As Li Xiang spoke, he took out a piece of paper and immediately drew a sketch of a house, explaining in detail: "This house is an old-fashioned blue brick house with a room on each side and a main hall in the middle. If you sneak in from the side room and take advantage of Xu Jiang's inattention, the chances of breaking through will be greatly increased."
Meng Dehai nodded and said, "This method is feasible, but we must be careful. Xu Jiang is very cunning, and he's in a madman right now. Is Gao Qiqiang willing?"
“I can try to persuade him,” Li Xiang said.
An Changlin also said, "Okay, I'll contact Vice Mayor Zhao. No matter what, we need to get him to the scene as soon as possible and calm Xu Jiang down."
The group split up to carry out their tasks, leaving An Xin standing aside. He was furious; at such a crucial moment as capturing Xu Jiang, he had been excluded.
A cordon was set up around the perimeter, and even as a family member, Chen Shuting was not allowed to approach.
Fortunately, Li Xiang arrived shortly afterward.
Upon seeing the police, Chen Shuting burst into tears: "Please, please save my son first! My son can't be hurt! Xiaochen!"
Tang Ping frowned slightly and stepped forward to ask, "Officer Li, what's the situation inside?"
"Xu Jiang has taken hostages and is now fighting like a cornered beast. By the way, what are you guys doing here?"
Tang Ping explained, “Xu Jiang kidnapped Bai Xiaochen as a hostage. Chen Shuting asked me for help, and I just happened to receive a threatening phone call from Xu Jiang. He specifically named Lao Gao and said he wanted to kill him.”
Fortunately, Li Xiang didn't dwell on the issue, saying, "It seems Xu Jiang has gone mad. He's made two demands: to see Gao Qiqiang and Mayor Zhao. Old Gao, what are you thinking? If you feel it's dangerous, I can talk to the higher-ups, and you don't need to go up."
Gao Qiqiang said without hesitation, "Officer Li, I caused this mess. Xu Lei's death was a misunderstanding. It's all my fault for being greedy for that 20,000 yuan. Now Xu Jiang has confessed that I killed his son. If I can help in any way, I'm not afraid of any danger!"
"Okay, on behalf of the Jinghai Branch, thank you. Remember, when you go upstairs..."
As the two were discussing the details of stalling for time, an Audi pulled up.
Secretary Wang jogged to open the car door, and Zhao Lidong got out.
Meng Dehai and An Changlin went to greet him. There was no other way; Zhao Lidong was in charge of political and legal affairs, making him their direct superior.
Zhao Lidong, with an air of authority, frowned and said, "Why didn't the snipers kill the bandits? A black sheep like Xu Jiang could have been shot dead on the spot!"
Meng Dehai's face darkened, and he remained silent.
An Changlin quickly explained, "The houses are poorly lit, and the snipers can't guarantee the hostages' safety. We plan to force our way in. Our current plan is this: since Xu Jiang wants to speak with Mayor Zhao or Gao Qiqiang, if you distract him from the front, our armed police can break through from the side. This way, we can both ensure the hostages' safety and capture Xu Jiang."
Zhao Lidong waved his hand and said, "I don't think that's necessary. Have the snipers prepare. I'll go up and negotiate first. If there's an opportunity, I'll just kill them!"
As Zhao Lidong was ushered forward by the crowd, Secretary Wang eagerly brought over a bulletproof vest, saying, "Boss, please change your clothes first."
Zhao Lidong looked into the house, hesitated for a moment, then took off his suit, put on a bulletproof vest, and then led An Changlin and Meng Dehai forward.
Gao Qiqiang followed beside Li Xiang, having changed into a bulletproof vest, ready to go up at any time.
An Changlin shouted, "I am An Changlin, the deputy director of the Public Security Bureau. Xu Jiang, you can tell me your conditions."
"If you're not good enough to talk to me, bring Zhao Lidong over!"
Xu Jiang's arrogant voice came from inside the house.
Zhao Lidong stepped forward, standing at a safe distance, and said, "I am Zhao Lidong, and I am in charge here now. Xu Jiang, say what you have to say quickly. Our Jinghai Public Security Bureau will not accept your threats. Let me give you a piece of advice: given the current situation, you should come out and surrender immediately, or you will face certain death!"
Zhao Lidong's attitude was firm, but upon hearing that familiar voice, Xu Jiang poked his head out of the house. Confirming it was Zhao Lidong, tears welled in his eyes as he said, "Leader, it's not that I wanted things to turn out this way, someone wanted to silence me! I escaped with great difficulty to protect myself. You know, I've accomplished quite a lot in Jinghai over the years. Wealth and status—I can give those up—but I can't let my son's death go unavenged!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Lidong's expression immediately turned cold.
Xu Jiang hasn't explicitly stated that he's the protector behind everything, but smart people have already figured it out. If he continues to talk, things could get really messy.
Zhao Lidong immediately gave Secretary Wang a wink, and Secretary Wang nodded secretly.
To shut Xu Jiang up, Zhao Lidong preemptively shouted through a megaphone, "Stop talking nonsense, just state your conditions. I didn't come here to listen to your drivel."
"Okay, boss, bring that bastard Gao Qiqiang over here. I only have one thought right now: to avenge my son. After that, whether he lives or dies is entirely up to you, boss!" Xu Jiang said.
Zhao Lidong glanced back and asked, "Who is Gao Qiqiang?"
"I am!"
Gao Qiqiang quickly raised his hand and stepped forward.
Li Xiang instructed from the side, "Don't be afraid. Try to delay him and distract him. Three minutes. As long as we have three minutes, our assault team can force a breakthrough."
"good!"
Gao Qiqiang took a deep breath, composed himself, and then went upstairs.
Through the wall, he looked into the house and shouted, "Xu Jiang, didn't you want to kill me? Now I'm here. Heh, actually I've explained many times that your son's death really has nothing to do with me. I'm a coward, and I really don't have the guts to kill anyone. But if you insist on blaming me for your son's death, there's nothing I can do."
"Damn it, who else could it be but you? Do you think electrofishing will kill you?" Xu Jiang said angrily.
Gao Qiqiang's eyes darted around, and he said, "You still don't believe me? Fine, I'll tell you the details of that day again. Listen carefully, I'll only say it once. That afternoon..."
Gao Qiqiang was telling a story, recounting the details of that day.
Many people were listening, including Xu Jiang, who listened very attentively because it was about the details of his son's death.
Not far away, Li Xiang led his assault team into the side room and was approaching Xu Jiang's room.
Li Xiang whispered, "Zhang Biao, watch my hand signals. I'll take control of Xu Jiang immediately, and you rescue the hostage. Don't fire unless absolutely necessary, and make sure the hostage isn't harmed."
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