101: Chapter 101 The Case Shocks Dakang

Zheng Shijun swallowed, his voice lowering unconsciously: "Secretary Li, many villagers in Guantian Township have had their livestock stolen recently, and some are even professional breeders... The case remains unsolved, and the impact is very bad..."

"What?!"

Li Dakang slammed his teacup down, splashing a few drops on the table, his face instantly darkening.

"How could such a thing happen? Why didn't you report this to me sooner?"

Zheng Shijun's face flushed red instantly, and he kept his head down, not daring to look at Li Dakang: "Secretary Li, it was my oversight. I only just learned about this news not long ago..."

Li Dakang took a deep breath, suppressing his displeasure.

He knew that Zheng Shijun was young and needed experience; now was not the time for blame, but for resolving the problem as quickly as possible.

"Tell Director He Guodong from the Police Station to come here immediately."

Li Dakang's tone returned to calm, but his gaze remained sharp.

"I will go notify him right away." Zheng Shijun, as if granted amnesty, hurried out of the office.

Less than ten minutes later, Director He Guodong hurried to the Township Government.

This forty-something-year-old Police Station director was burly, his police uniform worn stiffly, but the dark circles under his eyes betrayed his exhaustion from days of work.

He stood in front of Li Dakang's office door, straightened his collar, and knocked gently.

"Come in." Li Dakang's steady voice came from inside.

Director He Guodong pushed the door open and entered, seeing Li Dakang standing by the window with his back to the door; the sunlight outlined his tall figure, casting a long shadow on the floor.

"Secretary Li, did you summon me?" Director He Guodong's voice carried a hint of nervousness involuntarily.

Li Dakang turned around and motioned for him to sit: "Director He, I heard that many villagers in Guantian Township have had their livestock stolen recently?"

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Director He Guodong's forehead; he sat on the chair with his back straight, his hands placed formally on his knees: "Yes, Secretary Li. We are investigating with all our might, but due to constraints, there hasn't been much progress yet."

"Director He, do you understand the severity of this matter?"

Li Dakang's voice was unhurried, yet it made Director He Guodong feel an invisible pressure.

Before he could answer, Li Dakang continued, "This may seem like a simple theft case, but its impact is extremely severe."

"According to what I have just learned, over thirty households in Guantian Township have reported cases, with direct economic losses exceeding sixty thousand yuan."

Director He Guodong's Adam's apple bobbed; in a poor township in the mid-nineties, this figure was undoubtedly a large sum.

Li Dakang's voice grew more serious: "What is more serious is that this has severely dampened the villagers' enthusiasm for animal husbandry."

"You must know that it was difficult for Guantian Township to develop the livestock industry, and now, because of this case, many villagers dare not raise livestock anymore."

Director He Guodong's back was already soaked; he certainly understood the severity of the case, but the Police Station was truly in a difficult position.

"This is undermining the economic development and social stability of our Guantian Township."

This last sentence from Li Dakang made Director He Guodong feel like he was sitting on pins and needles.

Although the Police Station is not directly managed by the township, the Township Party Committee has important advisory power regarding the appointment and removal of the Police Station director.

Moreover, Director He Guodong knew full well the current influence of Li Dakang in the county.

"Secretary Li, I reported this case to the County Public Security Bureau this morning."

Director He Guodong explained hurriedly, his voice carrying helplessness: "But the County Public Security Bureau's criminal investigation team is busy solving a major case recently and cannot spare any manpower to support us. Therefore, this case can only be handled by our Police Station for now..."

"Secretary Li, it is truly not that we are not putting in the effort; it is just that the Police Station is severely lacking in personnel and funding."

Speaking of this, Director He Guodong's tone carried a hint of bitterness: "The temperature is still low at night, and our police officers cannot even get a hot meal while staking out; the conditions are truly too harsh."

Li Dakang listened quietly, his gaze gradually softening.

He understood the difficulties of the grassroots Police Station and also understood that what Director He Guodong said was the truth; the predicament of the Guantian Township Police Station was so similar to that of the Township Government half a year ago.

"Director He." Li Dakang's tone softened significantly.

"The township can solve the funding issue for you, but you will have to find a way to handle the personnel yourself."

His gaze was firm: "I have only one requirement: solve the case as soon as possible and recover the villagers' losses."

"Even if the case cannot be solved for the time being, there must be no new cases; can this requirement be met?"

Director He Guodong immediately stated his position: "Secretary Li, as long as the funding is in place, I guarantee that I will do what you said! If I cannot do it, I will voluntarily resign to the County Public Security Bureau!"

Li Dakang nodded: "Good, I will write you an authorization slip; go to the Finance Office later to collect fifty thousand yuan."

"Remember, this money must be used effectively, and the public security environment in the township must be improved."

Director He Guodong was secretly delighted; he had thought it would be good if Li Dakang could give a few thousand yuan, but he did not expect such generosity.

Fifty thousand yuan was the funding for the Guantian Township Police Station for several years; with this money, the conditions in the station could improve instantly.

Director He Guodong took the authorization slip handed over by Li Dakang, feeling both grateful and under immense pressure; this was Li Dakang's trust and expectation for him and the entire Police Station.

Director He Guodong secretly vowed that he must solve this case and give an account to Li Dakang and the villagers.

...

In the conference room of the Guantian Township Police Station, the atmosphere was as stifling as if a piece of wet cotton wool was pressing down on it.

The afternoon sunlight slanted in through the scratched window glass.