121: Chapter 121 We can only act by leveraging existing momentum.

That same day, Bai Xiaohe left Pingkang County with eight bodyguards.

The medical team stayed in Pingkang County for three days, examining everyone in Miaogao Township and two neighboring townships, especially the primary and secondary school students. They subsequently concluded that while there were minor chronic illnesses, the reported situation had been exaggerated. Then, they hurried back to the Imperial Capital.

Zhao Yang and his two companions also left Pingkang County on the same day as the medical team, heading to the next stop of their inspection: Haizhou.

Zhang Xiaohua, the Director of the Haizhou Municipal Public Security Bureau, personally went to the airport to welcome them. Lu Xiaofei put on the air of a host and was exceptionally enthusiastic.

Since everyone in the Haizhou public security system had witnessed Zhao Yang's divine skills during the Haizhou Pharmaceuticals case, their attitude toward the "Cross-Regional Crime Organization Identification and Early Warning System" was much more fervent. After Zhao Yang finished his presentation, many people followed up with questions, turning what was supposed to be a one-hour meeting into a whole morning session. After lunch, an additional session was added in the afternoon.

That night at the guesthouse, Zhao Yang noticed Lu Yike seemed a bit absent-minded and smiled, "What's wrong? Are you tired?"

Lu Yike lowered her voice, "Director Zhao, why is there no movement from Pingkang County's side?"

Zhao Yang couldn't help but laugh. "The incident happened in Pingkang County, but the battlefield isn't in Pingkang. Don't be anxious; just wait and see. This matter won't be small; it'll be good if we can close the net by the time we return to the Imperial Capital."

"Ah? It'll take that long?"

Zhao Yang nodded. "This isn't a simple criminal case. From the county to the city and then to the province, it's a string of landmines. If things go wrong, it might even reach the top."

Lu Yike was stunned. "Director Zhao, you mean it's not just a problem with Li Jianguo in Pingkang County?"

Zhao Yang patted her shoulder. "At most, he's just a small fish. As for the big fish, it's better if you don't know."

Lu Yike had a strange expression. "Are you saying... my rank is too low?"

"It's not just you; I'm not qualified either." Zhao Yang smiled faintly. "I can only leverage the momentum. So, regarding this matter, don't ask, don't think about it, just watch."

Lu Yike nodded and turned to leave. The next day, Lu Xiaofei also came to ask, and Zhao Yang gave him the same explanation.

The inspection in Haizhou lasted for a week. Afterward, Zhao Yang had Lu Xiaofei and Lu Yike fly to Ningzhou City first, while he took a detour to Jinghai.

It was already evening when he arrived in Jinghai. Zhao Yang didn't stop for a moment and went straight to Meng Dehai's home.

Meng Dehai's position was now completely secure. Since taking charge of Jinghai's economic work, the city's development had entered the fast lane. According to the evaluation of the city's top leader, the achievements Meng Dehai made in less than a year could match three years of Zhao Lidong's work.

However, Meng Dehai knew his own situation—the vast majority of his policy decisions were made after privately consulting Zhao Yang. Moreover, the two major engines of Jinghai's economic development, Construction Group and Hongdou Technology, were both inseparable from Zhao Yang.

As soon as Zhao Yang entered the door, Meng Dehai immediately had his wife prepare tea. After a few pleasantries, the two went into the study and closed the door.

"Uncle Meng, I'm sorry to disturb you so late."

Meng Dehai waved his hand. "We're family; speak plainly."

"Take a look at this first." Zhao Yang took several printed sheets from his briefcase. "These are materials I obtained from a research institute in America. They've been translated, with Chinese and English side-by-side."

Meng Dehai took them and flipped through, puzzled. "It doesn't look like public news or an academic paper; it looks more like communication emails between researchers. Zhao Yang, where did you get this?"

Zhao Yang gave a sheepish laugh. "Uncle Meng, you know me. My hands get itchy as soon as I touch a keyboard, and I want to take a look whenever I see something new. That's not important; look at the content."

Meng Dehai lowered his head to read. He quickly finished the few pages and frowned, pondering for a moment. "This seems to involve the illegal smuggling of wildlife. Is this a legitimate research institute?"

"I'll show you online."

"Alright." Meng Dehai turned on the nearby computer and gave his seat to Zhao Yang.

Zhao Yang placed both hands on the keyboard and tapped away rapidly. Watching the characters and a string of unintelligible digital symbols flashing across the screen, Meng Dehai silently turned his head away—no matter what this kid did, I didn't see it.

Soon, Zhao Yang said, "Uncle Meng, this is that research institute's website. It's all in English, so you'll have to make do; if you don't believe me, I can translate it for you."

"I'll take a look first; my English is barely enough." Meng Dehai leaned in to look for a while, his expression gradually becoming solemn. "This is an institute that receives funding from the America National Fund and the military. If they want wildlife, can't they go through official channels?"

Zhao Yang smiled. "Wildlife coming in through official channels must be quarantined and disinfected, so the viruses, bacteria, and such they carry would be gone. This institute claims to study microorganisms. Bacteria and viruses are all microorganisms."

Meng Dehai showed a shocked expression. "Are you saying they are collecting those things from all over the world?"

Zhao Yang pulled out another set of materials. "These are some materials from our northern neighbor regarding the overt and covert struggles between the two superpowers over biological weapons back in the day."

Meng Dehai couldn't help but take another look at Zhao Yang. "Did you get these because your hands were itchy, too?"

"The one from the America institute was from me browsing around when my hands were itchy, but I specifically looked for this article." Zhao Yang gave a sheepish laugh. "Don't worry about those details. Just take a look. There are some things I don't dare think about too deeply; if I think too much, I can't sleep."

Meng Dehai nodded, read it again, and then fell into a long silence.

It took a full ten minutes before he spoke, "Zhao Yang, this matter is something neither you nor I can manage. We can't even mention it."

Zhao Yang nodded. "I understand. But they have a smuggling route that passes through our Jinghai. If my judgment is correct, it's the cave bats mentioned in the email. If those animals really carry some kind of virus, our Jinghai will be in danger. Taking a step back, even if there's no virus, such an illegal wildlife smuggling channel should be cut off, right?"

Meng Dehai was silent for another moment before nodding. "Yes, indeed. And this kind of wildlife smuggling does indeed carry risks. Even America movies have depicted this kind of plot; it can't be entirely groundless."

"Uncle Meng, I suggest investigating this matter. Especially during the arrest, all frontline personnel must pay attention to protection—at least wear masks and do a good job with disinfection. Those smugglers who come into contact with the animals must also be quarantined for at least a month to confirm they are healthy before they can have contact with normal people!"

Meng Dehai nodded, then suddenly stared at Zhao Yang with a strange expression. "Xiao Zhao, tell me the truth, have you discovered something else?"

Zhao Yang swallowed hard. "Uncle Meng, please don't ask. After catching those people smuggling bats, I suggest you and Secretary Song from the province make a report to the higher-ups from the perspective of microbial safety."

Meng Dehai's expression became even more solemn. "Zhao Yang, don't forget, we are family. If something is wrong, don't carry it alone."

Zhao Yang hesitated for a moment, leaned into Meng Dehai's ear, and whispered, "In the materials from that America research institute, I found that certain cave bats carry a deadly zoonotic respiratory infectious disease. But before I could save it, that material was completely deleted."

Meng Dehai's expression froze.

Zhao Yang thought to himself: Uncle Meng, oh Uncle Meng, no one knows these things yet. I can only use this method to warn you. As for what happens next, it's up to you.