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The burly man, the old woman, and the woman in the floral shirt were villagers living deep in the mountains. They were originally honest and simple people, but one day, a lame old bachelor in their village who had no one to marry and his mother brought back a young girl. The following year, she gave birth to a big, fat boy, and everyone in the village became interested.
Their village is very remote. The nearest village that is not deep in the mountains and has relatively convenient transportation is separated from their village by several mountain peaks. The road between the two villages takes at least three hours, and the only way to get in and out is on foot. Bicycles and oxcarts cannot pass through.
As for the other nearby villages, they are even more remote and inconvenient than their village.
It was too remote, with few fields and barren land. Even if they worked diligently all year round, they didn't get much food and went hungry all year, relying on wild grass and fruits from the mountains to fill their stomachs.
In such villages, naturally few girls are willing to marry into the village. The girls who are willing to marry into the village are basically sold by their families. The dowry required is quite high, and if one person cannot afford it, the whole family has to pay for it. Thus, the practice of sharing a wife naturally arises.
After all, poor families can't afford a second betrothal gift.
If each person could have one wife, who would want to share a wife?
So, when they saw that the old bachelor had managed to bring a wife home without spending a penny, everyone in the village got the idea. The whole family pitched in, going to the commune and other villages to grab a young girl and bring her back.
The villagers worked together as one. If outsiders came to inquire about the girls or search for someone, the news would leak out early. The villagers would then send the girls into mountain caves and bring them back after the outsiders left.
They weren't worried about the girls running away. The mountain paths were complicated, and without someone to guide them, they wouldn't be able to get out of the nearby mountains. There were also wild beasts and poisonous snakes in the mountains, enough to scare them back.
And so, all the men in the village found wives.
After the village found they had no shortage of wives, some resourceful villagers started to wonder, "If they don't have a shortage of wives in their village, what about the villagers in the mountains further back?"
They continued to abduct young girls and sell them to the villagers in the mountains.
In a short period of time, an industrial chain based in the village was formed.
The burly man and the old woman stubbornly refused to say anything, but the girl in the floral dress told them everything.
No matter how much money her family makes, it has nothing to do with her. When the time is right, she will sell it herself. Why should she keep quiet for the village?
When Hua Buyi gave his confession, the county's police were all shocked.
Such a major case happened in the village down there, and they didn't even notice it?
This is actually easy to understand. Girls were worthless in this era, even less valuable than cattle and sheep. If a family's cattle and sheep were stolen, they would search for them in a big way, since they were important family property.
But if a girl goes missing, at most people will curse her as a worthless slut, a whore, saying she's grown up and still wants a man, so she must have secretly run away with one. Then they'll go back to their lives as usual. Because they're worried about losing face, they'll say she's married when others ask. Getting married properly is always better than eloping. Villagers who know their character will mutter that they must have sold their daughter, and that's how the matter is concluded.
Unless it's a family that dotes on their daughters, if a girl from an ordinary village goes missing, no one cares and the matter won't be brought up to the county, commune, or brigade.
The troops, in cooperation with the police, surrounded the village and rescued all the girls inside. But what to do with them after they were rescued was another troublesome matter.
Except for a very small number of girls who wanted to go home, most of the girls wanted to continue living there with the men who had brought them back. They cried and shouted that they had done it voluntarily and begged them to release their men.
They cried, and their children cried, making these righteous messengers seem like villains.
Let them have their way; the laws and regulations of the country are there. If they don't, forcibly sending them home might not be accepted by their families, and their fate would only be worse than it is now.
Meetings were constantly being held at higher levels to discuss how to deal with the villagers and girls, but this matter had nothing to do with the lower-level staff. Zheng Nanle returned to the bureau and continued to deal with those trivial matters.
Xie Jianhua, on the other hand, had several blisters in his mouth, his brows furrowed tightly, and he came and went in a hurry.
That day, he held up an enamel mug and said to Zheng Nanle and Hua Chang, "Er Ya, Hua Chang, let's have lunch together."
Zheng Nanle and Huachang did not refuse.
After a busy day, they got their lunch at the cafeteria. The three of them then found a secluded spot with lush vegetation and squatted down. Zheng Nanle looked at Xie Jianhua, then at Hua Chang, and asked in confusion, "Why are we squatting here? Wouldn't it be better to go to the park?"
The park lawn is wide and spacious, perfect for sitting and talking. It's empty around, with nowhere for people to eavesdrop. Isn't that better than feeding mosquitoes here?
Wild grass grew rampantly, reaching waist-high, completely concealing the three figures. However, this also created a steamy, humid atmosphere, attracting a large number of mosquitoes.
“It’s scorching hot,” Hua Chang said, pointing to the blue sky. “It’s over 30 degrees Celsius. You want to sit on the lawn in the park? In the middle of the day, you’ll get sunburned to the point of peeling off your skin.”
"Just hold an umbrella, it's that simple." Zheng Nanle lifted the lid of his rice bowl, picked up his chopsticks, and started eating. While eating, he used his mental power to drive away mosquitoes, and even mischievously shooed them towards Hua Chang and Xie Jianhua.
Hua Chang killed a few mosquitoes, but he couldn't stand it anymore and said to Xie Jianhua, "Old Xie, if you have something to say, say it quickly."
There are so many mosquitoes, and they keep targeting him. What, does he smell better?
Xie Jianhua was also busy swatting mosquitoes, saying as he did so, "The higher-ups are planning to release those villagers, only arresting the major criminals involved in human trafficking. The others who only abducted wives for themselves and didn't participate in more will be ordered to stop human trafficking."
The sound of swatting mosquitoes was very rhythmic, and Xie Jianhua's words, amidst this rhythmic swatting, lacked clear emotion and stance.
But who is Hua Chang? He was Xie Jianhua's brother who once stood side by side with him to go to the toilet, and he knew him very well. He asked, "You don't agree?"
Xie Jianhua remained silent.
Clearly the default.
"And what are your thoughts?" Hua Chang asked.
"They cannot be released, and they must be severely punished, otherwise who knows how many more girls will be harmed."
If executioners are pardoned and go unpunished, others will only follow suit.
At that point, it will be a complete disaster for the girl.
Hua Chang nodded in agreement. "That's true. What are the considerations behind this?"
“Those girls didn’t want to go home and wanted to continue living with the families who had trafficked them. They said that their husbands’ families treated them well. They did the same amount of work and were still hungry, but their husbands’ families didn’t beat or scold them, didn’t withhold their food, and even cared about them.”
If they don't have enough to eat at their parents' home, it's because their parents don't allow them to eat enough, not because they lack the means to do so. But if they don't have enough to eat at their husband's home, it's because they lack the means to do so. If they don't have enough to eat, then the rest of their husband's family also don't have enough to eat.
She firmly believed that as long as her family's conditions were slightly better, they could definitely have enough to eat, but that was impossible at her parents' home.
In their husbands' homes, they can see the future, a future they create with their own hands.
"Taking into account the girls' wishes, they are prepared to define this as elopement, not human trafficking."
After listening, Zheng Nanle slowly said, "Actually, this matter is very simple to solve. Do those girls need those traffickers? No, what they need is to take control of their own lives."
"They want to control their own future, a future they can see. They are hardworking, can make a living with their own hands, and have hope for the future. The existence of those human traffickers is actually dispensable."
“The country is currently reclaiming wasteland everywhere. If we move them to these reclaimed areas, and their lives there are better than in the mountain villages, they will stop crying and begging for men.”
If you can be in charge of your own life, unless you're out of your mind, who would want to go back to the days when they had no money?
Even if they are not thinking clearly and still want to go back to that mountain village, time and distance will eventually make them give up on the idea.
"By the way, the early days are tough, so we can apply for some subsidies. Don't give them all at once, give them a little bit every month for three to five years to help them get through the most difficult period."
There's another point Zheng Nanle didn't mention: generally, there are military corps stationed in the reclaimed areas, and most of the soldiers in the corps are single. Moving these girls there can actually alleviate the problem of single soldiers in the military.
She didn't say anything, and she believed that the higher-ups would take that into consideration.
Zheng Nanle sighed.
It's really uncomfortable; young women are a resource.
This has been true from ancient times to the present.
Xie Jianhua chewed his food slowly, his eyes growing brighter with each bite. He looked at Zheng Nanle and said happily, "If the higher-ups adopt this suggestion, you'll be credited for it."
Zheng Nanle twitched the corner of his mouth.
In the end, the matter was carried out as Zheng Nanle suggested, albeit with a more refined version.
If laws cannot be enforced, they will be nothing but empty words. The higher-ups still favor ruling the country according to law.
Because of his two merits, Zheng Nanle was promoted to a permanent position and received a raise in salary and professional title. That evening after get off work, he invited Xie Jianhua and Hua Chang to a state-run restaurant to celebrate.
After dinner, they strolled leisurely along the riverside avenue to digest their food. Hua Chang and Xie Jianhua chatted, while Zheng Nanle eavesdropped.
"Old Xie, the bureau chief wanted to introduce his niece to you, but you declined?"
Xie Jianhua hummed in agreement.
"At your age, aren't you planning to settle down? I already have three children."
Zheng Nanle glanced at Huachang.
Hua Chang, with his keen eye, caught Zheng Nanle's gaze, narrowed his eyes, and said sharply, "Er Ya, what kind of look is that?"
Like looking at a scumbag.
How does he resemble a scumbag?
He hands over all his salary, his wife is the boss at home, he never squanders his pocket money, he saves it to buy clothes and jewelry for his wife, and when he wants to smoke, he borrows cigarettes from his colleagues.
If he's not a good husband, then who is?
"You know that childbirth is very damaging to a woman's body, right?" Zheng Nanle looked away and said disdainfully, "Giving birth in quick succession, before her body has even recovered, and then having another child, as her husband, can't you see the hardship your wife endures in childbirth and raising the child?"
How could he have the nerve to let his wife have so many children?
"I," Hua Chang tried to argue, but couldn't, his voice weakening, "isn't this how everyone has gone through it?"
"Is it always been right? Is it right just because everyone has done it this way?" Zheng Nanle asked Huachang horizontally.
Hua Chang couldn't take it anymore, "I know, I know, actually I didn't plan to have any more children, three is enough."
Actually, he didn't want to have any more children after having two. If it weren't for his mother's constant nagging, which annoyed his wife, there wouldn't have been a third one.
Xie Jianhua touched the tip of his nose and didn't dare to interrupt.
He actually also hoped for more children and more happiness.
After all, there are many people around us.
"Er Ya, you're almost eighteen, right? Do you have any plans to get married?" Hua Chang asked Xie Jianhua, then asked Zheng Nanle. "If you do, I'll look around and find you a family man who will marry into your family."
Zheng Nan laughed, "Brother Huachang, you're quite open-minded."
This idea is both progressive and rebellious.
After all, the prevailing view at the time was that no matter how capable a girl was, she still had to find a man to marry. As for this man, there were no standards; as long as he was a man, it would be fine. And after a girl got married, her family had to come first.
I never thought about finding a family-oriented husband for a capable girl.
“That’s right, your brother Huachang isn’t one of those old fogies.” Huachang straightened his back.
It's such a waste that Er Ya has such talent, being confined to a family.
"But no need, I should be getting married at the end of the month. Once the date is set, Huachang and Jianhua can come to the wedding banquet."
"Who is it? Doesn't he want you to return to your family?" Hua Chang gritted his teeth, extremely displeased that the pig he treated like a younger sister had been taken away.
“The educated youth in the village.” Zheng Nanle’s lips naturally curved into a smile. “Brother Jianhua should know Lu Guangbai. His cooking is exceptionally delicious.”
Xie Jianhua recalled the delicious-smelling meat that Xie Ronghua would occasionally bring back, and nodded to Hua Chang, "The dishes are indeed delicious."
As for the person, I don't have much of an impression of him. I just think he was quite tall and thin, comparable to the previous Er Ya. He was quiet and reserved, and didn't have a strong presence.
"Not bad, not bad," Hua Chang said with satisfaction upon hearing that the food was exceptionally delicious. "I can take good care of your home front."
During their conversation, Zheng Nanle noticed a woman wearing a headscarf carrying a child walking out of the park and quickly turning into a nearby alley.
"There are human traffickers." Zheng Nanle chased after the woman.
The woman's clothes were clean and tidy with few patches, and there wasn't much difference in economic status between her and the child in her arms. Zheng Nanle judged her to be a human trafficker because the child in her arms had a flushed face and was unconscious, and the woman was running in the direction of the hospital.
Hua Chang and Xie Jianhua felt they had to chase after them.
The three of them were all fast and easily caught up with the woman. However, Zheng Nanle stopped Xie Jianhua and Hua Chang from going forward to control her. She said, "Human traffickers usually set up strongholds in these kinds of secluded alleys. Let's see which room she goes into first."
Hua Chang and Xie Jianhua nodded.
Xie Jianhua thought a little deeper, "You two stay nearby and don't rush to make a move. If she really is a human trafficker, that woman probably has accomplices."
Human traffickers often possess firearms.
"I'll go to the bureau and request some manpower."
As they spoke, the three of them had already caught up with the woman and arrived at their destination. In the distance, they saw a truck outside the alley. The back of the truck was covered with a tarpaulin, so they couldn't see what was inside, but they could hear the squeals of piglets.
The woman handed the child in her arms to the upper floor, and a pair of hands reached out from inside the carriage to take the child. Through the open tarpaulin, it could be seen that it was a man, and his face looked somewhat fierce.
The woman climbed onto the truck by stepping on the rear guardrail, and with a rumble, the truck was about to start.
Seeing this, Zheng Nanle rushed out, and Hua Chang and Xie Jianhua couldn't stop him, so they could only chase after him.
"Damn it, it's the police."
The truck driver glanced out the window casually and floored the accelerator.
Zheng Nanle rushed a few steps, then stopped when he saw the bamboo poles placed against the wall of the alley next to him.
She picked up a bamboo pole, jumped, and landed on top of the truck's cab. Just as she was about to smash the driver's side window, a head and a gun popped out from under the convertible. Before Zheng Nanle could even aim the gun, she slammed the bamboo pole down on the man, who swayed and fell backward to the ground. At that moment, the side window rolled down, and the driver leaned out, shooting at Zheng Nanle.
Zheng Nanle kept her mental energy focused, observing all the driver's movements. As soon as the driver leaned out, she flicked her wrist, and the bamboo pole struck the driver's wrist tendon.
The gun fell to the ground and was picked up by Xie Jianhua, who rushed over. He raised his hand and pointed the gun at the driver.
The man who fell off the car was subdued by Hua Chang, who also took his gun.
The driver released the accelerator, the truck stopped, he raised his hands, got out of the truck, Zheng Nanle moved his bamboo pole and knocked the driver to the ground, then jumped off the roof and used the bamboo pole to lift the tarpaulin at a good angle.
Inside the convertible, the woman crouched nervously on the vehicle, holding no gun. Beside her were rows of bamboo cages, some containing children, others containing piglets.
Upon seeing Hua Chang pointing the gun at the car, she remained silent for a moment, then raised her hands and got out of the car.
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