Wan Hui's report was clear, as he had only just learned of the situation himself. It was already difficult enough to explain the case clearly.
However, Lu Jinsong was putting immense pressure on him. If this matter was not handled well, his official hat might be lost.
Suppressing his anger, Lu Jinsong asked again, "Director Wan, which side's testimony do you find more credible?"
"We, we cannot judge for now, because the entire incident happened in a very short period, no more than three minutes from start to finish. The onlookers have dispersed, and evidence cannot be collected at the moment."
"What about the owner and the waitstaff of the barbecue restaurant? Can't they confirm if Cheng Zhifeng and Yang Jian were together?"
Lu Jinsong, an old criminal investigator, knew this question was crucial. If Cheng Zhifeng and Yang Jian were in cahoots, the incident might be classified as a brawl, and the final outcome would be a fifty-fifty punishment for both sides. His daughter and son-in-law would not only have been beaten for no reason but would also face public security penalties.
However, if it could be proven that Yang Jian and Cheng Zhifeng did not know each other, then Cheng Zhifeng would be the victim of assault, and Yang Jian's actions would be considered righteous intervention and self-defense.
Wan Hui wiped his sweat again. "The owner of the barbecue restaurant was not present at the scene and could not testify. The waitstaff said that Mr. and Mrs. Cheng Zhifeng did not come with Yang Jian's group, but they couldn't prove they weren't together. Because as soon as a dispute arose, Yang Jian's group protected Lu Yue and the child, while dozens of onlookers did not intervene or provide assistance to Lu Yue and her child."
Lu Jinsong sneered. "Alright, let's put aside the evidence for now. I'd like to ask, how did you find me? Did you know my daughter and son-in-law were beaten?"
"Due to Lu Yue's miscarriage and her husband being beaten and stimulated, she was in a daze after surgery. The police officers on duty could not get the details of the incident from her. Then, Cheng Zhifeng's surgery required family signatures, so they questioned the child, and the child mentioned your name. We found your contact information through Director Qin of the Municipal Bureau."
"Since you were able to question my grandson, Cheng Yang, did he say if he knew Yang Jian?"
"Cheng Yang said he didn't know Yang Jian and his group, but we cannot take the words of a six-year-old child as evidence."
Wan Hui understood what Lu Jinsong was implying, but the rules and procedures of case handling had to be followed. Most importantly, that Geng Bin also had connections, and he could not afford to offend him either.
Lu Jinsong slammed the table. "Absurd! You can listen to a six-year-old child to find me, but you can't use his words as evidence? What kind of logic is that? Would a six-year-old child lie when no adult is present?"
By the time he arrived at the hospital, Lu Jinsong had already spoken to his grandson and learned what had happened.
Although Cheng Yang was mischievous and naughty, he inherited his parents' genes and had a high IQ. At six years old, he could recite all three hundred Tang poems and solve third-grade math problems. His logical thinking and language expression skills were very strong, and he could clearly articulate the entire sequence of events.
"Director Lu, we will adopt your suggestion and re-question Cheng Yang."
"As a relative of the parties involved, I will not interfere with your investigation process, but you must solve this case for me as soon as possible. I will be following the progress of the case at all times. Also, I remind you that Cheng Zhifeng and Lu Yue have special identities. The national security department will intervene soon. You had better not engage in any favoritism or corruption."
Lu Jinsong's words startled Wan Hui and all the police officers present. The identity of a deputy department head had already put them under immense pressure, and the fact that Cheng Zhifeng and Lu Yue's identities had attracted the intervention of the national security department made it even more extraordinary.
The information of children of ordinary officials was strictly confidential, so people like Wan Hui did not know the family information of Lu Jinsong.
However, common sense told them that any case that involved the national security department must involve confidential units. Cheng Zhifeng and Lu Yue were either staff members of special fronts or researchers in key confidential units.
Judging from Cheng Zhifeng's inability to fight back when he was beaten by Geng Bin and others, his identity should belong to the latter.
Furthermore, some confidential units were not under the jurisdiction of the local government and might be directly subordinate to the military or a ministry. Once these units held someone accountable, even the mayor of Hancheng City might not be able to handle it.
Geng Bin and his group had not kicked iron this time, but steel.
Wan Hui instantly understood the situation. "Director Lu, rest assured, we will definitely add more police force to solve this case in the shortest possible time."
"No need. I will suggest to Director Qin of the Municipal Bureau that this case be investigated in another locality or across districts. You just need to cooperate fully."
"Okay, we will cooperate fully."
"Also, this meeting tonight must not be disclosed to the outside world."
After speaking, Lu Jinsong got up and left. His son-in-law was still on the operating table, and his daughter was in the ward in a daze. He had no intention of staying here any longer.
The hospital leadership also went to the ward with Lu Jinsong. Only the police personnel remained in the conference room.
"Director Mao, are Geng Bin and his group of eight people currently detained?"
Wan Hui began to directly deploy the investigation of the case.
Mao Jianyuan, the director of the Donghu Police Station and the investigator of this case, immediately stood up and replied, "Reporting, Director Wan, the four injured, including Geng Bin, are receiving treatment in the hospital and have been controlled by us. Another man escaped. The three women said they did not participate in the fight, and they were released after their statements were taken."
"Are the statements of the three women consistent with the statements of Yang Jian and the others?"
"They are not consistent. The statements of the three women are consistent with Geng Bin's confession. They should have unified their statements before the police arrived. The same applies to Yang Jian and his group. However, the statements of Yang Jian and his group also confirmed that the three women did not participate in the assault, so they were released."
"Immediately arrest the escaped man. Tomorrow at dawn, summon the three women for questioning and re-examine their statements. If they provide false testimony, detain them immediately."
"Yes, I will arrange it now."
Mao Jianyuan was about to leave when Wan Hui waved him to wait. "Wait a moment. Arrange for someone to question Director Lu's grandson and have the police officer who first contacted him write a report."
"It's too late today, and questioning the child might not be convenient. Director Lu probably won't agree either."
"You have a point. Then it will be tomorrow. I will inform Director Lu in advance, and you will wait for my notification."
Given the special identities of the people involved, Wan Hui had to be cautious. Even a child was not someone you could just meet whenever you wanted.
After arranging everything, Wan Hui announced the dissolution. He sat alone in the conference room and lit a cigarette. He took out his phone, glanced at the camera in the conference room, and then put his phone back into his pocket.
Then he went downstairs, and in the parking lot, he took out his phone again and dialed someone's number: "I'm sorry, I can't protect Geng Bin. Not only is Director Lu putting pressure on me, but his daughter and son-in-law also have special identities. The national security department will intervene in this case. I suggest you reconsider and do not get involved."
"National security intervention? Did Director Lu say that himself?"
"Director Lu said it himself. If it's true, I will be notified by someone by tomorrow morning at the latest."
"I understand. If national security intervenes, tell me immediately."
"I know. You should rest early."