The group followed Hu Mingfa to the Balihe Reservoir.

The Balihe Reservoir is located in the mountains, at a much higher elevation than the surrounding farmland, so it is surrounded by a dam.

The group walked two or three meters above the water's surface, gazing at the clear, flowing water below. Guan Feng asked, "When you come to swim, which side do you usually enter from?"

Hu Mingfa pointed to the cordon not far away and said, "That is a gentle slope with steps. It was originally intended to make it convenient for the reservoir management to go into the water to check the water quality. Unexpectedly, it has become a place for citizens to swim. After the third disappearance, we have sent people to surround the passage and set up a cordon. Similar situations will not happen again."

Guan Feng nodded and followed Hu Mingfa to the steps.

He went down the steps to the water's surface, reached out his hand, and felt the water temperature.

It was summer vacation, and the water temperature was still relatively warm. In addition, the reservoir was only two to three meters deep, so there wouldn't be a big temperature difference, which meant that the possibility of drowning due to cramps or other injuries was further reduced.

He looked at Hu Mingfa and said, "Help me make an appointment with the reservoir management and tell them we need to find out more about the situation."

Hu Mingfa said, "Okay! But Captain Guan, don't underestimate the Balihe Reservoir just because it's small. It's a municipal-level management unit, and the people there are incredibly arrogant."

Guan Feng looked at the reservoir management office not far away and frowned, saying, "Is that so?"

......

Balihe Reservoir.

The group arrived at the conference room.

The reception was handled by several responsible persons.

However, the directors were clearly not very cooperative. They were sincere in their attitude, but when asked, they knew nothing and acted as if it was none of their business.

Guan Feng frowned and said, "There are three people who have drowned and two adults who are missing. We want to investigate the records of your reservoir management, and this is your attitude?"

"If this is the attitude everyone has, then fine! I think we should just drop the case. The reservoir is a restricted area, swimming is prohibited. You haven't fulfilled your supervisory obligations. Report this directly to the branch office and let the city's disciplinary department handle it!"

Their expressions changed.

Director Zhang, the head of the reservoir management committee, said, "If the case isn't thoroughly investigated, shouldn't you also take responsibility?"

Guan Feng said calmly, "Responsibility? Does every case have to be investigated to the very end? Even if it's not investigated, a reprimand will suffice, but as the reservoir management, you are the primary responsible parties. I'd like to see if you can keep your official hats!"

He then instructed Huang Lili, "Contact the Municipal Public Security Bureau's Publicity Department. There have been quite a few drowning incidents recently during the summer vacation, haven't there? Our bureau is currently producing a public awareness campaign, focusing on the Balihe Reservoir, to remind everyone not to swim in the wild and to avoid unnecessary drownings! These three lives are a vivid lesson!"

Huang Lili had been waiting impatiently for a long time, and upon hearing this, she immediately dialed her sister's number.

Over the phone, she briefly described the situation, while subtly conveying that this was Guan Feng's intention.

Wang Yayue immediately understood the implied meaning and said she would handle the matter well.

Director Zhang and his group watched all of this with indifference.

Can a few junior officers from a branch office really command the city bureau's propaganda department?

You're really putting a green onion in your nostril—pretending to be something you're not!

That's the city!

It's the higher-level department!

They all waited patiently to see what would happen.

But just then...

The red phone on Director Zhang's desk rang. When he answered, it was the Publicity Department of the Municipal Bureau. The caller mentioned that they had heard about the drowning of three people at the Balihe Reservoir. In addition, with the recent onset of the rainy season, they had received instructions from higher authorities to conduct a publicity and warning campaign, and the reservoir management was required to cooperate in the publicity work.

Director Zhang panicked immediately.

If this were filmed, the whole society would know that three drowning incidents had occurred at his reservoir.

By then, it will be too late to smooth things over.

The key point is that this is the Municipal Public Security Bureau!

The other party has the ability to directly contact the municipal water resources bureau under their jurisdiction. Even if they disagree, a single phone call from the other side would force them to agree. Moreover, even if no one agrees, with the power of the municipal bureau's publicity department, who would dare to retaliate after secretly filming with a drone?

Although these obscure government offices may appear to have high ranks, they are actually worthless compared to powerful departments.

In just a moment!

Director Zhang's expression changed immediately.

With a fawning smile, he looked at the group and asked, "Excuse me, which one of you is Captain Guan?"

Guan Feng said calmly, "That's me!"

Seeing how young Guan Feng was, and recalling the subtle hints the other party had given on the phone earlier, Director Zhang immediately smiled apologetically and said, "This is truly a case of the flood washing away the Dragon King's temple! I'm so sorry! It's all a misunderstanding! So, what do you need our cooperation with? We'll definitely cooperate. What questions do you have? I'll be the first to ask!"

Guan Feng waved his hand and said, "Let's take a statement from everyone first."

Director Zhang said, "Okay, then I'll go first?"

Guan Feng nodded and said, "Everyone else who is not involved, please leave first. Wang Xun, take your men to the office next door and question them in two groups together. Xiang Dong, you wait outside the office to prevent anyone from colluding with you."

Director Zhang said, "Isn't there a need to be so tense? Do you suspect us?"

Guan Feng said calmly, "Before the case is fully investigated, everyone involved is a suspect, especially since three lives have been lost in a row, yet your reservoir management has not made a single move. It's hard for me not to suspect your motives."

Director Zhang looked embarrassed.

Guan Feng said, "Let's begin. Name, age, place of origin?"

Director Zhang said, "Zhang Yuanguang is 59 years old this year and is from Hongcheng."

Guan Feng asked, "At this age, you're almost ready to retire, aren't you?"

Director Zhang said, "That's right! I'm retiring next year. Who would have thought that something like this would happen so close to my retirement? That's why I was a little resistant just now. It's all my fault. I hope you won't hold it against me, Captain Guan."

Guan Feng waved his hand and asked, "How many people are there in your reservoir in total?"

Director Zhang said, "There are 12 staff members on the payroll and 18 staff members outside the payroll."

Guan Feng said, "According to the case, the first victim drowned three days ago, the second victim two days ago, and the third victim yesterday. Who were the staff on duty for those three days? Please retrieve the relevant information; we need it. Remember! Leave no one out. We will review the surveillance footage!"

Director Zhang hurriedly replied, "Please rest assured, I will definitely cooperate."

He then opened his phone, logged into the office system, checked the relevant duty information, and summarized it according to the work group on his phone, finally reporting the three-day list to Guan Feng.