"Then let's hurry up." Du Jianshan ordered, hoisted the sack, and led the way back.
Wang Tieniu carried the poacher on his back in a basket, muttering, "That bastard is as heavy as a rock. I should have made him climb back by himself."
Chen Jianshan couldn't help but laugh: "You really have a wild idea. Tying someone up like a dumpling and expecting them to walk on their own? That's a joke!"
Wang Tieniu grinned: "I mean, we should make a sign and hang it around his neck that says 'Poacher in the act,' so the whole company can see it and we can curb this trend."
“That’s a good idea,” Du Jianshan nodded. “We can’t just rely on arresting people; we also need to use deterrence.”
When the group returned to the camp, the campfire had already gone out. The militiamen were huddled around the fire in twos and threes. When they saw them return, they quickly came to greet them.
"Company Commander Chen! Did you catch him?" a bespectacled communications soldier asked in a low voice.
Chen Jianshan nodded, his voice cold and hard: "Caught in the act of poaching, with smuggled gold jewelry and weapons, be taken back to the company headquarters first thing this morning."
The communications soldier was stunned upon hearing this: "A knife?!"
"Yes, it's a military-grade dagger," Du Jianshan continued. "You all need to be on your guard tonight; this mountain isn't safe."
"Yes!" the militiamen replied in unison, their eyes becoming more alert.
"Brother Shanzi." A voice came from the corner. It was a young soldier who had just come of age, called Lao Si. "What do you think about this... could there be accomplices?"
Du Jianshan was taken aback, and pondered for a while: "It can't be ruled out. With his attire, he can't carry so many clips by himself. We'll do another thorough search before we go up the mountain tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Wang Tieniu groaned upon hearing this. "Brother, I've been running all day, my legs are about to break, and you still want me to go up the mountain?"
"Enough with the nonsense." Du Jianshan glared. "There are still some old tricks left in the mountains. If a wild animal tramples on them, will you pay with your life?"
"Oh dear..." Wang Tieniu cried, "How did I end up with an older brother like you..."
"Alright, let's go back and roll around in the sand again." Du Jianshan interrupted impatiently. "Fourth brother, find two sticks and tie this guy up in a cross shape. Stand him up by the sentry post. Let him freeze overnight so he'll remember that poaching is no small matter."
The fourth brother chuckled: "Alright! I was just afraid he'd run away, this is the safest way."
On the other side, Chen Jianshan had already entered the communications room. He pulled the radio operator aside and whispered a few words to him, and the man immediately began dialing and adjusting the frequency.
Du Jianshan gazed into the darkness, a hint of coldness in his eyes: "Tie Niu, bring your dog out tomorrow and let it smell that person's scent. That way, it'll be easier to recognize him if we encounter something similar again."
"Good heavens!" Wang Tieniu slapped his thigh. "My little flower dog has a very keen nose; it can tell the difference between all the stray dogs on this hill!"
"Don't brag too much," Du Jianshan said, pursing his lips.
Just then, a faint bird call suddenly came from the back of the mountain, intermittent and sounding like a signal being imitated by someone.
Du Jianshan suddenly squatted down, pressed his ear to the ground and listened for a while, his brows immediately furrowing.
"Oh no, there are still people here."
"Huh?!" Wang Tieniu exclaimed in surprise.
"Fourth Brother!" Du Jianshan roared, "All those on night duty, wake up! Set up the fire and prepare your guns! The three of us will go to the back mountain!"
"Yes!" The fourth brother took off running.
Hearing the commotion, Chen Jianshan rushed out: "What's wrong?"
"There was a whistle, but it didn't sound like a wild bird," Du Jianshan said in a somber tone. "Someone's there to meet us!"
"Let's go!" Chen Jianshan drew his spear and led the men rushing toward the back of the mountain.
The mountain wind howled, and in the firelight, several figures could be seen quickly disappearing into the dark forest.
"Don't let him get away!" Chen Jianshan roared.
"Tie Niu, left flank! Encircle them!" Du Jianshan ordered, leaping into the bushes first.
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