Chapter 17: A Conversation with Chen Sheng

In no time, Bai Zheng entered the office holding several freshly printed photos. Li Mo took them steadily and carefully laid them out before Long Yuntao and Chen Teng.

“Secretary Long, Governor Chen, please look. These are images capturing the vehicle passing through several surveillance blind spots—like secret threads woven through a mist. According to our thorough analysis, it seems the occupants could only have disembarked at these key points.”

Long Yuntao’s eyes swept over the photos sharply like an eagle’s gaze, then he smiled faintly at Chen Teng, as if expecting a unique insight. “Comrade Chen Teng, what are your thoughts?”

“I honestly see no clues here. What about you, Secretary Yuntao?” Chen Teng glanced at the photos briefly and shook his head in resignation, appearing like an outsider unfamiliar with investigations, overwhelmed by the tangled complexity of the case.

“I too find it difficult to judge,” Long Yuntao replied with a gentle smile, warm as the sun. His gaze then shifted to Li Mo. “Li Mo, why don’t you enlighten us?”

Li Mo nodded slightly and stepped forward resolutely. Like a meticulous artist, he marked several conspicuous points on two photos.

“I deduced this by observing subtle changes in the vehicle’s wheels,” his voice deep and steady. “Look here: this photo shows the vehicle entering a suspected position, moving as lightly as a swallow in flight, unburdened; but after exiting the alley, it resembles an ox carrying a thousand-pound load—the weight apparently multiplied several times.”

Long Yuntao and Chen Teng exchanged glances at the striking difference Li Mo pointed out, as if finding confirmation in each other’s eyes, then their focus turned to Tian Yun.

Noticing their gaze, Tian Yun hastened to speak. “Secretary, Governor, I also noticed the changes after seeing Li Mo’s annotations.”

Long Yuntao nodded slightly, then said to Li Mo, “Please continue.” Li Mo moved the marked photos aside and resumed.

“Next are the photos before and after the surveillance blind spots. We made comparisons.”

“After one such blind spot, the vehicle’s load vanished, so we infer that they disappeared within that area, which we believe to be the old commercial district of Pu County.”

Li Mo continued, “My mentor and I conducted a discreet search in the old commercial district in the western part of the city. Of course, we were lightly disguised.”

He recounted how, among a group playing chess, they extracted critical information, confirmed intelligence, and called for backup.

“Later, Director Tang, with Captain Hao and others, arrived and launched the arrest operation.”

“In the end, one assassin was killed, and five were captured.”

Finishing, Li Mo saluted Long Yuntao and Chen Teng.

Applause erupted.

Long Yuntao was the first to clap after Li Mo’s salute. Chen Teng, Tian Yun, and Tang Hu followed suit.

“This task force deserves the credit for cracking this major case!” Long Yuntao said, turning to Tian Yun. “Director Tian, Li Mo, and the Pu County Police Department are the heroes this time. Your department must swiftly draft a commendation plan and report it to the Provincial Party Committee!”

“Yes, sir!” Tian Yun responded promptly.

Chen Teng smiled and nodded, his eyes filled with admiration for Li Mo.

If Chen Teng’s previous goodwill toward Li Mo stemmed from Li Mo saving Chen Xi, now it was purely recognition of Li Mo’s capabilities.

“Also, the Provincial Public Security Department must promptly submit a comprehensive report on this incident!” Long Yuntao addressed Tian Yun again.

“Yes!” Tian Yun nodded eagerly.

Long Yuntao stood and headed toward his desk. Chen Teng then said, “Secretary Long, I’ll take my leave. There’s a meeting at the provincial government this afternoon.”

“All right!” Long Yuntao nodded.

Tian Yun, Tang Hu, and Li Mo also bid farewell. Under Bai Zheng’s guidance, the group left Long Yuntao’s office.

Outside, Chen Teng turned to Tian Yun. “Old Tian, why not come by my office for a while?”

“Certainly, Governor Chen,” Tian Yun agreed immediately.

Tang Hu and Li Mo naturally followed Tian Yun as they walked toward Chen Teng’s building.

Though the provincial government and the Party Committee shared the same gate, their offices were separate. After leaving the Party Committee building, they entered the adjacent provincial government building.

After passing the armed guard inspection, they entered the government offices.

Chen Teng waited just inside the door for Tian Yun and the others.

Seeing all four enter, Chen Teng proceeded toward his office.

Along the way, provincial government staff were surprised to see Chen Teng personally escorting people, curiously eyeing Li Mo and the others.

“Boss.”

Chen Teng’s secretary hurried out upon hearing the news.

“Xiao Li, brew some tea and bring it to my office,” Chen Teng instructed, then headed inside, with Tian Yun, Tang Hu, and Li Mo following.

“Please sit,” Chen Teng gestured to the sofa for Tian Yun and the others.

They settled in, and Chen Teng took the main seat.

At that moment, Secretary Li arrived with the brewed tea, poured it for Chen Teng and the guests, placed the pot on the table, and quietly withdrew.

“Try this. It’s tea my wife brought me from the capital,” Chen Teng said, lifting his cup.

Tian Yun and the others sipped their tea.

“Let’s just chat casually,” Chen Teng smiled at Tian Yun. “Old Tian, what insights did you gain leading the team on the ground?”

Hearing this, Tian Yun’s expression grew serious. “Governor, leading the team this time, I…”

“I said, just a casual chat—no need to be so serious,” Chen Teng waved off his solemnity.

“All right,” Tian Yun relaxed slightly but still sat upright.

“I believe it’s necessary to increase our department’s personnel engagement in new grassroots operations.”

“For example, this time, we mobilized members from both the provincial department and the Nanshi municipal bureau for the task force. Yet, the colleagues from both levels performed rather averagely, with nothing remarkable.”

“They only followed routine procedures—locking down the county, screening comings and goings—always the same formula.”

“They failed to effectively employ new investigative or clue-finding methods, sticking to old approaches with very low efficiency, and showed no initiative for innovation.”

Tian Yun expressed strong dissatisfaction with those he and the municipal bureau had assigned to the investigation.

Li Mo felt somewhat awkward. In truth, whether provincial or municipal personnel, their choices were not wrong—they were not reborn nor equipped with special abilities.

The assassins left scant clues, so the most prudent investigation method was entirely reasonable.

However, with Li Mo, who had the advantage of foresight, employing unconventional tactics, a case that might have become cold was cracked within days, and five assassins were captured.

This contrast fueled Tian Yun’s frustration with the provincial and municipal officers.

To this, Li Mo could only offer a moment of silent sympathy.

Chen Teng then said, “The times are changing rapidly, but some comrades seem stuck in the past—either unwilling or unable to keep pace. This is a problem, but we must give them opportunities.”

“Do you have any good proposals to address this, to help those left behind catch up with the new era?”

Tian Yun was taken aback by Chen Teng’s question, and his expression shifted...