Chapter 208 The best defense is always offense.
"Expert Gu! Director Lu!"
Her voice trembled slightly.
"My name is Wang Xiuqin, and I'm the deputy head of the Quality Inspection Department at the Third Medicinal Herbs Supply Station. I... I know it might be too late for me to say this now,"
It might cause me trouble, but my conscience won't let me get away with it! If I don't say something, I won't be able to sleep tonight!
Lu Zhanming gestured for her to sit down, his voice steady:
"Comrade Wang Xiuqin, don't rush, speak slowly. Tell me everything you think is important. It's very safe here."
Wang Xiuqin took a deep breath, sat down again, and started talking.
"The problematic medicinal herbs that were delivered to your courtyard last time... I actually did a spot check before they left the warehouse!"
She made a surprising statement.
"It wasn't supposed to be my shift that day, but I had something to do at home, so I switched shifts with a colleague."
When the special-supply medicinal materials were shipped out of the warehouse in the afternoon, I randomly checked a few packages as per regulations.
At that time... I felt that the smell of some of the astragalus and angelica was a bit off, different from what I usually smelled during inspections.
Her face showed regret and lingering fear:
"But... I didn't dare to investigate further at the time. Because that batch of goods was handled personally by the custodian and specially approved by the section chief. It was said to be a special supply for important units, and the procedures were complete."
I thought, maybe there's something wrong with my nose, or maybe the goods came from different places and were harvested at different times, which is why the smell is different... If I cause trouble and delay the supply, I can't bear the responsibility!
"Later, I heard that something terrible happened with that batch of medicine—it was poisoned! The custodian of the money was also arrested!"
Wang Xiuqin's eyes reddened.
"I was so scared I couldn't sleep for several nights! The more I thought about it, the more something seemed wrong! It wasn't just ordinary inferior goods being passed off as superior ones; it was something poisonous!"
If I had insisted on a re-inspection back then, even if it escalated to the higher-ups, maybe they could have stopped it, and...and none of this would have happened!"
She wiped away her tears and carefully took out a small notebook and several small medicine packets wrapped in paper from her cloth bag.
"This is a sample I secretly kept during that random inspection, along with the records from that time."
The notebook contained the batch number, the sampling date, and my points of suspicion. The medicine packet contained the astragalus and angelica slices that I suspected were suspicious at the time.
She pushed the things in front of Gu Baobao.
"Expert Gu, you're an expert, please take a look! Am I sure I'm not mistaken?"
Gu Baobao picked up the small notebook and opened it. The handwriting was neat and recorded the date, batch number, and sampling items. After Astragalus (Special Grade) and Angelica (Special Grade), there were indeed words marked lightly in pencil: "The smell is questionable, and it seems to have an off-flavor."
She opened the two small paper packets again, picked up a little bit of the medicinal herbs, brought them close to her nose to smell them, then crushed a little bit and put it on the tip of her tongue to taste.
After a moment, she put down the herbs, looked at Wang Xiuqin, her gaze complicated.
Comrade Wang Xiuqin,
She spoke slowly.
"Your sense of smell is very keen. In the samples you left behind, Astragalus membranaceus did indeed contain a small amount of Caragana korshinskii."
A small amount of European angelica was also mixed in with the angelica. Although the content was much lower than in the batch of finished product you received later, the properties were the same.
Wang Xiuqin trembled, and her face turned even paler.
Gu Baobao's tone softened somewhat:
"This is not your fault. The other party's methods are covert, using a substitute that looks extremely similar. Unless you are extremely experienced or have the help of instruments, it is difficult to distinguish it at a glance."
It was truly commendable that you were able to raise suspicions at that time and leave samples and records; this provided us with very important clues.
Lu Zhanming immediately grasped the key point:
"Comrade Wang Xiuqin, according to you, the abnormality you discovered during your random inspection occurred before that batch of medicinal herbs was officially released from storage. In other words, the herbs were already contaminated while they were in the warehouse?"
Wang Xiuqin nodded vigorously:
"Yes! It was right before the goods were loaded onto the truck! I suggested a complete re-inspection, but... but the deputy warehouse manager who was present at the time stopped me."
He said the specially supplied medicinal herbs were in a tight timeframe and the paperwork was complete, urging me not to cause any trouble. Being of low status, I didn't dare insist further.
"Deputy Warehouse Director?"
Lu Zhanming's eyes sharpened.
"What's your name?"
“His name is Zhou Yongfu.”
Wang Xiuqin said,
"He's usually a very amiable person, but his attitude that day was a bit... a bit forceful."
Lu Zhanming and Gu Baobao exchanged a glance.
Qian Youde was a warehouse keeper, while Zhou Yongfu was the deputy director of the warehouse, a higher-ranking position.
If Zhou Yongfu also has problems, then the loopholes in this line are even bigger than expected.
"Comrade Wang Xiuqin, thank you for providing this information, it is very important."
Lu Zhanming solemnly said,
"We need to keep your notebook and samples as evidence. Also, regarding your visit today to report the situation, and your previous work..."
We will truthfully explain the situation to your superiors and the special investigation team. Your courage to stand up demonstrates your responsibility to the country and the people.
Upon hearing this, Wang Xiuqin felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders. She let out a long sigh of relief, and tears welled up in her eyes again—this time, tears of relief.
"I...I just don't want to live with a guilty conscience for the rest of my life. I've said what I needed to say and provided what I needed to provide. The organization will decide how to handle this, and I will obey."
She stood up and bowed deeply to Gu Baobao and Lu Zhanming.
"Professor Gu, you and your family have suffered so much... I'm so sorry, if only I had been a little braver back then..."
Gu Baobao helped her up:
"Comrade Wang Xiuqin, don't say that. Evil often succeeds because good people remain silent. You've stood up today, and that's enough. Leave the rest to us."
After seeing Wang Xiuqin off, Lu Zhanming immediately reported this important new lead to Zhao Feng, the head of the task force, via a secure phone call.
Zhao Feng's voice on the other end of the phone carried a mixture of suppressed excitement and coldness:
“Zhou Yongfu… Good, very good! We are currently reviewing Qian Youde’s social relationships and communication records. Zhou Yongfu’s name has come into view, but we have not yet found a direct connection.”
Wang Xiuqin's testimony and sample are groundbreaking! Zhan Ming, you've done a great job! I'll immediately arrange for Zhou Yongfu to be taken into custody! Now, let's see where they can hide!"
After hanging up the phone, Lu Zhanming walked back to Gu Baobao's side.
Gu Baobao stood by the window, watching Wang Xiuqin's hurried departure below, disappearing into the crowd outside the hospital gate.
"She is a good person."
Gu Baobao said softly.
"Um."
Lu Zhanming gently hugged her from behind.
"There are more good people than bad in this world. But sometimes, good people need a little courage, and they need someone to tell them that their courage is worthwhile."
Gu Baobao leaned against him, feeling the warmth and strength emanating from his chest.
The enemy lurked in the shadows, launching sneak attacks and sabotage at will.
But on their side, there are family members who risked their lives to protect them, a righteous in-law family, ordinary people who silently provided clues, and the entire national machinery operating efficiently, unraveling the mystery and weaving a net.
The righteous path is one foot high, but the evil path is ten feet high.
But what if it is the righteous spirit of millions of people gathered together, the national will as strong as the Great Wall of Steel?
Lavoisier, every wicked trick you pull makes us more united, more vigilant, and stronger.
She closed her eyes, then slowly opened them again, the last trace of hesitation and sadness in them replaced by something colder and more resolute.
"Brother Zhanming,"
She spoke, her voice calm and even.
"Please help me contact Uncle Zhao Feng, or the person in charge of the relevant department. I have some new and more specific ideas about mutagens and toxin countermeasures."
Lu Zhanming's heart skipped a beat, and he looked down at her.
Gu Baobao turned her face to meet his gaze and said, word by word:
"Passive defense and eliminating internal traitors are certainly important. But the best defense is always offense."
"Since he wants my technology so much, and is so afraid of it... this time, I'll give him a gift he absolutely can't refuse."
Outside the window, the afternoon sun pierced through the clouds, casting scorching spots of light.
In the distance, the streets of the capital were bustling with activity, and life continued as usual. Beneath the calm surface, a more secretive and dangerous contest had already begun.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com