Chapter 30: Individual Third-Class Merit

Regarding the murder case of the seafood restaurant owner, the task for the Wanglou Police Station was complete; any subsequent work no longer concerned them.

After all, the culprit had already been caught.

If the suspect had remained at large, the local station would likely have had to assist the Criminal Investigation Division with door-to-door inquiries and search operations. The longer that dragged on, the wider the scope would become, and the heavier the workload would be.

Han Ling had locked onto the suspect on the spot, sparing everyone a lot of trouble.

Of course, it also nipped any chance for others to earn merit in the bud.

That was unimportant. Opportunities to earn merit were rare; whoever could seize them was talented. There was certainly envy, but nothing to be jealous of.

Regarding the resolution of this murder case, the station held a special meeting. Ninety percent of the station’s leadership, both big and small, were in attendance to commend Han Ling’s contribution.

This was merely a verbal commendation; anything more would have to wait for the district bureau.

During the meeting, everyone looked at Han Ling. After learning the details of the process, many tried to put themselves in his shoes.

From that perspective, being able to accurately identify someone's anomaly among a crowd of onlookers in such a short time, and even elevating it to the status of a murder suspect, was not easy. It required sharp observation and judgment.

This credit was not a matter of luck; it was rightfully Han Ling’s to claim.

"Team Leader Zhu, you’ve really found a gem. How did you know he had such a sharp eye?" the head of the Public Order Team asked with a chuckle, puffing on a cigarette.

Han Ling was a member of the Wanglou Police Station, so Han Ling’s merit was the station’s merit. He felt a sense of reflected glory. Whenever he chatted with friends from other stations or the district bureau, he could brag:

"Oh, that murder case? It was solved by a new officer at our station. The suspect was pinned down on the spot before the Criminal Investigation Division even finished surveying the scene."

"That goes without saying, though he still needs more training," Zhu Yue replied with relative calm, though he couldn't suppress the corners of his mouth from curling upward.

The captain of the Community Policing Team withdrew his gaze from Han Ling, sighing inwardly, completely giving up.

It was impossible for the kid to join the Community Policing Team now.

If Han Ling had only performed averagely, there might have been a chance, but now... if he tried to poach him, Zhu Yue would fight him to the death.

Excellent performance reviews, playing a key role in multiple minor criminal cases, obtaining law enforcement qualifications early, and becoming a regular officer ahead of schedule—and now, a spotlight moment. He was simply a natural-born criminal investigator.

Never mind the Criminal Investigation Team; surely the district bureau’s Criminal Investigation Division must be having some ideas, right?

"Good, very good. It brings face to our Community Policing Team," he spoke up, his voice echoing in the conference room.

All the leaders turned their heads, their expressions strange.

Brings face to the Community Policing Team?

Zhu Yue almost didn't react in time, blurting out in astonishment, "Liu, what does our Criminal Investigation Team's Han Ling have to do with you? Brings face? Are you shameless?"

Captain Liu said as a matter of course, "During the initial recruitment, the station had already decided that the new hires would join Community Policing. Your Criminal Investigation Team forcibly took him away. I’m giving you face. Strictly speaking, he used to be a Community Policing guy."

Zhu Yue: "???"

The others were amused; the logic didn't seem entirely wrong.

Captain Liu: "Isn't that right?"

Zhu Yue: "You motherf..."

Captain Liu: "Regardless, he was once a Community Policing guy. I won't be removing him from the team roster entirely."

Han Ling sat quietly, feeling a familiar sense of presence. In his previous life, his presence had been just as strong. There were those who were grateful to him, those willing to give their lives for him, and those who wanted him dead.

At first, he enjoyed the feeling, but later he grew numb, following only his own heart.

"Enough, stop the nonsense," Station Chief Tao Guowei interrupted their pointless bickering. "Han Ling belongs to the station, not to any specific team. What are you fighting over? Meeting adjourned. Once Han Ling’s commendation comes down in a while, post it on the bulletin board as soon as possible... leave it up for half a month."

A commendation was certain; it was just a matter of the rank.

Returning to the Criminal Investigation Team, Han Ling, having some downtime, continued filling out his application for a firearm license. This time it went smoothly, and after finishing, he handed it to Zhu Yue.

After submission, there would be results in fifteen working days, followed by year-end assessments.

Zhu Yue said that barring any accidents, the assessment would likely be held at the SWAT detachment.

The SWAT detachment was under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Bureau, but their office was not located at the Municipal Bureau; they had their own independent facility.

A month passed quickly.

Han Ling noticed a subtle change in his colleagues' attitudes toward him. It was likely brought about by the gap in professional competence—a form of validation of his value, unrelated to his rank.

When dealing with someone inferior to you, interpersonal interactions are casual; when dealing with someone superior, one subconsciously becomes more cautious to prevent misunderstandings that could sour the relationship.

Han Ling was not adept at workplace culture, so he just went with the flow.

The Municipal Bureau's citation arrived. In view of Han Ling’s outstanding performance in the investigation of the seafood restaurant murder, which greatly reduced investigative time and prevented potential negative consequences that could have arisen from the suspect fleeing, he was awarded a Third-Class Merit.

The station erupted.

Commendation, Third-Class Merit, Second-Class Merit, First-Class Merit.

Everyone had assumed Han Ling would receive a commendation, but no one expected a Third-Class Merit. It seemed the Municipal Bureau’s assessment of Han Ling was that he had made a "significant contribution."

A few years ago, when Zhu Yue’s team raided a gambling den and a vice ring, arresting eighteen criminal suspects, it was also a Third-Class Merit.

A murder case was a major case, and pinning the suspect on the spot was indeed a remarkable feat; the Municipal Bureau’s decision was quite reasonable.

Station Chief Tao Guowei also hadn't expected Han Ling to receive a Third-Class Merit. He stubbed out his cigarette and headed to the Political Office.

"Quick, quick, write a blurb and post it on the bulletin board. Leave it up for two months."

The officer in charge of political affairs was puzzled: "Two months? Didn't you say half a month?"

Tao Guowei: "Two months, definitely two months. Someone from our station is going to be famous again."

He meant famous throughout the entire city.

According to police reward regulations, for groups and individuals awarded a Third-Class Merit or higher, except in cases involving classified information, the awards are to be publicized level by level within the relevant scope, for a period of no less than seven working days.

This was for the purpose of inspiration and setting an example.

A Third-Class Merit was not common.

This meant that the names of police stations, district bureaus, and the Municipal Bureau’s bulletin boards across the city, including the internal network, would soon see Han Ling’s name.

Two days later.

Municipal Bureau.

Early in the morning, Zhang Yunhang was in a good mood, humming a tune as he walked through the gates of the Municipal Bureau, where he happened to run into Lin Rong from the Economic Crime Investigation Detachment.

He was in a good mood because he had passed his application for early promotion to regular status, something not every new officer could achieve.

"Lin Rong!" Zhang Yunhang’s eyes lit up, and he quickened his pace to catch up. "Did your application for regular status pass?"

Lin Rong was wearing her police uniform today, looking heroic and spirited. Her half-year police career had added a sense of capability and composure to her delicate, fair-skinned face, and her "police beauty" aura turned heads.

Since she joined the Municipal Bureau, she had never lacked attention.

"It passed," Lin Rong replied casually.

"Oh?" Zhang Yunhang was surprised, then laughed: "Mine passed too. It’s impressive if ten new officers in the whole city can get an early promotion. You really live up to your reputation."

Lin Rong blinked; was he complimenting her or himself?

The two didn't stop walking until they entered the lobby, where they saw colleagues gathered around the bulletin board. Out of curiosity, they walked over.

Han Ling’s photo appeared before their eyes.

Zhang Yunhang was stunned, clearly not expecting to see Han Ling’s photo at the Municipal Bureau.

As he looked down, the blurb was several hundred words long.

【...Since joining the force, this comrade has always held himself to high standards, demonstrating a very strong sense of responsibility and professional capability...】

【...Taking initiative and acting decisively, he relied on solid professional skills to complete his role transition ahead of schedule, successfully passing the regular status assessment...】

【...During the murder case, he accurately identified the suspect among the crowd of onlookers, winning a critical opportunity for the Gu'an District Public Security Bureau’s Criminal Investigation Division, helping them solve the case rapidly and effectively eliminating potential safety hazards...】

【...The Third-Class Merit is a full affirmation of his work achievements. It is hoped that this comrade...】

As Zhang Yunhang read to the end, the words "Third-Class Merit" felt blindingly bright. In comparison, the words "early promotion to regular status" seemed mundane.

He turned his head subconsciously and found that the same look of astonishment had surfaced on Lin Rong’s pretty face.