Chapter 34: A Three-Day Deadline? No! I Will Solve the Case in One!

As Zou Mingyi’s voice trailed off, the dozen or so criminal investigators nearby dared not even draw a full breath; the silence was chilling. Everyone present understood clearly that Zou Mingyi, the county secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, was deeply dissatisfied with Qin Chuan, the newly appointed deputy captain of the Criminal Investigation Brigade. This was a deliberate attempt to set a trap for him.

Zhou Xuexi saw it clearly, too. Not only did he see it, but he also understood why Zou Mingyi was acting this way. At the end of the day, this matter had nothing to do with Qin Chuan personally. Zou was not dissatisfied with Qin; after all, the man had just been a precinct officer until today and had no history or conflict with him. What Zou was truly dissatisfied with was Zhou’s own total alignment with County Magistrate Chen Mingguang. But what choice did Zhou have? He had been promoted by Chen; he could hardly turn around and align himself with Zou. Therefore, Zhou knew he had to step forward to support Qin Chuan.

"Secretary Zou, the investigation has only just begun. I think it would be better to see how the preliminary findings turn out before setting a deadline for solving the case." Although Zhou did not fear Zou, the man was still the secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, so he kept his tone diplomatic.

To his surprise, Zou Mingyi remained unyielding. "Director Zhou, the deadline is not my personal whim. When I left the discussion meeting just now, Secretary Gao gave explicit instructions: three days! The case must be solved within three days!"

Three days? A cold shiver ran through the investigators. In three days, you wouldn't even be able to catch a cunning petty thief, let alone a murderer who had decapitated his victim. Was this person someone to be trifled with? As the secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, Zou was well aware of the standard procedures for criminal investigations and knew that three days was an unreasonable demand. However, as he had stated, this was Secretary Gao’s order. He was merely here to oversee the operation and deliver the message. If they had complaints, they could take them up with Secretary Gao.

Zhou Xuexi’s face turned pale. He realized this was another strike by Gao Qingshan’s faction against Chen Mingguang, using this homicide as a pretext. In truth, faced with such an irrational requirement, Zou could have advocated for the police, but he clearly had no intention of doing so. If Zhou went directly to Gao Qingshan, it would not only be futile but would also paint him as someone who disregarded the "rules" and the "greater picture." After all, Secretary Gao had framed this demand in the interest of attracting investment to Zhulin County.

"Secretary Zou, since this is Secretary Gao’s order, our County Public Security Bureau will overcome the difficulties and carry it out resolutely," Zhou said, knowing that being overly confrontational would only hurt his own men. "However, could you perhaps speak to Secretary Gao and ask for a two-day extension? This is a homicide case, after all. We will do our absolute best to solve it."

Zou Mingyi glanced at Zhou, pondered for a moment, and then feigned reluctance. "Xuexi, I have no choice; Secretary Gao has issued an ultimatum... Sigh... Fine. I am the secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission; if I don't stand up for you, who will? Two days! I’ll give you two extra days. If Secretary Gao blames anyone, I’ll take the heat!"

He paused, looking from Zhou to Qin Chuan. "But! Five days from now, Xing'an City is holding an investment promotion conference here in Zhulin County. If the case isn't solved by then..."

While a single unsolved homicide wasn't enough to remove Zhou Xuexi, someone would eventually have to be the scapegoat. Though Zou didn't finish his sentence, everyone understood his implication. All eyes turned to Qin Chuan. Zhou had managed to secure two extra days; now it was up to Qin Chuan, the deputy captain in charge of the brigade, to state his position.

Qin Chuan felt the weight of a dozen pairs of eyes on him. He knew he had to speak. But who told them he needed three days to solve this case? When he had briefed Zou and Zhou earlier, he had only reported on his initial deployments. He hadn't mentioned the specific clues he had discovered at the crime scene. Those were his personal findings, which still needed to be cross-referenced with the reports from the other three squads before a comprehensive lead could be established. Yet, now, Zou was forcing him into a corner in front of everyone, demanding a statement.

*Heh.*

*Fine. I’ll make a statement.*

"Secretary Zou," Qin Chuan stepped forward, his uniform crisp and straight, meeting Zou’s gaze directly. "If the Criminal Investigation Brigade fails to solve the case within the stipulated time, I, Qin Chuan, will resign voluntarily!"

Zou Mingyi’s eyes lit up. This was exactly what he had been waiting for. In truth, Zou had no idea when the case would be solved, but the shorter the time limit, the greater the pressure. If Qin Chuan failed, Zou would have a legitimate reason to reorganize the leadership of the Criminal Investigation Brigade. By then, with Qin Chuan sidelined, neither Zhou nor Chen would be able to interfere, giving Zou complete control over the new appointments. It wasn't necessarily that he had a specific agenda, but holding the vital power of the Criminal Investigation Brigade in his own hands was always an appealing prospect.

"Captain Qin, the County Committee and I will be waiting for your triumphant return. But remember: five days! You only have five days!" With that, Zou turned to leave, his mission accomplished.

"Wait!"

Zou stopped and looked back at Qin Chuan with a mocking smile. "What is it, Captain Qin? Do you wish to retract your word?"

Qin Chuan shook his head. This wasn't a game; he wouldn't go back on what he had said. "Secretary Zou, if I resign voluntarily if the case isn't solved by the deadline... then what if the Criminal Investigation Brigade solves it ahead of schedule?" Qin Chuan’s eyes burned with intensity. "What happens then?"

*Oh?* Zou looked at Qin Chuan with newfound interest. Although he had been the one to authorize Qin’s assignment to the Changning Town Precinct, he had never actually met him before; he had simply been following orders from superiors. To be fair, Qin Chuan’s performance over the past month had been nothing short of eye-catching. Whether it was subduing the robber-murderer or arresting Sun Tao and Song Hui, his work had been exemplary. Zou actually appreciated Qin; he was driven, bold, and had the makings of a true policeman. Now that he dared to challenge him, Zou’s lips curled into a playful smirk. "And what do you propose?"

"At the very least, a collective Third-Class Merit!"

Zou did not hesitate. "Fine! I agree!" A collective Third-Class Merit was beyond the county's authority, but the Xing'an City Public Security Bureau could grant it. If the case were solved quickly, he could lobby for it; it wasn't impossible. As the county's Political and Legal Affairs secretary, he oversaw the police, prosecution, and courts in name, regardless of whether the bureau listened to him. If the case wasn't solved, he had Qin Chuan to take the fall. If it was, he could claim credit for his "excellent leadership."

"Thank you, Secretary Zou." Qin Chuan was sincere.

"Don't thank me yet, Comrade Qin. I'll be waiting for your good news at the County Committee in five days!"

"Wait!" Qin Chuan stopped him again.

"Is there anything else?"

Qin Chuan smiled, but his next words left everyone stunned.

"Secretary Zou, who said I needed three days, or even five?"

"Secretary Zou, just stay right there and wait for the good news! I’m going to solve this case today!"