Chapter Twelve: The Inescapable Net

On June 22nd, at two in the afternoon, the city Public Security Bureau's conference room was thick with smoke. The heads of all five district bureaus, along with the chief and deputy chiefs of the Criminal Investigation and Public Order divisions, had gathered to await instructions. Among these thirty-odd men, not one was a non-smoker; the heavy tobacco reek was so overpowering that Shen Tiejian, himself a seasoned smoker, had to stand up and open a window.

"Director, Commissar, there's new information!"

Wei Mingzhong, head of the Criminal Investigation Division, had just read a fax brought hastily by his deputy. He reported immediately to Jiang Shangwu and Shen Tiejian: "At 8:10 this morning, a worker from the Laitang Railway Section, Mo Yaoguang, was knocked unconscious by a police officer with a face covered in injuries. He was then locked inside the tool room seven hundred meters north of Laitang Station. An hour later, he regained consciousness and called for help. Fifteen minutes after that, he was brought to the Laitang Station Police Substation. According to Mo Yaoguang, the officer who attacked him closely matched the height and appearance of the fugitive Kang Ning. Mo Yaoguang also reported his tool bag missing. If we can confirm that the fugitive is indeed Kang Ning, it's highly likely he'll disguise himself again and continue his escape."

Yang Yong, captain of Administrative Team Two, stood up to add, "Starting at 4:50 a.m., we've conducted a thorough search of the eight-kilometer stretch between Lanning Station and Xinyang Station. Aside from confirming that the broken mango tree was the point from which the fugitive jumped from the train, there were no signs the fugitive climbed over the perimeter fence. Since the fugitive was discovered, all roads and bridges on both sides of the tracks have been sealed. Two speedboats from the Water Police Substation have also been dispatched to patrol the Yong River under the railway bridge. Yet, there's still no trace of the fugitive. We therefore believe he most likely climbed aboard a northbound military train from Pingxiang. The railway department reports the military train arrived at Laitang Station at 7:42 a.m. and departed at 7:56 a.m., while the attack on the railway worker occurred at 8:10 a.m. Timewise, it’s most probable the fugitive left the train at Laitang Station."

Upon hearing Yang Yong’s analysis, everyone in the room felt a surge of energy.

But Shen Tiejian frowned, his dissatisfaction obvious. "At 6:50 this morning, we already notified the Laitang Station Police Substation and the Laitang City Public Security Bureau about the case. The Laitang Armed Police also joined the search. Why are we only hearing about this now? From the time Mo Yaoguang regained consciousness and reported the incident, four and a half hours have passed. Laitang Station is a major hub. In this time, there must have been at least fifty passenger and freight trains passing through Laitang towards Guangdong, Hunan, Guizhou, and Lanning. If the fugitive boarded another train, how are we supposed to determine his direction? Isn’t the Laitang City Public Security Bureau’s efficiency far too low?"

"Report! Latest development from Laitang City Public Security Bureau!"

Deng Xudong, Wei Mingzhong’s deputy, entered the conference room again. "Half an hour ago, in the tool room where the Laitang station worker was attacked, police uniform and trousers abandoned by the fugitive were found. The police badge left in the jacket pocket bore the name Chen Dawei, of the Chengnan Sub-bureau. This confirms: the fugitive at Laitang Station was Kang Ning!"

"And what good does this confirmation do us now? Why wasn’t such crucial information reported immediately? What the hell are those people in Laitang doing, eating rice?" Jiang Shangwu, seeing his suspicions confirmed, realized the pursuit had just grown exponentially more difficult. In his agitation, he bellowed in frustration.

The initial surge of morale in the room was snuffed out as soon as the boss lost his temper; everyone instinctively fell silent.

But Wei Mingzhong was well aware that the First Deputy Director of Criminal Investigation at Laitang Public Security Bureau was Jiang Shangwu’s brother-in-law. After a moment’s thought, he ventured, "Director, Commissar, everyone, perhaps we should predict the fugitive's possible escape direction. Along the railway lines in Liuzhou, Guilin, Hechi, Yulin, Baise, and Pingxiang, our comrades have already set up a tight blockade. I recommend we immediately notify all municipal and county bureaus in those areas, and order Laitang City Public Security Bureau to launch a large-scale search. We should also command the neighboring Bin County Public Security Bureau to begin searching at once."

The room quickly agreed with Wei Mingzhong’s proposal.

Jiang Shangwu concluded, "I concur. Our railway colleagues are already mobilizing. In a moment, I’ll contact the Liuzhou Public Security Bureau to request their full cooperation. City police forces can be withdrawn from the urban districts, but checkpoints at stations, docks, and all main city access roads must remain manned until after Hong Kong’s handover on July 2nd. What do you think, Old Shen?"

"I agree. I have another suggestion: establish a special task force at once, and report the case to the Provincial Department, requesting technical and manpower support," Shen Tiejian replied with measured calm.

Jiang Shangwu leaned over and murmured to Shen Tiejian, "After the meeting, I’ll report to the municipal government and party committee and submit your suggestion as well. But before we make any decisions, we must wait for the higher-ups’ instructions."

Shen Tiejian nodded in silent assent. At that moment, Liu Weiqing, deputy captain of Criminal Investigation Team Two, who had remained silent until now, stood up and said, "I believe Deputy Captain Zhang Jianhan from Team One is most familiar with the fugitive. He should be included in the investigation, not excluded."

"Utter nonsense! Liu Weiqing, do you understand the rules of discipline? The principle of organizational procedure? Sit down!"

Seeing Liu Weiqing bow his head and sit, Jiang Shangwu lowered his voice to explain again to Shen Tiejian, Wei Mingzhong, and the others, "I know Comrade Zhang Jianhan is highly capable and a steadfast Party member of six years. His involvement would undoubtedly benefit the investigation. However, once we learned about his prior substantial connection to the fugitive, we cannot violate organizational discipline and regulations. Under all circumstances, discipline must come first. All right, the meeting is adjourned. Everyone, implement the decisions immediately. I, the Commissar, and Deputy Director Lu will be available for updates at any time. Anything to add, Old Shen, Old Lu? No? Then, dismissed!"

After the meeting, Wei Mingzhong said nothing, but hurried back to the Criminal Investigation Division with Deng Xudong. The moment they entered his office, Wei Mingzhong instructed his assistant, Tian Wenbo, "Xiao Tian, go bring that kid Zhang Jianhan here for me."

"Yes, sir!" Tian Wenbo replied promptly and left.