The main roads were blocked, the waterways were monitored. Luo Wenwu, after much deliberation, decided to take the Xie family mother and son to find Feng Si and Li Yongqiang.
After all, they were all in Jiangjin.
That was where Lü Qingqing had made arrangements. As long as they reached it safely, their lives would no longer be threatened.
However, something that happened midway changed his mind.
He contacted Hu Jia through the channels of Feng Si and Lü Qingqing and learned that they had already begun their operation against the "Dao Ren" (Blade Men), and it was a critical moment to gather evidence of their crimes. Thus, he immediately decided to lure the enemy into a trap.
One day, he deliberately appeared at the pier, attracting the pursuit of the Dao Ren. In a secluded spot, he captured a pursuer directly.
These were all evidence of attacking a police officer.
Now, he needed to add another charge to their crimes. "I'm going back to Yongchuan. I'll capture those guards who kidnapped Director Xie's wife. Attacking an officer and kidnapping, they'll have to pay a price."
...
With the support of Yao Jieyan's evidence, Tang Yingge also realized the danger.
"I want to see your Director Qiao."
"Director Qiao is not here. You can see our Director Xie."
"Xie Xi?"
"Yes."
"Alright, let me see your Director Xie."
Hu Jia was not coy at all. "Sure, just wait."
Tang Yingge probably still thought he could control Xie Xi? What a pipe dream.
Don't you realize, if they've brought you inside the bureau, then where are your protectors?
Xie Xi entered the interrogation room. The moment Tang Yingge saw him, his eyes lit up.
"Director Xie has been very busy lately. Your subordinates have done many things, perhaps you're unaware?"
"I have been quite busy lately. After all, we are investigating a case from four years ago."
Uh oh, Tang Yingge was stunned. The situation didn't seem right.
"Does Director Xie know who is connected to this four-year-old case?"
"Yes, I do. Isn't it you?"
Only then did Tang Yingge sense that something was amiss.
Indeed, Qiao Huali would not have ordered the case to be reopened. So, who had given the order?
It was Xie Xi.
At this moment, Tang Yingge no longer cared about Hu Jia being present. Vague threats would only make him look like a fool in the face of directness.
"Does Director Xie not intend for your family to live well?"
"My family? They are living very well. They are currently touring mountains and waters. Oh, right, I forgot to tell you, there are several police officers accompanying them on their tour."
Tang Yingge was frustrated. Xie Xi's words clearly told him that his threat was no longer effective.
"Good, very good. It seems you have been preparing for a long time."
"It's not that we've been preparing for a long time, but you actively offered your necks."
For Xie Xi, although the existence of the Dao Ren was illegal, it did not hinder his work. As long as their actions were not excessive, he could turn a blind eye to everything.
But now it was different.
They had dared to lay hands on his family and even threatened him.
If this nail was not removed, it would eventually be hammered down with a hammer, crushing his head.
Tang Yingge seemed to understand what Xie Xi meant, and gave a wry smile. "It seems I've made a wrong move."
Xie Xi glanced at Tang Yingge. "I have other matters to attend to. Cooperate well with Captain Hu's work. Perhaps, given our past acquaintance, I might be able to offer some assistance."
With that, Xie Xi turned and left.
Leaving Tang Yingge in deep thought.
"When three people play Go, one is already assured of victory, and the other two are guaranteed to lose. What are they competing for now? For second place."
Seeing Xie Xi leave, Hu Jia sat back down.
"The side that loses fewer pieces naturally takes second place. Now, an opportunity is presented before you. Do you want to be second, or do you want to be third?"
Seeing Tang Yingge look up at him, "You know, the things that second and third place can obtain are completely different."
"Finally, I think you understand very well. Since we were able to find out what you've done, we can naturally find out what role your wife and children played in these matters. You can give up on yourself, but surely you don't want them to join you in prison, do you?"
After speaking, Hu Jia fell silent. He knew Tang Yingge needed time to think.
"You can go. I admit to the murder case from four years ago, but I will not answer anything else you want to know." After thinking for a long time, Tang Yingge gave Hu Jia this answer.
Hu Jia raised an eyebrow. He was not surprised by Tang Yingge's decision. If this man had easily surrendered to the police, he would not have climbed to the position of second-in-command of the Dao Ren.
"It's alright, you have plenty of time to think," Hu Jia tidied his interrogation notes. "I just want to remind you, a slight deviation in thought can lead to a huge difference. I hope you don't become a stepping stone for others."
...
"Did he confess?" Everyone crowded around when they saw Hu Jia emerge.
"He confessed to Wei Xiumei's case," Hu Jia said.
"Information about the Dao Ren, who is this Sixth Master? Did he reveal anything at all?"
Hu Jia shook his head.
"But it's alright. Once this dam is breached, it will only widen. He might confess to one thing today and two things tomorrow." Lü Qingqing was not as discouraged as the others. Even the strongest dam feared a crack. Now that a crack had appeared, the collapse of the dam was only a matter of time.
Following that, Hu Jia briefly summarized Wei Xiumei's case.
It turned out that one evening, a peddler passed by Wei Xiumei's house. Wei Xiumei had just finished her needlework and called out to the peddler to buy some.
However, Yu Qianning saw this and, while Wei Xiumei was choosing her needles and thread, he slipped into her house.
What happened next was as everyone had imagined. Yu Qianning attempted to assault Wei Xiumei, but she resisted fiercely. In anger, Wei Xiumei bit off his tongue.
The intense pain prevented Yu Qianning from continuing his assault, and he fled. Wei Xiumei's disheveled state while closing the window happened to be seen by Tang Yingge, making him the second perpetrator.
Tang Yingge was more ruthless and had lived by the edge of a knife all his life, so his attack was not restrained, directly leading to Wei Xiumei's death.
The truth of the case was revealed. Although Yu Qianning's death could not be undone, it was considered some form of justice for him.
After all, if he hadn't been driven by lust, Wei Xiumei would not have met her tragic end.
As for Tang Yingge, according to current law, he would forfeit his life.
However, Hu Jia offered him a choice: to atone for his crimes.
"As long as you are willing to expose the Dao Ren organization and reveal the identity of this Sixth Master, your death sentence can be commuted."
This was an incredibly generous offer. After all, all loyalty, responsibility, promises to others, or brotherhood were less important than one's own life.
"You should be well aware that not only will you be executed for your crime, but all your property will be confiscated. Think of your wife, think of your children. How could they endure a life of plain rice and coarse vegetables after growing up accustomed to a comfortable life?"
Uh...
Not only could he save his life, but he could also keep his property?
This time, Tang Yingge was truly deep in thought.