Chapter Two Hundred and Seventy: Is Li Wenbin a Love Child?

"Officer Lv, I am Mai Qiwun, the head of the Internal Investigation Department."
The boss always appears last; those who come first are just minor players.```
As soon as Mai Qiwen appeared, he had someone bring Lu Ze a new cup of coffee and smiled at the two staff members, saying, "You can go out now; it's none of your business here."
Lu Ze looked at him in silence.
Coffee releases goodwill, making you feel that he is on your side, thus lowering your guard.
Making a later appearance creates a visual impact; whether or not you get any information initially, first let two minor players test the waters, then make your own entrance. This way, when you appear, you'll have a self-suggestion that this person isn't to be trifled with.
“I am a police officer, and you think this will work on me?”
Lv Ze spread his hands and didn't buy it.
Mai Qiwen smiled slightly, pulled out a chair, and sat down: “Officer Lv, don’t be so fired up. It’s our fault to call you over after your shift. How about this: you choose what you want to eat tonight, and I’ll treat you.”
"It doesn't matter what we eat; I'm more concerned that some people are being used as pawns without even realizing it."
Lu Ze paused his tone here: "You guys don't really want to keep me for dinner, do you?"
Mai Qiwon chuckled, "Here we can only order takeout; if we want to eat, we might as well go out."
This statement implied that he wouldn't keep Lu Ze for long.
Lu Ze was satisfied with this and said, "You guys at the Discipline Inspection Commission have no idea what you're thinking all day; you just listen to the wind and act on it, not afraid of being struck by lightning."
“If we're talking about anonymous reports, I can report too.”
“Li Shutang has two sons, Li Ying and Li Wenbin. They don't look alike at all, their personalities aren't alike, and their working styles are also not alike.”
“How can biological brothers from the same mother be so different? I suspect that these two are not related. Please investigate this matter thoroughly and check carefully to see if Li Shutang has any issues with his personal conduct.”
What else can Mai Qiwun say?
The Independent Commission Against Corruption has the authority to conduct inquiries based on rumors, meaning they can interview officers from various departments regardless of evidence.
However, department commanders like Lv Ze need to exercise caution during such inquiries.
Don't forget that in the 1977 police-ICAC conflict, several ICAC investigators were brutally killed.
No one wants to see a new round of police-ICAC conflicts occur, and we can't bear that responsibility.
As for Mike's death, is it related to Luze?
Mai Qiwen has no evidence; after all, Mike's death was due to his affair with the sister-in-law. From the moment it was exposed to when Mike was taken out, Ren Qingtian never revealed his identity as a police officer.
Here, I have to say that Ren Qingtian is really smart.
He doesn't go to meet Mike, so he doesn't need to hold back.
Otherwise, just like the previous Interpol officer Li JinfU, who naively went to meet him, would likely end up in a very bad situation.
```htmlNot to mention far away, Mike claims to be an undercover cop, holding up the world without taking action.
Not taking action is definitely not feasible; taking action means killing a cop. Can the consequences be the same as killing a traitor?```
Moreover, the undercover officer seduced the gang's matriarch, leading to his murder, and if reported, the police department would be embarrassed as well.
Now everyone in the underworld is saying that Ren Qingtian dealt with the traitor who cuckolded him, without mentioning the police at all; everyone saves face, and this is how a mature and prudent person handles matters.
If we really want to get serious, with so many anti-crime team members looking for Mike last night, even Neng Qing Tian should have figured it out by now.
"Sir Lu, come, let's toast!"
To appease Lu Ze.
```htmlIt's also to minimize big issues into small ones and to resolve small matters, preventing obstacles for future police and honesty cooperation. That dinner tonight was really hosted by Mai Qiwun.
“If you're treating me to dinner, you could at least choose a better place. A roadside stall, really?”```
Lü Ze held up his wine glass and clinked it with Mai Qiwen.
Downing it in one go, Mai Qiwen picked up a piece of roast goose and said cheerfully, "This little stall, don't underestimate it; it's actually been around for over forty years."
After speaking, Mai Qiwen looked at the young man busy at the stall: "This stall was run by his grandfather, then passed down to his father, and now to him. Three generations guarding one stall, how could the taste possibly be bad?"
Lu Ze also picked up a piece of roast goose, and indeed it tasted just as good as that of a century-old restaurant. He nodded and said, “The flavor is not bad. If you were to go to those elegantly decorated places, it would probably cost one or two times more for the same taste.”
“That's why I brought you here! We got the best value for our money with the lowest prices on delicious food. Only those fools who like to show off and are just trying to impress girls go to those fancy restaurants.”
麦启文端着酒杯：“来，吕sir，我们再走一个，为相见恨晚干一杯。”
别人给面子，自己也要见好就收。
身为廉署调查科主任，未来的廉政行动处处长，麦启文绝不是一个简单人物。
It should be noted that there are not many units within the ICAC, with only four departments: the Administration Headquarters, the Operations Department, the Corruption Prevention Department, and the Community Relations Department.
The Operations Department is of utmost importance; the head of the Operations Department usually also holds the title of Deputy Commissioner of the ICAC.
Within the ICAC, this position is already the second highest, deserving of a high status and power.
As for Mak Kai-man, he is only in his thirties now, appearing a bit youthful, not yet the stern judge he will become in twenty years.
That said, adding flowers to the embroidery is no match for providing timely assistance in times of need.
Once he becomes the head of operations, not to mention someone like Inspector General Lv Ze, even a police chief or the chief of police won't have any standing in front of him.
Lu Ze knows this is a potential stock.
He believes that even if he doesn't need Mai Qiwun now, he will probably have to deal with him in the future. If that person gives him face, he naturally won't say any sarcastic remarks again.
“I did it, so don’t play tricks.”
Lu Ze shook the cup, then continued to fill it from the bottle.
They drank until dawn.
The two spoke freely, discussing the current structure of the police force and corruption issues, and fantasizing about what things would be like after '97.
The more they talked, the more he realized that Mai Qiwen was very knowledgeable.
Whether it's about people's livelihoods, education, policies, or the mobilization of law enforcement departments, he knows everything clearly.
To achieve this level of understanding, it's impossible not to spend a large amount of time each day listening, watching, and learning.
More importantly, his words reveal a sense of optimism about those born after 1997.
He has confidence in Yanjing, confidence in Hong Kong Island, and even more confidence in the future.
He at least takes a neutral stance, and may even lean towards being a pro-return supporter.
```htmlHowever, it's not surprising.
If he were in the opposition or a royalist, he wouldn't be able to become the head of the ICAC, responsible for handling anti-corruption work in Hong Kong.
"Do you know who ordered your return this time?"```
```htmlAfter finishing the meal, it's time to leave.
The two of them were smoking while walking on the street, heading to the parking lot to get the car. Suddenly, Mai Qiwen asked.
"What does that mean?"
Lv Ze was somewhat surprised, as such words were not suitable to be said to him.```
Mai Qiwen paused, taking a deep drag on his cigarette: "After receiving the anonymous report about you, there was internal discussion at the ICAC, and many felt it shouldn't be blown out of proportion."
After speaking, Mai Qiwen looked at Lü Ze: "I was the one who insisted against the majority to ask you to come back and assist with the investigation."
"You?"
吕泽有些搞不懂了。
从吃饭到闲聊中，他和麦启文还是比较聊得来的。
尤其是在教育方面，他比较偏向采用国文教育，加大语文和历史方面的课程，从根源上增加下一代港人的文化认同感。
```htmlMai Qiwen's thoughts are quite similar to his, and to some extent, they are like-minded individuals.
With similar beliefs, it's naturally not difficult to become friends.
"Yes, it's me."
Mai Qiwen nodded in agreement and said, "The Corruption Prevention Commission has a certain power to bring someone in for questioning without any evidence, until it’s proven that they are innocent."```
“Under this right, there is an unwritten rule that one should not bring a person back twice within a year without reason or evidence.”
“At first, this unwritten rule was meant to prevent the abuse of power, for example, to stop someone from bringing back a person they had personal conflicts with and punishing them every now and then.”
```html“Later, everyone agreed to this rule, which became an unspoken rule.”
Mai Qiwun threw the cigarette butt on the ground, stepped on it, and said without raising his head: “If I remember correctly, the police force is due for a reshuffle this July, right? To be fair, I don’t want the position of Police Commissioner to fall into the hands of Li Shutang. This time, bringing you back for baseless rumors was a one-time deal; next time, without solid evidence, you won’t be brought back for tea again.”```
Lu Zeming realized and nodded, saying, "When necessary, using a small trick to have the anti-corruption agency intervene and hold me for 48 hours is a very worthwhile deal."
Mai Qiwen just smiled, and after opening the car door, suddenly said, "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong."
After finishing speaking, he got into the car and left.
“Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong!! I detest the meddling of the red-haired foreign devils and the Li family, who are loyal to the Crown. I support the return, but I also hope to maintain a certain level of independence, where we can govern ourselves!”
Lu Ze watched the car drive away.
Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong, one country, two systems.
However, there's a saying among the people: Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong, nobody believes it.
They don't trust the "red-haired devils," the British royalists, or the Beijing authorities; they only trust themselves.
It's easy to say this, but difficult to put into practice.
Hong Kong Island is a small island and cannot be self-sufficient at all. Once the border is closed, water, electricity, food, meat, and natural gas will be completely cut off in no time. In less than a week, this place will become a dead Hong Kong.
In this case, where can we talk about complete autonomy?