In fact, the so-called city-wide manhunt is theoretically impossible.
Yanjin City has a population of nearly one million. Even if the entire garrison is mobilized, the search will take at least three to five days.
For such a big matter, Yanjin Security Commander Chen Jieshan did not dare to make the decision without authorization. He had to ask the General Suppressor for instructions. Only General Fu had the authority to approve a real city-wide manhunt.
Moreover, if something like that really happened, it would definitely become sensational news and make the headlines of major newspapers the next day.
The reason is very simple, just two words: disturbing the people.
Now, unlike during the Japanese and puppet times, the Japanese army implemented a harsh press censorship system and blocked all news that was unfavorable to them. Large-scale raids on rebels were commonplace.
As one of the most important cities in the north, Yanjin's economy has developed rapidly in recent years, and its improvement has naturally driven other industries.
In just two years, various newspapers and magazines have sprung up like mushrooms after a rain, including famous newspapers from the United Kingdom and the United States. At most, more than 30 newspapers and magazines were published in Yanjin.
To put it simply, Yanjin is the mouthpiece that connects the world. When it comes to touching the bottom line, no one dares to go too far.
For example, in the case of the drug robbery, Chen Jieshan only assigned the 43rd Division to set up checkpoints in the outer city and did not arrange for the army to enter the city with great fanfare, just to avoid causing unnecessary trouble to himself.
The inner city is managed by the police station, security bureau, and military police brigade. On the surface, it is a routine operation and will certainly not attract too much attention.
Based on the presence of suspicious persons and vehicles, several key search areas were designated in the inner city, such as Gongshi Road, Shengli Street, Huanghe Street, Shangmaqiao, etc.
…………
Victory Street.
"Tuk-tuk! Tuk-tuk!"
"Who is it?"
"From the police station."
"It's so late, what's going on?"
"Open the door, we are ordered to search for the fugitive."
The door opened with a creak. Looking at the large number of police officers and secret agents in civilian clothes outside the door, the hostess said in a low voice: "Officer, we are the only two at home. It is not convenient for the man not to be at home. Can you come back another day?"
Ma Keming didn't waste any time. He opened the search warrant with a clatter and said: "Madam, I'm sorry, we are acting under orders. Everyone must accept the search unconditionally, no one is exempted."
The hostess had no choice but to wake up her sleeping daughter and let the police rummage through the house.
Jiang Xinyu stood on the street and watched from a distance. He was the person in charge of searching Victory Street tonight.
Ma Keming came over and asked: "Captain, what time is it?"
Jiang Xinyu raised his wrist and glanced at his watch and said, "It's just after nine o'clock... Mazi, how many households have been checked?"
"Including this household, it's exactly thirty."
"How many households are there in Victory Street?"
"Including shops, there are almost over a hundred."
"The progress is a bit slow. We can no longer check before 11 o'clock."
"I can't help it. It's too much nonsense to talk to them. I was wasted more than ten minutes at Councilor Wang's house just now. The guy said nothing and refused to open the door. He said he suspected that we were the Communist Party in disguise..."
When this matter was brought up, Ma Keming was furious. If Wu Jingrong hadn't called Councilor Wang's home, he would have checked at most twenty households.
Soon, the search personnel arrived at No. 63 Victory Street.
A special agent flipped through the household registration book in his hand and said to himself: "No. 63 Shengli Street. It's strange that only one person lives in such a big house?"
Others didn't know what was going on here, but Ma Keming thought he knew it all. He hurried over, grabbed the household registration book with his hands, and said: "It's so rare, so strange. Isn't it normal for rich people to own more than one property and no one lives in it?" ?”
"Team Leader Ma, do you want to search this place?"
"Didn't you see? The door is locked and the courtyard wall is higher than you. Who can get in? Besides, can you jump in with thirty boxes of medicine?"
After being scolded by his immediate superior, the agent reluctantly retreated and was about to cross No. 63 and continue to randomly check every household.
"Didi——"
A black car sped up, braked suddenly and stopped in front of Jiang Xinyu, followed closely by another car.
Ma Keming glanced at the license plate and said to Jiang Xinyu, "It's Deputy Director Shen's car."
Shen Zhifeng came over so late, something must be unusual. Jiang Xinyu's relaxed nerves became tense again.
As soon as the left and right doors opened, Shen Zhifeng and Wang Xinrui stepped out.
"Captain Jiang, how's the investigation going?" Shen Zhifeng asked politely with a smile.
Jiang Xinyu sighed and said: "Alas, there is no progress. I suspect that the Communist Party may have left the city."
Ma Keming echoed from the side and said: "They must have gone out of the city. They robbed the medicine. They most likely ran out, but they couldn't run in. That wouldn't be like throwing themselves into a trap."
Wang Xinrui said calmly: "There is a division in the outer city conducting a dragnet investigation. If the Communists run away, they will fall into a trap!"
Ma Keming was unconvinced: "The problem is..."
Jiang Xinyu interrupted him and said, "Mazi, stop arguing. If you have this time, you might as well speed up the search."
"Yes!" Ma Keming stepped aside.
Shen Zhifeng looked around and said with a smile: "Captain Jiang, we are going to join forces tonight to take the credit for arresting the Communists!"
Jiang Xinyu smiled and said: "Okay, I'll lend you some good advice. I hope the Communist Party will hide in Victory Street."
"It's not a hope, it's a certainty!" When he said this, the smile on Shen Zhifeng's face slowly disappeared, and there was a sense of solemnity in his expression.
Jiang Xinyu was secretly surprised, but remained calm on the surface and said, "So, Deputy Director Shen has found clues?"
Shen Zhifeng was noncommittal, and he patrolled around with his hands behind his back. The action team carried six carbines, and the police officers all had Zhongzheng rifles.
This kind of firepower is enough to deal with more than a dozen pistols.
"Bring Tony down." Shen Zhifeng turned around and ordered.
As soon as the door of the car behind opened, a soldier from the Military Police Brigade got out of the car first, turned around and said to the car: "Tony, come out."
A black shadow flashed, and a huge black dog jumped out of the car.
Several nearby police officers moved out of the way, and the soldier said: "Don't be afraid, Tony looks scary, but he is actually very docile."
Shen Zhifeng showed no signs of being anxious at all, and said slowly and logically: "Captain Jiang, this dog's name is Tony. It is a military dog presented to the Military Police Brigade by the Americans. It is said that it is also part of the military aid."
Jiang Xinyu felt faintly uneasy. Why did Shen Zhifeng get a search dog?
Shen Zhifeng continued: "Of course, Tony is just an ordinary military dog with average search capabilities. Having said that, who would give the best things to others? Americans are not stupid..."