The game of power begins with the police officers at the local police station.

Seeing that Li Zhi was in dire straits, Xu Wei wondered if he could keep his job if he told the truth, even if he was transferred to a remote town. That would be a hundred times better than being fired.

Seeing that Xu Wei wanted to speak, Chen Shi asked, "Xu Wei, if you want to confess, do it sooner rather than later. Once the truth comes out, no one can protect you."

If you confess truthfully now, we will strive for leniency.

Xu Wei looked at Li Zhi, whose face was gloomy. He had been tricked by Li Zhi, and he was not going to let him off easy either.

"Captain Chen, what I said earlier was a lie. I brought Fu Biao to Room 203, and I sent the auxiliary police away. All of this was arranged by Li Zhi."

He told me to do it; I was just following orders.

Li Zhi couldn't sit still any longer and roared, "Xu Wei, you brainless idiot! What good will it do you to bite me to death? You'll still be punished!"

I only told you to take Fu Biao to room 203, not to let him go.

Chen Shi looked at Liu Feng: "Write down the confession without missing a single word."

"Yes," Liu Feng frantically recorded the two men's statements.

Chen Shi looked at Li Zhi: "Captain Li, so it turns out that you let Fu Biao go. Now it's not just suspension from duty for investigation, it's arrest. You and Fu Biao are accomplices."

Li Zhi's face was gloomy. He was finished. Suspended from his post for investigation, he still had a chance to make a comeback. But if he was an accomplice of Fu Biao, not to mention his career, he would inevitably face imprisonment.

He glared at Xu Wei, thinking, "You'll gain nothing by betraying me. I can still save you while I'm out here, but if you drag me down with you, we'll all be doomed."

Chen Shi solemnly said, "Take Li Zhi away and interrogate him tomorrow morning. The video recording of tonight's meeting will be reported to the bureau at the meeting."

Wang Tao immediately stood up, went to Li Zhi, took out handcuffs, and roughly handcuffed Li Zhi.

On his very first day in the Public Security Management Brigade, Li Zhi made things difficult for him in every way, and seized every opportunity to retaliate.

Everyone knows that Li Zhi is finished. No matter who is behind him, he can't wear this police uniform anymore.

Li Zhi shouted, "Chen Shi, you can't treat me like this! The bureau's punishment hasn't been issued yet, and I'm still the deputy captain of the Public Security Management Brigade."

Chen Shi said solemnly, "We are not arresting the deputy captain of the public security management brigade, but Fu Biao's accomplice. Tell us honestly where Fu Biao is hiding, and we will try to get lenient treatment."

Liu Feng stepped forward and took Xu Wei away. He did not handcuff Xu Wei, indicating that he was only suspended from his duties for investigation and was not included in Fu Biao's gang.

After the meeting, Chen Shi submitted the video of the meeting to the bureau. An hour later, he received a call from Zhang Xiangdong.

"Xiao Chen, the leaders in the bureau have different opinions. There will be a meeting tomorrow morning, and you should attend as well. Be truthful, and I will try to give you some time."

"Thank you, Director Zhang."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Shi checked the time; it was midnight. He yawned and went back to sleep.

The next day at 9:30, in a small conference room, the attendees were Zhang Xiangdong, Song Yun, Lei Heng, Song Youming, Zhu Jianming, and Chen Shi.

Chen Shi sat at the end, and Lei Heng spoke first: "The Public Security Management Brigade is in chaos. I think the brigade leader needs to be replaced. The fact that a criminal can escape in broad daylight says a lot."

Song Youming chimed in, "I also think the head of the public security management brigade needs to be replaced. No matter the reason, if a criminal escapes, the head of the public security management brigade is the primary person responsible."

Chen Shi looked at the two old men. What was going on? They weren't discussing the removal of Li Zhi as deputy captain, but had veered off course and were now talking about removing him.

Song Yun said loudly, "Director Lei, Director Song, has the meeting gone astray? Today's meeting is to discuss and study how to arrest Fu Biao and dismiss Li Zhi, the deputy captain."

Fu Biao was released by Li Zhi; the evidence is conclusive. He's a black sheep in the Public Security Bureau, spoiling the whole operation and damaging the image of the people's police. He must be severely punished. I propose that Li Zhi be dismissed as deputy captain; he has committed crimes and should be sent to the procuratorate for prosecution.

Lei Heng said in a low voice, "Political Commissar Song, Li Zhi, the deputy captain, should certainly be dismissed. However, as the top leader, doesn't the captain bear any responsibility? I propose that Chen Shi, the captain of the public security management brigade, be dismissed. He is not competent for the position."

Song Youming quickly chimed in, "I support Director Lei's proposal. Chen Shi is appointed as the head of the Public Security Management Brigade, but the entire brigade is in disarray. He is not up to the task."

Chen Shi chuckled twice. "Are you treating me like I don't exist? You want to dismiss me right in front of me."

His gaze turned cold as he stared at Song Youming: "Director Song, I, as the captain, bear responsibility for Fu Biao's escape. As the deputy director in charge of the public security management brigade, don't you bear any responsibility?"

If you remove me from my position as captain, you, as deputy director, will also have to be removed.

Chen Shi and Song Youming were engaged in a heated debate when Zhang Xiangdong gently tapped the table, and they immediately fell silent.

"This is a meeting room, not a market. If you want to argue, go outside." He glanced at everyone. "Today's meeting is to discuss the arrest of Fu Biao, which is of great concern to Liu County. It is not a meeting to hold anyone accountable."

"Captain Chen, Fu Biao escaped from your Public Security Management Brigade. Regardless of the reason, you have leadership responsibility. You must catch Fu Biao within a month. Can you do it?"

Lei Heng said with a dissatisfied look, "Director Zhang, a month is too long, it'll be too late. At most a week, this matter has an extremely bad influence. Even Secretary Hu called to inquire about it."

Song Yun added, "A week is too short, a month is too long, half a month is enough. We must bring Fu Biao back and minimize the impact."

As for Li Zhi, he was dismissed as deputy captain and transferred to the procuratorate for legal processing.

Chen Shi looked at Song Yun. So you're a peacemaker. They exchanged glances. You should be grateful. Half a month is the most you can do. So many eyes are on you.

Despite his dissatisfaction, Lei Heng chose to compromise. If Chen Shi failed to capture Fu Biao within half a month, he would have an excuse to dismiss him.

"I agree with Political Commissar Song's suggestion to give Captain Chen half a month. If he fails to capture Fu Biao, he should resign as the head of the Public Security Management Brigade."

Song Youming quickly chimed in, "I agree with Director Lei's proposal. If Fu Biao cannot be apprehended within half a month, I will voluntarily resign from my position as captain of the public security management brigade."

Chen Shi snorted coldly. He had been an observer all along. Zhang Xiangdong had called him to the meeting so that he would have a chance to argue his point.

Lei Heng and Song Youming were very dissatisfied to see Chen Shi attending the bureau's leadership meeting.

Chen Shi slammed his hand on the table: "Director Song, I'm appointing you as the head of the public security management team. You give me half a month, I'll give you a month, and bring Fu Biao back."

If you want to dismiss me, just say so. Don't make up these excuses. Fu Biao was released by Li Zhi, what does that have to do with me?

Li Zhi has someone pulling the strings behind the scenes, and that person is right here in the conference room. Even arresting ten Fu Biaos won't help unless we find that person.

Zhang Xiangdong said with an authoritative expression, "If we can't catch Fu Biao in half a month, he should resign. Director Lei, Director Song, who among you dares to express their opinion? We'll have the person you recommend take over the Public Security Management Brigade right now."

The two men exchanged a glance and remained silent. Who knew where Fu Biao was now? Catching him in half a month? What a joke! He just wanted to make things difficult for Chen Shi.