Chapter 337: Departure for Campaign

Jiang Yuan took on the larger cases in Wensheng Township and solved four within three days.

This was also when he gradually became familiar with rural cases.

Rural cases commonly differ from urban ones—not only because surveillance equipment is more widespread in cities, making crime scenes tend to occur indoors, but also because rural and urban residents exhibit different counter-investigation skills.

Especially in rural areas with many empty-nest elderly, criminals demonstrate significantly weaker abilities to conceal their crimes, yet they gain advantages in time and space; when paired with underqualified investigators, both sides often end up evenly matched.

The several cases Jiang Yuan solved in succession, upon looking back, can all be explained as backlogs caused by insufficient response.

If adequate police force and attention had been given at the time—though of course that was impossible, since Wensheng Township had only one police station and a few dozen auxiliary officers, their workload was already maxed out.

Song Jinyou, watching the cases Jiang Yuan solved, fell into deep thought.

Meng Chengbiao, older than Song Jinyou, noticed his poor mood and comforted him: "Jiang Yuan doesn't play by the rules—he's mastered several techniques that, whether in your township or county, are the best in the entire province. Otherwise, why would the Criminal Investigation Brigade call on him?"

"Didn't you see the case list we gave Jiang Yuan?" Song Jinyou glanced at Meng Chengbiao. Their ages were nearly identical, but as station chief, Song Jinyou's position was far more comfortable—though his workplace was more backward.

Meng Chengbiao didn't understand what Song Jinyou meant and shook his head slightly.

Song Jinyou pulled up a photo on his phone, enlarged it slightly with his finger, and said: "Our township doesn't have as many cases as the city; the backlog cases serious enough to warrant three years' imprisonment are just these…"

At first Meng Chengbiao didn't grasp it, but as he listened to Song Jinyou and examined the list in the photo, his eyes suddenly widened: "He worked through them one by one?"

"Yes, he's been going through them in order," Song Jinyou rephrased. "One after another."

Meng Chengbiao couldn't find the right words, but as a member of the Changyang City Criminal Investigation Brigade, he was certain this was an incredibly impressive feat.

Backlogged cases differ from active ones—they provide varying amounts of information. Combined with the unique circumstances of each case, the difficulty and applicable methods for backlogged cases are worlds apart.

Both Meng Chengbiao and Song Jinyou had initially assumed Jiang Yuan was selecting cases—just as he had before, he'd only take cases matching his investigative techniques: ones with abundant footprints, heavy bloodstains, fingerprints matching his needs…

Neither had expected Jiang Yuan was tackling them in strict sequence.

At first glance, this seemed ordinary; but upon deeper thought, the more they considered it, the more unbelievable it became.

As station chief, Song Jinyou couldn't help but unconsciously imagine: If Jiang Yuan were under my command…

Images flooded Song Jinyou's mind: merit awards, promotions, salary raises, life winner, merit awards, family thanks, merit awards, promotions, salary raises…

Vibration…

Jiang Yuan's phone buzzed.

Song Jinyou's mental loop shattered instantly.

"Director Yang," Jiang Yuan answered. The caller was Yang Ling from the provincial bureau's fingerprint unit.

Yang Ling's voice was clear and crisp: "Jiang Yuan, we have a case nationwide seeking support—on fingerprints and trace evidence, I've nominated you. Any problem?"

"Uh, what case?" Jiang Yuan asked.

"Child abduction case," Yang Ling replied succinctly. "How soon can you get to Guqi City?"

"Guqi City in Anping Province? I'm currently in a township under Ningtai County, heading to the airport now—don't know if there are any flights…" Jiang Yuan said.

"I'll coordinate for you," Yang Ling replied promptly.

Jiang Yuan blinked: "That fast?"

"This case is under direct supervision by the ministry. Do well when you arrive, don't shame Shan Province," Yang Ling said sternly—she wasn't very familiar with Jiang Yuan, only having worked with him during the fingerprint campaign—but quickly added: "Do you have any other requirements?"

"I'd like to bring a few people along," Jiang Yuan said. Even with his strength, investigations drain immense mental energy; having extra people—even just to drive—helps.

Yang Ling hummed. "You can bring two. More requires additional approval."

"Two is enough," Jiang Yuan felt.

After hanging up, Jiang Yuan informed Meng Chengbiao and Song Jinyou of the situation.

Song Jinyou had nothing to say—Aladdin's lamp only grants three wishes; he couldn't possibly keep Jiang Yuan permanently. He could only express regretful praise: "Ministry-supervised cases number only dozens per year—true major cases. May Commander Jiang achieve swift victory."

"Thank you, thank you," Jiang Yuan replied politely, then turned to Meng Chengbiao: "I plan to take Mu Zhiyang and Wang Chuanxing. Are you returning to Changyang City, or do you want leave?"

"Leave isn't necessary—we just had it," Meng Chengbiao was brimming with desire to solve cases. If he wanted rest or ease, he could've just slacked off—why travel all the way from Changyang to Ningtai County?

But returning to Changyang City? He didn't want to go back either.

The Criminal Investigation Brigade was always short-staffed; if they followed Jiang Yuan on cases, Yu Wenshu wouldn't object—but if they sat idle, Yu Wenshu would definitely assign them to some backlog case, and when Jiang Yuan returned, they'd still be stuck with unfinished old cases with no excuse to withdraw.

Thinking of this, Meng Chengbiao murmured: "Commander Jiang, can we go with you? We're already your people—can Guqi City really have too many?"

Jiang Yuan hesitated.

Meng Chengbiao guessed: "If you're worried about budget, just ask Director Yu. The Criminal Investigation Brigade's annual budget is substantial, especially travel expenses—you've solved so many cases for him this year and barely cost him anything. Otherwise, he wouldn't have approved us coming…"

"I wasn't thinking about money," Jiang Yuan smiled. "But you're right—I'll ask Director Huang for the budget."

Meng Chengbiao asked: "If not money, what are you worried about?"

"Oh, I just think bringing too many people won't help much," Jiang Yuan shrugged.

Meng Chengbiao's daily quota of smiles was exhausted.

Song Jinyou covered his mouth to suppress laughter.

"Alright. Ask everyone who wants rest to rest, and those willing to travel on assignment to join me. Count the numbers—I'll report to Director Huang."

Meng Chengbiao nodded, puzzled: "Why not just tell Director Yu directly?"

"Let Director Huang and Director Yu settle it directly," Jiang Yuan felt it was better not to play both sides.

8: 0 PM.

Jiang Yuan arrived in Guqi City with Mu Zhiyang and seven others.

Guqi City was the third-largest in Anping Province, with its own airport and a resource-based economy, some industrial foundation, but most factories and companies were state-owned.

A female officer met them at the airport—short hair, shoulder-length, mature and efficient. She stepped forward and extended her hand: "Commander Jiang, hello. I'm Dong Bing, liaison officer for our expert team."

"Are there many experts here?" Jiang Yuan boarded the vehicle.

He had pre-reported nine people; Guqi City had no objections and sent one Coaster to transport them all.

Dong Bing said: "Including you, six experts have arrived."

"I'm the fingerprint expert?" Jiang Yuan pointed to himself.

Dong Bing frowned slightly: "You're a fingerprint and trace evidence expert… Hmm, should be fine?"

"Are there other fingerprint and trace evidence experts?" Jiang Yuan pressed.

"We have one other trace evidence expert from Anping Province. If needed, we may also receive help from other fingerprint experts."

"Oh, good," Jiang Yuan relaxed. He'd acquired many techniques lately and sometimes preferred shifting focus—not wanting to be confined to a single specialty.

Now, with other trace and fingerprint experts present, he wouldn't be overly restricted. This work would likely involve massive fingerprint and trace comparisons; without help sharing the load, he'd be trapped.

Dong Bing assumed Jiang Yuan lacked confidence and, seeing his youth, silently shook her head: Thank goodness the province has its own experts—if we relied solely on ministry assignments, we'd be in trouble.