Chapter 274 - 274 Claiming Credit
Looking at Guan Haochen's shameless face, Zhao Chengshuang was so furious he felt like his lungs were about to explode. However, he had to admit that Guan Haochen had indeed found his Achilles' heel.
If it were just him alone, Zhao Chengshuang would not be afraid of Guan Haochen at all. With the Zhao Family's background, Guan Haochen couldn't necessarily do anything to him. But now, it involved his loyal police officers, his brothers who had followed him for many years. If they were to lose their jobs because of this, Zhao Chengshuang would never forgive himself.
Guan Haochen had precisely targeted Zhao Chengshuang's sense of loyalty to blackmail him, and indeed, he had succeded in his threat.
Zhao Chengshuang gave Guan Haochen a thumbs up and said coldly, "Guan Haochen, you're despicable!"
"Hahaha..." Guan Haochen didn't feel embarrassed at all and laughed loudly, "Captain Zhao, a wise man submits to circumstances. Rest assured, once I've made my achievement, I will definitely treat you to a meal. After all, you did deliver this international thief into my hands. Police and public, one big family, right?
One day, I'll send you a banner that reads 'Acting Bravely for a Just Cause,' how about that?"
As he spoke, Guan Haochen waved his hand, and the men from the Provincial Department immediately ran to fetch He Ziqiang.
Watching the police that had brought in He Ziqiang, they were indignant and refused to move from the side of the car.
"Get out of the way!" One person from the Provincial Department said arrogantly.
The policeman was furious and bellowed, "Say that again, you motherfucker!"
"Oh, getting feisty, huh?" The man from the Provincial Department glared back and said, "What if I say it again? Move aside obediently, or I'll have you sacked!"
"You..." The policeman was about to speak when Zhao Chengshuang shouted, "Enough!"
Everyone looked at him at once. Taking a few deep breaths, Zhao Chengshuang spoke gravely, "Guan Haochen, I've turned him over to you. But my brothers, they all must share the credit. Otherwise, if I really decide to make a fuss, you won't have an easy time either!"
"Don't worry, your brothers will certainly have no problem getting promoted and getting a raise!" Guan Haochen replied with a light smile. He dared not deny Zhao Chengshuang any credit completely.
Zhao Chengshuang sighed and waved his hand, signaling his officers to stand down.
"Captain, we worked so hard to catch this guy!" the policeman urged anxiously.
Zhao Chengshuang didn't reply but waved weakly, signaling him to move aside.
Zhao Chengshuang's faithful subordinates looked at each other and, feeling helpless, finally stepped aside. The Provincial Department officers pounced immediately on He Ziqiang, dragging him off like a pack of hungry wolves and presented him to Guan Haochen as if he were a prized treasure.
Looking at He Ziqiang, Guan Haochen seemed to see his own hopes for promotion, his hands shaking with excitement. He could even imagine how the leaders at the Provincial Department would see him and how his father would commend him for capturing He Ziqiang.
"Take him away!" Guan Haochen ordered excitedly. To prevent the Shenchuan City Police from taking too much credit, he had He Ziqiang placed in the vehicle sent by the Provincial Department.
The Shenchuan City police watched Guan Haochen's men with indignation, but they were powerless to intervene. Zhao Chengshuang stood by, fists clenched, his entire body trembling with rage, unable to utter a single word.
"Captain Zhao," Ou Keren approached Zhao Chengshuang and said softly, "Rest assured, I will clarify this matter in my report."
"Forget it," Zhao Chengshuang shook his head, "Miss Ou, I appreciate your kindness. Let's not put this in the report after all."
Zhao Chengshuang knew that if the matter ended here, it would be for the best. If Ou Keren wrote about this incident in the report, the higher-ups would indeed punish Guan Haochen, but his loyal police officers would be implicated as well.
"Miss Ou, let's go," Guan Haochen said happily as he saw Ou Keren. His eyes lit up and he continued, "Your name is also on my transfer orders. Come back with me. You have a big part in capturing He Ziqiang!"
Ou Keren shook her head directly, "No need."
Guan Haochen looked at Ou Keren, then at Zhao Chengshuang, a cold light flashing in his eyes. He sneered, "Since Miss Ou does not wish for recognition, I won't insist. But keep in mind, He Ziqiang was caught by our Eastern Province, and if you go back to Xiangjiang, it might be hard to explain. Miss Ou, think it over carefully!"
Ou Keren said coldly, "I don't need you to worry about my affairs!"
"That's good," Guan Haochen laughed coldly, "In that case, we'll be leaving first. Miss Ou, take your time keeping Captain Zhao company!"
Watching several police cars drive off into the distance, Zhao Chengshuang finally couldn't hold back and burst out cursing, "Bastard, such a scumbag!"
Ou Keren said, "Captain Zhao, didn't Ye give you a CD? Why don't we go and check its content first? There might be some important information on it."
"Right!" Zhao Chengshuang's spirits lifted, and he hurriedly said, "Let's go, let's go, let's have a look at what's on the CD."
Inside Guan Haochen's car, Guan Haochen and several people from the provincial office were laughing raucously.
"Captain, you've caught He Ziqiang and achieved such a great feat. It looks like you're going to be promoted several ranks when you return." A police officer said ingratiatingly, "Maybe you could even be transferred to that municipality to become a director or something. Then you would be unbeatable."
"I probably won't be able to become a director, my age is quite apparent after all. However, becoming a deputy director should be no problem." Guan Haochen leaned back in his seat and laughed, "But as long as I have the opportunity to gain experience below, there will be more opportunities in the future.
Besides, staying in the province all the time, those old guys can suppress me, preventing me from accomplishing anything. There are no opportunities to excel. It's better to go down to the municipalities. Even as a deputy director, no one can suppress me there, and I can wield my power to accomplish great things!"
"Exactly, those people in the municipalities, who would dare not to respect Captain Guan?" Another police officer was busy with flattery, "That way, Captain, you will have the chance to fully demonstrate your talents!"
"Hahaha..." Guan Haochen laughed contentedly, looking at the handcuffed He Ziqiang in front of him with pride on his face, and said, "Once we take him back, you guys start interrogating him immediately. Remember, I don't allow the police from Shenchuan City or Xiangjiang to get close, let alone meddle in this matter. This is our achievement; no one is allowed to share it, understood?"
A police officer said with a laugh, "Rest assured, even if we have to stay up all night, we will give you a satisfactory response, Captain!"
By the time they returned to the city, it was already night. Guan Haochen sent all the people from the Shenchuan City Police Department back. In order not to share the credit with the police of Shenchuan City, he didn't even take He Ziqiang to the city bureau but instead took him to the hotel he was staying at. He specially opened a room to serve as an interrogation room and locked He Ziqiang inside.
His subordinates also stayed inside, determined to interrogate everything about He Ziqiang in the shortest time possible.
On the other hand, the people from the Shenchuan City Police Department were overjoyed to learn that He Ziqiang had been captured. As an international thief of notorious repute, catching him was a significant achievement and an honor for any police force, regardless of their location.
Moreover, this cooperation with the Xiangjiang Police made it even more meaningful, signifying a remarkable achievement where the Shenchuan City Police could shine.
However, upon learning that Guan Haochen took He Ziqiang to the hotel, several leaders of the Shenchuan City Police Department were taken aback. They understood that by not sending He Ziqiang to the city bureau, Guan Haochen clearly intended to monopolize the credit and didn't want the Shenchuan City Police Department to get a share of it.
Upon receiving this news, Deng Liyang was the first to be assigned to find Guan Haochen and negotiate with him to bring He Ziqiang to the city bureau.
Guan Haochen expected that someone from the city bureau would come, so he was already waiting at the hotel. When Deng Liyang arrived, he directly welcomed Deng into his room, taking his time in idle chit-chat, dragging the conversation hither and thither.
After sitting for a while, Deng Liyang eventually became restless and said, "Captain Guan, I heard that you arrested He Ziqiang; may I ask where he is being detained right now?"
"Director Deng is well-informed, getting the news in such a short time," Guan Haochen said with a faint smile, "Yes, we indeed caught He Ziqiang. It is the result of our colleagues from the provincial office working tirelessly day and night."
It was clear from Guan Haochen's words that this was the credit of the provincial office, completely unrelated to the city bureau. He was implying to Deng Liyang that they would not share the credit for this achievement, so there was no point in even asking.
Deng Liyang felt somewhat embarrassed. If the other party had been a deputy director from the provincial office or someone similar, it would have been a bit easier to negotiate. However, the provincial office had sent a reckless and arrogant young master this time, someone who acted brashly without giving face to others.
If Deng Liyang brought up the matter of He Ziqiang, not only would he be unable to bring He Ziqiang back with him, but he would also likely be insulted by Guan Haochen.
"Captain Guan, this is a hotel after all, not a place to detain major criminals," Deng Liyang looked at Guan Haochen and suggested in a negotiating tone, "How about we transfer him to the city bureau's detention room? If something unexpected happens here..."
"I'll take full responsibility for any unexpected event!" Guan Haochen said arrogantly, "Director Deng, you don't need to worry so much. We, the people from the provincial office, handle matters with principles. Since he is in our hands, he is our responsibility, which has nothing to do with your city bureau!"
Deng Liyang was stunned for a moment, not expecting Guan Haochen to be so blunt. He hesitated to speak, but just then, a sudden loud explosion came from the next room, and his body swayed, tumbling to the ground.
Everyone else in the room was just like Deng Liyang, as if an earthquake had struck, with the furnitureshaking chaotically. The television and mirror fell to the ground, shards of glass scattered everywhere, and the room was in complete disarray.
"What's going on? What happened?" Deng Liyang scrambled to get up, looking around in shock.
"It's bad, something's happened!" A panicked voice came from outside.
"What is it?" one of Deng's subordinates turned to ask.
"There was a severe explosion in Room Seven, the whole room is gone!"
"What?!" Guan Haochen's eyes went wide in shock, his subordinates and He Ziqiang were all in Room Seven!