<h4>Chapter 1105: Chapter 1036: A Breakthrough in a Day</h4><h4></h4>


    Ma Jiyang climbed into his beloved Great Wall Cannon, leading the Changyang City Criminal Police Brigade, splitting into three teams. He personally chose Caojiadu, the location where victim Yu Mingguo’s phone signal had disappeared.


    Ma Jiyang got into the car and then called Yu Wenshu to report.


    Yu Wenshu had already reviewed the information and, after a brief recall, said, "Thepany in Caojiadu is called Xinji Seasoning Products Co., Ltd., right? Thepany’s actual controller is Zhong Zongqiang? He is definitely the most suspicious individual."


    "Yes. Zhong Zongqiang previously supplied goods to Yu Mingguo’s Xiang Cuisine Restaurant and bakery. Later, due to Yu Mingguo’s financial difficulties, he repeatedly defaulted on payments and rued credit. In the end, when Yu Mingguo tried to use alcohol to settle the debt, the two had a huge argument," Ma Jiyang exined, knowing Chief Yu enjoyed this type of detailed confirmation, even though both were already aware of the situation.


    Yu Wenshu, indeed satisfied, responded with an "Hmm" and continued, "If Zhong Zongqiang is the killer, then this case bes straightforward."


    "Yes. All suspects in this case are ordinary businessmen. Based on Jiang Yuan’s analysis of the cause of death, there’s a high probability of a crime of passion. Identifying the temporal and spatial intersection points should be significant," Ma Jiyang, a top performer in the Changyang City Criminal Police Brigade, felt confident, having handled many simr cases before.


    "The key is to obtain the evidence, which is also what Jiang Yuan and the Taihe Working Group need most," Yu Wenshu reminded him and added, "With leaders from the provincial department and multiple municipal bureaus here in Ningtai County, the case must be handled impably; the evidence and procedures need to be rigorous."


    "Understood," Ma Jiyang responded immediately.


    "Jiang Yuan determined the victim’s time of death to be 15 to 18 days ago, yet his phone has been off for 21 days. You need to investigate thoroughly what happened during that time," Yu Wenshu paused and then continued, "Verify if the identified time of death aligns. If there seems to be any discrepancy, call me immediately."


    While Yu Wenshu’s words were somewhat cryptic, to Ma Jiyang, they felt excessively direct.


    Yu Wenshu wanted him to secure evidence while also showing concern over the possibility that Jiang Yuan’s judgment on the time of death might be incorrect or that the evidence at the crime scene might contradict Jiang Yuan’s analysis.


    Such scenarios were normal, of course. Ma Jiyang had dealt with more forensic doctors than women, and instances where forensic evaluations were inurate were not umon.


    However, Ma Jiyang fully understood why Yu Wenshu was so cautious—because provincial department leaders were present in Ningtai County. If Jiang Yuan’s analysis had errors under these circumstances, it would be akin to pping him in the face right in front of the provincial leaders.


    Such a situation should be avoided if possible.


    Muttering internally about Jiang Yuan’s considerable influence, Ma Jiyang wrapped up the call under Chief Yu’s repeated instructions.


    "So, there’s truth to the saying ’Ascending to greatness attracts support’," Ma Jiyang reflected on Yu Wenshu’s attitude and couldn’t help but remark wistfully.


    Yu Wenshu’s intentions would never be disclosed to Jiang Yuan in advance, as they also represented a faintck of trust in Jiang Yuan.


    At the same time, though, Yu Wenshu genuinely cared about Jiang Yuan.


    Ma Jiyang felt a pang of envy for a few seconds but reconsidered, realizing he had received simr treatment. It just felt more natural and warranted, as the Changyang City Criminal Police Brigade’s own member.


    The convoy drove for about forty to fifty minutes before arriving at a parking lot in Caojiadu.


    The surrounding area featured courtyards, rather low-rise three- to four-story office buildings, as well as somewhat taller seven- to eight-story residential buildings, all reflecting older architectural styles and nning. Local small businesses favored this location for its proximity to the city and rtively lower rental costs, leading to a modest clustering of enterprises.


    Already having assigned tasks en route, Ma Jiyang disembarked to meet officers from the local police station. He gathered bulletproof vests and firearms and began gearing up.


    The local police officers were stunned, asking, "Isn’t this supposed to be an investigation?"


    "If it’s a normal case, the culprit is highly likely to be here. If they aren’t, this case will be a mess," Ma Jiyang exined, his tone quite different from when addressing his superior.


    When calling a captain, he avoided sounding overly optimistic, but his reasoning remained firm.


    Having worked on numerous major criminal cases, Ma Jiyang didn’t find this particr one too challenging—at least not from the perspective of a criminal investigator.


    Nheless, such rare moments to showcase capabilities were ones Ma Jiyang wouldn’t squander.


    Indeed, following standard criminal procedures, sending two officers to conduct preliminary investigations would have been more sensible. But with provincial leaders leaving tonight, resultsing only tomorrow or the day after would lose their impact, like cold dung with its stench dispersed.


    Bulletproof vests and firearms may not end up being necessary, but they made the team appear professional and even stylish, so they were donned anyway.


    Shouting, "Team One, follow me," and with guidance from local officers and help from Baidu Maps, Ma Jiyang headed to Xinji Seasoning Products Co., Ltd.


    "Front shop, rear workshopyout. Four people at the back door, two on each side of the courtyard walls. Open fire if necessary, but give warning first..." Ma Jiyang instructed one by one.


    Technically, officers were now allowed to open fire directly. However, the situation wasn’t too dangerous, and Ma Jiyang preferred minimizing any subsequent issues.


    "Go in," hemanded, his posture exuding confidence to his subordinates.


    A team of over ten officers strode briskly into Xinji Seasoning Products Co., Ltd. The living room behind the main entrance showcased various honor certificates, medals, and patent documents, likely disyed for impressing visiting officials.


    Company owner Zhong Zongqiang was forced to the forefront and asked, "What are you doing here?"


    "Search," Ma Jiyang waved his hand, and officers swiftly moved ahead.


    His response was not only to avoid wasting words with Zhong Zongqiang but also to prevent office staff from tampering with evidence.


    Zhong Zongqiang was restrained by two officers while being questioned on the spot by Ma Jiyang.


    Several field investigators entered and began meticulously searching.


    After a long while, one officer returned to report quietly, "Captain Ma, no obvious traces, and no bloodstains found."


    "Hmm." Unperturbed, Ma Jiyang pondered for a moment and instructed, "Wait until they finish recording statements with everyone, then see if we uncover any clues. Additionally, check for independent spaces, basements, attics, or locked storage areas... By the way, does thispany have dormitories? Where does Zhong Zongqiang usually stay?"


    These questions were not random guesses but arose from years of investigative experience rather than pure deduction.


    People often believed their own suffering was unique, driving them tomit crimes due to their special anguish. For seasoned detectives, however, those afflicted by everyday hardships often led ordinary lives, and their criminal behaviors were typically solved usingmon investigative techniques.


    For now, Ma Jiyang focused on locating the primary crime scene. Whether Zhong Zongqiang confessed or not mattered less; evidence from the primary scene would suffice.


    His team grasped the intention immediately, issuing instructions and adjusting their angles of inquiry. They dispersed anew for investigation.


    Meanwhile, the officers stationed outside returned to join the probe, requiring little oversight from Ma Jiyang, as everyone inherently honed in on key areas.


    In contrast, Zhong Zongqiang transitioned from vigorous resistance to growing agitation and ultimately settled into silence.


    "Captain Ma." An officer returned holding significant findings. "We discovered arge amount of blood at Zhong Zongqiang’s temporary residence."


    ...


    Ningtai County.


    Huang Qiangmin apanied the leaders dining at a riverside food stall.


    Food stalls were synonymous with affordability and quality, catering even tomon civil servants. Dining here imposed no pressure on anyone. Plus, Tai River—as a scenic spot in Ningtai County—made eating at a food stall there feel like a must-do activity.


    The mood at the table was convivial, with casual chatter flowing.


    Huang Qiangmin asionally nced at his phone, growing impatient until a message finally arrived.


    After briefly confirming its contents, Huang Qiangmin smiled and stood up. "Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to share some great news. Regarding the drowned corpse we examined earlier today—rted to Yu Mingguo’s murder—the case has been sessfully resolved. The perpetrator has confessed fully."


    The leaders, in the midst of their meal, froze before erupting into apuse.


    "A murder solved within a day—impressive, impressive!"


    "Was the task force just formed?"


    "The task force wasn’t even formally established, yet the case got solved."


    "Extracting fingerprints from a dposed body—cases like this are rare both domestically and abroad."


    The group exchanged praise, the atmosphere gradually infused with a palpable sense of aplishment.