66: A colorful commendation ceremony, Gaoze's merits and ranks

Gao Ze returned to the Pudong Public Security Bureau.

Captain Zhou Weiguo had already called, informing him to attend the commendation conference as soon as possible, as there wasn't much time left to delay.

Fortunately, the murderer of the Feng Changlin family massacre case, Wu Mingjun, had been apprehended, and this case was now solved.

Interrogating Wu Mingjun was not difficult; with conclusive evidence, he had no chance to deny anything.

Upon arriving at the Pudong Public Security Bureau,

the lively scene there still exceeded Gao Ze's expectations.

The top leader of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, the deputy secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, as well as leaders from the People's Congress, and the CPPCC of the city, were all present.

The top leaders of the Donghai City Public Security Bureau and various departments, along with the top leaders of subordinate public security bureaus like Huangpu Public Security Bureau and Jinghai, were also at the scene.

These were all direct or indirect superiors who could oversee Gao Ze.

Below the main stage, in the third and fourth rows, sat middle-level cadres and leaders like Gao Ze’s Pudong Traffic Police Brigade Captain Zhou Weiguo and Criminal Police Brigade Captain Shen Gang.

Looking further back, there was a dense crowd of colleagues from the Municipal Bureau's Criminal Investigation, Traffic Police, Public Security, and Special Police departments.

The process of the commendation conference was not cumbersome; it could be described as concise.

The city leaders first expressed their stance, their determination to combat illegal crimes, and affirmed the work and spirit of the vast number of Police Officers in the city.

Then, the Municipal Public Security Bureau delivered its remarks.

Finally, it was Gao Ze's turn.

“Gao Ze, it’s your turn!”

Captain Zhou Weiguo and Shen Gang looked at Gao Ze, their smiles wider than Gao Ze’s own.

Feeling the gazes of leaders and colleagues from both on and off the stage, Gao Ze straightened his back, showing his utmost spirit.

“Xiao Gao, come up and talk about your arrest of A-level wanted criminal Liu Yaozong, and the solving of the dismemberment major case of Sun Haizhu, as well as Mu Yu Rou’s case.”

On the stage of the conference, Director Zhao Mingsheng, the head of the Municipal Bureau, beckoned to Gao Ze with a kind smile.

“The process of arresting Liu Yaozong was actually very simple.

I believe any Police Officer in our Donghai City, if they saw him, would do the same and would be able to apprehend him. I was just luckier than many colleagues, happening to encounter Liu Yaozong that day.”

“Sun Haizhu’s case also involved an element of luck, but I did indeed notice Sun Haizhu’s strangeness that day…”

Excessive modesty is pride. In front of so many leaders and elite colleagues, Gao Ze did not act overly polite but meticulously described the process of solving each case.

“As for Mu Yu Rou’s case!”

Gao Ze paused for a moment and said:

“When I realized there was a connection between Zheng Yiren and Mu Yu Rou’s case from back then,

I had a premonition that there were many perplexing doubts behind this case. And as I continued my investigation, I found more and more forces obstructing me, which made me feel even more that there was a problem, as if darkness was concealing the truth.”

“But as a Police Officer, my duty told me never to compromise and stop.

During this period, I also encountered many colleagues who helped me, my captain, and the directives from the leadership, which led to the solving of Mu Yu Rou’s case and the truth coming to light.”

“I believe Mu Yu Rou’s case is not just my personal credit, but also that of all comrades!”

“Gao Ze, you spoke very well!”

Looking at the spirited and radiant Gao Ze, Zhao Mingsheng was the first to applaud, his eyes showing deep approval and admiration.

Neither inflated high-profile nor feigned modest low-profile.

Plain and steady, firm and powerful.

Every sentence was factual and based on truth; such young people are rare now.

When the first applause sounded, more and more applause converged into a thunderous roar.

Police Officers from various departments below, including Criminal Investigation, Special Police, Public Security, and Traffic Police, all applauded sincerely.

The more plainly Gao Ze narrated each solved case,

the more they, as Police Officers, could feel the difficulty and effort involved.

Arresting Liu Yaozong was good luck, but how many people, when facing a fierce criminal, can remain fearless and avoid injury?

Liu Yaozong was a desperate madman who had killed four lives. When Gao Ze arrested him and took him to the Public Security Bureau, everyone could see the dagger tucked into Liu Yaozong’s lower back.

Desperate criminals like Liu Yaozong have caused too many police casualties.

Also, in Sun Haizhu’s dismemberment case, being able to detect Sun Haizhu’s strangeness was enough to show Gao Ze’s meticulousness and sharp mind.

Mu Yu Rou’s case was even more so.

From discovering the connection between Mu Yu Rou and Zheng Yiren, to independently investigating the doubts and problems in Mu Yu Rou’s case, for a case from two years ago, without strong criminal investigation capabilities, it would be very difficult to find any clues.

Moreover, there were unseen forces in this case, enough to pose a fatal threat to a grassroots Police Officer like Gao Ze.

However, Gao Ze still safely endured it.

Those people, on the contrary, all ended up in prison.

The value of this, anyone who has experienced hardship understands what kind of wisdom this is.

“Gao Ze, come up and receive your award!”

After recounting his case experiences, it was time to bestow theMerits (gōngxūn) merit awards.

This was what Gao Ze looked forward to the most, and it was also the part where countless colleagues from various departments showed strong envy in their eyes.

On the stage, the city leaders personally presented Gao Ze with two shining first-class individual merit medals, certificates of commendation, and a bonus of forty thousand yuan.

Subsequently, Director Zhao Mingsheng of the Municipal Bureau conferred Gao Ze the rank of Second-Class Police Superintendent, at the Senior Section Chief (zhèngkējí) section-level.

He had not yet reached thirty years old, but had already achieved this rank.

Below the stage, Zhou Weiguo, Shen Gang, and other brigade captains exchanged glances, all swallowing hard.

This surely meant Gao Ze’s future rank would surpass theirs.

It’s important to know that from staff member to section chief, there are levels one, two, three, and four in between, as well as differences like director and deputy director, etc. Usually, it took them five or six years.

But Gao Ze skipped all those steps, directly reaching the section-level in one go.

However, they all understood.

Gao Ze deserved this!

Not everyone facing a criminal like Liu Yaozong could survive to receive a merit medal.

Not everyone could solve a heinous murder case like Sun Haizhu’s.

And certainly, not everyone could solve a case like Mu Yu Rou’s and remain completely unharmed.

Gao Ze truly deserved it!

“Gao Ze, if you encounter any problems or need assistance with solving cases in the future, you can always come to the Municipal Bureau to find me!”

After the conferment of honors and awards, there was another round of thunderous applause, this time signaling the end of the commendation conference.

During this segment, all the attending leaders shook hands warmly with Gao Ze.

Many people keenly noticed that the city and Municipal Bureau head, Zhao Mingsheng, was very cordial with Gao Ze, and during their handshake, they mostly chatted for about half a minute.

“I will, thank you, Director Zhao!”

Gao Ze’s excited emotions had gradually calmed down.

He understood that this time he had entered the sight of many people.

But it was only attention; if he failed to achieve results later, he would just fade into obscurity and stop there.

However, he believed that this commendation conference was just the beginning for him.

“…”

“Old Liu, why are you only just arriving now!”

Under the stage, Zhou Weiguo and Shen Gang looked at the belated Liu Wenzhong, their expressions displeased, saying, “Gao Ze’s commendation conference is almost over.”

“My apologies, my apologies, our Huangpu Criminal Investigation Brigade encountered a major case that held us up.”

Liu Wenzhong repeatedly apologized to his colleagues and friends around him.

“Xiao Liu, what major case is it?”

As the commendation conference ended, Zhao Mingsheng and other leaders also walked down from the stage. Hearing Liu Wenzhong mention solving a case, he joked:

“Our Donghai City has produced an elite detective like Gao Ze. Do you want to tell him and let Xiao Gao help you analyze it?”

Didn’t Gao Ze say anything?

Liu Wenzhong looked at Zhao Mingsheng and other leaders, then at Gao Ze, his expression strange:

“Last night, we encountered a family massacre case where the perpetrator killed five victims.”

Zhao Mingsheng and Shen Gang, hearing this, looked grave and said, “That serious? What’s the progress of the investigation? It must be solved immediately!”

“This family massacre case has already been solved, and it was solved by Officer Gao Ze.”

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