Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

Dad,

I'm counting on you for Zhenbang's promotion

as the Director this time.

Zhenbang,

have a drink with Dad.

Okay.

Dad,

here's to you.

Dad, what are you doing?

Why did you do that?

Zhenbang, wipe it off.

Chunhua,

I have something

to tell him in private.

Okay, be nice.

I splashed that drink

to wake you up.

I told you to watch Chang Fei.

But what did you do?

He investigated the Zhao family's case

and he almost got to me.

Luckily he's dead.

Dad,

I think Chang Fei...

Shut up.

Listen.

I won't stop you

from being a good cop.

But I want you to stay

as far as you can

from cases involving the Zhao family.

We can't just

let the Zhao family lead us around by the nose forever.

You must remember this.

We were already in the same boat

with the Zhao family

more than 20 years ago.

Over the years,

I used so much effort

to get you to where you are now.

I didn't do that

to bring us trouble.

[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 20]

Officer,

can I have one bottle?

This is the last one.

I'm done eating.

Just ask whatever you want now.

But

don't think about charging me with any crime you like.

I won't admit it.

I never plan to do that.

I have nothing to ask either.

I just came in to take over

so they could have their lunch.

Why?

Are you bored?

Do you want to chat with me?

Why not?

But do we need surveillance cameras for chatting?

Are you camera-shy?

I'll switch it off for you, then.

[Interrogation Room]

What are you doing,

Mentor?

Are you really going

to switch off the surveillance?

Why?

This is against the rule.

Between procedural justice and outcome justice,

which one is more important?

Can't answer? That's right.

This has been a difficult problem

in the legal field for so many years.

If you know the answer to that,

you can be my mentor.

[Interrogation Room]

But Mentor...

It's switched off.

You can relax now.

What do you want to talk about?

Well...

You've been working for your master

for many years, right?

Do you even need to ask?

Everyone knows this.

There aren't

many people left from your batch, right?

You can find out easily since you're a cop.

When did you know your master?

Did you already know him

when he was the head of security

at the mine?

Is this related to my case?

Not at all.

I'm not talking about your case.

I thought you just wanted to chat.

I'll tell you since you want to know that bad.

I've known Master Zhao

for a long time now.

Over the years,

he has indeed treated me well.

Any problem?

No.

Not at all.

Even if there were, you're the one with a problem.

You've been working for the Zhao family for so many years.

But what did you end up

working as?

A security manager?

What would you know?

I may only

be a security manager.

But I have a lot of power.

Do you know how many people are working for me?

Oh, you have power?

You're holding power to order people around.

Not bad.

Then if you're a senior in the Zhao family

with power in your hand,

the Zhao family would protect you

when something happens to you.

You said that,

not me.

Mr. Qing,

Zhao Pengchao is here

to pick Vice-Mayor Han up.

Zhao Pengchao?

Please invite him over.

All right.

Please come in.

Mr. Qing.

Pengchao,

take a seat.

Your father has already told me

about the changes in your family and Four Seas Group.

He did well in choosing

his successor.

To see the Four Seas Group achieve such changes

in such a short time.

It's so unexpected.

Well, it's all thanks for all of your help.

Let's get right to it now.

I know your mother is waiting for you.

We'll keep it

short.

You're trying to pressure Chang Zheng

by making a move on Chang Shi.

That's a smart move.

But

it's also a risky move.

The good thing is

that we can use this

to test Vice Mayor Han's standing.

We all know

the type of relationship

Lin Bai and Vice Mayor Han have.

If Chang Shi is in trouble,

Lin Bai

will ask Vice Mayor Han for help.

So

Vice Mayor Han's standing on this matter

will decide the kind of move

we should take after this.

Yes.

But doing this

is also risky.

If Chang Zheng insists on going his own way,

I think what you did

to Chang Shi

has a high possible

probability outcome.

Have you thought of the countermeasures?

Chang Zheng is currently investigating

the cause of Deng Lijun's death

and that mining accident.

Cao Dalong is his only clue.

Other than that,

they have no other proof.

So

Cao Dalong...

We must cut our losses.

After all,

the incident that year

involved too many people.

But Cao Dalong is still in their hands.

Don't worry about it.

We'll take care

of the Public Security Bureau.

Zheng

is already in Changwu.

Who's there?

Zhenbang?

Zhenbang, is that you?

Dad? What are you doing here?

Why didn't you tell me you were coming?

Do I need to tell you

when I'm visiting my daughter?

Come and sit.

I'll make you some tea.

Okay.

Yes, Chunhua?

Zhenbang,

Dad is here.

Dad is here?

Yes.

He's anxious to see you.

Come better come home now.

Okay,

I'll be right there.

[Deputy Director's Office]

Dad,

can you tell me

how Deng Lijun died?

Are you trying to uphold justice?

Dad,

I'm a cop!

You...

A cop?

You're nothing without me!

Uphold justice?

Go

and expose what I did.

Go!

Useless thing.

[Xiao Zhenbang (Young) Then Criminal Investigation Police of Changwu, Binxi Branch]

If I go to prison,

who's going to take care of your wife and son?

Don't just stand there.

Go first.

Go.

You better wait outside and do nothing.

Send us to the Zhao family's place...

[Wait for me in the car.]

[Changwu. Public Security]

[Zhenbang,]

[I was too impulsive for slapping you today.]

But I did it for your sake.

Only when I'm around, then our family,

you, and your family will have a bright future.

I know you're still a small-ranking cop.

But if you listen to me,

I guarantee

you'll have a bright future.

[Brave and Fearless. Champion The People]

Deputy Chief Li.

Who's inside?

Sir,

it's Deputy Chief Chang.

Right.

Chang Zheng.

Chang Zheng

is interrogating

the security manager of the entertainment outlet,

right?

[Interrogation Room]

Yes.

Deputy Chief Li.

What?

Can't I...

Even I can't watch?

Deputy Chief Chang said

no one could go in.

Okay.

I hope he can come up with a result as soon as possible.

Me too.

It'd better be a good result.

I hope so too.

How about we talk about Deng Xiaojun?

I told you

I don't even know him.

But why

did he mention your name before he died?

Stop joking around.

I'm not.

I didn't kill Deng Xiaojun.

I swear.

I don't even know him.

If you don't know each other,

why would he mention your name

when he's dying?

I don't know about that.

Could it be something

about you and his dad, Deng Lijun?

Impossible.

He doesn't even know.

Don't know what?

Don't try to trick me for information.

There was never a problem

between Deng Lijun and me.

Do you know what Deng Lijun told me

before he died?

I don't want to know.

Whatever he said is not related to me.

But it's related to you.

Before Deng Xiaojun died,

he told me

that it was Cao Dalong who killed his dad, Deng Lijun.

No!

I didn't!

Don't try and frame me!

Here you are.

Dad is in the study room.

Go inside now.

I'll do some groceries.

Okay.

Dad.

Sorry

for going through your things without permission.

You still compose poems, I see.

When I have spare time,

I'd compose a couple.

Regarding experience in criminal investigation,

it's about skills and applications.

So this is all

you're thinking about, huh?

Are you still thinking

about being a good cop?

Why do you want to see me?

From the moment

you handed Deng Lijun's report you had

to me 28 years ago,

you were already destined

to be a bad cop.

Why do you want to see me so anxiously?

What's the matter?

Zhenbang.

What's the matter?

The inspection report of the mining accident in Qiongya No.5 Mine.

Why are you giving it to me?

I've submitted a copy to the superior.

But they asked me

to keep this matter under wraps.

Keep it under wraps?

It's a serious matter.

Who's that audacious person?

You guessed it right.

It's your father-in-law.

Zhenbang, I ask for your help

because not only are you not

the police officer in charge of our mine

but because I also believe you.

We don't know each other for that long.

I know

you're an upright and fair police officer.

You once told me

that you'd never

handle unjust cases

and abuse your power.

That's why I'm giving you this report.

I hope you can keep your word.

Okay.

You promised not to bring this up again.

Then what did you promise me?

Did you keep it?

Why didn't you tell me

that Cao Dalong was arrested?

Even if I didn't tell you,

someone would have told you anyway.

These are two different matters.

I've told you

you should stay away

from any cases involving the Zhao family

and report everything to me.

Have you forgotten?

How's Cao Dalong doing now?

Did he say anything?

As far as I know,

nothing.

Good.

There are six hours left.

I don't care how you do it.

You must help him get through these final hours.

Do you hear me?

Dad.

Cao Dalong

was the one who killed Deng Lijun, right?

Back then, you...

Shut up!

Go back to the station

and do what I say.

This is interfering with case handling procedures.

Listen here!

Cao Dalong worked for me in the past.

If he confessed what he did in the past,

not only would the Zhao family be ruined,

but also our family.

Have you thought

about what would happen to Chunhua

and Xiao Chen's future?

You should know

which one is your priority.

[Serve The People]

Pengxiang said

Chang Zheng keeps causing trouble for the Zhao family

and even arrested his man.

So they decided to withdraw their investment

in Chang Shi's live broadcasting platform

out of anger.

The Public Security Bureau will never arrest someone for no reason.

That person must have committed a crime.

Mom,

you'd say I'm taking the Zhao family's side

if I said he didn't do anything wrong.

But

Chang Zheng really holds

a deep grudge against the Zhao family.

I went to see him about this before.

I was hoping to clear up the misunderstanding.

So what happened?

If it's a good outcome,

would we be talking about this now?

Pengzhan said

they'll take this matter to the end

as long as Chang Zheng doesn't stop.

So they have also filed a lawsuit with the court

to look into a breach of contract.

If this goes on,

it'll blow out of proportion.

You're right.

[Serve The People]

How about this?

I'll think of a way

to stop Chang Zheng

from investigating the Zhao family's case.

Go back

and persuade your brothers

to stop troubling Chang Shi.

Okay?

Must you get involved

in Madam Lin's family affair?

I can look the other way if it's other people.

But when it comes to Lin Bai,

I must get involved.

Okay.

We'll do as you say.

Cao Dalong,

I know what you're thinking.

I know we can't detain you for too long.

Only 24 hours.

If you manage to go through the hours

and keep your mouth shut,

we can't do anything anyway.

After you get out,

the Zhao family will welcome you back with open arms,

right?

But you're here for 24 hours,

they don't know

what you said or if you said anything.

You may have stayed by your master's side for many years.

But are you closer to him than his sons?

Zhao Pengcheng was his biological son.

What happened to him in the end?

He died anyway.

Zhao Pengcheng?

What does this have to do with him?

Wait a minute.

Zhao Pengcheng and his family were blown up.

I didn't say anything.

You've been working for the Zhao family

and cleaning up their mess for a long time.

I'm sure you know better than me

the kind of methods they'd use.

If they want to find a scapegoat

for Deng Lijun's death,

who's more suitable than you?

Stop talking nonsense.

Deng Lijun's death

has nothing to do with the Zhao family and me.

I never said it's related to you.

Deng Lijun is dead.

So is his son, Deng Xiaojun.

Someone needs to take the fall

for their deaths, right?

Then it's better to find someone to take the fall.

It even saves a lot of trouble.

Am I right?

You can think about it.

I'll go and take a piss.

Deputy Chief Chang.

Any news on Xia Zongtao?

No.

Every exit of the passages in Changwu

is being monitored.

We found no trace of him.

He should be hiding in Changwu.

The Zhao family is not stupid.

They won't send him out after he murdered someone.

Send some men

to watch the Zhao family members,

especially Zhao Pengchao.

Yes, Sir.

Say, Xia Zongtao has so much hatred

toward the Zhao family.

What did they do

to make Xia Zongtao kill

for them willingly?

[Thursday]

Deputy Chief Chang,

any progress on his guy?

Our time

is running out.

We're almost there.

We'll wait for a while

before we go in together.

We can only bet on him

whether we'll succeed this time.

Afternoon, Deputy Director Xiao.

Deputy Director Xiao.

Good afternoon, Deputy Director Xiao.

Deputy Director Xiao.

Deputy Director Xiao.

Is Chang Zheng inside?

Yes.

[Interrogation Room]

Deputy Director Xiao,

Deputy Chief Chang said

no one was allowed to enter

during the interrogation.

I need to see him.

Deputy Director Xiao.

What is this?

Deputy Director Xiao,

Deputy Chief Chang said

the interrogation was extremely important.

I promised him

that I wouldn't let anyone bother him.

You've been repeating what Deputy Chief Chang said.

Do you only listen to him?

Deputy Chief Chang said

he'll take full responsibility if anything happens.

If you want to punish me,

I'll accept it.

But let them finish with interrogation.

All right.

It's almost time now.

We don't have much time anymore.

You should make up your mind

if you want to leave.

After all, we can't keep you for long now.

You can take your time.

I'm leaving now.

When the time is up,

do the procedure and release him, okay?

Yes, Sir.

Wait.

What now?

Can I

have a smoke?

You're so troublesome.

Deputy Director Xiao is here.

Deputy Director Xiao!

How did it go?

Any updates?

He wants to smoke.

But I don't have it with me.

So I want to ask you for some.

Sure.

Thanks.

I think

he's at his limit.

I think he'll spill soon.

You want a smoke, right?

Thanks.

[BLANCA]

You can continue.

Okay.

Thank you, Deputy Director Xiao.

You made a great contribution.

Even the Deputy Director lit the cigarette for you.

[Father-in-law]

[Father-in-law]

Hello?

How did it go?

I already did

what I should

and can do.

You better don't let me down.

To tell you the truth,

I'm pretty disappointed sometimes.

Think about it.

We're with the Public Security.

All we see

is the dark side of society.

We can be positive.

But we always have to face

these annoying people and things.

It's the same as sweeping

off the dust from the floor.

Don't push yourself too hard.

I still miss the time I was in the army.

Everything was innocent back then.

There weren't these many annoying things.

We were young at the time.

You're right.

We were young.

Fei,

what's wrong with you today?

Why are you being sentimental today?

My son, Chang Zheng

is resolved to become criminal police.

He's extremely idealistic about this profession.

I'm scared he'll be disappointed

when he realizes the big gap

between his ideal and reality.

It's normal for young people.

They'll face this sooner or later.

He'll be fine.

Cao Dalong,

you had your smoke.

Tell us what you want.

Officers,

after thinking about it,

I really have nothing to say.

Everything that you said

had nothing to do with me.

You should just release me.

Cao Dalong,

I don't want to interfere in your affairs.

But you must think about this carefully.

From the moment you leave the station,

it won't be our responsibility

if anything happens to you.

Officer,

I wanted to help you out too.

But I can't just

make up any stories

out of nothing, right?

Since the time

is almost up,

you should just let me go.

It's meaningless

to waste time here.

Changwu application

for the national top 100 model cities

is the top priority of the current government.

Mistakes aren't tolerable.

Mayor Zhu is also very concerned about this matter.

I find this report

acceptable.

But the specific implementation process

will be under your supervision.

Okay.

By the way, Vice Mayor Han.

There's one more thing.

What is it?

The city's Public Security

is investigating

the mining accident from many years ago,

which involves the Four Seas Group.

I'm sure you're aware that the Four Seas Group

is Changwu's

fiscal pillar.

It's also one of our hidden cards

to be in the top 100 cities.

Qing,

I heard

when the mining accident happened,

that you were

a leader at the mine, right?

I did work in the mines at the time.

But Zheng

was the mine manager.

After the accident,

the city set up a joint investigation team.

They've investigated

that it was an accident.

The case was already closed at the time.

Vice Mayor Han,

I'll be honest with you.

This matter may have been many years ago.

But for those of us who have experienced it,

it is a sad memory

that we can't forget.

As our former superior,

Zheng

is not willing to bring the past up anymore.

Vice Mayor Han, do you think

we should contact Public Security

about this matter?

Qing,

by right,

the local government

shouldn't interfere in the Public Security investigation.

What's more, it's been so many years

and it was confirmed to be an accident.

Then we don't have to be scared if they investigate.

I'm sure Zheng

will agree with me.

All right, then.

Vice Mayor Han,

I'll get back to work

if there's nothing else.

[Qing Chenglin]

Yes,

Chenglin.

What's the matter?

Zheng,

I've tested

Han Ya.

What did she say?

I'm afraid

I'm not capable enough to persuade her.

[Zheng]

Hello, Mr. Zheng.

It's been a while since I talked to you.

Do you have any instructions?

I'm already retired.

What instruction could I give you?

I only want to know

how you feel

about working in Changwu.

Thank you for your concern.

I remembered what you told us

when we were at the party school.

Every time we go to a new place,

it's like an examination.

We must not be hasty in answering the question.

We must first see the problem clearly

and think carefully before writing anything.

Am I right?

Changwu

is a prefecture-level city.

It's rich in natural resources

and it has a relatively good economic foundation.

Of course.

It's all thanks

to the solid foundation you've built.

So

I have the confidence

to commence and carry out

my duties.

I left Changwu for more than 20 years now.

Over the years,

the contribution to Changwu's development

has nothing to do

with a retiree like me.

Sir,

please stop being modest.

Han.

I heard Changwu Public Security

is investigating the mining accident of 28 years ago.

You should know

I was working at the mines at the time.

Chenglin

just brought up this matter.

According to the organization's principles...

Han,

I had already experienced

the path you're taking now.

You did learn the spirit of the party

and principles from me, didn't you?

I didn't mean it that way.

Everyone in the province and city

know you're my favorite pupil.

You just took office in Changwu

and someone is already investigating your mentor.

You don't feel humiliated

by this action.

But I do,

Vice Mayor Han.

Sir,

I don't deserve

for you to address me as such.

Vice Mayor Han.

The mining accident of 28 years ago

has already been concluded.

I also heard

the DNA report of the bones

has already come out.

I just want to remind you

that the path you're taking

is difficult.

Don't allow anyone

to attack you openly or from the dark.

Qing,

come to my office now.

Come in.

Deputy Director Xiao.

Bodong.

Sit.

The City Hall called.

They're very concerned

about our re-investigation of the mining accident

during the investigation

of the yacht bombing case.

But

it was just a case of investigating the identity of human remains.

Chang Zheng made it up

and blew things out of proportion.

Someone even died.

I told you

we shouldn't let him act on his own.

Look what happened now.

His actions had alarmed the city leaders.

So how do you think

we should handle this?

I think Cao Dalong should be released,

Stop all investigations

against the Zhao family and the Four Seas Group.

The focus of the special task force

was supposed to be

on the case of the yacht bombing.

We must stop him from complicating the matter.

Okay.

Just do what you say.

Bodong,

you'll announce

this decision to the special task force in person

with immediate effect.

Deputy Director Xiao,

you're in charge

of the special task force.

I think it's better for you

to announce it.

Don't refuse at this time.

This is your idea anyway.

You're also the Deputy Chief.

So you're more

than suitable to announce it.

Besides,

I still need to think

about how I should report this matter

to the leaders at the City Hall.

All right, then.

Okay.

Qiufeng,

Deputy Director Xiao wants me

to tell you to do something.

Deputy Chief Chang,

you must think of something.

Time is running out.

We can't just let Cao Dalong leave like this.

Mentor,

what should we do now?

Where are you going?

Chief Zhang,

I need to talk to you.

I was about to go and see you.

Come in.

You go first.

I want to extend Cao Dalong's detention.

Can you

help me find a way?