Chapter 375: We

The ten industrial zones in Jianning have been raided; Zhang Chao and his crew will surely focus all their attention on this area.

Next, the police will gradually launch rescue operations in other cities across Province N.

Wang Hao's confession covers the entire province's labor situation, including personal information of all the feet.

Based on his testimony, the police's operational efficiency will also increase significantly.

So, there will be major moves continuing in Province N.

After Yu Dazhang's reminder, Captain Hua quickly realized:

"I get it—this rescue operation here is essentially giving you cover in other provinces."

"They definitely won't expect the police to investigate outside Province N right now."

No wonder he's the deputy chief in charge of investigations—his mind is fast… Yu Dazhang found communicating with Captain Hua easy and smooth.

"Exactly—speed is the essence of warfare," Yu Dazhang added:

"While they're distracted by Province N, we'll strike at his other den."

If Province N is their sales channel, then Province D is their supply channel.

These two routes are like parallel railway tracks, independent and mutually unconnected.

The opponent did this deliberately, aiming to isolate these two links so the police couldn't trace one and net them all.

As Captain Hua said, they absolutely won't expect the police to be watching both lines simultaneously.

They also won't imagine that the man who fled five years ago, seemingly suffering from Down syndrome, was in fact mentally fully normal.

To be fair, Fang Peng played a crucial role in this case.

"Leave it to me—I'll handle the coordination."

Captain Hua said solemnly:

"I'll wrap up my duties here soon; I expect to depart before tonight."

He is now deputy head of the special task force, appointed directly by the provincial bureau chief, so he must prioritize the task force's work.

After hanging up, Yu Dazhang checked the time.

1:10 p. m.

Arriving in Yangcheng will be close to 9 p. m.

Even if urgent, at this hour they can only rest for now.

He pulled out his phone and called Ma Jian; the call was answered quickly.

"Where are you?" Yu Dazhang asked directly.

"At Yangcheng railway station waiting room," Ma Jian replied:

"Over these two days, we've noticed a few groups of suspicious people loitering around the station daily."

His voice lowered:

"There are ticket scalpers, touts, petty thieves—we're identifying them one by one."

Yu Dazhang wasn't surprised by this.

Railway stations are inherently chaotic places where all kinds of criminals may appear, some even operating in organized groups.

And the more densely populated the area, the higher the crime rate and the greater the diversity of crimes.

"We're driving toward you now and should arrive around 8:30 p. m."

Yu Dazhang said quickly:

"Use the afternoon to compile everything you've uncovered these past days; we'll discuss details in person tonight."

After hanging up, he glanced back at the vehicles behind him.

Three police cars followed closely behind.

He turned forward again and mentally calculated.

For a covert arrest, police cars are too conspicuous—even his SUV stands out.

Though Yangcheng has many out-of-town vehicles, Songhai license plates are still relatively rare.

They'd inevitably need local police cooperation.

He was weighing this when Zhang Sen, driving ahead, suddenly spoke:

"I think the upcoming rescue operations won't go smoothly—after Jianning, factory owners in other cities will surely get wind of it."

He said this in a casual tone.

Actually, he hadn't finished—he wanted to say that once the owners heard the news, they'd go into hiding.

After all, no one wants prison; hiding might still offer a chance.

Yu Dazhang had considered this too.

The Jianning operation was too large-scale to keep secret.

Plus, factories and businesses across cities already have commercial ties; if one suddenly vanishes, suspicion is inevitable.

"So what if they hear the news?"

It was Lu Zhongxin speaking—he sat in the front passenger seat, leaning back with his full weight, replying in the same casual tone:

"It's not murder or arson—they won't run away."

"Even if some flee, once they hear the sentences for those caught are light, most will return to surrender."

His tone was casual, as if he didn't care much about it.

"Factory owners aren't stupid—serving one or two years is better than hiding for life; anyone can do the math."

"Besides, in my view, the sentencing outcome in this case might go another way."

Here he paused, as if the next words were hard to voice.

Only the three of them were in the car; given their relationship, nothing was off-limits to say.

And Yu Dazhang and Zhang Sen also picked up on some clues.

"You mean they still have a chance to render meritorious service?" Zhang Sen played the straight man at just the right moment.

The sentencing of those factory bosses was predictable.

If that's the case, the only way to change the verdict would be…

Rendering significant meritorious service!

"Let's switch our angle and look at this from the overall picture."

Lu Zhongxin nodded and went on:

"This incident covers the whole province. Hundreds or thousands of factories and enterprises have been investigated. If we dig deep, they'll find it very hard to keep operating."

"Then the local economy will inevitably be affected. From people's livelihoods to social stability — that's something nobody wants to see."

At this point, Lu Zhongxin's tone grew solemn:

"There's another issue that can't be ignored — how to resettle those intellectually disabled workers.

"Think about it: tens of thousands of people. We can't just keep supporting them forever. The local finances simply can't bear that kind of burden."

He let out a final sigh:

"These are all problems that urgently need solving."

A master is a master — not only does he think comprehensively, he also has real depth… Yu Dazhang listened with great interest from the back seat.

In an open public setting, they could never discuss a topic like this.

This sort of thing isn't something criminal police like them should be worrying about either.

So, as far as Yu Dazhang was concerned, this was just a few familiar colleagues chatting casually together.

Lu Zhongxin didn't need to spell out the rest — the two of them could guess it for themselves.

"Using the original broth to dissolve the original food?" Zhang Sen chimed in.

"Brilliant!" Hearing his words, Yu Dazhang couldn't help but praise:

"Brother Sen, that analogy of yours is so spot-on — absolutely perfect."

Actually, it's easy to understand.

In the past, those factories hired intellectually disabled workers at cheap-labor rates — that counts as illegal employment.

Shift the thinking.

Can illegal employment be converted into legal employment?

The method is simple: make up the past wages and benefits owed to those intellectually disabled workers.

If they're willing to stay on and keep working, sign formal labor contracts with them.

Let them enjoy normal labor protections.

This not only solves the factories' labor needs, it also solves the resettlement problem for the intellectually disabled workers, and at the same time preserves local economic development.

Three birds with one stone.

Only those factory bosses will have to bleed heavily.

Not only do they have to make up the past wages, they also face fines.

But if these factory bosses can accept these conditions, then they too can be considered as having rendered significant meritorious service.

After all, they helped the locality solve its most vexing problem.

Still, there's one thing they'd jump at the chance for.

To maintain stability, the local authorities will surely give these factories that employ intellectually disabled workers some policy support.

This may include tax reductions, loan preferential policies and other measures, to help them weather the difficulties and keep operating.

And these are precisely what they need most.

Just as Zhang Sen's analogy put it…

Using the original broth to dissolve the original food.

(End of chapter)