Chapter 421: Locking onto the Target

Lin Wanning pondered for a moment, led the two to the chart, and lightly tapped her fingertip on the "Huagong Trading Company" marked with a double red line. "This company should be the leader. I don't know exactly what kind of people are hiding inside, but their carrier pigeons come and go the most frequently. Most of the employees live in Sanchakou Hutong in Xidan; that place has many side roads, making it easy to retreat. Their company occupies three courtyards in the hutong, positioned in a pincer formation, allowing them to support each other. You must be careful when you go to make arrests."

He Yuzhu nodded: "Come with me; you're familiar with the terrain."

Lin Wanning replied with a "Good."

Tian Dan did not object this time.

He Yuzhu continued: "I'll sneak in first to control the situation, and then you all follow up."

Tian Dan, however, shook her head: "At the last meeting, quite a few comrades had complaints about you, saying you took all the credit for yourself, leaving everyone else as mere followers."

After hearing this, He Yuzhu wore a helpless, bitter smile on his face.

So, his intention of always wanting to rush to the front to reduce casualties hadn't been understood. So be it.

Tian Dan saw the dejection in his expression and explained: "Who told you to offend Zhou Hao so severely? After he returned to the police force this time, he appeared honest on the surface, but underneath he hasn't stopped acting, bad-mouthing you everywhere and winning the trust of many people."

He Yuzhu curled his lips: "Dan, why don't you hurry up and find someone to marry, so that kid doesn't keep thinking about you all day, dragging me into it too!"

"You really have a foul mouth!" Tian Dan glared at him, "Let's not talk about this for now. You go to Sanchakou Hutong to scout the situation. Remember, only reconnaissance, absolutely no taking action! At three in the morning, there will be a city-wide coordinated operation."

"Don't worry, mission guaranteed!" He Yuzhu straightened his back and replied.

After Tian Dan turned and left, Lin Wanning frowned and asked: "We need to think of a secure identity to enter that courtyard. If we reveal any flaws, all our previous efforts will be wasted."

He Yuzhu pondered for a moment: "Let's pose as electricians, checking the wiring. You play my Apprentice."

Lin Wanning shook her head: "This reason... I always feel it's easy to arouse suspicion."

"As long as we act the part and bring all the tools, I don't believe they can tell!" He Yuzhu was quite confident.

"... Alright then." Lin Wanning thought for a long while and had no better idea, so she had to nod.

The two then went to the Power Bureau, showed their Police credentials to explain their intent, and filed a record, so this operation was considered official. Even if the other party called to check, they wouldn't find any issues.

He Yuzhu borrowed two sets of semi-old work uniforms; his own fit reasonably well, but Lin Wanning's looked baggy and loose, and the issued shoes didn't fit either, so she simply wore her own cloth shoes back.

Following the route Lin Wanning pointed out, He Yuzhu led her deep into Sanchakou Hutong to the core courtyard—Number 43.

Just as they stepped into the courtyard gate, they were stopped by an old man with a white beard.

The old man's eyes were sharp; one look and it was clear he had trained. "This is the Huagong Trading Company dormitory. What do you two want?"

He Yuzhu feigned impatience: "Don't you see these uniforms? From the Power Bureau! Your courtyard's wiring is aging, we're here for maintenance."

The white-bearded old man narrowed his triangular eyes: "Why didn't you come during the day?"

"During the day? Is anyone home during the day?" He Yuzhu retorted.

"Did you eat gunpowder, kid?" The old man's face darkened.

"What, is your courtyard hiding something unspeakable? Can't even let the Power Bureau in for maintenance?" As soon as He Yuzhu said this, a cold glint flashed in the old man's eyes. Immediately, he squeezed out a smile: "Little comrade, your tone sounds like a stranger's. I'm the gatekeeper of this courtyard; asking is just my duty."

Seeing his tone soften, He Yuzhu stopped while he was ahead: "It's all work assigned from above. Who wants to come out in the middle of the night? Isn't it more comfortable to go home and hug your wife to sleep?"

Lin Wanning hurriedly smoothed things over: "Grandpa, my Siqiang has some things going on at home, he's not in a good mood. Every courtyard in this area has to be checked, please bear with us. If you don't believe me, why don't you call the Power Bureau to ask?"

The white-bearded old man took the cigarette and muttered: "What a world, even a stinking electrician is acting arrogant..."

"Keep nagging and I'll cut your power tonight!" He Yuzhu didn't spare him.

"Siqiang, say less, we still have to rush back after checking these houses." Lin Wanning tugged at his sleeve.

The old man didn't say anything more and waved them into the courtyard.

He Yuzhu checked house by house, and when he reached the main room of the second courtyard, he saw an old lady.

Her hair and eyebrows were completely white, yet she was full of vigor, and the skin on her face was as smooth as a young person's.

He Yuzhu felt a chill: This person is not simple.

The old lady raised her eyes to look at him, her gaze very sharp, possessing the dominance of someone in a high position: "Young man, you're an electrician?"

"That's right, Grandma." He Yuzhu answered naturally.

"I often get up at night, and the courtyard is dark. Can you install a light for me in the courtyard?" the old lady said slowly.

"I can, but it requires wire, and I have to charge for materials." He Yuzhu knew she was testing him and laughed inwardly: What's installing a lightbulb? In his past life, after finishing his second year of middle school, he could design complex circuits for renovation crews.

The old lady took out 50,000 yuan: "Is this enough?"

He Yuzhu grabbed the money and deliberately acted greedy: "Just about!"

The old lady curled her lips almost imperceptibly.

He Yuzhu was quick and nimble; in no time, he had connected the wires and even pulled a 15-watt lightbulb from his bag to screw in.

"Grandma, this lightbulb is a gift for you. From now on, when you get up at night, you won't trip!"

Then, he used Scanning to check the entire courtyard—no radio, no guns or Explosive. Only then was he completely relieved.

Afterward, they went to the other two courtyards; each had an elderly gatekeeper, while the residents were mostly young and strong.

After checking everything, He Yuzhu led Lin Wanning out of the hutong.

Lin Wanning whispered: "That old lady... I'm afraid she's not ordinary."

He Yuzhu nodded: "I think so too. Do you think she could be Sun Suzhen?"

"Judging by her age, it's very possible." Lin Wanning's expression was serious.

"I should have just arrested her earlier," He Yuzhu said with some regret.

"Forget it, didn't you hear Tian Dan? You've already angered everyone; credit has to be shared, don't always try to hog it all yourself." Lin Wanning's words carried a teasing tone.

"I always feel that old lady just looks like an ordinary elderly person, she shouldn't know Kung Fu, it's just that her skin is well-maintained... You tell me, how can so many people believe in her?" He Yuzhu asked, puzzled.

Lin Wanning smiled: "Can she fool someone like you? She mostly fools those who are ignorant and easily duped. Those who follow her don't necessarily believe in her; they just use her as a front..."

"Makes sense... Let's go, let's go eat Yanji cold noodles!" He Yuzhu waved his hand.

"Great! I love this in the summer." Lin Wanning's eyes curved.

The night grew deep, "Bang—bang—" the sound of the night watchman came from far to near, one long, one short, "The weather is dry, watch out for fire..."

Three trucks stopped in the shadows at the street corner.

Tian Dan walked over quickly and asked in a low voice: "How is the situation?"

He Yuzhu said with excitement in his tone: "In the Zhongyuan of Courtyard 43, there might be a big fish; you all must be extra careful when making the arrest."

"Stop keeping us in suspense!" Tian Dan urged.

"It is very likely Sun Suzhen herself."

"That's great! If we can catch her, this operation will be a complete success." Tian Dan's eyes lit up.

He Yuzhu reminded her: "The three old men guarding the gate are all trained fighters; even if they don't have guns, you must guard against them using cold weapons."

"You aren't going in?" Tian Dan asked.

"Isn't it because you're afraid I'll steal the credit? I'll guard the perimeter to catch any fish that slip through the net." He Yuzhu shrugged.

"That works too. You keep watch outside to prevent anyone from slipping away through the tunnels." Tian Dan nodded.

She turned to look at the team of over seventy people behind her and quickly gave orders: "Zhou Hao, you take the First Team of thirty people and be responsible for Courtyard 43; focus on capturing the target in the main room of the second courtyard—it is very likely Sun Suzhen... Lao Sun, you take the Second Team of twenty people and attack Courtyard 37... Lao Ma, the Third Team of twenty people, you are responsible for Courtyard 51..."

Upon hearing that he was to capture Sun Suzhen, Zhou Hao was so excited he nearly jumped up.

Over these past few months, he had privately hosted dinners to win people over, gathered a group of men under his command, and his position had been promoted to captain; it truly lived up to the saying, "It's easy to be an official when you have connections at court."

Thinking that capturing the bandit leader this time would be a great achievement.

He immediately arranged things with high spirits: "Sun San, your light-body technique is good, go in first to take care of the gatekeepers, then open the gate... Li Mazi, you take some men to block the back door..."

Tian Dan did not participate in the assault directly; she also intended to cultivate her subordinates to be able to handle things on their own. The long-term high-pressure work had left her somewhat exhausted.