I'm not a genius detective

Chapter 98 Family Members Arrive at the Bureau
Zhao Xingbang did not answer immediately. As the leader in charge of multiple brigades, he had to discuss the issue of Han Ling's solo operation with Feng Yao.

Han Ling has made meritorious contributions, and great ones at that, and even faced a life-or-death crisis, that's true.

However, merits and demerits cannot offset each other. If Han Ling is found to have violated regulations during subsequent investigations, she will still be punished.

Merit is merit, and demerit is demerit; these are two different things.

Admiring an excellent criminal investigator doesn't mean you can let him run wild. He and Feng Yao can pretend they don't see it, but the branch office isn't just ruled by the two of them.

I have to pass the tests from both the political commissar and the political department.

Furthermore, ignoring disciplinary violations and only rewarding and promoting them is counterproductive and does not benefit the future of new police officers.

“In principle, of course not.” Faced with Zhao Xingbang’s question, Feng Yao naturally spoke up for Han Ling, not wanting the other party to bear the punishment. “But Han Ling was in the preliminary investigation and reconnaissance stage at the time, and his behavior was more focused on information gathering, which could be done in a solo manner.”

The core principle is to work with two people to investigate a case, but there are occasional situations where only one person is involved, such as during extensive visits or informal inquiries. In order to improve efficiency, the investigation team will often break down into smaller parts.

No one is allowed to be compromised except in key stages of case handling, such as interrogating suspects and witnesses, conducting searches and seizures, carrying out on-site investigations, and making arrests.

Therefore, there is some flexibility in judging whether Han Ling has violated the rules.

The fact that they only checked the deceased's library borrowing records and then went to Tiezhushan, and encountered the suspect, was purely accidental. It would be too serious to directly classify it as a single person's violation.

Zhao Xingbang said, "But he has begun to suspect that there was something wrong with Cao Kexuan's death, and he has also begun to suspect that Weijiazhuang Village was involved in tomb raiding. From the undercover investigation of Wei Tianyong, it can be seen that he is quite confident."

“It’s just suspicion,” Feng Yao said. “The investigation in the first ten days was also just suspicion. There were no clues pointing to Cao Kexuan’s death as a murder. No matter how certain he was, it was still just suspicion. That’s why he went to Tiezhu Mountain at night. We can’t expect a new policeman who has only been on the job for a year to be as steady as a veteran policeman.”

Zhao Xingbang pondered.

His discussion with Feng Yao wasn't directed at Han Ling, because other leaders in the bureau would definitely ask as well. By discussing it internally with Feng Yao first, it would be much easier to talk to the investigators later.

“What you said makes sense, but I still feel like something’s not quite right.” Zhao Xingbang picked up the cigarette case on the coffee table, took out a cigarette, and lit it.

He's a veteran detective, and veteran detectives have very sharp intuition.

Feng Yao grew impatient: "Old Zhao, just tell me, has it caused any adverse consequences?"

Zhao Xingbang exhaled smoke: "No, quite the opposite, he made a huge contribution."

Feng Yao: "Isn't that settled then?"

Zhao Xingbang: "What about Cui Henian's injury? When he was handcuffed and taken to the branch office, he kept shouting and insisted that Han Ling had beaten him."

Feng Yao was speechless: "You believe what he said? Three desperate criminals, one with a knife and the other with a bow and crossbow, were after Han Ling's life."

"With both of his subordinates being so ruthless, do you think Cui Henian is a kind soul?"

Zhao Xingbang nodded slightly: "That's true. So, when others ask me about it, that's what I say?"

Feng Yao: "Say whatever you want. I just hit Cui Henian too, so you might as well punish me as well."

Zhao Xingbang: "..."

Actually, none of these are problems. As long as he insists on protecting it, there won't be any major issues.

Which veteran detective in the serious crimes unit doesn't have a bit of a wolf-like nature? They're dealing with a pack of vicious wolves; if they don't have that wolf-like nature, they'll be devoured by the suspects sooner or later.

The saying "Bad people can't be criminal police officers, and good people can't be criminal police officers" is very true.

Things have calmed down a lot now. A decade or two ago, criminals even dared to randomly kill police officers and steal their guns. Back then, police officers had to be even more ruthless than the suspects.

"Okay, I agree. Add it to the reserve pool."

Zhao Xingbang finally gave Feng Yao a definite answer.

"All done." Feng Yao was satisfied and got up to leave, but then suddenly remembered something, "By the way, Han Ling did a great job this time, does he deserve a first-class merit?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xingbang choked on his smoke and coughed violently: "Captain Feng, is Han Ling your illegitimate son?"

Feng Yao frowned: "I'm not in the mood for jokes right now. Judging from the nature of this case, it's already serious enough."

For a criminal police officer to receive a first-class merit award, they typically need to have demonstrated outstanding performance and played a key role in solving major criminal cases, violent crime cases, or cases with national impact.

It mainly depends on the individual.

An individual's role must be irreplaceable in a case, such as independently obtaining crucial clues or bravely confronting criminals in dangerous moments.

Cao Kexuan's case was about to be classified as a cold case. Han Ling single-handedly reached the end of the case and successfully killed two criminals when he was threatened, captured the gang leader, and prevented the case from deteriorating further. His contribution was outstanding.

A gang-related tomb raiding case.

The case of Cao Kexuan's murder.

A case from twelve years ago.

Protection of ancient tombs and investigation of the resale of cultural relics.

There's absolutely no problem with him receiving a first-class merit award.

It's said that receiving a first-class merit award while standing is difficult because opportunities are scarce and there are few people with outstanding abilities. Therefore, in recent years, most police officers who have received first-class merit awards have been injured or even killed while handling emergencies.

Alternatively, investigations may involve major criminal gangs or transnational cases, spanning a long period of time and space.

"I will report it," Zhao Xingbang said helplessly. "As for whether it will be a second-class merit or a first-class merit, that depends on the provincial department's decision."

All first-class merit awards for members other than provincial department leaders shall be handled by the provincial department.
Feng Yao left.

If Han Ling is awarded a first-class merit this time, his police rank will rise to second-class superintendent.

Promotion by rank is relatively easier than promotion by position. Promotion by position requires multiple assessments, but promotion by rank does not; as long as certain conditions are met, it is sufficient. One such condition is receiving a first-class merit award; a second-class merit award is not acceptable.

Feng Yao himself understood that Han Ling was absolutely certain to receive a second-class merit award, but as for a first-class merit award... it would require comprehensive review and the branch bureau's active efforts.

How significant is a case from twelve years ago?
How heinous was the murder of Cao Kexuan?
What was the scale of the tomb raiding case?

What is the archaeological value of ancient tombs?
Did solving the case eliminate a major threat to public safety?

and many more.

These are all complex issues that the provincial political work department needs to consider.

Of course, if you have some connections, then it's a sure thing, but unfortunately you don't.

While Feng Yao and Zhao Xingbang were meeting, the interrogation was still ongoing. Cui Henian's case had been concluded, but the tomb raiding case in Weijiazhuang Village was not yet over.

With so many people involved, this process could take several days.

"Wei Shoushan!!"

"I am going to kill you!!!"

When Cao's mother learned the truth, she collapsed. She could not accept that her son's accidental death had suddenly become a murder, and she could not accept that the murderer was a member of the Wei family.

Not only that, Wei Shoushan also helped cover it up.

They kept it from her, and they kept it from the entire Cao family.

"Wei Shoushan! Wei Henian! You beast!!"

The entire criminal investigation team was filled with the desperate voice of Cao's mother. She was just an ordinary woman from a mountain village who didn't want wealth and luxury, but only wanted her family to live a peaceful life.

Now, her values ​​have completely collapsed.

The youngest son was murdered, and the husband and other sons are all in jail for breaking the law. How will they live their lives from now on?

The two policewomen tried to calm Cao's mother down, which was ineffective, but at least prevented her from taking any extreme actions.

In this situation, a close relative needs to come to the station to pick her up and provide long-term care.

The likelihood of suicide is very high.

The interrogation lasted for several days, and multiple squads participated in the follow-up investigation of the case. They needed to track down the whereabouts of the stolen antiques and cultural relics based on the suspects' confessions.

The family members of the case from twelve years ago were notified, and the person who reported the case of Cao Kexuan was notified.

Zhu Yuntang arrived at the branch office.

She never imagined that her own little obsession and suspicion would lead to such a big case, and uncover the fact that her boyfriend was... murdered.

"I know he's a very bright person, always has been." Zhu Yuntang shed tears in the reception room. For Cao Kexuan, it was truly a bolt from the blue.

This matter originally had nothing to do with Cao Kexuan.

Not knowing is actually a kind of luck.

The child's parents and relatives also arrived.

"The murderer has been caught? Where? Where?!"

The middle-aged woman had a head full of gray hair, and it was clear that the death of her child had tormented her for many years, and she still couldn't let go of it even today.

"He's already been taken to the detention center." A police officer greeted him and answered his questions. "You can ask me anything you want."

After years of solving murder cases, investigators need to keep the victim's family informed of the progress of the case, understand their needs and difficulties, and explain the subsequent legal procedures in detail, such as the prosecution by the prosecutor and the trial by the court.

If the family wants to know more details, the investigators will generally provide an explanation.

"My poor child..."

The middle-aged woman was heartbroken and had to be helped away by her relatives.

Catching the murderer is both a comfort to the victim's family and the beginning of new suffering.

Just as she was about to go downstairs, the middle-aged woman suddenly shook off her relative's hand and turned to look at the criminal investigation team officers who were watching them leave.

Ji Bowen was there, Hu Lihui was there, and Fang Zhou and the others were there too.

Without any warning, the woman suddenly knelt down.

"Thank you... thank you so much!"

She didn't know how much effort the police had put in over the past twelve years, nor could she understand what was going on in Weijiazhuang Village. All she knew was that the murderer who killed the child had been caught.

Upon seeing this, Fang Zhou and the others immediately rushed over to help her up, at which point they could only utter some official platitudes befitting their duty.

Seeing this scene, all the other police officers subconsciously turned their heads to look at Han Ling, who was sitting by the window in the First Squadron's case-handling hall.

If it weren't for Han Ling, the outcome of this case would not be optimistic.

At this moment, Han Ling was tending to the vibrant spider plant. His rich experiences had tempered his heart into a calm and serene state, and his eyes revealed a tranquility detached from worldly affairs.

The new world has just begun, and he remains the traveler who wanders in the darkness, hoping to tear out a glimmer of light.

(End of this chapter)