103: Chapter 103 Solve the Case Within a Time Limit

It was the early hours of the morning.

The entire sixth floor of the Linjiang Municipal Public Security Bureau building was ablaze with fluorescent lights.

In the large conference room, the exhaust fan was buzzing.

The room was filled with the choking smell of cigarette smoke.

Police Chief Li Jianguo stood before the whiteboard at the front, his eyes bloodshot.

On both sides of the conference table, Captain Chen Gang of the Criminal Investigation Detachment, several deputy detachment captains, and key personnel from various operational departments were all in attendance.

Political Commissar Wang Haitao pushed the door open, accompanied by office staff.

Cases of Red Bull, instant noodles, and hot tea were distributed to each seat.

Political Commissar Wang Haitao had a background in economics and couldn't offer much input on criminal cases.

Providing top-notch logistical support and keeping the officers satisfied was the best report he could submit to Secretary Zhu Tianhe and Police Chief Li Jianguo.

"Eat a few bites first to line your stomachs." Police Chief Li Jianguo straightened up.

He tapped his finger on the spot circled in red on the whiteboard.

"Captain Chen Gang, how much useful information have you gathered?"

Captain Chen Gang tossed away the cigarette butt in his hand.

"Bureau Chief, the MO is extremely professional."

"The three Sky Net surveillance cameras around the crime scene on the eastern section of Riverside Avenue were reported for repairs two days ago."

"The three off-road vehicles they drove were all using cloned plates, taken from scrapped cars."

Captain Chen Gang drew a few dashed lines on the map.

"After committing the crime, they destroyed the evidence at the scene."

"The heavy dump truck used for the blockade, along with the white sedan belonging to the victim Su Qinghan, were doused with gasoline and incinerated."

"We couldn't extract any valuable leads from the scene."

Police Chief Li Jianguo stared at the red circle on the whiteboard.

"What about the video tracking team?"

A deputy detachment captain replied: "We've performed frame rate comparisons on the surrounding surveillance footage."

"After leaving the scene, the three off-road vehicles drove into the old town renovation area in the north of the city and the blind spots in the urban-rural fringe."

"These people are highly experienced in counter-reconnaissance; they took dirt roads to avoid the main thoroughfares, and the trail went completely cold near the North City Farmers' Market."

Police Chief Li Jianguo picked up his strong tea and downed half the cup in one gulp.

This case was clearly a dirty job done by professional thugs.

Executive Deputy Director Liu Qing, sitting in the second seat on the left side of the conference table, had not said a word.

Executive Deputy Director Liu Qing held a thermos in his hands, staring at the tea leaves floating in the cup.

His old superior, Secretary Tian Limin, had been transferred out of Linjiang by an official order, and the influence of the Tian faction in Linjiang City had shrunk rapidly.

Standing Committee Member Zhang Zhiqiang, who was originally the most promising candidate to succeed as Executive Vice Mayor, not only failed to secure the position but was instead firmly pinned to the position of Party Secretary of the High-tech Zone Working Committee.

Having lost his backing, Executive Deputy Director Liu Qing found himself in a very awkward position in the bureau.

Two hours ago, he had received a phone call.

It was from Secretary Li Changgeng, the chief secretary to Mayor Su Changming.

The conversation contained no explicit deal, only vague, ethereal expressions of concern.

But Executive Deputy Director Liu Qing understood clearly what Secretary Li Changgeng was implying between the lines.

Mayor Su Changming wanted to plant an informant in the special investigation team.

Furthermore, he wanted to moderately hit the brakes on the investigation direction and drag his feet during information aggregation.

Once the special case fell into a stalemate, Mayor Su Changming would have enough leverage to forcefully take down Police Chief Li Jianguo at the Standing Committee meeting.

Once that was accomplished, the top seat at the Public Security Bureau would undoubtedly belong to him, Executive Deputy Director Liu Qing.

Executive Deputy Director Liu Qing blew on the tea leaves and took a gentle sip.

Let Police Chief Li Jianguo be the one to run around in a panic at the front lines.

If the case isn't solved, no one can save him.

The next morning.

In the Municipal Party Committee residential compound, at Villa No. 4.

In the dining room, Secretary Zhu Tianhe was drinking plain congee.

Zhu Wenhao sat opposite him, looking through the latest morning newspaper.

"Secretary Lin is convening an expanded Standing Committee meeting at nine o'clock today to specifically hear the case report from the Municipal Public Security Bureau." Secretary Zhu Tianhe put down his bowl and chopsticks.

"Last night at the hospital, Secretary Lin managed to suppress Mayor Su Changming's momentum and pushed Secretary Jiang Huan to the forefront."

"But if this case isn't solved soon, my heart will remain hanging."

Zhu Wenhao folded the newspaper and set it aside.

"Father, a skilled chess player plans for the overall situation, while an unskilled one only plans for individual pieces."

"Although Secretary Lin temporarily suppressed Mayor Su Changming last night,"

"the situation will change by today's Standing Committee meeting."

Zhu Wenhao tapped his index finger lightly on the mahogany tabletop.

"The Public Security Bureau is a weapon in your hands."

"Mayor Su Changming will definitely use the public opinion generated by this vicious case to stir up trouble at the Standing Committee meeting today."

"His core demand is to have Executive Vice Mayor Han Qiming take full control of the special case coordination, thereby seizing actual control of the Municipal Public Security Bureau."

"Secretary Lin is a parachuted top leader."

"Before establishing absolute authority, he can reject reasonable demands made by the Mayor in the name of 'social stability'."

"However, speeches at the Standing Committee meeting are recorded. If the case isn't solved by then, Secretary Lin cannot afford to take the blame."

"If Mayor Su Changming seizes this opening this time, it will be quite difficult for Secretary Lin in the Standing Committee meetings in the future."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe understood the crux of the matter.

"You must be the vanguard." Zhu Wenhao proposed a countermeasure.

"At the meeting, once Mayor Su Changming puts forward the proposal for Executive Vice Mayor Han Qiming to take command, you must speak up before Secretary Lin makes his stance known."

"Bring up the legal principle of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission's overall coordination, and firmly set the tone on Secretary Jiang Huan of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission."

"You could even proactively suggest that the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, and the Public Security Bureau form a joint supervision team."

"As long as you muddy the waters, Executive Vice Mayor Han Qiming won't be able to interfere."

"By blocking this frontal assault for the new Secretary, he will look at you with new eyes."

"Leaving room for maneuver for Secretary Lin is the way to protect Police Chief Li Jianguo's base."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe nodded heavily.

He put on his coat and took a car to the Municipal Party Committee compound.

At nine o'clock sharp in the morning.

In the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee conference room.

The newly appointed Municipal Party Committee Secretary Lin Weimin sat upright in the main seat.

His gaze swept across both sides of the long conference table.

The newly appointed Executive Vice Mayor Han Qiming initiated the attack.

He opened the materials beside him, his tone severe.

"Comrades of the Standing Committee, a young cadre from the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection was surrounded and intercepted by a convoy of criminal forces on the way home from work."

"A dump truck collision, an assault in the street resulting in serious injury and coma! How vicious is the nature of this!"

Executive Vice Mayor Han Qiming aimed his spearhead directly at Police Chief Li Jianguo, who was attending the meeting.

"A whole night has passed."

"The Municipal Public Security Bureau has deployed a large number of police forces, yet they haven't even touched a shadow of the suspects. This efficiency in handling the case is highly questionable."

"The social repercussions are extremely negative."

"When outside investors look at our business environment in Linjiang, the first thing they look at is the public security environment. Can the current combat effectiveness of the police force support the overall situation of building a safe city?"

Mayor Su Changming chimed in at the appropriate time, picking up his water cup.

"Comrade Han Qiming's words, though rough, are not unreasonable."

"In extraordinary times, we must take extraordinary measures. The Municipal Public Security Bureau is facing multiple difficulties, and the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government cannot stand by and watch."

"Secretary Lin, I thought about it all night last night; this case must be handled at a higher level."

Mayor Su Changming cast his gaze toward Secretary Lin Weimin.

"Let Executive Vice Mayor Han Qiming represent the Municipal Government and personally take command of the special investigation team. Coordinate resources from all fronts across the city, solve the case within a time limit, and give the people an explanation."

Secretary Lin Weimin put down his pen, just about to speak.

Secretary Zhu Tianhe suddenly spoke up: "Mayor Su Changming, Executive Vice Mayor Han Qiming."

"Social stability maintenance is about the big picture."

"Executive Vice Mayor Han Qiming is in charge of economic reform and the revitalization of state-owned assets. Asking an economic expert to direct frontline criminal investigation work is not only overstepping, but also violates the principle of professionalization in cadre appointment."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe turned his head to face Secretary Lin Weimin.

"Secretary Lin."

"The public security system has its own strict legal procedures for handling cases. The Political and Legal Affairs Commission is the functional department that oversees political and legal work."

"I propose that we formally form a resolution for Secretary Jiang Huan of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission to take command. The Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection will send discipline inspection cadres to supervise the entire process."

"The public security, procuratorate, courts, and justice departments working together—that is the truly thunderous approach."

Secretary Lin Weimin's fountain pen stopped.

He glanced at Secretary Zhu Tianhe.

"Secretary Zhu Tianhe's proposal complies with organizational norms." Secretary Lin Weimin said, setting the tone.

"There is specialization in every trade. Let's decide on Secretary Jiang Huan as the person in command of the special investigation team."

"The Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection must also send people to participate and strictly investigate whether there is a power-based protective umbrella behind this vicious case."

Mayor Su Changming put down his teacup.

"Since Secretary Lin and Secretary Zhu Tianhe both believe that Secretary Jiang Huan is more suitable, I have no objections."

"However, taking command is only for coordination. The ones who will actually go to the front lines for arrests are still the Municipal Public Security Bureau."

Mayor Su Changming pointed directly at Police Chief Li Jianguo.

"Police Chief Li Jianguo."

"The Municipal Party Committee can provide you with all resource support. But you must set a rule."

"This kind of vicious case that causes major social panic cannot be dragged on indefinitely. Ten days."

Mayor Su Changming held up both hands and made a cross sign.

"Solve the case within a ten-day time limit and make the arrests."

Inside the conference room, all eyes were pressed upon Police Chief Li Jianguo.

Executive Deputy Director Liu Qing, sitting in the gallery, kept his head down.

Police Chief Li Jianguo stood up straight.

"I guarantee to complete the mission!"

The conference room fell into a deathly silence.