The Forensic Doctor Better Than a Detective

Jiang An nodded quickly, ”Understood, this is what I should do.”

”Since taking over as the head of the criminal investigation team, I haven’t officially reported to the provincial team on my work yet. This is an opportunity.”

”Procedurally, it’s indeed necessary to communicate and report; otherwise, future criminal investigation assessments and even cross-regional cooperation would struggle to progress without understanding and support from above.”

”Exactly!”

Mr Li agreed and breathed a long sigh of relief, ”The provincial department has always affirmed our Jiangcheng criminal investigation capabilities.”

”In fact, they didn’t intervene immediately this time because they believed we could handle it.”

”They even called this morning to ask about progress, only saying: ’Support is available at any time if needed.’”

”After all, with four people dead in this case, gathering evidence is inherently difficult. Moreover, the fire destroyed many traces, and many clues were cut off—solving it quickly was not easy.”

Mr Li breathed a deep sigh of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted, and his tone became much more relaxed: ”But now, none of that matters anymore; the case has been successfully solved, haha.”

He looked warmly at Jiang An, his face full of approval, ”After handing over the criminal investigation team to you, this is the first major case you have taken on, and it was handled so cleanly and neatly. I truly didn’t expect such a smooth outcome.”

”To be honest, from the beginning, I believed you had the capability, but for you to gather the entire team’s strength in such a short time and efficiently advance the investigation process is truly gratifying.”

”I think now, the entire criminal investigation team certainly holds you in high regard.”

Jiang An smiled slightly, then turned to look at Jiang Feng and Wan beside him, speaking earnestly: ”It’s mainly because the team has been especially supportive of my work, and everyone worked together day and night on the front lines.”

”If I were fighting alone, I certainly wouldn’t have achieved such a result.”

”Oh, Mr. Jiang, you’re too modest!”

Wan chimed in with a smile, ”This isn’t an achievement we could have accomplished on our own; it’s due to effective leadership and command!”

Suddenly, Jiang An turned back, looking slightly embarrassed as he faced Mr Li.

”Mr Li, now that the case has been successfully concluded.”

”Shouldn’t we also start discussing the matter of commendations and awards?”

Hearing this, Mr Li burst into laughter and pointed at Jiang An: ”Oh, now that you’ve become the head of the criminal investigation team, you no longer treat honors as dung, do you?”

”You used to always say that these flashy things were useless.”

Jiang An laughed as well, but his expression gradually turned serious: ”You’re right.”

”I was young and ignorant in the past, but now I truly understand the situation you were in before.”

”I may not care about honors for myself, but for the brothers who work with me, they are fighting not just for duty but for responsibility and belief.”

”Everyone values this recognition from the organization greatly.”

He paused, looking over his colleagues, speaking firmly: ”So, even if not for myself, I must ensure that my teammates’ hard work receives the recognition it deserves.”

Mr Li nodded, his face showing a pleased smile: ”Don’t worry, I’ve been considering this for a long time.”

”In fact, even before the case was fully solved, I had already briefed the director specifically about commendations and awards, and he very much agreed with my suggestions.”

”This major case involving four deaths is unprecedented in Jiangcheng’s history.”

”For such a heinous crime, if it’s solved quickly, there must be clear rewards and effective incentives.”

”Since we have swiftly solved the case, especially with the efficiency and professionalism shown by your criminal investigation team, we must properly reward everyone who made an effort.”

After a brief pause, Li Jian continued, ”As it stands, I’ve already formally proposed to the director that, given the strong combat power and team cohesion demonstrated by the criminal investigation team in this case, the team should receive a collective second-class merit.”

”Moreover, during the case handling process, many in the team performed exceptionally.”

”For these individuals, I’ve also proposed corresponding reward suggestions: two third-class merits, two commendations.”

”As for how to allocate these honors to individuals, you’re the new team leader, so you know everyone’s contributions better. I’ll leave it to you to draft an initial name list and submit it to me.”

Hearing this, Jiang An’s expression brightened, and he spoke promptly: ”Thank you so much, Mr Li!”

”I’ve just taken office, and you’ve already secured such significant honors for us, with two third-class merits and two commendations. You’ve truly supported my role as head of the criminal investigation team.”

”With such tangible recognition, I can better establish authority among my teammates and further motivate everyone to continue striving wholeheartedly to accomplish missions.”

”Oh, don’t say that! It’s not that I’m supporting you; it’s that you’re inherently excellent.”

Mr Li said sincerely, patting Jiang An on the shoulder with a smile, ”Regarding your personal performance, I’ve already formally reported and consulted with the city bureau director.”

”As the head of the criminal investigation team, your command and coordination during this major case were effective and robust.”

”Not only did you push for a quick breakthrough in the case, but the results were also very impressive, successfully solving the case quickly, suppressing criminal activities, and maintaining social stability.”

”Therefore, after preliminary research by the bureau, it has been decided to nominate you for a personal first-class merit.”

He paused briefly, his tone becoming serious: ”Of course, you also understand that a personal first-class merit must be submitted to the Ministry of Public Security for approval. We’re only suggesting a nomination at this stage.”

”But it already represents the bureau’s full recognition of your work.”

The sudden ’personal first-class merit’ left Jiang An stunned.

In all his years on the job, the highest honor he had received was a personal second-class merit.

A first-class merit... he never even dared to think about it.

In the police force, there’s always been a saying: Third-class merits are earned standing, second-class merits lying down, first-class merits given to the family.

The implication being that first-class merits are often posthumous awards for courageously fallen or severely injured officers, and rarely do healthy, active-duty officers receive them.

Yet here he stood, healthy and breathing steadily, how could he possibly be awarded a first-class merit?

For a moment, Jiang An felt lost and instinctively turned to look at Mr Li.

Mr Li, seemingly reading his thoughts, smiled and asked, ”What, does it feel unbelievable?”

The several officers standing nearby also cast looks of awe and envy.

Jiang An nodded, his voice a bit tight: ”Mr Li, what virtue or ability do I have to be awarded a personal first-class merit?”

Mr Li chuckled, his tone becoming increasingly gentle: ”Honestly, I’ve never received a personal first-class merit in my life.”

He glanced around the room before continuing: ”But you’re different.”

”Since you joined the criminal investigation team, moving from an ordinary officer to deputy captain, and now to the captain, everyone here has witnessed your case-solving skills and the effort you’ve put in.”

”Especially the city bureau leadership, they hold a high opinion of your personal abilities.”

”Nominating you as the first candidate for a personal first-class merit from our city bureau in the past five years was a decision made after careful consideration and with full confidence.”

”If we were to nominate someone whose skills aren’t outstanding and contributions aren’t substantial, wouldn’t that just waste the nomination?”

As he finished speaking, Wan could no longer contain himself. He tugged at Jiang An’s arm excitedly and interjected: ”Mr. Jiang, stop being modest!”

”Our Jiangcheng City Bureau only gets one first-class merit candidacy like this every few years; if the nominee isn’t strong enough, how can we compete with so many outstanding peers across the province and nation?”

”And given your abilities and performance, we’re all confident that you’ll successfully pass through!”

Mr Li nodded approvingly, picking up the conversation: ”Wan is spot on; that’s exactly it.”

”Jiang An, don’t refuse.”

”After you go back, prepare the application materials carefully. The bureau will assign someone to coordinate with you on follow-up matters this Sunday, fully assisting in completing the submission.”

Jiang An took a deep breath, the previously bewildered look in his eyes gradually turning clear and determined.

He then stood at attention, his voice strong and resolute: ”Yes, Mr Li!”

”Thanks for the trust and training from the organization!”

”I will prepare diligently and won’t let everyone’s expectations down.”

”I will continue to forge ahead in the field of criminal investigation, creating more achievements!”