Chapter 64

Outside, Jiao Lei was sitting in the minivan, waiting. It was almost eight o'clock, and he was wondering why Director Lu was late today. Then, he saw Director Lu running out hurriedly.

As soon as Lu Zheng got in the car, he asked, "Did you see Huzi?"

Jiao Lei was taken aback, shook his head, and said, "Didn't he go to the South Camp Station?"

Lu Zheng waved his hand and said, "Go to the county bureau, and hurry!" He then lit a lighter and burned the crumpled paper in his left hand, crushed the ashes, and sprinkled them out of the car window. The paper was naturally a note left by Lu Xiaohu. If anything really happened to Lu Xiaohu, this note could not fall into the wrong hands, as it would be solid evidence of premeditated harm.

No matter how anxious he was, Lu Zheng didn't forget to bring the note out with him.

In times of crisis, Lu Zheng remained calm. This was the psychological quality a commander must possess on the battlefield of life and death.

Jiao Lei didn't know what had happened, but he naturally stepped on the gas, and the minivan sped onto the main road of the county town.

In less than ten minutes, the minivan entered the courtyard of the county bureau. There was nothing unusual; as usual, police officers on bicycles were coming and going, and the sound of bicycle bells rang out from time to time.

Lu Zheng hurried upstairs and entered his office first. Wang Yuguo followed in and delivered a stack of documents. From Wang Yuguo's expression, there was nothing out of the ordinary.

"Did you see Huzi? And Gao Zhikai?" Lu Zheng asked.

Wang Yuguo replied, "Deputy Director Gao just asked when you would arrive. It seems he has something to discuss with you. Du? Has he come to the bureau?"

Lu Zheng was direct, observing Wang Yuguo's reaction. Although Wang Yuguo had always shown himself to be close to him, with the current rumors swirling, it was possible that Wang Yuguo might turn against him and keep some things from him. But Wang Yuguo clearly didn't know what had happened, his puzzled expression was genuine.

Lu Zheng nodded and said, "Gao Zhikai is looking for me?"

Wang Yuguo said, "Yes, he just went down to the second floor criminal investigation department. I'll call him."

Lu Zheng waved his hand and said, "I'll go down." He then got up and hurried out.

Wang Yuguo was slightly taken aback. What was wrong with Director Lu today? This wasn't like him.

He also wondered about Gao Zhikai's bruised eye. He couldn't have been hit by Director Lu again, could he?

...

The second-floor criminal investigation department was next to the interrogation room. When Lu Zheng entered, Gao Zhikai was applying a white towel to his bruised eye, and Deputy Chief Zhao Mingbang was washing the towel at the basin.

Seeing Lu Zheng come in, Gao Zhikai suddenly smiled, "Director Lu, it's rare to see you. I thought you would always sit up on the third floor, high and mighty." His words were laced with sarcasm, as if he hadn't felt so triumphant in a long time.

Lu Zheng was almost certain that something had happened to Du Xiaohu.

"Zhao Mingbang, did you see Du Xiaohu?" Lu Zheng turned to Old Zhao, his tone extremely stern.

Zhao Mingbang's eyes darted around, wanting to speak but not daring to.

"So you knew?" Gao Zhikai sneered, throwing the towel to the ground. "I knew it. Someone must have instructed him. Was it you? Did you instruct him to shoot me? Lu Zheng, how do you explain this?"

Lu Zheng knew that as soon as he asked about Du Xiaohu, the blame would be shifted onto him. But this wasn't the time to worry about honor and loss; ensuring Du Xiaohu's safety was the most important thing.

"Where is Du Xiaohu?" Lu Zheng asked, then turned and left the room, heading to the adjacent interrogation room. He kicked open the door.

Immediately, Lu Zheng saw Du Xiaohu.

His hands and feet were cuffed, curled on the ground, his face bruised and swollen, blood trickling from his mouth, soaking the white cloth in his mouth. His eyes were full of anger, and he was struggling. When he saw Lu Zheng, his tense body relaxed, but his eyes were filled with regret.

Behind Lu Zheng, Gao Zhikai and Zhao Mingbang quickly followed in, with Zhao Mingbang closing the door behind them.

"What's going on?" Lu Zheng pointed at Du Xiaohu, his face dark.

Gao Zhikai said coldly, "You know what's going on!"

Lu Zheng tried to help Du Xiaohu, but Gao Zhikai stopped him. Gao Zhikai sneered, "What, trying to collude? I'll tell you, Du Xiaohu has already confessed. He attempted to murder with a gun, and you are the mastermind!"

Lu Zheng frowned and said, "You must take responsibility for your words! Du Xiaohu attempted to murder? I think you're just trying to take revenge."

Gao Zhikai laughed, "Lu Zheng, I've always misjudged you. You're not just a rough guy; you're meticulous and ruthless. Unfortunately, the net of justice is wide and tight. No matter how eloquent you are, I have witnesses. Du Xiaohu's attack was witnessed by Old Zhao. Do you want to protect this hothead? Think about yourself first."

Lu Zheng turned to Zhao Mingbang and asked sternly, "Did you see Du Xiaohu attack?"

Lu Zheng's authority still loomed, and Zhao Mingbang dared not meet his gaze, nodding timidly.

Lu Zheng said, "Alright, tell me what happened."

Zhao Mingbang, more like a criminal, didn't dare look at Lu Zheng, stammering, "I, I didn't see the beginning. When I came in, I saw Deputy Director Gao kneeling on the ground..."

At this, Gao Zhikai's face changed, and he glared at him.

Zhao Mingbang, however, didn't notice and continued, "Du used a gun to point at Deputy Director Gao. Deputy Director Gao was trying to persuade him, saying that if he fired, it would implicate you, Director Lu. I took advantage of Du's distraction, grabbed him from behind, and together with Deputy Director Gao, we disarmed and cuffed him..."

Lu Zheng frowned and said, "How is that possible? How do you explain Du Xiaohu's injuries?"

Zhao Mingbang's face changed, looking to Gao Zhikai for help, "I, I don't know."

In fact, Lu Zheng had already guessed the sequence of events. Du Xiaohu had initially controlled Gao Zhikai, but Gao Zhikai must have threatened him, saying that if he fired, it would not only be his problem but would also implicate Lu Zheng. Du Xiaohu hesitated, and in that moment of distraction, Zhao Mingbang, who had sneaked in, attacked him.

As for Du Xiaohu's injuries, it was clear that Gao Zhikai had beaten him afterward, trying to get him to confess that Lu Zheng was the mastermind. But even if it were true, Du Xiaohu wouldn't have admitted it.

"Regardless, the facts aren't clear yet. How can you treat your comrade like this? Zhao Mingbang, immediately release Du Xiaohu and take him to the hospital!" Lu Zheng's face grew darker.

Gao Zhikai sneered, "The evidence is clear. Lu Zheng, I advise you to reflect on your actions. I will report this to the county and city bureau. You will be suspended for investigation!"

Lu Zheng pushed Gao Zhikai aside and stared at Zhao Mingbang, "Old Zhao, the handcuffs on Du Xiaohu are from your criminal investigation department. I ask you, will you open them or not?"

Under Lu Zheng's intense gaze, Zhao Mingbang's legs trembled, and he said involuntarily, "Yes, yes... I'll open them, I'll open them..." After all, Lu Zheng was still the official director, and the authority he had built up made him dare not resist.

Zhao Mingbang lowered his head and approached. He didn't need to look at Gao Zhikai's expression to know it was terrible. He could only inwardly lament, wishing he hadn't come to work so early today.

Zhao Mingbang unlocked Du Xiaohu's handcuffs and helped him up, pulling the cloth out of his mouth. Seeing Du Xiaohu about to speak, Lu Zheng sternly ordered, "Don't say anything. Go to the hospital first! We'll settle accounts after the investigation is clear!" He was afraid Du Xiaohu would say, "It was all me, it has nothing to do with Director Lu," which would only make things worse.

Du Xiaohu wasn't stupid. He was regretting his actions and even thought of suicide, but he knew that if he died, it would only make things worse for Brother Zheng. He could only nod silently.

At this moment, Hou Jianjun rushed in, seeing the scene in the interrogation room and was taken aback.

He had just returned from outside and heard from his subordinates that both Director Lu and Deputy Director Gao had entered the interrogation room. Not knowing what was happening, he followed.

"Look at the mess you've made in the criminal investigation department!" Lu Zheng glared at Hou Jianjun, helping Du Xiaohu out of the room.

Gao Zhikai shouted from behind, "Lu Zheng, don't think you can cover everything up. I'll report this to the county leaders. You know how serious this is. You'll be in jail with Du Xiaohu!"

Hou Jianjun was at a loss, seeing Lu Zheng's dark face and feeling even more anxious. Hearing Gao Zhikai's words, he was even more furious, cursing, "Shut up, what the hell are you talking about?!"

Now that Hou Jianjun was also the head of the criminal investigation department, Gao Zhikai's frequent visits had already annoyed him. Today, it was even more obvious that Gao Zhikai had provoked Director Lu on the department's turf, which made Hou Jianjun even angrier. It showed that he hadn't fully taken control of the department in the few months since he took office.

This had nothing to do with whether Director Lu would leave. Even if Director Lu left, it wouldn't be Gao Zhikai's business!