"What are you planning to do with Peng Yu?" Yang Jian asked curiously, "Brother Bao, how are you going to handle him?"
"Of course, we'll sell him. What else can we do? His boss, Brother Fei, is no pushover. He has unusual connections with high-ranking military officials, otherwise his drug processing plant would have been shut down long ago."
Yang Jian was surprised, "Sell him? Is human trafficking this casual here?"
"Yes, tens of thousands of people are tricked from China every year. Once they arrive here, there's basically no chance of going back. They'll be resold continuously by scam companies, forced into activities like pyramid schemes and telecom fraud."
"Don't the local military or police do anything?"
"They don't. Telecom fraud has become a massive industry here, just like gambling. It's a significant source of economic revenue for various states in northern Myanmar. Especially in Mong La, which used to be a major drug distribution hub for the Golden Triangle. After Lin Xianming took charge, he felt that relying on drugs wouldn't develop the region's economy. He drastically reduced poppy cultivation and, with support from the UN and China, implemented a crop substitution plan. With the reduction in drugs, the gambling industry in Mong La began to rise. As China intensified its crackdown on telecom fraud, these scam syndicates shifted their operations here, becoming the two largest pillar industries in northern Myanmar. The local military government even provides protection."
This situation left Yang Jian bewildered. In the 21st century, human trafficking was still happening, and the victims were all Chinese nationals.
"Brother Bao, if you sell him, aren't you afraid he'll contact his boss, Brother Fei, and expose us?"
"Don't worry. I'll sell him to Kokang or Wa State. They're at war over there, and it's far from here."
"Brother Bao, why don't we hand him over to the Chinese police? We shouldn't be involved in human trafficking."
Yang Jian felt a pang of sympathy. They were all compatriots. Although Peng Yu dealt in drugs, he should be severely punished by Chinese law, not sold like merchandise here.
Ah Bao patted his shoulder and smiled, "Little Yang, you've been in the underworld, but you're still pure at heart. Your ability to go straight is related to your character. Are Zhang Hui and Qin Feiyang police officers?"
"How did you know?"
"From the way he arranged for us to split up at the hotel entrance, I was suspicious. You, the protagonist, have to report to him. That's very telling. Also, I heard from Xiao Yu that Qin Feiyang's marksmanship is incredibly accurate, and his shooting posture is extremely skilled. Ordinary police officers don't have such abilities. This guy is either special forces or SWAT."
Yang Jian felt a bit awkward, "I'm sorry, Brother Bao. They're here to catch drug dealers, not targeting you or Brother Fan. Don't worry, they won't touch you. I can guarantee they don't know your backgrounds."
"Hmm, I know you won't betray us. However, my martial uncle has already left. I will do my best to help you find San Pang and catch Brother Mao."
Yang Jian was shocked, "Where did Brother Fan go? Does he suspect I brought the police here to find him?"
Ah Bao shook his head, "No, my martial uncle trusts you completely. But he doesn't trust those two police officers. My martial uncle is wanted by the Han City police. These two officers are from Han City, so they must know that Yang Fan is a wanted criminal."
"Where is Brother Fan? I want to meet him and explain now."
"There's no need. My martial uncle has already left Mong La and won't be back for a while. Don't call him either. He'll contact you when the time is right."
"Alright, will our operations here be affected?"
"No. Even though my martial uncle isn't here, his connections are still in place. If we get into trouble, he'll come to our rescue. Don't worry, my martial uncle still has some influence here."
"What about this Peng Yu then?"
"Let those two police officers handle him. I won't interfere."
Ah Bao left after speaking.
Bringing the police over without informing him in advance, Yang Fan must have some reservations about him. A rift between brothers would be hard to mend. Yang Jian felt a bit down.
"Manager Yang, what are you spacing out for? Did you find anything out?"
Zhang Hui walked over and asked. He knew that Ah Bao and his men had their own interrogation methods, which were more effective, so he had been waiting outside.
"I have some clues, but it's hard to say if we can find the person."
Yang Jian recounted what Peng Yu had revealed, including his suggestion to send Peng Yu back to China.
After listening, Zhang Hui thought for a moment and said, "Let's go in and ask again."
Yang Jian pulled him back, "Captain Zhang, what do you think of my Brother Fan and Brother Bao?"
Zhang Hui was taken aback, "You mean Yang Fan, right? I recognized him at the port. After all, the case of the murdered prince had a huge impact at the time. The prince's father is quite well-known in Han City. Not only was the wanted notice issued by our municipal bureau, but the prince's father also offered a reward. So, I have a deep impression of Yang Fan."
"No wonder Brother Fan was so sensitive."
"What's wrong? Does Yang Fan suspect us? Or is he blaming you?"
"Brother Fan has already left Mong La. Captain Zhang, you won't report his whereabouts to the municipal bureau, will you?"
Zhang Hui patted his shoulder, "Manager Yang, don't worry. I won't make things difficult for you. I'm an anti-drug officer, and his case isn't under our jurisdiction. We still need his significant assistance here to solve the case. He's also contributed to the investigation."
Yang Jian finally breathed a sigh of relief and re-entered the warehouse with Zhang Hui.
Upon seeing Yang Jian, Peng Yu knelt before him, "Big brother, please let me go. I'll tell you everything I know."
Yang Jian didn't speak. He found a seat and let Zhang Hui interrogate him alone.
Zhang Hui called Qin Feiyang and began asking for his personal information, with Qin Feiyang recording it.
After finishing the personal information, Qin Feiyang took out his phone and went out.
After more than ten minutes, Qin Feiyang returned and nodded to Zhang Hui, "Captain Zhang, his personal information is correct. However, he's a fugitive. He's wanted nationwide for a fatal fight in his hometown."
Hearing this, Peng Yu's legs went weak. He finally understood that the people who kidnapped him were actually police officers from China.
Yang Jian was also surprised. He had inadvertently captured a murderer.
Zhang Hui continued the interrogation, "Peng Yu, you should know our identities now. What are your thoughts?"
"Po-police officers, I didn't kill him intentionally. And I wasn't the only one involved. If I confess everything, will it count as a voluntary surrender?"
Knowing he couldn't escape, Peng Yu could only plead for mercy.
"Peng Yu, we didn't come specifically to arrest you. They intended to sell you to a scam company in Kokang. Do you want me to send you back for trial, or would you prefer to be sold to a scam company?"
"I, I'm willing to go back and serve time. Please don't sell me. I'd rather spend my life in prison than be sold to a scam company."
Peng Yu had been involved in this world for many years and knew how miserable it was to be sold into a scam company. It was no exaggeration to call it hell on earth. He'd rather go back to China and be imprisoned.