Chapter 1023: Miners Blocking the Entrance

As the investigation into the case progressed further, the possibility of embezzlement seemed increasingly likely.

Chen Jiang and Wang Zhaokai discovered some issues about Zhang Dabao’s mine, which seemed to indirectly confirm this possibility.

Although in recent years the mine’s profits have been better than the first two years, at least they have shifted from loss to profit.

However, according to Chen Jiang’s understanding, the mine in these two years hasn’t been as good as in previous years, especially since coal prices are controlled by policy.

In normal business logic, the profits from Zhang Dabao’s mine should have decreased this year given that production hasn’t changed.

Yet Zhang Dabao’s year-end bonuses for all workers are the highest this year.

This indeed defies logic.

“Here’s the plan,” Lu Chuan thought for a moment, “Xinbiao, go to the bank to check the recent business situation of Zhang Dabao’s mine. How much working capital is in the bank?”

“Chen Jiang, investigate who saw the cash taken out from the bank that day, whose hands did it pass through, and how was it moved into the office building?”

If the opponent is truly adhering to the principle of embezzlement, swapping funds midway is evidently the best approach. There’s no need to wait for the money to be delivered to the mine; switching the money on the way is the easiest.

“Also, those two security guards in charge of watching the cash; they should have returned from the hospital by now. Investigate them in detail.”

If it really is embezzlement, these two people might be lying.

They might also be involved in this matter, and Zhang Dabao could have given them some reward, but more investigation is needed to clarify the situation.

The third day after the incident.

While Lu Chuan was fully engaged in solving the case, he didn’t expect several worker representatives from the mine to block the entrance of the Criminal Investigation Team early in the morning.

“What’s going on?”

The deputy captain was responsible for receiving them.

Seeing Lu Chuan finally arrived, he breathed a sigh of relief.

“Captain Lu, you’re finally here.”

But before he could speak, several worker representatives surrounded Lu Chuan. Lu Chuan recognized a few; he had met them at the mine.

“Captain Lu! I know you, you’re the captain of the Criminal Investigation Team, right? We are the worker representatives from the mine.”

Stepping forward was a middle-aged man.

“Don’t crowd,” the deputy captain quickly maintained order.

Lu Chuan waved his hand to signal the deputy captain to step back, “I recognize you. You’re Zhang Dezhi, right?”

Zhang Dezhi nodded quickly, “Yes, yes.”

“Captain Lu, we didn’t come to cause trouble. We are the worker representatives elected from the mine. We wanted to ask when the case will be solved, and when we can receive our year-end wages.”

As Zhang Dezhi spoke, the other people quickly joined in.

“Yes, Captain Lu, it’s almost New Year, and the mine is now shut down. No one wants to stay here; we just want to get our wages and bonuses and go home quickly.”

“But Boss Zhang said the bonuses prepared for us were stolen. Now, the mine has no money, so we just came to ask, to see when the money can be recovered and given to us.”

“Yes, Captain Lu, we’re counting on this money for the New Year. Can you tell us when you’ll find the money?”

Upon hearing this, the deputy captain got very angry.

The mine lost the money, we as police are solving the case, and you come here asking us for money. Where’s the logic in that?

“Let me tell you several that solving the case is our police’s responsibility. Whether the money can be found or not, after solving the case, this money is considered case funds. It’s not like we can directly give it to you.”

Lu Chuan understood.

“Who sent you here?”

Of course, Lu Chuan also understood these workers.

Working hard at the mine for a year, risking life and limb to earn some money is indeed not easy. Now, with the year-end approaching, seeing the bonus money but unable to collect it due to theft, it’s natural for people to be anxious.

However, this isn’t a valid reason for these employee representatives to come block the Criminal Investigation Team’s entrance to cause a disturbance.

The police have their procedures and strategies for solving cases.

Moreover, as the deputy captain just mentioned, whether their wages can be paid, whether the bonus has been stolen, they should inquire at the mine, they should find Zhang Dabao.

As for whether the theft case can be solved, that’s not their problem to worry about.

With Lu Chuan’s words, the workers suddenly fell silent.

Zhang Dezhi, as the leader, was forced to speak, “Captain Lu… no one sent us. We came on our own initiative.”

“Actually, we don’t mean anything else. We just hope that you can solve the case quickly, recover the money, so everyone can go home for the holiday.”

Lu Chuan stepped forward.

Looking at the few workers.

Although these people had washed their faces, remnants of coal dust remained making their faces seem black and couldn’t be cleaned.

This Zhang Dezhi is one of the team leaders in the mining team.

So Lu Chuan, upon seeing them, immediately recognized that they were workers who stayed in the shafts for extended periods and worked hard regularly.

Thus, their longing for the bonuses was very strong.

“Zhang Dezhi and fellow workers, I completely understand your feelings, but what is this place? This is the Criminal Investigation Team.”

Lu Chuan looked at the individuals. “You few blocking the entrance of the Criminal Investigation Team and causing a disturbance is inappropriate behavior.”

“Legally speaking, the report of this theft was made by Zhang. Dabao, and the money belongs to your mine, but the entity isn’t you workers, it’s the mine company.”

“Although the money is intended for your bonuses, it isn’t yours until it’s actually handed over to you.”

“Think about it – did the thief steal the money from Zhang Dabao’s company, or did they steal it from your wallets?”

Lu Chuan, upon looking, immediately understood what was happening.

Clearly, these workers learned the money was stolen, so they went to find Zhang Dabao for money; Zhang Dabao probably sent them over to the Criminal Investigation Team.

“All of you, hurry back and do what needs to be done. We won’t pursue this further. If you continue causing disturbances here, we’ll arrest you for the crime of creating a public disturbance.”

It was Lu Chuan’s first time encountering anyone blocking the entrance of the Criminal Investigation Team.

Indeed, it’s often said that pitiful people may have something detestable about them. These people couldn’t distinguish facts, and Zhang Dabao, lacking funds, dared to send them to the Criminal Investigation Team to coerce the police to solve the case – what nonsense!

Seeing Lu Chuan’s serious demeanor, Zhang Dezhi and the others quickly nodded and apologized before running off.

Just then, Wang Zhaokai arrived, “Old Wang, send someone to bring Zhang Dabao over, give him a fright.”

Lu Chuan instructed.

Pushing the blame and sending people to the Criminal Investigation Team for causing trouble – is his mind twisted?

Wang Zhaokai didn’t hold back either. After knowing what had just happened, he immediately took people to the mine.