96: Chapter 95 Returning to the Party School

Captain Chang stared at Bureau Chief Hao Jianguo, his gaze not lingering on the other man's face for even half a second.

"The Provincial Public Security Department's Inspection Corps has sealed all interrogation footage."

"Deputy Captain Liang Tao's police ID and service weapon are to be confiscated on the spot, and he is suspended from duty immediately."

Bureau Chief Hao Jianguo opened his mouth, his voice hoarse: "Captain Chang, there is... a misunderstanding. In grassroots case handling, the methods and means..."

"A misunderstanding? You can explain that slowly later."

Captain Xiao Zhan stepped forward and, with a click, unlocked the metal shackles on Zhu Wenhao's wrists.

Zhu Wenhao rubbed his wrists, tossed the handcuffs onto the desktop, and didn't spare Bureau Chief Hao Jianguo a glance. "Bureau Chief Hao, returning these to their owner. You should keep this pair of handcuffs safe."

"It would be best if this thing could become a warning bell hanging over the heads of certain people."

He dropped this remark, turned, and walked out of the interrogation room. Captain Xiao Zhan and Captain Chang followed him out, while several members of the Inspection Corps remained behind.

Bureau Chief Hao Jianguo watched the retreating figures, his gaze turning cold, before looking at Deputy Captain Liang Tao, who was frozen in place.

When those in power clean up their pawns, they never show sentiment.

He ignored those pleading eyes and strode directly out the door.

Before crossing the threshold, he threw out a cold order: "Little Liang, cooperate fully with the Inspection Corps' investigation."

"Confess your 'own' problems clearly."

He emphasized the word "own" heavily.

This was not just cutting ties; it was a verdict.

Two members of the Inspection Corps stepped across, standing like iron towers, blocking the path for Deputy Captain Liang Tao to chase after him.

Bureau Chief Hao Jianguo hurried back to his office and locked the door.

Loosening his tie, he picked up the phone on his desk and dialed the office number of Secretary Lei Zhen of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission.

After a few rings, the call was connected.

"Secretary Lei, something went wrong." Bureau Chief Hao Jianguo spoke very quickly. "The Provincial Public Security Department's Inspection Corps intervened directly, and Zhu Wenhao has been taken away."

He recounted the confrontation in the lobby and the interrogation room in great detail.

Finally, his voice tightened: "Director Qi Shan's stance is that he wants to upgrade the jurisdiction of the Red Star Machinery Factory case. If this matter ends up in the Provincial Public Security Department's files, we won't even have a handle to grab if we want to fight for the right to handle the case back!"

There was only the sound of faint breathing on the other end of the receiver.

After a long silence, Secretary Lei Zhen only replied with four words: "I understand."

He hung up.

Bureau Chief Hao Jianguo held the receiver, frozen in place. No scolding, no deployment—was it just over like that?

Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission building, Secretary's office.

Secretary Lei Zhen put down the receiver, leaned back in his chair, and tapped his fingertips rhythmically on the desk.

This move of "removing the firewood from under the cauldron" by Director Qi Shan was to forcibly intervene in a local case by leveraging the Provincial Public Security Department's advantage in professional guidance.

Secretary Lei Zhen was not panicked. He reached out and called the office director.

"Notify the deputy secretaries who are in the office to come to the small conference room in an hour." Secretary Lei Zhen said clearly. "There is only one agenda item for the meeting: the major inspection of ideological and party affairs work in the Provincial Public Security Department and various political and legal units for the second half of the year."

After finishing the call, Secretary Lei Zhen was going to start setting rules for the Provincial Public Security Department.

He picked up his private mobile phone and first called Deputy Secretary Yang Jianhua to discuss the matter. Afterward, he dialed the number of Secretary Gao Zhiyuan of the Jingjiang Municipal Committee.

The conversation lasted over half an hour, and although he paid a price, he obtained the commitment he wanted.

After reaching a consensus, Secretary Lei Zhen closed his notebook, stood up, and walked toward the conference room.

The police car drove steadily on the road back to the Provincial Party School.

Zhu Wenhao sat in the back, Captain Xiao Zhan sat in the passenger seat, and Captain Chang drove personally.

"Thank you both for making this trip. Today is Friday, and I am off for the next two days. I would like to treat you both to a meal." Zhu Wenhao spoke in a steady tone.

Captain Xiao Zhan turned his head and laughed heartily: "Zhu Wenhao, we are all our own people; no need to be formal. Director Qi Shan is pushing hard on your case, so I really can't get away. You can owe me this meal for now; when the case is closed, we will find a place to drink to our hearts' content."

He pointed to Captain Chang, who was driving, and joked: "As for Old Chang, he is a notoriously doting husband. He has to go home to cook as soon as he gets off work. If you want to invite him to dinner, you have to book half a year in advance."

Captain Chang's stern face relaxed, showing a touch of awkwardness: "My wife is in poor health and needs constant care."

"Then we will wait until it is convenient for Captain Chang." Zhu Wenhao went with the flow, smoothing the conversation perfectly. "When the time comes, please be sure to invite your wife to attend as well; everyone will bring their family members."

Captain Chang agreed, noting the favor.

The car entered the suburbs. Zhu Wenhao adjusted his seating position and threw out the pre-meditated point of entry: "Captain Chang, there is a link in the Red Star Machinery Factory case that cannot stand up to scrutiny."

Captain Chang glanced at him through the rearview mirror. "Go ahead."

"Today, the Municipal Public Security Bureau went to the Party School to take me in, following normal police procedures. But when I went for research yesterday, that factory area had long been abandoned and was rarely visited by anyone."

"Besides those few thugs involved in organized crime, there wasn't a ghost in sight."

"The people involved in the case are all at the Provincial Public Security Department now."

"So, who exactly reported the case to the Jingjiang Municipal Public Security Bureau?"

"If there is a real police report record, then the identity of the informant is worth exploring. If not..." Zhu Wenhao left the sentence half-finished, letting the other party chew on it.

"Fabricating a police report."

Captain Xiao Zhan picked up the conversation. As a veteran criminal investigator, he instantly realized the murderous intent here.

Zhu Wenhao nodded: "If the source of the case filing is forged, the entire summoning procedure is an abuse of power."

Captain Chang gripped the steering wheel tightly, his gaze cold. "Our Inspection Corps will investigate as soon as we get back. As long as it is verified, no one in Deputy Captain Liang Tao's group will be able to overturn the case."

This is called "removing the firewood from under the cauldron."

The London plane trees receded, and the gate of the Party School enlarged in his field of vision.

The car stopped, and Zhu Wenhao pushed the door open and got out.

Unexpectedly, Captain Xiao Zhan got out of the car as well and strode around the front of the vehicle.

"Zhu Wenhao, don't be in such a hurry to leave."

Captain Xiao Zhan grabbed him. "This morning, the Municipal Public Security Bureau people handcuffed you in front of everyone in the classroom. This has a terrible impact on your personal reputation."

"The Provincial Public Security Department must not only make arrests but also be responsible for the aftermath."

Captain Xiao Zhan did not give Zhu Wenhao a chance to refuse. He grabbed his arm and strode up the steps. Captain Chang parked the car and followed.

Inside the administration building, Director Song Ping was already waiting in the lobby. Seeing Zhu Wenhao unharmed, with two police inspectors in white shirts following him, the stone in his heart dropped.

"Director Song Ping, this is Captain Xiao Zhan of the Provincial Public Security Department's Criminal Investigation Corps and Captain Chang of the Inspection Corps." Captain Xiao Zhan showed his credentials and said concisely. "Comrade Zhu Wenhao is the victim, and the Municipal Public Security Bureau's law enforcement was seriously irregular. We are here specifically to provide an explanation to the school. Later, the Provincial Public Security Department will also send over documents; we must restore Comrade Zhu Wenhao's reputation."

Director Song Ping nodded repeatedly, understanding perfectly.

Captain Xiao Zhan did not waste words and directly made a request: "Director Song Ping, the Spark Class should be in class right now, right? Lead the way; I want to clarify things to the students in person."

The Spark Class lecture hall.

The heavy wooden door was pushed open.

Director Song Ping was in front, Zhu Wenhao followed behind unharmed, with the two officers in white shirts bringing up the rear.

Inside the classroom, there was pin-drop silence.

The sneer that had been hanging on Lei Zhenzi's face instantly froze.

Class Monitor Liu Yu stared fixedly at Zhu Wenhao, his eyes full of disbelief.

Captain Xiao Zhan walked onto the podium, his gaze sweeping across the room.

"I am Captain Xiao Zhan of the Provincial Public Security Department's Criminal Investigation Corps."

"Regarding the matter of Comrade Zhu Wenhao being taken away, it was caused by the irregular operations of some police officers from the Jingjiang Municipal Public Security Bureau. The relevant officers involved have been suspended for investigation."

"Comrade Zhu Wenhao is completely innocent."

This sentence was like a scalding slap, striking hard across the faces of all the onlookers.

Lei Zhenzi lowered his head, staring fixedly at his shoe tips, sensing that the sky was about to fall.

Liu Ruobing gripped the pen in her hand tightly and exhaled a long breath of stale air.

Zhou Xu pushed up his glasses and wrote a line in his notebook.

After the announcement, Captain Xiao Zhan and Captain Chang left.

Zhu Wenhao walked back to his seat, pulled out the chair, and sat down calmly.

He opened his lecture notes and picked up a black pen, as if everything that had just happened was merely passing smoke.

The tree desires stillness, but the wind will not cease.

This game of chess in Jiangnan Province has only just entered the mid-game.