Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

Just say and ask

what you want.

Dad,

did you have Chang Zheng lured away?

Why the rhetorical question?

Do you know

he's investigating Deng Lijun's death?

I just found out

after I picked up a call just now.

At first, I thought

he would just let everything at rest

after identifying the bones.

I didn't expect

he'd investigate the No. 5 Mine's mining accident

and look into Deng Lijun's cause of death.

So Deng Lijun's death was not

because of an accident, right?

Of course, it wasn't.

So the mining accident at No. 5 Mine

was just superficial, then.

[Chasing the Undercurrent]

[Punish those who commit crimes and make mistakes so as to discipline them, and execute those]

[who violate the prohibitions so as to terrify would-be violators. -Guanzi, Ban Fa]

[Episode 15]

Chang Zheng.

Deputy Chief Li.

What are you doing, Chang Zheng?

What's going on here?

I came to apologize to you, Deputy Chief Li.

Just now,

Chief Zhang had already given me

a harsh lesson.

So I came here to ask you to teach me another lesson.

I'll definitely reflect on myself

and change my ways

this time.

Please reprimand me.

That sounds too good to be true.

It's hard to believe.

Is it heartfelt?

Yes, sir.

It's unlike you, Chang Zheng.

I've grown up.

Okay, then.

I'll say something for your sake.

Why don't

you stand up straight and talk?

Yes, sir.

I'll say a few words

for your sake.

Yes, sir.

We're criminal investigators

who work on the front lines every day.

It's okay

to use psychological warfare

to pressure others to obtain evidence.

But you must remember

to prioritize your safety.

Don't lose your life

before you crack your case.

You're right.

I can't be harsh when I see you like this.

In any case,

we can't

be too anxious to gain something.

But you're always...

You're absolutely right, sir!

It's all right now.

You can leave now.

Just

don't stay there.

Thank you, sir!

After we return

from Tieshi Mining Group,

Chang Zheng

was called in by Zhang Qiufeng

and Li Bodong for a chat one after another.

Zhang Qiufeng

was unyielding.

While Li Bodong

showed his concerns.

But their motives are the same.

They want us to stop investigating the mine accident.

So it's a tactic of good cop, bad cop.

Interesting.

We're already exhausted.

Yet, you find it interesting.

They told you to stop investigating, right?

How is it exhausting, then?

We can still investigate it secretly.

Chang Zheng always says

everything will work out.

If it doesn't,

we'll make it work somehow.

That's what Chang Zheng is like.

Did you bring the newspaper clipping

that Zhao Pengcheng collected?

Yes.

This is the original information

while this one is from the archives.

I've labeled them.

[A major accident at Qiongya No. 5 Mine with 11 deaths and seven survivors.]

It looks like

the priority is to find Deng Xiaojun.

That's what we thought too.

Political Commissar Yan.

You're the head of the Provincial Criminal Investigation General Brigades

with so many subordinates.

It shouldn't be hard to find someone for us, right?

You want to lead my men?

I wouldn't dare to.

I just think Deng Xiaojun

must have been terrified

over Zhao Pengcheng's death.

So he must be well hidden.

It's pretty hard to find him

when there are only four of us on the team.

Well, we're supposed

to cover up for each other.

This is originally our plan.

I'll think of something

to find Deng Xiaojun for you.

Yes, sir.

[Chang Shi]

Yes, Shitou.

Hello, Zheng.

Where are you?

Can you come home now?

I'm in trouble.

You can tell me over the phone.

Zheng,

it'll be too late after you finished work.

Are you going to tell me or not?

Zheng,

I...

I'm dead meat.

Wait for me.

Zheng!

You're finally home.

What is it?

Nothing much.

Have a seat first.

Why did you call me if it's not urgent?

Sit.

I'll tell you about it slowly.

Mom isn't home.

She went out for groceries

at the supermarket.

Spill.

Well, it's nothing much.

It's a small matter.

Oh, my phone is ringing.

What's

that small matter?

It's not a big problem.

Can you just tell me?

All right.

Well, it's like this.

[Barbecue with beer is your best choice]

[Zheng, you don't know]

[how hard it is to do business now.]

[My business had failed]

[and I had nothing suitable to do.]

[I was so stressed out at the time.]

[I met a guy called Chou after that.]

[He said he had a big money-making project.]

[So I joined him.]

[The big project Chou meant]

[was money lending.]

[But we're not using our money.]

[We only need]

[to make sure our interest is higher than the banks.]

[We would borrow money from wealthy people]

[and lend it out to people]

[at a higher interest rate.]

[Chou said]

[it's a business without capital.]

[Not long after that,]

[I'm starting to understand]

[how it works.]

[Everything was fine in the beginning]

[as we make profits of hundreds of thousands of yuan on interest only.]

[But things started]

[Unsecured Loans. Credit Loans]

[to go wrong after that.]

[We ran into those who refused to serve their loans.]

[With just an ID]

[But Chou said we can have no tolerance in the field.]

[One million yuan]

[Only 3650 yuan of interest per month]

[We borrowed the capital.]

[If we can't repay the money we borrowed,]

[the creditors will come after us.]

[So]

[Chou decided]

[to use some means]

[on clients]

[with poor credit,]

[especially poor students.]

[Unexpectedly,]

[a girl attempted suicide because she was terrified]

[and she survived.]

[But it got troublesome.]

[The economic crime investigators are on me now.]

You have to help me.

I'm your brother.

How do you want me to help you?

It's easy.

Remember your classmate

who's

with Team 3 of the Economic Crime Investigation Detachment,

Chief Xue?

If you talk to him,

he'll definitely help you.

I've asked around about this case.

It's not against the law

and it's not a serious problem.

I never intimidated her throughout the lending procedure

nor did I force her.

She borrowed the money willingly.

Everything will be settled

after we pay compensation to her.

Can you help me?

How is it not a serious matter

or illegal?

How is it legal to lend money at high interest?

She tried to commit suicide.

How is it you're not responsible for it?

Zheng,

don't be so upset.

I know

you're a police officer.

But you're also my brother.

I asked you to come

because I don't know what else to do.

I want you to help me think of a solution.

Tell me what I should do now.

What should you do?

So do you know what to do now?

Zheng,

what does this mean?

Are you arresting me?

Come.

Why don't you feel the weight of these cuffs

and see if it's worth it?

Why would I want to put them on?

What do you want to do?

Are you going to send me to jail

for justice?

I can't believe you.

Chang Shi,

listen.

Your case is a serious matter.

Besides, no one can help you.

Your only way out is

to surrender yourself at the station

and plead with the court for a lighter sentence.

Let's go.

But, Zheng.

Zheng,

what are you doing?

Why should I surrender?

I don't want to surrender.

Stop it already!

Why should I surrender?

How is it related to me

when she can't pay her debts?

Why would she borrow money when she can't pay it back?

What nonsense are you spouting?

This is a criminal case.

Don't you know you've committed a crime?

[Tieshi Mining Group]

[Sorry, let me explain what happened today.]

[Sorry, what happened today will never happen again.]

[Chang Zheng]

Chang Zheng.

Niannian,

I have a favor

to ask of you.

What is it?

My brother

had caused problems.

Shitou?

What happened?

Is it serious?

It's serious.

I'm not familiar with economic matters.

So I wanted

to consult with you.

I know

I was impulsive.

But

I can't let him be.

He broke the law.

I can't talk some sense into him.

Can you talk to him

from a lawyer's perspective?

He'll listen to you.

When I talked to him,

he thought I was trying to scare him

by arresting him.

He wouldn't listen to me.

Okay, I understand.

Let me take care of this.

I know what to do.

Thanks.

Chang Zheng,

I want

to explain

what happened today.

You don't have to.

I understand.

We were

just doing our job.

It's okay.

Please

talk to Shitou.

Okay.

Thanks.

Nian.

You're a lawyer.

If you don't help me,

I will be dead meat.

Don't panic first.

Sit down.

I'll ask you some questions.

You must answer me honestly.

I won't tell anyone

or ask you to surrender.

But you must not lie to me.

If you lie to me,

even I can't help you.

Understand?

Yes,

I understand.

When you gathered funds,

did you use cash or bank transfers?

Shanmao,

I want to talk to Pengxiang.

[Tieshi Mining Group]

Who are you?

Let's talk.

About what?

[Tieshi Mining Group]

Someone wants to see you.

Who are you guys?

What is it?

Chang Shi, right?

I'm Zhao Pengxiang.

Let's get acquainted.

Zhao Pengxiang from Tieshi Mining Group?

Yes, it's me.

Mr. Zhao, hello.

How...

How can I help you?

Have a seat.

I'll just be frank.

Our group is interested

in your project.

We're planning to invest in your business.

My project?

Mr. Zhao,

I'm planning to quit this field.

It's too risky

and easy to get into trouble.

I get it.

It's not easy

for a young man to start his business.

Yes.

What's the biggest obstacle?

Lack of money.

Am I right?

You went into this business

because lack of funds, right?

Chang Shi,

I have money.

You can take your time to pay me back.

What's there to worry about?

I'll pass.

I just promised my sister-in-law.

She's Ms. Ji, right?

Do you know her?

Of course.

We're practically family.

Did she ask you to see me?

Of course.

If you're willing to join us,

we're

also family.

Understand?

Don't tell me

you're looking down on our company.

No.

Of course, not.

Why would I be?

Why would you say that?

I couldn't have asked for more.

Why would I take your company lightly?

So, tell me up straight.

Are you in or not?

I'm in!

That's more like it.

A young man

should be more adventurous.

Understand?

Yes.

Let's go.

Let's find a place and talk about it.

Okay.

I have an idea

I think that'll work.

Here you go.

After Chang Zheng gets this list,

he'll ask where you get it.

This kid

[List of mine survivors]

may look careless.

But he has

a sharp intuition

when he's on a case.

What should I tell him, then?

Don't let him know

he has Secret Task Force supporting him.

As for the rest,

you can tell him.

The more detailed, the better.

Otherwise,

he'll start being suspicious.

Yes, sir.

Political Commissar Yan.

What

if he wants to meet the old reporter?

This old reporter's name is Lu Yuan.

But he passed away already.

But don't tell him

the truth.

Zhang is the only one

in our task force

who's about Mr. Lu's age.

Are you asking Zhang to pretend as Mr. Lu?

This is the only way

if Chang Zheng insists on meeting him.

[List of mine survivors]

What's this?

The list of the mine's survivors.

Their addresses are on there too.

But it was 28 years ago.

Where did you get this?

Do you remember we saw

the newspaper clippings at Xiao Chen's place?

I followed this lead

and found the old reporter

who wrote the newspaper article.

At that time,

he was getting ready

to interview survivors of the mining accident

to write an in-depth report.

However,

the management of the mine rejected

his request for an interview

one after another.

After that,

the topic for this article

was rejected by the newspaper office itself.

Fortunately,

he still keeps the name list.

Not bad.

With this lead,

we could save a lot of time.

Jin Yan,

you must inform me

before you do anything next time.

What?

What?

I don't want you to be in danger.

Do you mean

the Zhao family?

Seeing how I have my eyes on the Zhaos every day,

I'm sure

they're watching me too.

The moment we find a clue,

they'd resort

to any means to stop us.

What would they do?

Are they going to harm us?

That's too excessive.

Are you saying

this Zhao family

can do anything they want in Changwu?

I'll just put it this way.

In Changwu,

I still don't know

how deep the water goes.

You should be careful.

I'm not scared at all.

If I'm scared, I won't be a police officer.

If you were scared,

I wouldn't have let you join my team.

Guangming and Yu

are busy looking for Deng Xiaojun.

We'll look into this list, then.

Okay.

Can I meet that reporter?

I'll call him right away.

Let me make the introduction.

This is Mr. Lu Yuan.

This is Officer Chang Zheng.

Hello, Office Chang.

Hello, Mr. Lu.

We want to ask you something.

After you wrote the article

on the mining accident at Qiongya No. 5 Mine,

what made you

investigate further?

The mining accident

at Qiongya No. 5 Mine

was a devastating one

that year.

It caused

a huge social impact.

At the time,

the investigation team concluded

that the mine collapsed

due to mining-induced seismicity.

But I don't think

it was that simple.

How so?

In Qiongya's mining area,

there were many mine entrances.

And No. 5 Mine

was excavated last.

The geographical environment

and geological characteristics

of the whole mining area were basically the same.

But why were other mines

doing fine

after operating for so long?

But an accident occurred

at No. 5 Mine when it was mined

for the least amount of time?

So it's because of this problem?

It's probably due to

a reporter's occupational habit.

My intuition is telling me

that there may be something else

behind the mine accident.

What do you mean

by something else?

Let's rule out an accident.

There are many causes

for a mine to collapse.

Let's say

geological exploration,

mine entrance design,

construction,

routine maintenance,

and even

underground mining operations.

Any careless and faulty mistakes

in these activities

can lead to major accidents.

So you're saying

the survivors of the mining accident

are likely to know

the real cause of the accident?

Is that so?

Yes.

That's why

I wanted to interview them

to find out the truth.

But I had to face a lot of resistance at that time.

I went to the mining area three times.

But they chased me away

before I could enter.

After that,

the higher-ups of the mine contacted the newspaper

to stop my assignment.

What reason?

The reasons were

the investigation had been concluded

and greater social repercussions

must be avoided.

Not long after that,

I was transferred out of the news department.

Mr. Lu,

do you know

about Deng Lijun's case?

All I know is the version released

by the mining area that year.

It's said Deng Lijun,

the supervisor of the mine,

had lost his life

in the second collapse

during the investigation

of the mine accident site.

So do you believe

what they said?

Not at all.

According to Mr. Lu's information,

[Qiongya No. 5 Mine's Mining Accident]

the mining accident at Qiongya No. 5 Mine

may not be an accident.

If it's as you've said,

then it's worth

investigating Deng Lijun's death.

[Qiongya No. 5 Mine's Mining Accident]

Deng Lijun

was the supervisor of the mine that year.

If he was murdered,

there could only be one explanation.

He knew the truth behind the mining accident.

Have you found the survivors of the mining accident?

I've found five of them.

The whereabouts of the other two are unknown.

But I've contacted

the public security department where they are registered

to help us find them.

We must find them.

We'll start talking to these people.

Okay.

[Swipe to clear screen]

[Resignation Letter Applicant: Ji Nian]

[Chang Zheng,]

[are you free?]

[I think we need]

[to sit down and talk about some things.]

[Niannian,]

[I'll be away for several days.]

[I'll go and see you]

[after I come back.]

[Resignation Letter]

After the mining accident,

everyone was saying

that there was a problem with the mine's construction.

But

no one has proof

so no one dared to point it out.

The seven of us who survived the accident

aren't from Changwu.

The mine operator paid us compensation

so we return to our hometown to recuperate.

But we all know

the money was to keep our mouths shut.

You're not the first people

who came to ask about this case.

There were others

who came to ask you about this?

Well,

a police officer came

three years ago.

He also asked the same questions you asked.

Six months ago, a prosecutor came.

He was pretty tall.

A prosecutor?

Is this the one?

Yes.

That's right.

That's him.

Yes,

that's him.

Do you know

how Deng Lijun died?

Do you mean the mine's supervisor?

Yes.

I heard

he was killed

in the second collapse

while he was inspecting

the mine.

Some people believed it

while some didn't.

Those who believed it thought

the security made an investigation and determined

that Deng Lijun died from the accident.

But those who didn't believe it

thought he might have been murdered

because he found something.

I still remember his wife

would make a scene with her son at the mining site every day.

She said her husband

died unjustly.

Did his wife have any basis for saying that?

His wife said

Deng Lijun was going to visit his father

on the day he died.

Because his dad

was hospitalized from a sudden illness.

What else did his wife say?

She said he was a filial son.

So she would never believe

he'd go back to the mine.

At that time,

there were reporters who tried to interview us.

But security stopped them.

The mine operators even held a meeting to see us

and tell us not to speak recklessly.

They said if we did,

we wouldn't receive any compensation.

But someone did say

his wife made a scene

because she wanted more compensation

or pension.

But I think

his wife was telling the truth.

Deng Lijun

was murdered.

I'm sure

he found something

when he was inspecting the mine.

Did you say he was meeting

the survivors of the mining accident?

Yes.

Master had someone

to distract Chang Zheng away.

So they brought up an old case

for him to investigate.

So he dived right into it

and did not stop there.

Pengchao,

it's good news for us.

He's busy investigating an old case.

Won't we...

When Chang Zheng came here the other day,

I only found out

my dad

was the head of security when the mining accident occurred.

I'm still clueless about what happened here.

So this is

the lead

my dad and Zhao Pengcheng

had been following.

After going on a detour,

at least we have a clearer direction now.

The mining accident

at Qiongya No. 5 Mine wasn't an accident at all.

Deng Lijun

was likely murdered

because he knew the truth.

That year,

Zhao Xiaosheng was the head of the mine's security office.

So far,

he's suspected of one thing,

which is lying about Deng Lijun's cause of death.

But this is only our deduction.

We have no evidence at all.

They didn't even file a case on this mining accident.

Now, it has already passed the statute of limitations.

Even if

Zhao Xiaosheng is suspicious.

But can we even investigate him?

[Deputy Director's Office]

Come in.

Deputy Director Xiao.

You brat.

Where have you been these few days?

I didn't see you around.

I'm here to report to you now, am I not?

Sit.

Yes, sir.

[Deputy Director's Office]

These few days,

I was out in the field

talking to the survivors of the mining accident

at Qiongya No. 5 Mine.

Because of Deng Lijun's death

and also

Zhao Pengcheng's murder,

the Zhao family is the biggest suspect.

So I wanted

to ask for your help

and see if we can combine

and investigate these two cases.

Chang Zheng,

I agree with your deduction.

[Deputy Director's Office]

But no one filed a case

on Deng Lijun's death that year.

So combining both cases

is out of the question.

I understand that.

That's why I'm hoping

that you can lend me a hand.

Chang Zheng,

I know you'll continue with the investigation.

But you must understand

that Tieshi Mining Group

is not only a star enterprise here

but also a big taxpayer

in the whole province.

Everyone follows them with interest.

The last time you barged into the company,

you already alarmed the provincial leaders.

Did you know that?

I understand.

But this matter...

No point if you understand.

You need to think about this carefully.

You must learn how to detour.

If you don't,

how can you move forward?

Detour?

[Deputy Director's Office]

Are you saying...

I didn't say anything.

Just get back to your work.

I'm busy here.

I have a bunch of files to review.

Okay.

I won't be in your way, then.

[Deputy Director's Office]

I'll be out of your hair, sir.

Deng Lijun

found out the truth behind the mining accident.

So

someone wants him dead.

So

they faked

another site of the second collapse.

Were you behind it?

Me?

Do you think I'm a fool?

But you were

the head of security back then.

Do you know

they paid me

a huge amount of money

to keep my mouth shut?

It was a lot.

It was too much for me to turn it down.

Didn't you always want to know

how the Zhao family got rich?

I'm telling you now.

That money was our first pot of gold.

So who

do you mean

by them?

I just want to know

if these people can help the Zhao family now.

You just want to know how well I'm connected.

Okay.

Come with me.

Dad.

What are we doing here?

This is...

You can say

it's the Zhao family's ancestral hall.

[The Zhao family, the descendants of the imperial family]

This is the Zhao family's ancestral hall.

Other than me,

you're the first person who entered this place.

This place is huge.

There are 54 incense coils.

Equivalent to the number of a deck of poker cards.

Do you know

what this is?

I could guess.

Deputy Chief

of Criminal Investigation Brigades,

Li Bodong.

So he was the one

who assigned Chang Zheng

the mining accident case.

Assign some other cases to Chang Zheng.

Otherwise,

it'll be a problem

if he keeps looking into Pengcheng's case.

All right.

I'll make the arrangement right away.

Qiufeng,

find a way

to assign Chang Zheng another case.

Okay.

I'll think of a way.

So

he asked Zhang Qiufeng to take care of it.

Yes.

Is this person

reliable?

This belongs to Zhang Qiufeng.

Because Zhang Qiufeng

is Li Bodong's man.

So

that makes him on our side too.

Li Bodong told me

Zhang Qiufeng

stood on his side

regarding Chang Fei's suicide.

That's why Li Bodong

has elevated Zhang Qiufeng

from an ordinary police officer

to a Deputy Chief,

and finally a Chief.

However,

Zhang Qiufeng is only

Li Bodong's lapdog.

He wouldn't defy him.

Why would

he assign a case like this to him?

Not only does it not keep Chang Zheng away,

but it's also causing problems

for us.

So

I took it out on Li Bodong.

He said

he'd talk to Zhang Qiufeng right away.

Qiufeng,

what should I do about you?

Chang Zheng was finally

handling another case.

But it's another case related to the Zhao family.

But

Deputy Chief Li,

I'm sure you know

since

the last yacht bombing case,

the thugs in the city were not causing problems.

We don't have that many cases.

Besides,

I was thinking

these were bones from 28 years ago.

What can he even find out?

I just didn't expect this kid...

Wait.

I did ask you

about this matter.

You gave your consent.

What's the point of saying all these?

I know it's pointless.

Listen.

Now,

you must stop this investigation

no matter what method you use.

Okay.

I get it.

Watch your head.

Careful.

Come here.

Qiufeng,

you should know

that Chief Ding is retiring.

The superiors at the bureau talked to me

about taking his place.

As for my position,

I think you're

the best candidate to take over my place.

Thank you, Deputy Chief Li.

But Qiufeng,

you need to show me some results.

I understand.

I know what to do.

Don't worry.

Drive safely.

Okay.

Drive safely.