29: Chapter 29 Seizing Power

On the third day of the investigation, the morning in Changyuan County was shrouded in mist.

Secretary Wan Xiaohan had just finished breakfast and was reviewing materials in his room.

Xu Weidong sat on a small sofa nearby, organizing the records from the past two days of investigation.

The drinking water issues in the villages of Hukuang Township, the renovation of dangerous buildings at the township central primary school, and the backlog of petitions from residents around the mining area.

Each item was written down in dense detail.

A knock sounded at the door, and Xu Weidong went to open it.

Standing outside the door was Police Chief Zheng Xilin of the Municipal Public Security Bureau. He was dressed in plain clothes, but his posture was upright, and his brow carried a professional sternness.

"Section Chief Xu, is Secretary Wan in?"

Xu Weidong stepped aside to let him in. Secretary Wan Xiaohan looked up and, seeing Police Chief Zheng Xilin, showed no surprise.

"Comrade Xilin is here."

"Sit."

Police Chief Zheng Xilin did not sit. Instead, he stood before Secretary Wan Xiaohan and reported briefly, "Secretary Wan, in accordance with Mayor Lin's deployment, the Municipal Public Security Bureau's special task force for the Crackdown on Organized Crime has officially moved into Changyuan County today."

"I am leading the team of twelve people, and we have already arrived in the county."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan nodded and said, "Mayor Lin moves quickly."

Police Chief Zheng Xilin paused, then said, "Secretary Wan, we are prepared to move directly into the County Public Security Bureau and take over command."

"There are several key targets that our informants have been watching for half a year; we must close the net this time."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan looked at him and asked, "Are you confident?"

"Yes."

"But it will take time."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan was silent for two seconds before saying, "Go ahead. If you need any support, come directly to me."

Police Chief Zheng Xilin saluted and said, "Thank you, Secretary Wan."

"Comrade Xilin."

"Stay safe. You know the situation in Changyuan County better than I do."

Police Chief Zheng Xilin nodded and said, "Understood."

Xu Weidong stood by the window, watching the off-road vehicles bearing the City Public Security Bureau license plates drive out of the guesthouse and disappear into the morning mist.

When Police Chief Zheng Xilin led his men into the office building of the County Public Security Bureau, the duty officer was still yawning.

Seeing that line of police uniforms, he froze for a moment.

"May I ask..."

"Where is your bureau chief?"

"Bureau Chief Hu... hasn't arrived yet."

"Where is the deputy bureau chief?"

"Deputy Bureau Chief Ma is here."

"Tell him to come see me."

Five minutes later, Executive Deputy Bureau Chief Ma Weimin hurried downstairs.

He was in his early fifties, with thinning hair and a puffiness on his face from years of staying up late.

Upon seeing Police Chief Zheng Xilin, his expression shifted, but he quickly put on a smile.

"Police Chief Zheng! Why did you come in person? You didn't even give us a heads-up so we could come to receive you!"

Police Chief Zheng Xilin ignored his remark and went straight to the point: "Comrade Ma Weimin, in accordance with the unified deployment of the City Public Security Bureau, the special task force for the Crackdown on Organized Crime has officially moved into Changyuan County today."

"From this moment on, I am taking over command of the Changyuan County Public Security Bureau."

Police Chief Zheng Xilin placed a document in front of Ma Weimin, and Ma Weimin's smile froze on his face.

"Police Chief Zheng, this... why is this so sudden?"

Police Chief Zheng Xilin looked at him and said coldly, "Notify the captain of the Criminal Investigation Brigade and the captain of the Public Security Brigade to report to me in ten minutes."

Ma Weimin's Adam's apple bobbed. He looked at the document, then at the unfamiliar faces behind Police Chief Zheng Xilin, and finally lowered his head.

"Yes."

Ten minutes later, the captain of the Criminal Investigation Brigade and the captain of the Public Security Brigade stood before Police Chief Zheng Xilin.

The captain of the Criminal Investigation Brigade was in his mid-forties, surnamed Zhou, with a face full of flab.

The captain of the Public Security Brigade was in his early forties, surnamed Wu, wearing a thin mustache.

Police Chief Zheng Xilin slapped a list on the table and said, "The Criminal Investigation Brigade is responsible for arresting these targets."

"The Public Security Brigade is responsible for raiding these dens."

Captain Zhou picked up the list, took one look, and his expression changed.

"Police Chief Zheng, we have investigated these targets before, but there was insufficient evidence..."

"Insufficient evidence?"

Police Chief Zheng Xilin looked at him and said coldly, "Are you saying the leads provided by the City Public Security Bureau lack evidence, or that you failed to uncover it?"

Captain Zhou opened his mouth but couldn't get any words out.

Captain Wu also leaned in to look, his face turning pale.

"Police Chief Zheng, the locations of these dens are quite sensitive; acting rashly might alert the enemy..."

"Alert the enemy?"

Then, Police Chief Zheng Xilin said coldly, "Comrade Zhou Dayong, Comrade Wu Jianshe, I now suspect that you have financial dealings with the subjects under investigation."

"Effective immediately, you are suspended from duty for self-reflection and must cooperate with the investigation by the City Public Security Bureau's discipline inspection team."

Captain Zhou's face turned the color of a liver, and he said, "Police Chief Zheng, by what authority..."

"By this."

Police Chief Zheng Xilin slapped another document onto his chest; it was the suspension notice from the City Public Security Bureau, stamped with a bright red official seal.

Captain Wu's legs gave way, and he had to steady himself against the table.

Police Chief Zheng Xilin was clearly well-prepared and did not look at them again.

"Confiscate their service weapons."

Two police officers stepped forward and removed the service weapons from their waists.

Captain Zhou wanted to say something more, but he was dragged out the door.

Captain Wu kept his head down and didn't say a word.

The door closed, and the room went quiet.

Police Chief Zheng Xilin looked at the remaining deputies and asked, "Who is the deputy captain of the Criminal Investigation Brigade?"

"Reporting to Police Chief Zheng, it's me, Deputy Captain Liu Jianguo."

"And the deputy captain of the Public Security Brigade?"

"Reporting to Police Chief Zheng, it's me, Deputy Captain Wang Tiejun."

Police Chief Zheng Xilin looked at them and said in a flat tone, "Comrade Liu Jianguo, Comrade Wang Tiejun."

"From now on, you will act as the captains and be responsible for the specific implementation of this operation."

Deputy Captain Liu Jianguo and Deputy Captain Wang Tiejun exchanged a glance and replied in unison, "Yes!"

Police Chief Zheng Xilin handed them the list and continued, "The comrades from the City Public Security Bureau will assist you. Depart now."

Deputy Captain Liu Jianguo took the list and glanced at it.

"Police Chief Zheng, we guarantee we will complete the mission!"

"I will wait to celebrate your success!"

Deputy Captain Liu Jianguo saluted and turned to leave, with Deputy Captain Wang Tiejun following behind.

Police Chief Zheng Xilin walked to the window, watching the police cars downstairs, all prepared and ready to depart.

He lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.

He had been too lenient with Changyuan County in the past; it really seemed like any cadre dared to jump in front of him and court death!

At the same time, in the eastern suburbs of the county, at the unlisted private club.

Secretary Hu Qiu was lying on the sofa in a second-floor private room, holding the female student from the Lvjiang City Art Academy in his arms.

Today he had changed to a new trick: role-playing.

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"Will you talk or not?"

He lowered his voice, mimicking an interrogation tone.

"Uncle Policeman, I don't know anything..."

Secretary Hu Qiu chuckled and leaned in.

"You don't know? Then I'll have to use torture to extract a confession."

Just as his hand touched the shoulder strap of her gauze dress, the door was suddenly pushed open.

Secretary Hu Qiu was startled and turned his head, ready to curse.

The person who entered was one of his thug leaders, surnamed Sun, nicknamed Sun Laosan, who was one of the mine tyrants over in Hukuang Township.

"Secretary Hu!"

Sun Laosan was covered in sweat and said, "Something big has happened!"

Secretary Hu Qiu was stunned for a moment before saying slowly, "What is it that has you so flustered?"

Sun Laosan glanced at the disheveled female student on the sofa, leaned into Secretary Hu Qiu's ear, and whispered a few words.

Secretary Hu Qiu's expression changed instantly. He shoved the female student in his arms away and stood up.

"The City Public Security Bureau Chief came in person? And took over the Public Security Bureau?"

Sun Laosan nodded and said, "The Criminal Investigation and Public Security brigades have both been moved. Zhou Dayong and Wu Jianshe were suspended on the spot! Deputy Captain Liu Jianguo and Deputy Captain Wang Tiejun have taken men to raid our dens!"

Secretary Hu Qiu's head buzzed. He grabbed the phone on the table and dialed a number.

It was busy...

He dialed another, and damn it, it was still busy!