LRAB Page 178
Page 178
Hou Liangping's face turned extremely ugly, but he did not back down. He said in a deep voice, "Vice Governor Lin, although duties are divided, the principles of law are impartial. The Han Ya case is a matter of justice and cannot tolerate personal feelings."
"Although I, Hou Liangping, am of low status and little influence, I uphold justice and adhere to the bottom line of the law. Unlike Qi Tongwei, I am utterly devoid of conscience."
"Qi Tongwei is my senior, but we're not close," Hou Liangping said with an air of righteous indignation and conviction.
Lin Yunfei's eyes narrowed, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips: "Hou Liangping, you're good at disclaiming responsibility. However, this is not Jingzhou, nor is it a place where you, Hou Liangping, can point fingers at will."
"Your so-called justice is nothing but wishful thinking. In this position, I've seen too many people like you who claim to be righteous, and what happened in the end? They were all worn down by reality." Lin Yunfei's words were tinged with disdain and sarcasm.
Hou Liangping remained unmoved. He straightened his back and said with a firm gaze, "Vice Governor Lin, justice may be delayed, but it will never be absent. I, Hou Liangping, am willing to be the one who stands firm to the end."
Standing to the side, Lu Yike watched Hou Liangping's resolute back and couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration. She knew that this contest was not only between Hou Liangping and Lin Yunfei, but also between justice and power.
“Alright, since you’re so confident, I’ll give you a chance.” Lin Yunfei’s tone shifted, becoming more playful. “However, you have to prove your worth first, prove that you’re worthy of my cooperation.”
Hou Liangping smiled slightly; he knew this was a test from Lin Yunfei. He nodded and said in a deep voice, "Vice Governor Lin, please enlighten me."
Lin Yunfei spoke slowly, and said in a deep voice, "According to Han Ya's confession, he knew of a mole."
"A mole?" Hou Liangping's eyes lit up immediately, eager to make a name for himself.
Lin Yunfei spoke slowly, a smile playing on his lips: "Xiao Zhenbang, Executive Deputy Director of the Changwu Municipal Public Security Bureau."
Of course, Han Ya's testimony did not mention Xiao Zhenbang, but rather Xiao Zhenbang's father-in-law, Zheng Guangtian.
Upon hearing the name and the position, Hou Liangping's face revealed a look of disdain.
Hou Liangping said casually, "It's just a prefecture-level city, and I'm the executive deputy director. What wouldn't I dare to arrest?"
“Lu Yike, I will lead the team with you now to arrest Xiao Zhenbang.”
Lu Yike did not act immediately. She frowned slightly and looked at Hou Liangping, gently reminding him, "Prosecutor Hou, this matter is probably not that simple. Since Xiao Zhenbang was able to become an inside man and has not been detected so far, there must be a complex network of relationships behind him."
Hou Liangping was slightly taken aback, then nodded. He looked at Lin Yunfei with a questioning gaze.
Lin Yunfei's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile as he looked at Lu Yike: "Director Lu, I didn't expect you to have become so clever in just two or three months."
Lu Yike snorted coldly and retorted, "That's because you tricked me."
"Hou Liangping, I've told you all about him. If you're too scared to arrest him, just go back. The waters in Handong are too deep; you can't handle it."
Hou Liangping took a deep breath, his resolve unwavering: "Nonsense, what wouldn't I dare to do?"
"Lu Yike, let's go."
"An executive deputy director is equivalent to a deputy division chief."
It's important to understand that Changwu City is a prefecture-level city. The Party Secretary of the city is only at the level of a department-level official.
The head of the public security bureau in a prefecture-level city is usually at the level of a division chief.
Lu Yike nodded, her eyes shining with determination. She knew that this contest with power had only just begun.
"Vice Governor Lin, I hope you're not setting a trap for us."
“Otherwise, I’ll report this directly to Secretary Gao, bypassing his level,” Lu Yike said slowly, looking at Lin Yunfei.
Upon hearing this, Lin Yunfei's eyes flashed with displeasure, but he quickly regained his playful expression: "Director Lu, are you threatening me? However, I, Lin Yunfei, have always acted with integrity and uprightness. Since I said I would give you a chance, I will not sabotage you behind your back."
"But remember, opportunity (Li Li Zhao) is for those who are prepared."
"Xiao Zhenbang is not so easy to catch. His network of relationships is intricate and complex. You must be careful with every step you take." Lin Yunfei's words carried a hint of warning and also revealed his probing of Hou Liangping and Lu Yi's capabilities.
Hou Liangping patted Lu Yike on the shoulder, signaling her not to be too nervous: "Vice Governor Lin, rest assured, since we dared to come, we are prepared to deal with all difficulties. We've got Xiao Zhenbang in the bag."
After saying that, Hou Liangping turned to Lu Yike and said, "Director Lu, we will prepare immediately and formulate a detailed arrest plan. This operation is not only to capture Xiao Zhenbang, but also to collect as much evidence as possible of his illegal and criminal activities."
Lu Yike nodded, her eyes revealing determination: "Prosecutor Hou, I'll make the arrangements right away. We must make sure those traitors hiding in the shadows have nowhere to hide."
Watching Hou Liangping and Lu Yike's departing figures, Lin Yunfei's lips curled into a complex smile. He knew that this contest had only just begun.
200. Lu Yike was used as a shield and was seriously injured and admitted to the ICU.
200. Lu Yike was used as a shield and was seriously injured and admitted to the ICU.
Hou Liangping, full of confidence, left the county public security bureau with Lu Yike and the task force.
Before leaving, Hou Liangping specifically asked about Xiao Zhenbang's exact location.
Lin Yunfei smiled knowingly and took out three locations and three slips of paper that he had prepared beforehand: "This is Xiao Zhenbang's office, Xiao Zhenbang's home, and Xiao Zhenbang's father-in-law's home."
Hou Liangping's eyes were sharp as he examined each slip of paper, silently calculating in his mind. He knew he had to memorize them thoroughly.
He took a deep breath, clutched the note tightly in his hand, turned to Lu Yike, and whispered, "Remember these locations. We'll split up."
"Yes, Chief Prosecutor Hou."
. . . . .
That evening, Lu Yike, along with Lin Huahua and a group of prosecutors, arrived with an arrest warrant.
She arrived at Xiao Zhenbang's office at the Changwu City Public Security Bureau. The door was closed, and the lights were dim. She took a deep breath, knocked on the door, her heart pounding, and waited for a response.
A moment later, the door slowly opened, and Xiao Zhenbang appeared in the doorway in surprise. Lu Yike calmly presented the arrest warrant.
"Xiao Zhenbang, you're under arrest."
Xiao Zhenbang's expression changed drastically. Without hesitation, he turned and ran back, pulled open a drawer, took out his pistol, released the safety, and aimed it at Lu Yike. The air froze instantly; the two faced off, the atmosphere tense to the extreme.
Lu Yike, undeterred, firmly repeated, holding the arrest warrant in her hand and shouting, "Put down your gun, you have nowhere to escape. Xiao Zhenbang!"
Xiao Zhenbang's hands trembled slightly, a flicker of struggle crossing his eyes. But then he remembered something: Zhao Xiaosheng had already been arrested by the army. It must have been him who implicated him, hoping to gain merit by surrendering himself.
Having acted as the Zhao family's protector for a full ten years, Xiao Zhenbang now knows that the tide has turned and there is no chance of a comeback.
If caught, he will face severe legal sanctions, and his crimes over the past ten years will be thoroughly investigated and punished.
Bang! A gunshot rang out.
In his emotional state, Xiao Zhenbang instinctively pulled the trigger. A bullet was fired, striking Lu Yike in the abdomen with lightning speed.
puff!
Lu Yike's expression turned to disbelief, her face stiffened, and she slowly lowered her head to look at the profuse bleeding from her abdomen. As the excruciating pain struck, she gritted her teeth and struggled to stay upright.
My mind went blank. I... I'd been shot.
The bullet pierced Lu Yike's left abdomen and kidney, but fortunately, it did not hit any vital organs.
Blood quickly stained her prosecutor's uniform, and those around her were stunned by the sudden turn of events.
Lu Yike felt her strength draining away bit by bit, but she endured the excruciating pain and shouted with her last bit of strength, "Everyone be careful, don't let him get away!"
The other members of the task force reacted quickly. Some rushed forward to support the swaying Lu Yike, while others immediately surrounded Xiao Zhenbang.
Xiao Zhenbang had gone somewhat mad. Holding his gun, he hysterically shouted, "Don't come any closer! Anyone who comes closer, I'll shoot them dead!"
Upon hearing the gunshot, Lin Huahua's heart tightened, and she immediately ran towards the scene. When she saw the wounded Lu Yike and the crazed Xiao Zhenbang, her eyes were filled with anger and anxiety.
"Director Lu? Director Lu, are you alright?"
"Call 120 immediately and call an ambulance!" Lin Huahua said anxiously.
Requesting flowers...
She shouted, "Xiao Zhenbang, you can't escape! Lay down your weapons and try to get leniency!"
Xiao Zhenbang looked at Hou Liangping, a flicker of fear crossing his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by madness. "Lenient treatment? I have no way back now, you can't catch me!" With that, he suddenly turned and rushed towards the office window, trying to jump out and escape.
The task force members quickly caught up and tackled Xiao Zhenbang to the ground just as he was about to jump out of the window.
Xiao Zhenbang struggled desperately, waving his gun around, but was eventually subdued by the members of the task force.
"Let me go! I didn't kill anyone. You prosecutors have no right to arrest me!" Xiao Zhenbang struggled and shouted, his voice filled with despair.
"Put Xiao Zhenbang in handcuffs."
Lin Huahua snapped out of her daze, picked up Lu Yike, and looked at her pale face and the continuous flow of blood, her heart aching. "Quick, take her to the hospital!"
She shouted loudly. Soon, Lu Yike was lifted into an ambulance and sped towards the hospital. Xiao Zhenbang, on the other hand, was handcuffed and put into a police car.
Throughout the journey, Lin Huahua's face was filled with anxiety, and her hands were covered in bright red blood.
Trembling, he took out his phone and dialed Hou Liangping: "Hou...Deputy Chief Prosecutor Hou, something's happened."
"Director Lu, Director Lu was shot in the abdomen by the suspect..." Lin Huahua was so agitated that she could barely speak.
Upon hearing this news, Hou Liangping on the other end of the phone felt a buzzing in his head, as if he had been struck by a heavy hammer. He suppressed his shock and worry and asked in a deep voice, "How is Lu Yike now? Has she been taken to the hospital?"
Lin Huahua replied with a sob in her voice, "They've already been put on an ambulance and are rushing to the hospital. Deputy Chief Prosecutor Hou, please come quickly."
"Which hospital? Lin Huahua?" Hou Liangping asked urgently, his voice beginning to tremble slightly.
"Changwu City...City First People's Hospital, Deputy Chief Prosecutor Hou, please hurry!" Lin Huahua's voice was choked with sobs.
"Okay, I understand. Tell the doctors at the hospital to do everything they can to save her, okay?"
It's important to know that Hou Liangping already knew Lu Yike's true background. She was a relative of his teacher, Gao Yuliang.
In other words, Gao Yuliang is Lu Yike's uncle.
If Lu Yike really dies in Changwu City, I'm afraid I'll face questioning from my teacher and his wife, and it might even affect my career.
He already had a major demerit on his plate, and now he'd offended Sha Ruijin.
Now that he has completely offended Gao Yuliang, the deputy secretary of the provincial party committee, how can he possibly stay in Handong Province?
"Wait for me, Lin Huahua. I'll drive there right away and navigate there."
Hou Liangping hung up the phone and rushed to the hospital as quickly as possible.
Throughout the journey, his heart was clenched with anxiety, and the image of Lu Yike kept flashing through his mind. That brave and resolute female prosecutor who always rushed to the front was now lying in an ambulance, her fate uncertain.
. . . . .
Changwu City, First People's Hospital.
On the first floor, in the emergency room, the lights were blindingly bright. Lin Huahua and several members of the special task force stood outside the door, all looking anxious. When Lin Huahua saw Hou Liangping arrive, she seemed to have found her pillar of support, and her eyes reddened as she went to greet him: "Deputy Chief Prosecutor Hou, you've finally arrived."
Hou Liangping patted her shoulder and said with a firm gaze, "Don't panic, everyone. Lu Yike is a lucky person and will be alright." Despite his words, his tightly clenched hands and slightly trembling legs betrayed his inner tension.
Time passed slowly, and finally the emergency room door opened, and the doctor came out.
Hou Liangping rushed forward and asked anxiously, "Doctor, how is Lu Yike?"
The doctor took off his mask and said with a serious expression, "Although the bullet did not hit any vital organs, she has lost too much blood and her condition is still critical. However, we have done our best. Now it depends on her own recovery ability. She needs to be observed in the ICU for the time being."