Chapter 50: A Conspiracy at the Crematorium

The surveillance footage indeed has issues.

The crematorium uses dedicated vehicles to transport bodies.

Families have to pay if they choose this service.

Of course, in special cases, families can bring bodies in their own vehicles.

But most ordinary families opt for the crematorium’s service.

The problem arises with the vehicles used for body transport.

Normally, these vehicles should only be dispatched when there’s a body to transport, right?

One vehicle in, one out—quite logical.

Yet something illogical has occurred.

The crematorium is allowed to cremate a maximum of 24 bodies per day when both furnaces are running.

It’s unavoidable—cremating one body takes roughly an hour.

The staff need their rest too; they’re generally off duty at night.

Families must schedule a cremation appointment in advance.

Yes, you heard correctly—it requires an appointment.

The crematorium has three vehicles dedicated to transporting bodies.

Under normal conditions, they should make at most 24 trips. Seems logical, doesn’t it?

But here’s the twist—the trip counts don’t match the surveillance.

Liu Hongqiao reviewed 30 days of footage from the crematorium.

Typically, surveillance footage is stored for 20 days to three months before being overwritten.

For instance, most residential communities only retain footage for a maximum of two months.

Being a state-owned enterprise, the crematorium’s footage is kept for only one month, which is odd.

Although this is questionable, you really can’t fault it.

However, the trip counts just don’t add up.

If you dispatch a vehicle 24 times a day, a few extra trips wouldn’t normally be an issue.

Yet the footage shows the crematorium’s vehicles making up to 40 trips!

On regular days, the vehicles averaged over 30 trips.

Why?

Apart from transporting bodies, what else could they be carrying?

As a veteran detective, Liu Hongqiao immediately sensed something was off and reported his doubts to Xiao Yu.

At that moment, Xiao Yu was watching the surveillance footage, observing the vehicles repeatedly entering the crematorium.

Each vehicle is equipped with an ‘iron coffin’ specifically designed for transporting bodies.

Since only 24 bodies can be cremated daily, what were the extra trips for?

Even stranger—they only entered; they never left.

Could they be involved in illicit activities?

No!

The crematorium adheres to strict procedures, and the police have the records.

After a person dies, the family or institution must acquire a death certificate.

For hospital deaths, the hospital issues the certificate.

Then the death certificate is verified, an urn is selected, and a cremation permit is issued.

Only then does the cremation occur!

Every step is mandatory—there’s no room for unofficial activity.

This is illegal!

Would any employee dare follow such orders from their superiors?

Surely, a few brave souls might, but could every employee?

Otherwise, word would certainly leak out.

Unless…

Xiao Yu drew a sharp breath, his scalp tingling.

A conspiracy!

What is a conspiracy?

It means everyone involved is a criminal!

Xiao Yu could foresee this—how could three veteran detectives overlook it?

The expressions on everyone’s faces turned grim.

What was initially thought to be a minor case turned out to be much more…

One misstep could uproot an entire state-owned enterprise.

This is a scheme set to blow the lid off everything!

“So, what exactly did they do?”

Xiao Yu took a deep breath and looked at his three team members.

Everyone exchanged uneasy glances, their hearts pounding.

What crime could the crematorium possibly be involved in?

There was only one answer.

Bodies!

At the thought, all four faces turned ice-cold.

“How dare you desecrate the dead?!”

Although the exact details of the case were still unclear,

it was apparent that things were spiraling out of control.

This was clearly about to escalate into a major incident!

With a determined look, Xiao Yu pulled out his phone and called Zhao Changshan.

This was not a case a rookie could investigate on their own.

It had to be reported!

“What?”

Zhao Changshan, startled by Xiao Yu’s deductions over the phone, turned pale. “A conspiracy? A state-owned enterprise? The crematorium?!”

“Mm.”

Xiao Yu’s tone deepened. “Although we haven’t pinpointed exactly what they did, one thing is certain—once uncovered, not one of them will escape. Do you want this reported to the team? I fear your small shoulders won’t be able to bear it!”

Just as Xiao Yu had feared.

If you spot one cockroach, your home might be infested.

If something serious happens at the crematorium,

all crematoriums nationwide will be in deep trouble.

Soon, a whole host of high-ranking officials will face the fallout.

After all, a state-owned enterprise’s leaders don’t have much clout, do they?

Do you know how many people you’d offend?

The Criminal Investigation Team is just a small investigative unit.

Could Zhao Changshan really handle it with his small shoulders?

Being the protector of his superior, Xiao Yu couldn’t let his boss shoulder all the blame.

Clear interests had to be outlined.

If an investigation were launched, how far would it go?

If Zhao Changshan got scared and backed down,

surely Xiao Yu wouldn’t complain—it’s only human.

But he would submit a request to transfer out of the Criminal Investigation Team.

Now was a time to test loyalties!

“Investigate—go big or go home!”

After a moment of silence, Zhao Changshan gritted his teeth, “The whole team will back you up; I’ll bear the pressure!”

After hanging up, Xiao Yu smiled.

With a leader like that,

what was there to hesitate about?

One word—Do it!