After washing his hands, Yang Jian followed Yang Fan into the living room. A batman was boiling tea for them.
"Instructor Yang, what project are you planning to invest in?"
The brigade commander's primary concern was investment and whether it could bring him benefits.
"We plan to invest in a paper mill. We will apply for the project with the special economic zone government in a few days. We need your help to push this matter forward." Yang Fan knew his intentions and subtly expressed his meaning. In fact, such a formal project didn't require his intervention at all. The special economic zone government would give it a green light, and the procedures for land acquisition and approval would be handled very quickly.
The brigade commander understood his meaning and no longer dwelled on the investment matters. "Then tell me, what do you need my help with, little brother Yang?"
"Mainly to find someone."
Yang Fan briefly explained San Pang's situation, including the relationships between Brother Mao, Brother Nan, and that border defense captain.
"The border defense battalion doesn't belong to my jurisdiction. I can go directly to the battalion area to find him, but he might not give me face because my relationship with his brigade commander isn't very good."
"It's fine, as long as we can find him, we'll talk to him."
The brigade commander pondered for a moment and said, "Actually, there's another way. We can directly arrest that Brother Nan and interrogate him. Even his brigade commander wouldn't dare to demand his release."
"The problem is we don't know where Brother Nan is, and arresting him isn't easy."
"Then let's go to the border defense battalion and directly ask him to hand over Brother Nan."
The brigade commander was decisive. He stood up and asked the batman to prepare a car, with the guard squad following, to head to the border defense battalion.
Yang Fan and Yang Jian naturally accompanied him.
The border defense battalion's camp was near the Mengla port, opposite the Dalukou port. Because the commander's car led the way, the Cayenne and three military vehicles entered the camp without any obstruction.
As soon as the brigade commander got out of the car, a soldier in his thirties ran over and saluted.
The uniforms of the Allied Forces had no rank insignia, so outsiders couldn't discern the hierarchy of officers and soldiers. However, they had internal methods for identifying ranks. The brigade commander was a high-ranking cadre, and the soldiers in the camp naturally recognized him.
"Is your battalion commander here?"
The brigade commander returned the salute. He didn't recognize anyone here.
"Sir, I am the battalion commander, Shancai. May I ask for your instructions?"
Shancai was not very familiar with this superior officer.
"Oh, that's good. I came to find you. Do you know someone named Su Zhengnan? Can you call him over? I have something to ask him."
"Sir, Su Zhengnan is from Dalukou Town and doesn't belong to our side."
Shancai did not deny knowing Su Zhengnan. Although he wasn't his direct superior, he didn't want to offend him. What if he became his subordinate one day?
"I know. Don't worry, I have no malicious intent. I just need his help to find someone."
"Alright, I'll call him over."
This area was on the border of the port. No matter where Su Zhengnan was, it wasn't far to the battalion area.
In less than twenty minutes, a pickup truck drove into the camp. A dark and thin man in his forties got out.
"Old Su, this superior officer wants to get some information from you. Please cooperate actively."
After introducing both parties, Shancai made the request to Su Zhengnan.
Su Zhengnan immediately stood at attention in front of the brigade commander. "Please ask your questions, sir."
The brigade commander didn't speak. He motioned for Yang Jian to ask directly. Yang Jian took out San Pang's photo. "Brother Nan, have you seen this person?"
As Su Zhengnan took the photo, his expression instantly changed. This change was noticed by Yang Jian, who knew that San Pang might be in his hands.
"Reporting, sir, I have not seen this person."
Su Zhengnan flatly denied it. San Pang was his cash cow. Not only did he receive over 200,000 yuan in dividends at the end of each year, but he also received a monthly salary of 5,000 yuan. He was unwilling to admit that he had seen San Pang.
Yang Fan also noticed Su Zhengnan's unnatural expression. He leaned closer to the brigade commander and whispered something in his ear.
The brigade commander immediately waved to the guard squad. "Take him away."
Shancai was shocked and quickly stepped forward to stop him. "Sir, he is my friend. You cannot take him away."
"He is suspected of assaulting one of my soldiers. I need to take him back for investigation. If you have any objections, you can appeal to your superiors. Anyone who obstructs military law will be dealt with."
As the brigade commander spoke, he drew the pistol from his waist.
The guard squad immediately escorted Su Zhengnan into the car.
The brigade commander waved his hand, and everyone got into the car. After honking twice, they left the military camp, leaving Shancai in anxious suspense.
In the Special Operations Battalion of the 51st Brigade of the Allied Forces, Yang Fan pushed Su Zhengnan into his office. He was the combat instructor of this battalion and had his own independent office and bedroom.
"Brother Nan, tell us the truth. Is San Pang in your hands?"
Yang Jian wanted to communicate with Su Zhengnan in a gentle manner, to make him voluntarily hand over San Pang and Brother Mao.
"Brother, I really haven't seen this person. I don't know who San Pang is either."
Su Zhengnan was determined not to admit it. Without evidence, they shouldn't be able to do much to him, especially with Shancai as his backer.
"Then do you recognize Brother Mao?"
"No."
It seemed that he wouldn't cooperate willingly. Yang Jian's patience ran out. He slapped him across the face, drawing blood from his mouth.
"Su Zhengnan, let me tell you the truth. From the moment you entered this military camp, your life has been in my hands. No one can save you. If you want to live, answer my questions honestly."
When the brigade commander handed Su Zhengnan over to Yang Jian, he had said that any means could be used during the interrogation, and it wouldn't matter even if he died.
Su Zhengnan was an old hand and still insisted, "Brother, you are also Chinese. Why make things difficult for me? I really don't know these two people you mentioned."
"Su Zhengnan, we didn't come to you directly for no reason. This is your last chance. Will you tell us or not?"
"I really don't know them."
"Good. I hope your mouth can remain stubborn. Then I will admire you."
After speaking, Yang Jian kicked him in the stomach. Before he could cry out in pain, he grabbed his hair and rubbed his face repeatedly on the ground.
Seeing that he still wouldn't talk, he stepped on his ankle.
"Ah."
Su Zhengnan cried out in pain, realizing then that the other party wasn't bluffing but intended to torture him to death.
Yang Fan brought a hammer. "Stop wasting your breath on him. Smash his bones one by one. Scum like this specializes in human trafficking. He deserves to die a hundred times over."
Su Zhengnan was about to beg for mercy when Yang Jian grabbed the hammer and smashed it onto his right index finger.
"Ah! Don't hit me! I'll talk! Don't hit me!"
Su Zhengnan endured the immense pain and kept begging for mercy. Because he spoke too slowly, Yang Jian's hammer would continue to smash his second finger.
Yang Jian placed the hammer on his head. "Why bother? I told you long ago that once you enter here, if you don't cooperate, there's no possibility of getting out. Killing you is as easy as crushing an ant, and I won't be held responsible at all."
"I know I was wrong. Don't hit me anymore. I'll cooperate with you."
Su Zhengnan felt the killing intent from the other party. In this place full of sin, the other party would really kill him. If he continued to be stubborn, he would only suffer torture and die in pain. No one would care about his disappearance.