Chapter Seventeen: Patience, Please

Jiang Shangwu was furious. For three days, not a single valuable clue had surfaced. Tens of thousands of police officers had been mobilized in the massive manhunt, yet there was nothing to show for it. The notorious fugitive Kang Ning had vanished as though he’d evaporated from the human world, leaving not a trace behind.

After being summoned by Lan Jianguo to report on the investigation, Jiang Shangwu’s anxiety grew deeper. He knew that, despite the mayor’s courteous words and amicable manner, the mayor’s gaze drifting toward the void revealed the underlying urgency—so desperate that now he was forced to rely on those subordinates he’d often overlooked and underestimated.

“Reporting!”

“Come in.”

Wei Mingzhong entered with a cheerful smile, settling into the luxurious swivel chair before Jiang Shangwu’s desk. “Chief, Wei Mingzhong from the Criminal Investigation Unit reporting in! How about a Zhonghua cigarette?”

“Enough with your tricks, Wei Mingzhong!” Jiang Shangwu shot him a glare, opened the drawer, and tossed a pack of Yuxi cigarettes onto the desk. “Three days without progress—I don’t even know whose fault it is anymore.”

Chuckling, Wei Mingzhong picked up the evening paper and carefully wrapped the Yuxi cigarettes in it, then sealed the package with glue from the desk. After his little ritual, he rubbed his round nose and addressed Jiang Shangwu, who watched with cold amusement.

“Boss, there’s only one path left: report to the Provincial Public Security Department and request technical and administrative support. Two reasons. First, only the provincial tech unit has mobile phone tracking equipment. Second, since cross-provincial cooperation is involved, we have to rely on their backing. I’ve been pondering this: the fugitive is severely wounded, so he can’t have gone far—most likely hiding somewhere. But this morning, I realized that except for the railway police under Liuzhou Bureau, nobody cares about us. In a few days, it’s the grand celebration for Hong Kong’s return; everyone else has their own priorities. We’ve already combed every inch along the Lan Ning to Liuzhou railway, not a single sign. So, the fugitive may have already left Guangxi. Now, we can only wait for him to slip up—and the most likely place is through communication! We can monitor landlines, but we lack the equipment for mobile phones. In all of Guangxi, only the provincial tech unit has a set—there’s nothing else.”

Jiang Shangwu nodded in agreement, pondering for a moment. “Old Wei, your instincts are always sharp. Any insights on the current situation?”

“It’s tough! This fugitive is extraordinary—both physically and mentally. From his call for help to his escape, he’s been unpredictable and elusive. I have no idea where to start!” Wei Mingzhong exclaimed, then hesitated, as if there was something more he wanted to say.

Jiang Shangwu, quick-witted, caught on immediately. “Ha! Don’t act in front of me—you want your prize pupil Zhang Jianhan involved in the case, don’t you?”

Wei Mingzhong laughed heartily. “Boss, your vision is sharp as ever! Yes, that’s what I’m thinking, but we can’t just ignore protocol, can we? Still, if Zhang Jianhan joins in, maybe there’ll be a breakthrough. He knows the fugitive best, and you’ve praised him as a rare talent in over a decade. Ah—I’ll say no more, or you’ll accuse me of favoritism. It’s your call, Boss.”

Jiang Shangwu shook his head, both amused and exasperated. “How did the People’s Liberation Army forge someone like you, utterly shameless! Just say what you mean, no need for detours—I really can’t figure you out!”

“Boss, if I’ve become corrupted, it’s only since I left the army. If I acted like this in the military, with its strict hierarchy, I’d have lost more than three layers of skin!” Wei Mingzhong protested, blinking his small eyes anxiously.

Jiang Shangwu paused, realizing the deeper meaning in Wei Mingzhong’s words. After careful thought, he conceded, “You make a good point. Here’s what we’ll do: I’ll discuss with the political commissar and draft a report to the provincial department. Given the impact and the need for preparation, the wanted notice will be delayed until we get instructions from above. As for Zhang Jianhan, he can join the investigation team, but only within a limited scope—no participation in decision-making or case analysis, just operational involvement.”

Wei Mingzhong jumped to his feet, grabbed the Zhonghua cigarettes from Jiang Shangwu’s desk, and eagerly offered one, lighting it with a smile for Jiang Shangwu, who took a reluctant puff. Wei Mingzhong spoke with heartfelt gratitude, “Boss, thank you! You know, I’m already at my limit in this career, but it’s rare to have a disciple I can be proud of. When I retire in a few years, I’ll have something to brag about to the old comrades, not let those arrogant youngsters look down on me. That alone is enough for me.”

Jiang Shangwu was moved by Wei Mingzhong’s words. He knew that many of Wei’s diligent comrades now held high ranks in the military—one was even a major general in a main combat unit. In contrast, only Wei, who had once earned a first-class merit, lingered at the departmental level—a career capped for life.

With a pack of cigarettes tucked under his arm, Wei Mingzhong returned to his office, made a few calls, then went to the flower stand, picking up a plastic watering can and tending to two ugly cacti while humming “Blood-Stained Glory” in his off-key, raspy voice.

Soon, Yang Yong, Liu Weiqing, and Zhang Jianhan arrived together. Seeing Wei Mingzhong in such cheerful spirits, they exchanged glances.

After seating them and setting aside the watering can, Wei Mingzhong looked at his three subordinates with disdain. “Look at you lot—nothing like the heroic image of the People’s Police. You drive me mad!”

The three burst out laughing. The straightforward Yang Yong said, “Wei, just tell us what needs doing.”

Wei Mingzhong grinned. “From today, Zhang Jianhan is officially a member of the ‘621 Case’ investigation team. You three must cooperate closely and work hard—don’t disgrace me!”

Yang Yong and Liu Weiqing congratulated Zhang Jianhan, who smiled gratefully and turned to Wei Mingzhong. “Wei, what’s our next step?”

“Don’t rush—store your strength and wait!” Wei Mingzhong replied, then unwrapped the cigarettes, handing out two packs each and keeping the remaining four for himself. “These are from Director Jiang to reward everyone. I outrank you, so two packs for me, ha! The bureau has approved the request for provincial technical support. Now it’s up to you youngsters. Get going!”

The three left happily. Not long after, Zhang Jianhan returned, seated across from Wei Mingzhong, and earnestly said, “Thank you, Wei.”

“And how do you plan to thank me?” Wei Mingzhong asked, half-closing his eyes.

Zhang Jianhan paused, then grinned softly. “Wei, where do you think Kang Ning is now?”

Wei Mingzhong straightened, his expression serious. “Zhang Jianhan, if you know Kang Ning’s whereabouts and don’t report it, you’ll face severe consequences!”

Zhang Jianhan looked fearlessly at his superior. “Don’t be so hasty! Who said I know where Kang Ning is? I just want to exchange opinions with my boss. Look at yourself, tsk tsk…”

Wei Mingzhong couldn’t help but laugh, recalling his own earlier words: “Don’t rush—store your strength and wait.” The irony struck quickly. Suppressing his admiration, he put on a stern face and said coldly, “If you’ve got something to say, spit it out!”

Zhang Jianhan slyly extended his hand. “Give me another pack of Yuxi and I’ll talk.”

Wei Mingzhong, helpless, shook his head and reluctantly handed over another pack. “Damn it, hurry up!”

“My first assessment: Kang Ning is still somewhere between Lan Ning and Litang.”

Wei Mingzhong nodded in agreement. “Yes, insightful. I think so too. Hey, got any more judgments?”

“One last, and most crucial.” Zhang Jianhan answered seriously.

“Speak!”

“Give me another pack of Yuxi and I’ll tell.”

“Hey—are you extorting me?” Wei Mingzhong shouted, but Zhang Jianhan stood his ground, refusing to budge. After a moment’s standoff, Wei Mingzhong painfully opened the drawer and hurled a pack of Yuxi at Zhang Jianhan’s head.

Zhang Jianhan snatched it deftly, rose to leave, and at the door turned back with a smile to his about-to-explode superior. “Wei, my final assessment probably matches yours: Kang Ning has already left Guangxi, hasn’t he?”

Wei Mingzhong, enraged, grabbed the desk calendar and hurled it at Zhang Jianhan, who slipped away in a flash. The calendar slammed against the recently closed door with a thunderous crash, then bounced to the floor.

At that moment, Wei Mingzhong’s expression changed, filling with appreciation and comfort, and he muttered repeatedly, “The young are formidable! Truly formidable!”