As Yang Jian was meticulously preparing for his surrender, Bai Zheng began investigating the matter.
On the surface, he believed Yang Jian was surrendering because he had been reported, but in reality, he suspected it was a ploy by Yang Jian to escape the casino.
"Master, I just learned from the 110 command center that the call reporting Yang Jian came from Xinhe District in Hancheng City. It's impossible to determine if this report was arranged by Yang Jian or by his enemies," A Bao reported his findings to Bai Zheng in the second-floor office.
Bai Zheng tapped his fingers rhythmically on the desk. "Did Xiao Yang exhibit any unusual behavior before the police arrived?"
"Since opening the lumber business, Xiao Yang has frequently visited the building materials market. According to surveillance, he came to the company around ten this morning. Before going upstairs, he called Biao Biao down to the parking lot and they stayed there for twenty minutes. They didn't talk in the car, so I don't know the content of their conversation. After returning to the third floor, Yang Jian sat in his office for a while, then suddenly went to the casino lobby for a stroll and even greeted me. At half-past one in the afternoon, the 110 command center received the alarm, and at two o'clock, the police from the local police station arrived at the company."
"Doesn't Xiao Yang usually frequent the casino lobby?"
"Rarely. The last time Qin Ming's men caused trouble, Xiao Yang came out and pacified them, but he encountered an acquaintance from Xinhe, and then they started gambling. Since that incident, Xiao Yang has rarely entered the casino lobby."
"Do you think Yang Jian's sudden visit to the casino lobby today was a deliberate exposure to gamblers from Xinhe?"
A Bao pondered for a moment and said, "Judging from Xiao Yang's conversation with Biao Biao in the parking lot and Yang Jian's sudden visit to the casino lobby, it does seem a bit unusual. However, his intention to surrender cannot be faked. Master, what are you worried about?"
"I'm worried that Yang Jian heard some wind and suddenly wants to leave the casino, because he is close to Lu Hao, and Lu Hao's father is a high-ranking official at the police headquarters."
A Bao suddenly understood. "You mean you're worried that the police headquarters will take action against our casino?"
"Yes, Yang Jian was able to escape smoothly in Hancheng because of the efforts of Lu Hao and his father. This time, his sudden surrender, I suspect it was also arranged by Lu Hao."
"Master, your connections have reached the capital. Can't you find out if the higher-ups will move against us?"
"My connections have reached the capital, but not the police headquarters. If the police headquarters has any secret operations, leaders from other departments won't be able to know."
"What about the provincial department? Can you find out anything?"
Bai Zheng shook his head. "I just asked, and there's no news."
A Bao scratched his head. "Master, perhaps you are too sensitive. Xiao Yang might really have been reported."
"I hope I'm overthinking it. You personally escort Xiao Yang to the police station tomorrow, and then keep an eye on Biao Biao and the others. If they also find excuses to leave in the short term, then something is definitely wrong."
Caution is the parent of safety. Bai Zheng did not easily believe that Yang Jian's surrender was an accidental event. He was already planning to re-evaluate his own movements, reduce his frequency of visiting the company, and strengthen his communication with his superiors, so as not to be caught off guard when the police made their move.
The next morning, A Bao personally drove Yang Jian to the police station.
A Feng, Jun Jun, and A Nan also drove back to Hancheng. They would surrender at the police station in their hometown.
Three days later, Lin Nan, the deputy captain of the Xinhe Police Criminal Investigation Brigade, led two officers to Dongjiang to escort Yang Jian back to Chengguan.
This was because the special task force for the gambling case from years ago had been disbanded, and Yang Jian's case was temporarily handled by the local Xinhe police.
"Captain Lin, after a few years, why haven't you been promoted?"
On the train back to Hancheng, Yang Jian, bored, initiated a conversation with Lin Nan. With two police officers present, he couldn't call him "Brother Nan."
Lin Nan did not shy away. "Do you think promotion is that easy? I've only been a deputy captain for a little over three years. You look well-fed and plump; you seem to have lived quite a carefree life these past few years."
"Carefree where? I've always been working for others. Do you have children?"
"Yes, a daughter, she's two years old."
"Congratulations. Do you know Lu Yao's whereabouts?"
This question was unrelated to the case, and the two officers did not object to Yang Jian's inquiry. They could also see that Lin Nan knew him, which was normal. Yang Jian was entering the "third time" now, so it wasn't strange for him to know some police officers.
Lin Nan shook his head. "I don't know. Lu Yao didn't inform us when she left. As for whether she contacted Wei Xia later, I'm not sure."
"Have you never encountered Lu Yao's parents?"
"Her parents are not in Chengguan, and I don't know where they went. When you get out, ask Wei Xia yourself. She knows more than I do."
"Captain Lin, why was I wanted? I only knew Li Jin; I neither partnered with him to organize a casino nor participated in gambling."
Before surrendering, Yang Jian met with Lu Hao again and practiced how to respond to police interrogations after surrendering, vowing to deny any involvement in the gambling case.
Lin Nan waved his hand. "We won't discuss the case at this time. We are only responsible for escorting you. You will be handed over to the original special task force members for interrogation upon our return. Tell them if you have any grievances."
This disappointed Yang Jian, who had thought Lin Nan was in charge of his case.
Lin Nan had to abide by the discipline, and since Yang Jian couldn't extract any useful information from him, he didn't chat much more.
Twenty hours later, the train arrived at Hancheng Railway Station.
Yang Jian was escorted out of the station, and three police cars were already waiting at the exit.
There were quite a few onlookers. The moment he was pushed into the police car, the figures of Brother Mao and Bao Guo appeared in Yang Jian's sight.
"Master, Yang Jian seems to have seen us."
After the police cars left, Bao Guo, among the onlookers, reminded with some concern.
"So what if he saw us? He's involved in two major gambling cases; he won't get out for less than ten years. Why should we be afraid of him?"
Brother Mao had received information from within the police department and knew Yang Jian was being escorted back today. He had come specifically to confirm it. Seeing Yang Jian apprehended, he was finally truly relieved.
"But Yang Jian has money. Money makes the world go round; money can settle many things in this society. I'm worried he won't be sentenced for that long."
"Li Jin was sentenced to life imprisonment, and as his partner, he can't be lightly punished. Besides, even if he is lightly punished, if we don't provoke him, can he openly deal with us? Those openly opposing him are Hong Xing and Wu Laizi; neither you nor I have appeared."
"That's true, but we've been sworn enemies for a long time, and it's an unspoken understanding. Furthermore, he will definitely investigate the matter of San Pang once he's out. This matter will eventually blow up."
The matter of San Pang and others being sold to northern Myanmar had not yet escalated. Those people were still calling their relatives and friends, either to borrow money for investment or to trick people into going. But Bao Guo knew in his heart that this scam would eventually be exposed, and the blame would inevitably point to Brother Mao.