Read Big Country Detective 1990 - Chapter 147 The Man Who Dares to Die

Chapter 147 The Man Who Dares to Die

This is intolerable!

Chen Zhenzhu didn't sleep all night, sitting on the curb waiting for the sunrise.

The Tiesi Commercial Street is full of hardworking people, and there are also neighbors passing by on their way to school or work.

As more and more people noticed that the road had been blocked, Uncle Lu, who had been working in the air force all night, was furious and unleashed all the anger he had been holding back.

The Tiesi Commercial Street, known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, has become infamous again. Everyone has banded together to berate passersby.

"It must have been the demolition team. They took advantage of the fact that everyone on the commercial street had left work and deliberately tore down the road."

"Without roads, how can customers come, how can goods be transported, and how can people travel by bike?"

"My child was in a rush to get to school this morning and fell hard, scraping his knees raw."

"They're trying to cut off our supply lines! Everyone, don't panic. Let's call the police first, then go find them together! There's no coward among us from Tie Si Street!"

"Yes, go find them!"

"Go find them!"

On his way to work, Gu Yanzheng passed the intersection of Tiesi Commercial Street. He pulled over in his Cherokee, got out, and found Chen Zhenzhu, who looked furious, in the crowd.

"Are they going to build a road?"

Before Chen Zhenzhu could answer, the neighbors started talking all at once.

Gu Yanzheng's brows furrowed deeper and deeper. How could anyone be so arrogant in broad daylight? He had heard of the demolition team they mentioned. Their family owned two residential developments in Liancheng, and a group of shady-looking people had come to their door to offer their services, but they were chased away by security guards before they even got into the branch office.

Reputable business people will stay away from them and won't get involved.

“There’s still time, I’ll go with you to his company.” Gu Yanzheng grabbed Chen Zhenzhu’s shoulders and pushed her toward the passenger seat, even opening the car door for her.

Shen Zhenzhu said dejectedly, "They said we weren't allowed to take leave, but look what happened, I took leave on my first day on duty."

Gu Yanzheng said, "The situation is special. If they weren't on duty, they would all come to help. No one would have any complaints."

"Of course I know that." Shen Zhenzhu was preoccupied with her work.

Song Zhantao's company is located in Xinwang International Building, which has 11 floors. From the top floor, he can see the coastline behind Haixing Square at a glance.

After Shen Zhenzhu and Gu Yanzheng identified themselves, Song Zhantao's secretary asked them to wait outside.

"I won't wait, I want to see him now," Chen Zhenzhu said. "This constitutes forced demolition, infringing on the rights of our commercial street. I demand that it be restored to its original state and that you compensate us for our business losses!"

"Comrade, calm down. I don't have the final say in this matter," the secretary said dismissively.

"Then let me go to his office to find him."

The secretary originally intended to dismiss him casually, as Song Zhantao had said that they treated the people in the towns and villages the same way they did in the city.

However, given the unusual status of these two individuals, the secretary still told the truth: "It's not that I asked you to meet them. My boss went out yesterday afternoon and hasn't come back. If you want to find him, try going to the Iljimae nightclub. I'm just an employee, and there's nothing else I can do."

"I want to go in and take a look," Shen Zhenzhu said stubbornly.

The secretary walked into the office and opened the door, revealing the entire interior: "See? I really didn't lie to you. He frequents Yizhimei; you should be able to find him there."

What happens after she finds it is not something she can decide.

"The Yizhimei Dance Hall, right? Fine, I'll go there now. If he's not here, I'll come back to find you." Chen Zhenzhu was truly furious.

On the way there, Gu Yanzheng took out a piece of bread from the back seat and gave it to her: "Have a couple of bites first."

"I have no appetite."

Gu Yanzheng said, "How can you have the strength to beat someone up if you don't eat?"

"..." Shen Zhenzhu took the bread and gnawed on it fiercely: "This is infuriating! Do you guys demolish houses when you build them?"

Gu Yanzheng said, "Although my family is large, neither Mr. Gu nor Mr. Jin are people who are only interested in profit. They only participate in normal land acquisition bidding, which is usually land that has already been demolished by the government. Although the price is high, there are fewer troubles."

“That’s true, it’s better if your family is more organized.” Chen Zhenzhu said dejectedly, holding the bread. “Today it’s a road, tomorrow it will be water and electricity, and the day after tomorrow the neighbors will be scattered.”

"No, that won't happen," Gu Yanzheng said firmly. "Don't worry, things will definitely not be like that."

"Hmm..." Shen Zhenzhu took a bite of bread and stopped talking.

While waiting for the green light, Gu Yanzheng called the fourth team's office. They were probably all out on missions; Kang He answered the phone.

“Okay, I’ll tell them later,” Kanghe said. “They’ve gone on a mission. If they need anything, call the Third Team’s office.”

The plum tree is located in a suburban area, and it was planted by Song Zhantao.

When the Cherokee stopped, a man who had been drinking heavily all night came out with a woman in his arms.

Erhu also came out. He had finished his work and wanted to come over to ask Song Zhantao for some benefits, but he didn't see Song Zhantao.

He saw the Cherokee blocking the entrance to the One Plum Blossom Pavilion and wanted to call his brothers up to offer their condolences, but then he saw Chen Zhenzhu jump down.

"Where is your older brother?" Shen Zhenzhu's fists cracked as she asked. If it weren't for the discipline of the law enforcement officers, she would have already rushed over and given them a good beating.

Erhu chuckled and said, "I'm still looking. You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?" His wallet was empty this month; he lost everything playing mahjong and was thinking of getting some money to spend.

Behind him were several tired faces, looking like they hadn't slept all night. They knew perfectly well what they had been up to.

Unwilling to give up, Shen Zhenzhu went into the Yizhimei Dance Hall and searched around, but still couldn't find Song Zhantao.

"Hiding?" Gu Yanzheng thought it was unlikely. This kind of person was a bully who was never afraid of trouble. If his underlings knew that he was scared into hiding after being summoned by the police, it wouldn't be convincing to them.

Ring ring—

Ring ring.

Shen Zhenzhu picked up her mobile phone, said a few words, and hung up: "Uncle Lu and the others discovered that the back street is being secretly demolished. I heard it's Song Zhantao's demolition team. It's probably involving forced demolition. Maybe Song Zhantao is there too. They've already gone to stop it."

The location on Tie Si New Second Street is good, facing south. The back street is Tie Si Old First Street, facing north, but it's old and hasn't been renovated. Basically, no one lives there.

It is only natural for Song Zhantao to start demolishing from the old street.

"We're on our way." Gu Yanzheng quickly got into the Cherokee and started it, while Chen Zhenzhu ran to the passenger seat.

Erhu and his men heard what Chen Zhenzhu said and called to their four underlings, "Let's go, business in Liancheng isn't easy. Let's go ask our boss for some compensation for our hard work."

These street thugs will do anything for money, and they'll turn on you the moment you don't pay them.

On the way, Chen Zhenzhu left another message on Uncle Lu's pager: "Don't be impulsive, I'll be there soon."

On the other side, on Tie Si Lao Yi Street.

Song Zhantao's other demolition team was more professional than Erhu's. They had a small excavator and had already demolished half of the old bungalows at the very back.

Besides the old bungalows being demolished, there were also abandoned basketball courts, ping-pong tables, and sewers. People were wielding sledgehammers and hammering away in every corner, making onlookers' eyes red with anxiety.

Shen Liuhe, who runs a restaurant, was with Xiao Li and the others, all wielding kitchen knives and looking rather fierce. Uncle Lu and the neighbors from Xin'er Street, on the other hand, carried "weapons" like rolling pins, mops, brooms, and rotten eggs, which were not very lethal.

Perhaps due to a habit of encountering obstacles to the demolition, the demolition team continued to work as if nothing was wrong, showing no regard for the people.

"They'll demolish our old street one and then our new street two. We absolutely can't let them do it!" Yuan Jiangxue, holding a clothes fork, hadn't even had time to style her hair yet, her hair disheveled, ready to fight to the death.

Ordinary people facing such violent demolitions have no choice but to rely on the protection of government law enforcement agencies or their own perseverance.

"Hey, what are you doing? Don't get in the way." The pockmarked young man threw his cigarette butt on the ground and ground it up, saying impatiently, "What does it have to do with you if we demolish this place? Get out of here."

Brother Leng, clutching the "Prosperity with the Coffin" sign, ran to the excavator just as it was digging up half of the house and shouted, "If you're so capable, dig me up too!"

The pockmarked young man chuckled and said, "I've seen plenty of people looking for death. This is something you asked for yourself." As he spoke, he waved his hand, and the excavator operator actually started pushing the wall.

Brother Leng gritted his teeth and persevered.

The pockmarked young man's triangular eyes widened, and he shouted, "Two men, drag him to the back and give him a good beating. Boss said to keep things quiet in the city this time, don't kill him!"

Seeing that they were about to make a move, Shen Liuhe also called out, "Xiao Li!"

Xiao Li immediately led his apprentices over, brandishing cleavers and standing between Brother Leng and them: "Who dares to move? We are acting in self-defense!"

"Damn it, don't even think about cutting off my money-making scheme. Let me tell you, my older brother said that within a week, both Old Street 1 and New Street 2 will be razed to the ground! If you're not leaving, you might as well die here!" The pockmarked young man picked up a hammer from the ground, spat, and said, "If you want to fight, come on, I'll send you on your way!"

"Stop!" Shen Zhenzhu jumped out of the Cherokee, drew her gun, and pointed it at the pockmarked youth. "You have seriously broken the law. I'll count to three and you'll stop. Anyone who dares to continue, don't blame me for not warning you!"

This was the first time the residents of Xin'er Street had ever seen Shen Zhenzhu draw a gun. Normally, they would have praised Shen Zhenzhu, but at this moment, they were all worried for her.

There were more than 20 people on the demolition team at the scene, and Shen Zhenzhu might get injured if things went wrong.

Everyone was clamoring and trying to rush up, all wanting to help sink the pearl.

Gu Yanzheng stood not far away, holding a gun in one hand and using his other hand to call Team Three: "There are people here suspected of violent demolition, please provide backup."

"Damn it, how can a police station just pull out a gun like that?" the pockmarked young man said to Erhu. "You're here, hurry up and help. No matter what, just dismantle it first!"

As he spoke, he even tried to call in the excavator to continue the forced demolition, a brazen act that enraged everyone.

But for some reason, the excavator's shovel remained in one position, and no matter how much noise was going on below, the excavator wouldn't move.

The pockmarked young man, named Sun Shun, yelled, "Dig! Get to work! If anything happens, your big brother will take care of it. What are you afraid of?!"

The excavator operator poked his head out of the window, pointed to half of the roof of the bungalow, and said with a trembling finger, "Big, big brother."

Sun Shun shouted again, "Useless trash! With your big brother backing you up, you fucking dig!"

Shen Zhenzhu slowly lowered her gun and raised her head: "He means that your older brother was dug out up there."

"You're talking nonsense, are you looking for death!" Sun Shun turned around and looked up, and sure enough, he saw Song Zhantao, who had already died, standing in the cement cage.

Song Zhantao had dents from his head to his calves, as if he had been beaten. His face was contorted in pain, and his knees and below were embedded in cement, preventing him from falling down even in death. He could only maintain a painful posture with his buttocks slightly lowered and his body arched forward, unable to sit down.

"Big...Big Brother..." Sun Shun stammered, then shouted frantically, "Stop, all of you, stop the hell out of here!"

......

"The deceased, Song Zhantao, was 42 years old, from Liujia County, and married. He was found trapped in a cement cage forty minutes ago. His body was only discovered after an excavator broke through the cement cage. His knees and legs were buried in the cement, and his upper body, from his head to his arms, chest, and abdomen, was smashed by a hammer, with all of them being depressed fractures. His facial expression could barely be discerned, indicating that he suffered greatly before his death."

Gu Yanzheng explained the situation to Lu Ye and the others who had arrived at the scene, and continued, "It seems that she was thrown into the still wet cement and fixed for a while. Judging from the cement's setting time, the murderer was probably prepared. From the time she disappeared until she died, she was tortured and killed for five or six hours. The hatred must have been immense. We will make a detailed assessment of the body's condition after it is exhumed."

Xiao Bai had already set up the cordon. Standing below Shen Zhenzhu, she looked up and said, "Sister Zhenzhu, be careful."

Shen Zhenzhu stood in the excavator bucket, working together with Rong Chengcheng to shovel cement off Song Zhantao.

After assigning the tasks, Gu Yanzheng said from below, "You come down, I'll take your place."

"It's okay, we're almost done." Chen Zhenzhu pounded the cement under Song Zhantao's left foot with a hammer.

"What a terrible thing to do." Rong Chengcheng said to Shen Zhenzhu in a low voice, "He forcibly demolished someone else's house. Could it be that he threw him into a cement cage as revenge? Do you know that some superstitious businessmen will sacrifice living people? I think the size of the cement and steel cage is just right for an adult. It's impossible to make it overnight with steel bars, is it?"

"It's hard to say. This person has been committing crimes for a while now. He used to do it in the suburbs, but I don't know what happened recently. He moved to the city and seems to be fearless."

"Either they have powerful backers, or they're used to being arrogant. They wouldn't know how to behave even in Beijing, let alone in the city. If they knew how to behave, they wouldn't be in this situation today."

“That’s true.” Chen Zhenzhu gritted her teeth as she thought of the rugged dirt roadbed.

Good news, the culprit behind the road break has been found.

Bad news, he's dead.

The sun rose in the east, but they still hadn't managed to beat him up.

The pearl was also extinguished by the aura.

Gu Yanzheng stayed below to protect Shen Zhenzhu. Once everything was dug out, he let Shen Zhenzhu and Rong Chengcheng come down, while he climbed up to the roof and carried Song Zhantao into the excavator bucket to bring him down.

"Did your older brother know he would be lying in this place when he was alive?" Wu Zhongguo arrived a step late, but that didn't stop him from saying a few words to Erhu.

Ever since they saw their eldest brother die such a tragic death, Erhu and Sun Shun were both dejected and silent.

Knowing that Shen Zhenzhu was not a female police officer from the local police station, but the deputy captain of the city bureau's major crime squad, she became even more reluctant to speak, determined to live a life of hiding and keeping a low profile.

The eldest brother died a terrible death; he must have offended the authorities. With the boss dead, how could they possibly escape?

They even offended the nemesis of the police, the Major Crimes Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department. They truly have no way out.

"Get out of the way!" Xiao Bai shouted angrily as he walked through them. "Where did your arrogance go? Keep tearing it down!"

Erhu hung his head and glanced sideways at Sun Shun, who was also hanging his head. "Damn it, what bad luck!"

“The cement wasn’t just used to hide the body; it also served as an execution platform for confinement.” Shen Zhenzhu looked down at the corpse and beckoned Xiaobai over, saying, “Write down your assessment of the circumstances and time of death so we can check it against the preliminary examination report later.”

"Okay." Xiaobai squatted down to observe.

"I'll be quick, Officer Zhou." Rong Chengcheng also squatted down beside the body to conduct a preliminary examination, with officers examining the scene moving around behind him.

Five minutes later, Rong Chengcheng spoke.

"The male victim's knees and legs were encased in cement, and his exposed torso and head showed extensive and severe blunt force injuries. His skull had multiple depressed and comminuted fractures, and his face was disfigured with a contorted expression of pain."

Rong Chengcheng pressed down on the body's arms and chest, saying, "The arms and ribs have multiple comminuted fractures, and the shape of the injuries appears consistent with repeated blows from a hammer-like tool. Cement fragments are present at the injuries, suggesting the victim was imprisoned and tortured to death while the cement was still wet. Rigor mortis and body temperature indicate the time of death was approximately 3:00 AM. The cause of death is suspected to be severe traumatic brain injury combined with traumatic shock, and the nature of the case indicates a torture-murder driven by extreme hatred. A more detailed report and examination of the internal organs require further dismantling of the cement for an autopsy."

Shen Zhenzhu nodded as she looked at Xiaobai's notebook, then turned her gaze to Rong Chengcheng: "It's too professional. There's absolutely nothing I can do to interfere."

"Section Chief Shen is too modest. I must be extra careful in front of Section Chief Shen. In order to enable Section Chief Shen to continue to solve cases quickly, we cannot waste too much time."

After the mutual flattery ended, Chen Zhenzhu looked around and saw Gu Yanzheng going up to the roof to inspect the site again. The others no longer needed her instructions; they were all doing their jobs.

She arrived at the cordon and looked at the residents of Xin'er Street who had been waiting not far away.

"Pearl, what happened? How could she just die like that?"

“This has nothing to do with us. We’re here to stop the forced demolition, not to kill anyone.”

"Every wrong has its perpetrator, and every debt has its debtor. I won't admit to doing something I didn't do."

Shen Zhenzhu took off her gloves, ruffled Zhang Xiaopang's hair, and said, "No one said you did it. We'll take the body back for investigation later. Those who have finished giving their statements can go back first, and those who haven't can wait a bit."

“I wouldn’t feel at ease if the case were in someone else’s hands, but I’m completely at ease with it in our daughter’s hands.” Yuan Jiangxue asked Shen Liuhe in a low voice, “Have you put away all the kitchen knives?”

Shen Liuhe whispered to her, "I already had Xiao Li send it back."

Shen Zhenzhu said, both amused and exasperated, "Sixth Sister, why can't you speak softly?"

Shen Liuhe saw Song Zhantao through the kitchen window yesterday, and she had her apprentice chase him away. Today, when she saw him again, he was in such a sorry state. Alas, life is unpredictable.

"I've finished giving my statement and I'm going back now," Shen Liuhe said. "Even though the road is gone, we still have to live our lives on the street. I'll go back and organize everyone to temporarily clear the road so that people can at least walk around."

Uncle Lu sighed as well, saying that now that the person is dead, the debt is gone.

“Those who need to go back should go back as soon as possible. If there’s anything, I’ll come to the store to find you.” Chen Zhenzhu said, “The municipal government will send someone to handle the road issue. Just let them arrange what to do.”

"With something this serious happening, I don't know what else to do," Uncle Lu said. "I'm not afraid of you looking for me normally, but now it's scary."

Shen Zhenzhu said, "A person with a clear conscience has nothing to fear. Don't be afraid." Then she shoved Zhang Xiaopang and said, "You have class this afternoon, hurry up and go to school."

Zhang Xiaopang pulled a hard-boiled egg from his pocket and handed it to Chen Zhenzhu: "Sister, you must clear us of suspicion."

Shen Zhenzhu accepted the eggs and put them in her pocket: "Alright, I promise to complete the mission."

Zhang Xiaopang then walked away reluctantly.

Shen Zhenzhu returned to the crime scene to continue taking statements from the remaining onlookers.

After Gu Yanzheng finished inspecting the surroundings, he left a few officers to continue investigating the scene and called the fourth team to finish work and return to the office.

Before leaving, I called the Liancheng branch to ask if anyone was interested, but they knew nothing about it.

Chen Zhenzhu sat in the passenger seat, gazing at the forensic vehicle driving ahead, recalling the scenes from the Heavenly Eye's retrospective—

Inside a warehouse.

Song Zhantao stood with his hands and feet bound to steel bars.

His eyes were covered with a black cloth, and he could feel the cement hardening inside. He struggled desperately, but to no avail: "Stop joking! Let me go! Damn it, I won't let you get away with this!"

A tape recorder beside the cement pool continuously played a distorted audio recording: 'Did you participate in the forced demolition in Fuxing Village, Fenkou City last February?'

Fuxing Village is an old urban village in Huaqiao District. Developers have been trying to develop it, but they have never been able to reach an agreement with the residents.

He recruited a number of local thugs to form a demolition team, and within a month, they had leveled the notoriously difficult Fuxing Village.

"I...I didn't!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a man wearing a hat and mask appeared opposite him, holding a hammer, and slammed it into his knee.

"Aaaaah—" Song Zhantao couldn't see the assailant, but he could hear the sound of his kneecap breaking. Then another blow struck, breaking his other kneecap as well!

"Please, please let me go." Song Zhantao heard the sound of cement being poured again. The excruciating pain made it difficult for him to stand upright, but he was forcibly tied to the steel bars and couldn't fall. Cement was being poured onto his knees, and he gasped for breath in agony: "I'll be your grandson, just let me go..."

With a click, the recording started playing back.

A male voice, crackling with electricity, asked: "Were you involved in the forced demolition of Fuxing Village in Fenkou City last February?"

"Yes, yes! It was my men who dismantled it."

'Was it you who threw the paralyzed old man into the snow and razed his house to the ground in front of him?'

With a sob in his voice, Song Zhantao said, "It was my men who did it, it has nothing to do with me!"

The hammer, blown by the wind, slammed heavily into his chest!

Song Zhantao: "Ugh... Uh..." He spat out a mouthful of blood and swayed weakly.

Crack! The problem is being replayed again.

'Was it you who threw the paralyzed old man into the snow and razed his house to the ground in front of him?'

A warm flow came out of Song Zhantao's crotch, and he said listlessly, "It was me."

What happened to him afterward?

Song Zhantao said, "He's dead."

How did he die?

Song Zhantao said, "He died of illness."

Another blow struck his chest, and his chest immediately caved in.

"Ahhhhhh—ah...kill me, kill me."

Crack.

How did he die?

Song Zhantao swayed uncontrollably on the spot, spitting out another mouthful of blood as he said, "He froze to death. We forgot to carry him away. He deserved to die. He wouldn't listen to reason, so he had to suffer the consequences!"

What was buried beneath section 112-3 of the Hongwu County highway this June?

Song Zhantao trembled uncontrollably, chilled to the bone: "How did you know? No, nothing at all, I...I—ahhh—"

The hammer struck him repeatedly in various parts of his body, and when he could no longer bear the pain, the murderer, wearing black leather gloves, injected him with several vials of medicine.

The agonizing Song Zhantao seemed to have been injected with adrenaline; he was in excruciating pain yet unable to lose consciousness.

The questioning continued, and every time he gave a wrong answer or concealed something, he was met with a barrage of criticism.

Finally, the cement on his legs dried and hardened, and the killer, still in the darkness, took out scissors and cut the ropes binding his hands.

Song Zhantao, who had been freed from his restraints, was trapped in cement from the waist down and could not move an inch.

After another injection, the dying Song Zhantao, covered in blood, raised his head and swayed, finally answering the question directly: "I buried a family of three, but they wouldn't let us build a road, saying it was encroaching on their farmland... Hahaha... Later everyone said they received a large sum of compensation and ran away secretly."

Another tape recorder at Song Zhantao's feet recorded everything he said. ...After an unknown amount of time, Song Zhantao was faced with his final question.