After talking with Lu Daoming and Wu Youping, He Rui headed to the headquarters with Xu Chengfeng. On the way, Xu Chengfeng said, "Governor, I want to write a letter to my father asking him to contribute some money."

He Rui answered frankly, "No need. I don't mean to slight your father, but right now, we are really looking to attract foreign investment. Besides, if your father puts up the money, he will certainly expect something in return."

Xu Chengfeng nodded. "You've been discussing organizational purity in party classes recently, Governor; I strongly agree. We absolutely cannot let opportunists infiltrate our ranks. However, we are short of money right now. I am my father's son, after all. I have decided to tell him the whole truth; I absolutely will not deceive him."

Seeing that Xu Chengfeng's attitude was sincere, He Rui patted him on the shoulder. "Chengfeng, just tell your father our economic policies truthfully. Your father is a businessman, and business is business. If he is willing to put up the money, he will certainly have conditions. If we can accept them, we will; if not, we must make that clear."

The two arrived at the headquarters. The young officers were already waiting inside, and the bandit suppression meeting began immediately. Everyone expected Cheng Ruofan to speak first, but it was Hu Xiushan who spoke up.

"Governor, I made a plan. Please take a look, everyone." Hu Xiushan took out a rolled-up map and spread it on the table.

After just a few glances, Cheng Ruofan sighed, "It's so detailed!"

The map was hand-drawn, detailing the terrain of every village and town in Siping. Known bandits were clearly marked, from large gangs to small, scattered groups. Their areas of activity and numbers were recorded with precision.

Besides these, the map clearly marked targets that had been attacked by bandits. Based on the village population, arms, terrain, time, and weather conditions during the attacks, clear deductions were made regarding the bandits' movements, numbers, and escape routes.

Through such meticulous work, combined with existing intelligence, Hu Xiushan made inferences about how many cases were committed by local bandits versus those from outside the area.

He Rui hadn't expected the usually reticent Hu Xiushan to produce such excellent staff work. Just as he was about to ask, Zhong Yifu, a staff specialist, smiled. "Governor, I've been fully occupied with troop training recently. I only answered Xiushan's questions when he came to consult me. This work is all his own doing."

Xu Jia added, "Governor, Xiushan asked me for the records of bandit activity submitted by village cadres. Land reform is progressing well, and the cadres are enthusiastically providing intelligence. Xiushan has really put in the work."

He Rui understood the intelligence sources and technical support behind Hu Xiushan's plan, so he asked him to present it.

"We only have 1,500 troops, mostly raw recruits. If we scatter them, there will inevitably be gaps in our defense. Every village now has a Militia Captain, and with land distribution, we can mobilize the militia. Villages can handle or even capture lone bandits in a head-on encounter. For those who slip through, the permanent Armed Work Teams in the towns can set up roadblocks and search suspicious areas upon receiving word. They should be able to handle it. The regular troops shouldn't worry about these scattered elements; we need to focus on the organized bandit gangs."

Saying this, Hu Xiushan pointed to the two largest bandit gangs locally. "Annihilate them first."

Hu Xiushan then pointed to the surrounding terrain and roads, explaining where to deploy checkpoints to cut off escape routes. He detailed how to tighten the encirclement, compressing the bandits' range of activity until they could be wiped out in one fell swoop.

After explaining these tactics, Hu Xiushan highlighted a few key points. They were clearly marked on the map as major routes for outside bandits entering and leaving the Siping area. "Dispatch troops and mobilize militias to defend these areas. We must prevent bandits from other places from entering to commit crimes while we are focused on exterminating the local threats."

When Hu Xiushan finished, everyone was full of admiration. However, most of the praise was directed at his intelligence collection and analysis. The specific tactics of bandit suppression were not complicated: either besiege their lair and wipe them out, or pursue them relentlessly upon discovery. Everyone had discussed these methods, and Hu Xiushan had adopted them.

But the bandits were elusive; they would never foolishly wait in one place to die. Moreover, their backgrounds were complex. Many appeared to be ordinary farmers by day, only masking up to commit crimes when summoned by accomplices or spotting an opportunity.

With Hu Xiushan's detailed analysis, there was a rough outline of the bandits' movements. Even just an outline allowed for targeted actions.

He Rui was completely relieved and handed the work over to the comrades. He just added two points: "First, banditry is a security issue but also a manifestation of social contradictions. Capture them alive if possible. Those with blood on their hands will be publicly tried and executed. Accomplices will be sent to labor camps for reform through labor. Second, launch a psychological offensive. Get them to identify accomplices and share what they know. This cannot be achieved through torture. We must not let them think being caught was just bad luck, allowing them to play the hero and protect others. Xu Jia, find a few comrades capable of handling this interrogation work."

Xu Jia nodded heavily.

Zheng Silang looked at Xu Jia and said, "If there aren't enough hands, count me in for this job."

Hearing this, Xu Jia didn't know how to answer for a moment. After all, Zheng Silang was cavalry-trained; he had a fiery temper and was strictly disciplined in training. For exterminating bandits, he was an ideal choice. But persuading captured bandits to confess without torture? Could Zheng Silang really handle that?

He Rui nodded to Xu Jia. "I actually think we should let Silang give it a try."

Xu Jia could only answer, "Alright!"

He Rui stood up and said, "Since we have a plan, refine it and then proceed with execution. Consult with each other if any issues arise."

Xu Chengfeng, Hu Xiushan, Zheng Silang, and the others stood up together and answered, "Yes!"