hotmtlnovel Chapter 21 Maximizing Profits, Questioning
Chapter 21 Maximizing Profits, Questioning
"Did they really bring the suspect back?"
"They promised to investigate this morning, and they arrested someone this afternoon?"
"Could they be trying to find someone to take the blame?"
"It's common practice for the police to find someone to take the blame; it's not impossible."
"If we were to expose them like that, it would be incredibly embarrassing!"
"Never mind, let's take photos and report on it first."
"..."
A group of reporters swarmed forward, vying to take photos and gather material.
However, from the whispers and conversations, it was clear that they were all full of doubts.
After all, the reputation of the police station speaks for itself, and everyone knows what kind of people they are.
The case was solved just a few hours after the incident escalated in the morning.
This inevitably leads to suspicions of deception and attempts to appease the public.
Xiao Quangui, walking at the front of the group, turned and whispered, "There are a lot of reporters here. Everyone, stand up straight and be spirited. Don't let our Team 3 down!"
"Yes!" Everyone responded in unison, their backs ramrod straight and their chins almost pointing to the sky.
They were all ordinary people from humble backgrounds, and this was the first time they had ever been photographed by a reporter and featured in a newspaper, so they were inevitably both excited and nervous.
Xu Dongyang squinted and slowed his pace considerably.
They had originally been escorting Shen Lang on either side, but had quietly retreated to the back of the line.
Presumably because he doesn't like taking pictures, he kept his head down and didn't seem to be trying to show off.
Xu Dongyang's retreat made Shen Lang, who was at the forefront, stand out even more, attracting everyone's attention.
Bang~!
Bang~!
The camera flash captured the entire scene of the suspect being escorted.
If nothing unexpected happens, it will at least be a front-page headline tomorrow.
"How did you manage to apprehend the suspect?"
"Is there some secret intelligence?"
As the lights flashed, the reporters began to ask questions they were interested in.
Everyone was curious about what made the case so quickly solved.
Shen Lang showed no stage fright when facing the reporter's questions.
With a solemn expression, he said, "The reason we were able to solve the case so quickly is thanks to the leadership of an excellent officer."
"He is Chief Inspector Zhang of the Mailan Police Station!"
"When we encounter a bottleneck in our investigation, he can always pinpoint the key points and provide crucial advice."
"Under his leadership, the police station's team cohesion has improved, and their cooperation and coordination have become more seamless."
"The successful arrest of the criminal suspect this time is inseparable from the overall planning and coordination of the chief inspector."
"His forward-thinking planning allowed us to capture the suspect before he could escape!"
"We are just the enforcers; the chief inspector is the biggest contributor to this case."
"Let's all give the Chief Inspector a round of applause!"
Clap clap clap~!
Shen Lang's impassioned voice echoed across the square, and he was the first to applaud with fervent admiration.
Seeing this, the others also hurriedly clapped enthusiastically in response.
Instantly, a loud round of applause erupted from nearly a hundred people at the main entrance.
While clapping, Fish Head asked in a low voice with doubt, "Didn't we say it was the patrol chief's credit before? How come it's now the chief patrol chief's?"
Xiao Quangui glanced at him sideways and smiled meaningfully, "You're still young, you'll understand later."
Zhang Defa, who was originally standing behind the reporter, was also made way by others, attracting everyone's attention.
Bang bang bang~!
Zhang Defa was blinded by the flash of the camera and couldn't open his eyes. How did it suddenly get to him?
Moreover, what does that impassioned praise have to do with me?
However, being an old bureaucrat who had slowly climbed his way up from a lowly constable to the position of chief inspector, he instantly understood the other party's intentions.
Smiling and clapping, he walked step by step to the front of the group.
He encouraged him, saying, "You truly deserve to be called the most outstanding young constable in the McLaren Police Station. I hope you can remain humble and work hard to solve more major cases!"
As the saying goes, "a sedan chair is carried by many people." Since others have been so sensible in presenting the main credit, shouldn't we give them something in return?
Moreover, the numerous photos taken and published by reporters gave Zhang Defa a lot of exposure.
This is no longer a simple case-solving; it has brought him political glory.
Tomorrow, the Inspector General, or even the French Police Commissioner, will look at him with more respect when they see the newspaper.
This will be an asset when competing for promotion with other chief inspectors in the future!
That's why I was in such a good mood and responded to that sensible young man.
Shen Lang saluted respectfully, his expression solemn and dignified.
But beneath that serious exterior, he was secretly overjoyed.
Although he attributed all the credit to Zhang Defa, he didn't feel any regret at all.
His experience of living two lives gave him a clear understanding of what it means to know one's own worth.
This fraud case has spread throughout Shanghai thanks to media coverage.
The McLan Police Station was also thrust into the spotlight, becoming the focus of everyone's attention.
It is safe to say that if the case is not solved within the time limit, the Municipal Council will likely hold the perpetrators strictly accountable.
But once the case is solved, can a mere constable handle such a huge pie?
How much benefit one can gain from merit depends on one's background and connections.
If your superiors value you, a promotion and a raise are just a matter of a word.
If your superior doesn't like you, even if you've made a tremendous contribution, you'll probably just get a certificate of commendation and be done with it.
It would be better to give the main credit to the chief inspector and let him get the recognition and praise from above.
Zhang Defa benefited from the situation, so it's impossible for him to forget himself, both morally and logically.
The fact that he was just elevated to the position of a leading figure among the younger generation is tantamount to making it clear that he can no longer be expelled.
Otherwise, if he is praised lavishly today and then fired tomorrow, wouldn't that be a slap in the face for Zhang Defa?
A single act of merit secured his job and earned him the praise of the chief inspector; this was the ultimate way to maximize his benefits.
It's much more worthwhile to get a certificate of merit than to take all the credit for yourself and forget about your superiors.
Just as everyone was celebrating, a question rang out, albeit somewhat off-key: "How can the police prove that this woman is the suspect and not just a scapegoat to appease the public?"
His poor accent made him sound like a foreigner.
Sure enough, a blond, blue-eyed foreigner holding a camera was raising questions.
Only foreigners who held privileges dared to question the police station at this time.
When the foreigner saw that everyone was looking at him, he actually turned his gaze to Zhang Li.
He asked, "I'm Albert, a reporter from the Chinese American Weekly. Excuse me, beautiful lady, are you truly a criminal suspect?"
He appeared righteous and awe-inspiring when questioned, but a glint of cunning flashed in his blue eyes.
Zhang Defa's heart skipped a beat when he heard the name. This person, relying on his foreign identity, would deliberately distort the facts and even spread rumors based on speculation in order to create topics.
When Zhang Li saw a foreigner asking her a question, her eyes lit up.
He hurriedly shouted, "No, I'm not a criminal suspect! The police are framing me and trying to make me take the blame!"
This was her only chance to survive; otherwise, once she entered the Western Prison, she would never come out alive.
Zhang Li's disheveled hair and hysterical cries of injustice immediately drew everyone's attention.
Her pitiful, tearful appearance suggested she had suffered endless grievances, which infuriated the onlookers, who unanimously condemned the police station for fabricating evidence.
The police station usually only knows how to make money and oppress the lower class. Now, just because someone took the lead in questioning it, the impression has been changed and vanished. That's reputation!