Chapter 600

At 6:15 a. m., the provincial capital Yuezhou was also shrouded in a drizzling mist.

The wheels rolled over puddles, even the splashing water seemed to carry anger. Lin Dongfan was alone, personally driving straight to the Provincial Committee compound.

I didn't know whether Wang Daochen had gotten up; before leaving, I called his phone, but it was off.

When the car arrived at the gate of the Provincial Committee compound.

It was forced to stop.

Lin Dongfan rolled down the window and showed his work ID to the on-duty armed police: 'Anti-Corruption Bureau Lin Dongfan, I have urgent business with Secretary Wang.'

'Wait a moment.'

The armed police returned Lin Dongfan's salute, then went back to the guard post, dialed the Wang family's internal line, and only after obtaining their consent did they let Lin Dongfan in.

Wang Daochen, who usually gets up at six sharp every morning, had just finished washing up.

Normally, Wang Daochen would go out for half an hour of morning exercise, but since it was raining outside today, he started practicing health‑building tai chi in the living room.

After receiving the armed police's report, he finished his practice and stood waiting at the door.

Soon after.

Lin Dongfan walked over holding a solemn black umbrella: 'Secretary Wang, I hope my unannounced visit isn't disturbing your rest.'

'You little rascal, you've learned to be polite—come inside and speak.'

Although Wang Daochen harbored some reservations about Lin Dongfan's recent actions, he still regarded him as a trusted aide and responded with a gentle smile.

The two returned to the living room, where the servant brewed two cups of hot tea.

Wang Daochen asked first: 'You're in such a hurry to see me—do you want to talk about Wu Changsheng?' He had been waiting for this day for Along time.

He was eager to learn Lin Dongfan's specific stance.

Lin Dongfan apparently also guessed some of Wang Daochen's thoughts, recalling Jian Sining's reminder before he left: without evidence, he could not rashly question Wang Daochen.

He felt that made some sense.

If everything followed the trajectory of his past life's memories, Yue Province would not be the end of Wang Daochen's official career; he is someone who could break into the central Z‑level elite.

From this perspective, my uncle Lin Zhenhua would probably not question Wang Daochen's work style either.

He pondered this silently.

Lin Dongfan replied candidly: 'Secretary Wang, to be frank, I had already been secretly investigating Wu Changsheng's case while working in Haishan.'

'Oh? Do tell.' Wang Daochen put on an attentive expression.

Lin Dongfan replied: 'One of the three founders of the Hai Long Society, Chen Yongnian, was originally gunned down to silence him; the mastermind behind the hired hit may well be Wu Changsheng. I had wanted to report this to you long ago, but lacking evidence of his crimes, I have delayed it until today.'

'Dongfan, I need to criticize you on this: if you had told me earlier, things might not have turned out as they have today.'

Although Wang Daochen wore a smile, his criticism was genuine; he truly meant to criticize Lin Dongfan!

He thought, 'Your Anti-Corruption Bureau suspects my secretary of serious crimes like dereliction of duty and murder, and has been secretly investigating him without even greeting me as his superior!'

What kind of nature is this?

This clearly shows you don't trust me and suspect that I'm in league with Wu Changsheng.

This indirectly left me under Lv Yizhi's covert surveillance without my realizing it! If you had reported to me earlier, Wu Changsheng couldn't have become so arrogant today.

Seeing Lin Dongfan embarrassed and speechless, Wang Daochen also swallowed his grievances.

Wang Daochen softened his tone and said to Lin Dongfan: 'That said, I'm glad you came to see me today. Tell me, what exactly is the situation now?'

'Late last night, around 3 a. m., Wu Changsheng killed a delivery worker in Pengcheng's urban village, then disguised himself as a public security leader, drove a police car onto the expressway, and fled toward Haishan.'

Lin Dongfan lifted the cup of fragrant Longjing tea before him to moisten his throat.

He continued: 'There's something I'm puzzled about—who exactly supplied Wu Changsheng with the police equipment?' As he said this, Lin Dongfan fixed his gaze on Wang Daochen's reaction.

Wang Daochen clearly sensed the doubtful tone in Lin Dongfan's gaze.

Although he was quite displeased inside.

But he also understood why Lin Dongfan would question him.

Wang Daochen replied without hesitation: 'Wu Changsheng has been with me for four years; although his rank isn't high, privately he's also known as the Provincial Committee Secretary. Whether inside or outside the system, he has certain connections. For him, obtaining a set of police equipment would be a piece of cake.'

The rain outside grew heavier.

Wang Daochen rose and walked to the window, gazing at the faraway mountains blurred by rain, then suddenly brought up an old matter: 'During last year's rectification of the public security system, the province uncovered more than two hundred cases of illegal issuance of police equipment. No matter how strict the system, someone will always abuse power and cross the legal bottom line.'

That latter half of the explanation, in Fan Ye's view, is undoubtedly pure nonsense.

If everyone observed the law strictly, then institutions like the Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Discipline Inspection Commission would have no reason to exist. From this angle, Wang Daochen's explanation is somewhat superficial.

Specifically, who is violating the rules?

Who is providing Wu Changsheng with escape equipment?

That's the real point!

Lin Dongfan said: 'Secretary Wang, I hope the Provincial Committee can urge the Provincial Public Security Department to thoroughly investigate the source of that police equipment and swiftly apprehend the implicated personnel.'

Wang Daochen smiled faintly, turned back to Lin Dongfan, and said: 'You came all the way here early this morning just for this?'

'This is one reason.' Lin Dongfan said: 'Wu Changsheng has already fled toward Haishan; Haishan is his hometown, so I suspect he's trying to escape back there. I've already had my people notify the Haishan Police and the Haishan Municipal Party Committee Secretary Yu, asking them to coordinate the manhunt. I have a question I'd like to ask you.'

'Speak plainly.' Wang Daochen waited attentively.

Lin Dongfan said: 'Wu Changsheng is carrying firearms, posing a great danger to society. If we encounter strong resistance during the pursuit, can we shoot him on the spot?'

Shooting him on the spot is a very sensitive issue.

Because Wu Changsheng is Wang Daochen's secretary, people will naturally regard him as Wang Daochen's man—a common inertial mindset.

If Wu Changsheng were shot on the spot, those with ulterior motives could easily manipulate public opinion, pointing the finger at Wang Daochen! They would accuse him of killing to silence witnesses for self‑preservation.

By then, Wang Daochen would be thrust into the eye of the storm, unable to defend himself.

Wang Daochen naturally understood the stakes as well.

After pondering for a while, he replied to Lin Dongfan: 'If necessary, we can shoot him on the spot. The lives and property of the public and law‑enforcement personnel must come first.'

'With your words, I can rest easy.'

At this moment, Lin Dongfan truly let out a sigh of relief.

He thought that since Wang Daochen dared to bear the risk of being smeared with dirt, agreeing to have Wu Changsheng killed on the spot, perhaps he truly had no involvement in the case, his heart is selfless and the world is vast.