Chapter 731

1 a. m., Wu Zhou Municipal Public Security Bureau, Chief's Office.

The lights were off; only the cold glow of the computer screen illuminated Liu Shu's ashen face. He sat in his chair, smoking one cigarette after another, the ashtray already piled into a small mountain.

Several documents lay spread on the desk.

Included Zhao Qiang's interrogation record (preliminary), an excerpt of Fang Zhenghong's call record, and a yellowed photocopy of a file.

The file cover read: "2015 Wu Zhou \"Jinxiu Shan Zhuang\" Fall-to-Death Case".

Liu Shu trembled as he opened it.

Inside was recorded a case where a wealthy merchant "accidentally" fell to his death from his villa balcony. The appraisal conclusion at the time was drunkenness causing a slip; the family had doubts but the case ultimately came to nothing.

Only Liu Shu knew the truth.

That wealthy merchant was the business partner of Li Zhenyang's eldest daughter, Li Shuqin. They fell out over the distribution of profits from a piece of land, and the merchant threatened to report Li Shuqin for bribery. Three days later, he "accidentally" fell to his death.

The person in charge of the on-site inspection at the time was none other than Liu Shu, who was then the detachment captain.

He found several incomplete fingerprints on the balcony railing, which closely matched Li Shuqin's upon comparison. He also found a small piece of torn silk fabric, consistent with the material of the skirt Li Shuqin was wearing that day.

But he suppressed the evidence.

Because Li Zhenyang personally called him, saying only two words: "Xiao Liu, Shuqin is still young; making a mistake can be understood. You are also a young cadre; your future is important."

Later, Liu Shu rose smoothly all the way, eventually becoming bureau chief.

That piece of evidence, locked in the lowest layer of his home safe, became his stepping stone for successive promotions, and also a hatchet hanging over his head.

"Bang!"

Liu Shu slammed his fist on the table, making the ashtray jump.

He recalled that afternoon's phone call—Lao Ba imitating Li Hengbo's voice, saying, "Fifteen minutes ago, Zhao Qiang received a call; the caller ID was Fang Zhenghong's work phone."

Fang Zhenghong is Li Zhenyang's most loyal dog.

If Fang Zhenghong participated in the silencing plan, then Li Zhenyang surely knew. No, it's outright Li Zhenyang giving the orders!

Now Zhao Qiang is arrested, Fang Zhenghong exposed, what comes next…

What will Li Zhenyang do?

Liu Shu sprang to his feet and paced anxiously in the office.

Li Zhenyang will silence everyone who knows, cleaning them all out. Fang Zhenghong, Zhao Qiang, and… even he, Liu Shu, none will escape.

A Faction Deputy Director who knows Li Shuqin's murder secret and holds evidence of Zhao Qiang's failed assassination attempt is too dangerous for Li Zhenyang.

Must go!

Go now!

Liu Shu rushed to the safe and quickly turned the combination lock.

The safe opened; besides the file, there were several passports, several IDs under different names, over a dozen stacks of cash, and three anonymous bank cards.

This was his "escape route" prepared over the years, which he had thought he would never need.

He grabbed a black travel bag, stuffed everything inside, then opened the desk drawer and took out his service pistol and spare magazine.

His phone suddenly rang; the caller ID showed Fang Zhenghong.

Liu Shu stared at the screen, his heart pounding.

He took a few deep breaths, pressed answer, and tried to keep his voice steady: "Secretary Fang, what's up so late?"

"Chief Liu, I heard Zhao Qiang had an incident during transport?" Fang Zhenghong's voice gave no emotion: "Secretary Li is concerned; he asked me to check the details."

"Still under investigation." Liu Shu said: "During transport, Zhao Qiang suddenly attacked Li Hengbo, was subdued. He's now been sent to the hospital, unconscious."

"And Li Hengbo?"

"Taken away by the task force from Jingcheng." Liu Shu lied: "They said it involved national security, so they just took him; our people couldn't stop them."

The other end of the line fell silent for a few seconds.

"Chief Liu..."

Fang Zhenghong said slowly, "Secretary Li says this has a very bad impact. As the overall commander of the transfer operation, you bear primary responsibility. At tomorrow morning's Standing Committee meeting, they may discuss your disposition."

It's here.

First remove from office, then "investigate," and finally… silence?

Liu Shu's palms sweated cold, but his voice remained steady: "I understand. I will write a detailed report and send it to the Municipal Party Committee first thing tomorrow morning."

"Hmm." Fang Zhenghong paused: "Also, Secretary Li wants to see Zhao Qiang's interrogation record and related evidence. Please organize it and bring it over now; I'm waiting in my office."

Send it now?

This is to take all the evidence under cover of night, and incidentally, dispose of this living evidence as well?

Liu Shu felt a chill down his back.

"Alright, I'll head over once I've got it ready." He hung up.

The phone screen went dark, reflecting his despairing face.

No choice left.

He grabbed the travel bag, took one last look at the office where he'd spent twelve years, then turned and left.

The hallway was empty, only the emergency lights casting a pallid glow. Liu Shu didn't take the elevator; he descended via the fire escape, avoiding all cameras.

In the underground parking lot, his private car was parked in the farthest corner.

He got in, started the engine, drove out without lights, slowly exiting the Faction compound.

In the rearview mirror, the Faction's emblem receded into the night. Liu Shu's hands on the wheel trembled; he knew that once he left, he could never return.

But he must go.

Staying means only a dead end.

The car merged into the predawn streets, heading out of the city.

……

At half past two in the morning, in Compound No. 1 of the Municipal Party Committee, Li Zhenyang's study.

Fang Zhenghong put down his phone.

With a grave expression, he said to Li Zhenyang: "Secretary, Liu Shu's phone won't go through. I sent people to his house, but no one was there. The Faction also said they hadn't seen him."

Li Zhenyang sat on the sofa, holding a teacup; upon hearing the words, his action stalled.

"He ran?"

He slowly spat out two words.

"Probably." Fang Zhenghong said in a low voice: "I had people check the highway entrance surveillance; half an hour ago, Liu Shu's car entered the highway from the west city toll station, heading toward the neighboring province."

The teacup was set down heavily on the coffee table, tea splashing all over the table.

Li Zhenyang's face was so gloomy it seemed water could drip from it.

Liu Shu has run away.

Carrying Zhao Qiang's interrogation record, carrying Fang Zhenghong's call evidence, and also… the secret of Li Shuqin's case.

This confidant, whom he had personally promoted and thought he fully controlled, at the most critical moment, stabbed him in the back with the cruelest blow!

"Chase!"

Li Zhenyang squeezed out a word from between his teeth: "Use everyone you can, bring him back to me! Alive, I want to see the person; dead, I want to see the corpse!"

"Yes!"

Fang Zhenghong turned and was about to go make arrangements.

"Wait." Li Zhenyang called out to him: "Don't use the Faction's people."

"Understood!"

Fang Zhenghong hurried away.

Only Li Zhenyang remained in the study. He slowly rose, walked to the window, and gazed at the dark night outside.

The night of Wu Zhou had once been a chessboard under his sole control.

Now the board has been overturned, and the pieces are scattered.

His daughter is dead, his confidant has defected, the silencing plan has failed, and the capital eyes him covetously…

He, Li Zhenyang, has prowled the political arena for thirty years.

He has never been so embarrassed.

But he is Li Zhenyang, the top leader of Wu Zhou, and will certainly not sit and wait for doom.