Chapter 74

At around 6 PM, the military representative helped buy a sleeper ticket. Yonghe was not too far from Jinmen Railway Station, so there was no need to rush, and there was enough time to thank the fellow public security authorities.

Ye Zhibu helped arrange everything, and two tables were set up at a restaurant in the county for lunch.

The chief of the criminal investigation team, the political instructor of the criminal investigation team, the chief of the public security team, the chief and political instructor of the Xiaojiao Township police station, and a few others whose names and positions were forgotten during the introductions.

When they set out, they brought 20,000 yuan in cash. They left 1,000 yuan when visiting Li Shuncheng, refueled once, and stayed at a hotel in Donghai without paying, as it was managed by Chang Canshang. They only bought a few train tickets and didn't spend much on the way.

With ample funds, they ordered the best wine and dishes.

The consumption in the small county was not high, and 500 yuan was enough for two full tables. The wine they ordered cost about 30 yuan per bottle, and they didn't overdo it.

Feeling very grateful, they spent 950 yuan at a tobacco and alcohol store to buy ten cartons of cigarettes. They gave six cartons to the police station chief, asking him to distribute them to the police officers who helped but had to stay on duty and couldn't come to the meal. The remaining cartons were given to the criminal investigation team and the public security team, two each.

They brought two cartons of Yuxi cigarettes when they came. They distributed the remaining packs from one carton during the meal and gave the other unopened carton to Ye Zhibu, so they didn't need to spend more money.

The municipal bureau leadership had already given instructions, so there was no need to be so formal.

However, it turned out that they treated it as if no instructions had been given, making it quite grand.

Unlike some local counterparts who "didn't understand the rules" and came to the jurisdiction to arrest people without prior notice, leading to being surrounded by the uninformed public and unable to leave, they had to turn to the Yonghe County Public Security Bureau. The host and guests enjoyed themselves, the atmosphere was very warm, and they exchanged business cards or left phone numbers, promising to stay in touch for future matters.

The municipal bureau and the military division both said not to worry about it.

What level were they? Did they have the qualifications to treat them like this? Han Bo didn't hesitate, escorted Gu Xinguì, and set off on his journey home in the military division's Jeep Cherokee.

Li Xiaolei was just a short distance away. When they were near Jinmen, he couldn't resist and called her new pager.

There was a public phone in a small store in the alley, and a bit further away, there was an IC phone.

The aunt who ran the store had sharp ears and a big mouth, so they had to be cautious when answering, speaking as if they were meeting underground party members.

Li Xiaolei didn't want to cause any gossip, so she ran all the way to the public phone booth on the roadside, inserted the card, and dialed 139's Global Access. After two beeps, she hung up in默契. It was a two-way charge, so it didn't matter whether he received or made the call.

"Dear, are you just off work?"

Although such terms of endearment in Hong Kong movies were quite sappy, they sounded very intimate. They couldn't say it in person, but it was fine over the phone.

"Only just got home, helping to pick vegetables. Today is my dad's birthday, and my sister and brother-in-law are coming over for dinner tonight." Li Xiaolei wiped her sweat with her arm, panting.

"It's Dad's birthday, I can't make it. Help me prepare a gift."

To call him "Dad" was really shameless and presumptuous.

Li Xiaolei chuckled, "Okay, I'll buy two bottles of good wine and tell him this is from his second son-in-law. He's busy and can't come, and he asked me to wish him a long life and good health."

"Dear, actually, I'm quite close to you..."

After a brief introduction of the situation, Li Xiaolei was indeed furious: "You didn't let me know when you came, and you only call me when you're leaving. Do you think you're like Dayu, passing by your home three times without entering? Please, can you stay until tomorrow? I'll take a taxi now, it's at most two hours, very quick."

Han Bo watched Gu Xinguì go to the toilet and explained with a bitter smile, "Don't be angry. I'm not trying to avoid you, and I really want to see you, but I can't spare the time. I had to catch someone, and now I need to safely escort him back. I can't abandon the suspect to meet you privately."

Li Xiaolei pouted, "A good cadre like Jiao Yulu."

"Only now do you realize that. So you should learn from me, work hard, and do your internship seriously."

With a suspect to escort, they couldn't meet.

Li Xiaolei said angrily, "Fine, you're dedicated and busy. When you have time, I'll come to Sigon. The police special envoy even goes so far to catch fugitives. Be careful, and if anything happens to you, there won't be anyone to mourn for you."

"Don't worry, nothing will happen to me. Even if it does, I'll marry you first, so you won't be alone."

"Nice dream. If you dare to die, I'll remarry the next day."

"Not be a martyr's widow?"

"Only a fool would be a martyr's widow. Long-distance calls are expensive. Be careful on the road and take care of yourself."

"Understood."

...

The railway police were very accommodating when escorting the suspect.

They went directly to the station police station to rest and boarded the train ten minutes before the ticket check. When changing to a sleeper ticket, the train attendant arranged for the four of them to be together, two lower berths and two middle berths. They promised that if there weren't many hard sleeper passengers, the upper berths would not be assigned.

As the train left the station and they checked the compartments, the chief of the train police came over to see them and chatted for a while.

Chen Meng had previously participated in out-of-town arrest missions and had relatively more experience, so he kept comforting Gu Xinguì.

It's just going to prison, no big deal.

Behave well inside, try to earn merit and get a reduced sentence, and get parole early. When you come out, you can continue your life with your wife in Behe.

Mi Jindragon helped with the persuasion, saying only good things.

When other passengers came to watch, they all said it wasn't a big deal, comforting him like they were soothing a child, trying to keep his emotions stable to ensure nothing went wrong during the escort.

Out-of-province arrests were exciting but tiring.

After the train, they drove a car, non-stop, and the journey was exhausting. They wouldn't feel at ease until they safely escorted the suspect home.

From the start to bringing the person back to Liangzhuang, it took a total of six days, most of which were spent on the road. After handing the person over to Xiao Dan and An Xiaoyong, Han Bo was so exhausted that he went to the dormitory upstairs, lay down on the bed, and slept for over ten hours.

After recovering, he took a shower, shaved, and changed clothes. When he came downstairs, there were several people in the meeting room, including the captain and political instructor of the Fourth Criminal Investigation Team.

"Special Envoy Han, you really didn't play fair. You said you'd keep me informed, but you went to Behe to catch someone without telling me."

"Special Envoy Han, we should call you Director Han. This isn't a police station; it's a public security bureau!"

Han Bo asked with a half-smile, "Captain Cheng, Instructor Qiu, are you here to demand an explanation?"

Catching a fugitive is no big deal for the criminal investigation team. Only newbies like you, eager to show off, would be so enthusiastic.

Captain Cheng took a cigarette and laughed, "Demand an explanation? What a joke. We're here for the public arrest meeting. Secretary Lu called the bureau, and the leadership instructed us to cooperate. We'll go to the cinema later, and you can hand the person over to me. I'll parade him through the streets and then send him to the detention center."

"So soon?"

Wang Yan, who had accompanied the two criminal investigation team leaders, explained with a bitter smile, "Social morals are much worse than before. Secretary Lu takes this matter very seriously. Director Zhou from the Comprehensive Governance Office came early this morning to work with Gu Xinguì, asking him to behave at the meeting."

"Are we all actors?"

"No, we are actors, and you are the hero."

"Captain Cheng, if you keep teasing me, I'll submit the invoice for reimbursement."

"Don't, the case wasn't handled by us, and the case files are at the bureau. I'm only responsible for sending him to the detention center, and the pre-trial department will take over the rest. The credit is yours, and the invoice is yours. I, Cheng Wenming, am just a minor role. I don't even know who to ask for reimbursement for the fuel. Special Envoy Han, since you're so wealthy, can you help us out?"

Just then, Old Lu arrived with his mobile phone.

Director Zhang would treat him with respect and deference, and Cheng Wenming didn't dare to be sarcastic in front of him. He quickly saluted and greeted him.

"Little Han, you did a great job. Chief Chang called me and said you performed well. The leaders of the fellow public security authorities and the military division praised you highly, saying you didn't disgrace the cadres of Liangzhuang. Let's go to Fufu Restaurant for a celebration. After the meal, we'll have a meeting and use this negative example to educate the bad boys."

Public arrest meetings and parading criminals through the streets haven't been done for many years.

If they were held once or twice a year, would the social morals be as bad as they are now? Would there be a need for a crackdown this year?

Old Lu was very excited, speaking with force and gesturing vigorously.

However, when it came to the celebration, he was very stingy. He only invited those who participated in the out-of-province arrest, not anyone else. He dragged Han Bo away, leaving Cheng Wenming and Instructor Qiu staring at each other awkwardly, wishing they could find a hole to hide in.

Wang Yan held back her laughter and explained, "Captain Cheng, Instructor Qiu, that's how Secretary Lu operates. When the county invites guests, they only invite one table. You saw that he didn't even invite Director Wang. We can eat together, and the canteen is adding a special lunch today."