National Forensic Doctor

Chapter 1331: Chapter 1257: Smuggling Case

"Was this vehicle smuggled over?" Jiang Yuan’s curiosity was piqued by Wu Zhisu, as he walked over to the car.

"This one wasn’t smuggled. How could we give you a smuggled car?" Wu Zhisu chuckled and said, "It was previously involved in a case, but it’s been settled now. All the paperwork is complete, and we’ll transfer it to your Ningtai County Bureau later."

"Commissioner Huang usually just borrows cars, no need for the transfer," Jiang Yuan reminded casually, "Commissioner Huang believes that borrowed vehicles are easier to handle regarding insurance, fuel costs, and logistics. The annual budget is calculated, and cars are meant to be used. When a car wears out, it gets replaced, without affecting the operations of other departments, adding lesser pressure on them."

"Huang is quite a character." Wu Zhisu laughed, "That’s how regular cars are managed; I understand his intent. But this car is high-end, and considering you don’t have a dedicated car, it might be convenient for you personally. Actually, if it’s transferred, we’ll cover the insurance and other stuff for you, so you wouldn’t have to worry about it."

"It’s fine, I don’t spend much time in Ningtai, so I might not drive anything." Jiang Yuan gave the brand-new Land Cruiser a pat and tactfully added, "Our director drives a Passat; it wouldn’t be suitable for me to drive this."

Wu Zhisu almost couldn’t hold back a laugh, though he refrained from mentioning Jiang Yuan’s usual commute in an Alphard, he merely chuckled and said, "Everyone knows Huang usually rides in a Beijing-plated Audi."

At this point, Mu Zhiyang chimed in, "Our Commissioner Huang always opts for a Jetta King whenever he meets with the director."

Wu Zhisu was taken aback, "Your Ningtai County Bureau has a Jetta King?"

"Commissioner Huang later swapped it with another department."

"So he rides a Beijing-plated Audi, only to switch to a Jetta King when attending county meetings? Huang really outdoes himself." Wu Zhisu said in a mocking tone.

Jiang Yuan and Mu Zhiyang both nodded silently.

Wu Zhisu wanted to indulge in this mockery but quickly composed himself. He took a deep breath, shocked by the cunning nature beneath Huang’s calm exterior. This old croc looked as inert as driftwood, but beneath the surface, it was stealthily maneuvering with four long legs—who could handle such tactics?

"Tell me more about arterial blood and gunshots." Jiang Yuan brought up his preferred topic. noveldrama

When he was attending school, Jiang Yuan might have had many hobbies, but after graduating, he truly developed a penchant for solving cases.

In fact, anyone working in a field where they excel and earn admiration from countless people could lead and orchestrate operations benefiting the nation and its citizens—who wouldn’t enjoy such work?

This is akin to many leaders enjoying their jobs simply because the demands are low enough and the tenure long enough that they can easily become adept—leading and directing countless tasks according to their visions, partially becoming or at least genuinely aspiring to be someone who serves the country and its people.

Wu Zhisu saw that he successfully captivated Jiang Yuan, excited like a high schooler delivering their first love letter upon seeing their crush, he eagerly added, "It was also a Land Cruiser; when I saw this vehicle, it reminded me of a case. This car was seized at a checkpoint; it belonged to a local businessman from Jianjiang, meticulously cloned—with complete documentation—it was nearly untraceable, but coincidentally, a drug investigation was underway, and two police dogs on the scene sniffed out the bloodstains on the car seat."

Cloning involves taking illegally smuggled vehicles, altering them to match the details on the "import certificate" for registration.

The "import certificate" could be purchased, sourced from various places, costly yet crucial for imported vehicle documentation. With it, smuggling groups could buy an identical car model and color, bring it in, change the VIN and engine number—thus cloning an imported car.

Once this entire meticulous process is complete, the chances of detection are quite low.

However, bloodstains found inside the car pose a problem.

Jiang Yuan frowned upon hearing this, "They didn’t clean it before sending it over?"

"The auto repair shop probably cleaned it, but not thoroughly enough. Coupled with the prolonged confinement, the scent drew the dogs. After on-site officers wiped the seats, traces of explosives were detected, causing quite a stir on-site." Wu Zhisu reminisced with a grin.

Mu Zhiyang interjected, "I think I heard about this case; was it last year’s? There’s been no news since."

"No results were found, so there’s not much to discuss. Honestly, all we found were blood and gunshot residue, the blood’s source unknown, and the gunshot residue untraceable, without a body, it’s akin to a headless case." Wu Zhisu spoke while keenly observing Jiang Yuan’s reaction.

In essence, this case was bait for Jiang Yuan—to capture his interest was paramount.

The case itself, Wu Zhisu didn’t hold high hopes for. It wasn’t even filed as a murder case because there was no body, no proof of death.

Of course, from the bloodstain positions, spray angles, and gunshot residue distribution, one could easily reconstruct a dynamic scene—an individual sits in the driver’s seat, a gun’s muzzle pressed against their head, the shot fired, head tilts, blood spurts, leaving gunshot residue scattered.

To envision such a scene doesn’t even require Level 1 crime scene reconstruction skills; Jiang Yuan analyzed several photos swiftly.

"Indeed, the case information is quite lacking; to investigate this murder, we might need to start with the smuggling investigation." Jiang Yuan quickly offered a logical deduction.

Wu Zhisu immediately nodded, "Sure, I’ll request jurisdiction over the smuggling case, which is under Changyang City’s Customs Anti-Smuggling Bureau, as we mentioned then..."

At that moment, a shadow quietly swept across.

"If you request it, the case’s jurisdiction will fall under you here." Huang Qiangmin’s voice arrived ahead of him, first glancing at Jiang Yuan, then at the Land Cruiser, and finally at Mu Zhiyang and Wu Zhisu.

Wu Zhisu was stunned, "You should take it; I’d save myself the trouble."

"Then what’s your motive?" Huang Qiangmin had been pondering throughout the walk, blurting out.

"I just wanted to communicate more with Jiang Yuan." Wu Zhisu chuckled, shaking his head and gently linking arms with Jiang Yuan, "Jianjiang and Qinghe City are neighbors; we’ve been supporting each other for years. Enhancing understanding and mutual aid is key..."

"I don’t buy it." Huang Qiangmin replied bluntly.

Wu Zhisu grew slightly displeased, his language becoming coarse, "What’s there not to believe? Just talking aside, gifting a car to Jiang Yuan, getting a bit closer—what’s wrong with that?"

"You’re giving away a car for free?" Huang Qiangmin said, pointing at Wu Zhisu, laughing, "You can’t avoid talking about the case; it’s under the Anti-Smuggling Bureau, and I suspect the car is too—are you here to speak on behalf of the Anti-Smuggling Bureau?"

"You always think the worst of people." Wu Zhisu waved dismissively, turned and left, opting not to continue the discussion.

"I do tend to suspect others." Huang Qiangmin’s tone softened a touch as he asked, "So, am I right?"

Wu Zhisu turned back to stare at Huang Qiangmin, expressionless, and said, "This time, you got lucky; we had the same thought."