Chapter 18: What Right Do You Have to Speak to a Hero Like That!

Five minutes later, the officer surnamed Zhang reentered the hospital room.

Wang Xuebing, aware that the other party had already given him some respect, patted Qin Chuan on the shoulder. "Qin Chuan, remember what I said—make sure you cooperate fully with the investigation!"

Qin Chuan had already mentally prepared himself after hearing Wang Xuebing’s explanation.

"Chief Wang, don’t worry. I will definitely cooperate with the superior authorities."

The young policeman accompanying Officer Zhang approached Qin Chuan and was about to handcuff him.

Qin Chuan was displeased.

Five days ago, he had single-handedly dismantled the entire Xin Hai Mining criminal gang.

He had been stabbed seven times, nearly bleeding out to death.

And now, despite all that, instead of receiving any credit, he was about to be handcuffed?

"This officer, I am only cooperating with your investigation right now!"

Wang Xuebing furrowed his brows. "Old Zhang, we’re on the same side. Is this really necessary?"

Officer Zhang waved his hand. The younger policeman glanced at him and proceeded with the handcuffs.

"Chief Wang, the youngster is new and doesn’t understand the rules yet. Please don’t take it personally."

After saying this, he looked at Qin Chuan. "Officer Qin, please come with me."

In the car, Officer Zhang sat in the front passenger seat. Qin Chuan and two other officers squeezed into the backseat, with Qin Chuan in the middle.

Though no words were exchanged, their treatment of him was no different from that of a criminal suspect.

Qin Chuan already knew Officer Zhang's identity from Wang Xuebing.

Zhang Guohao, Director of the Political Supervision Office at the Zhulin County Public Security Bureau, was a deputy section chief who had spent most of his career working in the county bureau—a seasoned veteran.

Including the driver, there were five people in total, all silent.

Qin Chuan closed his eyes to rest and carefully considered the information Wang Xuebing had just conveyed.

Cheng Feng, Li Hu, and other violent criminals had been taken away by the city bureau for investigation on the day of their arrest.

But the others, having no serious charges against them, were all handed over to the Zhulin County Public Security Bureau for review and handling.

As for Dong Zhijun, the most important figure in the Xin Hai Mining criminal gang, he died during detention that very night.

The forensic diagnosis concluded death by intracranial hemorrhage.

Dong Zhijun’s death brought about two significant turning points.

First, after interrogating all arrested suspects from Xin Hai Mining, it was found that they had all been recruited by Dong Zhijun during his lifetime.

In other words, all the criminal acts of Xin Hai Mining were now attributed solely to Dong Zhijun.

Meanwhile, Dou Sihai, the legal representative of Xin Hai Mining and the richest man in Zhulin County, was completely uninvolved.

Second, surveillance footage from Xin Hai Coal Mine clearly showed Qin Chuan assaulting Dong Zhijun, which led to his death.

Early this morning, Dong Zhijun’s family filed a complaint with the county party secretary’s office, demanding punishment for the murderer.

Within five days, Qin Chuan had gone from a heroic police officer fighting crime to a criminal suspect accused of violent law enforcement causing death.

Three days ago, leaders at all levels had come to visit and express sympathy.

Now, before even being discharged from the hospital, he was under investigation.

How ironic!

Qin Chuan wanted to laugh at the absurdity himself.

---

To be honest, the two slaps he gave Dong Zhijun were indeed acts of righteous fury.

At that time, upon learning of Dong Zhijun’s heinous crimes, if Qin Chuan could have kept his composure, he wouldn’t be human.

Later, the crushing kick that shattered his opponent’s calf bone was equally forceful.

But Qin Chuan knew his limits—he struck hard but never intended to kill.

Intracranial hemorrhage?

The skull is one of the hardest bones in the human body. If two slaps could cause intracranial hemorrhage, people would be far too fragile.

Ahem.

After more than ten minutes, the gates of the Zhulin County Public Security Bureau came into view.

Zhang Guohao cleared his throat and looked back at Qin Chuan.

"Comrade Qin, we’ve brought you here mainly to ensure your full cooperation with the investigation."

"But rest assured, our Zhulin County Public Security Bureau will enforce the law impartially."

"We all heard about what happened at Xin Hai Coal Mine five days ago—how you single-handedly fought off over a dozen criminals and sustained seven stab wounds."

"In that matter, you are a hero. However..."

Zhang Guohao’s tone slowed and became solemn. "Qin Chuan, you’re still fragile, you understand what I mean?"

"Later, a five-person team will question you. Among them is Secretary Sun from the county party committee, sent by Secretary Gao."

Qin Chuan looked up and studied Zhang Guohao carefully.

"Thank you, Director Zhang."

Seeing that Qin Chuan understood, Zhang Guohao turned away and said no more.

After all these years in the Zhulin County Public Security Bureau, how did Zhang Guohao become director of political supervision?

By playing all sides skillfully.

Five days ago, Zhang Guohao had watched the surveillance footage of Qin Chuan battling more than ten ruthless criminals.

Honestly, Zhang Guohao admired him.

If this man wasn’t a hero, then who could be?

But Dong Zhijun was dead.

That was an unsolvable knot.

Now someone wanted to make a fuss about it—the family had even complained to the county party secretary’s office.

Hence, the interrogation.

Ten minutes later, Qin Chuan sat in a small conference room.

Opposite him were five people, including Zhang Guohao, who sat at the far right.

"Why aren’t you handcuffed?"

But before Qin Chuan’s rear even touched the chair, he was met with a show of authority.

The speaker sat to the left of the three middle seats, clearly the second-in-command of the five-person group.

Qin Chuan recognized him as Sun Tao, secretary to the county party secretary.

"Secretary Sun, Qin Chuan is only here for questioning. It’s proper that he’s not handcuffed."

The speaker, sitting to the right of the three middle seats, was Lin Hu, deputy director of the Zhulin County Public Security Bureau.

"Enough talk, let’s begin."

The man in the middle was also familiar to Qin Chuan—Zhou Xuexi, director of the Zhulin County Public Security Bureau.

The last person, seated at the far left, was Song Hui, captain of the county bureau’s criminal investigation team.

Upon hearing Zhou Xuexi speak, Sun Tao no longer pressed the issue of handcuffs but continued.

"Qin Chuan, the county party committee has received a formal complaint accusing you of violent law enforcement during duty, intentionally injuring someone, which ultimately caused their death."

"What do you have to say about this?"

Qin Chuan stood straight, eyes unwavering, without even glancing at Sun Tao.

"Reporting to Director Zhou, Director Lin, Captain Song, and Director Zhang: Police Officer Qin Chuan of Changning Town Police Station is here to report!"

Snap!

Then he stood at attention and saluted.

He did not answer Sun Tao’s question.

Nor did he acknowledge him.

"You!"

Sun Tao was stunned that Qin Chuan dared to completely disregard his presence.

"What do you mean, ‘you’?" Qin Chuan finally looked toward him and said slowly,

"Who are you? Why should I answer your questions?"

Hmm?

Sun Tao was taken aback. He never expected Qin Chuan to openly defy him in front of so many people and speak to him like that!

"How dare you!"

"I am Secretary of the County Party Committee, and you dare speak to me this way!"

"Party committee secretary?" Qin Chuan lowered his saluting right hand and looked at Sun Tao calmly.

"I am a formal People's Police Officer of Longguo, affiliated with the Zhulin County Public Security Bureau in Xing’an City."

"Ten days ago, I captured a robber and murderer, was granted full police status as an exception, was stabbed once, and awarded a third-class merit for valor."

"I have been on the force for eleven days, during which I have arrested more than thirty thieves, murderers, and fugitives in Changning Town."

"Five days ago, I fought alone against more than twenty ruthless thugs from Xin Hai Coal Mine, sustaining seven stab wounds."

"And you? A county party committee secretary!"

He sneered coldly.

"What right do you have to bark orders at a battle-hardened hero like me?"