The reporter was brought by Tang Huiling, and the dozen or so residents of the neighborhood were organized by her sister and brother-in-law. The purpose was to pressure the police station.
"Director, I am Cheng Hong, a reporter from the Kyoto Daily. According to tips from the public, someone in Tianhe Community set up a mourning hall for a dog and demanded that the community security guard kneel before the dog. When the security guard refused, the dog owner gathered more than twenty people to attack the security guard, and they were all carrying knives.
The security guard fought back in self-defense, was stabbed twice, and ended up in the hospital. Yet, he was taken to the police station by your officers. May I ask if this is true, whether the dog owner and the attackers are being detained, what is the condition of the security guard's injuries, and when can he be released?"
The young female reporter Cheng Hong asked Zhang Heng several questions consecutively as soon as she saw him.
Zhang Heng was a bit guilty, "The case is under investigation, and details cannot be disclosed at the moment, so I cannot accept your interview now."
Cheng Hong was very assertive, "Director, you can refuse the interview, but as far as I know, the dog owner and those who wielded knives are still at large, yet only the security guard who acted bravely is being held. This matter will be reported in the newspaper tomorrow. Consider the consequences."
"This is a rumor. All individuals involved in the fight are under police surveillance. It's just that they are receiving treatment in the hospital due to severe injuries, making detention inconvenient for now. The dog owner, Ms. Xu, is currently at the police station."
"You are lying. I just saw two uninjured attackers cleaning up the mourning hall in the community. Also, Yang Jian is also injured. Why can't he wait until he recovers before being interrogated? Why the rush to interrogate him?"
Tang Huiling immediately stepped forward to refute.
Zhang Heng appeared slightly flustered, "We have a process for handling cases, and we cannot arrest all involved personnel at once. As for Yang Jian, his injuries are not very serious, and to clarify the case sooner, we decided to interrogate him."
"How are his injuries not serious? He has more than twenty stitches. The doctor said he needs rest and cannot be moved casually. Your actions will worsen his condition. Moreover, he is not a criminal. You must send him back to the hospital now."
"Whether he is a criminal suspect is not for you to decide. We still need to investigate and collect evidence. That's all, you should all go back and come back for an interview after the case is investigated."
Zhang Heng issued the order to leave.
Tang Huiling was about to say something more, but Cheng Hong stopped her, "Ling'er, don't worry. I know the director of the publicity and education department of the Municipal Bureau. Let's go find him to report the problem."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Heng's expression changed drastically. If this matter were to escalate to the Municipal Bureau, it would be troublesome. He did not believe the reporter was bluffing, as the Municipal Bureau's publicity and education department had close ties with the media.
"What is your relationship with Yang Jian, and why are you protecting him so much?"
Seeing the two girls about to leave, Zhang Heng couldn't help but ask.
Tang Huiling snorted, "My nephew was bitten by that vicious dog. It was Yang Jian who bravely saved my nephew. Not only are you not holding the dog owner accountable, but you are also detaining Yang Jian. We will definitely see this through."
Zhang Heng's mind raced, trying to figure out a way to stop the reporter from going to the Municipal Bureau.
Just then, two police cars suddenly drove into the police station's courtyard, and seven or eight people got out, including two police officers in white shirts.
Zhang Heng was greatly surprised. He recognized one of them as Tang Jianqiu, the director of their branch bureau. He quickly ran over to salute.
"Director Tang, hello."
"Little Zhang, this is Deputy Director Wan from the Municipal Bureau. He's here to inspect our work."
Tang Jianqiu returned the salute and introduced the other officer.
Zhang Heng saluted again, "Hello, Deputy Director Wan. Zhang Heng, director of Tianhe Police Station, is on duty. Please instruct me."
Cheng Hong and Tang Huiling, who were about to leave, stopped. Since such a high-ranking official was coming, it was a perfect opportunity to report Yang Jian's situation to them.
Deputy Director Wan nodded, "Director Zhang, did your station detain a security guard named Yang Jian?"
When he said this, not only Tang Huiling and Cheng Hong were greatly surprised, but Zhang Heng was also stunned. How did Yang Jian's case reach the Municipal Bureau so quickly? Even more outrageous was that the deputy director personally came to inquire about this matter. Could Yang Jian have a very powerful background?
Seeing Zhang Heng remain silent for a long time, Tang Jianqiu became angry, "Director Zhang, answer Deputy Director Wan's question."
"Ah, yes, we did detain Yang Jian and are interrogating him."
Zhang Heng was somewhat incoherent. He knew today was over. He had been badly harmed by that woman Xu Jiao, and his career might be ruined.
"Bring him out immediately."
Deputy Director Wan's tone was stern. He had come personally after receiving a call from a superior at headquarters. The superior had specifically mentioned that Yang Jian was detained by Tianhe Police Station and asked him to inquire about the case, indicating that the matter was not simple.
"Deputy Director Wan, Yang Jian is injured. He fainted during the interrogation. I was just about to send him to the hospital."
"Bring him out."
"Yes, please wait a moment."
At this point, Zhang Heng dared not disobey the order and could only have the other officers who followed him help Yang Jian out.
When Yang Jian appeared before everyone, looking weak and dispirited, Tang Huiling let out a scream and rushed over.
"Brother Jian, what happened to you? Why are you bleeding so much? Did they beat you?"
Seeing Yang Jian's entire back stained with blood, and it was still seeping out continuously, and his pants were also bloody, Tang Huiling couldn't help but shed tears. This was clearly a result of a severe beating.
Deputy Director Wan's face turned ashen, "Director Zhang, what happened? Why is he bleeding so much? Explain."
"He, he, he was already injured, but, maybe the wound reopened."
Zhang Heng was sweating profusely. Regardless of whether Yang Jian was a criminal suspect, torture was a violation of regulations and laws. He could not escape responsibility no matter what.
Deputy Director Wan did not believe him, "Yang Jian, can you speak?"
Yang Jian looked up at him and nodded.
"Then tell me, what did you experience just now?"
"He hit me and forced me to sign a distorted statement. When I refused, he struck my back wound."
After speaking, Yang Jian, supported by Tang Huiling, turned around and exposed his back.
"Director Zhang, is what he said true?"
This time, Director Tang asked. He was also very angry. It had long been explicitly stipulated that torture of suspects was prohibited, yet his subordinate was openly defying it and was caught red-handed by the Municipal Bureau and the superiors at headquarters.
Zhang Heng lowered his head, not daring to answer.
The facts were clear: it was torture. Deputy Director Wan sneered and said nothing.
Director Tang's face was very displeased, "Is the deputy director here?"
A police officer immediately stepped forward and saluted, "Deputy Director Kong Liang."
"You are now acting director. Send Yang Jian to the hospital. Before noon tomorrow, submit a written report of his case to me. Zhang Heng, you will come back to the branch bureau with me to accept an investigation."
Director Tang made a decision on the spot. The top priority was to quell the anger of his superiors.