Chapter 782: Fifth Mr. Wang’s Village
people, not too many, not too few.
Song Mingguang was ready to start with preliminary screening. If there were no specific suspects, then conduct a DNA screening for all male released prisoners.
"Let’s do an initial screening. Remove the females and anyone under 1.7 meters tall."
The screening information provided by the Prison Management Bureau included height, weight, age, ID number, and home address.
The suspect is male, so females can be removed.
Among these 182 released prisoners, 17 are female, leaving 165 individuals after removal.
Song Mingguang did not have the weight information removed since it can change, but height generally does not vary significantly.
Even though Lu Chuan assessed the suspect’s height to be between 1.81 and 1.82 meters.
However, to increase the margin of error, Song Mingguang decided to exclude only those below 1.7 meters.
So, 108 individuals remained.
"How many are from Ping’an County?"
"Ping’an County... 13!"
"Alright, let’s start with these 13 people!"
Ping’an County, East Valley Town, Fifth Mr. Wang’s Village.
Two hundred years ago, someone named Fifth Wang settled here, eventually attracting more people and forming a natural village.
In honor of the first settler, the later generations respectfully referred to him as Fifth Mr. Wang.
"That’s how the name Fifth Mr. Wang’s Village came to be. Currently, we call it East Valley Town, Yumin Village Group 1."
The chief of East Valley Town Police Station and two officers accompanied Song Mingguang and others into the village for investigation.
These 13 people from Ping’an County were the key focus of Song Mingguang and his team.
Through years of work experience, Song Mingguang understood one thing: inquiries like these might seem tedious and straightforward, but they require a personal touch.
If the local police were to handle the investigation, they would likely find nothing.
Because the local police were not involved in the investigation and didn’t know much about the suspect.
Unlike Song Mingguang, who had held several case analysis meetings and had formed a mental picture of the suspect.
Additionally, local police rarely deal with major cases, so their acumen in solving them isn’t as sharp.
Sometimes, a suspect’s small tricks might deceive them.
But it’s different when Song Mingguang takes charge personally.
As a member of the provincial task force, Song Mingguang was a legendary figure in his criminal police brigade.
If there was truly an issue, the suspect had a slim chance of escaping.
"Captain Song, this is the ninth person."
Of the 13 people, Song Mingguang’s team had already investigated eight.
Though eight people might not seem many, Song Mingguang led his team into every mountain valley for personal inspection.
Despite the small number investigated, it took a considerable time, a day and a half had passed without any special findings from Song Mingguang’s team.
"Don’t rush. Take it slow. We’ll work overtime today and try to finish the remaining ones."
Among the remaining five, three were in East Valley Town.
The first destination was Fifth Mr. Wang’s Village.
At the village entrance, Xie Jun, Yumin Village’s head, was waiting for them.
"Director Lin, everything’s set up."
Lin Kai was the chief of East Valley Town Police Station.
"Captain Song, rest assured, I’ve only informed the village head. The residents aren’t aware of the situation."
"This Zhang Shaowu was just released six months ago and is a key focus for our East Valley Town Police Station, as well as the village committee."
"Old Xie, take us straight to Zhang Shaowu’s home."
"Okay, his house is on the western edge of the village."
Song Mingguang had thoroughly studied Zhang Shaowu’s details on the way.
Ten years ago, Zhang Shaowu was imprisoned due to a theft case.
Typically, theft cases carry a sentence of over three years but under ten; Zhang Shaowu received the maximum due to the excessive amount involved.
He was released to Ping’an County six months ago after serving his term.
His physical characteristics are one of the three among the group that closely matched the suspect profile Lu Chuan provided.
His height is 1.82 meters.
Soon, they reached the western edge of the village.
Yumin Village comprises seven natural villages, each relatively small.
The village head was familiar with every household.
Besides, Zhang Shaowu was quite well-known in Yumin Village.
In his early years, he went out for work and earned a significant amount of money.
Back then, he was one of the few in the village with ten thousand yuan and thus built the village’s first brick house.
Later, he undertook contract work outside.
However, he was swindled, lost everything, and eventually turned to crime.
"Seventh Zhang, open the door!"
Zhang Shaowu ranked seventh in his family, known as Seventh Zhang in the village.
Soon, a tall, thin middle-aged man opened the door.
"Village head?"
The village head whispered to Song Mingguang’s team: "This is Zhang Shaowu."
Song Mingguang could tell.
The Prison Management Bureau had given him a photograph, taken when Zhang Shaowu entered prison ten years ago, still showing his facial features.
Compared to ten years ago, Zhang Shaowu looked much thinner.
"Village head, why are you here?"
Zhang Shaowu opened the door and saw the village head and the police officers behind him.
"Director Lin."
Upon returning home, Lin Hu and others had already visited him, so he knew the police chief by sight.
Despite the police and village head’s arrival, Zhang Shaowu showed no excessive reaction.
It was just another ordinary event for him.
"There’s a situation; we need to ask you a few questions."
The village head greeted him: "Isn’t your wife here?"
"She’s at her parental home, just me here. Want to come in for some water?"
Zhang Shaowu turned and led them inside.
The group sat on the worn-out sofa in the living room, the decor indicating that Zhang Shaowu’s family wasn’t doing well financially.
After all, with ten years in prison and his wife single-handedly raising their child, it’s understandable.
"Seventh, the police need to ask you some questions, just cooperate and answer them."
"Alright."
Zhang Shaowu showed no resistance and maintained a calm demeanor.
Song Mingguang observed his expression closely then asked, "Have you been home in the past week?"
"No, I’ve been at the county hospital the past two weeks and haven’t been home much."
"County hospital?"
Zhang Shaowu poured hot water for everyone: "Diagnosed with cancer last month, liver cancer, late stage."
Cancer?
The group was slightly taken aback, not expecting this.
Even Song Mingguang was momentarily speechless.
Yet, Zhang Shaowu seemed nonchalant.
"The doctor said I have another year or two to live."
Zhang Shaowu handed each person a cup: "Can’t afford the treatment, and I don’t want it. I’ve been going to the county hospital for pain relief shots lately."