Shanghai Redemption by Qiu Xiaolong

People’s Daily , if you have any problems, you’re supposed to go to the ‘people’s police.’ And they will take care of them for you. Unless your problems are something you can’t let the government know about, and therefore can’t go to the police for help with. Then you really have problems.
    â€œIn the final analysis, the cops work for the Party system, and private investigators work for their clients. That’s why even the term ‘PI’ is still taboo in the official media.
    â€œThat’s why it is necessary for our agency to operate under a different name. The sign at the office says, ‘Consulting and Investigating.’ Consulting covers a broad range of activities. We’re not licensed private investigators, but we’re not illegal either.
    â€œIn short, it’s like the names of those sex-service operations. You may call it a hair salon, a karaoke club, a foot-washing place, or whatever you like, as long as it’s not about what the place really does. Last year, I planned to attend a PI convention in Hangzhou, but at the last minute, the convention had to change its name and cancel most of the sessions. Internal Security was going to be there, so I changed my mind.
    â€œOf course, I don’t have to tell you about these regulations. They are government-imposed, and then, as a consequence, self-imposed as well. One guideline we have in the office, we try not to accept cases involving Party officials. No matter what evidence we come up with, the authorities will never accept it. And Internal Security might come knocking on our door the very next day. The old proverb put it well; ‘All the ravens are equally black under the sun, and officials protect and shield one another.’”
    â€œYou’re a walking encyclopedia of proverbs, Old Hunter, but that one sums it up well.”
    â€œWe also can’t do anything if there’s an ongoing police investigation—or even if the official media just says there’s an investigation.”
    â€œWell, Confucius says, there are things a man will do, and things a man will not do. There are things a PI can do—like change one or two words in the name to keep your agency open—and things a PI can’t do. But my question is, how can your agency manage to operate when it’s burdened with such a long ‘can’t-do’ list?”
    â€œExactly, Chief. It can be really tough. But it’s not my agency. I’m only a part-time helper, so I don’t think I have to—” Old Hunter caught himself abruptly. Why the sudden interest in the agency? He paused, then decided there was nothing wrong with describing the work in general terms. “Well, most of this industry is kept afloat by one particular lucrative niche market: you might not have a customer for three months, but then one customer might make you enough to keep going for three years.
    â€œWhat’s that lucrative niche? Now, I don’t want to tantalize you as though I were a Suzhou opera singer. Simply put, it’s the old practice of cheater-catching. Particularly when the cheaters are Big Bucks. As another ancient proverb goes, ‘When you’re luxuriously fed and clad, you can’t help but dream lustfully.’” Old Hunter took a long, deliberate sip at the tea before going on. “There’s no need for a lecture about the national moral landslide—our premier used those words not long ago. Today’s Socialism with Chinese characteristics has room for many rich and powerful cheaters. Their wives spare no expense to save their marriages—or, failing that, to extract the maximum alimony from them in their divorce. So suspicious spouses are willing to pay us quite a handsome fee to bring them the evidence they need.”
    â€œTell me more about it, Old Hunter. You’re so experienced. As they say, older ginger is spicier. Zhang Zhang must depend on your