Chapter 293: Promotion

"Hehehe."

Li Xuewu chuckled lightly: "People die for wealth, birds die for food. I don't think it's anything. The fatty who was caught also provided a person named Fu Zhanghua. I don't know the specific identity information, but he said this is the person who provided patrol team news to Zhu Laoba."

"What do you intend to do?"

Because Li Xuewu was the commander-in-chief, Shen Fang decided to listen to Li Xuewu's opinion.

Li Xuewu's thinking and brain were sharper than his and Duan Youting's. Just looking at the people squatting outside showed how powerful Li Xuewu was.

Li Xuewu rubbed his face and said: "Tonight, we must put Zhu Laoba under surveillance. The sooner we catch him, the better, so we can catch Fu Zhanghua as soon as possible. Also."

Li Xuewu pointed at Shen Fang and said: "That Hu Sihai you mentioned must also be put under surveillance as soon as possible. It would be best if we can arrest him tomorrow."

Shen Fang thought for a moment and said: "This matter can't be handled directly by my brother-in-law; he doesn't have shoulders broad enough to carry this credit."

"Hahahaha!"

Li Xuewu laughed for a while and then said: "Don't blame me for not thinking of you."

"Yes, yes, yes, I understand."

Shen Fang walked to the telephone on Director Wang's desk and stood still, saying: "This matter must be handled this way. We call Director Zheng. He said when he left today that he and Director Gao would be waiting for our news at the bureau, and if there's anything, we can call him to report."

Li Xuewu didn't speak, but waved at Shen Fang to indicate he should report it.

The call Shen Fang made was connected quickly, and he reported the clues the two had discovered to Director Zheng.

Director Zheng attached great importance to this case and told Shen Fang that he would contact the Xicheng Branch Bureau now, and later the Xicheng Branch Bureau would contact this side.

Putting down the phone, Shen Fang walked to Li Xuewu's side and sat down, saying: "It's better for this kind of thing to be communicated from above, saving us from passing the buck later. It also saves us from talking nonsense when we go over."

Li Xuewu nodded with a smile and said: "You know more about this than I do; I'll listen to you."

"If you want to praise me, praise me properly; don't be sarcastic."

Shen Fang cursed with a smile and then asked: "Is there anything else? I'm busy here too; I'm not as leisurely as you, the commander-in-chief."

"Heh, just finished talking about me, aren't you being sarcastic yourself?"

Li Xuewu pulled Shen Fang, who was about to stand up, and said: "Do you still remember the operation you didn't carry out last time?"

"You mean the Pigeon Market?"

"Mm-hmm."

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "Among these people tonight, there must be some who know about this. Pay attention during the interrogation."

Shen Fang was energized now and asked: "Aren't we going there now...?"

"Go there for what? To eat shit?"

Li Xuewu chuckled: "With such a big commotion tonight, they would have run away long ago. These people are the most cunning."

"Then you said..."

Li Xuewu said softly: "Don't worry about that side. That side is just the surface; we need to find the core, which is the modification department and warehouse we've been looking for."

"You mean the fencing warehouse?"

"Mm-hmm."

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "I don't believe that this net of fish tonight only caught a few stinky fish and rotten shrimp. All this robbery and theft—if there wasn't a profit network supporting it from behind, how did the stolen things disappear?"

"Take them home to use? How many legs do they have to pedal so many bicycles, so many radios? Even if you put one in every toilet, you couldn't display them all."

Shen Fang nodded and said: "That's really the case. I have to hurry and handle this."

"Wait."

Li Xuewu pressed Shen Fang down and said: "I haven't finished yet."

After pressing Shen Fang down, Li Xuewu continued: "Pay attention to where these people spend money during the interrogation."

"You mean?"

"Yes."

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "Wealth gained improperly is also lost improperly. I don't believe these people came just to make a living; there must be places for them to enjoy themselves and gamble."

Shen Fang smoothed out his train of thought, from the transmitters Zhu Laoba and Hu Sihai, to Fu Zhanghua and the planners behind him.

Then further down, the implementers caught now, then the fencing, and the gold-spending dens for eating, drinking, and playing.

"You are planning to wipe out everyone on this line."

"I said it."

Li Xuewu narrowed his eyes and said: "I'll hit anyone. They've all fallen into my hands; if I don't wipe them out, am I keeping them for the New Year?"

"Besides."

Li Xuewu leaned close to Shen Fang and nudged his stomach, saying: "You've just sat firmly in the position of station chief; if you don't make some achievements, how will you spend the New Year?"

"Fine, I'll notify the focus of interrogation in each office now. You have nothing else to do, right?"

"Hehehe."

Li Xuewu looked at Shen Fang, who wanted to stand but didn't dare, and said: "Nothing else. I'll wait in the courtyard. As long as you have news, I'll go catch people. I'll try to catch everyone tonight."

"Forget it."

Shen Fang smiled bitterly: "As long as there are people, you can never catch them all."

After sighing, Shen Fang said: "Alright, you wait for the phone here; I'm going to get busy. Call me if there's anything."

After greeting him, Shen Fang went out of the room.

It wasn't that Shen Fang was mocking Li Xuewu, nor was he jealous that Li Xuewu could sit here and wait for results.

It was just that Li Xuewu was truly the commander-in-chief of this operation and generally didn't need to participate in specific actions, just make decisions.

And the reason Li Xuewu had this privilege, becoming a strange phenomenon where a deputy station chief commanded a regular station chief, was Director Zheng's strong support.

There were many reasons for Director Zheng's support for Li Xuewu: Li Xuewu had professional action personnel in his hands, the cases and examples Li Xuewu had perfectly handled in the past, the thinking ability Li Xuewu showed when communicating with Director Zheng, etc.

The main reason was Li Xuewu's advanced vision and versatile thinking.

That was why Director Zheng supported Li Xuewu in letting go and fighting, never expecting Li Xuewu to create such a big scene for him.

And this still wasn't enough; he couldn't even contain Li Xuewu in Dongcheng and wanted to reach his hand into Xicheng.

"Right! I just want to reach my hand into your territory! Hahahaha!"

"I know, but the operation has already started. Now, being able to think of asking you, brother, to participate is something I coordinated with our Director Gao with great effort."

While talking, Zheng Fuhua glanced at Director Gao, who was sitting on the sofa in his office.

Gao knew Zheng Fuhua was joking and didn't take it seriously, sitting on the sofa with a smile, smoking.

"Hahahaha, that's what you say."

Zheng Fuhua deliberately didn't cover the receiver tightly and said to Director Gao with a smile: "Old Wang said you are always stingy and like to eat alone, hahahaha."

"Hahahahaha!"

Director Gao laughed loudly when he heard what Old Wang, the deputy director of the Xicheng Branch Bureau, said.

They couldn't help but be so happy; today was truly a face-saving day.

Zheng Fuhua put the receiver to his ear again and laughed: "Director Gao and I are both at the bureau today, just waiting for the operation of this case. I dare not say how many results, but at least ten trucks will be filled, hahahaha."

"I haven't forgotten. It's just that I was thinking of you. Seriously, recently, how many people have run over from your side to stir up trouble here? It's giving us a headache, so it's only right for you to put in some effort."

"Fine, I'll give you the phone now and let your people contact our action commander-in-chief."

"Hahaha, does such a small group of petty thieves need me to command? Not worth mentioning!"

"Just joking, that's it."

After finishing, Zheng Fuhua hung up the phone.

He picked up a cigarette from the table, lit one for himself, took a deep drag, walked to the sofa, sat down, and said: "This Wang Donglai is really a master who doesn't see a rabbit and doesn't release the hawk."

"Hahaha."

Director Gao smiled and said: "When Wang Donglai first entered the city, he still had a Shanxi accent. His ancestors were also in business. Could he lose any advantage with you?"

Zheng Fuhua didn't care and said: "This time, if he wants to take advantage, he has to beg me, haha."

Director Gao nodded with a smile and said: "You are a good talent scout, and your vision is truly acceptable."

"Hehehe."

Zheng Fuhua smiled and said: "It can be considered a lucky hit. I originally thought that the coordination work in residential areas with many workers was hard to do, so I thought of finding a security section chief from such a neighborhood to be this middleman, so it would be easier to talk. But who would have thought..."

"Hehehe."

Zheng Fuhua patted his thigh and said: "Only after the wild sand is blown away does the gold arrive. Talents also emerge from the marketplace."

"You underestimated the heroes of the world, didn't you?"

"Hahaha."

Zheng Fuhua nodded and said: "My vision was short-sighted. Now I really want to 'remedy' it a lot."

Seeing Director Gao looking at him with a smile, Zheng Fuhua said: "For today's operation, you've seen Li Xuewu's command ability, and you've also seen the execution and decisiveness of the special operation. Look at these elite soldiers under him."

"If you have something to say, just say it."

Director Gao said to Zheng Fuhua with a smile: "Our communication in work has always been frank. If you have any good suggestions, you can say them directly, and we can discuss them."

"It's like this."

Zheng Fuhua leaned his arm on the sofa armrest, moved closer to Director Gao, and said: "I was thinking if we could replicate this ability, let our action forces draw experience from Li Xuewu's side and get improved. Another thing."

Zheng Fuhua placed the sketch Li Xuewu drew when rescuing the hostage on the coffee table between the two.

"I want to expand and strengthen his power."

Director Gao took a drag of his cigarette, nodded, and said: "Tell me about the specific plan."

"First, the first one."

Zheng Fuhua explained: "I don't need to say anything about his command ability; you've seen it. I was thinking if we could raise his rank and have him take charge of security, operations, and special duties in the Dongcheng area. At the same time..."

Zheng Fuhua suggested: "I suggest that Comrade Li Xuewu come forward to integrate the security forces within our jurisdiction, improve security action capabilities and defense awareness. At the same time, I suggest improving the equipment level of our action forces and participating in the construction and training of the Miyun training ground."

"Mm."

Director Gao nodded and listened to Zheng Fuhua's suggestions, pondered for a while, and then asked: "Li Xuewu's personnel relationship is still at the steel mill, right?"

"Yes."

Seeing Zheng Fuhua nod, Director Gao said: "His deputy station chief position is a part-time job, which is irrelevant, but this deputy director of the security department can't be a part-time job, right?"

"The security department is our bureau's largest and most important department. He is currently the security section chief at the steel mill, right? If he takes the position of deputy director, it would be inverted."

"Furthermore, you said you want him to come forward to integrate security forces. I agree with this, and improving the security forces within the jurisdiction is also a good thing, but you also have to consider the willingness of other factories. After all, the independence of their security teams is also very high."

"Secondly, I agree with the training and equipment improvement of our action personnel you mentioned, but you also have to pursue practicality and cost. You know that managing this household is not easy for me."

"Yes, I have considered all these problems you mentioned."

Zheng Fuhua explained: "His personnel relationship is not hard to handle. After all, security forces have always been under our jurisdiction. They are all in one system; managing personnel relationships in two parts and being flexible is nothing."

"As for the problem of inverted positions, I considered it. This is also what I did on purpose, hehehehe."

Zheng Fuhua laughed twice and explained: "I call this: as long as the hoe is swung well, there is no corner that cannot be dug."

"Hahahaha!"

Director Gao laughed loudly at Zheng Fuhua's explanation and pointed at him.

"You are really cunning! Be careful that the leaders of the steel mill come to find you!"

"I'm not afraid; you are there to hold the front for me, hehehe."

After the two laughed for a while, Zheng Fuhua explained: "Leave the integration of security to him. Don't worry, as long as we bridge the gap and report on the steel mill's guard team and the Huaging guard team training at the steel mill, this fish will definitely take the bait."

"Another thing, Li Xuewu isn't a pushover. As long as he is given the authority, this matter will definitely be something those factories will rush to participate in."

While joking, Zheng Fuhua raised his eyebrows and said: "If this Li Xuewu really feels a sense of belonging and honor here, then the money for equipment doesn't need to be paid by us at all. The capabilities of these factories exceed your imagination."

When Zheng Fuhua said this, Director Gao's eyes lit up. He was very interested in getting things done without spending money.

It's really a case of not knowing the price of firewood and rice when you aren't the one managing the household. It's truly not easy for Director Gao to manage this household.

The entire bureau is waiting for equipment updates, business needs, case-handling funds, etc.

"This is all within your jurisdiction. I believe you have already thought about how to use him, so I will support you. It's almost New Year; let's discuss it at the meeting tomorrow and finalize this matter."

"Good."

Zheng Fuhua smiled and said: "I believe his ability will not only surprise us; wait and see Old Wang's joke. Old Wang's people should be contacting him by now."

"Hello? This is Jiaodaokou."

"Mm-hmm, yes."

"That's good, I'll wait for you here."

After finishing, Li Xuewu put the receiver on the landline and asked his godmother who walked in: "Is the ginger soup boiled? I'll have a bowl too; I caught a bit of a chill just now."

"Who told you to be so desperate?"

Director Wang glared at Li Xuewu, then turned to wave at the logistics staff outside the door and asked for a bowl of ginger soup.

"Come, drink it while it's hot, don't burn yourself."

"Thank you, Mom."

Li Xuewu smiled, took the ginger soup, walked to the sofa, sat down, and drank the ginger soup with a slurping sound.

Don't say, although there were many people in the courtyard and they were all people who made mistakes, the ginger soup boiled by the neighborhood kitchen wasn't discounted at all.

This mouthful of ginger soup went down, and the unique spicy taste of ginger rushed up from the stomach instantly.

This feeling was quite tricky; it insisted on coming out through the nostrils.

That spiciness!

The nose that was a bit blocked just now recovered instantly, and tears and snot all came out.

Director Wang found some paper for Li Xuewu from the office desk drawer.

"You are really something. Do you have a fever?"

"No, just my head is a bit heavy."

Li Xuewu's body was originally very strong, with quality far exceeding ordinary people, but that excessive blood loss caused a deficiency in his body's qi and blood.

Although he had been continuously treated with acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine by Li Shun, this wasn't something that could be recovered in a short time.

Under normal circumstances, it was fine, but once it exceeded the body's range, he would definitely catch a cold.

Isn't there an old saying: illness comes like a mountain collapsing, and illness goes like pulling silk.

Li Xuewu's body couldn't be treated by Western medicine; it could only be slowly adjusted by his father.

"Drink it quickly and go lie on the bed for a while."

There was a single bed in Director Wang's office for duty.

In this era, there was a duty system. There were no professional security guards in the unit, so employees had to take turns on night duty.

Especially leading cadres, who had to set a model and lead by example. The more it was a holiday, the more it was a hard day, the more it was the leading cadres on duty.

They didn't have to do anything, just sleep, and when the time came, get up and walk around to see if there were any special situations.

Li Xuewu said with a smile: "The people from the Xicheng Branch Bureau are coming to hold a meeting in a moment."

"Then you still have to sleep. Look at your face, what color is it? Hurry up!"

Seeing Li Xuewu's complexion was wrong, Director Wang urged Li Xuewu and went to the small bed to open the quilt.

This wasn't all; Director Wang added a few shovels of coal to the stove, thinking that if the room was warm, Li Xuewu would sleep comfortably.

Li Xuewu listened to his godmother's words, drank the ginger soup in the bowl in one gulp, and sweat instantly flowed down his forehead.

It must be said that in this cold weather, a bowl of ginger soup truly drives away the cold.

The sweat Li Xuewu shed wasn't hot sweat, but cold sweat.

Lying on the bed, he was covered by his godmother.

Before Director Wang could nag a few words, Li Xuewu's snoring started.

Turning back to look at Li Xuewu, Director Wang was both angry and distressed.

Because Li Shun helped Director Wang's daughter cure her illness, Director Wang treated the children of the Li family differently.

The eldest, Li Xuewen, was a bookworm; Director Wang liked him but couldn't get close.

The third, his personality was cowardly, usually very well-behaved; Director Wang didn't see much of him.

The fourth, Li Xue, was liked by her, but she was young and didn't see much of her either.

It was this second one, Li Xuewu, who was always causing trouble, and she had to see him at least once every day.

Old Man Zhang at the gate said that Li Xuewu was so mischievous that he could make flowers bloom.

There was nothing he couldn't play with, from tearing down people's spring couplets on New Year's Day when he was a child, to using a slingshot to hit cats and chickens, to using firecrackers to blow up poop, and so on.

When he caused trouble, usually Director Wang would clean him up first, and then Li Shun would clean him up again when he got home.

In this neighborhood, Director Wang would smooth over most of the things, and sometimes if it happened to be mealtime, it was truly a meal.

What made Director Wang like him was that this mischievous boy was loyal and once saved her daughter.

Another thing was that Li Xuewu was thick-skinned; he wasn't afraid of anyone teasing him and could talk to anyone, so Director Wang was closer to Li Xuewu than other children.

Now Director Wang's children were not by her side, and this Li Xuewu would go to her house to sit for a while every week. Every time he went, he didn't go empty-handed, always thinking about being filial to his godfather and godmother.

Seeing Li Xuewu wearing thin clothes to rescue people today, Director Wang couldn't say anything; how could she stop Li Xuewu from going?

Whose child isn't a child?

One's own child is one's own heart.

Director Wang wiped the sweat from Li Xuewu's forehead, walked to the table, sat down, and started reading the documents.

After more than an hour, Shen Fang brought two people in.

Because the screening work was being carried out in the neighborhood courtyard, Shen Fang didn't knock on the door as usual, appearing a bit casual.

But as soon as he entered, he saw Director Wang make a gesture to the three of them, pointing to Li Xuewu, who was snoring like thunder, and then said in a low voice: "Come in quietly, let him sleep a bit more; he probably caught a chill when rescuing people just now."

Shen Fang nodded and sat on the sofa with the two young men.

"Excuse me. Comrade Li Xuewu climbed a dozens-of-meters-high water tower barefoot in thin clothes just now to rescue a hostage, and he probably caught a chill."

After explaining, Shen Fang continued: "I'll brief you on the case first, and then Comrade Li Xuewu will communicate the specific action plan with you in a moment."

The two people from the Xicheng Branch Bureau were a small team leader of the criminal investigation team, Ma Wentao, and a small team leader of the security team, Lu Guoyuan.

"Understood, we are all comrades. If we don't understand our own people, who else can understand us?"

Ma Wentao said to Shen Fang with a smile: "Officer Shen has already briefed us on the case. Time is tight, so please issue the action plan."

Shen Fang nodded and said: "You all saw it when you came in. We are very serious about this cleanup operation in our jurisdiction."

"And we have an attitude toward the cases found in this operation: investigate to the end, and never tolerate."

Ma Wentao had already felt the point Shen Fang made. The two of them were the team leaders on duty today and were quite surprised when they received the leader's call, not expecting such a case to appear in their jurisdiction.

This wasn't about grabbing credit or anything, but feeling very embarrassed.

People at this time didn't have the concept of grabbing credit or indicators; now they pay more attention to honor and reputation.

Originally, the two were very dissatisfied with Dongcheng reaching its hand over, especially pressing cases from above.

And the leader emphasized cooperation, full cooperation, which gave them something to think about.

And after discussing for a while and driving to this side, they were completely shocked.

How big an operation was being carried out? Why were there so many people squatting in the courtyard?

Especially after entering the courtyard, the brightly lit courtyard was silent, while the offices with closed doors occasionally emitted sounds.

They were all old hands for many years; who didn't know what these sounds meant?

Li Xuewu also knew this, but he pretended not to know.

With so many people in the courtyard, if they conducted humanized interrogation one by one, they could forget about organizing the case quickly.

There were only so many people participating in the interrogation, and everyone was working around the clock; even an iron man couldn't take it.

This was why Director Zheng said he would send another batch of people to support in the morning.

"From the clues gathered so far, the multiple vicious crimes of theft, robbery, and infringement appearing in our jurisdiction are organized and premeditated, and are criminal activities with extreme harm led by a criminal group targeting our jurisdiction."

"From the existing interrogation records, there are nine theft criminal groups, with varying numbers of people, as many as eight and as few as three."

"The masterminds leading the theft groups are Zheng Lanjun, Yu Taiheng, Hong Fenglin, and others. They provide tools for the theft groups, gather personnel, and fence stolen goods."

"There are seven robbery criminal groups, with varying numbers of people, as many as five and as few as three."

"The masterminds leading the robbery groups are Zhu Changlin, Hu Dem

Director Wang wiped the sweat from Li Xuewu's forehead, walked to the table, sat down, and picked up the documents to read.

After more than an hour, Shen Fang walked in with two people.

Because the screening work was being conducted in the neighborhood courtyard, Shen Fang didn't knock on the door as politely as usual, appearing more casual.

But as soon as he entered, he saw Director Wang gesture to them, pointing at Li Xuewu, who was snoring loudly, and then whispered, "Speak quietly when you come in. Let him sleep a little longer; he probably caught a chill when he was rescuing people earlier."

Shen Fang nodded and sat on the sofa with the two young men.

"Please excuse us. Comrade Li Xuewu just climbed a tens-of-meters-high water tower in just a thin shirt and barefoot to rescue hostages; he might have caught a chill."

After explaining, Shen Fang continued, "I'll brief you on the case first, and then Comrade Li Xuewu will communicate the specific action plan with you in a while."

Two people came from the Xicheng Branch: Ma Wentao, a squad leader from the Criminal Investigation Team, and Lu Guoyuan, a squad leader from the Public Security Team.

"Understood. We are all comrades. If we don't understand our own people, who else can understand us?"

Ma Wentao smiled at Shen Fang and said, "Please tell us about this case. Our leadership attaches great importance to this case. Criminal investigation and public security have both pulled out two squads to participate in the investigation. This is a rare scene."

Shen Fang nodded and said, "You saw it when you came in. Our cleanup operation in the jurisdiction this time is very serious."

"Our attitude toward the cases uncovered in this operation is the same: investigate to the end, and never be lenient."

Ma Wentao had already felt the point Shen Fang was making. The two of them were the squad leaders on duty today, and they were quite stunned when they received the call from their leadership; they hadn't expected a case of this magnitude to appear in their jurisdiction.

It wasn't about stealing credit or anything like that, but rather feeling that they had lost face.

People at this time didn't have that talk of stealing credit or quotas; they cared more about honor and reputation.

Originally, the two of them were quite dissatisfied with the Xicheng District reaching its hands over, especially with cases being pushed down from above.

And the leadership emphasized cooperation—full cooperation—which gave them something to think about.

When the two of them discussed it for a while and drove over here, they were completely shocked.

How large an operation was this? Why were there so many people squatting in the courtyard?

Especially after entering the courtyard, the brightly lit courtyard was silent, while voices could be heard from time to time in the offices with closed doors.

They were all veterans of the trade; who didn't know what these sounds meant?

Li Xuewu knew about this too, but he pretended not to.

With so many people in the courtyard, if they conducted humane interrogations one by one, they could forget about organizing the case quickly.

There were only so many people participating in the interrogation, and everyone was working around the clock; even an iron man couldn't take it.

This was why Zheng Fuhua said he would send another batch of people over in the morning to support them.

"From the clues gathered so far, the many vicious crimes such as theft, robbery, and infringement appearing in our jurisdiction are organized and premeditated. It is a criminal activity led by a criminal group that is extremely harmful to our jurisdiction."

"From the existing interrogation records, there are nine criminal groups carrying out thefts, with varying numbers of people, ranging from eight to three."

"The masterminds leading the theft groups include Zheng Lanjun, Yu Taiheng, Hong Fenglin, and others. They provide the theft groups with tools, gather personnel, and fence stolen goods."

"There are seven criminal groups carrying out robberies, with varying numbers of people, ranging from five to three."

"The masterminds leading the robbery groups include Zhu Changlin, Hu Demao, and others. They provide the robbery groups with tools, gather personnel, fence stolen goods, and provide patrol times."

"And above Zheng, Yu, Hong, Zhu, Hu, and others, there are even more mysterious figures like Fu Changhua and Zhao Linglong, who serve as information support and money-laundering services."

"Zhao Linglong, as someone who was educated for engaging in prostitution, has not repented and has gathered idle personnel to continue engaging in related activities, organizing and providing gambling and other money-laundering venues."

Shen Fang finally emphasized, "What's even more vicious is that these people have already disrupted the public order in our jurisdiction, causing some young people to be induced onto a criminal path."

"Now, what we can clarify is that the criminal activities of these people have already expanded to the entire Xicheng District, so this time we must dig deep into the case. Even if the relevant criminal personnel run to the ends of the earth, we will bring them to justice."

Ma Wentao and Lu Guoyuan looked at each other, both shaken by the case reported by Shen Fang. This was a heaven-shaking major case.

Being able to participate in it naturally made them excited, but the pressure and responsibility that followed made them take it seriously.

"Station Chief Shen, we have understood the case. Now, as a brother unit, we also want to express our stance: we will fully cooperate with your operation this time. Please issue the action plan."

Shen Fang said sternly, "The overall commander of our operation this time is Comrade Li Xuewu. He has sharp instincts for case investigation and superb command skills. I hope our operation this time will be based on mutual understanding and mutual support, and that we will achieve final victory under the leadership of Comrade Li Xuewu."

It wasn't that Shen Fang was blowing Li Xuewu's horn; it was just that Li Xuewu was too impressive to Shen Fang. From the start of the case to now, everything had been within Li Xuewu's expectations.

This reminded Shen Fang of a person, a person famous throughout the country. In the war years, that person also planned strategies, calculating every battle again and again, controlling every possibility within his grasp. Some called him the "Actuary."

Now, Li Xuewu gave Shen Fang the same feeling as what he had heard about that person.

Ma Wentao and Lu Guoyuan looked at each other again, seeing surprise in each other's eyes.

Wasn't this Li Xuewu just a deputy station chief? Why was he being so highly praised by Shen Fang, the station chief?

Shen Fang didn't say anything more, but gestured to Director Wang to see if she could wake Li Xuewu up.

Director Wang also knew that they couldn't do without Li Xuewu at this time. Although it pained her to wake him up while he was sleeping so sweetly, work was work.

Director Wang frowned and walked to Li Xuewu's bedside, touching his forehead.

It was fine; his forehead wasn't hot. The cold sweat from drinking the ginger soup had dried, and now he was sweating hot sweat.

This was a sign that his body was returning to normal.

Director Wang gently shook Li Xuewu's arm.

"Xuewu, Xuewu, wake up."

"Hmm."

Li Xuewu's snoring stopped, and he answered in his nose, but his eyes still didn't open.

Although only one light was on in the room, it still felt dazzling to someone who had just woken up.

"Mom, what time is it?"

This address from Li Xuewu amused the three people sitting in the room; they thought Li Xuewu was still groggy and thought he was at his own home.

But to their surprise, Director Wang didn't correct Li Xuewu's mistake. Instead, she picked up a cup of warm water from the table, handed it to Li Xuewu, and said, "It's a quarter past three. Does your head still hurt?"

"A little, it's nothing."

Director Wang held Li Xuewu's hand as he took the cup, then explained, "Station Chief Shen has arrived with comrades from the Xicheng Branch and is waiting for you."

As soon as his godmother finished speaking, Li Xuewu opened his eyes, and then his eyes frowned at the stimulation of the ceiling light.

He squinted his dry eyes and blinked until tears came out.

Director Wang supported Li Xuewu's hand to steady the cup in his hand, fearing the water would spill.

She also supported the back of Li Xuewu's head to help him sit up.

"Sorry, I overslept."

Li Xuewu smiled embarrassedly, drank the water in the cup at his godmother's gesture, then stood up and said to Shen Fang, "Are these comrades from Xicheng?"

Seeing Director Wang's actions in taking care of Li Xuewu, plus Li Xuewu's attitude toward Director Wang, the three of them knew that Li Xuewu's "Mom" earlier probably wasn't a mistake.

Ma Wentao and the other man weren't familiar with Li Xuewu, so they only felt Li Xuewu's background.

Shen Fang knew Li Xuewu's family situation. Thinking back to Li Xuewu daring to act tough in this neighborhood, it turned out Li Xuewu had someone backing him.

Sure enough, Shen Fang thought with emotion, no one succeeds easily. Where does such wisdom and courage come from? It's nothing more than others handling heavy things as if they were light.

"Yes."

Shen Fang put away the thoughts that flashed through his mind, stood up, and introduced to Li Xuewu, "This is Captain Ma Wentao of the Xicheng District Criminal Investigation Squad, and this is Captain Lu Guoyuan of the Xicheng District Public Security Squad."

After the introduction, he introduced to Ma Wentao and the other man, "This is Comrade Li Xuewu."

"Hello."

"Hello."

Li Xuewu shook hands with the two of them separately and then invited them to sit down.

"Thank you for coming. We are in urgent need of help from our comrades in Xicheng."

"It's our duty. Public security across the world is one family."

Ma Wentao nodded and said, "Station Chief Shen has already briefed us on the case. Time is urgent; please decide on the action plan."

Seeing the two of them nod, Li Xuewu didn't stand on ceremony anymore and took the document Shen Fang handed over to look at it.

It was as he had expected, only that as the interrogation progressed, new personnel had appeared.

"Let's split up."

Li Xuewu took the cigarette Shen Fang handed him, let Shen Fang light it, and continued, "Station Chief Shen, please work hard. Take the Public Security Section, Old Xing, and the others to find these five people with Captain Ma and Captain Lu. Once discovered, catch them if you can; if you can't, contact me to catch them."

"I'll lead the team to block this Zhao Linglong first, and then go find this warehouse. Today is the 15th; try to catch the people within today and tomorrow, and then start the case-handling procedures."

"Yes!"

All three agreed, stood up, and walked out.

Shen Fang handed over the work here to Duan Youting, took Han Yating and the personnel from the Public Security Section, and got into a patrol car assigned by Li Xuewu, following the jeep Ma Wentao had driven over.

Li Xuewu sat in the office and finished his cigarette before walking out with the documents in his hand.

The courtyard was a bit more spacious than when he came in, because those who had finished interrogation had been sent to the Jiaodaokou station for detention in waves.

Just as he walked out, he saw someone coming out of the office. Li Xuewu saw it was Han Zhan.

"Li Kezhang."

"Hmm, I was just looking for you."

Han Zhan walked toward Li Xuewu and said, "I was just looking for you too."

"Oh, then you speak first."

Li Xuewu stood still, tightened his clothes, and smiled as he tossed a cigarette to Han Zhan.

Han Zhan took Li Xuewu's cigarette without smoking it, tucked it behind his ear, and then pulled a letter from his pocket and handed it to Li Xuewu.

"Li Kezhang, the female comrade you rescued asked me to give this to you. She said since you were resting, she went back first."

Li Xuewu took the letter and looked at it; it was just a folded piece of paper with "Thanks to Comrade Li Xuewu" written on the cover.

He didn't open it, just tucked it into his pocket and asked, "Anything else?"

Seeing Li Xuewu's action, Han Zhan smiled, then straightened his expression and asked, "Are we bringing our security guards back today?"

"Hmm."

Li Xuewu pondered for a moment and then asked, "Is the cleanup of suspects here almost done?"

Han Zhan nodded and said, "The progress isn't slow. More than forty people have been transferred and escorted, and there are less than a hundred left to be interrogated."

"In that case, you take the people from the Security Section back first. Pay attention to the confidentiality regulations."

"Yes."

Han Zhan agreed and then asked, "What was it you said you needed me for earlier?"

"Hmm."

Li Xuewu nodded and said, "I didn't think about the Security Section's business earlier. It's nothing now; I'll have Wei Tong handle it."

Knowing Li Xuewu had a task, but the people in the Security Section couldn't be moved easily, Han Zhan agreed and ran to the dormitory area where people were resting to call Wei Tong.

Li Xuewu went to the office area that was temporarily serving as an interrogation room to take a look.

Because it was already late at night, the people caught had no energy left, and the interrogators had no patience, so the tempers in the interrogation room were a bit high.

Li Xuewu found Duan Youting, who was summarizing interrogation reports and doing preliminary reviews and organization.

"Old Duan, the comrades' tempers are a bit high. Rotate them appropriately and let them rest."

Seeing Li Xuewu come in, Duan Youting put down his work and walked over.

"There are nearly a hundred people left to be interrogated. The comrades' workload is very heavy. Necessary means are still needed. I've been watching; there won't be any problems."

Li Xuewu flipped through the interrogation records and saw that the people caught had already been categorized by Duan Youting.

Robbery groups, theft groups, "tough guys," pickpockets, and local neighborhood personnel.

The "pickpockets" here were those who stole, but they were classified separately by Duan Youting.

Li Xuewu understood this; it was to distinguish the nature of the crimes.

Pickpockets were those old thieves who acted alone.

Theft groups were those who combined for a purpose to sneak over and carry out thefts; these people specifically targeted valuable items in homes like bicycles and radios.