Chapter 88 Chapter 88 Comrade Xiao Ji is about to get married, and he is about to...

When Ji Yinhe returned to the office wearing his police uniform with epaulettes changed, the sycamore trees outside were still rolling thick green waves.

The late August sunshine and the chirping of cicadas penetrated the glass windows. The hot wind rushed in, carrying the burnt smell of the asphalt road and the muffled sound of pile drivers on the construction site, dividing the concrete floor into small ponds.

As summer turns to autumn, flocks of geese fly over the radio antenna on the roof of the provincial government building, and the north wind of late autumn begins to knock on the window sills.

While running to the scene, Ji Yinhe suddenly discovered that the white air he exhaled could hover briefly in the morning light.

In the distance, new high-rise buildings have been built in the city center of Jingzhou, and the cityscape is constantly refreshing and changing. In the outlook for Hong Kong's return and the millennium, the rapidly rising economy has brought about an overlooked dark side - that is, the increasingly unpredictable human heart behind the money.

As violence spread deep into the neon signs, the number of serious cases handled by the crackdown team also increased dramatically.

The previous model of the entire team working together to solve a major case was no longer sufficient and urgently needed an update. Under the auspices of Director Zu, the leadership team decided to reorganize the team. The detectives in charge of the investigation would work in pairs, reporting progress weekly, while technical personnel such as Lü Xiaoyan, Jiang Nian, Xiao Yan, and Xiao Xie would provide full support.

After Wu Sijia's case, Zhao Zhuoqun recognized Ji's growing abilities and believed he could truly stand on his own. Tan Li, noticing Ji Yinhe and Lu Zheng's seamless chemistry, decided to pair them up.

As autumn drew to a close, the duo cracked several major cases.

There were robberies, thefts, and even straightforward cases of people hacking people in the street to take revenge on society.

There are also tragic stories of men who, in order to avenge their beloved girlfriend, pursued the murderer for more than ten years, and finally found the murderer and died together with her.

There is even a bizarre legend about a braised food store owner who couldn't stand her husband's daily domestic violence, so she chopped the man into pieces with a knife and threw the body into the boiler to make braised soup.

Ji Yinhe was also inspired by these cases and, by combining them with theoretical books, he continued to improve his insights into criminal profiling.

She often studied in the archives room until late at night before returning to the dormitory to sleep, while Lu Zheng stayed quietly in the technical department next door, carefully examining the physical evidence on hand over and over again.

Only occasionally, when a professor of public security came to the provincial department to give a lecture, he would secretly tease expert Lu about whether he was addicted to solving cases and had not returned to his full-time job for a long time.

Comrade Lu Zheng felt embarrassed and could only touch his head, lower his head, smile and say nothing.

However, Comrade Xiao Ji's hard work was not in vain. When early winter came, the papers she wrote were published in the province's business journals and newspapers and were widely circulated throughout the provincial system.

However, the capital's "Detective" magazine has not yet sent back the news about the paper I wrote after that conversation with Situ Feng on the connection between animal abuse and murder.

During this period, various units began to promote informatization. The provincial department equipped each department with new electronic computers and required the police not only to know how to handle cases and arrest people, but also to keep up with the pace of modern technology as soon as possible.

Tan Li returned from a meeting of department heads on the rooftop. She distributed a "Microcomputer Quick Guide" to everyone with a troubled look on her face. "They say all information will be recorded in computers from now on... Is that really possible? Catching criminals won't depend on running, but on typing on the keyboard?"

Zhao Zhuoqun shook his head and muttered, "Ah, the old ways of us old guys are useless!"

"Captain Tan, Master, I don't think you need to worry too much," Ji Yinhe said as he flipped through the manual. "Using information technology to intervene in investigations is a very common phenomenon abroad. If the national police system can be connected to the Internet in the future, coupled with the widespread application of surveillance and DNA technology, then solving cases will be a snap... By then, our country's crime rate will definitely drop significantly!"

Zhao Zhuoqun commented noncommittally: "Ideals are beautiful, but reality is cruel - when will we see this day?"

"Technology is advancing at a rapid pace. I believe it won't be long!"

Zhao Zhuoqun was amused. "Okay, then you young comrades should work harder!"

"Okay!" Ji Yinhe rolled up his sleeves, took a deep breath, took out the keyboard key card from the manual and placed it on the table to practice.

Comrade Xiao Ji did what he said and no longer used pen and paper to write his thesis. Instead, he spent the whole day in front of the computer, typing his thesis word by word on the office interface.

Driven by the urgency of writing her thesis, she made rapid progress in her blind typing skills in just one week.

Half a month later, she had read most of the contents in the manual and was very proficient in using various software and shortcut keys.

The crackdown team suddenly became popular. When Jiang Nian was not around, the police officers in the Criminal Investigation Bureau would come to Ji Yinhe to ask questions from time to time.

The more Xiao Ji learned about computers, the more he admired what a great thing they were.

I even thought about saving money to buy a personal computer.

The red maple leaves outside the window turned into dead leaves and slowly fell. New snow came to the world, forming crystal clear frost on the glass, which was then wiped off and a banner saying "Bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new" was hung.

The year 1996 slipped by in this tense and lively working atmosphere.

In the last month before the New Year, the provincial department held a routine meeting of all police officers.

In addition to the work summary of this year and the work plan for next year, comrades who have performed outstandingly in the unit this year will also be rewarded and commended.

Although Comrade Ji Yinhe solved several major cases, he had just been transferred from Jiangtan for a year and was awarded a third-class individual merit. She never dared to ask for such a good thing.

She was sitting quietly in the audience applauding the advanced group when she suddenly heard Director Zu calling out her name.

"1996 Advanced Individual—Criminal Investigation Bureau's Strike Force, Comrade Ji Yinhe!"

Officer Ji, who was called out, was stunned. It was Lu Zheng next to him who gently reminded him, "Go up to the stage to receive your award."

In front of thousands of comrades from the entire system, holding the heavy certificate, Ji Yinhe was a little dazed.

Fortunately, she didn't have to give a speech to express her gratitude for the award. She bowed to Zu Yongxin and Tan Li who were smiling beside her, and then walked down from the stage.

After the conference, Ji Yinhe became a celebrity in the provincial department.

There were even a few older women working in administration who came in a group to ask this good-looking and capable young policeman if he had a partner.

"...I'm not considering this for now." Ji Yinhe waved his hands awkwardly, "My parents said I'm still young."

"Not young anymore! You'll be twenty-four by the end of the new year, right? The case is important, but personal matters need to be considered quickly!" The older women pulled out a stack of photos. "This is the nephew of the president of Jingzhou Agricultural Bank. What do you think?"

"No, no, no!" Ji Yinhe was startled. "I'm not in a hurry, really, not at all!"

Zhao Zhuoqun stretched his head over and said, "Sister Jin, our little Ji is so handsome, why are you introducing the little fat guy to others?"

"Tsk, look at what I've done, I've gained some weight!" Sister Jin changed another photo and thrust it at Ji Yinhe's face, "Xiao Ji, look at this one, a young man from the Political Department of the Provincial High Court. His family conditions can't compare to the last one, but you're from Dengzhou, and you're 1.8 meters tall—"

"Sister, my hometown is Jiangtan..." Ji Yinhe was almost sticking to the wall.

"Oh." Sister Jin withdrew her hand awkwardly. "It won't hurt to leave a number anyway. Young people shouldn't be too obsessed with work—"

"Director Jin." Tan Li walked over from the door with her hands in her pockets. "Is there no work for the finance department today?"

The criminal investigators had stern faces and were quite dignified. Sister Jin was startled and patted her chest and said, "I'm just concerned about the young comrades." She shook her hands and said, "Okay, okay, I know you're busy and don't like our comrades in the administrative department... I'm going to get back to work!"

Tan Li smiled for a second and said, "Goodbye."

Comrade Ji breathed a sigh of relief and touched the tip of his nose. Just as he was about to sit up and continue typing, Team Leader Tan said calmly, "Ji Yinhe, come with me."

The office suddenly became quiet and everyone looked at each other.

Tan Li had never used this tone to ask someone out for a talk before...but there was no major case now, and there was no need for a separate report.

Guan Ye muttered, "You can't be introducing someone to Comrade Xiao Ji, right?"

Everyone looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders, and went about their business.

Lu Zheng, who had suffered severe attacks from Sister Jin and Team Leader Tan this morning, could not sit still. He stood up and stared at the withered scenery outside the window in a daze.

Separated by two walls, Tan Li led Ji Yinhe into the team leader's small office and sat down behind the desk.

"Sit down." She raised her chin and gestured to the chair opposite.

Ji Yinhe sat down obediently, feeling a little nervous.

...So serious, looks like they are going to discuss something important.

"Director Zu just called us over for a meeting," Tan Li said seriously. "You've performed well in the provincial department this year. You're young and promising. The team is considering making some adjustments to your position."

Ji Yinhe thought for two seconds. She was climbing the career ladder very quickly, but her position was still an ordinary investigative police officer.

The so-called adjustment...can't be adjusted down, could it be a promotion?

Seeing that she didn't say anything, Tan Li hummed, "Old Zhao is old and considering retirement. The team needs two deputy team leaders. Teacher Lu is from the Public Security University, so we plan to train you and Guan Ye, but..."

Ji Yinhe opened his eyes wide.

"The department is worried about young cadres losing touch with reality, so they're requiring those promoted to deputy section level and above to have sufficient grassroots experience." Tan Li took a sip of water slowly. "Guan Ye is a few years older than you and has previously trained at the police station, so he's naturally better than you in this area... So, we plan to transfer you to the grassroots level for three months of training. Is that a problem?"

Ji Yinhe immediately answered loudly, "No problem!" Then he rubbed his hands and said, "Captain Tan, which police station should I go to?"

"There's no need for a police station," Tan Li said. "I just heard you and Sister Jin say your hometown is Jiangtan?"

"Yes!" Comrade Xiao Ji nodded.

"That's fine. It just so happens that the Tiandu Branch under Jiangtan is looking for someone for the position of captain of the Criminal Investigation Brigade."

"That's great!" Ji Yinhe was delighted. "Tiandu District was just changed from a county to a district at the beginning of the year. It's also at the border of Jiangtan and Jingzhou, so it's very convenient to travel back and forth between the two places."

Tan Li smiled happily, like a child. "Go back to the dormitory and pack up. Bring your documents and start your new post tomorrow."

Ji Yinhe came out skipping and jumping, and seeing that everyone was gossiping, he quickly explained the situation.

Congratulations were instantly heard in the office.

The transfer of provincial police officers to the grassroots level for training is an unspoken signal to everyone: Comrade Xiao Ji is about to have good news and will be promoted!

Lu Zheng, who was leaning against the window, first breathed a sigh of relief, then slowly fell silent.

Training is certainly a good thing, but the environment at the grassroots level is poor, subordinates are difficult to manage, and the network of relationships is complex. Many people in the department have not been able to adapt to the local environment after going there, and they clamor to return to the provincial capital before they can even make it a month.

He never worried about Ji Yinhe's ability, but was just afraid that she would be bullied in the wilderness.

Fortunately, the Tiandu Branch is located in the urban area, which is better than the wilderness.

Lu Zheng paced for two steps, then walked out of the office with his arms folded amidst laughter and strolled into the corridor.

In the small meeting room next door, two deputy directors happened to be chatting.

"Is the ancestral hall going to place Xiao Ji at the grassroots level? This female comrade is a talent!"

"Well, I guess I'll take over Zhao Zhuoqun's job after I come back."

"I have some skills, but I still need to hone them. The grassroots level is good and it trains people."

"Ha, it's not that easy. So many people can't make it!"

"That's right. If you polish it well, you're a talent. If you don't polish it well, you're nothing!"

Footsteps were heard from inside the room, but Lu Zheng did not dodge. Instead, he stood there openly, politely greeted the two leaders, and then looked at the deputy director in charge of personnel, and said with a slight smile:

"Director Lin, I'd like to make an application with you."