I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 196: Chapter 118: Already a Leader (2)

"I immediately led a team to the scene. When we arrived, I found Wu Yan and Liu Rong lying in a pool of blood. Liu Rong was already dead by the time I got there, and Wu Yan was critically injured."

"While I had my men secure the scene and call for backup, I was extremely anxious. After surveying the area, I noticed the Hongyuan Trading Company nearby. I thought the incident must be related to them. I was worried the culprits or anyone involved would hear what happened and flee or destroy evidence, so I took a team over to the Hongyuan Trading Company."

He paused, his gaze involuntarily flicking toward Yang Wenqing before quickly looking away. Then he continued:

"When I got there, I found the person in charge and questioned him. He admitted that Wu Yan and Liu Rong had been there, asking some idle questions about worker turnover."

"I demanded to see their site records. He was a bit evasive at first but eventually cooperated. Just as our men began inspecting the workers’ sheds, some of the workers at the storage area suddenly became agitated. They started shoving and arguing with our officers, and the scene became chaotic."

"In the chaos, Boss Qian was hit by a stray bullet and died on the spot. After we got the situation under control, we conducted a preliminary search but found no evidence directly related to the attack."

Yang Wenqing said, "So you’re telling me that based on nothing but a hunch and some hearsay, you took it upon yourself to charge into a location that was, at best, peripherally related to the attack? And not only did you fail to control the situation, you actually instigated a conflict that cut off what seems to be our most important lead?"

He slammed his hand on the table and roared, "You idiot! Are you trying to help the suspects cover their tracks?"

Zheng Hu’s face went pale. He was about to argue, but then he saw Yang Wenqing turn to Vice Director Gao and say, "Director Gao, I recommend that Zheng Hu be suspended and taken into custody immediately. He is not to take a single step out of the bureau until we have thoroughly investigated whether there are other issues with his conduct!"

Vice Director Gao’s expression was grim, his gaze sharp as he looked at Zheng Hu. "Zheng Hu, as of this moment, you are suspended, pending an internal review."

Director Zhang Qiming, who had been listening from the side, frowned deeply. But after glancing at the furious Yang Wenqing and Vice Director Gao, who had already made his decision, he ultimately said nothing in opposition. Both procedurally and in its outcome, Zheng Hu’s conduct had left him with no room for defense.

Vice Director Gao then turned to the pale-faced Liu Min. "Section Chief Liu, it’s your turn. You should also speak. Our two colleagues, Wu Yan and Liu Rong, what were they investigating? Where did they go to investigate? They should have reported all of this to you, correct? I need a complete record of their movements after they went to Lingshan Town."

Liu Min took a deep breath, just about to speak.

"Wait!"

Stunned by this sudden turn of events and his impending custody, Zheng Hu jerked his head up. The color drained from his face, and his eyes flashed with panic and a last glimmer of desperation. He watched the two officers approaching him and suddenly raised his voice.

"I know! I know what they were investigating! They were looking into the old missing persons case. Director Li from the Civil Affairs Bureau kept telling us to back off, not to dig too deep. I know about that case! I can investigate it! I promise, in three days... no, two days! I’ll get you results in two days! I have absolutely nothing to do with this!"

He spoke in a rapid-fire burst, his voice cracking with urgency. His eyes darted between the four leaders, finally landing on Zhang Qiming as if grasping at a final straw.

However, the conference room fell silent.

Yang Wenqing just stared at him, his eyes filled with nothing but a cold, scrutinizing gaze. Vice Director Gao’s frown deepened. Deputy Director Zhou lifted his teacup and gently blew on the floating leaves, as if he hadn’t heard a thing.

Director Zhang Qiming’s expression instantly turned ugly, even darker than when Yang Wenqing had slammed the table. He grunted heavily and waved at the two officers who had reached Zheng Hu’s side, barking, "What are you standing around for? Take him away! Keep him under strict guard!"

The two officers no longer hesitated. They flanked Zheng Hu, who was still trying to struggle and explain himself, and lifted him up.

"Director Zhang! Director Gao! Yang Group Leader! Listen to me, I..."

His voice was cut off abruptly as he was dragged out.

The conference room fell silent once more, but this silence was even heavier than before.

Liu Min’s face grew a few shades paler. She clearly hadn’t expected Zheng Hu to say something like that at the last moment. It had undoubtedly made things much more complicated.

Vice Director Gao turned his gaze back to Liu Min, his tone calm once again. "Section Chief Liu, there’s no need to be nervous. Just state the facts as you know them."

Liu Min took another deep breath, her hands clasped lightly under the table. She began her methodical account: "My two colleagues, Wu Yan and Liu Rong, were..."

"...until this morning, during a routine check-in, Wu Yan mentioned that they were planning to take another look at the Hongyuan Trading Company’s lumberyard. A worker had previously reported that the turnover of day laborers in that area was particularly high—some faces would show up once or twice and then never be seen again. I reminded them at the time to be mindful of their methods and not to disrupt normal operations. They said it would just be a routine visit..."

Liu Min’s answer was clear, sticking closely to the key points of official reporting and routine investigation. She positioned herself perfectly as a by-the-book coordinator, explaining the situation while distancing herself from any potential risk of involvement.

Yang Wenqing and Vice Director Gao followed up with a few more detailed questions, such as whether she had noticed any unusual behavior from Wu Yan and his partner, whether anyone had tried to ask her about the progress of their investigation, and whether the Civil Affairs Bureau had given her any explicit instructions regarding the missing persons case.

Liu Min’s answers remained cautious. She stated she hadn’t noticed anything unusual, and that the Civil Affairs Bureau had only made general requests to ensure stability and not affect the construction schedule. They had not given any instructions regarding a specific case.

The questioning lasted for about half an hour. When it concluded, Vice Director Gao gestured for Liu Min to leave, but added, "Section Chief Liu, this case is a matter of grave importance. Please remain at the bureau for the time being to cooperate with the investigation until it is resolved."

Liu Min calmly nodded her assent. She stood, gave a formal nod of acknowledgment, and left the conference room escorted by another officer. Although she wasn’t being jailed, this was tantamount to house arrest, and she had lost her freedom for the foreseeable future.

The conference room door closed once again, leaving only the four core decision-makers of the branch bureau.

Zhang Qiming was the first to break the silence. "The basic situation is clear. The attackers were ruthless and their target was specific. This is no longer an ordinary public security case, but a blatant provocation against our City Defense System and a serious crime!"

He looked at Vice Director Gao and Yang Wenqing. "Before we questioned those two, the city leadership was already paying attention to this case. It’s obvious the city bureau takes the work in Lingshan Town very seriously. We must immediately file a detailed report with them."

Vice Director Gao nodded. "I agree. We shouldn’t delay. Director Zhang, you can make the report. Wenqing and I will prepare the relevant materials."

They were in agreement.

Zhang Qiming immediately activated the highest-level encrypted Communication Array in the conference room to contact the city bureau.

「About an hour later.」

In the top-floor conference room of the Qianjiao County branch bureau, the encrypted projection Array activated. The projections of City Bureau Director Shen Wenyuan, Vice Director Qi Yue, Vice Director He Zhou who was in charge of Internal Affairs Inspection, and a deputy director from the municipal Civil Affairs Bureau responsible for construction appeared around the conference table, along with the images of County Magistrate Wang from the County Civil Affairs Bureau and his two deputies.

As the director of the branch bureau where the incident occurred, Zhang Qiming gave a comprehensive report first. The content was objective, but he heavily emphasized the severity of the attack, not mentioning the other issues at all.

When his report was finished, Vice Director He Zhou, responsible for the city’s Internal Affairs Inspection, was the first to state his position. His tone was steady, but carried a cold hardness unique to the Internal Affairs system:

"One incident after another has occurred in Lingshan Town. Now it has escalated to the flagrant murder of our on-duty officers. The nature of this is extremely vicious, and its impact is profoundly negative. This shows that the local situation is already quite complex, and there may even be systemic problems. A conventional investigation will face significant resistance in that environment, and its efficiency cannot be guaranteed."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the Qianjiao County officials. "My opinion is that jurisdiction for this investigation should be elevated. The city bureau should send a capable team to take the lead and adopt more resolute and efficient measures. If necessary, we can conduct a concentrated sweep of key areas and personnel."

"I even think we should replace all personnel in Lingshan Town and send in a new team. Hand those people over to me, and I guarantee I’ll find out who’s dirty within three days!"

Zhang Qiming’s expression soured, and Vice Director Gao also frowned slightly.

Yang Wenqing, however, gave the vice director a thoughtful look. His proposal at this moment perfectly matched Yang Wenqing’s own mood.