Du Jianshan nodded: "Yes, there was a finely ground iron file in his bundle, as well as two disassembled Type 54 pistol parts. Although it can't be pieced together into a complete gun, it shows that this person is not a first-timer in the mountains."
Chen Jianshan's expression changed. "Do you think... this person might be a scout?"
"The scouts?" Li Changgen frowned. "You mean—the lead group? Then there are others behind them?"
Du Jianshan didn't say anything, but lowered his head and poked at the fire, the firelight reflecting off his deep eyes.
"Have you noticed fewer animal tracks these past few days?" he suddenly asked.
Li Changgen thought for a moment, "That's true. Normally, muntjacs and badgers should come to drink water this season, but I've been watching the old ditch for three days straight, and there hasn't been much of a commotion."
“Yes, the traps at Lao Wanggang haven’t caught anything for three days.” Wang Tieniu nodded. “I thought we were making too much noise and scared them away.”
“It wasn’t us, someone else was closing in ahead of us.” Du Jianshan snapped a dry branch in half. “Someone cleared the area before we did.”
Li Changgen gasped. "You mean this person is—a scout?"
"He dared to carry so much gold jewelry and receipts into the mountains all by himself? Wasn't he afraid of losing his life? Do you believe that?" Du Jianshan sneered.
"So what do we do now? Should we notify the company headquarters tonight?" Chen Jianshan frowned.
"No rush. Keep a close watch on him tonight and don't let anyone rob him. I'll go to the company headquarters with you first thing tomorrow morning and take his bundle with me." Du Jianshan stood up and glanced at the sky. "Also, Lao Li, send someone to the south slope to keep watch. I'm afraid someone else might come tonight."
"Alright!" Li Changgen turned around and ordered, "Old Jia, Old Wu, you two take turns guarding the south slope and the east ridge pass. Keep your eyes open and sound the whistle immediately if there is any disturbance."
"receive!"
By the firelight, Wang Tieniu walked over to the poacher, stared at him for a while, and then suddenly grinned: "Hey, are you awake? I think you're either pretending to be dead or planning to break free in the night."
The man didn't move, the rag still in his mouth, and he let out a soft hum.
Wang Tieniu kicked him: "Stop dreaming. I sleep with one eye open. Let's see how you run away."
At midnight, a breeze stirred in the woods, rustling the grass.
"Tie Niu, it's my turn to guard." Du Jianshan rubbed his neck and came over, taking the fire stick from Wang Tie Niu's hand.
"Sleep a little longer, I'll wake you up when it's light."
"How can I sleep?" Wang Tieniu yawned. "If this gets reported to higher authorities, wouldn't we be doing a good deed?"
"What merit are you talking about?" Du Jianshan sighed. "This matter is far-reaching. If it really comes down to cracking down on smuggling or infiltration, we few people might not be able to handle it."
"Smuggling?" Wang Tieniu was taken aback. "Isn't it poaching?"
“Some of his gold jewelry is made using southern techniques, not local products; the grain coupons are bundled together, spanning a wide range of years, clearly not something one person could accumulate.” Du Jianshan took out a gold earring from his bag. “And this thing… is a military dependent’s badge.”
"Military dependents?" Wang Tieniu couldn't help but curse, "Damn it, they dare to rob military dependents?!"
"That's why I said this is no small matter." Du Jianshan lowered his voice. "It's right that we took action, but we need to hold firm and not let anyone find a loophole."
Just then, light footsteps came from not far away, followed by a short whistle from the hidden sentry.
Du Jianshan's expression changed, "They're here!"
He grabbed a hunting rifle in one hand and a fire poker in the other, and rushed out of the shack in a few strides: "Tie Niu, guard this man!"
"Alright!" Wang Tieniu responded, drew his waist knife, and half-squatted beside the fire.
Chen Jianshan also drew his gun and rushed out. The three of them worked together seamlessly, launching an ambush at the edge of the forest where the firelight couldn't reach.
"Halt! Who's there?"
"It's me, Lao Wu!" The dark figure stopped, panting heavily. "I spotted two figures at the edge of the woods just now. They were acting suspiciously. I didn't get too close, so I came back to report."
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