National Forensic Doctor-Chapter 1184 - 1114: Reverse Business Trip

Morning.

A light wind blows, gentle breeze and scattered clouds.

Dai Mingsheng held a thorough brigade meeting, the theme was about the newly occurred film city corpse dumping case, but the main content was still about politics, emphasizing work discipline and other issues.

After the meeting, everyone fell into deep thought, while Dai Mingsheng, who led the conversation throughout, felt relaxed and happy.

As long as I delegate the pressure, I have no pressure; as long as I focus externally, I have no internal conflict.

"Alright. Everyone, get busy. I’ve already mentioned the precautions. Old Hao, when you go to Bai River Province, pay attention to the points I’ve mentioned. Being away from home requires caution. It’s easy back home, but difficult when out. Although Jiang Yuan has established connections for us, we cannot be sure how willing the other side is to help or to what extent they can assist, and we shouldn’t expect too much. So, you still need to think of ways and use your brain..." Dai Mingsheng stood up and began advising Captain Hao.

Captain Hao didn’t find the brigade leader’s advice annoying at all, earnestly replied, "I understand. Jiang has already helped us contact the director of Luojin City Bureau, such connection is invaluable. I will certainly work diligently, and not embarrass you or our brigade."

"Listen more, speak less, do more. Consider yourself a rookie." Dai Mingsheng paused, then added, "Furthermore, appearance is the face value, solving the case is the real value. You can’t lose face, but for the real value, it’s okay to compromise a little."

"I’ll make sure to bring back both the face and the real value." Captain Hao, a captain earned by himself, spoke flawlessly.

"First, ensure your own safety. Return in one piece. Of course, solving the case would be best; my reputation is the least important." As departure time approached, Dai Mingsheng toned down his previous bold statements significantly.

Captain Hao smiled silently.

The political commissioner and several deputy brigade leaders also kindly encouraged Captain Hao.

There are different difficulties with business trips; a typical policeman going out to coordinate and letting other provinces’ criminal police assist in apprehending someone, or just getting some information, are relatively easy and considered routine.

But the case this time could be happening in Bai River Province, and the person involved might also be from Bai River Province. Captain Hao’s mission might not be simply communication, collecting data, or apprehending someone.

When the time comes, if additional resources from the other side are needed, it’s manageable, as Dai Mingsheng is not stingy. The worry is about cross-case complications, or the involvement of other cases or individuals from Bai River Province...

The complexity of criminal cases often doesn’t lie in the case itself, but often because of the people involved. The Criminal Police Brigade has always handled major and serious cases, well aware of this.

Historically, criminal cases have often led to political upheavals. The Ming Dynasty’s four major cases, the Qing Dynasty’s Yang Naiwu and Little Cabbage, were far-reaching cases. Some cases may not become major ones, but often it’s the issue of the handlers themselves.

Dai Mingsheng didn’t think to such extremes, but Captain Hao, a criminal police from Lanyue City, essentially goes to Bai River Province for a murder investigation, risking his life. Any degree of fierce resistance from the murderers is no surprise.

If it were local, the system could protect the criminal police’s safety, but outside... honestly, Dai Mingsheng is not very familiar with Bai River Province...

"Communicate frequently with the criminal police in Luojin City. Jiang Yuan’s connections are still quite useful; use them as needed, I’ll find ways to compensate him for it." Dai Mingsheng advised quietly, with sincerity in his words.

His good reputation in the circle is well-earned.

Captain Hao assured again, "Don’t worry, I’m an experienced criminal police officer, I know how to protect myself."

"Yes, take more people with you, and weapons too." Holding Captain Hao’s shoulder, Dai Mingsheng led him out, only expressing his concerns after leaving the crowd, "The victim wore luxury items, wool socks, and was 45 years old, at least a strong figure in society. The murderer dumped him so far away in Lanyue City, this act is suspicious."

"I understand." Captain Hao continued to nod, "Multiple perpetrators suggest possible shared interests."

Dai Mingsheng saw he truly understood, said, "I’ll see you downstairs."

The two then headed down.

Wei Shikan hurriedly ran upstairs, stopping them.

"Dai, Captain Hao, luckily you haven’t left yet. Your pick-up has arrived." Wei Shikan wheezed.

Captain Hao was puzzled, "My pick-up, who’s my pick-up?"

"Jiang’s people." Wei Shikan boldly teased in front of the brigade leader, "You’ll see when you look."

Dai Mingsheng and Captain Hao, both middle-aged men, didn’t mind sparring with the young Kshatriya Wei Shikan, so they followed him quickly downstairs.

The reception room downstairs was packed with more than a dozen people at this time.

Dai Mingsheng entered and saw his Criminal Police Brigade team members, each with a mysterious smile on their faces.

Looking again, there was an older criminal policeman with two bars and three stars on his uniform, unfamiliar-faced, talking to Jiang Yuan.

Two bars and three stars signify a first-level police supervisor, equivalent to a third-level senior police captain, commonly known as Deputy Director, which belongs to the middle to senior police officer category. Dai Mingsheng ought to have met detectives of this rank and age before.

"Dai Zhi is here, let me introduce you." Jiang Yuan, not having to handle any case at the moment, was full of emotional intelligence, saying: "This is Captain Pang Jidong from Luo Jin City Criminal Police Brigade, who specifically came over upon hearing we’re heading to Baijiang Province to escort us."

"Ah? Oh... welcome, welcome." Dai Mingsheng understood every word Jiang Yuan said, but evidently not a single sentence made sense.

Pang Jidong walked over and smartly saluted, saying, "Captain Pang Jidong of Baijiang Province Luo Jin City Criminal Police Brigade Fourth Squadron, saluting you."

Dai Mingsheng returned the salute, still somewhat puzzled: "Captain Pang, did our cases collide?"

It happens from time to time that two different places work on the same case. For the Criminal Police Brigade, such situations often lead to disputes, regardless of territorial or personnel principles; some teams are willing to take responsibility, while others are skeptical about everything.

Pang Jidong quickly said, "No collision. I’m Jiangmen’s main disciple. My mentor mentioned that your case involves Baijiang Province, requiring collaborative effort from both sides, so I thought I’d come ahead to take orders."

Dai Mingsheng once again questioned his understanding skills, pondering aloud: "You’re Jiang Yuan’s disciple?"

"Main disciple." Pang Jidong corrected, "I study forensic botany with my mentor."

"Oh... oh!" Dai Mingsheng, looking at Pang Jidong who was older than himself, didn’t know what to say, entering a phase of doubt again: "You came over here because..."

"Haven’t seen my mentor for a while, so using this as an excuse for a work-funded trip." Pang Jidong bantered, continuing, "Mentor’s case is my case. I reported to both the brigade captain and the bureau chief, and they supported my coming here to coordinate with your arrangements. Who is preparing to go over?"

"That’s me." Captain Hao, also not young anymore, would have been grandpa material 300 years ago, but now he raised his hand like a schoolboy. Those around him didn’t judge; for detectives, traveling to other places is routine, but to have detectives from the destination come to pick you up, what kind of fantasy story is that?

Under normal circumstances, local detectives would barely accompany them for a couple of days even if they weren’t aloof, which would already be considered enthusiastic. Our side would want to cover travel expenses to host them.

Pang Jidong is indeed the official captain from the local Criminal Police Brigade, and he’s not young either.

Those present were police officers from the Criminal Police Brigade; insiders knew their own affairs, and for out-of-town detectives coming to Lanyue City, few could find the Criminal Police Brigade’s entrance. Even if there were some connections, sending a young officer along would already signify ample attention, making incoming detectives deeply grateful.

Pang Jidong had a smiling face, seemingly pleading rather than coming to assist, proactively shaking hands with Captain Hao, saying, "Mentor’s case is my case. If you’re not in a hurry, we can chat a bit, then take a later flight to Luo Jin City. Our Criminal Police Brigade Fourth Squadron has over twenty people; currently, a few cases can’t break free, initially dispatching eight people. If more are needed, I’ll apply to the brigade captain!"

"This... Captain Pang, thank you so much!" Captain Hao genuinely didn’t know what to say; past over forty years of experience didn’t help now, so he tightly gripped Pang Jidong’s hand.

Dai Mingsheng stepped up to shake Pang Jidong’s other hand.

"Mentor’s case—it’s my duty." Pang Jidong reiterated, his smile sincere.

Since following Jiang Yuan to study forensic botany, although he hasn’t achieved any academic success, he’s resolved over ten murder cases, half of which were cold cases.

This number can’t compare with Jiang Yuan’s achievements, but it’s top-notch locally, an outstanding performance.

Knowing clearly, Pang Jidong understood Jiang Yuan spent time teaching him and occasionally helped him review evidence purely because, if any selfish motive existed, Jiang Yuan should have picked a forty-something detective squad leader as a disciple instead of someone nearing retirement.

With Jiang Yuan’s achievements and abilities, many middle-aged and young people seek progress and would gladly follow him.

Yet Jiang Yuan never displayed impatience towards Pang Jidong.

Thus, faced with such a not-exactly opportunity, Pang Jidong didn’t find flying to Lanyue City arduous.

If time wasn’t tight, Pang Jidong was willing to walk humbly from Luo Jin City to Lanyue City.

The room full of detectives couldn’t decipher Pang Jidong’s thoughts but remained deeply shocked.

"Alright, let’s find a place to eat first. Talk while we eat." Dai Mingsheng, who wasn’t proficient in his line of work but had years of receiving and dispatching people, struggled to keep up with the pace, reverting to Chinese tradition.

Pang Jidong agreed without pretension, smiling, "Let’s have a casual bite; the main focus is discussing the case."