Chapter 73

The economy of Xiaojiao Township wasn't as good as Liangzhuang, with low and shabby houses scattered throughout the village, and the roads were bumpy. Coupled with the dry climate in the north, a car passing by would stir up a cloud of dust.

The car was dirty, and fake military vehicles were common these days, with some cargo trucks even displaying military license plates. The Cherokee military vehicle followed the county police bureau's O-plate minivan into the village, while the Santana stopped at the village entrance. The villagers chatting by the roadside only glanced a few more times, not causing any particular attention.

Han Bo, who got in the car at the village entrance, sat in the passenger seat.

Mi Jinlong, the only one who had seen Gu Xinguì, sat on the left side of the back seat by the window.

The minivan drove slower and slower, stopping in front of a small store. Two plainclothes police officers pretended to buy cigarettes, looking back at the repair shop across the street when they got out. The Cherokee slowly parked behind the minivan.

The police catching fugitives was something they had never encountered before. The military division driver was very excited and couldn't help but look at the repair shop through the dark-tinted windows with everyone else.

There was one person in the shop, squatting on the ground, holding a welding hood in one hand and a welding torch in the other, welding something.

Sparks flew, and the welding light was particularly blinding.

Han Bo held his breath, waiting for Old Mi to carefully identify the person. The moment the welder lowered his hood, Mi Jinlong said with certainty, "It's him, not much has changed, just a bit fatter than before."

"Move in."

Han Bo pushed open the car door, Xiao Ren and Chen Meng got out from the right side, and the three of them quietly surrounded the shop.

The villagers at the store entrance didn't react, and the welder was completely focused on his work, unaware of the two cars that had arrived, let alone being on guard.

Walking to the door, Han Bo sternly shouted, "Gu Xinguì!"

The welder was startled, instinctively lowering his hood. Xiao Ren and Chen Meng grabbed his arms from either side. Han Bo glanced around the shop and quickly walked forward to pull the main switch, then turned and asked, "Gu Xinguì, do you know where we're from?"

He spoke in his hometown dialect, calling out Gu Xinguì's name!

After years of living in fear, he had finally managed to live a few peaceful days, but he couldn't escape his fate.

Gu Xinguì seemed to have lost his soul, weakly saying, "I know."

"I am Police Commissioner Han Bo from Liangzhuang Township, Sigon County. You are under arrest. This is the arrest warrant. Put on the handcuffs!"

The net of justice is vast but not without gaps. After six years of hiding, his hands were finally cuffed with cold steel.

After escorting the fugitive into the car, the villagers finally reacted, surrounding the car to watch the commotion. A few villagers who had a good relationship with his family even shouted not to arrest him, not to take the "southerner" away.

"Shut up! The police are catching a fugitive. If you keep shouting, you'll be obstructing justice and will be detained!"

"Move, move, everyone move!"

Brigade Commander Ye and Captain Zhou showed their police IDs and drew their guns, while the police officers from the local police station ran over to maintain order.

It was real; Gu Xinguì was truly a fugitive!

The villagers dared not make a loud noise or act rashly. Some stood by the side to continue watching, while others ran to call his wife.

"Xiao Han, follow me, let's go to the police station first."

Brigade Commander Ye got into the Santana that the county police officer had driven in, placed a police light on the roof, and turned on the siren to lead the way. The Cherokee followed, with the minivan bringing up the rear.

The sirens were deafening, and the police lights flashed. The road was clear, and no one dared to block them.

As the convoy left the village, Han Bo finally breathed a sigh of relief and turned back to say, "Gu Xinguì, the two who committed the crime with you, one has been out for two years, and the other is about to be released. Why did you run?"

"You shouldn't have run. If you had turned yourself in back then and had a good attitude, you wouldn't be in this situation now." They were from the same village, and Mi Jinlong had a good relationship with his father, his face showing a mix of frustration and disappointment.

Is there a pill for regret now?

Gu Xinguì choked up and said, "Secretary Mi, Officer Han, I take responsibility for my actions. I admit my guilt and will serve my time. Before I go, can you let me see my wife? Please, just once, to settle things at home."

His case was clear, with solid evidence.

His current wife was someone he met after fleeing and was not an accomplice, so there was no issue of colluding.

The law is not without human sentiment. If they didn't fulfill his wish, who knows what might happen on the way back. After all, people need hope, a reason to live.

Han Bo weighed the options and agreed, "Alright, we'll wait at the police station for two hours. If she comes, you can see her, but we must be present during the meeting."

"Thank you, Officer Han, thank you, Secretary Mi."

"Secretary? I was dismissed from my position before you committed the crime."

Time had passed, and many things had slipped his mind. Mi Jinlong gave a self-deprecating smile, and Gu Xinguì remembered that his house had been demolished by the township government because of his second child.

Upon arriving at the police station, Brigade Commander Ye and Captain Zhou, as per routine, conducted the first interrogation to confirm his identity and whether he had committed any crimes in Yonghe County.

There were witnesses and accomplices; he couldn't deny what he had done.

Gu Xinguì had a good attitude, admitting to the crimes in Liangzhuang and providing a clear account of his life during his escape.

On the night of the theft and assault, he fled to Liuxia, climbed onto a passing long-distance truck, and "directly" reached Tianmen. The driver was careless, stopping to rest over ten times without checking the cargo under the tarp.

With no money, he started working odd jobs in Tianmen, not daring to stay in the city and always working in the suburbs.

While working as a laborer on a construction site, he met his current wife, who was six years older than him. He was lonely and afraid to interact with others because of his criminal record, and she was a widow raising two children alone. They gradually came together.

They lived together in Tianmen for two years, waiting for the children to accept the new arrangement, and then moved to Xiaojiao Township to start a new life.

The interrogation was over, and they allowed him to see his wife.

The woman cried her heart out, kneeling in the police station and begging the government to show mercy, saying her husband was a good man, that he had repented and was now a reformed person, and that the family couldn't do without him...

The two children also cried, clinging to the legs of the police station instructor, refusing to let go.

It was heart-wrenching to watch and painful to hear.

Not to mention that they had no authority to release him, even if they did, what about the innocent civilians he had injured, who also had families and deserved justice?

The police officers did their best to console her, eventually agreeing to wait another hour for her to go home and pack a few changes of clothes for Gu Xinguì.

With the fugitive captured, they had to report to Chief Chang, the bureau leaders, and the township leaders.

Chief Chang, hearing that he was eager to return, immediately offered to have the military representative at Tianmen Railway Station help book train tickets for 7 PM.

Director Ji was very pleased, giving them a hearty praise and instructing them to pay attention to safety during the escort.

When it came to Old Lu, there was more to say.

"Xiao Han, you must first escort him back to the township, don't rush to send him to the detention center. Public denunciations are no longer in vogue, but public trials and sentences are the responsibility of the court and the procuratorate. However, a public arrest can be organized. Bring him back, hold a public arrest meeting at the cinema, and have all the middle and primary school students attend. Then parade him through the streets to deter the young troublemakers and improve social morals!"

Suspects have rights too. Doing this would not only humiliate the suspect but also undermine the rule of law.

Han Bo was at a loss, frowning and saying, "Secretary Lu, even during the severe crackdown, we didn't do this. Isn't this going too far? Besides, his parents are still alive, and he has several siblings. If we do this, how will his parents and siblings face others in the future?"

"They failed to educate him properly, so they must bear the responsibility. This is decided. I'll have Zhou Zhengfa prepare for it, just waiting for you to return. Don't rush on the way, pay attention to safety, and I'll celebrate your success when you return."

Liangzhuang values education, and as the Party Secretary of Liangzhuang Township, Old Lu must also prioritize it. He wouldn't miss this opportunity to educate the middle and primary school students, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

For the bureau, this wasn't a big deal, and even the county political and legal committee might support it. What could a police commissioner say? Only obey the order. Han Bo smiled bitterly and said, "Alright, I'll first escort him back to the township."

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