Chapter 87

The Liuxia River in Henan Province connects to the Yangtze River, stretching over 200 kilometers. It has many locks and serves as a vital transportation artery in the northern Jiangsu region, as well as a large water conservancy project for flood control and drought resistance.

In the event of a rare heavy rainstorm, the internal rivers along its course would all drain into the Liuxia River, which would then discharge the water southward into the Yangtze River.

The provincial road runs alongside the river, less than 20 meters from the riverbank.

The main source of gravel and sand is water transport. The Liuxia traffic police station's gravel and sand yard is built below the riverbank, with a simple small dock and two earth cranes. The old office building, being at a lower elevation, allows one to see the three-way intersection from the second floor without looking down from a height.

There are people in the building, and those fishing on Unity Bridge are their own people. Those standing by the provincial road with luggage, waiting for a ride, are also their own people.

Director Ning was very helpful, and the Liuxia police station almost went all out. As long as the "brother and sister-in-law" dare to bring people, they will have no chance of escape.

"Director Han, Director Ning, they're here. The young one is Chen Yuehong, the middle-aged woman is Zhang Yushan's sister, Zhang Yuzhen, and the one pushing the bicycle is Zhang Yushan, picking up his wife. She's dressed quite nicely."

The endless stakeout can finally end, and An Xiaoyong is somewhat excited.

The three came down from Unity Bridge, seemingly annoyed by the fruit vendors at the three-way intersection, and walked a few steps north along the provincial road, looking forward to the arrival of the "brother and sister-in-law."

Director Ning pondered, "They're standing on the east side of the road; the car should come from the south."

Han Bo nodded, looking at the three and said, "The tollgate entrance must be secured. I need to confirm where they got into the car."

"Xiao Wu is there. He'll go on duty as soon as we call him."

"Thank you."

"Here they come again."

As they were speaking, the walkie-talkie crackled with an urgent call: "Cave One, Cave One, this is Cave Two. Please respond if you hear me, over."

"Cave One received. Cave Two, go ahead, over."

"Cave One, Cave One, all the little fish are in the net. All the little fish are in the net. We are organizing a study session and awaiting further instructions, over."

"Keep them calm and await orders."

...

It's too troublesome to catch the 28 men who bought wives one by one, and the police force can't handle it. The women who were trafficked from other places have no household registration. The township government called a meeting in their name to study the national policies on household registration management, urging those who can transfer their registration to do so quickly, and promising to find a solution for those who can't.

Without a household registration, they can't get land, and they can't join the cooperative medical system.

Now, household registration is managed by the police station. Those children who still don't have a household registration can no longer get one by just getting a certificate from the village committee. Moreover, many of them don't have marriage certificates, and their children are born out of wedlock, which is considered a violation of family planning policies and subject to fines.

The township government takes this situation seriously and plans to coordinate with the police, family planning, civil affairs, and women's federation departments to address it comprehensively. The men who bought wives believed it and ran to the police station canteen for the meeting when they heard the announcement.

Zhou Zhengfa, Old Wang, and Xiao Ren are in charge, with over a dozen joint defense team members. There shouldn't be any problems.

Trucks and buses sped by on the provincial road one after another. The traffic volume is high, and the drivers drive fast, no wonder this section of the road often has traffic accidents.

Zhang Yushan seemed tired of squatting and stood up to stretch his legs.

His suit was a bit wrinkled. His older sister grabbed the hem and pulled it down to straighten it, then took out a piece of paper from her pocket to wipe the dust off his shoes.

For some reason, this scene felt quite warm.

If I were in my forties and still single, would my sister be worried? If I were in a situation similar to Zhang Yushan, would she help me buy a wife...

While he was lost in thought, a large bus honked and stopped at the three-way intersection. Chen Yuehong's face lit up, and she quickly went to meet it.

One, two, three people got off the bus. The woman in the middle, pale and looking very scared and frail, should be the sister. The bus left after dropping off the three people, and Director Ning reported the model and color of the bus, instructing the checkpoint to stop it.

From a distance, it was hard to see her face clearly.

However, from Zhang Yushan's reaction, he seemed very satisfied with his new wife. His sister was holding the "sister's" arm, saying something to her, and pulling her toward Unity Bridge.

Zhang Yushan handed a paper bag to Chen Yuehong and hurriedly pushed his bicycle to catch up with his sister and "wife." Chen Yuehong looked back, and she took the "brother and sister-in-law" to a small forest by the provincial road, probably to split the money.

There was no need to follow them any longer. Han Bo and Director Ning exchanged a glance, picked up the walkie-talkie, and shouted, "All units, all units, this is Cave One. Follow the plan and organize the arrest immediately!"

Xiao Dan, on the first floor, led a few joint defense team members from the Liuxia police station, moving north along the riverbank from under Unity Bridge.

The people fishing on the bridge reeled in their rods and, together with Wang Yan and Lao Mi coming from the east side of the bridge, snatched the "sister" from Zhang Yuzhen and handcuffed the two middle-aged siblings.

At the same time, the people on the road pounced on the "brother and sister-in-law." Realizing something was wrong, the three tried to run toward the riverbank but were caught by Xiao Dan and his team, all of them thrown to the ground and handcuffed.

"Xiao Yong, you go with Director Ning to check the bus. Chen Meng, bring over car number 7."

Han Bo, ignoring the three captured traffickers, ran to Unity Bridge and showed his credentials: "Comrade, I am Officer Han Bo from Sigan County Public Security Bureau. This is my colleague, Wang Yan. We are here to rescue you. What's your name, and where are you from?"

Police!

The trafficked girl seemed to be in a dream, unable to believe this was real. She stared at him dumbly for a while, then suddenly burst into tears.

She looked somewhat childish and might be a minor. Wang Yan hugged her and gently comforted her, "Don't cry, don't be afraid. Can you understand Mandarin? We are from the Public Security Bureau, and you are safe now. First, we'll take you for a medical check-up, then we'll notify your family to let them know you are safe and have them come to pick you up."

She could understand some Mandarin and knew how to nod and shake her head but couldn't speak. She sobbed for a couple of minutes, and no one knew what she was saying.

This wasn't the place to talk, and now wasn't the time.

Han Bo ordered, "Wang Yan, take the victim back first. Xiao Dan, take these people to the gravel and sand yard. Zhang Yushan, stop shouting and be quiet!"

"Director Han, here are their ID cards, tickets, and the money from the transaction."

The "brother" was in his thirties, dark and thin, with shifty eyes, looking around, probably a repeat offender, and not very afraid. The "sister-in-law" was in her late twenties, plump and fair, squatting awkwardly.

Chen Yuehong hung her head and remained silent, not showing much fear.

"Take them away, separate them, and don't let them collude."

"Yes!"

...

PS: I raised my office computer at home, stood all day, exercised, and my hands and face are less troublesome. Thanks to everyone for your concern.