Chapter 22 The Heavens' Net is Vast and Wide, Yet Misses Nothing 1_1

The mayor of Suzhou, Ren Beiwu, saw Shen Wenzheng sit down, turned to him and said, "Captain Shen, the head of the special task force for the 928 major case, Director Cheng, has bravely sacrificed himself for this case, leaving us all deeply grieved. However, his work must be carried on by someone else. After the organization's research and decision, Comrade Liu Xiuqing, the deputy director of the Public Security Bureau, will temporarily assume the role of acting director of the Suzhou Public Security Bureau."

Liu Xiuqing sported neatly trimmed short hair and was exactly forty years old this year, with thick dark eyebrows and an exceptionally heroic face.

After listening to Ren Beiwu, she immediately stood up, saluted everyone present, her face free of pride, maintaining her usual composure and steadiness.

She said firmly to everyone, "Thank you for the organization's trust in me, I will definitely continue to work hard, stand firm at every post, and absolutely not let down the organization's trust and care. Thank you all!"

Once Liu Xiuqing sat down, Ren Beiwu spoke again to Shen Wenzheng, "Captain Shen, from now on, if there's anything on your end, report directly to Comrade Liu Xiuqing."

Shen Wenzheng abruptly stood up and replied loudly, "Yes!"

It was within Shen Wenzheng's expectations that Liu Xiuqing would take over Director Cheng's position.

Although she was a woman, her actions were in no way inferior to any man.

She was very decisive and efficient in handling cases, shrewd and capable, and moreover, she had risen through the ranks from criminal investigation, possessing rich experience in case handling. With her in command, there would be no more instances of ignorant meddling or random directives.

Ren Beiwu waved at him, signaling him to sit down, before saying with a grave face, "Captain Shen, you are now the most knowledgeable about the key figures in the 928 major case. This case is involving more and more homicides. Including Director Cheng and his daughter, and the child in her womb, the death toll has reached as many as eight lives. I have already communicated with the superiors, and Governor Li is greatly enraged. He has ordered that no matter who is involved in this case, as long as the evidence is conclusive, they will all be arrested and brought to justice. These criminals must be punished to give the public an account and also to provide closure for all the deceased, so that they may rest in peace beneath the ninth spring!"

Ren Beiwu's words stirred up a storm of emotions in Shen Wenzheng and served as a reassurance.

What he feared the most right now was having evidence but being unable to bring these influential criminals to justice due to various factors.

Fortunately, the leadership was wise. Their decision deeply relieved Shen Wenzheng.

Following that, Ren Beiwu had Shen Wenzheng explain the progress and outcome of the 928 major case to everyone.

After Shen Wenzheng's detailed explanation and the presentation of a complete chain of evidence, Mayor Ren Beiwu immediately signed Shen Wenzheng's arrest warrant on the spot, ordering him to lead the team immediately to apprehend all the criminal suspects, headed by Xiang Shengrong, the chairman of Shengrong Group.

With the arrest warrant in hand, Shen Wenzheng set off immediately with all his fellow criminal policemen.

The deaths of Director Cheng and his daughter had provoked the sense of justice and valor in the hearts of all the detectives.

Each of them swore in their hearts that they would capture these beasts and bring them to justice.

Police cars, one after another, blared their sirens as they sped out of the Public Security Bureau, heading to the front lines of battle.

Shen Wenzheng led the team personally, in charge of apprehending the prime suspect, Xiang Shengrong.

But by the time they reached Xiang Shengrong's home, the house was already empty, and even the bodyguards and servants were all gone.

Shen Wenzheng clenched his teeth in frustration and immediately took out the walkie-talkie to ask the team apprehending suspects at the company, "It seems that the Xiang family has already fled. Have you gained anything on your end?"

The team was led by Zhang Youquan, the vice-captain of the criminal police.

Zhang Youquan replied promptly, "Captain Shen, Xiang's company also lacks any trace of the Xiang family. I've inquired with the relevant personnel, and no one knows where the family has gone. They say that since yesterday, the Xiang family has not made any appearances."

Shen Wenzheng immediately gave another order, "Check the train stations, bus stations, and other major transit points right now to see if there's any trace of them. Then, set up checkpoints for inspection. Xiang Dongfeng was in negotiations with Director Cheng before, which proves they didn't have the intention to flee earlier. They must have decided to escape after hearing about Xiang Dongfeng's incident. They couldn't have gone far. Have your men closely monitor every exit out of Suzhou; they absolutely cannot be allowed to escape."

"Understood!"

"I'm heading to Hai City International Airport with my team right now. If they are planning to escape abroad, there are only two ways: one is by plane, and the other is through secret tunnels. If there's any news on your end, report to me immediately, understand?"

"Understood."

Thinking that Xiang Shengrong might have already escaped Suzhou, Shen Wenzheng felt even more urgent.

He immediately contacted an undercover informant about the secret tunnels, "Check right now to see if there's any news about Xiang Shengrong's family using the underground water routes."

"Wait for my news."

After a brief exchange, Shen Wenzheng hung up the phone and headed straight for Hai City International Airport with his team.

It takes a little over an hour to drive from Suzhou to Hai City International Airport.

Shen Wenzheng sat in the passenger seat, leaning back with his eyes closed, but his mind didn't stop working; he continued to ponder whether there was any oversight he hadn't covered in the case.

Sometimes, a single mistake can lead to a vastly different outcome, like missing the target by a hair and being off by a thousand miles.

Shen Wenzheng has always been meticulous and careful in his work, and his thinking is very comprehensive. It is precisely because of this that the cases he handles have a very high rate of resolution.

This case has now reached a critical moment. Only by catching Xiang Shengrong and his accomplices can the major 928 case be truly considered closed.

Shen Wenzheng had already blocked every possible escape route Xiang Shengrong could take; now it was time to see if Xiang Shengrong had the ability to escape the tight net he had laid out for him?

When Shen Wenzheng and his team reached Hai City International Airport and checked, they found that Xiang Shengrong's family had indeed booked tickets, planning to fly to M Country through Hai City International Airport.

In the waiting room, Shen Wenzheng and his team cornered Xiang Shengrong's wife and their three daughters, sons-in-law, and children.

But Xiang Shengrong, the one Shen Wenzheng most wanted to capture, had vanished without a trace.

Shen Wenzheng then questioned Xiang Shengrong's wife, who said, "He said he had something to do this morning and arranged to meet me here at the airport, but now it's almost time to board the plane and he still hasn't come. Where did he go? I have no idea!"

Unable to get results, Shen Wenzheng could only have his people take Xiang Shengrong's wife, daughters, sons-in-law, and their children all back to the station for a more thorough interrogation.

As for the five children who were traveling with them, Shen Wenzheng could only arrange for his female colleagues to take care of them temporarily.

Shen Wenzheng, along with his team of police officers, conducted round-the-clock checkpoints and inspections for a week straight, finally capturing all of the criminal suspects under Xiang Shengrong.

However, they missed the most important suspect, Xiang Shengrong himself.

Where could this cunning Xiang Shengrong be hiding?