stonecrandall Chapter 643 Surrounding
Chapter 643 Surrounding
Although Ma Xin didn't ask any more questions about the specific task details, she silently began organizing the mine's financial data that she had previously copied. On the yellowed pages, several suspicious points were highlighted in red pen among the densely packed numbers. She circled the "Monthly Consumables" page repeatedly, calculating where to begin her investigation: first, check the discrepancies between the accounts and the actual warehouse inventory, especially those "special parts" that were frequently purchased but never actually delivered; then, trace the flow of funds to large expenditures, particularly the equipment maintenance costs that had suddenly surged in the last six months—the amount was unusually large, yet the notes were vague, and something seemed amiss. After all, it was her job; whatever she faced next, being well-prepared was always a good thing.
He Feng sat in the front passenger seat, watching the scenery rush by outside the window. The poplar trees lining the road receded like sentinels in rows; the telephone poles, so densely packed they seemed to be in formation, flashed past his eyes. His mind, however, was racing, repeatedly pondering the messages from Zhang Chuan and Zhao Ci—he truly hadn't expected that in a place like the mine, teeming with informants, they could uncover such crucial clues in just a few days, not only clarifying the accounting loopholes but also finding the trickery in the abandoned mine shafts. Their actions were faster and more efficient than anticipated.
With this solid evidence, coupled with today's raid, this complex case should soon be completely resolved. Those shady dealings hidden in the shadows, those dirty transactions bought with the blood, sweat, and lives of miners, those layers of concealment, should finally be exposed. He tapped his knee lightly with his fingertips, the rhythm increasing with the car's speed, a determined glint in his eyes, as if he could already see the suspects being apprehended, just waiting to arrive at their destination and personally blow the whistle to close the net.
Before setting off, He Feng had specifically called his superiors. He knew that the coal mining bureau, as an important local unit, couldn't be inspected casually. Without clear instructions and authorization, barging in rashly could easily alert them, or even result in being turned away on the grounds of "obstructing production." This matter required explicit approval from above to proceed with the operation legitimately.
The response on the other end of the phone was straightforward: the action plan was approved, but it would take some time to go through the procedures. "We will call Jiang Hu as soon as possible and keep him occupied under the guise of a 'routine check'," the superior instructed on the phone. "You should try to get there within this timeframe and not give them the opportunity to destroy evidence or collude on testimonies."
He Feng glanced at his watch; less than half an hour remained before they reached the mine. He knew the call from above should be coming soon. This time was crucial—he needed to take control of the scene, seize the accounts, and plug any possible loopholes as quickly as possible before Jiang Hu could react. He couldn't give them any breathing room, and he couldn't allow those dirty deals to continue. The wind outside the car window grew stronger, whipping up dust from the roadside, as if gathering strength for the impending storm.
He Feng stood before the rusty iron gate of the coal mine. Large patches of paint had peeled off, revealing dark red rust beneath, like congealed blood. His gaze swept over the faded "Safety Production" slogan on the gate, the four characters blurred beyond recognition by coal dust. A cold glint lurked in his eyes, like a steel knife tempered with ice. This dark mining area, with its chimneys constantly belching acrid black smoke and the air thick with the indelible smell of coal dust, had been under his watch for six months—illegal mining had hollowed out the entire mountain ridge, tax evasion records could fill half a room, and even worse, Jiang Hu had confiscated the ID cards of dozens of miners to force them down the mine; anyone who dared to resist was imprisoned in a water dungeon and starved for three days. All these details were meticulously recorded in his personal notebook, the edges of the pages already wrinkled and soaked with sweat. Today was the day to close the net.
He turned to look at the two squad leaders behind him. The morning light filtered through the coal dust, casting dappled shadows on their uniforms. He Feng's voice was low, yet carried an undeniable force, like a heavy hammer striking a steel plate: "Zhang Li, you take a team and come with me straight in. Take control of the office building and the finance office. Have the technical department open the safes. Seal all accounts and documents. Don't let anyone touch even a scrap of paper. Especially Jiang Hu's office; search every drawer and cabinet thoroughly."
Zhang Li snapped to attention, his dark face etched with a chilling expression. He touched the pistol at his waist and said in a deep voice, "Yes, sir! Mission accomplished!"
He Feng then looked at Zhao Lei, who was checking the handcuffs of his team members to make sure they were intact. Hearing the roll call, Zhao Lei immediately looked up. "You lead Team Two and proceed according to the original plan. Block all three roads leading out of the mine." He Feng pointed to the mine map. "Especially the coal transport road behind the mountain. Last year's torrential rains washed away half of it. It's usually only used by tracked vehicles, so it's easily overlooked. Send two people to guard behind the boulder at the mountain pass, and have a police car parked across the road. Not even a fly will be able to get out. Remember, only entry, no exit. If anyone resists with weapons, deal with them according to regulations. Don't be lenient."
Zhao Lei nodded emphatically and gestured for them to disperse. Plainclothes officers had already infiltrated the surrounding woods three days in advance. They were now using the bushes as cover, crouching low as they moved toward their designated positions. Dew on the grass dampened their trouser legs, but they seemed oblivious, their sharp eyes fixed on the mining area, silently laying down a trap.
After making the arrangements, He Feng straightened his police uniform collar, the silver button gleaming in the coal dust. He led Zhang Li and the others towards the iron gate, his leather shoes making a crisp "crunch" sound on the cinder ground. Old Li, who was dozing on the table in the gatehouse, drool soaking the registration form in his arm, was jolted awake by the footsteps. He rubbed his bloodshot eyes and stood up. Seeing a group of people in police uniforms blocking the entrance, he panicked, frantically pulling out the registration form, his fingers trembling like a leaf: "You... what are you doing here? Do you... do you have an appointment? The mine manager said we can't come in without an appointment..."
He Feng ignored him, but gave Zhao Lei, who had just arrived, a wink and whispered, "Go over the detailed plan with Zhang Li again, especially the finance office on the third floor of the office building. Jiang Hu has two bodyguards there, and their firepower might be strong. Have one team flank them from the left and right, and don't give them a chance to draw their guns. When I say 'action,' start immediately. Don't make any mistakes; there are still dozens of miners waiting for us to rescue inside."
Zhao Lei nodded in agreement, then pulled Zhang Li behind a nearby utility pole. The two whispered to each other while looking at the mine site map, their fingers rapidly pointing to key locations on the map such as the office building, winch room, and miners' dormitory. Their lips moved quickly, and their words, which only the two could hear, revealed the tension before battle.