Chapter 253: The Window-Making Plan

He really did follow Li Xuewu's advice: cleaning the room, building the kang, setting up the stove, and laying the chimney—he was quite capable of keeping busy.

"Busy, First Uncle?" Li Xuewu took the initiative to greet him when he saw First Uncle approaching.

First Uncle nodded and said, "Xuewu, you've seen it too. We can barely manage the masonry work, but we don't know how to do the window-making."

Li Xuewu smiled and said, "Sister Qin told me this morning, and I just spoke to my grandfather about it too. It's just unfortunate timing; their recycling shop opens tomorrow, so they can only come to guide the people in our courtyard on window-making in the evening."

Although First Uncle hadn't managed to get Li Xuewu's grandfather to come, he was satisfied since Li Xuewu had promised to come and guide the courtyard residents in the evening.

Li Xuewu sent First Uncle away and walked toward the back courtyard.

It wasn't that Li Xuewu was intentionally making things difficult for people; it was just that this matter really had to be handled this way. If Li Xuewu had rushed to help, people would say he had ulterior motives; now that they had to fix it themselves, they would feel more comfortable.

It was also a way to teach those who talked too much a lesson.

Qin Huairu did bring Banggeng over to help Li Xuewu tidy up the room and wash his clothes. Seeing that Li Xuewu was already asleep in the inner room, she took Banggeng home.

Second Uncle's words last time had served as a reminder to Qin Huairu: she had to be careful when reporting work in the future; there were bad people among the masses.

Waking up in the morning, Li Xuewu ate breakfast, followed Old Biaozi and the others to the entrance of the storefront, set off a string of firecrackers, and then hung a plaque inscribed with "Nanluoguxiang Recycled Goods Recycling Shop" above the door frame.

"Hey, it really looks the part!"

When Third Uncle passed by the storefront on his way to work and saw Li Xuewu and the others hanging the plaque, he couldn't help but praise it.

"That's right, my brother had to beg someone for this calligraphy."

Li Xuewu glared at Old Biaozi; wasn't this just putting eye drops in Third Uncle's eyes?

Who didn't know that Third Uncle prided himself on being a man of letters? The spring couplets in the courtyard were all written by his hand. Now that Old Biaozi said Li Xuewu had gone out to beg someone for calligraphy, wasn't it obvious that Li Xuewu looked down on Third Uncle?

"Heh heh, the calligraphy is written quite well, it's just that the name is a bit shabby."

Seeing that Third Uncle didn't have anything nice to say, Li Xuewu wasn't annoyed. He was an elder, so how could he argue with him?

Besides, it was a joyous opening day; it wasn't worth it.

"Third Uncle, you look to be in high spirits today!"

"That's right." Third Uncle lifted his head, feeling that Li Xuewu was still capable of speaking a few human words.

"I just say, when an old man loses his horse, who knows if it's a blessing or a curse? Your bicycle has been lost for so many days, and it's definitely not coming back."

"Perhaps it was dismantled and sold for parts."

"Or maybe it was sold to the countryside."

"It's even more likely it was ground down and disguised with new serial numbers."

"These are all quite distressing, but you walking to and from work counts as exercise. When your body is healthy, your spirits will be good."

Old Biaozi looked at Li Xuewu with eyes full of admiration. I was just putting eye drops in Third Uncle's eyes, but you are putting poison in Third Uncle's heart.

Every time Li Xuewu spoke, Third Uncle's complexion worsened. By the time Li Xuewu finished, Third Uncle's spirits were indeed "good"—he was almost angry enough to have a mental breakdown.

"You!" Third Uncle pointed at Li Xuewu, wanting to say something, but then forced a smile and said, "You're actually right. I just prefer walking to and from work. Hey, it's exercise."

"Heh heh, that's a good thing. If everyone had your level of awareness, we wouldn't have to worry about our sports industry not developing."

Li Xuewu nodded at Third Uncle, walked to the entrance, pushed his bicycle out, and said as he passed Third Uncle, "I can't do it. Having a bike and not riding it would be a waste. I'm truly miserable; the bike is delaying my exercise. Third Uncle, see you later!"

Watching Li Xuewu zip away in a flash, Third Uncle was so angry his teeth itched.

He hadn't felt the road was this long when he used to ride his bike to work, but today, he didn't know what was wrong; he just felt the road was too long and walking was too tiring.

Third Uncle didn't know that this long road was Li Xuewu's tactic.

Arriving at the supply and marketing cooperative, Li Xuewu didn't linger. What needed to be done had been done last night, and what needed to be said had been said. Waking and sleeping last night, he had also thought through this relationship.

It was nothing more than heaven not fulfilling human wishes, and fate playing tricks on people.

Lin Tingting was nowhere to be seen in the cooperative. Seeing the watch coupon Li Xuewu had placed on the counter, the older sister behind the counter handed the remaining money and documents to Li Xuewu.

Originally, this older sister wanted to say something more, but Li Xuewu took the money and documents and turned to leave.

Leaving a crowd of sales clerks whispering among themselves.

When Li Xuewu arrived at the steel mill, he first watched the team members finish their training, then waved at Wei Tong and said, "Bring them back. Pack up, and we'll set off."

Li Xuewu returned to his office, changed into his uniform, put on his hat, and walked out the door.

By the time he reached the guard team's entrance, the team members had already changed into their guard uniforms. Each one looked very excited because this was their first time setting out in the guard team's new vehicles, even though they weren't allowed to carry guns.

Wei Tong took roll call and then reported the headcount to Li Xuewu.

Li Xuewu walked to the front of the formation, stood still, and said, "Today we are going on a field mission. All members are required to only watch, not speak, and not ask questions. Keep what you see today in your hearts and minds, but forget it on your lips. Obey discipline. Is that clear?"

"Clear!"

"Get in the vehicles!"

Li Xuewu gave the order to board.

Watching the team members jump into the vehicles using the same method they used to clear high walls in the 400-meter obstacle course, Li Xuewu pulled open the passenger door of the jeep, jumped in, and gave the driver the order to depart.

Including Li Xuewu and Wei Tong, there were twenty-five people in total. The two vehicles drove straight out of the steel mill's main gate and headed east.

The driver followed Li Xuewu's directions and drove to the edge of a mountain gully. Long before they arrived, Li Xuewu didn't need to give directions anymore because there was a group of people standing at the foot of the mountain.

Once the vehicles were parked, Li Xuewu jumped out, shook hands with Ji Wang Weidong, and said, "Thank you for your support."

Ji Wang Weidong also smiled and said, "You're the ruthless one."

Li Xuewu didn't say anything, but shouted to Wei Tong in the patrol vehicle behind him, "Get out, form up!"

Wei Tong received Li Xuewu's order and shouted slogans to get the team members to disembark and form up.

Ji Wang Weidong stood beside Li Xuewu, watching the guard team members in action, and said, "Not bad, even better than before. No wonder you wanted to put in the effort."

Li Xuewu wasn't in a high mood today; his face was taut, and he had no interest in joking with Ji Wang Weidong, watching the formation before him with a solemn face.

Seeing that Wei Tong had finished forming the formation, Ji Wang Weidong waved his hand and led Li Xuewu and the others to the edge of the dirt slope.

A circle of people from the Investigation Department was already standing there loosely, along with five soldiers carrying Type 56 semi-automatic rifles.

Wei Tong and the others knew what they were coming here for the moment they got out of the vehicles. Their faces were full of tension, and those with less courage had already turned pale.

Wei Tong endured the tension, led the team to the designated position, and shouted the command to stand at ease.

Li Xuewu and Ji Wang Weidong stood at the edge of the dirt slope and lit cigarettes for each other. Li Xuewu spoke first.

"The training ground I mentioned to you last time is ready for construction. What does your leadership think?"

Ji Wang Weidong took a puff of his cigarette, waved toward the trucks, and then said to Li Xuewu, "You know our leadership, right? They're cautious. They said they want to see the training results first."

Li Xuewu nodded and said, "That's understandable. Are the weapons and ammunition you said you'd support us with still valid?"

Ji Wang Weidong watched as people with hoods over their heads were escorted off the trucks and sneered, "Those pieces of junk? My word is good. No problem. When you need them, call me directly, then send a vehicle to pick them up."

Li Xuewu was asking about some special weapons Ji Wang Weidong had promised earlier, all kinds of them. Li Xuewu wanted his team members to familiarize themselves with the weapon environment.

Hearing Ji Wang Weidong's answer, Li Xuewu stopped talking because he saw the figure being pulled off the truck.

Five people with their hands bound were escorted by ten others and made to kneel one by one at the edge of the slope. A person with a camera was taking pictures.

Two cadres went from left to right, holding a notebook, taking off a person's hood to compare, and then putting a checkmark in the notebook.

"Your heart is truly ruthless. Even in this situation, you're still thinking about training troops."

Hearing Ji Wang Weidong's words, Li Xuewu remained unmoved. He stared at the guard team members and said, "Open your eyes wide. If anyone dares to close their eyes, they'll be stripped of their uniforms and sent to the workshop when we get back."

"Yes! Open eyes wide!" Wei Tong responded.

Just as Li Xuewu turned his head, gunshots rang out in his ears.

"Bang! Bang!..."

Li Xuewu's expression froze instantly. Before he could even glance over there, they were already separated by life and death.

Every gunshot represented the end of a crime, and this end not only ended a person's life but also ended someone's youth.

After the gunshots, those ten people stepped forward to kick or pull, checking for reactions until the results were confirmed.

After the results were confirmed, designated personnel carried these "people" to an empty truck.

Then came the next wave of five people.

This period of time was an extreme torment for those waiting on the trucks, and also a torment for the guard team members.

Some guard team members couldn't help but run to the side to vomit.

Li Xuewu allowed the team members to have stress reactions, but he did not allow them to avoid or shrink back. After vomiting, they had to stand back and continue watching.

"Bang!..."

This scene repeated five times, and the reactions of the people brought down from the trucks were different each time.

Some shouted they were wronged, some shouted they admitted their mistakes, some shouted they knew where money was hidden that hadn't been retrieved, some cried bitterly, some had dull expressions, and some sighed long and hard. Everyone's state was different.

After the last wave of gunshots ended, Li Xuewu looked at the pale-faced team members and shouted, "Attention!"

"Right face! Forward march!"

After Li Xuewu shouted "Attention," Wei Tong reacted, gathered the team, and began boarding the vehicles.

Before getting into the vehicle, Li Xuewu said to Ji Wang Weidong, "Sunday night, bring your colleagues from the team to the steel mill's guesthouse. I'll treat everyone to drinks."

Xiao Liu behind Ji Wang Weidong was also convinced. This person was truly ruthless, insisting on watching his ex-girlfriend and future father-in-law get 【Bang】ed with his own eyes.

That wasn't all; he even had to bring his subordinates to watch, calling it special training.

The most ruthless part was talking about treating people to a meal right after watching the execution. He was convinced, truly convinced.

Ji Wang Weidong raised his eyebrows and said, "You're really going to treat us? I thought you were joking when you said that at the Jiaodaokou station."

Li Xuewu got into the jeep, rolled down the window, and said to Ji Wang Weidong, "You, Ji Wang Weidong, keep your word, and I, Li Xuewu, cannot be a villain who breaks his word. See you later."

As he spoke, he waved at the driver to drive back.

It was almost 12 o'clock when they arrived at the steel mill. Li Xuewu rested for a while with the team members, whose complexions looked slightly better, and then carried his lunch box into the cafeteria with them.

The cafeteria was quite lively today because the Red Star Commune had come to deliver meat. It was said that it was hunted by Li Kezhang Fu of the Security Department and Li Kezhang Li of the Security Section, and they had donated it all to the steel mill cafeteria for everyone to eat together.

As soon as Li Xuewu entered the cafeteria, people thanked him—some jokingly, some sincerely.

Regardless, the team Li Xuewu brought today was a bit strange. Usually, the young men of the guard team were full of spirit, but today, for some reason, they were all wilted and dejected.

When it was Li Xuewu's group's turn, Seeing Sha Zhu brought over a water bucket that Li Xuewu had requested.

Li Xuewu got a normal meal, plus a bowl of white tofu pudding, sprinkled with chili sauce on top.

This was what Li Xuewu had told Seeing Sha Zhu last night to help prepare for noon today.

Seeing Li Xuewu finish getting his food, the team members' eyes were all dull. Those with stronger reactions were already dry-heaving.

"What's wrong with this? This is tofu pudding, not stinky tofu. Why the expression?"

Seeing that the guard team members all had mournful faces and eyes closed, afraid to look, when he served them tofu pudding, Seeing Sha Zhu was confused.

Li Xuewu stood to the side, watching every team member get their serving. Wei Tong, relying on being the team leader, asked in a low voice with a pale face, "Li Kezhang, my stomach has been cold lately. I don't eat tofu."

Li Xuewu smiled at Wei Tong and said, "Even if you have the North Pole in your stomach today, you have to eat it."

"Yes." Wei Tong agreed weakly, letting Seeing Sha Zhu serve him the white, still-moving tofu pudding, carefully garnished with bright red chili sauce.

When they reached the table, Li Xuewu scooped up a spoonful of tofu pudding with a spoon and put it in his mouth, saying, "The bean flavor is really not bad. You guys eat too."

"Ugh!"

Those who couldn't take it had already run out of the cafeteria to dry-heave. This commotion caused everyone in the cafeteria to keep looking over.

Li Xuewu ignored them and continued drinking his tofu pudding.

After supervising all the team members to finish their tofu pudding, Li Xuewu returned to his office.

Someone had been waiting here for a while.

"Have you eaten, Uncle-in-law?"

In his own office, with no outsiders, Li Xuewu called Yin Mancang "Uncle-in-law" directly.

Yin Mancang nodded with a smile and said, "I ate with Xiao Qun, and went to see Yajun again. Your cafeteria's food is not bad."

Li Xuewu offered Yin Mancang a cigarette and said, "It's all this stuff, soupy and watery, not very tasty. This is only because the chef is using it; otherwise, it would be very hard to eat."

"Having something to eat is good enough. A few years ago, heh..."

Li Xuewu changed the subject and asked, "How is the preparation for the training ground going?"

Yin Mancang waved his hand and said, "You can rest assured when your uncle-in-law handles things. We've already opened the kiln to burn bricks and tiles. We've cut thick logs from the mountain and are preparing the materials. I came this time to ask when the steel bars and cement you're providing will arrive."

Li Xuewu flicked the ash from his cigarette and said, "They can arrive today. I'll have my colleague give you the pickup slips in a while. You can go directly to the cement plant to pick them up. The steel bars are already prepared in our workshop; you can take them away in a while."

"That's great. I'll clean up when I go back today, prepare materials for another day tomorrow, and start construction the day after. We'll prepare materials while we build; that way it'll be fast."

Li Xuewu smiled and said, "The day after tomorrow is Friday. I'll bring several of our designated units to attend the groundbreaking ceremony. This can be considered a medium-sized project for us, so it should be formal."

Yin Mancang was also worried that if the project was too big and Li Xuewu couldn't bring people, it would be a disaster. Now that Li Xuewu said he would bring people to attend the groundbreaking, it truly gave Yin Mancang peace of mind.

"Don't worry, I'll prepare when I go back. You don't know, but when I reported this matter to the higher-ups, our township head even came down and praised me for my ability."

Li Xuewu laughed, "With your ability, Uncle-in-law, it was only a matter of time."

Yin Mancang had self-knowledge, of course, knowing that this was a credit Li Xuewu had delivered to his hands.

This credit had to be accepted, not for himself, but for the villagers in the big mountain gully.

"I've also communicated with the village about the rabbit raising we talked about last time. Now it's still based on the principle of voluntariness. Whoever wants to raise them can, and we'll collect them together when the time comes."

Li Xuewu walked to the door, shouted for Han Yating, and then returned to his seat to ask, "How are the villagers reacting?"

"No reaction," Yin Mancang said with an expression that took it for granted.

"Heh heh heh, what do you mean no reaction? Are they willing or unwilling?"

"Heh heh heh, what reaction could there be? Except for those preparing materials, they've all gone up the mountain to catch rabbits. It's really easy to catch them at this time."

"Li Kezhang, did you call me?" Han Yating pushed open the half-open door and asked.

Li Xuewu nodded, pointed at Yin Mancang, and said, "This is the village cadre where our police dog training ground is located. He brought us pork today. Take the cement pickup slip I asked you to prepare last time and give it to Secretary Yin, and then tell the warehouse to let Secretary Yin take away the steel bars we ordered."

"Okay, got it."

As she spoke, Han Yating turned and left.

Only then did Yin Mancang withdraw his eyes, which had been watching Han Yating, and then turned his head to ask Li Xuewu, "Is this girl married?"

Li Xuewu smiled and said, "Do you have any ideas?"

Yin Mancang scolded Li Xuewu with a smile and then said, "It's Yin Qun. He's not young anymore, and now he has hope of entering the city. I was just thinking if I could find him a wife from the city. This one looks very good, very straightforward and generous."

Li Xuewu smiled, tapped the ash from his cigarette, and said, "We're relatives, so I'll tell you the truth. This girl isn't married, but her standards are a bit high."

Yin Mancang waved his hand and said, "It doesn't matter. The bride price and such can be handled according to the rules of the city. I'll even find a way to solve the housing issue for them."

Li Xuewu looked at the bold Yin Mancang and said, "That's not what I mean."

"Li Kezhang, here is the cement pickup slip. I've already called the warehouse; you can pick it up at any time," Han Yating said as she entered with two pickup slips.

Li Xuewu took the pickup slips, looked at them, placed them by Yin Mancang's hand, and pointed at Yin Mancang, who was looking at Han Yating, saying, "Secretary Yin is my sister-in-law's uncle-in-law. We've known each other for a long time, so I'll be direct."

Han Yating didn't know what Li Xuewu meant by this. Why introduce a relative, and why be so polite?

"Yin Qun from our police dog training ground is Secretary Yin's son. Since you and Yin Qun are of similar age, I just wanted to ask if you have any intention of developing a relationship."

Because he knew Han Yating was a straightforward girl, Li Xuewu had originally wanted to explain to Yin Mancang just now, but since Han Yating had come in, he just asked directly.

Han Yating was stunned, then smiled at Yin Mancang and said, "Thank you for your high regard, Secretary Yin, but my family has already introduced a partner to me. I'm really sorry."

"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter," Yin Mancang was also a bit embarrassed.

Han Yating refused Yin Mancang and then said to Li Xuewu, "Then, Li Kezhang, I'm going back."

Li Xuewu nodded, saw Han Yating off, turned to Yin Mancang, and said, "She's the section chief of the Security Section. Her family is also a cadre family, so many people introduce partners to her. Even now, she has partners she has to date."

Yin Mancang also regretfully picked up the pickup slip and stood up, saying, "Sigh, a good girl is naturally not worried about getting married. It's just that Xiao Qun has no fate."

Li Xuewu smiled and saw Yin Mancang out of the room, saying as they walked, "Yin Qun is only eighteen. Are you in such a hurry to get him engaged?"

"You don't know, but in the countryside, you have to get engaged at sixteen, otherwise you won't find a partner. Xiao Qun was delayed because he was determined to join the army."

Yin Mancang sighed again and said, "Your aunt is in poor health and is unwilling to let Xiao Qun go, which delayed him again. Another thing is that I can't bear to part with him; I only have this one son."

As he spoke, Yin Mancang helplessly stretched out his hand, looking helpless.

Li Xuewu nodded in understanding. When he was on the front line, the reconnaissance battalion did not allow only children to join, and suicide squads didn't even have single children.

This was the more moving, glorious human nature within a troop with an iron will.

"Alright, you go back. You're busy. We men will see each other often in the future, so don't be so polite."

Li Xuewu saw Yin Mancang to the building entrance and greeted him, "Then, Secretary Yin, see you later."

"See you later."

This was the tacit understanding between Li Xuewu and Yin Mancang. In front of others, they addressed each other by their official titles; in private, they talked about being relatives. They were both men who got things done, so no one would pick on this etiquette.

After seeing Yin Mancang off, Li Xuewu made calls one by one: to Li Kezhang Wu Youqing of Huaqing, Shen Fang of the patrol station, and Ji Wang Weidong of the Investigation Department.

When he called Shen Fang, Shen Fang asked Li Xuewu to return to the station in the afternoon. He didn't say what it was about, so Li Xuewu didn't take it to heart.

After making the calls, Li Xuewu went to Fu Bin's office on the third floor. Now that Fu Bin was presiding over the work of the Security Department, he had to report such a big matter to him. This was organizational procedure.

Fu Bin was in an intimate mood, saying that Li Xuewu had achieved results and it was worth holding such a ceremony. He indicated that he would attend and also asked Li Xuewu to ask for instructions from the supervisor, Deputy Factory Li Suo.

Li Xuewu was originally going to report to Li Huai, and Fu Bin knew this. He said this merely to preserve his own face and to give himself a step down while suppressing Li Xuewu.

Li Xuewu nodded in agreement and chatted with Fu Bin about cooperating with several other units.

This did attract Fu Bin's attention, especially when Li Xuewu mentioned the Investigation Department, his eyelids jumped.

"Very good. A training ground used only by ourselves is a waste after all. Cooperating with several more units is naturally a good thing. You handled this matter well; I support you."

Li Xuewu nodded with a smile and said, "Then you stay busy, I'll go ask Deputy Factory Li Suo for instructions."

Fu Bin waved his hand and said, "Go, go."

Then he squinted his eyes and watched the back of Li Xuewu, who had been respectful all along. After Li Xuewu closed the door and left, Fu Bin pondered for a while and then picked up the phone and dialed out.

"Yo, what kind of skill are you practicing?"

Li Xuewu knocked twice on the half-open door and saw Li Huai standing by the desk, swaying his waist from side to side. He couldn't help but ask this.

Li Huai smiled, beckoned, and said, "Come in, come in. What skill? Last night I said I'd move the desk so your sister-in-law could clean up the dust, but I twisted my waist. Now, no matter how I sit, it's uncomfortable."

Li Xuewu smiled and said, "I don't believe it. Was it your sister-in-law who tired you out?"

"Heh, you brat. I remember you're not married yet, right? You know quite a lot."

Li Huai had dealt with Li Xuewu intermittently quite a few times and knew what kind of person Li Xuewu was.

Although this was in the office and although Li Huai was a leader, superiors and subordinates could joke with each other.

Li Xuewu laughed, took out a cigarette, lit one for Li Huai, and then said with a smile, "You might not know, but my father is a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner. Although I haven't learned much, my eyes are still quite sharp."

"Oh?" Li Huai was surprised, then sat on the sofa, puffing clouds and mist with Li Xuewu, and said, "I didn't expect you to have this family background."

Li Xuewu knew what Li Huai meant and said with a wicked smile, "This isn't much of a problem for you. Isn't it unavoidable for people in middle age? My dad soaked a few jars of tiger penis medicinal wine. Shall I bring you some tomorrow when I come to work?"

"Hahaha." Li Huai laughed twice, then touched his somewhat bald forehead and said, "Then I won't avoid the doctor out of fear. Let's do as you say."

After Li Xuewu and Li Huai finished joking, he straightened his attitude and told him about the groundbreaking of the Red Star Commune the day after tomorrow.

"Li Kezhang Fu and I both mean to ask you to preside over the ceremony. After all, you are our supervisor. Besides, for such a big project, we can't hold the line without an important leader like you."

Li Huai considered it and felt there was no risk, so he nodded and said, "Since the cooperating units attach so much importance to it, we cannot fail to attach importance to it. Wouldn't that be despising brother units? Let's do this: do as you mean, and we'll set off together on Friday."

"Got it. Then I'll go prepare first. You stay busy."

"Hey, Xuewu, don't forget that matter."

Li Xuewu waved his hand, pulled the door open, and said, "Don't worry, I'll send it to you tomorrow morning."

After finishing this, just as he arrived at the office, he saw Han Yating standing in the office waiting for him.

"Li Kezhang, you're finally back."

"What's wrong? Did the sky fall?" Li Xuewu asked as he entered the room.

Han Yating placed a stack of documents on Li Xuewu's desk and said, "The sky didn't fall, but it's almost the same. Take a look."

Li Xuewu flipped through the documents in his hand, frowned, and asked, "Was this collected today? Why didn't I see you mention it just now?"

Han Yating said helplessly, "Our entire section, except for me, has been dispatched. They took the initiative to go deep among the masses, visited and investigated, and some even went to the neighborhood to investigate. This is it; the investigation results were just summarized."

Li Xuewu also frowned at the data on lost items. He hadn't heard of such a thing.

Even if there were more little brats now and the "Buddhas" (thieves) had come out of the mountains, there had to be a process. How could they all come to the Luoguxiang side at once?

"Is the data in here real? Did you ask at the station? If there are so many cases, stop investigating. Just go to the street and catch people. Shoot one for every one you catch; there will be fish that slip through the net."

Han Yating said embarrassedly, "Ren An went to ask. It's the Luoguxiang side that has the most cases. It might have something to do with the living environment. The places where our workers live are all small alleys, and the walls aren't high, so it's easy for people to get in."

If one were to say that people don't pick up lost items on the road now, that really wouldn't be a lie. The current situation is that a certain group is quite jumpy. If you ask Li Xuewu, it's just that they are all idle. If everyone had a job, it wouldn't be like this.

"You start investigating what you can. Broadcast the progress of the case handling at the factory radio station as usual every day, and see how much information you collect."

"Li Kezhang."

Han Yating clearly disagreed with Li Xuewu's opinion. She walked to Li Xuewu's desk and said in a low voice, "This data is too ugly. If it's published, it will affect you and the Security Section."

"Besides, there are 10 people in our section. Except for those on duty, how many cases can we handle? If we can't solve the cases for a long time, we'll be passive."

Li Xuewu frowned and said, "If you don't publish it, no one will know? There won't be any impact? You won't be passive?"

Knowing that Han Yating meant well, Li Xuewu then said in a low voice, "If there's pus, don't be afraid to pick it. Our Security Section is here to do this. If the masses have difficulties, we can't hide them. That's not the style of our Security Section."

Li Xuewu stood up and said to Han Yating, "Don't be afraid of the number of people reporting cases, and don't be afraid of the low number of solved cases."

"The more cases there are, the more credit there is. The low number of solved cases is also temporary. Catching one person might solve many cases. Where do so many bad people come from in the world?"

Li Xuewu picked up his car keys, put the data into his bag, and said, "It's impossible for all the bad people in the city to be concentrated in our Luoguxiang, right?"

"It's fine. Broadcast as you should, and solve cases as you should."

As he spoke, Li Xuewu carried his bag and left the room. Because of Li Xuewu's part-time job, no one cared if he was late or left early.

Because no one cared when Li Xuewu worked overtime on Sunday either.

Li Xuewu rode his bike and headed straight for the station at Jiaodaokou.

Just as he entered the courtyard, he saw Shen Fang talking to someone in the courtyard. Seeing Li Xuewu enter, Shen Fang waved at him and said, "Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives. Come quickly."

Li Xuewu didn't know what was going on yet. Just as he parked his bike, he was pulled by Shen Fang and introduced.

"This is the Li Xuewu I told you about, Station Chief Li. He is both the Li Kezhang of the Security Section of the steel mill and the Deputy Station Chief of our Jiaodaokou station."

"This is Station Chief Duan of Beixinqiao, Duan Youting."

Li Xuewu knew what Shen Fang meant by introducing this person to him. It seemed to be about last night.

"Hello, Station Chief Li. Nice to meet you."

Seeing Duan Youting greet him politely and courteously, Li Xuewu also reached out and shook Duan Youting's hand, saying, "We're all in the same system, so don't be polite."

Li Xuewu not taking the initiative to reach out also represented his attitude. One was the status of the steel mill; the Security Section was much more comfortable than the neighborhood station, so there was no need to curry favor with the station at all.

Another thing was that Duan Youting was in the wrong, so it was only right for Duan Youting to reach out and greet him first.

"Looking at Station Chief Li, we feel like we're getting old and are going to be slapped on the beach."

Shen Fang smiled and looked at Li Xuewu, saying, "It's rare to see such a young deputy station chief. Let's go, let's chat in the room. Don't stand outside; it's freezing."

"Hahahaha."

The three of them let each other into Shen Fang's office. Shen Fang wanted to be a peacemaker, so he had to shed some blood, pouring a cup of tea for both Li Xuewu and Duan Youting.

The three of them were polite again, but Duan Youting was the first to apologize to Li Xuewu.

"I'm really sorry about last night. It was my failure to lead the team well, causing trouble for our Station Chief Li."

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and looked at Shen Fang, asking, "How was it handled last night?"

Duan Youting saw that Li Xuewu was even more arrogant than Shen Fang. It turned out that this guy had caught people and didn't interrogate them at all, nor did he care.

Shen Fang frowned and said, "I've already reported the matter of Old Song and Xiao Mi to Station Chief Duan, and I've also stated our opinion. It's better to leave this matter to Station Chief Duan to handle."

Li Xuewu nodded and looked at Duan Youting, saying, "It's not that I'm making a mountain out of a molehill, but what happened last night was very bad. I won't say unpleasant things, but this is the first time I've seen someone dare to intercept a prisoner transport vehicle, and I can guarantee it's the last time I'll see it."

Duan Youting already knew from Shen Fang that this was a ruthless person who had been registered by the bureau, so he knew that the words this kid said weren't to scare him.

"Station Chief Li, you are right to criticize. The two of them have already started solitary confinement when they went back last night. This matter must be deeply reflected upon and seriously examined. I also guarantee to you that Beixinqiao will not have such people again."

Shen Fang handed cigarettes to both Li Xuewu and Duan Youting, and then said to Li Xuewu, "Old Duan and I were in the same station originally, joined the team together, and were promoted together. It hasn't been easy. Look, let Old Duan handle this matter. I believe in Old Duan's character; he won't favor them."

Li Xuewu took a puff of his cigarette and said, "I have no opinion, but this matter must also be paid attention to. Many cases are handled half-heartedly because of the carelessness of our case handlers, leaking the wind."

Regarding Li Xuewu's choice of words, Shen Fang and Duan Youting had nothing to laugh about; that was just how it was.

"What did those armed robbers say?" Li Xuewu took out the investigation report from his bag and placed it on the table, asking.

Hearing Li Xuewu's characterization, Duan Youting frowned, and Shen Fang's face also stiffened.

Armed robbery could carry the death penalty at its highest. If Xiao Song were really shot for this charge, Old Song would have to jump into the river.

"Xuewu, I asked Xiao Song. Robbing your cigarettes is indeed wrong, but if he really goes in with this charge, I'm afraid this kid will be ruined."

"That's right. We've also checked the backgrounds of these people thoroughly. They're just half-grown kids who have nothing to do at home and are running around, which is why they caused trouble."

There will always be human relationships in this world, which is something Li Xuewu cannot avoid.

"You checked them, so you know they haven't committed crimes? But the tools they were carrying could commit crimes at any time. Running around the street with those things, you call that having nothing to do? Do you guys also carry machine guns out for a stroll when you have nothing to do?"

Seeing Li Xuewu get angry, Duan Youting's face turned red instantly. Li Xuewu's words were indeed unpleasant.

Shen Fang waved his hand and said, "Isn't this a discussion? Don't be so angry."

Li Xuewu slapped the investigation report in front of Shen Fang and said, "Take a look at this first, then touch your police badge and discuss it with me."

Seeing that Li Xuewu was being impolite, Shen Fang also frowned and picked up the document Li Xuewu had slapped over.

This look made his frown even deeper.

"Is this true?"

"What do you think?" Li Xuewu replied impolitely.

Duan Youting took the document Shen Fang handed over and looked at it, also frowning.

"The number of fighting cases is so high, and they're all after work. This destruction and theft, and robbery? This is rebellion, isn't it?"

Li Xuewu took a puff of his cigarette and said, "Look at who is fighting and robbing. Do you still think those kids carrying tools on the street are just strolling?"

"But this... we did interrogate them. They all just graduated this year and are waiting for assignments at home. They have no contact with the outside world."

"You know if they have contact? Do you think I have something to say just because I put people in the station for interrogation?"

Seeing that Li Xuewu was dissatisfied, Shen Fang was also anxious. He interrogated this case, and Duan Youting, who rushed over last night, interrogated it again.

Li Xuewu looked at Shen Fang and said, "Did you ask about the bicycle I told you to ask about? Now a big 28-inch bike costs at least 120. Are their fathers all that rich?"

"This..."

Li Xuewu stood up, pointed at Shen Fang, and said, "Think about the reason for the bankruptcy of your plan. Let me tell you, with this attitude of yours, don't think about asking me for ideas in the future. Whether you manage public security or not is up to you; don't come to me in the future."

As he spoke, Li Xuewu pinched out the cigarette butt, threw it into the ashtray, took the investigation report on the table, put it in his bag, and was about to leave.

Shen Fang couldn't stop him even if he wanted to. Seeing that Li Xuewu was angry, he didn't dare to stop him.

Watching Li Xuewu ride his bike out of the courtyard gate, Shen Fang stomped his feet in anxiety.

Duan Youting frowned and said, "Is this Station Chief Li so difficult to talk to?"

Shen Fang glared at Duan Youting and said, "If you don't want to handle this matter, then send Old Song and Xiao Mi back to me, otherwise don't blame me for falling out with you."

"So serious? Old Shen!"

Duan Youting called Shen Fang, wanting to ask about the truth, but Shen Fang pushed Duan Youting aside, pulled open the office door, and shouted at Old Xing, "Xing Yichun, hang those few kids on the wall. Whoever doesn't confess today doesn't get to come down."

Old Xing pulled open the duty room door and saw the station chief's order, but still asked hesitantly, "All of them?"

Shen Fang shouted, "Can't you understand human speech?"

"Okay, got it. I'll do it right away."

Old Xing hurriedly agreed and ran toward the detention room, afraid of being sprayed by the station chief if he was a minute late.

Duan Youting stood in the office and heard Shen Fang's order, also feeling bitter. He pulled Shen Fang and said, "Is it necessary? We know them well. Xiao Song grew up under our eyes."

Good brother:

This is the second additional chapter for today,

Please vote for monthly tickets,

Please reward,

Wuwuwu,

Liver it, liver it~