Free Web NovelChapter 28: Chapter 28: Recognition of 59
There was no suspect being summoned in the interrogation room at the moment. Xue Ci and Yun Shu, still young, one envied Bai Wu for closing the case today as if by divine intervention, the other marveled at Bai Wu’s talent.
Only Old Tian was somewhat worried.
"Speak up, what’s the matter? We have enough manpower right now, and these cases have piled up for a long time. After all, it’s justice that’s come late, it doesn’t really matter one or two more days," Tian Xun said.
Bai Wu smiled, knowing what Tian Xun was thinking.
But oftentimes, it was the helplessness of circumstances that led to the delayed arrival of justice.
Perhaps some would say that late justice isn’t real justice. Putting aside whether that statement is right or wrong, within the scope of his abilities, Bai Wu hoped to bring the truth to light as soon as possible.
However, he had summoned the three of them because he had other matters to entrust to them.
"It’s nothing, resolving it earlier is also good for having some free time sooner. As for today’s matters, I’ve called you in mainly to give you some instructions," he said.
"I’ll speak directly about the matter at hand. I don’t possess the talent for solving cases; I just happen to be somewhat good at interrogation, and as an auxiliary member of the interrogation team, Team Leader Tian has just given me a chance to practice. Understand?"
Tian Xun got what Bai Wu meant and said with difficulty:
"With the situation now, even if you say you don’t have the talent... others won’t believe it."
"After interrogating the criminals, I’ll tell you the details of the cases so that we can flesh out the files," Bai Wu said.
"The details?"
"Yes, details that can prove that these cases were already solved long ago," he replied.
After considering it for a moment, Tian Xun started to understand: frёewebnoѵēl.com
"You mean, since nobody has seen our records and none of these criminals or colleagues know how we suddenly found the evidence, we can fill in the process of solving the cases in a logical direction, right?"
"Yes, as long as we can append a sufficiently reasonable and thorough process of solving each case to the case files, it won’t appear that I solved these cases but rather that they are the result of everyone’s efforts over time. This is like turning one plus ninety-nine into a hundred ones added together."
Tian Xun, chin in hand and head lowered:
"So these cases were actually solved long ago, just closed today. We’ll fill in all kinds of detailed investigative progress, and when someone asks, we can pull the records and answer smoothly."
In other words, it’s about knowing the outcome of a case first, and then filling in the process of solving it afterward.
And Bai Wu was just a final check on the procedural details.
After thinking it through, Tian Xun figured it could be done as long as they were careful not to leave any gaps.
After all, most of the Investigation Corps had experienced life and death together, especially within the interrogation team, there was a harmonious relationship which made cooperation convenient.
But he had one doubt:
"But what reason do we have for doing this... Why wait until all the cases are solved before closing them all at once? This doesn’t make sense..."
Why not solve cases immediately? To wait until all the cases were piled up and resolved before closing them en masse certainly seemed a hindrance to solving cases efficiently.
"To draw the attention of the higher-ups," Bai Wu said.
"What do you mean?" Tian Xun did not understand.
"What I’m about to say represents only my own views. I don’t have a good impression of the top three levels; in these two days, I’ve also gotten to know the lower levels, a place rife with crime," Bai Wu said.
"As long as the people above don’t pay attention, those below will keep committing crimes. Everything should be considered from both a macro and micro perspective. On the micro level, criminals act out of moral corruption or various life pressures driving them to madness. On the macro level, we should reflect on the kind of social environment that leads them to commit crimes repeatedly."
"The latter isn’t something us small folks in the interrogation team can influence. To change this environment, support from policies at the higher levels is needed."
After Bai Wu finished speaking, all three, including Tian Xun, fell silent. frёeωebɳovel.com
Tian Xun originally thought the young man would attribute solving a hundred cases in a day to showing off, to give Team Seven some face, but it turned out his own perspective was too narrow.
The reason was solid! Tian Xun would bet that if the team leader heard this reason, even his cold demeanor would surely crack a smile!
Indeed, even if those cases were closed immediately, what then? After a hundred cases were solved, there would be another hundred, a thousand more.
Even at that moment, Tian Xun could assert that plenty of crimes were still being committed at the bottom levels.
The difference was merely that some cases ended up with the Investigation Corps’ interrogation team, while in other cases, both the criminals and their victims maintained their silence.
Turning in a large number of cases all at once might indeed draw the attention of the higher-ups...
Tian Xun said:
"So we’ll be busy these next few days... We must ensure that all the procedural details in the files match up, that our stories are consistent, and we also need to keep the prisoners quiet."
The latter was actually the easiest to manage, but matching all the various procedural details in the record was a considerable amount of work.
"Speaking of which, the prisoners have been brought in one after another, do you remember their confession details?"
"Isn’t unforgettable memory a standard feature of the Investigation Corps?"
"..."
History is always strikingly similar, and Tian Xun chose to remain selectively silent.
...
...
In the following days, various teams of the Investigation Corps came in succession to inquire about the new recruits of Team Seven.
The members of the interrogation team were also busy to the point of breathlessness. On one hand, they had to make various explanations, and on the other, they had to supplement the crime records.
Bai Wu was tired too, but he enjoyed it nonetheless.
The feeling was like playing a strategy game, where the first goal is to slowly establish order in a chaotic survival environment.
And people like Tian Xun followed Bai Wu’s instructions, dealing with the questioning from other teams.
Bai Wu was essentially giving credit to the interrogation team and Wu Jiu.
Within the core members of the interrogation team, Yun Shu and Xue Ci need not be mentioned—they were die-hard fans; and Tian, the team leader, treasured Bai Wu like a gem.
...
...
The one who benefited the most was Wu Jiu.
Originally reviewing investigation reports from other teams, as well as the investigation of the gambling house incident, Wu Jiu immediately summoned Bai Wu upon learning of this matter.
Wu Jiu’s identity was quite special.
Although he came from the lower ranks, his exceptionally outstanding performance meant he was very likely to become the next deputy chief of the Investigation Corps.
As of now, the biggest obstacle for Wu Jiu to become the deputy chief was the nobility from the third and fourth levels.
Inside the team leader’s office, Bai Wu looked at the room’s arrangements and felt a growing fondness for Wu Jiu.
This person loved cleanliness, at least as far as the orderly classified arrangements of the books went. It probably wasn’t to the extent of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
"I heard from Tian that you solved all the cases?" Wu Jiu’s expression was as cold as ever.
"We can’t say that to the public," replied Bai Wu, not denying it.
Nodding slightly, Wu Jiu said,
"It seems you are eager to leave the tower. You’ve quickly dealt with the tasks I arranged."
Bai Wu smiled and said,
"The Investigation Corps doesn’t allow private exits from the tower."
"Yes, so you should measure your actions. If I catch you, I’ll be relentless in punishing you. Moreover, you should have a clear understanding of your capabilities. It’s best not to touch things that will lead to your death."
In other words, don’t leave behind any incriminating evidence, and pay attention to safety.
Bai Wu found this captain increasingly interesting.
He was uncompromising and didn’t hesitate when it came to killing monsters, but he was also earnest in dealing with people from the lower levels, being just without being rigid. Bai Wu feared encountering those who doggedly adhered to the rules without being flexible.
Wu Jiu was helpless as well; he had thought the job would take seven days, but this kid cleaned it up in just one, and even brought some unexpected surprises.
He had to reassess Bai Wu’s capabilities.
"I’ve already submitted all the case reports. Governing the lower levels is a long-term endeavor, but submitting so many cases at once will put some pressure on us. However, those who are hindering us will face even greater pressure because many of the cases involve their industries."
Wu Jiu stood up, his face, which always looked as if others owed him money, showed a rare smile. He walked over to Bai Wu’s side and patted him on the shoulder:
"Good job."
"Thank you, Captain."
"Reward for good work. If you want to leave the tower, you can go to the armament group and pick out some gear. Some items require clearance, but if you take this, they’ll let you through."
As he spoke, Wu Jiu handed over a brass waist badge he wore to Bai Wu.
Bai Wu looked at the badge:
[The Investigation Corps is constantly leaving the tower for investigations, of course they pick up quite a few good items. Most are used to arm themselves. However, there are also many items of Spirit Possession from the wilderness, with unknown effects, stored in the treasury. With this badge, you can go and pick up some leftovers. Trust me, the treasury is much more sincere than the salvage ports.]
(There will be more later, but it will be a bit late. The renovation upstairs is too noisy, and I can’t continue writing.)
