Detective: Open your eyes, I am handcuffed in the interrogation room.

Chapter 478 Meeting at the Hospital

It takes about three hours to fly from Dongzhou Yangcheng to Yunzhou Mingcheng. When Chen Yi and his party landed at the airport, it was already ten o'clock in the evening.

It is naturally impossible to go to the provincial department at this point. I will have to get in touch with the case tomorrow after a good rest.

Xia Lanshan arranged a hotel for several people according to three-star standards, which is neither too far nor too close to the provincial department. Two special cars will arrive early tomorrow morning, with full tanks and gas cards.

This time, external assistance was hired, and the daily expenditure of the Yunzhou Provincial Department is estimated to be more than one thousand. The longer it is delayed, the more it will cost. Compared with the seriousness of the case, this amount of money is not much, and the owner of the lost bracelet has also issued a high reward, hoping that the police can recover the stolen bracelet as soon as possible.

Individuals can offer rewards without hindering public security organs from conducting investigations according to law. There are no clear regulations on this matter, but investigating cases is the duty of the police, and they will not accept money even if the case is solved.

Although no reward money will be collected, individuals can make donations, such as donating police cars and other items to public security agencies, which does not violate regulations.

Therefore, as long as the case can be solved, the Yunzhou Provincial Department will definitely not lose money. Of course, Xia Lanshan is not doing this for the materials, these are all normal expenses, and he has discussed this with his superiors before going to Yangcheng.

Solving the case is the most important thing, nothing else matters.

They had already had dinner on the plane. Xia Lanshan personally sent Chen Yi to the hotel and made an appointment to go to the provincial department tomorrow. When he was about to leave, Chen Yi stopped him.

"Uncle Xia, wait a moment." Chen Yi still called him Uncle Xia to appear intimate.

Xia Lanshan asked: "Is there anything else you need? Just let me know."

Chen Yi let the others move freely, then he and Xia Lanshan went downstairs to the lobby and asked which hospital Han Yuedong was in.

"You're going to see him?" Xia Lanshan glanced at the time. "It's past ten o'clock. It's a bit late."

Chen Yi smiled and said, "I can't sleep if I go back. I'll go for a walk. Is it far?"

Xia Lanshan: "It's not far, maybe 20 minutes by car. If you want to go, I can take you there."

Chen Yi: "No, I'm just taking a stroll and taking a look at the night view of Mingcheng. Uncle Xia, just tell me the address of the hospital and the ward."

Mingcheng is world-famous for its spring-like climate all year round and unique natural scenery. It has a profound historical and cultural heritage and is home to many ethnic groups. When you come to this charming city, you will definitely want to walk around and take a look.

He Shixin and the others probably couldn't sit still, and he wanted to go and express his condolences to Han Yuedong and discuss some issues at the same time.

If the other person is not asleep, that's great. If he is asleep, I will take Fang Shuyu to taste the local specialties and then come back to sleep.

Take a break from your busy schedule and don't delay.

Xia Lanshan understood what Chen Yi meant. He smiled, took out his cell phone, sent the hospital and ward number where Han Yuedong was, and then left.

Before Chen Yi had time to go back, he saw He Shixin and a few others coming down from the upstairs, probably going out for a walk.

"Captain Chen, would you like to join us?" Cheng Hanjun invited.

Chen Yi said: "You guys go ahead, Shuyu and I want to spend our own time together. We just got married the day before yesterday."

He didn't mention going to the hospital. It would be too disappointing to start working right after landing. He just went over to have a brief chat.

A few people were tactful enough not to act as third wheel, and the two groups parted ways at the hotel entrance.

Chen Yi and Fang Shuyu explained briefly, then took a taxi to the address given by Xia Lanshan and went straight to the ward.

The husband follows the wife's lead, and Fang Shuyu has always unconditionally supported any action of Chen Yi.

The person accompanying Han Yuedong on the bed was a relative, who was not asleep yet. After Chen Yi introduced himself as a police colleague, he went to the door and looked into the ward through the glass.

The lights were off, but the person on the bed was still moving occasionally. The person accompanying him said that Han Yuedong had just fallen asleep and might not be asleep yet.

Chen Yi asked if he could go in and take a look, and the other party agreed.

Asking Fang Shuyu to wait outside for a while, Chen Yi gently pushed the door and walked in.

Han Yuedong's left leg was wrapped in thick plaster and bandages, and it looked a bit funny hanging there. It was actually quite difficult to fall asleep in this position.

With the help of the residual light coming in through the window, Chen Yi could see Han Yuedong's appearance clearly. He was about forty years old, with a beard that had grown out from not shaved for several days, and his hair was messy and greasy.

The sound of footsteps could not be completely quiet. As an old criminal policeman, Han Yuedong was extremely sensitive. He immediately opened his eyes when he noticed someone approaching.

"Who?!"

The sharp gaze seemed to be burning with flames, rushing straight towards Chen Yi. His muscle memory made him raise his hands in a defensive posture, ready to launch a counterattack at any time.

If he was an acquaintance, why would he sneak in?

Chen Yi felt that his opening remarks should be plain and simple enough, so he stood still and said, "Captain Han, would you like to apply for a membership card? Let me know about swimming and fitness."

Apply for a card?

Han Yuedong was a little confused. Seeing that the other party knew him and seemed to have no ill intentions, he reached out and turned on the light.

"Chen Yi?"

He had obviously seen Chen Yi's photo and was deeply impressed. He blurted out the name without having to recall it, and his tense emotions were completely relaxed.

Chen Yi walked forward and sat down, and called Fang Shuyu in as well.

The opening remarks just now made Han Yuedong quite helpless, and his expression was neither funny nor sad. Director Xia had mentioned to him that he wanted to go to Yangcheng to attend Chen Yi's wedding, and also mentioned that he wanted to borrow Chen Yi to investigate the case in Yunzhou. He didn't expect to meet him today.

It came really quickly.

"Captain Chen, happy wedding." Han Yuedong was the first to offer his blessings.

He went on a business trip to investigate a case right after getting married. I don’t know how he feels, but judging from his attitude... it should be okay.

Young people just like to joke around. He almost didn’t react just now. How did the salesman sneak into the hospital so late at night and even knew his identity.

"Thank you." Chen Yi said with a smile, "This is Fang Shuyu, the chief medical examiner of the Yangcheng City Bureau."

Han Yuedong looked over and said, "Hello."

Fang Shuyu smiled: "Hello, Captain Han."

"Are you okay?" Chen Yi reached out and knocked on the plaster. Han Yuedong's first impression on him was that he was a carefree type, which aroused his familiarity.

Han Yuedong moved his legs and said with a smile: "It's okay, it's okay. I'm so unlucky that I can fall off the horse. Captain Chen just arrived?"

Chen Yi hummed, "I just came out of the hotel with Director Xia and thought I'd come over to see Captain Han and have a chat. Don't mind if I come empty-handed. I'll make it up next time."

Han Yuedong: "You're welcome. We're all family. Captain Chen, are you here to discuss the case? Have you read the files?"

Chen Yi: "I haven't seen it yet, let's just chat. Is this Captain Han's first time riding a horse?"

Han Yuedong: “It’s not the first time. I rode it many years ago when I went out for fun.”

Chen Yi: "I heard from Director Xia that you fell on the way to the village. Were there any guides?" Han Yuedong nodded: "Yes, there were guides. That place is very difficult to get to. It's called Yuluo Village. There are five hidden ancient villages in Yunzhou. They are located deep in the mountains and isolated from the world. The lifestyle is relatively primitive and they have not been developed into tourist areas. Ruicheng Yuluo Village is one of them."

Chen Yi: "Teacher Xia said that is the birthplace of jade in China?"

Han Yuedong: "That's what the rumor says. I don't know if it's true or not. There's no smoke without fire. There should be some basis for it."

Chen Yi: "What was the reason for Captain Han to enter the mountain? Did he report his identity?"

Han Yuedong: "I did. The village doesn't welcome outsiders. If I don't report my identity as a police officer, the guide won't take this job."

The two chatted briefly, and Chen Yi learned that the guide was from Yuluo Village. He raised a few horses so that he could carry goods on the mountain roads and transport things from the town to the village to sell, thus solving the daily life problems of the village.

On the day of the incident, Han Yuedong and several colleagues were preparing to enter the village. After asking around, they finally found the guide, but the guide was unwilling to go, saying that outsiders were not allowed to enter the village. It was not until he revealed his police identity and paid some money, and with the persuasion of the nearby police station, that the guide reluctantly agreed.

Autonomous counties have their own autonomous regulations and powers, especially remote villages, which have more rules, so it is difficult for Han Yuedong to exert pressure forcefully.

The road into the mountains is very long, and horses are the only means of transportation. It is not practical to bring too many people. In order not to hinder the guide from transporting goods, Han Yuedong only brought two people in, and they took turns riding the horses.

When they reached a corner of the mountain, Han Yuedong's horse was suddenly frightened, causing him to fall from the top. Fortunately, he reacted quickly and there was a buffer zone, otherwise he would not be hospitalized but directly sent to the morgue.

After listening to Han Yuedong's words, Chen Yi thought for a while and asked, "Why was the horse frightened?"

Han Yuedong shook his head: "I don't know, it happened quite suddenly, maybe I'm not familiar with it?"

Chen Yi: "The mountain road is so dangerous. If a stranger rides a horse, it may cause the horse to be frightened. Didn't the guide foresee this? He should be very experienced. At least he needs to remind you to dismount when passing through the dangerous area."

Han Yuedong heard the hidden meaning and his face became serious: "What do you want to say?"

Chen Yi: "Captain Han, I personally tend to doubt everything when investigating a case. In theory, anything is possible. Do you think there is something wrong with this guide?"

Han Yuedong was surprised: "He did it on purpose? He wanted to kill me?"

Fang Shuyu was also shocked and looked at Chen Yi. Now she knew why he came to the hospital tonight. It seemed that he had been suspicious for a long time and did not believe that Han Yuedong's injury was an accident.

Chen Yi: "It's not necessary to kill you, but to stop you from entering the village."

Han Yuedong frowned deeply, recalling the guide's words and facial expressions at the time, looking for any suspicious points.

After a while, he hesitated and said, "This suspicion is a bit bold. To be honest, I don't find any problems with the guide."

Chen Yi said, "It's just a suspicion. I didn't say he must have a problem. I plan to go again tomorrow. If I also fall off the horse, or cannot enter the village due to other accidents, then Captain Han's injury is very likely not an accident."

Although he had not read the files yet, he already had an idea of ​​the first stop in Yunzhou.

Just continue along the direction of Han Yuedong's unfinished investigation. The previous efforts of the task force will definitely be useful.

Han Yuedong pondered for a moment and said, "I never doubted the guide before Captain Chen came. Now that you have doubts, be careful or bring more people."

Chen Yi: "No, for a village like this that is isolated from the world, the fewer people that go, the better, to avoid complications. Captain Han brought two, so I'll bring two too."

He Xin and Qin Fei.

These are the people he wants to bring with him on this trip. He will decide tomorrow whether to let the others stay in Mingcheng or go to Ruicheng.

After saying that, Chen Yi noticed Fang Shuyu's gaze and said, "You're not going."

There was no room for negotiation with these three words. Fang Shuyu knew Chen Yi. With that tone, there would be no room for negotiation, so she did not fight for it.

Han Yuedong could not give much advice and sighed, "The case is handed over to Captain Chen. To be honest, I am ashamed that I have not found any clues in such a long time. It is my lack of ability."

Chen Yi: "Captain Han has done his best and there is no need to blame himself. I wonder if there is anything in this case that needs attention? Or does Captain Han have any doubts that are not in the file?"

Han Yuedong: "Which case do you want to ask about?"

Chen Yi: "Murder case."

Han Yuedong was silent for a moment, then asked, "Do you know what a death scene looks like?"

Chen Yi nodded: "I already know, it seems quite strange?"

Han Yuedong: "There is no match in the interviews. I am now suspicious of religion and was just about to investigate in this direction, but I didn't expect to get hurt."

"Religion?" Chen Yi thought for a moment, "Which religion?"

Buddhism and Taoism are unlikely. The outrageousness of this case makes it more like a cult or human sacrifice in foreign countries.

However, since the four victims knew each other, the motive for the crime is actually quite limited. Chen Yi is more willing to believe that it was a revenge killing carried out under the guise of a "ritual".

It wasn't found, perhaps it was hidden too deeply. If it was a simple and straightforward case, Xia Lanshan would not have flown to Yangcheng in person.

Han Yue did not give an answer, he was just suspicious.

"Is it possible that the homicide and the theft are related?" Chen Yi asked.

Han Yuedong: "Why do you say that?"

Chen Yi: "Just asking casually, I haven't read the files yet, and I'm just guessing from a bystander's perspective. Aren't all the cases, including the clues that Captain Han interrupted the investigation, related to jade?"

Han Yuedong: "That's true, but Yunzhou is the main supplier of jadeite, and many cases are related to jadeite."

What he meant was coincidence.

Chen Yi thought for a moment and said, "The lost bracelet was not bought from Ruicheng, right?"

Han Yuedong: "No, the owner bought it in Mingcheng from a collector at a high price."

Chen Yi nodded slightly and did not ask for details. He said he would know everything after reading the file tomorrow.

If the homicide and the theft have nothing to do with each other, then the homicide should be investigated first. Between a dead object and four lives, of course the human lives are the most important.

Admittedly, four lives may not be worth 100 million yuan in the eyes of some people, but to the police, human rights come first and property rights come second.

"Captain Han, the first thing you're going to investigate is vendettas, right?" Chen Yi asked.

Han Yuedong: "Of course, since four acquaintances were killed, the most likely scenario is that the murderer is also an acquaintance, but there is no result."

Chen Yi: "So... try to turn to the direction of folk taboos?"

Han Yuedong: "Yes, Ruicheng had a special campaign to break old customs and habits in the past few years to resist feudal superstition, but we all know that it is impossible to eliminate them. It is just like cracking down on pornography. It cannot be completely eliminated."

Chen Yi: "It's unlikely that they targeted four people who knew each other. It's a bit of a coincidence."

Han Yuedong sighed: "I hope Captain Chen can find the answer. My leg...will not be healed in ten days or half a month."

(End of this chapter)