119: Chapter 119 This Cause and Effect, I'll Bear It.

Chen Mingzhang took a half-step back, looking vigilant: "Director Zhao, you can't just say things like that, this is slander."

Zhao Yang casually laid out several photos: "These are all your reports, right?"

Chen Mingzhang adjusted his glasses and looked down: "Yes, they are all my reports."

"Very well. Then let me ask you, how many forensic doctors are there in Pingkang County?"

"Just me."

"You don't have an apprentice?"

"No. I issued all the autopsy reports."

Zhao Yang's lips curled up as he pulled out another photo and slapped it on the table: "Was this one also issued by you?"

Chen Mingzhang looked down, his pupils shrinking slightly: "This wasn't issued by me! Absolutely not! Look, the handwriting isn't mine! Although it's similar to mine, it's definitely not written by me!"

"Are you sure?" Zhao Yang said in a low voice, "Chen Mingzhang, you know that surrendering and making excuses result in different sentences."

Chen Mingzhang straightened his body: "I can apply for a superior to verify the handwriting. This was definitely not written by me."

Zhao Yang sighed: "You just said there's only one forensic doctor in Pingkang County. If you didn't write it, did a ghost write it?"

"This is a forgery!" Chen Mingzhang lowered his voice, "Director Zhao, I've heard of your deeds. Can't you tell this is a forgery? You've seen so much of my writing already; you must recognize my handwriting."

Zhao Yang shrugged: "I do. Even a third-grader writes more neatly than you."

Chen Mingzhang's face flushed. He wanted to argue but felt a bit guilty, letting out a sheepish laugh: "As long as it's legible."

"I recognize it, but that doesn't rule out the possibility that you intentionally wrote it differently." Zhao Yang smiled, "For instance, if you wanted to cover something up but didn't want to take responsibility. By using different handwriting, you could just claim it was a forgery later to divert the investigation, right?"

"You..." Chen Mingzhang's expression became complex, as if he were having an internal struggle. He remained silent for over ten seconds before asking in a low voice, "Director Zhao, you came down here to collect Materials. Why are you so interested in my handwriting?"

Zhao Yang smiled faintly: "Mainly because a string of coincidences has linked up, and I can't help but overthink it."

"Director Zhao, could you elaborate?"

Zhao Yang pulled over a chair and sat down boldly: "Coincidentally, I heard a graduate student from the University of Political Science and Law was teaching in Miaogao Township and drowned after falling into the water. Coincidentally, I came to Pingkang County on official business. Coincidentally, I found the file on Hou Guiping's accidental drowning after an attempted assault. Coincidentally, when I went Fishing in Miaogao Township, I heard some things from the school teachers. Coincidentally, I found something off about Hou Guiping's autopsy report. Coincidentally, you are the only forensic doctor in Pingkang County. Tell me, who else would I look for but you?"

After listening, Chen Mingzhang lowered his head. After a moment of silence, he suddenly looked up: "Director Zhao, let me show you something."

He turned and went inside, rummaged through a locked metal cabinet for a while, and brought out an autopsy report: "The reason I dare say the one you have is a forgery is that I have the original autopsy report right here."

Zhao Yang took the report, scanned it, and sneered: "It wasn't drowning; the body was dumped after death."

"I can't say for sure if the body was dumped, but he definitely entered the water after he was already dead." Chen Mingzhang's expression was grave, "Director Zhao, the report in the archives is absolutely a forgery."

Zhao Yang dropped his arrogant expression, stood up, and extended his hand: "Forensic Doctor Chen, let's reintroduce ourselves—Director of the Joint Laboratory of Intelligent Investigation at the Third Research Institute of the Ministry of Public Security, Zhao Yang. Hello."

Chen Mingzhang was stunned for a moment, then smiled in realization as he shook hands: "Director Zhao, you actually tricked me! You already guessed that the autopsy report was forged? Have you already reported this?"

Zhao Yang smiled: "Everything must be done by the book. Reporting it directly would break protocol, but don't worry, there will be some movement, and the higher-ups will know soon. You can write something for the organization and give it to me; it can serve as evidence once the matter is concluded."

Chen Mingzhang was stunned again, then understood and smiled bitterly: "Director Zhao, I appreciate your kindness. I know you're giving me a chance to earn merit, but I'm not young anymore."

"An old horse in the stable still dreams of running a thousand miles. The heavy burden of building the country can't all rest on the shoulders of us young people, right, Forensic Doctor Chen?"

Chen Mingzhang gave a helpless smile: "Alright, since Director Zhao has put it that way, I'll write it. I'll write it right away."

Coming out of the Forensics Department, Zhao Yang turned into Li Jianguo's office. He first expressed his thanks for the cooperation, then commented on the tea he drank and the cigarettes he smoked until Li Jianguo's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot before he finally got up to leave.

Standing by the window, Li Jianguo stared at Zhao Yang's departing back and spat fiercely: "Damn it, what a piece of work! Arrogant bastard! Showing off like that, he'll end up behind bars sooner or later! Fuck!"

Early the next morning, a joint medical team from the capital and the province arrived in Pingkang County. After greeting the County Health Bureau, they headed straight for Miaogao Township.

The leader of the Health Bureau was completely bewildered—the scale of the higher-ups' actions was significant, suggesting a major health incident, yet he hadn't heard any reports. After asking around, he heard that a local chronic disease had been discovered, which confused him even more. Although he often took bribes and kickbacks, he could swear on his life that no local chronic disease had ever appeared on his turf.

Zhao Yang then went to the Procuratorate, finding Chief Procurator Wu under the same pretext of verifying handwriting in the files.

In the drama, this Procurator Wu had received whistleblowing Materials before Hou Guiping's death, including key photos, student testimonies, and a list of assaulted girls—everything. But he discovered a provincial official, Xia Liping, in the photos and lost the courage to investigate. However, not entirely devoid of conscience, he hid the Materials instead of destroying them.

Later, in 2003, when Jiang Yang began investigating the cause of Hou Guiping's death, Procurator Wu knew it was a deep pit. Not only did he withhold the key evidence from Jiang Yang, but he also arranged for his daughter, Wu Aike, to break up with Jiang Yang. It wasn't until 2010 that his conscience finally got the better of him, and he handed the Materials to Jiang Yang. But by then, Jiang Yang was terminally ill and near death, left with no choice but to expose the truth through a desperate gamble.

Today, Zhao Yang's objective was the whistleblowing Materials he had received.

Looking at Zhao Yang's young face, Procurator Wu felt a surge of envy. Age-wise, Zhao Yang was about the same as his daughter, Wu Aike, yet his rank was already on par with his own as the Deputy Chief Procurator of the Qingzhou City Procuratorate—both were deputy division chiefs. Zhao Yang's two-year resume was richer than his twenty-year one.

There really was no comparison between people.

Procurator Wu wore a forced smile: "I heard Director Zhao wants to compare the handwriting in the files. I'm so sorry; our staff isn't strict enough about handwriting requirements when making records."

Zhao Yang smiled slightly: "It's actually not a big problem. In a few years, as technology advances, even the messiest handwriting will be decipherable. For now, I'll have to trouble you. Procurator Wu, please help me look at this one first."

"Alright, bring it out and let me see."

Zhao Yang then took out two photos—one of the original autopsy report for Hou Guiping and the other of the forged one from the Pingkang County Public Security Bureau—and pushed them toward Procurator Wu. He watched him with a smile, though his mind drifted slightly.

At this moment, Jiang Yang was still a carefree graduate student, enjoying a sweet romance with Wu Aike. Now, I'll test this future father-in-law of yours for you. I'll shoulder the Karma on you, bro!