Chen Yuancheng reassured her, "Don't rush, let me think about it."
Seeing the deeper worry in his eyes, Xiao Yunying asked, "What's wrong? Is it impossible to redeem them?"
Ling Qi cleared up her confusion, explaining, "Miss Xiao may not know that the laws of Yi Kingdom clearly stipulate that human trafficking is prohibited."
Unless one sells oneself voluntarily or is persuaded by parents or other elders or relatives, a contract of servitude signed under duress is invalid and can be voided if discovered.
Those who traffic people will be beheaded if the evidence is conclusive and they have trafficked more than five people.
Nearly a hundred people have already been lost in Donglin City and the surrounding villages, enough for them to die countless times over.
This is far more serious than robbery. If we report it with solid evidence, the higher-ups will definitely send people to suppress the bandits.
If we rashly go to negotiate now, we might alert them, and those people might do something uncontrollable in order to save their lives.
Xiao Yunying asked doubtfully, "You people... still have such laws here?"
In a world where people can be bought and sold at will, there are actually laws specifically designed to combat human trafficking, and they are particularly harsh.
It's a bit hard to believe.
The officer beside him said, "This law was proposed by the former centenarian general, because at that time the centenarian general..."
Xiao Yunying interrupted his explanation: "Sorry, we'll talk about these things later. There's no time to listen to stories now."
She said to Chen Yuancheng, "So, the reason we can't talk about ransom now is because they've violated a law that's more serious than robbery. If they're exposed, it could cost them their lives, so they might not dare to admit it, right?"
"Yes, that's exactly what I mean."
Xiao Yunying understood: "No wonder they didn't kidnap the children of wealthy families and then demand ransom."
This method is clearly more lucrative, faster, and more convenient, yet they choose to secretly abduct people for sale… Aren't they afraid that the trafficked individuals will report to the authorities and seek help once they are temporarily freed?
Chen Yuancheng said, "The price of good-looking young children and women sold in certain places is not low. Some could even fetch several hundred taels of silver. It's worth the risk for them."
As for calling for help from the authorities... you probably can't imagine, those places always have some torturous methods that make people afraid to even think about escaping.
There are also places far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world, such as secluded islands or manors nestled beside cliffs in the deep mountains.
There's no way to escape in this situation. Forget finding the government offices; escaping alive is impossible, so there's nothing to worry about.
Xiao Yunying looked up at the sun high overhead, wondering what she should do.
If that doesn't work, she might as well sneak into the bandits' den herself and use the supermarket to rescue the children.
Huh? You know what, this method is actually feasible. Her supermarket can accept living creatures, so theoretically, people should be able to as well.
Luo Yang is easy to talk about. He doesn't know what he imagines himself to be. For a while, he even observed whether he would transform.
He was already mentally prepared, so he wouldn't be too surprised if something extraordinary happened.
As for Chen Yuanxuan, if he doesn't feel well, give him some sleeping pills so he can get a good night's sleep.
Chen Yuancheng estimated the time and said, "Yun Ying, it's noon. Go to Huiweilou to eat something, then go back to Yuan Yao's courtyard to rest. I'll go to the county magistrate to discuss the next steps."
Xiao Yunying called out to him, "Wait a minute, could you have someone take me to the mountain where those bandits are entrenched?"
Chen Yuancheng was taken aback, then frowned: "What do you want to do?"
"I... I think I can try, maybe I can rescue them in my own way."
Chen Yuancheng resolutely refused: "No, what can a woman like you do? I will have the county magistrate immediately send someone to report to the prefectural city, and we will discuss it in detail when the troops sent to provide support arrive."
Xiao Yunying said urgently, "I can't wait that long. When will the army arrive? How long are you going to discuss this? It's such a waste of time."
They've been missing for a day and a night. What if those bandits kidnapped them and then transported them away to avoid being discovered?
Besides, Luo Yang tried to escape last night, which must have angered the thieves who kidnapped him. He might have already been beaten. What if they try to escape the city for his sake? What if… what if…”
Xiao Yunying dared not continue speaking, so Chen Yuancheng grasped her arm and gently shook it.
"Yunying, calm down. There aren't that many 'what ifs'. Don't scare yourself."
Xiao Yunying tried to persuade him: "They are wicked bandits who will do anything to protect themselves. We can't just expect the best outcome."
"Just have someone take me there. I won't implicate anyone. Just show me the way. Trust me, I have ways to protect myself. Even if I can't bring them out, I can at least scout out the area."
Chen Yuancheng slightly turned his body away, avoiding her gaze; his body language and words conveyed his rejection.
"You're a woman, how can you possibly protect yourself if you go into a bandit's den that even the government doesn't dare to touch? Don't even think about it, I won't let anyone take you there."
After saying that, he tried to leave.
Xiao Yunying was feeling irritable and anxious, and her words were inevitably somewhat impulsive. She pulled him back and said:
"Chen Yuancheng, your own brother was lost along with Luo Yang. Aren't you worried at all!"
What if he's already been taken away, or suffered some irreversible damage during the time you delayed him? Wouldn't you feel guilty and remorseful?
Hearing this question, Chen Yuancheng's face turned cold: "You said it yourself, Yuanxuan is my own brother, how can I not be anxious?"
But no matter how urgent the situation, you shouldn't act rashly. You might end up losing both of them and getting yourself killed in the process.
"I already told you I have ways to protect myself..."
Chen Yuancheng brushed her hand away: "What methods do you have to protect yourself? Even if you had a way, you wouldn't be getting sick and injured all the time."
"You..." Xiao Yunying couldn't refute this point and was so anxious that she wanted to stomp her feet: "If I didn't know the way, I wouldn't need to beg you here. I could just have someone else take me there."
Chen Yuancheng stopped and turned around: "You've reminded me, Ling Qi. You must stay with Yun Ying and not leave her side for a moment. If she steps out of Donglin City during this time, you won't need to come back to serve her."
Ling Qi immediately cupped his hands in greeting and replied, "Yes, young master."
Xiao Yunying was so angry that her lips trembled slightly: "You... Chen Yuancheng, why are you stopping me from going to save people instead of going to save them!"
Chen Yuancheng was also angry at her ignorant and fearless attitude: "If that's what you think, there's nothing I can do about it."
He took a few steps in a huff and then stopped: "Ling Qi, take Yun Ying to eat, and then keep an eye on her. As long as she doesn't leave the city, don't restrict her from going anywhere."
After saying these words, he left without looking back.
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