Chapter 117 Risk of a Bank Run: Officer Jiang and the others are really busy!
In July 1998, Jiang Ling graduated with a master's degree.
Time flies when you're studying. The first year was for theoretical learning, the second year I traveled to various places with my mentor and encountered many difficult cases, and the third year was mainly for data processing and publishing papers.
Over the past three years, Jiang Ling's ability to create criminal profiles has become increasingly refined, and her crime prevention concepts have also matured. Ying Xuanji developed a deep teacher-student relationship with her and earnestly invited her to stay at the university to teach.
Jiang Ling smiled and declined: "Teacher, I received strong support from the Yan City Public Security Bureau for my postgraduate entrance examination, and I want to go back to work there after graduation. It's where I grew up, and my colleagues and friends are there."
Ying Xuanji patted Jiang Ling's hand: "Yan City is good, but it's just a prefecture-level city in Hunan Province after all. The platform is too small, and your abilities can't be fully utilized. Although you are a part-time graduate student, the school will communicate with the Yan City Public Security Bureau, and it won't be a problem for you to stay and teach. We can complete the research project together and promote crime prevention concepts together, wouldn't that be better?"
Even before leaving, Jiang Ling had already thought things through clearly about her future. In fact, her parents and younger sister had all strongly urged her to stay at the university, discussing everything from career development and family support to the practical issues of getting married and having children, but Jiang Ling remained steadfast in her decision.
"Although Yanshi is small, the city bureau leaders have open minds, and I have a broad base of support among the masses. Crime prevention theories can be put into practice. I want to use Yanshi as a pilot city and gradually promote it to other areas. Let the facts speak for themselves; they are more down-to-earth than papers or figures."
Ying Xuanji remained silent.
Although she works at a university, she doesn't stay confined to an ivory tower. She collaborates with public security bureaus across the country and participates in case investigations as a psychological expert. Even so, her main focus remains on teaching and research, providing theoretical support in criminal psychology for case investigations, and she only occasionally engages in such activities.
She recently published several academic papers in authoritative journals, emphasizing the causes of juvenile delinquency, calling for greater social attention, and proposing views on crime prevention. However, in the public security system, which emphasizes practical application over theoretical study, these papers have not made much of a splash.
A deep sense of powerlessness welled up in her heart, which is why Ying Xuanji persuaded Jiang Ling to stay.
Jiang Ling's indomitable spirit and courage in the face of setbacks moved Ying Xuanji and gave her the strength to persevere in her ideals.
Jiang Ling gently grasped her mentor's hand: "Professor, you are in charge of theoretical research, and I will handle the practice. If we work hard on both paths, we will definitely see the day when our ideals are realized, right?"
The warm touch of her hand filled Ying Xuanji with mixed emotions. Overwhelmed with reluctance, she could no longer control her emotions. She stretched out her other arm and hugged Jiang Ling tightly: "Okay! Teacher, work hard too. If we work together, our dream will definitely come true!"
With a heavy heart, Jiang Ling left Kyoto and returned to Yan City.
Seeing his subordinate return safely, Deputy Director Zhong Juncai, who was in charge of criminal investigation, was extremely gratified: "Comrade Xiao Jiang, you're finally coming back? During the three years you were pursuing your master's degree, I was always worried that other departments would take notice of you and insist on transferring you there."
To be honest, Director Zhong didn't expect Jiang Ling to be willing to come back.
With a postgraduate degree, a father who is a leader in the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, and a mentor who is a well-known criminal psychology expert in the public security system, how could a small town like Yanshi possibly accommodate such a prominent background?
Jiang Ling remained calm: "Don't worry, it was Yan City that nurtured me, and I will also stay in Yan City, work hard to reduce the crime rate and increase the case-solving rate, and build our Yan City into a peaceful and safe city."
Jiang Ling's words truly struck a chord with Director Zhong. He slammed his hand on the table and stood up from his chair: "Good! Good! Good! Little Jiang speaks well! Peace and prosperity truly live up to our city's fine name. Whatever your requests, just say them, and I will fully support you!"
Jiang Ling submitted a report: "I have some thoughts on how to reduce the crime rate and increase the case-solving rate. Here are some of my suggestions, please take a look."
Director Zhong took the report and became more and more interested as he read it.
He got a little tired from standing for so long, so he sat back down.
After observing for a full half hour, Director Zhong finally spoke: "Xiao Jiang, the crime early warning system you mentioned is very strategic. Our bureau can allocate funds to build a data platform. But as you know, our country's current level of informatization is not high. Building a central database for the public security system that can link key social data is very difficult."
Jiang Ling nodded and said, "Yes, I understand that too. Even the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau is only just starting out in database construction. If we can take the lead, introduce the latest technology, achieve some results, and create a demonstration effect, just think about it..."
Jiang Ling's beautiful vision successfully captivated Director Zhong.
After pondering for a moment, Director Zhong laughed heartily: "Little Jiang, you really are from Kyoto! Your vision is truly strategic! Here's the deal: I'll try to secure funding from the city and province, and you'll be in charge of setting up our bureau's data center. You'll be the director of this center!"
Entrusted with this important task by the bureau chief, Jiang Ling accepted it without hesitation, standing tall and proud, her voice loud and clear: "Yes, sir!"
Director Zhong held Jiang Ling's report, reluctant to put it down. He gestured with his chin towards her and said, "I'll give you three days off. Go and meet up with the people in the portrait sketching team. Li Zhenliang and the others have grown very quickly during your three years at the Police University. Oh, and your senior, Luo Yunchen, he's been transferred to the provincial department now. Su Xinwan and Zhuang Jianbai are in charge of criminal investigation portraits in our city. They often mention you, so you should meet up with them too."
During her three years of graduate studies, Jiang Ling maintained contact with her old friends and knew that Luo Yunchen had been doing very well in Hunan Province, frequently going out for training and becoming the top criminal sketch artist in Hunan Province.
Jiang Ling was pleased to see her senior brother's progress and smiled, "Good!"
--
Heshun Hotel, third floor.
Inside the private room, the ceiling fan spun slowly, stirring the rich, spicy aroma in the air.
In the center of a round table covered with a white tablecloth, a small red clay stove simmered a bowl of Hengdong-style earthenware soup. Meatballs, egg rolls, and wood ear mushrooms bubbled and steamed in a thick, golden broth, filling the air with their aroma. Next to it was a large plate of Yongzhou blood duck, the duck meat chopped into small pieces, mixed with duck blood and coated in a rich, dark sauce, topped with bright green garlic sprouts—a savory and fragrant dish. Add to that the fragrant steamed taro with chopped chili peppers, the glistening stir-fried pork with chili peppers, the stir-fried beef with yellow peppers, and the stir-fried chicken with white chili peppers… it was truly a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate.
Jiang Ling, along with Li Zhenliang, Liu Haoran, Zhou Wei, Su Xinwan, and Zhuang Jianbai, gathered together, their laughter and chatter nearly lifting the roof off the private room.
Jiang Ling spent three years in Kyoto, and what she missed most was Hunan cuisine.
Chen Anping is now the head chef of Heshun Hotel. Upon hearing that his benefactor Jiang Ling was coming, he immediately used all his skills to prepare a large table of special Hunan dishes.
The happiest person when Jiang Ling returned was Li Zhenliang. Heaven knows how nervous he was when facing complex cases alone for the past three years. Now that his team leader was back, Li Zhenliang immediately felt reassured and excitedly raised his beer glass: "Team leader, I toast you! You're finally back, I'm so happy!"
Jiang Ling raised her glass, using tea instead of wine, and clinked glasses with Li Zhenliang: "Liangzi, our group has won a collective third-class merit, and you are the biggest contributor."
Upon receiving the praise, Li Zhenliang beamed with joy: "Isn't this all thanks to the team leader's excellent command? If it weren't for what you taught me over the phone, we wouldn't have been able to find any clues in that series of thefts in the old city."
Liu Haoran and Zhou Wei also raised their glasses.
"With our team leader back from his studies, our portrait team is now even more powerful, and we will strive to achieve new successes!"
"Yes, we all feel relieved as soon as the team leader came back."
Jiang Ling toasted everyone: "My work may change this time I come back."
Li Zhenliang and the other two immediately tensed up, staring at Jiang Ling, waiting for her to continue.
Yes, Jiang Ling is highly capable and well-educated; she'll definitely be promoted upon her return to the Municipal Bureau. Is she no longer the head of the psychological profiling team?
Su Xinwan and Zhuang Jianbai exchanged a glance, neither speaking immediately, and waited nervously.
Jiang Ling smiled and said, "Why are you all so nervous? The bureau has assigned me to set up a data center. What are your thoughts? Would you like to come with me?"
Li Zhenliang replied without hesitation, "Of course I'll follow you!"
Before Jiang Ling could speak, Li Zhenliang pointed at Liu Haoran: "Haoran is meticulous. In the poisoning case in March this year, he deduced that the murderer was an acquaintance from the scratch marks on the victim's body."
After saying that, Li Zhenliang looked at Zhou Wei: "And Dawei, in that kidnapping and extortion case last September, he analyzed the kidnappers' notes and found out that they only had an elementary school education, had an injury to their right hand, and lived near the railway in the north of the city. He caught them every time!"
Li Zhenliang's attitude was somewhat urgent: "We are a team. Wherever the team leader goes, we will go. Haoran, Dawei, right?"
Liu Haoran and Zhou Wei immediately nodded: "That's right, we'll all follow you!"
Jiang Ling looked at the three familiar faces in front of her. They had been with her since the police station, fighting side by side and growing together. They had helped each other succeed and were inseparable.
Thinking of this, Jiang Ling's lips curled slightly, and she raised her teacup: "Alright! Then the psychological profiling team will be merged into the data center, and we'll still be a team."
Li Zhenliang, Liu Haoran, and Zhou Wei finally breathed a sigh of relief, stood up, and clinked glasses with Jiang Ling: "That's great, the four of us are still together."
Su Xinwan and Zhuang Jianbai became anxious and quickly said, "Jiang Ling, we want to go with you too!"
Having worked with Luo Yunchen for the past two years, their criminal investigation sketching skills have continuously improved, and they are now capable of handling tasks independently. However, with only two people in the team, they always feel somewhat lacking in confidence.
Now that the opportunity was right in front of them, they didn't hesitate any longer and took the initiative to make the request.
Jiang Ling glanced at them and said, "The data center is still under preparation and requires a certain level of computer skills from everyone. Traditional hand-drawn portraits may be converted to computer portraits. Are you ready?"
Su Xinwan mustered her courage and said, "I... I'm already learning. When Team Leader Luo left, he told us that our team has a computer, and all the criminal profile materials are on the computer. Jianbai and I are both learning computer profiling."
Zhuang Jianbai, who had the least contact with Jiang Ling, felt a little uneasy. He adjusted his glasses and said, "The Ministry of Public Security's Forensic Science Center introduced the first criminal investigation sketching software in 1996. Our local public security bureau hasn't adopted this software yet. We're currently learning how to manually input paper files into an electronic database, input certain characteristics of new cases when sketching, and then search the database. But frankly, data entry is time-consuming and laborious. The database is limited in size, coverage, and update speed. Most of the time, Xinwan and I still have to hand-draw. If the data center can be built, I think... our criminal investigation sketching level and speed should be greatly improved."
Jiang Ling's eyes showed appreciation.
Zhuang Jianbo has a very forward-thinking understanding of databases. Bringing him on board should be helpful for the construction of the data center.
Thinking of this, Jiang Ling looked at Su Xinwan and Zhuang Jianbai: "Okay, I originally wanted to merge the psychological profiling team and the criminal investigation profiling team into the data center, and work with the technical team to provide technical support for criminal investigation. Since everyone is willing to follow me, then okay, let's work hard together."
Upon hearing Jiang Ling's words, all five people present showed joy: "That's great! Let's all cheer each other on."
The door to the private room was pushed open, and a surge of even more intense heat, mixed with the smoky aroma of a wok, rushed in. Chef Chen Anping himself carried in a large earthenware pot, his face flushed and his forehead covered in fine beads of sweat: "Come, come, try my secret weapon: Steamed Big Bear Fish Head with Tea Oil and Chopped Chili. It's fresh out of the pot, everyone eat it while it's hot!"
The fish head was as big as a washbasin, covered with a thick layer of golden-red, glistening chopped chili oil. The rising steam released the unique salty, savory, and spicy flavor of the chopped chili oil, which, combined with the rich aroma of the tea oil, instantly overpowered the flavors of the other dishes—it was incredibly domineering.
"Wow, Chen Anping, your cooking skills are getting better and better. This fish head looks authentic!" Li Zhenliang's eyes lit up, and he couldn't wait to reach out with his chopsticks and pick up a piece of tender fish face meat soaked in red oil.
Just as the room was filled with the aroma of perfume and laughter, a sudden change occurred.
"Clang—"
A muffled thud, like the sound of a thick enamel mug shattering on a cement floor, rang out sharply from downstairs, across a small street.
Immediately afterwards, a woman's voice, hoarse and desperate, suddenly rose to a high pitch, shattering the evening's tranquility and instantly tearing apart the jubilation in the private room.
"Oh God, it's all gone, all gone! The money I personally deposited the day before yesterday was half a month's worth of revenue for 'Wan Jiale'. This is going to kill me, it's going to make me lose my job! Waaah..."
Jiang Ling's smile froze, her eyes narrowed, and she became alert.
The sound came from the small credit union savings bank on the street corner diagonally opposite the Heshun Hotel.
Li Zhenliang's chopsticks froze above the fish head. Liu Haoran and Zhou Wei simultaneously put down their wine glasses, their relaxed expressions vanishing. The steaming hot fish head with chopped chili peppers continued to emit its enticing aroma, but no one paid any attention to it anymore.
Without the slightest hesitation, Jiang Ling stood up abruptly and took two steps to the window of the private room facing the street, pushing open the wooden lattice window sash painted green.
Diagonally opposite, the entrance of the Jinwu Road branch of XX Bank in Yanshi was now like an anthill in an uproar.
Through the glass door, one could see a slightly plump middle-aged woman in a blue-gray "Wanlele" department store uniform being held by the arms of two female tellers in white shirts and ties in the branch lobby. Her face was ashen, her hair disheveled, and one of her plastic sandals had fallen off. She was completely unaware that her bare feet were stepping on the scorching cement floor, and she was just wailing inconsolably, her body trembling violently.
The savings bank was even more chaotic.
President Wang, who usually sports a slicked-back hairstyle, now had a messy parting. He was gripping an old-fashioned black crank telephone receiver, shouting something into the microphone. The veins on his neck were bulging, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, soaking a large patch of his white shirt collar.
Outside the counter, the depositors waiting to conduct their business were in complete chaos, craning their necks to look inside, their faces filled with surprise, unease, and rapidly spreading panic.
"I need to withdraw money! Give me the money now!"
"What's going on? Does someone really dare to steal money from a bank?"
"This is outrageous! Who would dare to deposit money in the bank after this?"
"Where's the leader? Where's your leader? Come out and say something clear!"
A man who looked like a small business owner, with a black briefcase tucked under his arm, was pounding on the bank's glass door, shouting that he wanted to withdraw money.
Pedestrians, cyclists, and tricycle drivers all stopped, gathered around, pointed and whispered, and a buzz of discussion spread like a tide.
"A bank run? Something big is about to happen!" Li Zhenliang was experienced, and seeing this situation, his face instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot. In the end, he didn't put that chopstick of fish head meat into his mouth.
"Someone at the bank had their money stolen?" Liu Haoran vaguely heard some words and was filled with doubt.
Zhou Wei quickly stood up and stood beside Jiang Ling, his eyes scanning the situation across the street, observing everything that was happening before him—the time, the location, the state of the people, and the size of the crowd.
Jiang Ling took a cell phone out of her pocket.
This is a Motorola Pocket Edition 328 mobile phone that her mother, Xiao Wenjuan, bought for her. It was a rare item in 1998.
Jiang Ling dialed the number for the duty room of the Municipal Public Security Bureau's Criminal Investigation Detachment.
The call was connected almost instantly.
“I am Jiang Ling!” Her voice was calm, clear, and fast. “An emergency has occurred at the Jinwu Road branch of XX Bank next to the Heshun Hotel on Jiefang Road. Preliminary assessment indicates it is a financial theft. The incident has caused serious panic and a risk of a bank run. Please take immediate action.”
After abruptly hanging up the phone, Jiang Ling turned around and looked at the five people in front of her: "Something's happened. Come with me!"
Before she finished speaking, she had already strode towards the door of the private room.
Li Zhenliang slammed his chopsticks on the table, grabbed his bag, and hurried after Jiang Ling. Liu Haoran and Zhou Wei also quickly followed.
Three figures followed their team leader without hesitation, rushing towards the savings bank shrouded in panic.
Su Xinwan and Zhuang Jianbai looked slightly bewildered. For the past few years, they had been sitting in the office responsible for criminal investigation sketches and providing technical support for case solving. They had not directly participated in front-line work and were really struggling to keep up with Jiang Ling's fast pace.
Wasn't Jiang Ling on vacation? How come she immediately went to work on a case?
However, Jiang Ling's responsible attitude impressed the two of them, and Zhuang Jianbai quickly reacted: "Xinwan, let's settle the bill first, and then go with her to see if there's anything we can do to help."
"Okay." Su Xinwan and Zhuang Jianbai also left the private room.
Chen Anping was left watching the bubbling, fragrant steamed fish head with tea oil and chopped chili peppers, and sighed helplessly: "Officer Jiang and the others are really busy. It was such a good pot of fish head, cooked just right, what a pity..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com