Whoosh—
Morning of the second day.
The car was racing along steep mountain roads but had already traveled several hundred miles.
Then it was onto the 'smuggling trail' near the border.
Zhang Feng was very familiar.
"Take the right dirt road ahead; that's Ah Xing's territory. We're familiar with him, and his people recognize my car."
Zhang Feng leaned against the passenger seat, occasionally directing the eldest of the 'Chen family three brothers'.
Through the night's interaction, Zhang Feng learned that they were half-brothers.
In their teens, the three brothers ran away together to find work.
This spring, they had just arrived at the border, considered 'new border guys', with a clean slate.
King Snake likely recruited them because they were clean, to run goods.
Meanwhile.
While Zhang Feng was teaching the eldest.
The other two brothers stayed on the unremoved middle seat.
Rustle—
They were scribbling in a small notebook, carefully noting down every word from Zhang Feng.
"Stop. Switch drivers."
After driving for another five minutes or so.
Zhang Feng asked Lao San to drive.
The eldest brother had already driven for the better part of the night.
Once the switch was done.
Zhang Feng looked at the somewhat nervous Lao San,
"Don't rush to push the accelerator. Do you remember what I just said?"
"Yes, I remember..." He took out a notebook from his pocket, "Ahead, right. It's Ah Xing's."
"Mm." Zhang Feng continued leaning back in his seat, "Let's go."
Whoosh—
The car continued to drive.
When they reached Ah Xing's trail.
"Swish swish..."
The bushes on either side of the road rustled, and out came five armed men, varying in height, build, and size.
They were covered in foul-smelling ointment, their appearances indistinguishable.
Zhang Feng knew that it was firstly for disguise, secondly for insect and mosquito prevention.
"Feng Zi?"
The one leading, wearing an eyepatch, dressed like a pirate.
He was Ah Xing's younger brother.
Leader of this smuggling trail.
Like ancient mountain bandits, they charged for passage.
But he was only seventeen, with one eye gouged out.
"Mm, it's me." Zhang Feng rolled down the car window, handed him a pack of fine border cigarettes,
"Xiaowu, give my regards to your brother."
"Ha ha!" Though young, his smile was hearty, paying little mind to the three strangers in the car,
"My brother just hunted a bear a few days ago, said he wanted to treat you to a feast, why not detour into the mountains?"
"Business first today." Zhang Feng shook his head, indicating the three somewhat scared individuals in the car, "Bringing newcomers, business from Brother King Snake."
"Brother King Snake's orders?" He accepted Zhang Feng's cigarettes, sniffed them, "How about keeping two paws for you? One for you, one for Brother King Snake?"
"Are you charging tolls?" Zhang Feng asked with a smile.
He grinned, "Of course!"
"Little rascal, just like your brother." Zhang Feng waved, rolled up the window, "This time, we're not picking up your goods, budget's tight at home, can't pay up, you'll make a fuss.
Might as well, let's go."
"Could be cheaper!" He shouted, but seeing Zhang Feng ignoring him, he shook his head, signaling his men to let them pass.
However, even though they were allowed passage.
Lao San, looking at the armed bandits outside the window and their fierce eyes, was scared so much that his legs trembled, causing him to stall the car.
Because even though the Chen family brothers had smuggled across the border, they usually dealt with regular bosses and regular items.
Such as refrigerators, TVs, or some everyday goods, earning untaxed profit.
But dealing with these ruthless desperados, carrying items worthy of heavy prison sentences, was their first time.
Yet it's precisely this lucrative business, with high delivery fees, several times, even ten times what bosses paid.
They eventually bit the bullet and took this step.
At the same time.
Zhang Feng glanced at how Lao San trembled, "With time, you'll adapt to dealing with these people. If you can, keep at it; if not, leave.
Our money isn't easy to earn."
"What's wrong?" Ah Xing's brother saw the car stall and tapped on the window, "Need help pushing?"
Zhang Feng ignored him and continued looking at Lao San, "They charge to push the car. If you let them lend a hand, it'll be deducted from your delivery fee.
Just noting, pushing five times equals the money for one run.
Also, keep in mind, the money you earn from smuggling is quite valuable.
One push equals one-fifth of your lives."
Vroom—
Maybe the allure of money was too great, plus Boss Feng was composed beside them.
After swallowing nervously, Lao San restarted the car.
Zhang Feng took a glance at him, really hoping they'd quit.
But roads are paved by oneself, respecting others' choices is key.
…
Unknowingly, over half a month had passed.
After the car made two rounds, the Chen family brothers slowly adapted.
At least seeing Ah Xing's brother again, though still fearful, they wouldn't tremble.
During this period.
Zhang Feng also visited every possible place, introducing them to everyone at the 'Chaff Stand'.
And on the night of the twenty-second day.
The third trip's end.
With the truck almost fully loaded, they reached the last place to deliver chaff.
"Boss Feng is here!" The stand's manager warmly offered Zhang Feng a cigarette.
Zhang Feng nodded slightly, pointing to the Chen family three brothers who had just gotten out of the car, "They're in your hands now, don't scare my little brothers."
Zhang Feng looked again at the three brothers.
"I'm heading out for a bit."
With that,
Zhang Feng began walking south.
After some inquiries,
Zhang Feng finally learned that Lao Shanmao was specifically in the 'Nanshantou' quarry.
It's relatively close from here.
...
At night.
Arriving at the town closest to Nanshantou.
Sent a message to the Chen family three brothers.
(No need to wait for me, just return after you get the goods, tell Brother King Snake I have some business to handle, I'll be back in a few days)
This "I'll be back in a few days" might raise suspicion in King Snake.
But Zhang Feng felt that once Lao Shanmao's issue was exposed, there shouldn't be any misunderstandings.
...
In the morning, after staying a while at the town's inn to recuperate.
In the late morning,
Zhang Feng climbed up to Nanshantou.
On the mountain, there were still gunmen patrolling.
Zhang Feng avoided them, hiding behind a tree to look down.
Estimated a vertical distance of twenty meters.
He saw below a 'big valley bottom,' surrounded by slopes, with only a ten-meter-wide small ramp on the southwest side for exit.
Whirr-whirr—
Currently, the valley bottom was filled with the sound of machinery, some trucks were hauling goods, and people were mining on the surrounding mountain slopes.
Around the ground below, rows of dilapidated dormitories also stood.
Whoosh-whoosh—
In the valley center, there was a lift basket used for the mine shaft, going up and down.
At times, people lacking oxygen or feeling unwell were sent up.
Their faces were so blackened you couldn't tell their ages.
But from their height and build, Zhang Feng thought some of them were quite young.
"I want to go home..."
Just then, when some were sent up, they cried loudly asking to go back.
Zhang Feng, too far away to hear, but saw the overseer-type figures beating them.
"Go back?" The overseer laughed, wielding a belt, "Die! Can't work! Then you can go back!"
"What, he said he wants to go back?" Another overseer jeered as if watching a show.
Other workers looked on numbly, already terrorized by the beatings.
Only one youth staggered forward, pleading with the overseer, "Not going back... not going back... stop hitting him, anymore and he'll die..."
Perhaps because dead people bring no profit.
The overseer stopped after a few more lashes, losing interest, "Work hard! No more silly ideas!"
Saying this, he kicked the youth who pleaded earlier in the stomach, "Damn! When do you get to speak?"
Whoosh—
The youth fell to the ground, clutching his stomach, afraid to talk, fearing another beating.
But tears streamed down his face.
'Grandpa, Grandma, I miss you... I want to go home...' He wiped away his tears silently, his face even darker with soot.
These youths, and even those adults.
After Lao Shanmao realized there were not enough hands for mining in the mountains, directly sent people out to target easy marks, dragging them here by force.
Much like human traffickers.
It's just that they rarely sell 'coolies.'
Meanwhile.
Up on the hill.
Zhang Feng surveyed the area, finding it difficult to sneak in.
Gunmen patrolled all around, with basically no gaps.
Especially with six tall platform spotlights in the valley bottom.
The night watch likely being more stringent than during the day.
'Maybe try contacting others for help?'
Zhang Feng considering his tactics,
'But King Snake and his lot are profit-driven, unlikely to offend Lao Shanmao for no reason.
The captain and the official team can't handle cross-border cases.
Besides, I have resurrection chances, why not try a solo breakthrough first?'
After weighing the pros and cons, Zhang Feng planned to approach Lao Shanmao as a 'merchant.'
Regardless if it works or not, it's worth a try.
If I can rely on myself, I won't need others.
With determination, Zhang Feng decided to bypass the mountain path.
About half an hour later.
Zhang Feng arrived at the vehicle entrance.
Wearing an old jacket and rain boots, blending seamlessly with the locals.
When encountering two guards at the entrance.
Before they could question him, Zhang Feng pulled a green gemstone from his pocket.
This was given by King Snake last week.
Worth about hundreds of thousands.
"Heard this place belongs to Lao Shanmao, is he here, looking to talk business?"
Zhang Feng tossed the gem over, "Catch it, don't drop it, it's beyond your means to repay."
Lao Shanmao ran a jade business, Zhang Feng intended to use this gemstone as a stepping stone.
"Hey!"
One guard instinctively caught it.
"Where are you from?" The other guard sized up Zhang Feng, feeling that although he didn't look like a business owner, he certainly didn't look innocent.
Being not innocent meant 'allies' here.