Make sure you find these people, alive or dead."

The man replied, "Yes."

Feng Yi glanced at everyone: "What are your thoughts on those people secretly smuggling sacks out of the machine factory?"

Jin Hong continued, "Director Feng, Deputy Director Miao, Deputy Director Jiang and I discussed this matter. We suspect it might not be scrap steel, but rather that the other party brought in raw materials, processed them using equipment, and then smuggled them out in this way."

Sitting next to Feng Yi, Wu Yao said, "I strongly agree with Comrade Jiang's speculation. The timing of the other party abandoning Tushan and Hou Laicai starting to find people to do the work is too coincidental."

The others nodded in agreement.

Miao Qing looked at Feng Yi: "Director Feng, what are your thoughts on this case?"

Feng Yi pondered for a moment and said, "Although there is no evidence to prove that enemy agents were involved, relevant personnel have been implicated, and I also agree with the speculation that it was processed."

He paused briefly, then said in a deep voice, "We must not be careless with the enemy, and we cannot give them the slightest chance. We must conduct reconnaissance with the utmost caution, even if it means making a misjudgment."

Miao Qing nodded: "As mentioned earlier, security personnel Hu Youshan can now be determined to have hired someone to commit murder. I think we should use the pretext of protecting state property and investigating the murder case to allow him to enter the machinery factory for investigation. What do you think?"

Feng Yi nodded: "Okay. I think we should set up a special task force. I'll be the leader, and you, Comrade Yang Zhan, and Comrade Wu Yao will be the deputy leaders. The case will be divided into two groups. Comrade Wu Yao will be in charge of the first group, dealing with the 'Green Eagle' issue, which will be investigated by the Ministry. The two of you will be in charge of the second group, dealing with the machinery factory issue."

Yang Zhan interjected, "I suggest that we merge the previous task force with this one and continue to investigate the murder of Hou Laicai."

Miao Qing said, "Okay, let's arrange it like this. Jin Zi and the deputy director will openly investigate the murder and theft cases, while the political security department of the municipal bureau will secretly investigate the social relationships of the personnel."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Feng Yi asked, "Do you have anything to add regarding the case?"

Jiang Zhenghua said, "There are two key figures in this case who need to be investigated in detail."

Miao Qing said, "Tell me, who are they?"

Jiang Zhenghua said solemnly, "The first one is Diao Cuihua; the second one is Qi Ronggen."

Feng Yi nodded: "Qi Ronggen definitely knows something. The way he dragged Hu Decai into this mess, the reassignment of security personnel, and even the power of that Director Wang are all related to him."

He looked at Jiang Zhenghua: "But what's wrong with Diao Cuihua?"

Jiang Zhenghua said slowly, "From my first encounter with Diao Cuihua, my impression of her was that she was overly theatrical. When I questioned her, she would dodge the question whenever the key points were mentioned; secondly, her experiences seemed too perfect."

Miao Qing continued, "Are you questioning her during the years she worked as a maid?"

Jiang Zhenghua nodded emphatically: "Many high-ranking officials and nobles place great importance on rules in their residences. They instill in their servants a subservient and obedient mentality. But she, on the contrary, learned to rebel. What makes me even more suspicious is how she quickly found a matchmaker and immediately entered the city."

Yang Zhan said thoughtfully, "That makes sense. She's going to the mansion, not the factory, so her exposure to ideology and propaganda should be limited. Besides, it's not easy for a country girl to dare to defy her parents' wishes and the matchmaker's words."

Jiang Zhenghua continued, "According to Hu Decai's confession, it's really a coincidence that she was able to meet him so soon after he joined the company and even rekindle their old flame. At the time, she was a married woman, but after her husband passed away, she refused to stay with Hu Decai, claiming she wanted to remain chaste. The contrast is just too much..."

Wu Yao nodded: "Every time, the reasons sound high-sounding, but the actions are inconsistent, which is very contradictory."

Jiang Zhenghua continued, "She later got involved with Hou Laicai. According to Hou Shucai, Hou Laicai admitted to having an affair with her. And Qi Ronggen handled Wang Jiansheng's accident. She was directly or indirectly involved with almost everyone involved in the case. Based on the existing clues, it can be inferred that Hou Laicai was murdered to silence him because he discovered the secret in the sack. As of now, among all the people we know who are connected to him, he didn't tell anyone about this. So who knew and informed Qi Ronggen and his group is still a mystery."

Feng Yi looked at the relationship diagram on the blackboard: "The people in Houjia Village only know that he is going to do something big, something that might get him a job. But these people can't get in touch with the people at the machinery factory. So in the city, the only people he's close to, besides Hu Decai, are her."

Jiang Zhenghua said, "Thinking about it now, if this major incident was about exposing the processing of parts, and he might have recognized one of the items as a very dangerous one, it would have been linked to spies..."

Yu Yong said excitedly, "That makes sense. Reporting enemy spies, protecting national security, and also uncovering a bunch of corrupt officials and preventing the loss of state-owned assets—in his view, he could definitely get a job. Wow, with this kind of analysis, Diao Cuihua is far more suspicious than you think."

Jin Hong interjected, "My two comrades reported that Diao Cuihua has been going to and from get off work steadily these past few days, and there's nothing suspicious about her."

Feng Yi said softly, "If it's really as we guessed, then they've probably already been discovered. We'll bring one or two people back tomorrow and replace them with people from the security department."

He told Wu Yao, "Immediately arrange for someone to investigate their whereabouts and background based on the address of that wealthy family."

Wu Yao responded, "Yes."

Wu Yao said to the man beside him, "Go and send a message to Group Three, focusing on investigating the wealthy businessmen who went to the island, and see if you can find any information."

The man got up and left quickly.

Jiang Zhenghua spoke again, "There's one more thing, which is why Hou Laicai was able to move into the tenement. Now the original landlord's and Hu Decai's accounts have diverged. He still says it's a coincidence, but I always feel there's something fishy going on."

Miao Qing chimed in, "There aren't that many coincidences in timing. This matter needs to be clarified."

He paused, then looked at everyone: "You have a lot of clues. I think once these questions are investigated, the case will be pretty much solved."

Jin Hong explained, "The people in the branch's investigation department are busy handling several cases these days and simply can't spare any time."

Yang Zhan continued, "These days, cases have been frequent, especially on the black market. We received a tip that many villagers, upon hearing about the communal dining, are secretly taking their own grain or other items to the black market to exchange for goods. Our comrades below are working non-stop."

Miao Qing nodded: "I've received many reports about this. The director is already communicating with the municipal government to see if we can get cooperation from governments at all levels. It's just that we can't stop this phenomenon."

"Now that we have enough people and these clues, we should be able to get to the bottom of this matter very soon."

Feng Yi paused, then said in a deep voice, "An important meeting is about to be held at the higher-ups, and everyone knows that we need to solve the case as soon as possible. I think the sooner the better. Let's contact the Hongxing Machinery Factory now and ask them to cooperate so that we can move in and investigate immediately tomorrow morning."

Miao Qing nodded in agreement: "Now, we should immediately deal with these people who have been arrested. Those who should be detained should be detained, and those who should be investigated should be handed over to the branch office for investigation."

Everyone responded in unison, "Yes."