Chapter 31: Captain Qin, it’s a disaster! There’s been a murder!

Qin Chuan was well aware of Zhang Jun’s hidden thoughts.

At the Changning Town Police Station, aside from his own team of five, Wang Xuebing was a native of Changning. Having spent his entire life in this place, leaving or staying made little difference to him. He had transferred from the military years ago, and with his limited academic qualifications, reaching the position of station chief was the peak of his career.

Hu Jianguo was older and only a few years away from retirement; he had no desire to stir up trouble. Although the Changning Town Police Station had a small staff, it meant a lighter workload, which suited his desire for a quiet life.

As for Sun Bingkun, though young, he seemed to have no aspirations for a political career. His mind was occupied with only one thing: marrying Zhang Xiaojuan. And Zhang Xiaojuan, content with the status quo, had no interest in leaving Changning Town either.

That left only Zhang Jun.

Qin Chuan planned to get familiar with the situation at the Criminal Investigation Brigade and then arrange for Zhang Jun’s transfer. After all, being in a new environment at the Brigade, it would be convenient to have someone he knew and trusted by his side.

July 15th, sunny.

A week had passed since the official appointment notice. With the public posting period passing without any issues, Qin Chuan was ready to officially take office.

Early in the morning, Qin Chuan appeared at the entrance of the County Public Security Bureau, prepared to report to Zhou Xuexi. At the gate, he spotted a middle-aged man wearing an eyepatch and greeted him with a smile, "Morning, Brother Wang!"

The guard at Zhulin County was a long-serving auxiliary police officer who had lost an eye in the line of duty five years prior, leading to his assignment at the gate. Qin Chuan truly respected him and was well aware of his history.

Wang Lin was surprised that Qin Chuan had taken the initiative to greet him. The news about this formidable Captain Qin had been spreading through the bureau for days. He had joined the force only a month ago, had already performed two meritorious deeds, and was now promoted to Deputy Captain of the Criminal Investigation Brigade. Even though he was a deputy, everyone knew there was no practical difference; he held the title of "officer in charge." That such a rising star would remember him meant one of two things: either Qin Chuan was a genuinely humble and decent person, or he still remembered the contributions Wang Lin had made to the bureau.

"Morning, Captain Qin!"

"Director Zhou arrived early and is currently in his office having tea. It’s the second office on the left after you go up the stairs to the third floor."

This was the advantage of having worked in the institution for a long time; one knew the leaders' habits and preferences by heart. Qin Chuan thanked him and walked into the office building. He had only been here once before in his previous life, back when he first reported for duty. Now, he found himself visiting every few days.

Standing at the door of Zhou Xuexi’s office, Qin Chuan adjusted his collar and announced in a clear voice, "Report!"

"Come in."

Qin Chuan pushed the door open. Sure enough, Zhou Xuexi was busy brewing tea.

Qin Chuan gave a sharp salute. "Report to the Director, Qin Chuan is here to report for duty!"

Seeing it was Qin Chuan, Zhou Xuexi quickly set down his teacup. "Haha, Xiao Qin... no, no, I should call you Captain Qin now. No need for such formalities here. In the future, just walk right into my office; no need to salute."

"Come, have a cup of tea. I just brewed some Dahongpao."

At this moment, Zhou Xuexi showed none of the airs of a director, chatting as if he were talking to a younger family member, without mentioning work at all. "Once Deputy Director Lin and Political Commissar Weilin arrive, we will go to the Criminal Investigation Brigade together to announce your appointment."

"Thank you for your concern, Director Zhou."

Qin Chuan accepted the teacup with both hands and took a gentle sip. After a casual chat, Deputy Director Lin Hu and Political Commissar Li Weilin arrived. Half an hour later, they reached the Criminal Investigation Brigade.

Zhou Xuexi personally read the appointment document.

"Please rest assured, Bureau Committee, I will live up to the organization’s training, unite my comrades, learn with an open mind, strive to maintain the social stability and long-term peace of Zhulin County, and safeguard the lives and property of the people!"

After Qin Chuan made his brief statement, Zhou Xuexi and the others departed. Before leaving, Zhou Xuexi patted Qin Chuan on the shoulder with earnest advice: "Work hard! We all have high hopes for you!"

The County Criminal Investigation Brigade was located in the northwest corner of the county, housed in a separate two-story building. After seeing off Zhou Xuexi and the others, Qin Chuan, surrounded by three squadron leaders and accompanied by another deputy captain, entered his office.

"Captain Qin, this was Song Hui’s office. We’ve already replaced all the furniture. Please take a look; if there’s anything you’re dissatisfied with, I’ll have them adjust it." The speaker was Cao Tianrun, the existing Deputy Captain of the Criminal Investigation Brigade.

The leadership of the Criminal Investigation Brigade was structured with two captains and two deputies. Both the Captain and the Political Commissar positions were deputy section-level, but both were currently vacant. Cao Tianrun was one of the two deputy captains. Qin Chuan wasn't particularly familiar with him, but he had heard of him in his previous life—a veteran who had been a criminal investigator for over twenty years.

In fact, after Song Hui’s downfall, Cao Tianrun had been qualified to take over. He hadn't expected someone to be parachuted in—Qin Chuan—who, although also a deputy captain, was specifically tasked with "being in charge of work." Even if Cao Tianrun was unhappy, he had to keep it to himself.

Song Hui’s former office was the largest in the entire building, nearly one hundred square meters. It featured a five-meter-long rosewood desk and a large executive chair. New tea sets were displayed on the coffee table, and the high-end leather sofa still carried the distinct scent of new leather. In 2010, there was no talk of exceeding office space standards yet, but Song Hui’s office was indeed excessively large.

Qin Chuan looked around without commenting and instead asked, "Where is Deputy Captain Cao’s office?"

"Oh, my office is right next door."

"Perfect. Let’s take a tour of the offices; I’d like to familiarize myself with the team’s work."

Cao Tianrun and the three squadron leaders were slightly taken aback, unsure of what Qin Chuan was planning. But they followed the leader's instructions.

"Captain Qin, the first floor houses the archives, the evidence room, the detention cells, and the interrogation rooms."

"Office spaces and the police equipment room are on the second floor..."

Cao Tianrun led the way with the three squadron leaders following. Qin Chuan visited every office. It took over an hour to get familiar with the entire compound.

"Captain Qin, is there anything else you need for your office?" Cao Tianrun asked again.

"Captain Cao, let’s forget about that office. We are both deputy captains. I see there’s an empty office next to yours; I’ll work from there."

Qin Chuan couldn't quite read Cao Tianrun’s intentions, but caution was always a safe bet. The office Song Hui had used was meant for the Brigade Captain. Although Qin Chuan was in charge of operations, his rank was still that of a deputy captain. It was more appropriate to have an office of the same size as Cao Tianrun’s.

Cao Tianrun waved his hands hurriedly. "Captain Qin, you are in charge of operations now; it’s only right that you use that office. Besides, in a year at most, the 'in charge' title will be removed, and then..."

"Captain Cao, as you said, that’s a year away. Let’s talk about it then."

"Captain Qin..."

Cao Tianrun wanted to persist, but Qin Chuan interrupted him: "Captain Cao, it’s decided. I’m new here. In an hour, let’s hold a meeting in the conference room so I can get a better understanding of the work."

With that, Qin Chuan walked directly into his chosen office.

"Captain Cao..." The three squadron leaders looked at each other. This new deputy captain was very cautious. It seemed the days ahead might not be easy.

Compared to Cao Tianrun and the three squadron leaders, the person having the hardest time in the Criminal Investigation Brigade was the forensic doctor, Chen Guangzu. He was the one who had examined Dong Zhijun’s body and had even clashed with Qin Chuan at the county hospital morgue. And now, just a few days later, the man had transformed into the Deputy Captain.

In his office, Qin Chuan rubbed his slightly throbbing temples. His walk-through of the Criminal Investigation Brigade hadn't been a whim. He had activated his "Eye of Sin" and scanned some of the staff. The results were quite good. Overall, the team’s quality was decent. Their "sin values" were not high, and even the few who appeared in red did not exceed ten points.

*Bang!*

He had only been resting for half an hour, preparing to head to the meeting, when his office door was suddenly pushed open.

Qin Chuan looked up to see Lu Zhiguo, the captain of the First Squadron.

"Captain Qin, it’s bad! A murder has been committed!"