[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-nation-s-forensic-medical-examiner":3,"chapter-the-nation-s-forensic-medical-examiner-the-nation-s-forensic-medical-examiner-chapter-147":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Nation's Forensic Medical Examiner",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2326842,4551,"Chapter 147: Spreading a Heavenly Net","the-nation-s-forensic-medical-examiner-chapter-147",147,"\u003Cp>The director said to form a special task force, and without needing to wait until morning, the personnel were quickly assembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan was also unsurprisingly called in, sitting in a corner of the conference room, listening as everyone discussed the case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The murder case of Yang from Shanghe Village was not an obscure case at all. Several years ago, when it was still active, many present had personally participated in the investigation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the failure to solve the case was likewise a firsthand experience for everyone present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This had never been a pleasant memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For many, the crime scene might not be vividly recalled, but it was buried deep in their memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now dug up, the old scene was still clearly visible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for footprint analysis, Chen Wenming is quite famous in the province—he’s solved several major cases, and his work is definitely solid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The problem is, relying solely on footprints as key evidence—or even the only evidence—is still insufficient. If this were still an active case, we could look for the shoes or bloodstained clothes from back then. But it’s been years; those pieces of evidence are probably gone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If this young man, Liu Chang, committed the crime, how did he get home, covered in blood...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Behind the victim’s house was a small river, about thirty centimeters deep. We previously found traces of bathing, even evidence of shower gel use.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I remember now—river-view houses are a bad idea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The discussion around the conference table moved forward at times, at others drifted into memory; Huang Qiangmin did not stop any of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The case had just begun; this was the time for open discussion, and imposing a predetermined direction would be pointless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan listened quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His understanding of this case might be the least among everyone present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never experienced the case firsthand, nor had he read much of the case file—he had followed the footprint database to get here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the discussion continued, someone from the corner raised a question: “Was suspect Liu Chang’s height measured, or just guessed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though everyone had been speaking enthusiastically, this cold remark instantly silenced the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was a devastating accusation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone turned to look, and saw the speaker was a government official.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh, never mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone turned back and resumed the discussion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one thought Jiang Yuan had any reason to fabricate evidence. If a royal decree had forced them to solve the case, they wouldn’t have resorted to such crude falsification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The key now is to establish a coherent chain of evidence. If Liu Chang really is the killer, footprints alone won’t be enough to convict him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, we must prove the time of the crime. This village is a small place; if the suspect came and went, he must have disappeared from public view for a considerable period.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How do we prove he didn’t? We must first prove he did—and as I just said, that means transportation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Track down all his classmates from back then. Boys his age can’t keep a secret to themselves. And judging by the crime scene, this was likely a crime of passion or accidental death—he probably discussed it with friends beforehand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Huang Qiangmin sensed the direction and nodded: “Both ideas are excellent. Old Miao, take two people and dig into the suspect’s classmate network—take their statements.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it,” Old Miao replied, then added: “His classmates would remember him well. A classmate nearly two meters tall? There’s probably only one like him in a lifetime. By the way, I can ask his classmates what his height was back then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Students have physical examination records—see if we can find them; they’ll list height too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two police officers’ casual remarks effectively dismissed the government official’s suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one lingered on it; they continued discussing the case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan, listening from the side, felt like he was seeing something entirely new.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a non-professional police officer, and in today’s police force, he was a minority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professional police officers might lack in other specialties, but as criminal investigators, they were truly trained for the job.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group analyzed everything—from motive, to timing, to psychological profile, to evidence destruction—listing countless possibilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the case hadn’t remained unsolved, Jiang Yuan might have thought they were discussing an old story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qiangmin also began reallocating personnel, gradually expanding the scope of the investigation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the footprint clue, the proposals put forward were genuinely capable of solidifying the case’s foundation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crimson clouds rose on the horizon, casting the buildings and mountains in a grand, majestic glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The small Ningtai County suddenly had a striking city skyline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the Criminal Investigation Team’s conference room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A vast net, silent and unseen, had been cast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three criminal investigation squads, plus the Forensic Science Squad and the Police Dog Squad—dozens of officers—naturally slipped into overtime mode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new homicide demanded full-department mobilization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When an old case finally showed a chance of resolution, no one dared relax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qiangmin too gradually entered his rhythm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As head of the Criminal Investigation Team, his responsibilities were immense—he handled not only cases within the county seat, but also investigations across surrounding townships.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, he never dared to slack off on any front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when thoroughly prepared could he initiate an old case investigation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, it was done with teams of two or three, conducting preliminary inquiries before gradually expanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But today’s case left no time for that—what lay ahead was a full-scale operation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qiangmin even considered: if Liu Chang’s father, desperate to save himself, chose to strike back, how would he counter him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the best solution was to secure solid evidence and, with lightning speed, make the case ironclad—leaving the opponent no legal ground to retaliate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Later, if you have time, call home to let them know you’re safe, then turn off your phones. For the next few days, this case is our only focus,” Huang Qiangmin added, then exhaled softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This command had cost him considerable energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan also stood up. He had no mandatory assignment; he could rest another night and start again tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could leave the conference room, Huang Qiangmin’s phone rang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello, Lao Wu,” Huang Qiangmin said, immediately answering as he recognized Wu Junhao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Junhao reported loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yuan had already reached the end of the conference room and stood waiting for news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone else was similar, but Wu Junhao wasn’t just on the front lines—he was, technically, the only one still actively fighting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Huang Qiangmin said, “Well done,” and ended the call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the conference room turned to look at Huang Qiangmin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qiangmin slowly put away his phone, hand still in his pocket, paused for two seconds, then said: “Wu Junhao has apprehended suspect Liu Chang. Liu Chang has confessed to the crime—he admitted everything on the way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t fully repeat Wu Junhao’s report, but what he said was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officers present couldn’t help but smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some smiled, then almost laughed and cried at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qiangmin glanced down at the desk, at the still-unclaimed notebook, and smiled without showing his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The case was solved—joyful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All their long discussion, and it turned out they hadn’t even needed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone, sit back down. Let’s discuss the aftermath,” Huang Qiangmin shook his head. Even if the case was solved, there was still plenty of work to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the order and method were clearly different now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More importantly, the psychological pressure and burden were entirely different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well done,” someone patted Jiang Yuan on the shoulder and praised him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well done.” Another pat on the shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Awesome.” Another pat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Incredible!” Another pat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group nearly circled the entire conference table, literally making Jiang Yuan’s shoulders ache from all the slaps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qiangmin watched with a smile, letting Jiang Yuan enjoy this special recognition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An old case, long buried, had been cracked open solely by Jiang Yuan’s footprints—such tangible skill deserved every possible praise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Qiangmin himself didn’t realize his smile had slowly widened, nearly reaching his ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half an hour later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nearly empty case processing center welcomed the former teenager Liu Chang, now from the Finance Bureau.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than seven years ago, he was an 18-year-old boy; now, he was a 25-year-old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youthful innocence in his photo was gone—tall stature, crisp suit, prominent cheekbones, and a deliberately mature hairstyle…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overall, he looked like a very handsome, polished professional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Ningtai County, he would be the top catch on the matchmaking market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calculating the timeline, he graduated university around 22, then passed the civil service exam for this county, and now, exactly two years in, he was due for promotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His good life had just begun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come in,” Wu Junhao courteously led Liu Chang into the interrogation room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overwhelming force was meant to make people listen to reason. If criminals were willing to reason, Wu Junhao could have exercised his brain instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for a suspect who confessed everything on the police car, Wu Junhao was especially courteous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had a choice, he’d trade a pound of muscle for Liu Chang to confess again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a homicide—even with a voluntary confession, formal compliance was mandatory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Junhao carefully seated Liu Chang on the “tiger bench,” adjusting for his height, then stood and smiled: “Let’s go over this again...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I want to meet that footprint expert—the police officer who figured out my height,” Liu Chang said, sitting down but raising his request first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——————Extra Note——————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new month begins—please support with monthly votes!\u003C\u002Fp>",1593,"2026-06-20T18:55:00.150Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b02d6ff80ffd30d8b145f00cc037a7e9a1f5846e9b5205a6eaad05fc05fcfb2e","the-nation-s-forensic-medical-examiner-chapter-148","the-nation-s-forensic-medical-examiner-chapter-146",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-nation-s-forensic-medical-examiner-cover.jpg"]