Tong Bai Kou Mo Bian (2)

Actually, Director Tang had just received a tip and discovered the man with the middle-parted hair. He ordered Officers Lan and Lu to apprehend him.

Director Tang Changan had changed his dismissive attitude. He told Tong Haojing to stay in the Criminal Investigation Team's office, saying the truth would soon come to light. Tong Haojing's mood had somewhat eased, but the two auxiliary police officers still shadowed him, making him very uncomfortable.

A few honks sounded outside the police station, and a Volkswagen sedan stopped at the entrance. A tall, handsome man in casual wear, sporting a pair of brightly polished black leather shoes, stepped out. This was Gao Weimin, the Director of Public Security for Tangdu City. A graduate of the Chinese People's Public Security University, he was forty-five years old, in the prime of his life. He had been transferred to Tangdu City for this directorial position as part of an inter-regional exchange.

Gao Weimin had rushed to the West City Police Station because he had received a case notification from the Command Center about someone jumping into the Tangdu River, with their condition unknown. He had gone directly to the scene before arriving at the police station. Without asking many questions, Gao Weimin immediately convened the station to report on the situation.

This demonstrated his consistently decisive style of work.

The upstairs of the West City Police Station was quiet. Gao Weimin listened to Director Tang's case report. The Deputy Director in charge, Hu Yuancheng, the Director of the Political Department, Wu Dean, the Captain of the Criminal Police, Qian Fu, and representatives from fire rescue were present.

According to the regulations of the Tangdu City Public Security Bureau, the Director must be present at any case involving a human life, and the leader in charge of criminal investigation is no exception. This was Director Gao Weimin's order.

When Gao Weimin received the notification, he had assumed both individuals had jumped into the river and died. He had immediately ordered the criminal investigation team, forensic doctors, and the fire rescue team to the scene. He also made sure to bring Director of the Political Department Wu Dean with him, as he wanted to identify capable individuals during critical times. He couldn't forget the first task assigned to him by Political and Legal Secretary Li Dongfeng upon his arrival in Tangdu City: to intercept the drug flow in the west of the city. He hadn't realized that Gao Weimin had already unknowingly initiated Tangdu's anti-drug operation.

After he and Director Wu arrived at the West City Police Station and learned the details of the case, he finally let out a long sigh of relief. However, he still frowned, "A robber jumped into the river, and his condition is unknown. The person who apprehended him claims to have acted bravely for a just cause. This case is no small matter; it could easily lead to public opinion manipulation!"

Director Tang was a veteran director and also recognized the sensitivity of the case. He had reported it to his supervising leader immediately.

Gao Weimin interrupted Director Tang's words and asked, "Did you go to the scene?"

"Officer Lan led the team there," Director Tang replied in a low voice, lacking confidence.

Gao Weimin's face immediately darkened, and his voice suddenly rose, "What was the name of the person who apprehended the robber?"

Director Tang said, "Tong Haojing, a retired soldier awaiting resettlement! He's been brought back to the station to understand the situation. He claims he wants to be a police officer."

Director Gao Weimin smiled faintly, "What about the robber? Does he have accomplices?"

Director Tang replied, "Well, well, currently we only know he has a scar on his face. His condition is unknown after jumping into the river, and we are searching for him!" Director Tang knew clearly that it was too early to definitively identify Scarface as the robber, but he couldn't say that directly to the Director.

Gao Weimin asked, "Who is the victim?"

Director Tang said, "That's the crux of the matter. This person hasn't reported the incident, and their identity is unknown, so the nature of the case is undetermined. What's troublesome for us is that despite deploying many personnel to investigate, we still haven't found the victim. Another issue is what to do with Tong Haojing, the retired soldier?"

Director Gao Weimin pondered for a moment, raised his eyebrows, looked to his left at Deputy Director Hu and to his right at Director Tang, and addressed both of them almost as a warning: "Gentlemen, a human life is at stake. Acting bravely for a just cause involves the vital interests of the people. We cannot be careless in the slightest. You must handle this according to the law!"

Deputy Director Hu said, "Director, please rest assured. We will definitely increase our manpower to uncover the truth, ensuring that no good person is wronged, nor any bad person let go!"

Tang Changan followed the arrangements and remained silent, thinking that although Director Gao's words were a reminder, the decision still had to be his own, which showed his shrewdness. Deputy Director Hu's response was also flawless, leaving no room for criticism.

Director Gao Weimin gave a cold smile and said in a deep tone, "That's good, that's good. I await your good news!" Gao Weimin had intended to ask about the progress of the previous arrest of the drug user Dong Guapi, but he had forgotten due to the urgent phone call. Afterward, the Director went downstairs and met Tong Haojing. He casually remarked, "He's got potential," and was about to leave the police station. Director Wu, following behind the Director, heard this clearly and immediately understood the implied meaning behind Director Gao Weimin's words, gaining a direction.

At this moment, a crowd suddenly gathered outside the police station, blocking Gao Weimin's path. Leading them was Ma Shaokang, the assistant to Long Wen, the boss of the West City Labor Export Company. He, along with several followers, loudly demanded that the police station severely punish the murderer and avenge his brother, Shorty.

Tang Changan was puzzled. How did Ma Shaokang learn the top-secret news that Shorty was dead? Was there a ghost!

Standing beside Ma Shaokang was a white-haired old man in his seventies, looking dispirited, with his mouth half open. His cries of "Avenge my son! Avenge my son!" were drowned out by his followers. He kept looking at Ma Shaokang's face, as if he only shouted when Ma Shaokang blinked. It was clear that this was not the old man's own volition.

This person was Liu Benzhong, Shorty's father. He had been dragged by Ma Shaokang's subordinates to the police station to cry injustice after hearing the news of his son's death.

Ma Shaokang, male, 35 years old, of medium height, Long Wen's assistant, slightly chubby with a square face, appeared somewhat refined. He often showed off classic phrases from the "Three Character Classic" in front of Long Wen and was highly valued by him. Ma Shaokang had rushed to the police station and started making a scene after receiving a call from a public phone. The call was from Scarface, who insisted that Shorty was killed by a tall fisherman and that he and Hu Pan were inconvenient to show their faces, so they were seeking help from Long Wen.

The cunning Scarface had not told Ma Shaokang the truth. Ma Shaokang, without understanding the reason, reported to Long Wen. Long Wen, confident in the powerful backing of "the boss," and wanting to please him, as Scarface was somewhat related to "the boss" (though Long Wen didn't know the exact relationship), instructed Ma Shaokang without hesitation to go to the police station and pressure them to avenge the death.

Across from the police station's main entrance, Long Wen, the boss of the West City Labor Export Company, hid in the shadows, observing the unfolding situation calmly.

This was something no one had anticipated.

At this critical moment, Ma Shaokang jumped out to cause trouble. Director Tang was so angry he gritted his teeth. He stood in front of Director Gao and shouted, "Ma Shaokang, we'll discuss whatever it is later. Go away now!"

"Punish the murderer... Punish the murderer..." Ma Shaokang, surrounded by the crowd, chanted rhythmically, the shouts growing louder and louder.

At this point, Director Gao pulled Tang Changan back with one hand, stepped forward a few paces, and introduced himself, "Everyone, please be quiet! I am Gao Weimin, the Director of Public Security for Tangdu City. Please believe that the Public Security Bureau will handle this case according to the law, uncover the truth, and provide everyone with a satisfactory explanation!"

In the distance, Long Wen suddenly disappeared after receiving a text message from Hu Pan. This infinitesimal change was noticed by Qian Fu, who was standing behind Director Gao. Perhaps a subtle glance from him was enough of a reminder; this was the new Director of Public Security, and they couldn't push their luck.

Hu Pan sent a text message to Long Wen.

Long Wen had learned the truth about Shorty's cause of death from Hu Pan. He immediately secretly instructed Hu Pan to find a way to comfort Shorty's father, Liu Benzhong, and tell him to keep quiet. Long Wen then quietly left, and Ma Shaokang and his group dispersed listlessly.

As Director Gao was leaving, he once again instructed Deputy Director Hu and Director Tang, "This case involves a human life. You must 'stabilize, accurately, and decisively' crack down on criminal offenders and protect the safety of the people."

After Gao Weimin left, Deputy Director Hu did not dare to delay and immediately convened the criminal investigation and police station to conduct an investigation. When it came to establishing a special task force, and whether the criminal investigation team or the police station would take the lead, Deputy Captain Qian of the criminal investigation team got into an argument with Director Tang Changan.