The capture of the armed gangsters from the Warehouse No. 3 shootout had undoubtedly added an impressive achievement to Zhou Quan's record.
Most importantly, this achievement wasn't a one-off.
As the Big Sir of the entire West Kowloon Major Crimes Unit, Yang Zi'an's abilities were beyond question.
By interrogating the four gangsters, Yang Zi'an followed the trail and uncovered their other accomplices, as well as the plan they had been preparing to rob one another.
Whether it was the underground money-lending operation on Wenhui Street or the Smuggling Gang Trafficking National Treasures, they were all wiped out by the West Kowloon District.
Because of Zhou Quan, Yang Zi'an did not take all the credit for the subsequent cases for himself.
While solving the subsequent crimes, he also contacted Kong Chi Lap to work with him.
The First Group of the Second Squad, to which Zhou Quan belonged, directly participated in the subsequent cases.
The West Kowloon District Mobile Unit and Major Crimes Unit worked together to solve several major cases in quick succession, making them the main news in Hong Kong Island for some time afterward.
Zhou Quan's elders naturally would not let such a high-profile opportunity pass them by.
After some maneuvering, the group Zhou Quan commanded became the biggest winner.
The promotion procedures for He Wenzhan, Shao Meiqi, and the others had originally been put on hold because of the earlier public-relations crisis.
Now they were moving forward, and there would be no problems with the internal review.
He Wenzhan and Shao Meiqi were promoted to Sergeant, their three chevrons replaced by a single one.
Even the two Plainclothes Officers became Senior Police Constables with one chevron.
As for Zhou Quan, the group's commander, he was allowed to end his Inspector Probationary Period early and was specially approved to take the Promotion Examination ahead of schedule.
The Inspector Promotion Examination consisted of two parts: a written test and an interview.
The written test mainly assessed knowledge of legal provisions and Police Force regulations.
As a Master of Laws from a top university in the foreigners' stronghold, Zhou Quan had no trouble with the legal provisions.
As for Police Regulations, with his achievement rewards at his disposal, it was no exaggeration to say that even Number One wasn't as familiar with their contents as he was.
As expected, Zhou Quan scored an A+ on the written test.
The day after the written test, the Interview Stage began as scheduled.
It was called an interview, but in truth, it was just a formality.
After all, Zhou Quan's elders had already arranged everything.
Nevertheless, he still had to go through the motions.
Inside a Conference Room at West Kowloon Police Headquarters, Zhou Quan sat upright.
Across from him sat three senior Police Force officers, each with at least one crown on his shoulder.
Two of the three interviewers were people Zhou Quan knew well.
His maternal uncle, Wong Bing Yiu, the Yau Tsim District commander in West Kowloon.
And Kong Chi Lap, commander of B Company of the West Kowloon Mobile Unit, his Big Sir and friend.
Zhou Quan's next posting had already been decided. Once he passed the promotion process and finished his Mobile Unit rotation, he would head to Yau Tsim District.
So Wong Bing Yiu and Kong Chi Lap were effectively conducting an advance handover.
The third man was an unfamiliar Superintendent who looked refined and very young.
Although Wong Bing Yiu was the most senior of the three interviewers, the unfamiliar Superintendent would lead the interview.
That was because he came from the Personnel Division at headquarters and oversaw promotions and pay raises below the Police Force's management level.
"Probationary Inspector Zhou Quan, you're surely familiar with Sir Wong and Sir Kong, so I don't need to introduce them, do I?"
The unfamiliar Superintendent glanced at the two men beside him, then said with a mild smile, "Let me introduce myself. My name is Lau Kit-fai, and I'll be conducting your promotion interview today."
Hearing that name so unexpectedly, Zhou Quan couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.
Could this young Superintendent in front of him be the very same person who would later become his uncle's greatest rival for the position of Number One at Police Force Headquarters?
If this Lau Kit-fai was that Lau Kit-fai, then his career record was truly incredible.
According to the information Zhou Quan had, after the Hong Kong Island Police Force began using the Third-Generation Command and Control Communications System, Lau Kit-fai started competing with Zhou Quan's uncle for the position of Number One at Police Force Headquarters.
The timeline would have been around 2005.
At that time, Lau Kit-fai was forty-four years old and had already risen to Deputy Commissioner of Police.
Since he was qualified to compete for the position of Number One, he must already have served in the deputy commissioner position for a sufficient period.
In other words, Lau Kit-fai had become the Police Force's Management DCP in his early forties.
From what Zhou Quan knew about Lau Kit-fai, he hadn't come from a police background. He had transferred from the civil service of the Hong Kong Government and had only joined the Police Force in 1988.
Now 1991 hadn't even come to an end, and he already had a crown on his shoulder.
It seemed that Lau Kit-fai must have joined the Police Force at no lower than Chief Inspector Rank.
Then, in just over a decade in the Police Force, he had risen all the way to become Number One at Police Force Headquarters.
After all, his current rank was only the same as Kong Chi Lap's and one level below Lee Man-bun's.
Yet he kept achieving ever-rising success, leaving Kong Chi Lap far behind and even overtaking Lee Man-bun.
With such an extraordinary career record and such a bright future ahead, he was the real protagonist, wasn't he?
Although Zhou Quan was far from calm inside, his expression showed no sign of it.
"Good morning, sir!"
He rose to his full height and gave a crisp salute.
"Relax. Sit down and let's talk."
Lau Kit-fai raised a hand slightly, the smile on his face warm and friendly throughout.
"Yes, sir!"
Zhou Quan sat down, and Lau Kit-fai opened the résumé and assessment documents in front of him.
"Master of Laws and Bachelor of Psychology degrees from top international universities. Awarded the Shirley Shield and the Commissioner's Commendation for Academic Excellence while at the Police Academy. Graduated with the rank of Probationary Inspector."
"During your service, you also led and solved several major cases."
"An impressive frontline record, backed by an excellent academic background."
"Without a doubt, you're the most outstanding elite I've met since joining the Police Force."
After looking through Zhou Quan's résumé, Lau Kit-fai nodded approvingly.
"Thank you, sir!"
Zhou Quan smiled slightly. He didn't act modest, but neither did he show any pride.
That made Lau Kit-fai admire him even more. He was an academic high achiever himself and worked in management, so it was only natural that he valued Zhou Quan's equally strong academic credentials.
"PC15827, I'm now questioning you on behalf of Police Force Headquarters. What was your original reason for joining the Police Force?"
Lau Kit-fai straightened his expression slightly and began the main topic of the interview.
"Reporting to you, sir, I once said something when I was first interviewed by the media."
In response to Lau Kit-fai's question, Zhou Quan likewise let his smile fade.
"I Am Implacably Opposed to Evil!"
He answered without hesitation. "Maintaining Hong Kong Island's legal system and the spirit of the Rule of Law-those are why I joined the Police Force!"
If Zhou Quan's declaration on the cover of Police News had greatly encouraged frontline Police Officers, his elaboration on that declaration had undoubtedly won Lau Kit-fai's approval even more.
As a highly educated manager, he had always acted in strict accordance with the law and Police Regulations.
And Zhou Quan's A+ score on the written test had clearly earned Lau Kit-fai's unstinting praise.
Lau Kit-fai was entirely in favor of promoting an elite Police Force officer like Zhou Quan, who knew, understood, and obeyed the law.
"PC15827, congratulations!"
Lau Kit-fai gave a slight nod, bringing that day's interview assessment to a close.
"Starting today, you will officially serve as an Inspector and take part in maintaining Hong Kong Island's Peace and Tranquility!"
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