It's better to conquer them than to command the steel torrent

Chapter 13｜The Heaven-Defying Hongmen Banquet

"Asking me to cooperate with the investigation? That's a lot of work."

Shang Ke put the reference documents back into the safe, took the winter coat from the hanger and put it on.

It's only a little after eight o'clock now, so it won't take long to go there and won't interfere with lunch, he thought.

He didn't think much about it and just assumed it was a normal procedure.

On the way to the Chang'an County Police Department, the police superintendent who was traveling with us kept complaining about how difficult life had been these days, and that once the inspectors arrived, there would be chaos.

Shang Ke just felt disdainful and said a few perfunctory words.

The Police Department building is pleasing to the eye, and its naturally evolved industrial-era Chinese architectural style does not feel out of place.

When he arrived at the reception room, Shang was left alone for nearly ten minutes before Detective Director Fan Defang finally arrived.

He exchanged pleasantries for a moment with a forced smile, but did not mention anything about cooperating with the investigation.

Only when pressed did he speak confidently, "Chief Shang, do you still remember what happened that night? We've investigated carefully over the past two days, and I'm afraid it was all a misunderstanding. It seems the four people involved simply got into an argument with a passing vehicle and got angry and started fighting."

Aha?

Shang Ke was stunned when he heard this.

Then he saw the probing look in the Detective Chief's eyes and realized that things were not as simple as he had thought.

He recalled the scene that night when the robbers beat the woman and robbed her of her belongings. He frowned and asked, "Beating someone because of an argument? How did Director Fan find out about this?"

Fan Defang, smiling, picked up his teacup and drank it all in one gulp. He then said seriously, "We investigated the family backgrounds of the four people and asked their relatives and friends. The mother and daughter also admitted that they weren't robbing. It was just that the mother almost hit someone with her car, so they started arguing after parking the car."

Shang Ke uttered an "Oh" and said indifferently, "According to this reasoning, it's me who's wrong. I'm going to be court-martialed for killing four people by mistake."

"Commander Shang, you're worrying too much." Fan Defang laughed and continued, "It was so dark and snowing. Perhaps you mistook a fight for a robbery? Besides, as a soldier, you're naturally more vigilant than the average person. It makes sense that you acted decisively to avert danger."

"You guys are quite interesting."

"I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it. I'm fine, everyone's fine. If you want any thanks to Chief Shang after this trouble is over, just let me know."

Shang Ke said perfunctorily with a cold face: "I'll go back and think about it."

"Wait a minute, do you have a mission?"

"No."

No military mission? Then it's okay to detain you for a day and a night!

Seeing Shang Ke was about to get up and leave, Fan Defang waved gently, and several police officers came over to stop him.

"Master Shang, please don't leave. Just stay here and think about it." Fan Defang stood up, picked up the case file and handed it to the attendant beside him, saying leisurely, "Master Shang, please let me know when you have figured it out. I am respectfully waiting."

He walked away.

Because it was so outrageous, Shang Ke, who was stopped in the reception room, even wondered if he was dreaming.

To distort the truth and force the parties to change their confessions? This is simply the opposite of the truth!

Although my status cannot be said to be all-powerful, it is not low either. How can you be so confident that you can control me, Shang?
Shang Ke once suspected that this case involved some higher-level interests. Otherwise, it would be ridiculous for the Chief of Detective Division of Chang'an County Police Department to treat him as a soft persimmon.

However, he waited in the reception room for a long time but received no response.

After a while, after careful consideration, he decided to confront these guys directly. I have never seen such arrogant and shameless people!
Shang Ke called Fan Defang over and said he had figured it out.

Hearing the footsteps getting closer, Shang Ke called in one of the police officers guarding the door.

"Pour me another cup of tea."

"Hey, okay."

The moment the door of the room was pushed open, Shang Ke suddenly took action without warning, knocked down the police officer who was pouring tea, and snatched the small pistol from the holster in a few seconds.

Fan Defang had just walked into the door and hadn't reacted yet when he felt something cold, metal, pressing against his forehead.

This is a Type 14 small single-action pistol designed and manufactured by a subsidiary of Everbright Heavy Industries Group. It fires the world-popular .32ACP (7.65mm) pistol bullet and has relatively low power. This type of pistol is the standard equipment of the Federal Police Department of the Greater Bay Area.

Time seems to freeze at this moment.

After a full five seconds, Fan Defang's expression suddenly changed and he said in panic, "What are you doing, Chief Shang? Can we talk it over nicely? Put down your gun, put down your gun."

The rest of the people nearby also reacted, and amid shouts, the reception room was soon surrounded by dozens of men and women.

"I'm Shang Ke, the commander of the Military Police Company of the First Mobile Division. This Fan Defang is a complete piece of shit. How dare he force me to confuse right and wrong..."

Fan Defang shouted, interrupting Shang Ke. He roared, "Don't believe this one-sided statement! Whatever he says is true."

Shang Ke, who was so angry that he laughed, kicked him directly, raised the muzzle of his gun and fired a shot at the ceiling, and said coldly: "Make way and go to the telephone room."

The sound of gunfire echoed in the hall, shocking everyone, and Fan Defang was even more frightened.

After a while, the police officers and civilian staff present all stepped back.

They confronted each other all the way to the telephone room. Shang Ke tilted his head to hold the microphone, held the gun with his left hand, and dialed the number with his right hand.

His first call was to the Military Intelligence Department of the General Staff.

"Is this the Military Intelligence Bureau? I'm Shang Ke, the commander of the military police company of the 1st Mobile Division. The Chang'an County Police Department has detained me, using threats and inducements. I have access to the latest Class B classified documents and have reason to suspect there are spies here. Send someone over now."

No matter what, let's first put a reasonable and well-founded label on it to highlight the sense of urgency.

The person on the other end of the phone was visibly stunned – what kind of unheard-of situation was this?
After coming to her senses, the female operator remained calm and said, "Understood. I'll convey it right away."

Because of this well-known sensitive point, no one dares to mobilize a single soldier from the garrison stationed in the capital unless there is a high-level order. This has been a basic rule since ancient times.

Because of this, the first call to the division headquarters may not be timely and effective.

At the same time, the scene at the headquarters of the 1st Mobile Division was quite different.

Arrange the tables and chairs, lay out the tableware, and hang up the banners.

New Year's Day is approaching, and we can finally eat and drink as much as we want with a clear conscience. This is undoubtedly a good day.

Commander Ding Shu walked slowly over and took a seat, and everyone saluted and greeted him.

The director of the Political Affairs Department next to him was weighing the sandalwood box containing the medal, wondering why Shang Ke, who was always on time, was late today?
At this moment, a captain of the staff came running over and said anxiously: "Oh no! Something went wrong!"

"How can you make such a fuss? Stand at attention!"

"No, that's not it. Captain Shang just called to say he's being held at the Chang'an County Police Department. There's been a huge commotion, even guns fired. Now Captain Shang has captured one of their directors and is confronting him."

(End of this chapter)