Urban Crisis [Complete] - Chapter 28 (End)

page views:1 Publication date:2023-03-24

Chapter Sixty-Eight: Boarding the Pirate Ship Leads to Silence; The Mask Awaits Investigation.

Fang Hao met with Chen Hu in his office.

"Chen Hu, have you seen the document from the Municipal People's Congress approving Comrade Gong Changsheng's appointment as Chief Prosecutor and Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau?"

"I received the document. I believe the organization's decision is correct. Although I
haven't , I will accept his leadership and cooperate with his work."

"Any other thoughts?"

"Regarding myself, I have no thoughts. I've told Director Zhou many times in the past that I'm not suitable for overall
work, and I'm already overwhelmed as a department head. Napoleon's saying, 'A soldier who doesn't want to be a marshal is not
a good soldier,' is pure nonsense. The photo incident itself shows that
there are still significant loopholes in my handling of Jiao Dongfang and related cases. This incident has greatly shaken me; the struggle is more brutal and intense than we anticipated.
I should reflect and examine myself. Secretary Fang, can I tell you my thoughts? Director Zhou assigned me work,
but I didn't have time to report to him before he passed away."

"I called you here to analyze the current complex situation. What are your thoughts?

"Let me first report on the findings of the investigation at Hou Dewei's home in Jilin." Chen Hu opened his briefcase, took out the interrogation records,
letters, photos, and a knotted rope, and placed them on his desk. "Hou Dewei's mother, Yu Jinxiu, committed suicide
by hanging herself from a beam using this rope. But this is a hoax. Forensic experts have determined that the knot wasn't
tied by the victim herself; it must have been placed around her neck by someone else. Clearly, Yu Jinxiu was murdered, and
the perpetrator staged the suicide scene. We still don't know who the perpetrator is. But before Yu Jinxiu's death,
someone claiming to be Hou Dewei's friend visited her and showed her photos of Hou Dewei's death. I believe
the purpose of killing Yu Jinxiu was to silence her. Hou Dewei has already been killed; silencing him wouldn't be to protect Hou Dewei. Now there is
ample evidence to prove that the little girl in the photo is Wu Aikun. Wu Aikun is the daughter of Yu Jinxiu and an unnamed..." Wu Aikun was born to one of
the dozens of young people sent to the countryside. The purpose of silencing her was solely to protect Wu Aikun's birth secret from being revealed,
and also to protect that young person. If Yu Jinxiu revealed Wu Aikun's biological father's name, it could
damage his reputation, and given Wu Aikun's economic crimes, more problems would be exposed. Therefore, they
preemptively killed Yu Jinxiu to silence her. I noticed that Wu Aikun had already disappeared before this; Director Zhou speculated that she
had left the country, so it couldn't have been Wu Aikun who killed Yu Jinxiu. Who could this powerful person be
? What vested interests would drive him to commit such a heinous act?

Fang Hao, listening intently, interjected:

"Who is Wu Aikun's biological father? Have any clues been found?" "

Judging from the correspondence between Hou Dewei and his mother, this man is now a high-ranking cadre. This is precisely the question
Hou Dewei wanted to ask his mother so he could further blackmail Wu Aikun. But Yu Jinxiu
kept this secret until her death. You can understand the inside story by reading the letters. Yu Jinxiu was a kind-hearted rural woman who suffered greatly;
she raised Wu Aikun and paid the ultimate price for her daughter. According to Hou Ruyue, a close friend of Yu Jinxiu from the same village,
Wu Aikun's biological father is Ji Tao. Ji Tao was an educated youth sent to the countryside at the time. Of course, Hou Ruyue's testimony
can only be considered indirect testimony."

Chen Hu picked out a photo of the little girl and the young man, pointed to the young man, and said:

“According to Hou Ruyue’s testimony, this person is Ji Tao. He returned to the village once, and this photo was
taken during that trip. Later, two female soldiers took Xiao Wu Aikun away. There is currently no direct evidence to prove that this person is
Wu Aikun ’s biological father, and it is uncertain whether such evidence will be found in the future. With Yu Jinxiu’s death, this has become a permanent secret.
Secretary Fang, I think this person is highly suspicious.”

Fang Hao wiped his sweaty hands with a tissue and said,

“This is a matter of great importance. Without sufficient evidence, we cannot speak recklessly. Even if it is him, it doesn’t prove anything;
at most, it’s a matter of personal privacy and moral character. What we need is evidence of a crime.”

"I understand. Since the fire at the Forget-Me-Not Mall
,
a series of strange events have occurred: arson, the killing of Hou Dewei, the murder of Liu Xicui, the inexplicable death of Zhang Chenggong from heart failure, the death of Shen Dongyang in a car accident, and now the staged suicide scene of Yu Jinxiu. All these strange events have been one step ahead of us. The criminals' methods are highly sophisticated, leaving no
clues, and decisive and timely—the characteristics of a professional killer. At the same time, such a serious incident has occurred
: using photographic coded messages to secretly communicate with Jiao Dongfang and frame Jiao Xiaoyu. Is this just a coincidence? I
can guarantee that I can provide a lot of evidence to prove that Jiao Dongfang confessed that he and Jiao Xiaoyu discussed
using photographic coded messages a week before his arrest." The fabricated story is completely unfounded. Clearly, Jiao Dongfang used the false accusation against Jiao Xiaoyu to cover up
the person who was actually in secret contact with him. Regarding Jiao Xiaoyu's involvement in smuggling under the name of Cheng 60361, I can't produce evidence,
but my intuition tells me it's a trap, a meticulously planned trap designed to cover up
the real culprit in the 6036 case. And this has proven true; as soon as the 6036 case was exposed, our attention immediately shifted to
Jiao Xiaoyu. I even dare say that from the day Jiao Xiaoyu was appointed as the legal representative of Longjin Company, it was
a trap. Who appointed Jiao Xiaoyu as the legal representative?”

Chen Hu then wrote the character “纪” with water and said:

“It’s still this person. Director Zhou suspected him before he died, but we had no authority to investigate him,
not even the slightest reason to open a case. Frankly, Secretary Fang, I
’m the loser in this round. Almost all the witnesses and insiders died tragically. An invisible yet omnipresent
evil force is the winner. I’ve never lost so badly.”

Fang Hao remained silent for a good seven or eight minutes before speaking:

“Chen Hu, have you lost confidence?”

“At least half of my confidence.”

"Those who commit many evil deeds will surely perish. If this series of murders to cover up wrongdoings is manipulated by the same force, he has
n't won, because he's exposed himself to us. The cost of his actions is too high, because he's made it clear to us that
he's right in front of us. The first group of Task Force 6036 has made significant progress in its investigation of Wu Aikun.
Wu Aikun has an improper sexual relationship with her godfather, who is also her powerful backer. Godfather and goddaughter—
this feudalistic sexual relationship has also spread to a very small number of high-ranking cadres in our Party. It's terrifying.
Wu Aikun is actually her godfather's concubine! It is this godfather who has gradually brought Ji Tao to his current position."
If Wu Aikun is indeed Ji Tao's biological daughter, then the relationship between these three people is even more sordid. Ji Tao used his
daughter as a stepping stone to promotion. He is the real loser. In my opinion, his complete exposure is not far off.
Although the price we pay is high, fundamentally, it is a setback before victory. Chen Hu,
don't take my words as empty rhetoric or official jargon; these are my heartfelt words. I firmly believe that the Party has the ability to eradicate its own malignant tumor.
What about Lin Biao? What about Wang Hongwen? They reached the position of Vice Chairman of the Central Committee, but in the end, they still
collapsed. The situation you discussed, including your suspicions, raises a crucial issue: corruption
has shifted into political corruption. Political corruption is the inevitable consequence of economic corruption, and conversely, it provides political protection for even larger-scale
economic corruption. Corruption has become a public enemy, universally condemned. But political corruption is something
no one dares to study, discuss, or report in the news about. This self-deceptive epidemic runs counter to General Secretary Jiang's repeated
emphasis on politics, and it harms the Party and the country! "

Secretary Fang, with this series of strange events lately, I feel that a power is protecting economic crimes, and this
power likely comes from within the public security, procuratorate, and judicial system. This power protects criminals on the one hand, and suppresses, persecutes, and frames us on the other
. Jiao Xiaoyu cannot possibly be a suspect in the 6036 case, not even an insider. When I announced
her detention, I really wanted to resign on the spot, and I still can't understand it now."

Fang Hao smiled kindly and said,

"You're quite resentful about detaining Xiaoyu. Now I can tell you, I approved Xiaoyu's detention
."

Chen Hu jumped up from the sofa in surprise and said,

"Secretary Fang, you also suspect Xiaoyu of committing a crime?"

"Don't get angry so easily. Please sit down. I consulted Director Zhou, and he agreed."

Chen Hu was even more surprised.

"Director Zhou agreed too?"

"Do you know how to play Go?"

"A little."

"When a piece is captured, you have to remove it from the board. But you can still use it on the board and
continue the battle." Go is different from chess. In chess, once a piece is captured by the opponent, it cannot be placed on the board.
All the illegal documents bear Xiaoyu's signature; the three-bedroom apartment, credit cards, and BMW are all openly displayed.
Jiao Dongfang is still insisting that she used secret photos to communicate. Not detaining her would be considered favoritism. The opponent is a step ahead,
trapping Xiaoyu; we can only act according to the rules. Comrade Qiao Ying will explain the details to you; she should be
here already.”

Fang Hao picked up the intercom and said, “Please invite Comrade Qiao Ying in.” He put down the phone. “Comrade Qiao Ying is the Mu Guiying of
the Central Commission Discipline Inspection, invincible, making significant contributions in the investigation of over a dozen major cases. She
also has suspicions about Ji Tao and is secretly investigating him.”

Qiao Ying pushed open the door and said,

“Secretary Fang, Comrade Chen Hu, hello.”

“Comrade Qiao Ying, I think we're like brothers; let's keep things clear. Explain the detention of Jiao Xiaoyu to Comrade
Chen Hu . Don't make me take the blame alone.” "

After sitting down, Qiao Ying said,

'Comrade Chen Hu definitely has a problem with me, so why is his first target Jiao Xiaoyu?
The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection knows the irreplaceable role Xiaoyu played in investigating Jiao Dongfang's case. There
are five main considerations for detaining Jiao Xiaoyu. First, judicial fairness requires us not to show her any favoritism. As
the legal representative , she bears an unshirkable responsibility for Longjin Company's illegal actions. Second, if we don't detain
Jiao Xiaoyu, the investigation of the 6036 case will be put on the defensive from the start, and a comprehensive investigation cannot be carried out. This is precisely
a trap set by people with ulterior motives. Arresting Jiao Xiaoyu will divert attention; not arresting her will allow them to use her as a shield
for self-protection. Whether we arrest her or not, it will benefit our opponents. It should be said that they have
long ago carefully designed Jiao Xiaoyu's role, using her both as a pawn to save the king and as a
shield.'" Between two evils, choose the lesser. We must detain Jiao Xiaoyu, but not focus our investigation
on . This will prevent us from falling into their trap of diverting attention and allow us to win this game. Thirdly, detaining Jiao Xiaoyu is
the best protection for her. The series of murders to silence witnesses makes us extremely worried about her safety. She
could be their next target, and if she is silenced, all the blame will fall on her.
Placing her in the heavily guarded Anling Prison ensures her safety.
This will prevent Secretary Fang, Director Zhou, and I from losing sleep over her safety. Fourthly, this will lull our opponents into a false sense of security, giving them a
sense of accomplishment and thus lowering their guard. Comrade Chen Hu, you may not know this, but we deliberately arranged for
Jiao Xiaoyu meet with both Jiao Pengyuan and Jiao Dongfang immediately upon her imprisonment. We wanted to see
the connection between the Jiao father and son and the case. Jiao Pengyuan was shocked and even regretful about Jiao Xiaoyu's imprisonment. Therefore, we ruled out
any connection between Jiao Pengyuan and the case. As expected, Jiao Dongfang slipped up. His first words to Xiaoyu were, "I knew you'd come sooner or later,
but I didn't expect it to be so soon." This shows that Jiao Dongfang was directly involved in the conspiracy to frame Jiao Xiaoyu, exposing his connections with
the outside world . Fifthly, Comrade Chen Hu, this is for your sake. We know that your next
target is you. Because of your relationship with Xiaoyu, they're trying to kill two birds with one stone, making you fall from grace as well.
Detaining Xiaoyu will cut off your connection, preventing the accusations from being leveled against you, and thus freeing you.
Comrade Chen Hu, these five considerations are the shared views of Secretary Fang, Director Zhou, and myself. Do you understand?"

Chen Hu scratched his scar and said,

"True friendship is revealed in times of trouble. Thank you, comrades. We've encountered a powerful criminal gang
. I'm still not entirely reconciled."

Fang Hao looked at his watch and said,

"Let's go to the small conference room. Comrade Tie Liang should be here soon. "

In the small conference room, Fang Hao solemnly assigned tasks: "

Today is the meeting of the second group leaders of the 6036 Project. One group leader and two deputy group leaders are present.
Comrade Ji Tao is a busy man; he is attending a meeting at the Central Committee and cannot attend. The 6036 Project is a major case personally overseen by the Central Committee.
Our second group is mainly responsible for investigating cases involving this region, and will also participate in related actions deployed under unified command.
Li Jingsheng and others from the Great Wall Trading Group have been arrested. Other criminals have been apprehended in more than a dozen provinces and cities. Based on
the confessions and accusations of the suspects, and relevant evidence, Wu Aikun was involved in the smuggling case using the name of the 60361 project, and was involved in the earlier stages..."
He was one of the masterminds behind many important crimes, including the Honda Accord smuggling case, the massive bribery case on Bank Avenue in our city, the drug trafficking case, the US dollar printing plate
case, and the arson case at the Forget-Me-Not Electrical Appliances Mall. Unfortunately, due to various
abnormal reasons, Wu Aikun has fled abroad, creating a significant
obstacle to the investigation of many interconnected series of crimes. This makes it difficult to fully uncover the corruption of Party and government officials and public
security . This gives us an important insight:
a common characteristic of corrupt officials committing various crimes is that they exploit the structural flaws of the current political and economic systems as a ladder
to reap huge profits, deprive the people of their rights, and harm national interests. This also makes us understand that only by continuing to deepen
the reform of the economic and political systems can we effectively curb the momentum of corruption. Now, I will assign
a specific task. According to the confessions of Li Jingsheng and other criminals, there is a secret warehouse in the Dongshan District of this city used to
store smuggled goods, and even a considerable amount of counterfeit US dollars. With the cooperation of the military region, we intercepted crucial
intelligence : this gang plans to secretly transfer 10,000 mobile phones, smuggling ledgers, and counterfeit US dollars tomorrow night. Our
objective is to apprehend them and seize the evidence, and to conduct a thorough search of the warehouse. This warehouse originally belonged to the military region but was rented by
the Great Wall . They impersonate a military warehouse, resisting inspections by the industry and commerce, tax, and quality inspection departments,
creating a lawless loophole. This time, we must eliminate and crack down on them without hesitation. I will serve as
the overall commander of the operation, with Chief of Staff Lei of the Armed Police Detachment as the deputy commander. Comrade Tao Tieliang will lead the first action group, responsible for
countering any potential armed resistance from the criminal gang. Comrade Chen Hu will lead the second action group, responsible for protecting
the supplies and arresting the suspects. Comrade Qiao Ying will lead the third action group, responsible for confiscating the smuggling ledgers and
coordinating the actions of the various groups. This is only a rough operational plan. Now, let's all go to Chief of Staff Lei's
office to discuss the specific steps of the operation. Let's depart immediately.

It was already 10 p.m. when Tao Tieliang left Chief of Staff Lei's office in the Armed Police Detachment. He

had lost his usual pre-battle exhilaration and returned to his office at the Municipal Bureau with a heavy heart. The fact that

no Municipal Bureau personnel participated in this operation puzzled him. His biggest regret was being dragged into
this mess, living in constant fear of self-preservation.

He couldn't determine whether the criminal group involved in the 6036 case and Wang Zhongwang, who kept issuing him instructions, were the same people.
Whether they were or not, continuing to muddy the waters with these people would inevitably lead to utter destruction.

What Wang Zhongwang? Bullshit! If the Central Committee gets serious, they'll all immediately go into hiding. No chance!

In the end, they might be capable of digging up small ponds; but if they want to go left... The right-wing regime is utterly delusional.

No, I can't let them manipulate me anymore. I must cut ties with them decisively. They
build their lives on a foundation of wealth measured in hundreds of millions, yet they give me nothing but the title of police chief,
using me as a pawn. To hell with them!

A sense of foreboding gripped him. He even felt that the desk and chair, the filing
cabinets and computer in the chief's office were merely props, and he was just an actor playing the role of the police chief. He didn't know who
would say "okay," and he would be out of a job.

He longed to return to those days without fear, only hope. But he knew this was... It's
impossible now . A pair of demonic hands reached out from the darkness and tore him into a mop to erase his criminal traces.

After smoking two cigarettes alone in the bureau chief's office, he drove himself back to his residence. The bureau's administrative office had repeatedly
offered assign him a personal driver, arguing that it was easy for the bureau chief to have trouble concentrating and cause an accident if he drove

himself. Tao Tieliang refused the administrative office's arrangement, saying he was used to it. The deeper reason was that he worried that having
another driver would mean having another pair of eyes watching him, not to mention the masked man who could jump into his car at any moment;
wouldn't having another driver be too dangerous?

Tao Tieliang stood in front of his door, turned on his flashlight, and shone it on the narrow gap between the door and the frame.

Currently, the first time... After the clay figure entered his house, he locked the door every day before leaving,
attaching . Anyone who opened the door, even if they locked it again, would have the thread silently break.
If the thread remained intact, it proved the door hadn't been opened by anyone else.

He believed this method was so sophisticated that even a professional would have difficulty detecting the extremely fine cotton thread, which would
break .

The yellow thread broke, and Tao Tieliang realized the door had been opened.

Tao Tieliang unlocked the door with his key and entered the room, pistol in hand. His detective instincts told him someone was hiding
behind the wall in the entryway. He swiftly turned and pressed the muzzle of his gun against the chest of a dark figure.

"Go to the inner room," Tao Tieliang whispered, "'If you don't obey, I'll kill you. It's
self-defense .'"

The dark figure obediently walked from the living room towards the bedroom. Tao Tieliang pressed the muzzle of his gun against the figure's back.

"Tieliang," the dark figure said in a familiar voice, "it's me, Chen Hu."

"Chen Hu?" “

Turn on the light.”

Tao Tieliang pressed the light switch in the corridor, and Chen Hu slowly turned around. He breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn’t
help asking suspiciously,

“How did you get in?”

Chen Hu took out a bunch of keys from his pocket and said,

“I brought you the keys. You forgot them on the sofa in Chief of Staff Lei’s office. After you left,
they asked whose keys they were, and I recognized them as yours, so I brought them to you.”

Tao Tieliang took the key ring, which had a nail clipper on it. He remembered that he was sitting on the sofa cutting his nails, so he casually
put it on the sofa cushion.

Tao Tieliang weighed the key ring in his hand and said,

“I opened the door with the key from my car key ring and forgot about this bunch of keys. Wait, that’s not right. You brought me
the keys, and I wasn’t home. It’s one thing for you to break into a private residence, but why didn’t you turn on the light and were hiding behind the wall, acting all sneaky?”

“You didn’t even offer me a cup of tea. Are you interrogating a thief?”

“Yeah, almost like interrogating a thief. I almost beat you to death. Sit in the living room. ” "

Aren't you going to check what's missing first? I'm not responsible once I leave!"

"What could I possibly have here? At most, you might have stolen a few condoms. Don't bother with the tea, I have some XO."

Tao Tieliang ushered Chen Hu into the living room, poured two glasses of XO, and handed one to Chen Hu, saying,

"Cheers. Tell me the truth when you're done. You almost scared me to death."

Chen Hu took a sip and put down the glass.

"Tieliang, something strange really did happen at your house, otherwise I wouldn't have hidden behind the wall. About fifteen minutes ago..."
I rushed over to your place. When I got to the corner of the stairs on your floor, I saw a man in a trench coat standing in front of your
door, as if he was about to open it. He probably noticed me coming up and turned to go back downstairs. He was wearing a top hat, the brim
pulled low, so I couldn't see his face clearly. I felt something was wrong, so I followed him downstairs. When I got to the courtyard, he was gone
. I don't know if he left the courtyard or went into another building. I went back and knocked on the door, but there
was no response. I thought, "A thief never leaves empty-handed; he might come back." So I used your key to open the door and came in, without turning on the light.
I pressed my ear against the door and listened to the sounds in the hallway. Seven or eight minutes later, I heard light footsteps outside the door, as if someone
lingered outside for a while before going back downstairs. Just now, there were more footsteps. I thought it was the same person and tried to
hide behind the wall, but as soon as he came in, I grabbed him. It was you who came in. That's the whole story. Tieliang, I don't
think person was a thief. Are you being watched by someone? "

That was close!" Tao Tieliang was secretly startled. He guessed that the man was definitely masked; he
wouldn't wear a hood before entering or leaving the house. If he had encountered Chen Hu inside, it would have been hard to explain. Luckily, both of them were
quick-witted and didn't bump into each other.

"Could you have seen wrong? That man came downstairs and just passed by my door. You thought he was going to
break in?"

Chen Hu shook his head, holding Scarface's arm.

"Doesn't seem like it. If he came downstairs and passed by your door, he should have turned his face to the side. But this man had his back to me, his face facing
the door."

"Maybe my upstairs neighbor needed to see me, knocked on the door, and when I wasn't home, he went downstairs."

"That's still a possibility. But something doesn't feel right."

"What doesn't feel right?"

"He was too agile. As agile as you detectives."

Tao Tieliang chuckled.

"That's right. This is the city bureau dormitory; almost everyone living here and coming and going is a policeman. Don't be so
paranoid. " “

I hope so. Maybe I’m being a bit too sensitive. Tie Liang, perhaps the series of assassinations
has driven me crazy. You’re the city’s police chief, and you killed someone, so it
’s not impossible that they’re retaliating against you. Tie Liang, the situation is complicated, and it’s unclear who’s friend and who’s foe, so don’t be too careless.”

Guilt, gratitude, and regret surged through Yang Tie Liang’s chest like molten lava. He tried his best to control
the outburst of his emotions, because an outburst would bring destruction. He pressed hard on Chen Hu’s shoulder and said,

“No matter what, you’ll always be my best friend. Buddy, you’d better live well.”

Chen Hu punched Tao Tie Liang.

“What are you saying, like you’re about to die a martyr? Tie Liang, have you encountered something unpleasant
? You’ve been looking much worse lately.” Tao

Tie Liang covered up, saying,

“Nothing’s wrong, I’m just a little upset. Chen Hu, being an official isn’t really something to be happy about
.” "You didn't take over from Director Zhou this time, it must be because of Xiao Yu's problem, plus you've offended
too many and are too aloof. But hey, not becoming the top leader isn't necessarily a bad thing. I'm not happy being the director.
The higher the rank, the more things you don't want to do but have to do. Gradually, you don't even know who you are anymore.
How about we go out for some late-night snacks

?" "No. Nothing is as comfortable as chatting between the two of us. Xiu is busy, and so am I. If we don't chat, we'll
ruin our friendships. I'm also a bit of a goofball; sometimes I really think about quitting and going into business."

"If we don't go out, let's just cook some frozen dumplings. Dumplings and wine, the more you drink, the better. You sit here, we'll start the feast in five
minutes ."

Chen Hu followed Tao Tieliang into the kitchen. Tao Tieliang took frozen dumplings out of the freezer. Chen Hu turned on the tap,
poured water into the pot, and lit it on the gas stove, saying,

"What kind of life are we two bachelors living? It's not even a matter of being in dire straits, it's more like being
in a state of utter despair. And now they're taking advantage of us."

Tao Tieliang poured a bag of frozen dumplings into the pot.

“I know you’re annoyed. Xiaoyu was framed, and they even fabricated a conclusive case. It’s annoying me too. If she
hadn’t been the legal representative of Longjin Company, none of this would have happened. Wei Ming, the general manager of Longjin Company, is obviously
a corrupt official, but he hasn’t signed anything, so there’s really nothing you can do about him. I’ll find an opportunity to
teach lesson. Someone has to take the blame, and he’s just the right amount. Only by arresting Wei Ming can Xiaoyu be free.
Leave this to me, and pin all the blame for Longjin Company on him. You can’t rely on Qiao Ying; she can only investigate, not
arrest. If we can’t even bring down Wei Ming, I might as well quit being the bureau chief.”

“Don’t abuse your power. There’s a unified plan for this case from the central government.”

“Bring me a plate, let’s scoop it out.”

Chen Hu handed the plate to Tao Tieliang.

Tao Tieliang used a stainless steel strainer to scoop a dumpling out of the pot and said,

“Let’s scoop Xiaoyu out first. This dumpling is Xiaoyu, it’s yours. See if it’s cooked.”

Chen Hu was amused.

"Retrieving someone from a pot of dumplings? How could you even think of that?"

"You know what, retrieving someone is similar to retrieving dumplings—whoever has filling gets the job. Those with broken skins or little filling, who's going to try
that? It's not even worth the effort."

Chen Hu ate the first dumpling he'd retrieved and said,

"It's cooked."

Tao Tieliang said sadly,

"Comparing Xiaoyu to a boiled dumpling is quite cruel. She's been tossed and turned in boiling water,
being scolded. If we don't rescue her, who will?"

"Then I'll take the dumplings over."

"Just put them on the coffee table. I have cucumbers and sweet bean sauce here."

Tao Tieliang washed four cucumbers, poured bottled sweet bean sauce into a small dish, took a bottle of Wuliangye from the cupboard,
and brought them to the living room.

"Chen Hu, tonight, let's drink until the East is White, until the plates are a mess."

"That reminds me of university life, you made such a mess of the dorm."

Tao Tieliang filled two glasses. Raising his glass, Tao Tieliang said,

"We're not doing this for anything else, just for our brotherhood. Cheers!" He

downed his drink in one gulp. He picked up a cucumber and took a bite.

Chen Hu took a small sip and burst out laughing.

"What are you laughing at?"

"I was thinking about that time at Fishing Lake, when we were drinking Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor), and we started fighting. I'm afraid you'll start another fight with me
."

"Hmm, maybe. But not today. You're in a bad situation right now. I never bully honest people. Come on..."
" Let's eat dumplings."

"Tieliang, there's something I just can't figure out. Who, and how,
handed the secret writing ink to Jiao Dongfang right under our noses? I've figured everything else out. The photo was in Jiao Xiaoyu's desk drawer.
Someone opened the drawer, wrote something on the back of the photo, and put it back. Even though we don't know who it was, that's
definitely what happened. It's the handover of the ink that's strange. When we interrogated Jiao Dongfang, Xiaoyu, you, me,
and Director Zhou were all present. None of these people could have handed the ink to Jiao Dongfang, not even with physical contact. I've been thinking about it,
and the only one I can think of is you offering Jiao Dongfang a cigarette. Tieliang, could there be something wrong with that cigarette you gave him?"

Tao Tieliang put down his wine glass.

"Chen Hu, are you really looking for a beating? You suspect me?"

"It's not that I suspect you, it's that I'm considering all the possibilities. It's entirely possible that we were
used . Xiaoyu gave us the photo, but she didn't know it had been secretly written on. Xiaoyu
was used without her knowledge." Since they can use photos, they could easily use cigarettes. They could slip
a cigarette containing a . At least theoretically, that's a possibility. Have you
thought about where you kept the cigarette before?”

Tao Tieliang smiled slightly:

“You're making them so paranoid.
There are many people who could have contact with Jiao Dongfang: the armed police, guards, other members of the special task force, the food delivery person, the prison library, and others. Why would they need to use us
to switch a cigarette? What if I didn't give Jiao Dongfang that one? Their plan would fall through. Your
thinking makes a basic mistake—trying to analyze the delivery of photos and the delivery of the black-and-white developing solution at the
same place. Jiao Dongfang could very well have received the black-and-white developing solution first and been prepared, thus ensuring success.
I do have a habit of leaving cigarette cases lying around, but there's no possibility they would use a cigarette to deliver the solution. I saw
Jiao Dongfang finish that cigarette.”

Chen Hu, with his burn scar, said:

“Your analysis makes sense.” Jiao Dongfang might have received the secret writing solution beforehand, and someone must have informed
him that there was a secret message on the back of the photo; otherwise, Jiao Dongfang would have ignored it. But I seem to remember that
Jiao Dongfang smoked most of that cigarette, then threw it away, putting the cigarette butt in his pocket.

"Someone like Jiao Dongfang, would he smoke a cigarette like an old farmer until the filter is burnt?
Even I only take two puffs and then throw it away. Chen Hu, don't waste your time. Just interrogate Jiao Dongfang again. If he doesn't confess, we
'll use some methods, and everything will be clear. This kid sabotaged the brakes and killed my sister, I
haven't avenged that yet. It's only right to teach him a lesson."

Chen Hu sighed and said,

"From the time the case occurred until now, you lost Lingling, and I lost Xiaoyu. Actually, we both lost
Lingling and Xiaoyu. Come, Tieliang, let's drink this to Lingling, may her soul in heaven find peace."

The two clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

Tao Tieliang refilled his glass, raised it, and said, "

This glass is for Xiaoyu's early release from prison and restoration of her reputation, and for you two to get married soon. Cheers!"

"Thank you, cheers."

Chen Hu put down his glass.

"I should go now. Tieliang, be careful, don't let them make you look like I did," Chen Hu scratched his scar,
"Leave a mark here."

"Why go back? Sleep here."

"Spare me. I've had enough of your stinky feet from four years in college."

"I'll see you off."

"Making sure you lock the door tight is the best thing you can do. See you tomorrow." At five in the

morning, Tao Tieliang heard the door open softly from under the covers. He guessed it must be the masked man
entering. He activated the miniature camera hidden in the closet with the remote control.
He had installed this equipment since the last time the masked man broke in, to preserve necessary evidence for self-protection.

He turned on the light, leaned against the headboard, and lit a cigarette.

The masked man appeared before the bed, still wearing a black wig.

"What time did Chen Hu leave last night?"

"Around midnight, I think. You almost bumped into him

, didn't you?" "Yes, almost. I know him, but he doesn't know me. It's okay."

The masked man pulled up a chair and sat at the foot of the bed. Tao Tieliang took a deep drag on his cigarette and said,

"I'm warning you, and through you, I'm warning your
master keep to ourselves. If you cause any more trouble, I'll expose you all!"

"Hmph, aren't you afraid we'll expose you first?"

"You don't have the guts. You live better than me, with at least seven or eight hundred million in illegal gains.
I've never embezzled a single penny. To think I'm afraid of you is a joke."

"You'll get a share of the money. I'll give it to you whenever you want. Giving it to you too early might make you
uneasy . Director Tao, what did you discuss at the Armed Police Detachment last night?"

"I won't tell you anything. Answer me first: strangling Liu Xicui, killing Zhang Chenggong, and running over Shen
Dongyang —did you do it?"

"Interrogate me? Yes, I did it all. I can also tell you that
I wrote the secret message on the photo Jiao Xiaoyu gave to Jiao Dongfang, and I strangled Hou Dewei's mother."

Tao Tieliang had never heard of Hou Dewei's mother before and asked suspiciously:

"You mean Hou Dewei's mother? I don't know anyone like that. "

The masked man sneered.

"Fang Hao doesn't trust you. There are many things he hasn't told you. Chen Hu secretly went to the Northeast to investigate and
found Hou Dewei's mother. But he was too late; I've already dealt with her."

"You indiscriminately kill innocent people. Aren't you afraid of retribution?"

"Whoever gets in your way is guilty. The struggle for power is a war in peacetime, and war always involves bloodshed."

"Whom do you serve?"

"You won't know that yet. When the reshuffling happens, you'll understand. If you
think we're just a group of people who seize wealth from the world by trickery, you're sorely mistaken. Our aim is to gather wealth from all over the world and
walk the righteous path. The former is the means, the latter the end. Money is useless in the hands of a corrupt
government ; similarly, we won't let the world's wealth fall into the pockets of new capitalists; as for
the money of foreign capitalists, of course, we'll take as much as we can, the more the better." Ultimately, we must restore
the interests of the working class and poor and lower-middle peasants who have been deprived of their status by reform and opening up, restore the dictatorship of the proletariat, and establish a national interest society.
"A government that combines supreme nationalism with communism. This is what Wang Zhongwang meant by the Great Reshuffle.
If you think I feel guilty for killing so many people, you're wrong. I have a clear conscience. I hope you
can ."

"So you still have political ambitions?"

"Director Tao, as long as you are loyal to us, we won't forget you on the day of the Great Reshuffle. Yes, we
obtained some money through illegal means, which is called taking from the people and taking from the country. On the day of the Great Reshuffle in ten years,
we will take out all the money and use it for the people and for the country. Tell me, what did you discuss in your meeting?"

Tao Tieliang sneered a few times and said:

"Good, you didn't waste my sleep for nothing, letting me hear the profound theory of corruption and power grab. I really
underestimated you in the past. Actually, you are not very clever. Chen Hu already suspects that the secret writing was transmitted through cigarettes.
Jiao Dongfang 's confession is even more foolish and full of loopholes."

"Director Tao, in fact, we already know what actions they are going to take. " "His method is too clever for his own good. Doesn't he even consider who he
's playing cards with? Could he possibly win big
?
He's incredibly overconfident! I'm here to give you a task. During this operation, you must take advantage of the chaos and shoot Chen Hu dead. This is Wang Zhongwang's decision. Eliminating Chen Hu will ensure your safety, and it's also about eliminating a public menace. He's utterly arrogant and must be severely punished."

Tao Tieliang's cigarette fell onto the blanket. The masked man walked over, picked it up, and extinguished it in the ashtray on
the bedside table.

"Can't bring yourself to do it? Chen Hu already suspects you and will send you to the guillotine sooner or later. Don't let your past
relationship blind you. He's your enemy. He won't hesitate to shoot you. Once you've
done , Wang Zhongwang will consider transferring you to a position where you can better utilize your talents. What we need most right now
is reliable personnel. If you've thought it through, you have nothing to hesitate about. It's either Chen Hu or you. I
might be present, or someone else might be, monitoring your actions or helping you carry out the deed." After this
operation, the task force will conduct a major purge. If Chen Hu is still alive, you can expect to be thrown into Anling Prison.
Director Tao, don't say you weren't warned! The masked

man turned and left nimbly.

Tao Tieliang got out of bed, walked to the door, and fastened the security chain.

He returned to the bedroom and took the miniature videotape from its case. He didn't know
where , because it was evidence of the Wang Zhongwang criminal gang's crimes, and also evidence of his own.

Wang Zhongwang was indeed the king of kings; he even
knew , clearly a central nervous system.

They wanted more than just money; they also wanted to reshuffle the Chinese regime. They were a group of ruthless
, ambitious men, wielding a butcher's knife in one hand and a money bag in the other.

How did I get involved in such a conspiracy? They put me and Chen Hu in a position where one of us was doomed
.

If I didn't kill Chen Hu, they might kill me, or they might use Chen Hu to kill me. If I killed Chen Hu,
I would become their killing machine, and they would use me to carry out their dictatorship.

What should I do? What should I do?

At 8:30 a.m., Chen Hu received an unexpected phone call in his office.

"I am He Kedai." "Are you busy this morning?"

Chen Hu was preparing for the evening's operation, so he cautiously replied,

"I'm a little busy. Are you busy?"

"That's a pity. I wanted to talk to you, but if I miss the time, I might not have another chance."

"Okay, turn right after you exit the procuratorate gate. I'll wait for you at the Sheraton boutique. I'll be right there."

"I'm coming."

Chen Hu hung up the phone. Chen Hu hadn't seen He Kedai since he was admitted to the hospital.
What to tell me?

At the Sheraton boutique, He Kedai got into the car and sat in the passenger seat.

"Director Chen, can you be my taxi driver and take me to the airport?"

"Kedai, if you're going to mess with me, you should pick a day. I really have something to do today."

"Drive. I promise you won't waste your time. We've known each other for quite a while now, so it's only right that you
drive ." Chen Hu

started the engine, and the Cherokee sped towards the airport.

He Kedai lit a cigarette, took a puff, and said,

"Director Chen, your colleagues didn't plant a bug in your car, did they?"

Chen Hu glanced at He Kedai and said,

"You watch too many American movies, what's wrong with you?"

"It's not that I'm crazy, it's for your safety. Xiaoyu just fell into their trap. Your
end isn't far off."

Chen Hu became vigilant.

"How do you know about Xiaoyu?"

"Don't ask. There are plenty of people who are happy that Jiao Xiaoyu was arrested!
The only are probably you and me. Xiaoyu is naive to the point of being foolish. Her biggest problem is that she trusts the system and the institution too much,
which is why she fell into someone else's trap. And the people who weave the trap are using the power of the system and the institution.
You have this problem too, so I'm worried about you."

"What are you going to the airport for? To pick someone up?"

"I wouldn't dare trouble you to pick someone up. I'm going to America, and I'll never return. " "I'm
saying goodbye . I wanted to talk to you before I left."

"Going to America? You're running away like a madman, and you didn't even take any luggage?"

"A friend drove another car to the airport, and my luggage is in that car. I need to talk to you about something important
, though it's a small matter, so I came to see you alone."

"You're very secretive, only telling me right before boarding the plane. Did they approve your departure?"

"Why wouldn't they? I have no criminal record, I haven't committed any crimes. Actually, my visa came through a long time ago, but I kept delaying
. I've become a superfluous person, so I have to go to a foreign land and become a second-class citizen.
Just drive to the overpass at the highway entrance, I don't want to trouble you to take me to the airport, my car is waiting for me under the bridge."

Chen Hu smiled and said,

"You're leaving in such a hurry, I don't have anything to give you."

"No need. But I have something to give you. This thing might be a blessing or a curse for you
, it depends on how you use it."

"Not an atomic bomb, is it?"

"More or less." "I'm sure it's something you really want."

Chen Hu said, one hand on the steering wheel and the other scratching Scarface.

"Then take it out, stop pretending."

"Don't rush, I came here to deliver this. At this last moment, I want to show my
loyalty to the Republic."

"Don't try to glorify yourself."

"If I don't glorify myself a little, all I'll have left is the dog shit others have smeared on me. Slow
down , we're almost at the bridge. Director Chen, do you remember my dad's black notebook?"

"Yes."

"Did you see the black notebook later?"

"No."

"I know you didn't see it. The black notebook is full of secret records of high-ranking corrupt officials; it wouldn't reach you
. To tell you the truth, I have a photocopy."

Chen Hu instinctively braked.
"Don't stop, the police will issue a ticket. Drive slowly. Do you remember the serial number $10,000? You told me
that $10,000 was counterfeit. Now I'll tell you the whole story. That $10,000 was a gift from Wu Aikun to my dad,
tucked inside the $100,000. I suspect Wu Aikun might have accidentally mistaken a counterfeit for a real one, perhaps to
show her support for my dad on the Bank Avenue project. My dad immediately noticed the $10,000 was
counterfeit, which is why he locked it in the safe and didn't touch it, and made me write down the serial number. Later, my dad told me about
people using counterfeit dollars to pay for smuggling. He was afraid I'd be fooled, so he specifically told me to recognize counterfeit dollars." Tips on how to avoid counterfeit dollars. But
he never told me that the ten thousand dollars in his safe were counterfeit. I
deduced this after thinking it over and over again, after learning from you that the ten thousand dollars were counterfeit. I think my dad deliberately kept those ten thousand counterfeit dollars
as evidence. I wasn't familiar with Wu Aikun; I only saw her once in my dad's study. This woman
is incredibly powerful and influential. In the past, Jiao Dongfang mentioned Wu Aikun to me, saying she had a private jet.
I didn't believe it at the time, thinking Jiao Dongfang was drunk and talking nonsense. Jiao Dongfang said he personally saw Wu Aikun fly her own
plane and take several boxes of cultural relics out of the country. I don't know... Was Jiao Dongfang just drunk and bragging, or is it really true? You can investigate that thoroughly.
You asked me before if I'd seen the black notebook. At that time, I didn't tell you I had a copy. I was afraid that
if I gave you the copy, you'd have to hand it over to your superiors, rendering it useless; it would probably be locked in someone's safe, never to
see the light of day again . I was also afraid of retaliation against me. Now I'm not afraid anymore. I'm going to America; they can't retaliate against me.
There's another, more important reason that prompted me to give you the copy of the black notebook: to get Xiao Gong out.
After Xiao Yu was arrested, I carefully studied the contents of the black notebook again. Xiao Yu's superior, Vice Minister Ji Tao...
"Chang had a deep, secret relationship with my father, including smuggling. I suspect Xiaoyu was made a scapegoat. Let me tell
you the truth. Since my father died, I've studied the black notebook almost every day, and finally discovered the pattern in his use of codes,
symbols , and coded messages. I deciphered the He's Code he created. Looking at the black notebook again, I realize my
father was somewhat wronged; he was just helping others make money. What about the Bank Avenue, the Honda Accord? Let's be honest,
the major cases listed in the black notebook would take you ten years to solve. I'm giving you a photocopy of the black notebook; inside are
two pieces paper explaining how to decipher the He's Code. It'll be much easier for you to read it."

"When did you make the copy? Where have you kept it?"

"I know my dad keeps a record of important events, and I know he hides the black leather notebook in a hidden compartment in his bedside table
. Ever since our safe was stolen, I made a copy of the notebook and hid it in a small cabinet in
the storage room. Luckily I made a copy, otherwise it wouldn't have reached you. Director Chen, before I leave the country
, I'm giving you this black leather notebook; isn't that my way of showing my loyalty to the Republic?"

"Thank you, thank you for your loyalty to the Republic. Where's the notebook?"

"Don't be in such a hurry. Let me make this clear. As I said before, giving you the notebook might be a blessing
or a curse. You have a problem; you can't control your temper when you see corrupt officials, especially the higher-ranking ones. I guarantee
the photocopy is exactly the same as the black notebook, without any alterations. If it brings you death, I won't take
any responsibility. You can't tell anyone that I gave you the photocopy. Even though I went to America, I haven't escaped
the clutches of corrupt officials. They're an international smuggling ring, very powerful. Taking my life would only cost a thousand
dollars or so."

"I promise I won't say you gave it to me. Where's the notebook?"

"Mr. Liu. Tomorrow night, or maybe the day after, someone will definitely deliver a snack box to your house.
Inside is the photocopy. The delivery person won't know what's inside. You'll only receive it after I leave the country.
It's not that I don't trust you; there's a problem with the public security and judicial system, so I have to be careful."

The Cherokee pulled up under the overpass. He Kedai said,

"Stop here, I'll get out. Director Chen, you're the only impression I'd be willing to take abroad.
Good luck , goodbye."

Chen Hu firmly grasped He Kedai's outstretched hand.

He Kedai got out of the car and walked towards the Toyota Cherokee parked by the roadside. He waved to Chen Hu beside the car,
opened the door , and got in.

Chen Hu sat in the driver's seat and watched the Toyota Cherokee drive away. Suddenly, Chen Hu saw the Toyota Cherokee stop and
reverse .

Chen Hu got out of the car. He saw He Kedai also get out and walk towards the Cherokee.

"Ke Dai, is there anything else?"

"I forgot something," He Ke Dai pulled Chen Hu to the back of the Cherokee, "Tao Tieliang might be in trouble. He's in
detention, and he tried to force me to say I bribed you. Of course, I didn't let him succeed.
I don't know why he's trying to frame you. I know you two are buddies, so I haven't told you. Director Chen, you'd better be careful.
Don't end up like Jiao Xiaoyu."

Chen Hu nodded and said,

"Okay, thank you." He

Ke turned and got into the Toyota King. Chen Hu waved to the speeding Toyota King. He thanked He Ke for
the unexpected surprise—a photocopy of He Qizhang's black leather notebook.

Suddenly, Chen Hu felt that He Ke's reminder was not without reason. Could someone really have installed
a bugging ? Opponents always manage to get ahead in everything. Besides obtaining inside intelligence, installing bugging devices
is also an important method.

He crawled under the car and carefully examined every part.

Suddenly, he saw a small iron box, about five centimeters in diameter, attached to the chassis, which was not a car part. Two
thin wires extended into the driver's compartment. He followed the wires and found a miniature microphone buried under the driver's seat.

The other wire was connected to the car's antenna. Obviously, the bugging sound was being transmitted synchronously.

His first thought was that He Kedai's message about sending someone to deliver the black notebook had been overheard.

Therefore, the enemy might intercept the messenger. He had to notify He Kedai to change
the delivery .

Chen Hu took out his phone and dialed He Kedai's number, only to receive
a message from the customer service representative: "Unable to reach you, the user you are calling has been discontinued."

He had no choice but to give chase. Just as Chen Hu started the engine, he received a call from Qiao Ying.

"Chen Bao, where are you?"

"I'm on my way."

"Get to Fang Hao's office immediately, there's an important meeting."

"Can I be an hour late?"

"No. You must come right away. It's important." Qiao

Ying turned off her phone. Chen Hu attached the police lights to the roof of his car and drove back the way he came.

He thought to himself that it was impossible to get He Kedai to change the time and method of delivering the black notebook, so a struggle between
hijacking and counter-hijacking was inevitable. But if he used the system's power, the black notebook
would be exposed, and his superiors would take back the copies.

No, this matter couldn't be known to anyone for now. He was willing to break the traffic rules and go to the airport to find He
Kedai!

Chen Hu made a turn and almost got hit by an Audi coming from behind. He accelerated and drove towards the airport.

In the waiting hall, Chen Hu found He Kedai waiting in line to exchange his ticket. "Kedai, there's no time to explain. The black notebook copy needs to be delivered to me at a different time and in a different way, otherwise someone

might hijack it. " "What happened?" "My car has ears." "What did I tell you? Unfortunately, I was right. Don't worry about it. I'll leave you a number and a name ; contact him directly. He'll give it to you." He Ke wrote down the phone number and name in the notebook, then added, "Give the items to Director Chen, with best regards." He tore off the page and handed it to Chen Hu. "Thank you," Chen Hu said, putting the note in his pocket. "I'll miss you. Have a safe trip." "If you don't understand anything in the photocopy, call me." "Can you remember that clearly?" "Let me tell you the truth. I made three copies. One for you, one for myself, and one in my personal safe at the bank. I want to be absolutely sure." "Go get your ticket; I have urgent business and need to get back." Chen Hu quickly walked out of the waiting hall. Chen Hu arrived at Fang Hao's office an hour and a half late. Qiao Ying and Fang Hao were studying Jiao Xiaoyu's case file . "I'm sorry I'm late," Qiao Ying said coldly. "The meeting has already ended. The task Chief of Staff Lei originally planned to assign you couldn't be given to you because you weren't here; it has been delegated to Comrade Tao Tieliang. " "You'll still participate in tonight's operation. Secretary Fang will give you specific instructions individually." "I'm really sorry. But I've run into some special circumstances. Someone installed a listening device in my car. It was just discovered." "Did you remove it?" Fang Hao looked a little nervous. "How did they find out?" "I didn't remove it, afraid of alerting them. But my car is definitely not safe now. I reckon they know where ." Qiao Ying sighed and said, "They've used some methods; they're not ordinary people. Stalking, tracking, eavesdropping, and even assassinating have become new characteristics of corrupt officials resisting investigations in the past two or three years. In the past, it was said that anti-corruption was a war without gunpowder, but that's not entirely accurate. Sometimes it's a war of armed confrontation between two sides. Tonight's operation might be like that. Hey, Comrade Chen Hu, Secretary Fang has some good news for you." Fang Hao handed Chen Hu a piece of paper and said, "Take a look. This is the real content of the coded photograph. It's the result of the comrades at the research institute using luminescent nitrogen technology." "Jiao Dongfang's so-called confession was a deliberate frame-up of Jiao Xiaoyu." Chen Hu lit a cigarette and looked at the words on the paper. "This person who gave Jiao Dongfang the orders dared to make such outrageous claims, guaranteeing that Jiao Dongfang wouldn't be sentenced to death. I don't even have that much power, so who could he be?" In response to Fang Hao's question, Chen Hu, with his burn scar, said, "The affairs of the higher-ups are beyond the understanding of a mid-level cadre like me. Anyway, it's someone who can circle things on documents . I'm a little curious, Jiao Dongfang has been arrested for a long time, how could he still be involved in the 6036 case?" Qiao Ying smiled slightly and said, "Comrade Chen Hu, you are very perceptive, but you don't understand the full situation of the 6036 project. In fact, the 6036 project is divided into three phases. The first phase started more than a year ago, the second phase is about to start, and the third phase will start in a year . Obviously, Jiao Dongfang and his gang misappropriated the names of the first and second phases to carry out smuggling activities." At this moment, although Jiao Dongfang is in Anling Prison, he is still using his overseas funds to participate in the smuggling of Case 6036. " Chen Hu flicked the paper with his finger and said, "The instruction required Jiao Dongfang not to disclose his relationship with the man surnamed Wu as a condition . This man surnamed Wu should be Wu Aikun, right?" "It should be Wu Aikun," Qiao Ying took the paper back from Chen Hu, "but there is not enough evidence yet." "Secretary Fang, since Xiaoyu was framed, shouldn't we release her?" Fang Hao patted Chen Hu on the shoulder and said, "Not yet. Jiao Xiaoyu's detention is unrelated to the photo incident; it's mainly because she is suspected of smuggling. Let's talk about it when the case is clear . You weren't here earlier, and the situation has changed a bit. Let me explain your task tonight." Inside the Dongshan warehouse, a few low-level members of the smuggling ring, having received information from masked men that there might , were still tense despite everything being meticulously planned and seemingly without mishap. The other staff members were unaware of the smuggling operation, especially the soldiers who came to pick up the containers, who believed they were on a mission. They had no idea they were surrounded and were methodically loading the containers onto eight military trucks . Each truck carried four containers. Chief of Staff Lei, Chen Hu, and Tao Tieliang observed the warehouse yard . Dozens of fully armed soldiers, under the command of two officers, boarded two open-top trucks. "Good heavens," Chen Hu muttered, eyes glued to his binoculars, "Armed smuggling."

Chief of Staff Lei ordered,

"You all go down to your positions. Do not fire without my order."

Chen Hu, Tao Tieliang, and four armed police officers quickly went to their positions from the command building. Each of them led
a small team to lie in ambush around the warehouse walls. Chen Hu and Tao Tieliang, with the assistance of two armed police officers, led two
teams to guard the warehouse exits.

In the warehouse yard, a colonel gave the order: "Move out!"

The convoy started its engines. The first open-top truck carried soldiers on guard duty. Then came eight
trucks loaded with containers, and the last one was an open-top truck, also with fully armed soldiers standing on both sides.

The warehouse gates opened.

Suddenly, a stern voice rang out in the darkness:

"We are the Armed Police Force. You are ordered to remain in place for inspection. You are ordered to remain in place for inspection."

The colonel escorting the truck quickly regained his composure from the initial panic. Holding a microphone, he shouted:

"We are escorting military supplies under orders from the Military Region Logistics Department. No one is allowed to inspect them. Anyone who dares to forcibly intercept
military supplies will face our retaliation and severe punishment under the law!"

Chen Hu and Tao Tieliang, each leading a small squad of armed police officers, rushed into the warehouse. The soldiers on the truck aimed their
automatic submachine guns at them. Both sides were in a state of imminent combat, ready to clash at any moment.

Tao Tieliang's pistol was aimed at Chen Hu. He heard the masked man's voice in his ear: "You must
take advantage of the chaos and kill Chen Hu with one shot during this operation! It's either Chen Hu or you who dies!"

Tao Tieliang's finger was about to pull the trigger.

In the darkness, Chief of Staff Lei's voice rang out:

"I am Lei Xing, Chief of Staff of the Armed Police Detachment. I order you to lay down your weapons and peacefully submit to inspection."

The colonel's voice was extremely agitated:

"Without the order of the military region commander, no one is allowed to inspect military supplies. Please send someone to negotiate with me!
There may be a misunderstanding! There may be a misunderstanding!"

"Alright, I will send someone to negotiate with you immediately. I will send someone to negotiate with you immediately. I order the Armed Police not
to fire . Please order your soldiers not to fire."

Just then, a burst of bullets was fired from the warehouse towards Chen Hu. The scene immediately descended into chaos, with chaotic
gunfire erupting.

Tao Tieliang gently lowered the pistol he had been pointing at Chen Hu. This gesture was a clear indication to those secretly monitoring him that
he refused to obey the order to kill Chen Hu.

Suddenly, a bullet struck Tao Tieliang in the chest. He cried out, "Ouch!" Chen Hu turned around and saw
Tao Tieliang fall to the ground.

In the darkness, Chief of Staff Lei's voice rang out again:

"I order you to cease armed resistance! Do not fire! Do not fire!"

Chen Hu rushed to Tao Tieliang's side, lifting his upper body, only to see his chest stained crimson with blood. Chen Hu shouted
, "Help! Help!"

Tao Tieliang stammered,

"Don't call for help... I can't go on. They ordered me to shoot... You'll die... I couldn't bring myself to do it... They'll just
kill me... I was wrong... I said before, you'll always be my friend... When you visit Lingling's grave,
don't... Don't forget to offer me a bouquet of flowers... I'm going to find Lingling... I wonder if she still recognizes me as her brother, Wang
Zhongwang... "

Tao Tieliang pulled a miniature videotape from his pocket, stained with blood.

"...This is evidence... I suspect Wang Zhongwang is..."

Tao Tieliang's head slumped limply in Chen Hu's arms; he was dead.

Chen Hu put the videotape into his shirt pocket, calling out in anguish,

"Tieliang! Tieliang! " "

The two sides were locked in a standoff, but the gunfire ceased. Qiao Ying approached the colonel.

'The military region commander will be here soon. We suspect there are smuggled goods hidden in the container.'

'Impossible,' the colonel shook his head. 'It's all military radar equipment. I have orders from the military region's logistics department to transport
these supplies. I can show you.'" Chen

Hu picked up Tao Tieliang's body and, under the beams of car headlights, slowly walked towards the warehouse gate.

The military region's logistics department sent personnel to the warehouse and agreed to open the boxes for inspection. They found that all the items were indeed military radar equipment,
with no smuggled goods discovered.

However, the military region's logistics department had never issued an order to move these supplies. Later investigations revealed that the logistics department
's communication and computer lines had been intercepted, and the documents for moving these supplies had been stolen and sent flawlessly.

Great Wall Company was the importer of this radar equipment, and after its arrival, it had been temporarily stored in this warehouse, awaiting collection by the military region.

Great Wall Company used this as an excuse to claim it was a military warehouse, storing the smuggled goods alongside it to conceal their activities and
evade inspection. However, the radar's import procedures were legal. Mixing the legal and illegal together is
a major characteristic of corporate smuggling.

The 6036 task force concluded regarding the warehouse incident that smuggled goods had been secretly transferred from the warehouse. The criminal
gang intercepted military communication lines, transmitted forged documents, and instigated internal conflict within the military.

Thanks to the military's composure, no bloodshed occurred.

This criminal gang intercepted communication lines with customs, ministries, and the military region, stealing and issuing false approvals and
orders ; they also misappropriated 6036... Large-scale smuggling under the guise of engineering projects is extremely harmful and dangerous, and should be investigated and
dealt with decisively to ensure national security.

On the morning of the third day after Tao Tieliang's death, Chen Hu arrived at the hospital morgue. A nurse slowly pulled out an iron drawer.
Chen Hu lifted the white sheet covering the body; Tao Tieliang's pale face seemed to tell a story of a fatal
mistake.

Chen Hu took out a photograph—a picture of him and Tao Tieliang from their university days. He placed the photo on Tao Tieliang
's chest and then covered him with the white sheet.

The drawer slowly moved in. Chen Hu silently shed tears.

The stadium, which could hold ten thousand people, was packed. A red banner with white characters hung on the platform: "Mobilization
Meeting for Combating Smuggling."

Chen Hu sat in the first row of the stands facing the platform. He saw Ji Tao among the twenty-odd
leaders .

The microphone broadcast the meeting's host's voice: "Next, Vice Minister Ji Tao, Deputy
Head will give a report." A

round of enthusiastic applause erupted throughout the hall.

Chen Hu opened his notebook, preparing to take notes. He picked up a photograph from the center of the notebook. It was a picture of
a young man and a little girl. He looked at the photo, then at
Ji Tao, who was preparing to give a report in front of the microphone on the stage, and thought to himself:

The little girl in the photo has been confirmed to be Wu Aikun, who fled abroad. This man is you, Ji Tao! Ji Tao,
Vice Minister Ji, who exactly are you? Just wait, one day I will unveil your mysterious veil.

(The End)

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Urban Crisis [Complete] - Chapter 28 (End)

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