The next morning.
Xu Xinghe and Jiang Linchuan got back into the military truck and left the town, heading towards the city.
As the car drove along the flat highway, the scenery outside the window changed from grassland to houses scattered in a neat and orderly fashion. The air smelled less of grass and more of the warmth of human habitation.
"Finally, I can take a nice hot shower." Xu Xinghe leaned back in her chair, looking out the window.
During my time at the forest farm, conditions were harsh, and even taking a bath was a luxury.
Normally she can only wipe herself down, and when she takes a bath, she needs to boil water in advance, and the location is also very inconvenient.
Looking back now, city life was like paradise.
Seeing her relaxed demeanor, Jiang Linchuan couldn't help but reach out and pinch her cheek. "Once we get to the guesthouse, you should rest well. In the afternoon, we'll go for a stroll in the streets and buy some local specialties for Aunt Mei and the others."
Xu Xinghe nodded, "It's good to bring them some dairy products from here. Aunt Mei said she wanted to try them last time."
The car soon arrived at the military guesthouse in the city.
This is a two-story building. The environment is clean and tidy, and the rooms have private bathrooms and showers.
The soldiers in charge of receiving them arranged two adjacent rooms for them.
Since we are not married yet, we are required to live separately according to regulations.
The soldier handed over the room keys. "Comrade Xu, Commander Jiang, these are your room keys. Please call us anytime if you need anything."
The two took the keys and went back to their rooms to pack their things.
Xu Xinghe took a nice, relaxing shower, changed into clean clothes, and instantly felt refreshed.
I had just finished tidying up when I heard a knock on the door. When I opened it, it was Jiang Linchuan.
"Let's go shopping, it's still early."
Xu Xinghe followed him out of the guesthouse.
The city streets were bustling, with many vendors setting up stalls along the roadside, selling all kinds of local specialties and snacks.
The two walked to a stall selling dairy products and bought a lot of milk skin, milk tofu, and cheese, as well as some local specialty pastries, filling two large bags.
"This should be enough. Aunt Mei and the others will definitely like it," Xu Xinghe said with satisfaction, carrying the bag.
The two chatted and laughed as they returned to the guesthouse. As soon as they reached the door, they saw a soldier standing there waiting for them.
Upon seeing them, the soldiers immediately came forward. "Comrade Xu, Commander Jiang, you're finally back. The commander asked me to tell you that he hopes you can come to the interrogation room. Zhang Qiang says he won't say anything unless he sees you."
Xu Xinghe and Jiang Linchuan exchanged a glance, both somewhat surprised.
Why would Zhang Qiang specifically request to see them?
Why?
Are you trying to vent your anger one last time?
Jiang Linchuan nodded. "Okay, let's go now."
The two put the local specialties they bought back in their room, tidied up briefly, and then followed the soldiers toward the military headquarters' interrogation room.
On the way, the soldier briefly explained the situation: "Zhang Qiang and Zhang Qianqian have been detained separately. Zhang Qianqian is being interrogated by a female officer. She doesn't know much, but she is currently cooperating with the investigation. Zhang Qiang is very adamant. No matter how we ask him, he refuses to speak and only says he wants to see you."
Soon, they arrived at the door of the interrogation room.
The soldier in charge of interrogating Zhang Qiang came out and nodded to them. "Zhang Qiang is inside. You can go in; we'll wait outside."
The two pushed open the door and went inside.
The interrogation room was very simple, with only a table and two chairs.
Zhang Qiang sat across the table, his hands handcuffed to the table, his hair disheveled, his face haggard, yet still bearing a hint of stubbornness.
Seeing Xu Xinghe and Jiang Linchuan walk in, his eyes instantly turned red. He slammed his fist on the table and roared, "You actually lied to me! You lied to me, and you even lied to Qianqian! You bunch of liars!"
Seeing his agitated state, Xu Xinghe calmly said, "We were just carrying out a mission, it's not like we were lying. What you did would have been discovered sooner or later even without us."
"I don't care!" Zhang Qiang's emotions became even more agitated. "You all need to tell the people here right now that Qianqian doesn't know anything! She's been in poor health since she was little and can't take any hardship. If you dare to do anything to her, I won't say a word!"
His only concern now is his daughter, Zhang Qianqian.
That is also an extension of his bloodline.
Jiang Linchuan spoke coldly, "Whether Zhang Qianqian knows the situation or not, the military will naturally investigate and find out. You don't need to tell us. You should be worried about yourself now, not others. Zhang Qiang, this is your last chance. If you still refuse to confess, we will have to take other measures. For the sake of national security, any personal interests can be put aside. Even if we have to use Zhang Qianqian to threaten you into confessing in the end, we will do it."
"How dare you!" Zhang Qiang was furious, his eyes wide with rage. "You're all wicked devils! You've already harmed me, and now you want to harm Qianqian too! You'll get your comeuppance!"
Xu Xinghe and Jiang Linchuan remained unmoved, simply watching him quietly, their eyes showing no emotion whatsoever.
Zhang Qiang's anger was gradually replaced by despair.
I truly have no way out at this point...
Jiang Linchuan meant what he said; he couldn't risk his daughter's safety.
After a long while, Zhang Qiang slowly lowered his head, looking as if he had aged ten years in an instant. "I...I'll tell you everything. You all have to treat Qianqian well and not let her suffer any injustice."
Jiang Linchuan called out towards the door, "Come in, let's start recording."
The soldier in charge of taking notes pushed open the door, walked in, sat down in the chair next to him, and picked up a pen.
Zhang Qiang took a deep breath, slowly opened his mouth, and recounted his crimes in detail.
“I started out as just an ordinary forestry team leader. Then someone approached me and said he could buy our forestry timber at a high price. I was greedy and agreed. But I never expected that he would use this to blackmail me, forcing me to obey him or he would report me for embezzlement. I had no choice but to do as he said.”
“I did whatever he told me to do.” Zhang Qiang’s voice trailed off. “They not only made me provide timber, but also cattle, sheep and crop seeds. As long as the forest farm had land, I would give them whatever they wanted. The educated youth who died last year… I was the one who did it. I tricked him into a cave in the back mountain, and then… then I left. I knew that group of people were doing human experiments in the cave, it seemed like they were researching something, but I didn’t dare to resist, I was afraid they would report me.”
"Later, they made me do more and more things, and I became more and more afraid, but I was getting deeper and deeper into it, and there was no turning back." Tears streamed down Zhang Qiang's face. "Those documents were all given to me by them. They told me to keep them safe, saying they would be useful later. I thought I had hidden them well, but I never expected you to find them..."
"As for the spy list you mentioned, I don't know. They didn't tell me directly. There are still quite a few things I left behind in my room. You can analyze them yourselves; there should be something you want in there."
After he finished speaking, the entire interrogation room fell silent, with only his suppressed sobs echoing in the room.
The soldier in charge of taking notes handed him a piece of paper. "Take a look. If there are no problems, sign it."
Zhang Qiang picked up the pen, his hand trembling uncontrollably, and it took him a while to sign his name on the paper.
After signing the papers, he slumped into his chair, all his previous stubbornness and anger gone, replaced by deep regret.
If he had known this day would come, he would never have been greedy for that little bit of money.
He took the wrong first step because of money, and then he made one wrong step after another.
But what was the result?
He was afraid of being discovered, afraid of being suspected, and even afraid of attracting attention, so he dared not use the money he earned.
He continued to live the same life as before, at most secretly buying some things for Qianqian to improve her life.
He gave everything for the gold and silver mountains, but in the end, he didn't have the guts to spend them.
It's truly... both laughable and pathetic!
Xu Xinghe and Jiang Linchuan felt no sympathy for him at all.
The things he did harmed so many people; his current predicament is entirely his own fault.
Jiang Linchuan nodded to the soldier, "Since you have confessed, the military will handle your case accordingly, but Zhang Qianqian's case will depend on the investigation results."
After saying that, he and Xu Xinghe turned and walked out of the interrogation room, leaving Zhang Qiang alone in the room to bear the consequences of his crimes.
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