Chapter 506: Lure the snake out of its hole
The subordinate was somewhat at a loss, "What can we do?"
These officials did not give face to their own general, so even if they were resentful, they could do nothing about it, and they could not use their status as the King of Southern Yunnan and the Prince to pressure others.
Ge Xubai pulled a handful of messy hair and made the final decision.
"Think of a way to lure these human traffickers out."
Ge Xubai handed in a visiting card and met with Zheng Kaiyang, the governor of Lingnan.
Zheng Kaiyang was overwhelmed by this case and had no time to deal with him, but due to the other party's identity, he had to come forward to deal with it.
He originally thought that Ge Xubai was asking him to be flexible, but unexpectedly, Ge Xubai came to discuss the child trafficking case with him.
"Master Xu, please forgive my bluntness, but your high-profile search is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Not only is it time-consuming and labor-intensive, it's also likely to alert the enemy. They might have gone into hiding in the mountains or forests. In the worst case, they might kill to disassociate themselves from the perpetrators, leaving no evidence. Even if Master Xu does catch the traffickers, I'm afraid you won't be able to gain anything from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Zheng Kaiyang was shocked by Ge Xubai's words.
He couldn't help but look directly at Ge Xubai, and his tone became more serious.
"General Ge, do you have any good ideas? I am not very knowledgeable, so please enlighten me."
Ge Xubai had no intention of keeping the other party in suspense. Seeing that the other party's tone was polite and seemed to be willing to listen to advice, he slowly told him his plan.
After hearing this, Zheng Kaiyang immediately showed gratitude.
"General Ge, this is a brilliant idea. I was confused before. I will do it right away!"
The next day, the reward notice on the city wall was taken down, the martial law officers were withdrawn, and the merchant ships no longer needed to be checked and were allowed to leave on their own.
The authorities posted a new notice, claiming that the missing child had been found and the trafficker had been arrested.
When everyone heard this, they immediately applauded and the atmosphere in the city returned to normal.
This is of course all an illusion, just a trick to lure the fish into taking the bait.
Plainclothes yamen runners were stationed in various streets, mountain passes, ferry crossings and other places in the city, disguised as woodcutters or merchants, secretly waiting.
Ge Xubai's men were all strangers, blending in without attracting any attention.
After three days of waiting, they still found nothing.
The deputy general was a little anxious, "General, we should set off now, otherwise it will be bad if we delay."
Ge Xubai pondered, "The betrothal gifts have already been sent to southern Yunnan. I'll hurry up and there's still time. Just wait one more day."
Doing the business of kidnapping and trafficking children is a great loss of virtue. In Ge Xubai's eyes, it is no different from being a murderer and arsonist.
Since he encountered it today, he wanted to take care of it.
It would be great if we could catch the bad guy with our own hands.
If I don't catch him, I've done my best and it's alright.
Upon hearing this, the deputy general stopped trying to persuade him.
Zheng Kaiyang was also very anxious.
He withdrew the search warrant and took responsibility. If nothing is found in the end and the higher-ups blame him, how can he bear the consequences?
Three days passed, and he gradually calmed down. He couldn't help but regret that he was too hasty and casually believed Ge Xubai's words and made this arrangement.
By then he can withdraw at any time, and I will be the one to be held accountable.
Just when he was secretly blaming Ge Xubai in his heart, things finally made progress.
At the notice board on the city wall, a vendor selling candy figurines kept looking at a farmer. After confirming again and again, he glanced at his companion.
The fish are coming.
The vendors selling candy figurines took the initiative to come forward and enthusiastically solicit business.
"Sir, would you like to buy a candy figurine? I'll give one to my child. Five cents each."
Yang Dazhu's eyes kept wandering around the notice on the wall, and he had no intention of buying the candy figures at all.
The vendor also said, "Sir, you're concerned about this too? A few days ago, the government put up a portrait of a human trafficker, and I was thinking I might run into him. I'd make a fortune, but I didn't expect someone to get there first."
Upon hearing this, Yang Dazhu finally spoke, his voice a little tense.
"You mean, the human trafficker has been caught?"
"Yes, isn't it written here? The traffickers have been caught and the child has been found. Otherwise, why would the authorities withdraw the search?"
Yang Dazhu seemed to be relieved, with a simple smile on his face.
"I can't read. How was the trafficker caught? Did you see it?"
The vendor waved his hand, "How can a commoner like me see this? Sir, give me a candy man."
Yang Dazhu's heartstrings relaxed and he said with a smile, "Give me one."
"Okay."
While the vendor was giving him the candy figurine, he watched Yang Dazhu's movements calmly.
He took out a purse from his bosom. When he opened it, the merchant caught a glimpse of silver light. The purse was heavy, and it was clearly filled with silver ingots.
How could a farmer have so much silver?
I was right after all. There was something wrong with this guy.
Yang Dazhu took out five copper coins and the merchant happily took them.
When Yang Dazhu was about to leave, he suddenly exclaimed "Huh" and his eyes moved up and down on Yang Dazhu's face.
"Sir, you look familiar to me, as if I've seen you somewhere before."
Yang Dazhu's face froze. "I've never seen you before."
The vendor kept muttering, "You look really familiar. Oh, now I remember, you look a lot like the person in the portrait from a few days ago."
Yang Dazhu immediately jumped up as if someone had stepped on his foot. "You, what are you talking about? How could I be the human trafficker? Do you even know how to speak?"
The vendor quickly slapped himself on the face, "Look at my mouth, I really can't speak well, please forgive me, please forgive me."
Yang Dazhui walked away cursing, his steps a little hurried.
The vendor continued to shout while selling candy figures, and the other brothers hiding in the dark had already followed him quietly in tacit understanding.
The series of tests just now have already explained everything, there is something wrong with this person.
Ge Xubai also received the news, and everyone took action immediately.
Liwan Village.
Old Yang was smoking a pipe, and his daughter-in-law Liao was looking anxiously at the door.
They were all waiting for news from Yang Dazhu.
Some time ago, the villagers went into the city and saw a notice posted on the city gate, on which was a portrait of Old Yang.
When the villagers brought back the news, the Yang family immediately panicked.
They have been doing this business for more than ten years and have never left any evidence. Why are they being targeted by the government this time?
The people in Liwan Village are not honest. They are afraid of being implicated by Old Yang and being wiped out. In recent days, people have frequently come to his house and asked Old Yang to deal with the siblings Lu Yanxiu and Lu Xingchen. Old Yang also went to the mountains to avoid the limelight.
Old Yang immediately felt murderous.
If the authorities search here, they will be finished.
It was Lotus who cried so hard that she stopped the matter.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
