Chapter 61: The Storm at the Public Security Bureau

  After receiving a fax for help from the Panshi County Public Security Bureau, the Guanglan City Public Security Bureau quickly called back several colleagues in the Foreign Affairs Section who spoke French. They will verify Bao Yulian's identity. In the file cabinet of the Foreign Affairs Section, there are samples of passports from various countries. Of course, they also need to ask Beijing Customs to check the landing record of Bao Yulian.

  After comparing the passport sample, the police in the Foreign Affairs Department can at least confirm that Bao Yulun's passport is no problem.

  "Team leader, take a look at this!" A police officer from the Foreign Affairs Section handed over a translated fax to the team leader of the translation group. The team leader studied English, so he had no choice but to translate it for him.

  "What is this?" The group leader took it over. In theory, their responsibility was only to investigate the authenticity of the passport and not to care about anything else.

  "What is a Knight of the French Legion of Honour?" The team leader looked at the policeman who had brought the translation with some confusion. The young man was back from studying in France and knew more about the situation there.

  "This French Legion of Honor Knight Medal is the highest honor medal in France, how to say it? It's probably a bit like our country's May 1st Labor Medal, but this medal is also awarded to foreigners, and Chiang Kai-shek got one back then. This French Legion of Honor Knight Medal is a very high honor in France, you can even take a plane for free." The young man explained.

  "Are you saying it's a serious problem?" The team leader furrowed his brow.

  "It's probably true, and it might even be a diplomatic incident!" The young man nodded. In France, the French Legion of Honor is one of the most prestigious honors, and when big shots attend formal events, they will definitely wear this medal in the most conspicuous position, of course, on the condition that they have it.

  The team leader nodded after hearing this: "It seems we have to report to the bureau leaders immediately."

  This certificate of Bai Yulin was sandwiched in the passport because it was needed when buying an airplane ticket. The people at Panjin County Public Security Bureau did not know what this certificate was for and thought it was a supplement to the passport, so they transmitted it together.

  The French ambassador to China heard that a "Knight of the Legion of Honour" and an active-duty captain in the French Army had been detained by the police in Panshi County, China, for unknown reasons. The ambassador was very anxious about this situation. He immediately called the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to express the French government's concern over this matter and asked the Chinese side to provide an explanation for detaining a serving French military officer.

  The Chinese Foreign Ministry is also puzzled. In theory, even if a foreigner commits a crime in China and the police have to take coercive measures against him, they will immediately report it level by level, and the news should reach the Foreign Ministry at the first time. This is a discipline aimed at avoiding diplomatic passivity. But this time, it was the embassy of the country that got the news first. The Foreign Ministry only knew about it when someone came to ask, which made them very passive.

  The Foreign Ministry certainly cannot say that it does not know about this matter, but only that the person is suspected of committing a crime. He is currently under investigation by the Chinese police, and at present, he cannot be considered to have been arrested, but rather is assisting the police in clarifying the situation. This is naturally in line with international practice. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that it will maintain contact with the French Embassy in China and report on the latest developments in a timely manner.

  When the head of the Foreign Affairs Translation Group of Guanglan City Public Security Bureau arrived at Director He Qinglong's office with a French translator, Director He was thinking about calling the Panshi County Public Security Bureau. He was somewhat perplexed. Just now, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had called and asked him to immediately verify the situation regarding the detention of a French national in Panshi County, understand the details, and report back as soon as possible.

  "Director, just now Pingxiang County Public Security Bureau sent a fax to our municipal bureau, asking us to help them translate and verify a French passport issue. We found that this time there might be a problem. These are the documents and passport they sent over. We have already verified with customs. The passport should not have any problems." The leader of the translation team handed the translated document to Director He Qinglong.

  The director took a look and saw that the passport clearly belonged to an Oriental person. He estimated that the problem lay here. The director thought to himself.

  "What's going on with this document?" He shook the award certificate in his hand.

  "Director. This situation may be clearer with Little Wen, let's have Little Wen explain it to you." The team leader was afraid he couldn't explain clearly and hastily pushed out the French translator, Little Wen.

  The director didn't say a word, just staring at himself. Xiao Wen hurriedly spoke up: "Director, this French Legion of Honor medal is the highest honor in France, and the Knight's rank is the lowest rank. Those who can receive this French Legion of Honor medal, even if it's the lowest rank of Knight, must be people who have made outstanding contributions to France. This Bao Yulin is only 25 years old this year, I estimate that he is one of the few people of his age who have received this French Legion of Honor medal. In France, those who receive the French Legion of Honor medal are highly respected. Even if they commit a crime, the government must first strip them of their French Legion of Honor medal before they can be tried. If such a person were to cause trouble in our country, we might be at a disadvantage." Xiao Wen's school principal had received a "French Legion of Honor medal" during his studies in France, and every time he held a school-wide meeting, the old man would wear it on his chest. When he entered the auditorium, all the teachers and students would stand up to salute him, so Xiao Wen was very familiar with this medal.

  "So that's why the Foreign Ministry called me earlier to ask about this matter." The director was shocked. He thought for a moment, picked up the phone on his desk and dialed the Pan Shi County Public Security Bureau.

  "I am He Qinglong, looking for your Director Tong Tianhao!"

  For a long time, Director He Qinglong didn't say anything. I guess the police from Pan Shi County went to find their Director Tong Tianhao.

  "What's going on? Did your county bureau arrest a Frenchman named Bao Yulin this afternoon?" Director He Qinglong's tone was clearly not pleasant, and such a situation had never occurred under his rule before.

  "What evidence do you have to arrest people just because of a guess? Why don't you check their ID first?" He Qinglong questioned.

  "Refused to be caught? And he even broke a traffic police's hand? How is this related to the traffic police?" He Qinglong was puzzled... This time, the person on the phone explained for a very long time.

  "Nonsense! If someone hit you with a stick for no reason, you'd fight back too!" Director He Qinglong was furious. "How can the people in charge be so inconsiderate?"

  "I'm telling you, immediately release the person and dispatch two police officers to ensure his safety. Additionally, do some more work with him. Offer apologies and compensation to the family. Treat them well, I'll personally go down there to visit him right away.

  The current situation is already like this, we can only try to alleviate the pressure as much as possible. As long as Bao Yulin doesn't pursue it further, and he takes the initiative to explain things to the French embassy, the issue shouldn't be too big of a deal. Otherwise, the trouble will be huge."

  The Panjin County Public Security Bureau dared to detain Bao Yulin, and there is another aspect of the problem. Xu Jiabo, who is currently the deputy director of the Panjin County Public Security Bureau, was the head of the personnel section of the Panjin County Public Security Bureau at that time, and he still remembers Bao Yulin's name. After all, Bao Yulin's situation was too special, so special that he couldn't forget it.

  When he heard that the criminal police team was going to arrest Bao Yulin, he thought of the time when he arranged for Bao Yulin to enter the Public Security Bureau. At that time, it was still him who first saw a problem with Bao Yulin's file after being captured. It was precisely because of his suggestion that the county public security bureau returned Bao Yulin's file.

  "Be careful, Bao Yulin is a veteran, he was captured in Vietnam in '79. He's skilled with his hands. Everyone be cautious." Deputy Director Xu Jiabo instructed as they set out from the criminal police team.

  For Bao Yulin, Deputy Director Xu Jiabo was extremely arbitrary in thinking that he was a thorough scammer, even when everyone else doubted whether what Bao Yulin said was true. He still insisted on his own judgment. Apparently, this had preconceived notions.

  To show the leader's emphasis, Xu Jiabo personally participated in Bao Yulin's interrogation. "Bao Yulin, don't try to argue anymore. We've already faxed your passport to the municipal bureau for verification. However, I think it's not necessary at all. You might not recognize me. Let me remind you, in early 1980, I was the head of the personnel department at our county public security bureau. You enlisted in 1978 and were discharged by the end of 1979. When you returned, you were assigned to our county public security bureau. At that time, I thought you weren't reliable, so I didn't approve your transfer to a regular position. It wasn't until later that I found out my judgment was correct. You were captured in Vietnam and were disloyal to the country. That's why we returned your file. You should remember this clearly, right?" Xu Jiabo said with a tone that had a bit of a cat-and-mouse flavor to it.

  "Yes, I remember it clearly. But you may not know that now I am a first-class meritorious citizen, our military region has investigated my case and awarded me a first-class merit. " Baoyulin said this without any hurry or slowness, he no longer needed to be angry about these things, after all, so many years had passed, there was nothing good to calculate. Just like what old Huang from the crematorium said back then, as long as it's an organization, you have to consider the impact."

  "It seems you really have a talent for making up stories. Do you think that just because your original military district was disbanded, we wouldn't be able to investigate your situation? You're underestimating our public security bureau too much. Your only way out is to honestly confess your problems and clearly explain your fraudulent behavior, in order to receive lenient treatment. Let me tell you, just the fact that you injured our police officer is enough to put you away for several years. Don't harbor any more illusions!" Xu Jiabo thought his interrogation skills were still effective. He really hoped to see the moment when the "criminal's" psychological defenses collapsed.

  "Officer, you keep saying I'm a swindler, but I don't understand what I've swindled. I really can't figure out why you want to arrest me? What law have I broken? As for hitting the police officer, I admit it, but many people can testify that it was your police who first attacked me with an iron rod, and I was forced to make a defensive move in a situation where I didn't know what was happening. You can go ask your injured police officer to verify this." Bao Yulin couldn't understand why the police wanted to arrest him and kept saying he was a swindler.

  "It seems you're really not shedding tears until you see the coffin. So I'll ask you, what's with the foreign military uniform in your backpack? What are you planning to do with it? Where did the ID on you come from? Why are you carrying a controlled knife? What's the purpose of all this?" Xu Jiabo's questions grew louder and his expression increasingly stern. As for Wei Ping's injured hand, Wei Ping had already explained the situation. This matter could only be investigated along with the investigation into Bao Yulin's fraudulent activities. After all, it was a case of cause and effect.

  Bao Yulin was unhappy as soon as he heard this. It's not hard to hear from these words that the police had searched his personal belongings, and it was done without proper search procedures.

  "Officer, I'd like to ask you if you have the proper legal procedures for searching my personal belongings. If so, please show me. If not, I warn you that I will pursue this matter further. As a police officer, you should be upholding the law, not trampling on it. Furthermore, what is the legal basis for detaining me? If there isn't one, I consider this to be an illegal detention. From now on, I refuse to answer any of your questions. As a French citizen and active-duty military officer in the French army, I demand to see someone from the French embassy in China and request access to the relevant laws regarding my alleged crimes." After spending several years abroad, Bao Yulin had also developed a habit of being particular about his right to privacy. Upon hearing that his luggage was being searched, he became extremely angry.

  Bao Yulin's words made Xu Jiabo extremely angry, he didn't expect anyone to dare speak to him like that, the deputy director of the Pan Shi County Public Security Bureau.

  "Alright! Alright! Bao Yulin, you're stubborn, huh? You just want to go through the formalities, don't you?" Xu Jiabo's face turned blue with rage. He turned around and instructed the police officer beside him: "Officer Li, quickly issue a detention warrant and detain him for 15 days!"

  Xiao Li left at the sound. Bao Yulin was also holding back a belly full of fire at this time. His mother was still in the hospital, and he had been inexplicably caught by the Public Security Bureau. And then he ran into such an unreasonable police officer. Bao Yulin really couldn't understand why this was happening. Did they hope to get some secret from him? But it didn't seem like that either. If so, they should have taken action long ago, there's no reason to make such a big detour. Bao Yulin really couldn't understand why the police had arrested him.

  Xiao Li quickly brought over the arrest warrant and handed it to Bao Yulin: "Sign!"

  Bao Yulin took a look and saw that the list of charges was not short, including fraud, disturbing social order, detention, assault on police, and even intentional injury. Bao Yulin didn't say another word, picked up his pen and signed his name. He knew clearly that his sister had already found out about her arrest and would think of contacting the French embassy.

  Bao Yulin's arrest warrant had just been taken away. The door of the interrogation room was pushed open, and in came Tong Tianhao, director of the Pan Shi County Public Security Bureau, and Lu, the former head of the county armed forces department who had already retired.

  "Director!" Deputy Director Xu Jiabo and the police officer in charge of recording stood up.

  "This kid is sharp-tongued and refuses to confess anything, I've already filled out the detention warrant, let's lock him up for a few days first." Deputy Director Xu Jiabo said. He made Bao Yulin furious.

  "Enough!" Director Tong Tianhao abruptly interrupted Xu Jiabo's words and turned to order: "Quickly go and unlock Mr. Bao Yulin's handcuffs!"

  A police officer stepped forward and prepared to put handcuffs on Yu Lin's hands.

  "Director, this Bao Yulin must be a problem! I knew him before, he was a prisoner of war in Vietnam, a traitor." Deputy Director Xu Jiabo hurriedly intervened.

  "Don't spout nonsense if you don't know!" Tong Tianhao rebuked.

  "Deputy Director Xu, you may not know that Comrade Bao Yulin's issue has been verified by the troops. He made great contributions during the Sino-Vietnamese War and after being wounded and captured in Vietnam! The troops awarded Comrade Bao Yulin a First-Class Merit!" Minister Lü said, then shifted his body to one side and called out towards the door: "Bao Yufeng, why haven't you brought in Comrade Bao Yulin's military merit badge?"

  Behind Premier Lü, Bai Yufeng walked in with a small brocade box in her hands, her face covered in tears.

  After Bao Yulin was taken away by the police, Bao Yu Feng called the French Embassy and thought about how to help her brother. Due to what happened that year, Minister Lü had always been very concerned about the Bao family and had helped Bao Yu Feng a lot. In Bao Yu Feng's opinion, only Minister Lü was the one who understood her best. So she ran to Minister Lü's house in one breath.

  Bao Yufeng explained the situation, and was immediately scolded by Minister Lü. He said Bao Yufeng was muddled-headed. In Minister Lü's opinion, no matter what problems arose, if they could be solved behind closed doors, then they should try to solve them themselves. If they couldn't be solved, wasn't there a higher authority? If everyone were as reckless and impulsive as Bao Yufeng, wouldn't that just make things worse and bring shame to China? These matters, if pursued further, might have international repercussions.

  Lü Bùzhǎng was pulling Bāo Yùfèng, just thinking of going out to the county public security bureau, when Tóng Tiān Hào, the director of the public security bureau, came knocking on the door.

  After receiving a call from Director He Qinglong of the Municipal Bureau, Tong Tianhao knew that if this matter was not handled properly, it would be troublesome. Now there is only one way, which is to find someone that Bao Yulin trusts, and have him come forward to do the work for Bao Yulin. In fact, it's just a matter of face-saving. As long as Bao Yulin's temper is soothed, having him come forward to negotiate with the French ambassador in China would be better than anything else.

  Tong Tianhao thought for half a day, Bao Yulin is a retired soldier. He must have dealt with Director Lü before. Director Lü is a man Tong Tianhao is familiar with, who has always been enthusiastic about the old way, and the retired soldiers in the county town are all very grateful to him. Every year on "August 1st", Director Lü's home is the most lively place. Tong Tianhao thought that maybe finding Director Lü would work, so he came here.

  Lü Bùzhǎng was also there for Bāo Yùlín's sake, and the matter had already reached the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was so angry that he glared at Bāo Yùfēng with his eyes. Although Bāo Yùfēng was usually quite fierce, she didn't dare to show any temper in front of this old man. She could only lower her head in fear.

  So, the three of them started running to the Public Security Bureau. Halfway there, Director Lü asked the driver to take a detour and first go to the small house in the county town where Bao Yufeng rented, and picked up Bao Yulin's military merit badge. Director Lü knew that nothing was more persuasive than this merit badge. He looked at his own clothes, which had been stained during the fight with Wei Ping in the afternoon, and it was not a uniform. If he pinned the merit badge on such clothes, it would obviously be very unconvincing.

  "Reporting to the Minister. I request to retrieve my tactical backpack, my uniform is inside!" Bao Yulin gave a very serious military salute to Minister Lü. According to the military regulations, it was also possible to salute without wearing a military cap.

  "Agreed!" Minister Lü was dressed in a military uniform without any insignia or badges, but his serious expression made him look like he was standing at attention.

  Director Tong Tianhao was naturally aware that as long as he passed this hurdle, his days would be easier. He hastily ordered his subordinates to bring over Bao Yulin's tactical backpack.

  Bao Yulin changed into his military uniform in the adjacent interrogation room and hung all his medals on his chest. Of course, he left a space at his chest. The Medal of First-Class Merit of the Chinese People's Liberation Army would be hung there.

  "Report to the Minister! French Army Lieutenant, former People's Liberation Army soldier Bao Yulin has come to report, please instruct!" Bao Yulin walked into the small interrogation room with the most standard pace.

  "Good! Very good! Lieutenant Bao Yulin, I ask you, why are you wearing a French military uniform to receive a Chinese medal?" Minister Lü's expression was extremely serious.

  "Report to the Minister, I am a soldier, no matter what uniform I wear, I must prove that I am a good soldier, an excellent soldier. The medals on my chest and my uniform will prove this!" Bao Yulin stood upright, loudly answering Minister Lü's question.

  "Captain Bao Yulin, you must remember that no matter what uniform you wear now, you are Chinese! You must remember that no matter what nationality you hold now, you are Chinese! You must remember that no matter where you live in the future, you are Chinese! You must remember that no matter how backward your hometown is now, you are Chinese! You must remember that no matter what changes occur in your status and power in the future, you will always be a Chinese!" Minister Lü was indeed sincere when he recalled this speech as soon as he knew Captain Bao Yulin was going to change his uniform. This was also his heartfelt words.

  It must be said that Minister Lü's remarks were extremely successful. Not only Bai Yulin, but everyone present was stirred up.

  Lü Bùcháng carefully took out a first-class medal of merit from the brocade box held by Bāo Yùfēng, and carefully pinned it to the chest of Bāo Yùlín.

  In the small inquiry room, whether it was the police, ordinary people or soldiers, everyone felt a solemn and dignified atmosphere. No one spoke, everyone stood upright, looking at this unusual scene, the award ceremony being held in the small inquiry room. Nobody thought it was inappropriate.

  When He Qinglong, the director of the Municipal Bureau, arrived in Panshi County, Bao Yulin had already changed out of his military uniform and was serving his mother at the county hospital. Wei Ping unexpectedly moved into the neighboring ward.

  The Chinese Embassy in France has also received a phone call from French Army Lieutenant Pierre Servent, saying that the incident this afternoon was just a misunderstanding and he had no problem. Thank you, Mr. Ambassador...

  However, things took a turn for the worse. After returning to the ward, Bao Yulin found that there was an additional English dagger in his backpack while showing his mother the souvenirs he brought back from France, and the original Arabic short knife had gone missing.

  "Mr. Bao Yulin, can you confirm that the knife in your bag was not this one?" Director He Qinglong asked solemnly. If something like this really happened, then things would be troublesome.

  "I can prove that my brother's original small knife was a very beautiful one with many precious stones on it, absolutely not this knife now." Bao Yufeng said while trying to reach out and take the Yingjisha knife.

  "Don't move." He Qinglong was originally from the criminal investigation department, so he naturally understood the importance of trace evidence.

  "Mr. Bao Yulin, can you provide relevant information about your original knife?"

  Bao Yulin thought for a moment and replied, "I should have a photo of this Arabian dagger here." Bao Yulin said as he began to search for the photo of the Arabian dagger. In fact, Bao Yulin didn't care about the whereabouts of the dagger, but he did mind that the person who took his dagger was still in the public security team.

  After a while, Bao Yulin took out a photo of himself holding a short knife: "Director He, it's this knife. The handle and scabbard are made of gold, with many precious stones inlaid on them. It was given to me by an Arab elder and is probably one-of-a-kind in the world."

  He Qinglong's face turned dark as he took the photo: "Director Tong Tianhao, I order you to concentrate all your strength and solve this case in the shortest time possible. Those who have committed such a heinous crime must be severely punished!"