Chapter 54: Qinchuan's Explanation Involves Handcuffing People

Duan Chunguang’s decision to come here, and his appearance at the vocational high school precisely when the playground excavation yielded nothing, was not entirely a coincidence.

When Jiang Xue jumped from the building, someone had already reported it to him.

When Qin Chuan started digging up the playground, Duan Chunguang knew about it as well.

However, what did that have to do with Duan Chunguang?

If Qin Chuan had not arrested Song Yaozong last night and was merely an ordinary police officer winning merits and awards, Duan Chunguang wouldn't have even bothered to spare him a glance.

But things were different now. He was entirely unaware of Qin Chuan’s background.

Duan Chunguang had climbed from a village head to his current position by being exceptionally cautious, muddying the waters, and offending no one.

He had never once participated in the turf wars between Gao Qingshan and Chen Mingguang.

His appearance today was at the behest of Gao Qingshan, who had called and asked him to come take a look.

With some members of the county committee slated to retire by the end of the year, the position of executive deputy county magistrate would soon become vacant.

Whether the title of executive could be prefixed to his current title of deputy county magistrate depended heavily on Gao Qingshan's influence.

When Gao Qingshan had subtly hinted at this matter, Duan Chunguang knew that if he failed to show some cooperation, the executive position would likely slip through his fingers.

"Reporting to County Magistrate Duan, the Criminal Investigation Brigade is conducting a first-round clearance of the vocational high school's playground based on reliable intelligence. This round is now complete, and we are about to begin the second round."

Qin Chuan stood at attention and saluted. Since your attitude is strictly by the book, then mine will be too.

In short, he would leave no room for anyone to exploit protocol against him.

While Qin Chuan’s case-handling style was indeed swift and decisive, it did not mean he intended to make enemies of everyone.

"County Magistrate Duan, he is merely quibbling! If nothing is found in the first round, and nothing in the second, are they going to dig a third?"

Li Guofa's heart was practically pounding out of his chest now.

Only two people knew about what happened back then, and the other person certainly wouldn't betray him—after all, that person was implicated as well.

If they kept digging, they might actually unearth something.

When that time came, he wouldn't even know how he died.

Therefore, Li Guofa tried every means to obstruct them.

However, how could Qin Chuan grant his wish?

The information provided by the Eye of Sin could not possibly be wrong.

Even if he had to dig three feet into the ground today, he was going to find Zhao Yongzhi's remains.

"Principal Li, you cannot speak of it that way."

Qin Chuan pointed toward the playground. "Three years ago, vocational school teacher Zhao Yongzhi went missing without a reason. Now that we finally have a few clues, why are you always raising objections and stalling?"

"Could it be, Principal Li... that Zhao Yongzhi's disappearance has something to do with you?"

Li Guofa’s face instantly tightened with panic. "You... talking nonsense!"

"County Magistrate Duan, look at this, Qin Chuan is slandering me."

Duan Chunguang coughed lightly. "Captain Qin, unless you have evidence, do not make such claims."

"Yes, County Magistrate Duan."

Qin Chuan had no conflict with Duan Chunguang, and since the man was a superior, showing courtesy could do no harm.

"Principal Li, whether anything can be dug up from beneath this playground is not for you to decide, nor is it for me."

"But we must dig to find out."

"You are obstructing me and refusing to let me continue digging, which is fine by me."

"The crucial point is that you must consider County Magistrate Duan. With the leadership present, we must ensure the truth comes to light and conduct a thorough investigation."

"Otherwise, if this isn't cleared up today and something else blows up in the future..."

"Aren't you digging a pit for County Magistrate Duan to fall into?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Duan Chunguang’s gaze swept over with a hint of hesitation.

Qin Chuan was right. If there truly was something buried beneath the playground and he let it go unresolved today, what if a scandal erupted later?

Even if he jumped into the Yellow River, he wouldn't be able to wash himself clean.

At best, he would be slapped with the charge of negligence in supervision.

"No, no! County Magistrate Duan, please listen to me, I didn't mean that, really—" Li Guofa's eyes glazed over in confusion as he pointed a trembling finger at Qin Chuan. "You, you... you!"

You what you.

Qin Chuan walked right up to Duan Chunguang. "County Magistrate Duan, my source of information is extremely reliable."

"Please give me a little more time, and I will surely bring the truth of this case to light."

Hearing this, Duan Chunguang did not reply immediately.

Qin Chuan knew the man was doing it on purpose, waiting for a commitment from him.

If they found something, they would handle it accordingly.

But if they found nothing...

Then you, Qin Chuan, had better have a good explanation.

"County Magistrate Duan, rest assured. If we find nothing, I will shoulder all responsibility!"

Only then did Duan Chunguang nod. This was precisely the promise he was waiting for.

As long as someone was willing to take the blame, everything else was easy to handle.

However, before he could voice his agreement, a sarcastic challenge rang out from behind.

"Captain Qin, those words come far too easily. If you find nothing, how exactly do you plan to shoulder the responsibility?"

Qin Chuan turned his head to look. The speaker was a balding middle-aged man wearing a gray short-sleeve shirt.

Who the hell was this? Where did you come from to butt in?

"Captain Qin, that is Deputy Director Zhao of the Organization Department."

Knowing that Qin Chuan might not recognize the man, Lu Zhiguo immediately whispered a reminder.

Ah...

That explained everything.

He had arrested the man's daughter this morning, and now the father had come to settle the score.

Yet, while he could exchange verbal jabs with others, did someone with the surname Zhao have the qualifications to speak to him like this?

Eye of Sin.

Zhao Yunhu, Sin Value: 44. Twenty years ago, he assumed someone else's identity to attend college. Five years ago, he hired his nephew to murder the person whose identity he had stolen, and aided his daughter Zhao Zhenzhen in covering up school bullying, the disfigurement of a classmate, and other crimes.

"Lu Zhiguo, cuff this bald bastard for me!"

What?

Not only was Zhao Yunhu dumbfounded, but Duan Chunguang, Li Guofa, Liang Kai, and Lu Zhiguo—who had just received the order—were all utterly stunned.

On what grounds were they putting cuffs on someone just like that?

Zhao Yunhu burst into mocking laughter. "Qin, who do you think you are? You think you can cuff whoever you want?"

"I don't think I'm anyone special, but cuffing you is more than enough."

"Captain Lu, why aren't you moving?"

The pressure instantly shifted onto Lu Zhiguo.

The current situation was absurd: Qin Chuan, a low-ranking deputy captain of the criminal police, wanted him to cuff the deputy director of the county committee's Organization Department right in front of the deputy county magistrate and a member of the county bureau's party committee!

What should he do?

Carry it out?

His future would likely be ruined.

Disobey...

Lu Zhiguo recalled everything Qin Chuan had done from last night until now.

Solving a murder case within an hour, slapping handcuffs directly onto Song Yaozong without hesitation.

And just this morning, risking his life by jumping off a rooftop to save Jiang Xue!

Screw it!

Damn it, you only live once.

With a leader like this, I, Lu Zhiguo, will do it!

Years later, when someone asked Lu Zhiguo—who had by then become the Director of the Provincial Public Security Department—what the most correct decision of his life was,

he would answer without a single moment of hesitation: that night, following Captain Qin's order and arresting a man named Zhao Yunhu.

*Click!*

"Deputy Director Zhao, my apologies."

Showing no resistance whatsoever, Zhao Yunhu was handcuffed by Lu Zhiguo and brought with raised hands directly before Duan Chunguang.

"County Magistrate Duan, do you see this? Qin Chuan is abusing public office for personal vendettas, arbitrarily handcuffing a current county committee official! If a man like this is not punished, is there any justice left in this world?"