Final Civilization

Chapter 28: The Detective Agency

"Attorney Han, what kind of intimidation tactic?" Feng Xiaoyun asked with a gossipy expression.

Yan Li understood what Han Ming meant and said directly, "The troubles Yingcheng encountered were no less than ours. Logically speaking, these problems weren't beyond their ability to solve, yet they dragged them out on purpose. Now that we've just taken over, they're immediately handed to us. Why do you think that is?"

"Tsk tsk."

Feng Xiaoyun shook her head with a bitter smile. "It seems the waters of Tianzhou are really deep."

"Alright, enough sighing. When soldiers come, we'll use generals to block them; when floodwaters come, we'll use earth to cover them. We'll handle things one by one."

As she spoke, Yan Li looked at Han Ming.

"Attorney Han, the Baihe Sand and Gravel layoffs can be pushed back a bit. This Guo Chang is a bit troublesome. We..."

"I'll handle him," Han Ming said directly at that moment.

Hearing this, Yan Li looked somewhat surprised. "When?"

"Tomorrow.""So soon?"

Han Ming lightly tapped the table with his fingers, his expression calm as he said,

"Problems like this are best solved as quickly as possible. Yingcheng has dragged it out for so long, who knows how many preparations he's already made. Delaying further will only make it more troublesome. Now that we've just taken over, it's the perfect time to cut straight to the chase."

Everyone was a bit surprised, while Yan Li frowned and asked, "Do you have a solution?"

Han Ming nodded meaningfully.

"I'm not too skilled with other rules and regulations, but I happen to be quite interested in dealing with this kind of tough, slippery character."

As soon as the words fell, Feng Xiaoyun, He Jin, and the other lawyers exchanged glances.

"Attorney Han, you're not planning to confront him head-on, are you..." another female lawyer cautiously asked in a probing tone.

Once these words were spoken, the conference room fell silent.

After all, Han the Confronter's reputation preceded him. The law firm rumor was that with a tie on, he was a lawyer; with the tie off, he was a mage.

He once argued so fiercely in court that the defendant's defense lawyer nearly had to be carried out due to respiratory alkalosis.

"Arguing is something children do. We are lawyers, so of course we must use professional channels to solve problems."

As he spoke, Han Ming rummaged through a pile of documents for a while, then picked up a pen, lowered his head, and quickly circled a bunch of items before handing them to Feng Xiaoyun.

"These phone numbers, find a few people to help me call them. We'll create a group chat. I'll send detailed instructions inside later."

"Oh... Oh, okay." Feng Xiaoyun hurriedly took them.

Yan Li observed the working Han Ming with great interest, a slight smile curling at the corner of her mouth. She then closed her documents, stood up, and said,

"Then let's end the meeting here. Everyone, go home and rest early. Starting tomorrow, we'll be fighting battles for several weeks straight."

"Alright."

The meeting ended, and everyone left one after another. Han Ming communicated with Feng Xiaoyun and a few others for a while longer, then went to the parking garage to head home.

At that moment, a BMW stopped in front of his car. The window rolled down, revealing Yan Li looking over with a smile as she greeted him.

"Attorney Han, the team made a dinner reservation. Are you coming?"

Han Ming decisively refused.

"You all go ahead. I plan to go back and study Guo Chang's information. Enjoy your meal."

"Alright then."

Yan Li smiled, was about to roll up the window but stopped, her gaze settling on Han Ming.

"You haven't been at the law firm's last few gatherings. Have you been busy with a relationship?"

Han Ming responded with a serious expression, "Work is my lover. Besides, those were partner gatherings. It wasn't really an occasion for me to appear."

The corner of Yan Li's mouth lifted. "You'll be a partner soon. I wonder if I'll get to drink to your promotion then?"

"I'd be delighted," Han Ming nodded.

"Good, then I'll be off first. See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

Watching the BMW drive away, Han Ming took a deep breath and drove back home.

Along the way, he kept thinking about his conversations today with Tao Jie and Sun Lulu. Two car accidents, both premeditated murders. This had led him to discover many similar details.

Buzz buzz.

His phone vibrated. He picked it up and saw a friend request from an unknown number.

The contact's name was a single "S." As soon as he accepted, he immediately received a message.

「Hello, Sherlock.」

Han Ming frowned slightly and replied:

「Who is this?」

S: 「Sun Lulu. Couldn't your deduction method lead you to think of me from that clue? Or do many people call you Sherlock every day?」

Han Ming immediately replied: 「The person who said that today was the one called Ah Chen. Your evaluation of me was 'criminal investigation genius.'」

Sun Lulu: 「Wow, are you that lacking in imagination? Why would Ah Chen add you? He likes women. Of course, only I would be interested in you.」

Han Ming replied directly: 「What's the matter?」

Sun Lulu: 「Nothing much. Mainly to thank you for the clues, and incidentally, to get to know you.」

Han Ming: 「It's not to ask us to provide legal services for you, is it?」

Sun Lulu: 「Hahaha, no need for that. But you could provide consulting services. I think you're a very talented detective.」

Han Ming: 「I'm a lawyer. A legitimate profession.」

Sun Lulu: 「I didn't say I wouldn't pay.」

Han Ming looked at his phone, his eyes thoughtful. He deleted the three characters for "not needed" and then sent a message.

「Help me investigate someone.」

Not long after, Sun Lulu's message came through.

「Oh? Didn't you say you were a lawyer? Is it appropriate for you to ask us to provide illegal services?」

Han Ming quickly typed a string of content and sent it over, then directly put his phone down and drove into the traffic.

On the other side, at the Spirit Butterfly Private Detective Agency.

Sun Lulu was curled up on the sofa with a lollipop in her mouth. The light from her phone screen illuminated her face. After seeing the message Han Ming sent, she suddenly frowned, then smiled, took the lollipop out of her mouth, and muttered.

"This little lawyer, still wants to test us?"

She immediately swiped open an app and sent out a piece of information.

「Guo Chang, General Manager of the Tianqi Financial Credit Department. Help me gather this person's Class A materials within 5 minutes. Perfect the Class B materials within 3 hours.」

...

Han Ming had barely returned to his apartment when he received a call from Sun Lulu.

"I sent you a TTY email account. The information you want will be sent there. Don't ask why it's sent there, just do as I say."

Han Ming didn't expect the other party's speed to be so fast. He immediately opened his computer, accessed a special email account using the method she provided, and then saw the information about Guo Chang inside.

The more he read this information, the more surprised he felt. At first, it was just some superficial personal data, covering some social connections and personal resume.

But later, his identity network, phone location points, and real-name consumption scenarios began to appear. It was simply terrifying.

Strictly speaking, this information constituted illegally obtained evidence. In litigation, if a party presents evidence obtained illegally, the court will not admit that evidence to establish the facts of the case.

But Han Ming knew that those who wanted to obtain this kind of information didn't care about such issues at all.

After reading the contents, he immediately called Sun Lulu.

"So, is this the information you wanted?" Sun Lulu's voice carried a certain self-satisfaction from operating outside the law.

Han Ming spoke in a measured tone. "Can the accuracy of this information be confirmed?"

"We don't fabricate information, we only obtain it. Determining accuracy isn't our job to judge, right, big lawyer?"

Han Ming changed the subject. "How much do I need to pay?"

"This one's free."

Sun Lulu laughed over the phone. "New customer benefit, and also to show you our professionalism."

"Alright then, thank you."

After hanging up, Han Ming had some plans in mind.

That evening, he organized the information about Guo Chang. After a busy stretch, it was already past midnight. Han Ming thought about contacting Tao Jie, but after consideration, decided against it.

Took a shower, turned off the lights, went to sleep.