Suspended from Duty (1)

Director Tang answered Officer Lan's call and barely slept a wink that night. His eyelids were slightly swollen. He arrived at his office early, sat in his swivel chair, and reviewed the investigation statements Officer Lan and Lu Tong had brought over regarding Cuntoucao's assault. Director Tang found that the statements did little to advance the case, but the information Tong Haojing had provided filled him with indignation. Cuntoucao's injuries might leave the Public Security Bureau facing substantial compensation claims. With such a huge mess on his hands, who knew how Director Gao Weimin would blame him this time.

He seemed to see this as a fine opportunity, a chance to thoroughly knock down Tong Haojing's arrogance. The scene of Manager Xiao calling him in the middle of the night some time ago remained vivid in his mind, and Tong Haojing's reckless impulsiveness had been showing itself everywhere. This time, Tong Haojing had used Cuntoucao, a shady figure, without his approval. That was a serious breach of work discipline, and Cuntoucao had suffered a major mishap because of it. This was no trivial matter. Director Tang gave a helpless, bitter smile and called the instructor. "Instructor Ding Cong, let's discuss something in the meeting room this morning!"

"Fine!" Instructor Ding Cong agreed without hesitation.

Instructor Ding Cong's real name was Ding Ping'an. More than half of his sparse hair had turned white, and he looked like a Maitreya Buddha. He was a good old fellow who always wore a gloomy expression. He generally did not meddle in other matters at the station, and everyone called him "Mellow Yellow Ox."

Tong Haojing had gotten up early as well. His face was ashen, and his spirits had sunk to rock bottom. Fortunately, Officer Lan had brought him some good news early that morning: traces of three masked men had been found in the surveillance footage. That eased Tong Haojing's guilt somewhat, but he did not know how to face Director Tang's furious glare.

When Tong Haojing arrived at the meeting room, Instructor Ding Cong was already there. Seeing Tong Haojing enter with his head lowered, Instructor Ding Cong quietly leaned close and asked in his ear, "Xiao Tong, what happened?"

Tong Haojing gave Instructor Ding Cong a troubled look and said in a low voice, "Instructor Ding Cong, I made a mistake!"

Instructor Ding Cong was somewhat surprised. "What mistake? Let me see if I can help."

Instructor Ding Cong's words sent a warm current through Tong Haojing's heart. An instructor really was different. He did ideological work; perhaps if Tong Haojing laid everything out, he really could help. With some hope in Instructor Ding Cong, Tong Haojing said, "I used Cuntoucao as an informant without getting the director's approval, and someone set Cuntoucao up."

"Oh, that..." Instructor Ding Cong carefully weighed it in his mind, and his brow furrowed.

Tong Haojing noticed the slight change in Instructor Ding Cong's expression. It seemed this was not so simple after all. Regretfully, he said, "I thought it would be simple at the time. I never expected something to go wrong."

"How serious are his injuries?" Instructor Ding Cong asked.

"The doctor said he might need an amputation, or end up in a vegetative state."

"Then this is going to be troublesome!"

Just then, Director Tang and Old Jiang entered. Director Tang's stern expression gave Tong Haojing an even stronger sense of foreboding.

Director Tang said seriously, "Everyone's here. Xiao Tong, tell us what happened first."

Tong Haojing hesitated, then stammered through the entire sequence of events from beginning to end.

Seeing Tong Haojing's helpless look, Old Jiang wanted to help him. "This is my fault. I didn't make things clear enough to him as his mentor. Director Tang, could you forgive him this once?"

"Forgive him? How am I supposed to forgive him? If this isn't handled properly, it'll become a major incident!" Director Tang flew into a rage as he listed Tong Haojing's faults: first, disregarding leadership; second, severe individual heroism; third, violating work discipline and causing serious consequences. Director Tang was truly angry this time.

"I remember Cuntoucao has a young daughter," Instructor Ding Cong said. "If he really loses a limb or something else happens, what will become of his daughter? We need to take a long-term view. I suggest that our most urgent priority is to intensify the investigation, properly handle the aftermath for Cuntoucao, and make sure he has no worries. That will help us resolve this matter. Otherwise, if things blow up, it will be hard to contain!"

Old Jiang nodded repeatedly.

Hearing Director Tang make his actions sound so grave without the slightest hint of sympathy, Tong Haojing was deeply disappointed by Director Tang's heartlessness.

"At worst, punish me!" Tong Haojing snapped, his temper rising.

Seeing this, Instructor Ding Cong quickly patted Tong Haojing on the head, leaned close to his ear, and said softly, "Why are you so stubborn? Cool it."

Tong Haojing's words only made Director Tang angrier. He slammed the table and shouted, "Write a self-criticism!" Then he flung his hand away and stormed out.

Instructor Ding Cong hurriedly pulled him back. Still seething, Director Tang sat sideways in his office chair, facing the window without even looking at Tong Haojing, who stood in the office.

Perhaps something had provoked him, because Tong Haojing was like an enraged lion. He crazily poured out all the resentment he had buried in his heart, holding nothing back.

"Thug and Scarface are still walking free. Whose fault is that? Who is protecting the rampant drug use and trafficking at Hongdu Entertainment City? And who tipped people off about the gambling at the food factory?" Like a string of gunfire, Tong Haojing poured out every question he had held back for so long. The target was obvious: Director Tang Changan, who was already furious.

Tang Changan could no longer suppress his anger. He sprang to his feet with a whoosh, staring straight at Tong Haojing. After standing stunned for a long moment, he finally managed to say, "Bring me evidence!"

"I will. It's only a matter of time!"

Seeing Tong Haojing's attitude, Old Jiang, standing to one side, could no longer watch. In a commanding tone, he ordered Tong Haojing to stop. "He's your director!"

The situation seemed irreconcilable. Instructor Ding Cong left the office and quietly called Director Wu of the Political Department from the hallway.

Director Wu had just finished reporting to Director Gao Weimin on the work of Tong Haojing and the other three over the past six months. As he left the office, his phone suddenly rang. He saw that it was Instructor Ding Cong from West City Police Station.

"What is it?" Director Wu asked.

"Tong Haojing has run into a small problem. Could you come over?" Director Wu had always cared deeply about matters at West City Police Station, especially after Tong Haojing had gone there. Tong Haojing's deeds—helping Xiao Yanni resolve her household registration and providing information to the Anti-drug Brigade that led to the successful capture of a fugitive drug trafficker—had long reached Director Wu's ears. He secretly admired Director Gao Weimin's eye for talent. Director Gao Weimin had praised Tong Haojing highly after hearing about it. But this call was like a bucket of cold water, chilling Director Wu to the bone. He did not know what Tong Haojing had done. At this critical moment, before the facts were clear, he could not tell Director Gao yet.

Director Wu canceled his planned inspection visit to East Water Gate Police Station and immediately agreed to Instructor Ding Cong's request. "All right. See you in half an hour!"

On the way, Director Wu was filled with worry. He thought of Director Gao Weimin's hints, Director Tang's various performances, and the words Director Gao Weimin had given Tong Haojing: "Bitter first, sweet later."

What could have happened? As Director Wu pondered, the driver reminded him, "Director Wu, we're here."

People came and went through West City Police Station, and an especially large number had come to handle household registration matters that day. Director Wu was dressed in plain clothes, so no one noticed his arrival. He went alone to the meeting room and immediately spotted Tong Haojing sitting in a corner. His blank expression made it obvious that something was weighing heavily on him. Instructor Ding Cong sat beside him, patiently trying to persuade him of something. Ke Qian was also there, watching the unruly Tong Haojing with an anxious expression, torn between laughing and crying.

When Director Wu arrived, Instructor Ding Cong immediately stood and greeted him with a smile. "Director Wu, you're here!"

Tong Haojing looked as though he had suffered a tremendous grievance. He turned halfway around but did not stand.

"Xiao Tong, that's quite a temper," Director Wu said. "You don't even salute when you see your superior. What does that mean?"

Tong Haojing could tell it was partly a joking tease. He stammered, "I-I wasn't being disrespectful to you!"

Director Wu patted Tong Haojing on the shoulder. "Don't keep such a long face. If you have something to say, say it properly."

Instructor Ding Cong led Director Wu to Director Tang's office.

Tang Changan rose from his chair, his face registering surprise. Why was Director Wu here? In Tang Changan's eyes, he had intended to keep this matter within the station and merely make Tong Haojing learn his lesson.

He had never expected Instructor Ding Cong to report it to the bureau so quickly. A trace of displeasure appeared on Tang Changan's face, along with some other thoughts, but Director Wu had already come to the station. He had no choice but to give Director Wu a detailed report of the situation.

Director Wu got the general picture and asked Director Tang for his opinion. Director Tang said that the Political Department had the greatest authority to speak on such matters. Director Wu immediately understood that Director Tang was putting him on the spot and forcing him to take a position. After all, they had an unspoken agreement between them. Director Wu was also a Party committee member and Director Tang's superior. This involved casualties, a serious case, and the vital interests of the officers. Director Wu decided that they would settle the matter after he returned to the bureau and reported to the leadership.

After returning to the bureau, Director Wu immediately reported to Hu Yuancheng, the deputy director in charge. Deputy Director Hu's eyes shifted as he said, "Come on. The director happens to be in his office. We'll go together!"

When Director Gao Weimin saw Deputy Director Hu and Director Wu arrive together, the atmosphere in the office immediately became tense. He wondered whether something major had happened. Sure enough, Director Wu gave him a full and objective report on Tong Haojing's situation. Director Gao Weimin looked at Deputy Director Hu and Director Wu. "What are your opinions?"

"The key is whether Cuntoucao's assault case can be solved," Director Wu said. "If it is solved, then it will be easy to handle and won't be such a big deal. But if it cannot be solved, and Cuntoucao ends up in a vegetative state, then a whole series of follow-up compensation issues involving Xiao Yanni will become serious. So the immediate priority is to solve the case, find the perpetrators, and properly handle the aftermath."

Director Wu noticed the approving look in Director Gao Weimin's eyes, but Deputy Director Hu's gaze carried dissatisfaction.