Chapter 1263: Self-Preservation

Jiang Fang coldly asked: "Regarding the Song Mao rape and murder case, do you have anything to say?"

Jiang Hongming's eyes flickered: "Director Jiang, what else is there to say about this case? It's already settled, the evidence is solid."

Jiang Fang snorted coldly: "Jiang Hongming, the Central Special Task Force has already stationed in Ganzhou, you wouldn't not know, would you?"

Jiang Hongming has held the position of Criminal Investigation Brigade Commander for over ten years.

He just turned forty this year; ten years ago he was only thirty, and already held a section-level position.

Back then, he surely climbed up through sheer effort and ability—his competence is beyond doubt.

Yet over these ten years, he has made no progress at all, indicating that while he has ability, his emotional intelligence is low and his political sensitivity lacking.

Otherwise, after ten years, even just by seniority, he should have become brigade commander by now.

At the very least, holding the title of deputy brigade commander should be no problem—but he's been stuck in the brigade commander position, unable to move.

So in the past two or three years, he's grown anxious, thinking about using connections and sending gifts to bureau leaders.

Don't assume corrupt officials accept gifts from anyone—this also depends on the person.

Take Jiang Hongming: he has ability, but doesn't understand social nuances; now suddenly showing up with gifts—who the hell would dare take them?

Even Chen Baokun, so greedy, didn't accept them—and in this situation, Jiang Hongming met Li Jun, the Ganzhou princeling.

These past two years, Jiang Hongming hasn't done few dirty jobs for Li Jun, always believing he'd latched onto a thick thigh, and would rise smoothly thereafter.

Even if he had a bit of brains, relying on Li Jun should have moved him up a step—but he's still stuck in this position.

If he had half the intelligence of Chen Hancheng, he wouldn't still be playing mahjong here while the Central Special Task Force is already stationed in Ganzhou.

Because he always thought the task force came down for the Dingnan case, and it was external jurisdiction, unrelated to him.

But as soon as Jiang Fang entered, she slapped handcuffs on him.

Then she questioned him about the Song Mao rape and murder case, and mentioned the Central Task Force's deployment to Ganzhou.

Even if his IQ is lacking and political sensitivity poor, he finally sensed something was off.

"Director Jiang, what exactly do you mean?"

Jiang Fang truly laughed in anger, glanced at the mahjong table: "The Song Mao case—what really happened? You know better than I do in your heart. Now the Central Special Task Force is already investigating; I came ahead of time to give you a chance—do you understand what that means?"

"The... the Central Special Task Force is investigating this case?" Jiang Hongming finally realized the seriousness: "I... I'll go make a phone call."

This guy started to walk out, but two officers pressed him down, immobile.

"Damn it." This guy was truly furious, shouting: "I need to make a phone call—didn't you hear me?"

"Enough."

Jiang Fang let out a furious roar—it didn't just startle Jiang Hongming, who stopped struggling; even the deputy brigade commander and two squadron commanders nearby flinched.

Because they too had participated in the Song Mao case, now they feel guilty, their eyes darting as they look at Jiang Hong.

The Central Special Task Force has already intervened—this case cannot withstand investigation; if they don't quickly distance themselves, they'll end up rotting in prison.

"Director Jiang!" the deputy brigade commander said: "I've always thought the Song Mao rape and murder case had problems, with many loopholes in the evidence, but I'm low-ranking and my words carry no weight—no one listens when I speak up."

"Exactly!" the two squadron commanders echoed: "Back then we also thought the case was problematic, but it was led by Brigade Commander Jiang—he decided what to do, so we had no choice but to follow."

Fuck, Jiang Hongming stared in disbelief at his three most trusted brothers.

Back then, knowing the Song Mao case was ordered by Li Jun, they were even more eager than he was.

Now they've dumped the blame—straight onto his head.

Jiang Hongming gritted his teeth, making a grating sound, staring at his three brothers, his eyes filled with hatred.

Betrayed by his most trusted brothers, stabbed in the back—his anger has now reached its peak.

Jiang Fang glanced at the three: "Since you're also members of the Song Mao rape and murder investigation team, come back to the municipal bureau with me."

Jiang Hongming shouted: "I want to see the brigade commander—bring him here."

Jiang Fang smiled: "These past two days, have you seen the brigade commander and deputy brigade commander?"

Jiang Hongming froze: The day before yesterday, the two brigade commanders led a few people, following Bureau Chief Chen on a mission—seems they haven't returned.

"They went with Bureau Chief Chen and Mayor Li to the province—probably won't be back anytime soon."

Jiang Fang patted Jiang Hongming's shoulder, speaking with deep meaning.

"You can say nothing, but the chance to earn merit comes only once—and time is short. Once the Central Special Task Force finds you, it will prove the evidence is solid, and you'll have no chance left."

After speaking, Jiang Fang turned and walked away: "On the road, think it over—are you going to die alongside that princeling behind you, or seek a way to live for yourself?"

The Criminal Investigation Brigade Commander was handcuffed and taken away; the deputy brigade commander and two squadron commanders, though not cuffed, were also put in a vehicle.

The key point: Deputy Bureau Chief Jiang personally led the team to make the arrest—this spread instantly through the criminal investigation brigade, and no one knows what happened.

Jiang Hongming was put in one police car; the deputy brigade commander and two squadron commanders in another.

On the way, Jiang Hongming remained silent, his mind constantly struggling.

Jiang Fang sat beside him, took out a cigarette and lit one for him.

"Hongming, ah." Jiang Fang also lit a cigarette: "At this point, don't you understand yet? The heavens of Ganzhou are about to change—Li Xingquan can't even protect himself, and you're still hoping Li Jun will protect you?"

Jiang Hongming just puffed on his cigarette, saying nothing.

Jiang Fang sighed: "It's not just you—me, Bureau Chief Gao, and the political commissar—we got involved in the Song Mao case too, all for self-preservation."

Jiang Hongming's hand holding the cigarette began to tremble—because the dirty work he did for Li Jun wasn't just this one thing.

But if he doesn't speak, won't the Central Special Task Force find it out anyway?

"The Song Mao rape and murder case was planned by Li Jun..."

Finally, he could bear the pressure no longer—he spilled everything like pouring beans from a bamboo tube.

Jiang Fang looked at Jiang Hongming: "So you're saying the rape and murder case had another real perpetrator?"

"Yes!" Jiang Hongming nodded: "The real murderer is Li Qiwang, nicknamed 'Axe'. Because United Mining and Wufeng Mining were competing, Li Jun planned this rape and murder case to frame United Mining's shareholder, Song Mao."

Jiang Hong asked: "Do you know where Li Qiwang is now?"

"I know!" Jiang Hongming said: "After committing the crime, he has been hiding in the suburbs, at his lover's place."

"Notify everyone, don't return to the bureau, go straight to arrest him."

Jiang Fang hesitated not at all, issuing an order to the auxiliary police officer in the passenger seat.