The truth of this murder case will be forever erased!
Damn drug dealers! These sons of bitches! Xu Zhengyang gritted his teeth!
After calming down, Xu Zhengyang didn't impulsively decide to have Cheng Jinchang and his wife's ghosts possess him for revenge. Although killing Hao Peng and Zhu Yuejin wouldn't be difficult now—he only needed to expend some divine power to incite the ghosts of Cheng Jinchang and his wife, or any ghost within Cixian County that hadn't yet entered the underworld, to possess them—that would be enough to manipulate the two drug dealers into committing suicide or even causing them to fight each other to death.
But after taking revenge in this way, what about the other drug dealers?
Xu Zhengyang was confident he could eliminate all those in Cixian who belonged to their group, but what about the people they had allied with in other places?
They're all bastards! They should all be executed by slow slicing!
After finishing a cigarette, Xu Zhengyang summoned the ghosts of Cheng Jinchang and Cui Yao, and calmly told them the truth.
Upon hearing this, the two ghosts were furious and immediately prostrated themselves, begging Lord Gongcao to grant them the authority to possess other beings and take revenge.
Xu Zhengyang shook his head and said, "That won't work..."
"Don't act rashly. Let me make arrangements slowly. I will avenge you two, and it can't be over just by settling your scores. Since things have come to this point, and you two are already wronged souls, you might as well do some good deeds and accumulate some good karma for your descendants... Hmm, what we need to do now is not to kill them, but to find a way to wipe out all these drug dealers in one fell swoop."
After careful consideration, the two demons knelt down and said, "We will obey your orders, sir."
Xu Zhengyang retrieved the two ghosts, lit a cigarette and took a few puffs. He then checked the time; it was already past 2 a.m.
How can we get Hao Peng and Zhu Yuejin to confess? Do we have to send ghosts to their houses at night to scare them?
"No way!" Xu Zhengyang sighed.
The families of Guo Haigang and Shen Qun deserved to be haunted by ghosts, as they were already aware of the plot to frame and retaliate against Chen Chaojiang and Liu Bin. However, Hao Peng and Zhu Yuejin's crimes shouldn't implicate their innocent families, who shouldn't be disturbed or intimidated by ghosts. Furthermore, for people who have already risked their lives dealing drugs, they might not genuinely be willing to sacrifice their own lives for their families' safety.
After hesitating for a long time, Xu Zhengyang decided to disturb Zhongshan in the middle of the night.
So he took out his phone and dialed Zhong Shan's number.
After all, Zhong Shan is a policeman and an expert; he should be able to come up with a good solution. Most importantly, Zhong Shan is willing to believe the absurd thing Xu Zhengyang said.
The phone rang for a while before being answered. Zhong Shan said irritably, "Zhengyang, what are you doing in the middle of the night?"
"Uncle, just now... the Earth God appeared to me in a dream."
"Huh? What happened?"
"Yes, something big!"
"Tell me..."
Xu Zhengyang briefly recounted the events, and concluded by saying, "Uncle, this didn't happen in our village, can you handle it?"
Zhong Shan remained silent for a while before saying, "It's getting late, go to sleep early. Come over tomorrow and we'll discuss it again."
"Okay." Xu Zhengyang hung up the phone.
Xu Zhengyang knew that Zhong Shan would probably be in a difficult position, after all, he was just the director of Huaxiang Police Station, while this case belonged to Jiangwu Town in the south of Cixian County, and it was a case caused by a traffic accident... Zhong Shan believed Xu Zhengyang's words, but why should others believe him?
Lying in bed, Xu Zhengyang closed his eyes, gritting his teeth as he thought, "If all else fails, don't blame me for taking my family into this mess!"
Volume Two, Merit Officer, Chapter 63: Director Zhong Wants a Promotion
County Public Security Bureau Chief Zhao Qing has been in a good mood lately, not for any other reason than that his old comrade-in-arms Zhong Shan has been performing exceptionally well in recent days.
It's unclear what's gotten into this old comrade-in-arms, who's been in the position of police station chief for over ten years, lately. He's been relentlessly cracking cases, big and small. Leaving aside the petty theft cases he's efficiently resolved, Zhong Shan's contribution to the complete overturning of the case involving Cao Gangchuan and Zhang Hao's robbery of Haigang Construction Company's property is undeniable! Subsequently, Zhong Shan raised questions about the case of Chen Chaojiang and Liu Bin's malicious assault two years ago, effectively shattering an ironclad case. It's said that the city bureau was in an uproar over this.
Zhao Qing leaned back in his chair, a cigarette between his left fingers, his right hand resting on the desk, his index and middle fingers lightly tapping the surface. He chuckled to himself, pondering, "It's time to promote my old comrade. Before, there was too much resistance. This old comrade has a bad temper and poor interpersonal skills; even keeping him as the police station chief was a struggle. Now… I guess no one can say anything, right? His achievements speak for themselves, and his ability is undeniable…"
Zhao Qing felt that his old comrade-in-arms had really made him proud recently, and that his efforts to protect him despite opposition were worthwhile.
Tap tap tap...
There was a knock on the office door.
Zhao Qing sat up straight, picked up a document and flipped through it, saying, "Come in."
"Chief, Chief Zhong from Huaxiang Police Station is looking for you." Officer Xiao Ding pushed open the door and came in, followed by Zhong Shan, the chief of Huaxiang Police Station.
"Hey, Lao Zhong! Come in and sit down, I was just thinking of talking to you about something," Zhao Qing said with a smile as he stood up to greet him.
Zhong Shan strode in with a sullen face, looking like a creditor, plopped down on the sofa, and lit a cigarette.
Xiao Ding already knew about Zhong Shan's relationship with Director Zhao, so he wasn't surprised by Zhong Shan's expression and attitude. He smiled, poured Zhong Shan a glass of water, and then went out.
"Hehe, Lao Zhong, who has offended you this time? Why do you look so bitter and resentful?" Zhao Qing said with a smile.
"What the hell are you trying to provoke!" Zhong Shan cursed, downed half a glass of water, took a deep drag on his cigarette, and said, "You said you wanted to talk to me about something? What is it?"
"Why don't you go first? What do you want to see me about?" Zhao Qing said with a smile.
Zhong Shan glared at Zhao Qing with displeasure and said, "Director Zhao, just say what you want to say, whether you want to criticize or reprimand me. I'm going to give you a hard time later."
"Old Zhong, are you trying to put me down again?" Zhao Qing smiled and walked over to sit on the sofa. He stopped arguing with Zhong Shan and said, "Old Zhong, you've been doing a great job lately. Your Huaxiang Police Station is one of the best in the whole county, with a 100% case-solving rate. Hehe... If you had been this diligent earlier, I probably wouldn't be sitting in this position as the director."
"Stop talking nonsense." Zhong Shan said irritably, but he was quite pleased with Zhao Qing's words. At the same time, he was also a little emotional. If he hadn't been lucky enough to have such an incredible assistant as Xu Zhengyang, how could he have made such a splash?
"Have you considered mentioning it to higher authorities?" Zhao Qing asked bluntly.
Zhong Shan was stunned, a surge of joy welling up inside him. To say he didn't want to bring it up would be a complete lie. Why had he been so polite to Xu Zhengyang? Why had he swallowed his pride and asked Xu Zhengyang for help solving the case? Risking offending those higher up to persist in the cases of Cao Gangchuan and Zhang Hao, and later questioning the cases of Chen Chaojiang and Liu Bin from two years ago… wasn't it all for some unspeakable purpose?
Having worked as a police officer for twenty years, and as a police station chief for over ten, my old comrade-in-arms Zhao Qing is now the director of the county public security bureau. And me? Back in the army, I was Zhao Qing's squad leader!
Before Zhong Shan could react, Zhao Qing continued, "I think you are perfectly capable of taking on the position of head of the county criminal investigation team."
"Really?" Zhong Shan was still somewhat skeptical.
"What? You want me to appoint you right now?" Zhao Qing said with a smile.
"You should have said so earlier! I almost had to take my pants off and do something pointless." Zhong Shan's face lit up with a smile as he nodded and said, "Alright then, Old Zhao, oh no, Director Zhao, don't try to fool me!"
Zhao Qing was puzzled by Zhong Shan's sudden change in expression and his words just now, and asked, "Old Zhong, what do you want to see me about?"
"Well, I originally had a case I wanted to remind you about, but now that you're making me the head of the criminal investigation team, I don't need to bother you anymore." Zhong Shan said with a laugh, "You'd better get things arranged quickly. As a new official, I need to make a good start."
"What case?" Zhao Qing asked, frowning.
"Let me become the head of the criminal investigation team first..." Zhong Shan joked.
"Oh ho, are you afraid that I, the county bureau chief, will steal your credit?"
Zhong Shan waved his hand with a smile, then his face turned serious, and he said solemnly, "I have received reliable information... In our county, there is a group of drug traffickers engaged in the trafficking and transportation of drugs from the south to Beijing, through various provinces and cities..."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Qing's expression turned serious, and he frowned, saying, "Old Zhong, is he reliable?"
“If this case is handled well… it could lead to a major investigation, and I reckon it will cause a lot of trouble for our colleagues in other places!” Zhong Shan said earnestly.
Zhao Qing asked with some doubt, "Where did you get this information from?"
It's no wonder Zhao Qing is suspicious. After all, Zhong Shan is just the head of a police station, and there have been virtually no drug trafficking or drug use cases in Cixian County. Even if there are drug users, they are all from other places. Now that such a case has suddenly appeared, Zhao Qing is really a little incredulous.
"In our village, there's a truck owner who runs a long-haul freight business. He discovered this by chance..."
Of course, Zhong Shan wouldn't tell Zhao Qing the truth. Otherwise, Zhao Qing would never believe it, nor would he allow Zhong Shan to waste manpower, resources, and money on a case with such a bizarre and absurd lead.
Zhong Shan didn't hide anything else and reported to Zhao Qing everything he had learned from Xu Zhengyang.
After listening attentively to Zhong Shan's account, Zhao Qing was somewhat surprised and said with a wry smile, "Old Zhong, it seems you really put a lot of effort into this case. Tell me, how long have you been investigating this case? Why are you only reporting to me now?"
"Hehe, I wouldn't just tell you something without being sure, would I?" Zhong Shan chuckled.
Zhao Qing nodded, handed Zhong Shan a cigarette, lit one for himself, frowned and pondered for a while, then said, "Don't touch that traffic accident case that resulted in death yet; it won't help the overall case. I'll arrange for you to be transferred here to take charge of this case, and we'll set up a special task force. I'll personally lead the team... Don't worry, Lao Zhong, I won't steal your credit. With me, the bureau chief, as the team leader, you'll have a lot more control over the case."
Zhong Shan nodded with a wry smile; what Zhao Qing said was true.
"Old Zhong, this case... do a good job!" Zhao Qing stood up, patted Zhong Shan on the shoulder, and said, "Go back and get ready, come to the county bureau tomorrow."
“Okay, I’ll go back right away.” Zhong Shan immediately stood up.
Zhao Qing smiled and nodded, then sat back down behind his desk and began to ponder.
He trusted Zhong Shan, and... if this case could really be solved, it wouldn't just benefit Zhong Shan!
...
As the one who brought the case to light, Xu Zhengyang was currently holed up in a room looking through a large pile of newspapers.
Well, the newspaper came from Han Dashan's cement products factory. Don't let Han Dashan's limited literacy fool you; he still subscribes to the newspaper, not for himself, but for others to see. He wants others to know that he, Han Dashan, reads the newspaper every day and is definitely not a boorish old man.
Upon hearing that Xu Zhengyang wanted to borrow the newspapers to read, Han Dashan immediately arranged for his eldest son, Han Kuisheng, to gather all the newspapers and deliver them to Xu Zhengyang. Xu Zhengyang smiled and said that one or two months' worth of newspapers would suffice.
Xu Zhengyang's purpose in reading the newspaper was simply to confirm his doubts.
Because he still doesn't quite understand how to distinguish between a lifespan that hasn't ended and a lifespan that has ended.
If all people who die in accidents are considered to have died before their lifespan has ended, then how many people across the country and the world die every day before their lifespan has ended?
Flipping through the newspaper, I saw news reports of accidents: a coal mine gas explosion here, a mine flooding there, a major traffic accident in some place resulting in numerous deaths, another country being attacked by terrorist bombs, and planes from South Korea and Japan crashing...
Good heavens, so many people have died in a single day.
What does it mean if someone's lifespan hasn't ended?
If they're all still alive, how can this guy, who keeps dying, possibly reincarnate?
But the proportion of the world's population is still growing...
Moreover, the county record states that it is extremely rare for someone to die before their lifespan is over, and the deaths of Cheng Jinchang and his wife are suspicious.
Does that mean the person who was murdered was still alive? Maybe... but that's not entirely true either.
Is there anything I've overlooked that I'm unaware of?
Xu Zhengyang thought and thought, but still couldn't figure out where the problem was.
Since he couldn't figure it out, Xu Zhengyang simply stopped thinking about it. He threw down the newspaper in his hand, lay down on the bed, lit a cigarette, and started reading the newly bought "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio." He felt sorry for the poor Cheng Jinchang and his wife, and thought he had to find a way to keep them alive.
After flipping through it for a while, Xu Zhengyang suddenly sat up, slapped his forehead, grabbed "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" and kissed it hard.
Although it's not certain yet, Xu Zhengyang has a vague feeling that there seems to be a great chance!
He couldn't help but jump out of bed, walking barefoot around the room, excitedly muttering to himself, "Can I live without reading? Can I live without studying? Can I live without culture? This, this is the power of knowledge!"
Where is the county record?
With a thought, the county record appeared in his right hand in an instant.
Volume Two, Gong Cao, Chapter 64: More Clues
Let's go back to the day Cheng Jinchang and his wife had a car accident.
Hao Peng and Zhu Fenjin meticulously orchestrated the car accident, their aim being to kill the couple and silence them to prevent future trouble. Therefore, when they first agreed to the plan, Hao Peng and Zhu Fenjin certainly weren't absolutely certain that they could cause Cheng Jinchang and his wife to die on the spot, or guarantee that they would be seriously injured and die.
Therefore, to ensure that there are no mistakes and that the two are certain to die, a more meticulous plan is necessary.