Chapter 54: Immediate Arrest

As Monday drew to a close, Zhang Jun received a call from Shen Xue.

“Brother Zhang, I have great news!” Shen Xue said excitedly. “I’ve really been transferred to the 8 p.m. news slot as the female anchor!”

Zhang Jun wore a look that said he had expected this. “I told you so. You’re so outstanding, of course you’d get it.”

On the day of the broadcasting station’s anniversary celebration, Zhang Jun had deliberately told Lu Genbao that Shen Xue was his sister, standing up for her.

Lu Genbao was a shrewd man and immediately adjusted Shen Xue’s work assignment.

If Zhang Jun couldn’t handle even this, his role as secretary would be pointless.

“Brother Zhang,” Shen Xue’s voice turned soft and charming, “I’m waiting for you at the West Warm Pavilion restaurant.”

Zhang Jun responded with a simple “Okay.”

At that moment, Ma Hongqi appeared.

Zhang Jun ended the call and stood up.

Ma Hongqi called out, “Xiao Zhang, let’s go.”

Zhang Jun didn’t dare ask questions and agreed, following Ma Hongqi.

They entered a small conference room.

Inside were two men: Zhao Youjun, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission, and Lu Honglin, Director of the Provincial Public Security Department.

Ma Hongqi shook hands with both men upon entering.

Zhao Youjun said to Zhang Jun, “Secretary Zhang, please have a seat. We need to discuss something. It’s best to turn off your phone.”

Zhang Jun quickly took out his phone and powered it off.

Zhao Youjun said, “Governor Ma, for the specifics, let Director Lu report.”

Ma Hongqi nodded. “Comrade Honglin, please proceed.”

Lu Honglin cleared his throat and spoke in a clear, loud voice: “Governor Ma, we have uncovered new leads regarding Comrade Gao Hai’s death.”

Zhang Jun was startled.

But he quickly relaxed.

Gao Hai’s death was mysterious, and in a way, he had died in place of Ma Hongqi’s dangerous appointment.

So it was understandable that Ma Hongqi had been investigating in secret.

Lu Honglin continued: “Governor Ma, we examined the maintenance records of that vehicle over the past few months and questioned related personnel. We finally made a significant breakthrough. A mechanic named Zou Jun is a major suspect.”

Ma Hongqi’s expression was calmer than expected.

Lu Honglin went on: “After the deed, Zou Jun resigned. It took us months to find him, and he was recently arrested. Zou Jun confessed, admitting he took money to tamper with the brake pads of the car, right before Comrade Gao Hai’s accident.”

Ma Hongqi nodded. “Can I understand this to be a premeditated murder?”

Lu Honglin said, “Based on current evidence, yes.”

Ma Hongqi asked, “Who instructed Zou Jun?”

Lu Honglin replied, “He confessed it was Zhou Kang, who has already died from a fall—your former deputy secretary.”

Ma Hongqi’s thick eyebrows knit together. “The trail ends again?”

Zhao Youjun said, “Governor Ma, I’ll take it from here. After Zhou Kang’s death, we searched his residence thoroughly, examined his diaries, notes, work records, and all documents, and investigated his recent phone calls and bank transactions.”

Ma Hongqi nodded slowly.

Zhao Youjun continued, “We found that around the time of Comrade Gao Hai’s accident, Zhou Kang was in close contact with someone. Since Zhou Kang only accepted cash, whether there was a financial exchange between them requires further investigation.”

Ma Hongqi asked gravely, “Who?”

Zhao Youjun answered, “Jin Dalong.”

Ma Hongqi asked, “Who is this person? Why would he want to harm me?”

Zhang Jun, listening, was shaken to the core.

Ma Hongqi had been in the province for over half a year but hadn’t fully grasped the local personnel. Zhang Jun, however, had long heard of Jin Dalong’s notorious name.

Zhao Youjun explained, “Jin Dalong is chairman of the Longhu Group, founded with his brother Jin Dahu and others. The group’s main business is medical devices, collaborating with many hospitals across the province. We suspect Jin Dalong orchestrated this attack on you to protect the group’s interests.”

Ma Hongqi’s right eyelid twitched sharply. “When I took office, I publicly vowed to crack down on corruption in the medical system, especially to cut off the black market trade in medical devices. By doing so, I severed their illicit profit chain. No wonder he hates me and wants me dead.”

Zhao Youjun nodded solemnly, “That is most likely.”

Ma Hongqi slammed his fist on the desk. “They’ve become too brazen! If these people aren’t caught and eliminated, how can we cleanse corruption in the medical system?”

Lu Honglin said, “Governor Ma, we already have key evidence linking Jin Dalong to organized crime and are ready to arrest him.”

Ma Hongqi glanced at his watch. “Can we move now?”

Lu Honglin replied, “Yes, we’ve been monitoring Jin Dalong’s every move.”

A deadly glint flickered in Ma Hongqi’s eyes. “No time to waste. Begin the arrest immediately!”

Lu Honglin stood at attention. “Yes, sir!”

Ma Hongqi pondered briefly. “Vice Governor Cao Qiuping, who oversees public security, is absent. Should we report to Secretary Zheng and Governor Zhang?”

Lu Honglin looked to Zhao Youjun.

Zhao Youjun said, “No need to report to Secretary Zheng and Governor Zhang about arresting Jin Dalong. We’ll arrest first, talk later.”

The three men agreed.

Lu Honglin pulled out his phone and made a call.

After hanging up, he said, “Jin Dalong is currently entertaining guests at the West Warm Pavilion. Our team has him surrounded. Leaders, shall we proceed to the arrest site?”

Zhao Youjun smiled, “This will be quite a show!”

Ma Hongqi said gravely, “Let’s go see for ourselves. Watch him build his empire, entertain his guests, and then watch it all collapse.”

Zhang Jun listened, his heart pounding.

Jin Dalong was the mastermind?

A businessman daring to do such a thing?

Such a man was utterly deserving of death.

The group descended the stairs and drove to the West Warm Pavilion.

After Lu Honglin got out, he hurried forward. “Leaders, please remain in the car and direct the operation. The arrest team is in position, awaiting orders.”

Ma Hongqi said solemnly, “Comrade Lu Honglin, commence the arrest!”

Lu Honglin acknowledged, pulling out a specialized walkie-talkie. “Action!”

Zhang Jun noticed raindrops on Lu Honglin’s shoulders and realized a fine drizzle was falling.

Shaking off his shock, Zhang Jun stepped out and scanned the West Warm Pavilion.

The fine rain, mixed with a biting autumn wind, stirred golden leaves to the ground.

The West Warm Pavilion bustled as usual.

Not even rain—or snow—could deter the many distinguished guests inside.

Dusk was settling in.

Two fully armed SWAT teams silently occupied strategic positions nearby.

Three snipers were stationed at optimal vantage points.

A storm to purge organized crime was about to erupt.