The crackdown on organized crime began with the arrest of the mother-in-law.

Chapter 886 New Clues: The Relationship Between Wang Qiang and Zhang Baofeng

Li Ming frowned, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Zhang Baofeng's behavior is too abnormal. On the one hand, she caused a scene at the company because of her husband's infidelity, and on the other hand, she paid off the debts of her husband's mistress's creditors. There must be a deeper conspiracy behind this. Issue a notice to intensify the investigation into Zhang Baofeng, especially her company's financial situation and recent business dealings."

To get a better understanding of the situation, Li Ming brought Xiao Liu to Zhang Baofeng's home again. Zhang Baofeng's expression changed slightly upon seeing the police again, but she quickly regained her composure and forced a smile: "Officer, you've come to see me again. Has there been any progress in the case?"

Li Ming's gaze sharpened as he stared at Zhang Baofeng: "Ms. Zhang, we've discovered some new information during our investigation, and we need you to explain it. Why did you cause such a scene downstairs at Li Baoguo's company a month ago?"

Zhang Baofeng's eyes darted around, and after hesitating for a moment, she said, "I... I heard that Baoguo has a woman outside, so I went there on impulse. But when I got to the company, I couldn't find any evidence, so I came back."

Li Ming pressed on, "Then why did you pay off Wang Qiang's gambling debts? What is your relationship with Wang Qiang?"

Zhang Baofeng's face turned deathly pale instantly, and she stammered, "I...I just felt sorry for him, and he owed too much money. I was afraid that he would be pushed to the brink by his creditors, so I helped him pay it off."

Li Ming sneered, "Ms. Zhang, you run a company, not a philanthropist. You're paying off Wang Qiang's debt; I suspect you have ulterior motives."

Faced with Li Ming's questioning, Zhang Baofeng remained silent, her hands unconsciously clenching. Seeing this, Li Ming knew that Zhang Baofeng wouldn't confess easily, so he left with Xiao Liu.

After leaving Zhang Baofeng's house, Li Ming and Xiao Liu went to Zhang Baofeng's meat processing company. The company wasn't large, but business seemed to be doing well. Li Ming found the company's financial manager, showed his identification, and said, "We are investigating a case and need to review the company's financial records, especially the business dealings with the pork factory and the accounts related to repaying Wang Qiang's gambling debts."

The finance manager looked troubled: "Officer, I can't just show the financial records to anyone without Mr. Zhang's permission."

Li Ming said seriously, "This is necessary for the investigation. If you don't cooperate, it may hinder the judicial investigation."

Left with no other option, the finance manager opened the financial system and retrieved the relevant records. Li Ming and Xiao Liu carefully examined them and discovered that after Zhang Baofeng's company repaid Wang Qiang's gambling debts, its business volume with the pork factory increased significantly.

"It seems Zhang Baofeng is paying off Wang Qiang's debt in order to gain greater profits from the pork factory. But what does this have to do with the deaths of Chen Xiaoyu and Wang Qiang?" Xiao Liu asked疑惑地问道.

Li Ming pondered for a moment and said, "It's still unclear, but we can't let any clue slip by. By the way, investigate whether Zhang Baofeng's company has recently purchased any knives or other suspicious items."

Meanwhile, another group of officers made a new discovery while investigating the mysterious figures Zhang Huanzhi and Li Sanleng at the casino. "Captain Li, our investigation revealed that after Zhang Huanzhi and Li Sanleng paid off Wang Qiang's gambling debts, they had several secret meetings with Zhang Baofeng. Furthermore, their recent behavior has been suspicious, as if they are deliberately hiding something," Officer Zhang reported to Li Ming.

Li Ming decisively ordered: "Closely monitor Zhang Huanzhi and Li Sanleng's movements. Report immediately if anything unusual is found. At the same time, search their residences to see if any relevant evidence can be found."

During the search of Zhang Huanzhi and Li Sanleng's residence, police found some cash and a note with the address of a pork factory and some strange symbols written on it. "Captain Li, this note is very likely related to the case. Perhaps Zhang Huanzhi and Li Sanleng are acting on Zhang Baofeng's orders, doing something at the pork factory," Xiao Zhang analyzed.

Li Ming nodded: "Very likely. Issue a notice to conduct another comprehensive investigation of the pork processing plant, with a focus on areas related to Zhang Baofeng's company."

Inside the pork processing plant in the early morning, the roar of machines mingled with the cries of livestock, and the air was thick with the stench of blood. Li Ming, along with officers Xiao Zhao and Xiao Liu, entered the factory and headed straight for the workshop. "This time, we must find a breakthrough through the clue of the knives. Pay close attention to the workers' subtle reactions; don't overlook any clues," Li Ming whispered as they walked, giving them instructions.

The three quickly found Wang Qiang's colleague, Master Chen. Master Chen was busy butchering pork when he saw the police arrive, and his movements paused. "Master Chen, we're sorry to bother you again. This time we'd like to inquire about the factory's knives," Li Ming said with a smile, trying to ease Master Chen's tension.

Master Chen put down the knife in his hand, wiped his hands with his apron, and said, "Officer, all the knives in the factory are numbered and used by specific people. But recently, the pig-slaughtering knife that Wang Qiang was in charge of went missing." Xiao Zhao immediately asked, "Master Chen, when did the knife go missing? Was it reported?"

Master Chen frowned as he recalled, "About a week ago, the workshop supervisor discovered it and made us search the entire factory, but we couldn't find it. Later, the supervisor suspected that someone had taken it and sold it without permission, and he got very angry." Xiao Liu then asked, "What was Wang Qiang's reaction at the time?"

Master Chen hesitated for a moment, then said, "Wang Qiang had been avoiding everyone for the past few days. When I asked him about the knife, he only said he didn't know, and his face looked particularly grim. By the way, three days before Wang Qiang disappeared, he told me he needed to take some personal leave." Li Ming's eyes lit up, and he pressed, "Did he say what he needed to do?"

Master Chen shook his head: "He didn't say. But I remember that after he came back from leave, he was walking with a limp, as if he had been injured. When I asked him what happened, he only said that he had accidentally fallen." Xiao Zhao asked thoughtfully: "Master Chen, before and after Wang Qiang took leave, did he have any contact with any strangers?"

Master Chen scratched his head and said, "One evening after get off work, I saw Wang Qiang talking to a man wearing sunglasses at the factory gate. The man was well-dressed and drove a black sedan. When I walked over, their conversation suddenly stopped, and Wang Qiang even urged me to go home quickly." Li Ming recorded this information in detail and then asked, "Master Chen, think carefully again, after Wang Qiang came back, did he exhibit any other unusual behavior?"

After thinking for a moment, Mr. Chen said, "After he came back, Wang Qiang often sat alone in a corner, lost in thought, and sometimes he would suddenly talk to himself. Once, I passed by him and heard him say, 'The money has been paid back, but how will this matter be resolved?'" Xiao Liu pressed, "Did he mention anyone involved?" Mr. Chen shook his head: "I didn't hear clearly."

After leaving the workshop, Li Ming and his officers visited several other of Wang Qiang's colleagues, and the information they obtained mostly matched what Master Chen had said. Back at the police station, Li Ming immediately convened a case analysis meeting with his team.