Simulation Game: Crisis Management

Chapter 562 - 254: Confrontation (Part 2)

As he continued browsing.

Gu Ji suddenly discovered an identity that was very advantageous to him. Jin Zhijiu had majored in microbiology at university, and after passing the bar exam to become a prosecutor, he had been handling virus-related cases. That’s why his superiors assigned him to investigate the Wushan Base case.

With this layer of professional backing,

Gu Ji didn’t need to lie or deceive like in other situations. Whatever knowledge and actions he displayed, everyone would find them reasonable.

Half an hour later, the vehicle pulled up in front of a deep gray modern building.

It was the Seoul Central District Prosecution Building!

Every day, three to four hundred criminal cases pass through here, resulting in a constant stream of suits and white-badged secretaries and investigators bustling up and down the grand steps of the entrance.

Gu Ji first sprayed on some disinfectant alcohol while still in the car, then got out and followed Jang Siyun, taking the elevator all the way to the end of the corridor in the public security department.

He pushed open the double doors of the office.

The first thing that caught his eye was a middle-aged man sitting behind a luxurious black walnut desk. His hair was gray and short, his skin wrinkled, and his eyes bulging like dead fish. It was clear from one look that he was not to be trifled with.

The nameplate on the desk read:

Chief Inspector of Public Security: Sun Zaisi.

Sun Zaisi’s eyelids lifted slightly, clearly noticing Gu Ji but seemingly intending to suppress him, pretended not to see him, and continued reading the newspaper in his hand.

"Mr. Sun."

"You still know I’m your superior!"

Sun Zaisi slammed the newspaper onto the table with a "smack", "I told you to look into the eyewitness of the research institute explosion case, but you ended up having a conflict with the deputy director of the hospital, and complaints even reached me!"

"I don’t think I have any issues. The severity of the suspicious patient in the emergency room is entirely comparable to the Wushan Base case."

Unexpectedly, Gu Ji didn’t even blink, showing no signs of being intimidated by Sun Zaisi as he recounted all the information about MERS.

Even though he was a prosecutor, he only had two or three subordinates.

So, if he could leverage the power of the Central District Prosecution to pressure Shansang Hospital and the CDC, it would make things much easier.

Sun Zaisi didn’t reach the position of Chief Inspector without being shrewd.

Gu Ji’s report was logical and well-founded.

If this matter were true, it would definitely become South Korea’s most serious public health crisis of the year.

If their public security department played a significant role in this incident, it would greatly enhance his reputation, achievements, and personal authority.

However,

Gu Ji had no test results!

Without a test report, it was impossible to conclude anything, let alone the involvement of the colossal Shansang Conglomerate.

Sun Zaisi squinted, folding his hands and pondering for a few seconds before speaking:

"I can permit you to investigate privately, but you know, the entire public security department is currently busy with the Wushan Base case. I have no one to assign to you; you’ll have to rely on yourself."

The old fox.

Gu Ji raised his eyebrows almost imperceptibly.

Sun Zaisi clearly intended to use him as a scapegoat; if the matter were true, he could declare that it was his directive to investigate, thereby taking credit for himself;

If it weren’t, he could deny responsibility and shift the blame entirely, with the Shansang Conglomerate only directing their anger at him, the prosecutor.

However, for Gu Ji,

as long as Sun Zaisi didn’t obstruct him, that was enough.

This obstacle was the classic red heart mode, with no time limits—he had plenty of opportunities.

Thus, after leaving the office,

Gu Ji took out his phone again and dialed the Seoul Central CDC, specifically asking for Jiang Chengxun, the CDC researcher he had just met at the hospital.

"You and I both understand the severity of this situation. I’ve received the chief inspector’s consent; as soon as your virus identification report is ready, I can immediately convince the prosecution to get involved."

"Mr. Jin, rest assured, I will do my utmost to expedite it. Perhaps the results will be out tonight."

On the phone, Jiang Chengxun sounded very assured.

It was evident that at his core, he was a doctor with a strong sense of justice, albeit somewhat intimidated by authority.

"Lastly, I’d like to ask for your help in contacting the head of the CDC at the airport."

Indeed, Gu Ji planned to tackle the issue from the root.

Currently, MERS hadn’t spread widely; if they could quickly locate the source and quarantine all infected individuals as soon as the identification report was released, it would effectively curb the spread.

The office was a roughly 50-square-meter cubicle.

A shapely female secretary in a gray business suit, gold-rimmed glasses, and black high heels walked over with "tap-tap-tap" sounds, carrying coffee and documents. "Mr. Jin, these are the files you requested."

Before arriving, he had already reviewed the profiles of all his subordinates on his phone.

Pei Nanzhu, Jin Zhijiu’s office secretary, graduated in journalism.

Pei Nanzhu bent slightly, placing the coffee on Gu Ji’s desk, her pencil skirt forming a perfect curve.

"Nanzhu, do you happen to know anyone working in the media?"

Before she could turn to leave, Gu Ji asked.

"Ah? Of course, Mr. Jin. Many of my friends and classmates work in media companies; are you thinking of..."

"Help me find a few media outlets that compete with or have a grudge against Shansang."

"Alright, okay."

Pei Nanzhu hesitated momentarily, not fully understanding what Gu Ji intended, but nevertheless agreeing.

Indeed.

Gu Ji’s idea was simple.

He planned to use the same tactics as in the India flood level, leveraging public opinion for pressure. This time, however, his target was Shansang instead of the government.

He couldn’t believe that if the MERS identification results were made public through media channels,

Shansang could still forcibly suppress it?

By three in the afternoon, Pei Nanzhu introduced him to a female reporter named Lin Renna, her senior during school. Her father and several coworkers had died due to a chlorine tank leak at the Shansang Chemical Factory. Shansang Factory claimed serious operational errors by the staff, not only refusing compensation but also suing her for the factory’s losses.

The lawsuit dragged on seven or eight years without resolution.

So, over the years, Lin Renna had been reporting negative stories about Shansang, attempting to topple this giant.

"Just this one?"

"I’m sorry, Mr. Jin, but she’s the only one who dares to face off against Shansang..."

"I understand."

Before Pei Nanzhu could finish speaking, Gu Ji grabbed his briefcase and car keys and left the office.

He arranged to meet Lin Renna that evening, ready to have her publish as soon as Jiang Chengxun’s report was completed.

In the evening, at a café in downtown Seoul,

Gu Ji sat by the window, waiting for news from Jiang Chengxun.

"Cough, cough, cough..."

Just then, a violent cough erupted behind him.

He turned around quickly, like a startled bird, and saw a middle-aged woman covering her mouth with a tissue. Not far from her, a male college student in a T-shirt looked pale and distressed.

Even though Gu Ji knew MERS couldn’t spread that quickly,

these fragmented details made him feel a strong sense of crisis.

Public health levels differ from other levels.

Natural disasters, accidents, social safety—those are all tangible.

Only public health,

like an invisible hand of hell, grips the crowd, slowly squeezing the life out of civilians.

You never know who will die or when.

This unknown is what is most terrifying.

Just then, a pleasant fragrance caught Gu Ji’s attention, as a short-haired woman in a pale pink gauze dress and white scarf, wearing a mask, walked straight to him. "Hello, are you Prosecutor Jin Zhijiu?"

"I am."

"Hello, I’m Lin Renna."

Lin Renna extended her hand enthusiastically, clearly holding high expectations for this meeting. After all, collaborating with a prosecutor could greatly enhance her chances against Shansang.

"No need for a handshake."

Gu Ji declined outright.

Lin Renna then realized why; Gu Ji had briefed her on the situation during their afternoon call and reminded her to wear a mask, which led to strange looks from people when she took the bus.

"Mr. Jin, is the report out yet?"

"Not yet, I’ll call him now."

Gu Ji said, taking out his phone. As soon as he dialed Jiang Chengxun’s number, he heard a message saying the phone was off, so he contacted the CDC directly to inquire if Jiang Chengxun was still at the testing center.

But the news he received was...

Jiang Chengxun had taken leave and gone home!