Chapter 24: Law Battle 1

Hearing Gu Changzheng’s words, everyone became immensely excited, all eyes fixed on him.

Gu Changzheng stood up and said slowly: “Liu Han, can you make the mobile signal in one district—whether China Unicom or China Mobile—disappear within a short time?”

Liu Han exchanged a glance with the police officer in charge of tracking, nodded, and waited for Gu Changzheng to continue.

“Liu Baoshan’s agreed time is thirty minutes from now; the money must appear at the Jiangbei Wharf. To confirm it, he has only two possible methods: either go to the scene himself, or verify via mobile video that the cash is packed in the box as he demanded. Going there in person is impossible—so the only option is mobile video. We now contact the heads of China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom to shut down communication signals in the following sequence during the time we specify: Shadao District, Jiangdong District, Jiangnan District, and Qinghe District. It’s currently 0:05 on the 6th. Quickly coordinate with the telecom departments: starting at 0:29, shut down mobile signals for one minute each, in the order I’ve given, based on these four administrative districts.”

After hearing Gu Changzheng’s order, Liu Han paused for a moment, then suddenly exclaimed: “Understood! I’ll contact the three operators right away!”

Gu Changzheng smiled slightly and continued: “Director Liu, the Iveco van…”

Before Gu Changzheng could finish, a young man in his twenties beside Liu Dan interjected: “Captain Gu, the car company has one—I’ve already told the driver to bring it over. It’s outside the door. You haven’t assigned a driver yet, right? Could I drive it?”

The speaker was Jiang Xiao, Jiang Yuanqi’s son. Gu Changzheng understood his feelings but refused without hesitation: “The driver’s already assigned. Stay with your mother—she needs you more now. Leave the rest to us. Don’t worry.”

He walked outside, where a white Iveco was already parked at the gate. He waved to the driver’s cabin; the driver got out. Gu Changzheng said: “Give me the keys. Go rest.”

The driver exhaled in relief and quickly handed the keys to Gu Changzheng. Gu Changzheng gripped the keys tightly as a small van sped over, screeching to a halt behind the Iveco. Luo Fei stepped out, opened the rear door, and began pulling out suitcases.

Fifteen minutes had passed. From Jiangdong Branch to the Jiangbei Wharf, without traffic lights, exactly fifteen minutes was perfect. Seeing the money and suitcases loaded, Gu Changzheng told Liu Han: “I’m departing now. Notify the Traffic Police Brigade to ensure every stretch of road we pass is green.”

At 0:28, the white Iveco pulled up at the Jiangbei Wharf two minutes early.

Gu Changzheng glanced at his phone. When the screen showed 0:29, the signal icon vanished. He knew that two hundred meters away, inside the communications vehicle, a team of technicians were intently watching their computer screens.

Seconds ticked by. When the phone screen read 0:30, Gu Changzheng’s phone suddenly rang.

He looked down—it was another new number. He still waited calmly until the third ring before answering.

Liu Baoshan’s voice came through: “Captain Gu, you’re doing well—arrived two minutes early! Open the rear door now. I need to see the money.”

Gu Changzheng snorted, bent over, and opened the Iveco’s rear door, shining his flashlight on the hundred-yuan notes filling half the cargo space. “See clearly? Want to come count them?” he said coldly.

“Hah! No need to count—but Mafan you, Captain Gu, have your men help pack the cash into the suitcases. You’ve got half an hour. Hurry up! I’m watching you!” The call ended immediately.

Gu Changzheng picked up the walkie-talkie: “Liu Han, any progress? Have you pinned down his location?”

From the nearby communications vehicle, Liu Han replied: “Captain Gu, your plan worked perfectly! Liu Baoshan is in Shadao District. While we blocked signals in the other areas, your call remained clear—so he must be in Shadao!”

“Good. Hold your positions. Wait for my order!” He then radioed Guo Hao nearby: “Move fast and help load the cash into the boxes.”

At the wharf, men scrambled to pack the suitcases. Meanwhile, under the command of Deputy Mayor and Public Security Bureau Director Zhao Xiaodong, a joint force of criminal investigators, special police, and armed police surrounded every land, water, and air exit of Shadao District, leaving no escape.

On the Qingjiang River, Jiang Yuanqi, handcuffed and leg-ironed, had something bulky bulging beneath his waist. He sat motionless, dazed, slumped in the small cabin, two tablet phones resting quietly beside him.

Thirty minutes passed quickly. As expected, Gu Changzheng’s phone rang again on time. He didn’t bother checking the number—just answered: “The money’s packed. Have Jiang Yuanqi speak to me.”

“Captain Gu, don’t misunderstand—you have no right to make demands unless you don’t care if Jiang Yuanqi lives or dies. I said: once I get the money safely, you get Jiang Yuanqi back intact. Why the rush? Now, send your men to the derelict boat on the right side of the wharf. There’s a large rubber sealed bag. Put the cash boxes inside and push them into the Qingjiang. Hurry—only ten minutes this time! Fail, and you’ll be collecting Jiang Yuanqi’s corpse. Do this right, and I’ll tell you where Jiang Yuanqi is.”

Gu Changzheng stared at the dead phone. He was now certain—the man was on the Qingjiang River. He had to find him within ten minutes. This arrogant, desperate killer!

————

In a riverside apartment in Jiangpan Haoting, Liu Baoshan hung up the phone, still staring through his binoculars at the riverbank. Watching the police scramble under his command, he grinned broadly: “Hahahaha! This Gu Changzheng isn’t so impressive! He’s probably still searching the river right now! Alright, let’s go!”

Behind him, Ren Jia suddenly spoke: “Brother Shan, your job’s done—when do you let me go?”

Liu Baoshan turned, staring straight at him: “What’s wrong? Don’t you want the money? Besides, your wanted posters are everywhere now—where would you run? Stick with me, and you can leave the country. Walk away, and you’re dead.”

Ren Jia knew staying with him meant dying faster, and he knew Liu Baoshan was using him as a decoy against the police. But he still had a bomb strapped to him—ready to detonate at any moment. What could he do?

Seeing Ren Jia waver, Liu Baoshan sneered: “Ren Jia, you’re already a dead man. Do you think you can escape the police? Ever been in prison? I’ve spent over ten years inside—still gives me chills. That place isn’t fit for humans. We’re one step away from the money—ten million! I’ll give you ten million. Think: enough to live like a king in any country. Aren’t you willing to take that gamble?”

Ren Jia lifted his head, pointing at the bomb on his body, and stared at Liu Baoshan: “You don’t trust me. If you want me to believe you, take this thing off me.”