Chapter 1100: Handed the

Su Yang said lightly, "Is that so? What a coincidence—are you the only one handling the case files? Where are the others? According to the relevant regulations and requirements, each key post must have at least two people. Our Public Security Bureau, as a county‑level bureau, is a major department. Could it be that even the organizational rules haven't been implemented?"

"If that's the case, I think a focused inspection and training on this kind of issue is necessary. If related problems arise, every primary responsible person should be dealt with, with no mercy."

As soon as those words were spoken, the faces of the bureau leaders present turned sour. If someone else said this, they could treat it as a joke; or if Su Yang said it in another unit, people would just smile it off—after all, you're not a direct supervising leader, what can they do to you?

Although you are still the County Party Committee Deputy Secretary, and you should have a say in personnel matters, above you is the County Party Secretary and below you the Organization Department Head—what can that title really do?

But it's different in the Public Security Bureau.

The person also concurrently serves as the Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary, the absolute leader of the whole public prosecution and judiciary, including Xu Jinxiu; when they say a punishment, they can definitely enforce it.

Moreover, if we follow the regulations, Xu Jinxiu as the Public Security Bureau Director must be punished, and the deputy director likewise; even if Pan Wenhai shows up, it won't help, since a county official can't outrank the current head.

After cursing a few times under his breath, Xu Jinxiu said, "Of course there is. Such an important post can't have no backup candidates."

In the end he forced Su Yang to go check the records, but the people weren't brought back last night, so there are no records.

He originally wanted to stall and have someone forge one, but Su Yang flatly refused to give him that chance.

The staff at the case‑handling center had already turned pale; after half a day of scrambling they still had no corresponding interrogation record.

Xu Jinxiu's face turned even more angry: "What's going on? What exactly is the situation? Who arrested the person? Who brought them in? Who is responsible for the interrogation?"

"Now there isn't even an interrogation record—how are you supposed to do this work?"

Someone nearby whispered, "That person was captured last night by Public Security Brigade squadron leader Liu Qing."

Xu Jinxiu said coldly, "Immediately have Liu Qing come here!"

A moment later, Liu Qing, panting heavily, ran over. Before he could speak, Xu Jinxiu shouted angrily, "Liu Qing, what exactly happened? Who gave you the nerve to act recklessly and break the law? You arrested the person, yet we still have no interrogation record—did you take a bribe? Explain yourself!"

"If you clear it up now, given that you're confessing, we can consider leniency; otherwise, don't blame me for being harsh!"

Liu Qing went numb. The order last night came from Xu Jinxiu, without even passing through their brigade commander. After leaving the Coal Hotel, it was also Xu Jinxiu's instruction to release the person, promising to credit him for the deed, and now they're trying to punish him.

Moreover, he's definitely the scapegoat.

But as a tiny squadron leader, under the pressure of the Public Security Bureau Director, can he dare to tell the truth?

Even if it's a black pot, he still has to bear it. "Sorry, Secretary Su, sorry Director Xu, after coming out last night, that woman gave me 1,000 yuan, wanting me to let her go."

"I thought it wasn't a big deal; after all, this kind of hostess isn't involved in any major illegal act, just a moral lapse."

"So I took the money and released her."

That's the excuse he forced up, because he never expected Su Yang to show up. Now his only option is to take the full blame.

Su Yang knows these people are acting, and Xu Jinxiu's group also knows Su Yang knows they're acting.

But at this point, in Xu Jinxiu's view, producing a scapegoat solves the problem. Moreover, Liu Qing is quick‑witted and pinned all the charges at once, so Su Yang should have nothing left to say, right?

Su Yang wasn't so easily fooled; he said, "You organized this, didn't you? I told you last night: either you investigate this thoroughly, or you quit the police uniform. Did you forget?"

Liu Qing's face turned completely pale. He can be the scapegoat, receive a warning, take a punishment, because he can later seek restitution.

After all, he was acting for the director; such matters can be compensated later and even bring some benefits.

But now the situation has developed completely out of control.

Sure enough, Su Yang roared, "Someone like you, can you still be a police officer? According to the regulations, how should this be handled?"

"And you did it after I gave you instructions! I'm giving you two choices: First, tomorrow at noon I'll return to the Public Security Bureau and I expect to see the person; if I don't, you'll strip off the uniform and go home. Don't say I didn't give you a chance."

Xu Jinxiu's face was also ashen, but his ashenness was not anger at Liu Qing, it was anger at Su Yang's handling.

Yet a higher authority can crush a person; he is the Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary and also the county's Deputy Secretary, making it easy to force a Public Security Brigade squadron leader to shed his uniform. Liu Qing just pinned a real disciplinary violation on himself.

And given his current state, this might be the optimal solution; at least the fire hasn't burned him yet, otherwise escaping would be impossible.

He shouted immediately, "Why aren't you going to find someone to do it? Do you really not want to wear that police uniform anymore?"

Hearing that, Liu Qing staggered away. He knows where that woman is and her name, but she isn't a hostess at all—she's the coal boss's wife, how could he possibly bring her back?

If he can't bring her back, does that mean he really has to take off his uniform?

It's like gods fighting, and this mortal suffers, with nowhere to appeal.

Xu Jinxiu thought it was over, but the worst was yet to come.

"Director Xu, the Public Security Bureau is so disorganized and undisciplined; I think the relevant positions inside the bureau need to be rectified, some practices need to be learned."

Upon hearing that, Xu Jinxiu immediately responded, "Secretary Su is right; some of our people indeed lack professional competence and are lax in discipline—these are areas we must improve and upgrade."

However, his words, once spoken, hit Su Yang's heart directly.

It was almost as if he handed Su Yang a knife.

Su Yang continued, "You know the bureau's situation better than I do. Some people have no ability, no skill, yet they sit where they shouldn't."

"Take Liu Qing, for example—he somehow became the squadron leader of the Public Security Brigade, and if everyone were like him, how could our bureau function? How could public security be maintained?"

"If everyone were like him, how could the common people still trust us, the people's police who fight crime, keep peace, and protect a clean land?"

"So I have a suggestion, to be precise, it's an opinion…"