dognovel Chapter 982 The hiding place has been exposed
Chapter 982 The hiding place has been exposed
“You’re right, who can argue with that? The higher-ups are fighting amongst themselves, what can we do about it? We just want to make some money and live our own little lives.” Xiao Huang said, “But do you know why Brother Leopard did this? It’s because he doesn’t want Brother Xing to compete with him for the detective’s position.”
“I know that. Brother Leopard has been doing so much lately just to make money. He’s been actively trying to pull strings to bribe the foreign inspector. He’s extorted a lot of people for this, some of whom I know, and some I don’t. I heard some brothers advised him not to go too far, but he wouldn’t listen.”
"That's right. The two people I told you about are also victims, and one of them, a professor, is quite prestigious. If this gets out, it's fine if the higher-ups don't investigate, but if they do, I reckon Brother Leopard will just find someone to be a scapegoat. Right now, the victim has gone to Brother Xing for help, and Brother Xing just happens to be angry, you know? I think you could secretly tell me the addresses of those two people. Brother Xing might not necessarily rescue them, but the main thing is that you show your support, so I can put in a good word for you with Brother Xing."
After much consideration, A'gen finally relented and said, "Alright, I'll tell you then, but brother, you absolutely mustn't say it was me who told you. Brother Leopard, that guy is ruthless and capable of anything. My mother isn't in good health, and my wife is about to give birth."
"What kind of relationship do we have? Don't you trust me? Don't worry, brother. Those people are really innocent."
"Of course I know this."
A'gen still told Xiao Huang the address of the two people. After Xiao Huang found out, he hurriedly said goodbye and went back to report to Long Xing.
Xiao Huang asked, "Brother Xing, we've found the address, but are we going to go rescue them ourselves? That's too risky. If Ouyang Bao finds out, we'll really have a falling out with him."
At this moment, another officer under Long Xing walked in and said to him, "Brother Xing, we've found out. It seems that the two people who were arrested are connected to the revolutionaries in the mainland. The reason why Brother Leopard's side noticed this girl and this group is because some time ago, they brought back a batch of cotton and cotton cloth to the anti-Japanese army in the mainland. Brother Leopard secretly sold some of it to them from our police station's dock warehouse. Brother Leopard probably saw that these people were wealthy, so he wanted to arrest them and slowly squeeze them dry."
Upon hearing this, Long Xing was stunned: "Anti-Japanese troops from the mainland? This Ouyang Bao is too unreasonable. How could he even mess with revolutionaries? Is he willing to abandon his integrity for the sake of climbing the ranks?"
His subordinate asked, "What should we do about him? Should we rescue him?"
Xiao Huang said, "Let's tell them the news and let them handle the rescue themselves. If we take action ourselves, we'll inevitably offend Brother Leopard. The outcome is still uncertain, so there's no need to ruin things at this time."
"Wait a minute, do you think that Wu Mingqiang knows anything about the revolutionaries?"
"He should know, after all, his master is right under his nose."
"Is it possible that he is a revolutionary?"
"This..." The two subordinates looked at each other, not knowing what Long Xing meant.
"Brother Xing, you're not still trying to recruit that guy as your subordinate, are you? Didn't he refuse?"
"What do you two know? We're all Chinese, and they're working for China. If we can lend a hand, why not?"
"But this matter is too dangerous."
"Don't worry, we still need to think of a way. We'll rescue them secretly, without Ah Bao finding out."
"Brother Xing, let's forget it, it's too dangerous. I think that Mr. Wu is very skilled, even more so than us brothers. Why would you take such a big risk?"
Long Xing looked up at his men, all of whom looked reluctant. He sighed and said, "Alright, then go and inform Mr. Wu to meet him at Desheng Restaurant at noon tomorrow. We'll discuss our strategy then."
Xiao Huang breathed a sigh of relief, agreed, and went out.
When A'gen returned from the teahouse, he found himself covered in a cold sweat. He had acted rashly when he was talking to Xiao Huang, but now that he had calmed down, he felt a chill down his neck. He knew Ouyang Bao's methods all too well. If this matter were exposed, not only would his mother and his pregnant wife be in danger, but he himself might also lose his life.
He turned into a narrow alley, squatted down against the wall and smoked a pipe, the tobacco making him cough. "No, I have to fix this." He stubbed out the cigarette, a ruthless glint in his eyes. "If Xiao Huang could get the address from me, he might also know where that orphan girl lives... I heard before that Brother Leopard was looking for a woman, it must be this girl, she's a sure thing."
Having made up his mind, he quietly circled back to the alley behind the police station and happened to see Xiao Huang and Xiao Wu walking out the door. A'gen pulled down the brim of his hat and followed behind them at a distance.
Following the two men through two streets, they turned into the shantytown. The shantytown's roads were like a maze, winding and narrow alleys, with puddles and mud underfoot that made a "squeak" sound when stepped on. Xiao Huang and Xiao Wu walked quickly, glancing back every now and then. A'gen quickly shrank to the wall, holding his breath—the old newspapers pasted on the wall rustled in the wind, just enough to cover half of his body.
Finally, the two stopped in front of a dilapidated shack, knocked on the wooden door, and came out Ah Guang and Ah Zong.
"Brother Guang, Brother Zong, and Brother Xing asked us to pass on a message: meet at Desheng Restaurant at 12 noon tomorrow." Xiao Wu lowered his voice, "I've written the address here; tell him he absolutely must come."
Ah Guang took the note and nodded in agreement. Xiao Huang and Xiao Wu turned and left, unaware that Ah Gen was staring from the corner.
After Xiao Huang walked away, A Gen followed A Guang and A Zong out of the shantytown and into the bustling street. He watched them enter the arcade building with a sign that read "Shop for Rent".
Seeing that A-Guang and A-Zong had stopped in front of the arcade, A-Gen quickly hid in the back alley of the tailor shop diagonally opposite. The arcade looked more presentable than the surrounding buildings, as if it had been newly renovated. A faded wooden sign that read "Shop for Rent" hung at the door, with a large iron lock attached to the bottom. A-Zong went up and knocked on the door, three long knocks and two short knocks, with a distinct rhythm.
A moment later, the door opened a crack, and Ah Guang whispered something inside. A hand reached out and took the note from Ah Guang's hand, then clicked the door shut again. Ah Guang and Ah Zong didn't linger and turned to walk back.
A'gen stared at the door, his eyes shining—this arcade was secluded, with alleyways at both ends, truly a good place for Tibetans. He didn't follow A'guang and the others anymore, but simply memorized the location of the arcade in his mind, then turned and ran back.