Chapter 89

Jiang Province is considered one of the best in terms of public security nationwide, and Sigon ranks among the top in the province. It has been years since any major criminal cases with severe social impact have occurred.

Prostitution is not widespread, and gambling is rare.

As for drugs, many police officers have never even seen them.

While rural areas are not entirely free of crime, crops left to dry on the roads are rarely stolen.

The occurrence of buying brides cannot be attributed to poor public security, economic backwardness, or bad social morals. It can only be attributed to inadequate legal education, lagging cultural development, and increasing human indifference.

The rescue operation in Dinghu went smoothly, with almost no resistance. Unlike remote villages where poverty breeds savagery and everyone responds to a call to action, making it necessary to mobilize the armed police to rescue a trafficked woman.

People say, "A good start is half the battle," but for the police station, a start is just a start, far from being half the way there.

Anti-trafficking is not just the responsibility of the police; it requires support from the township party committee and government, as well as the participation of the Women's Federation, health, youth league, judicial, and education departments.

Old Lu returned from Nangang and personally took charge of the "Liangzhuang Township Task Force for the Severe Crackdown on Trafficking in Women and Children," with the list of personnel posted outside the police station on red paper in large brush strokes.

Deputy Secretary Cui, who oversees legal and comprehensive governance, serves as deputy leader, responsible for the specific work of the task force.

The director of the Comprehensive Governance Office, the chairwoman of the Women's Federation, the police liaison, the secretary of the Youth League Committee, and the director of the Family Planning Office serve as committee members, with a hotline number listed below.

The "Decision on Severely Punishing Criminals Involved in Trafficking and Kidnapping of Women and Children" is posted alongside, followed by large slogans like "Buying a Wife is Both Expensive and Illegal," all written by the cultural station chief, Old Wu.

The police station's iron gate is tightly closed, and the guard room has been converted into a duty room. Xiao Ren and a community defense team member, along with a township official, are explaining the laws and regulations to the crowd that has gathered.

A row of dormitories on the west side has been turned into a row of small cells. Zhou Zhengfa and several community defense team members sit at the entrance, scolding the people inside for their lack of ambition and enforcing rules, requiring them to "report" if they need to use the toilet.

The canteen on the east side is filled with women and children, with fruits, sunflower seeds, and candies on the tables, as if a tea party is being held.

The delayed rescue brought tears and laughter, with some unsure whether to cry or laugh.

The task force includes many female officials and teachers, each responsible for two people, using Sigon Mandarin to communicate and trying to comfort the adults and children with as much kindness and warmth as possible.

Xiao Dan, Chen Meng, and Gao Yali, who were rescued from Dinghu, were trafficked along with Shen Qiuyan. Upon meeting again, the two embraced and wept. Unlike Shen Qiuyan, she was not so fortunate, having been sold to a man in his thirties who demanded sexual relations and is now three months pregnant.

First, the female officials of the task force will comfort them, contacting their families back home if they know their phone numbers, and helping those without phones to contact the local police. Then, those who need medical examinations will go to the health center, and those who need to give statements will go to the office building.

Stability is paramount, and upgrading Liangzhuang Township to Liangzhuang Town is the bigger picture.

Old Lu, Township Chief Jiao, Deputy Secretary Cui, Chairman Ma, and Minister Niu, among other township leaders, all came to discuss how to resolve the issue quickly and steadily.

"Some comrades may think that Comrade Xiao Han is making trouble for nothing. Secretary Cui has just conveyed the central document. As party and government leaders, we have a responsibility. The idea of making trouble for nothing or meddling in others' affairs is absolutely unacceptable. Some comrades may think, 'How many such cases are there in Dinghu, how many in Lizhuang?' I want to emphasize again, they are they, and we are we. We should not learn the bad and ignore the good..."

Old Lu is nearing retirement, and leaders nearing retirement are often reluctant to leave any regrets. He is determined to resolve this issue during his term as party secretary and has set the tone with a few words.

At this point, there is no choice but to tackle the problem head-on. Township Chief Jiao said meaningfully, "Comrades, apart from some collection tasks, our Liangzhuang ranks among the top in the county in most areas. When outsiders mention Liangzhuang, the first thing they say is that Liangzhuang has no debt, and the second is that Liangzhuang values education and produces talent. A good reputation is better than any award. Although we don't win awards every year, I am content with these two evaluations.

Now the problem is before us. We owe a debt, a legal and moral debt. My wife is helping in the canteen, and she feels great sympathy for those women. She is saddened by their plight and couldn't help but cry. She asked me why the township government doesn't take action, and as the township chief, I am ashamed."

With the clear stance of the party and government leaders, other township leaders expressed their support.

"Xiao Han, please give us an update."

Han Bo turned to look at his new wife, who was attending the meeting, and explained, "Secretary Lu, I just returned from the rescue and arrest operation. Comrade Wang Yan has a more comprehensive understanding of the situation. Perhaps she should give the report."

"Alright, Xiao Wang, go ahead."

"Yes!"

"Report to the leaders, according to preliminary statistics, since the NPC Standing Committee issued the 'Decision on Severely Punishing Criminals Involved in Trafficking and Kidnapping of Women and Children' in 1991, our township has had 28 cases of buying trafficked women, 12 cases involving children over three years old, and 9 cases involving children between one and three years old. This means that 7 of the trafficked women have not given birth.

Preliminary statistics show that they mainly come from over a dozen regions in six provinces: Xichuan, Xijiang, Nangui, Nanyun, Beihu, and Nanhu. Traffickers lure them here under the pretense of job offers or marriage introductions and sell them to poor farmers in Liangzhuang and surrounding rural areas. Traffickers and farmers with weak legal awareness have turned these innocent, dreamy girls into mere tools for reproduction..."

Wang Yan, who has worked in the Changgang Police Station for three years and seen all kinds of crimes, considers herself a strong woman.

But now, she couldn't help but shed tears.

Thirty women in the canteen, each with a tragic and difficult story, would move anyone who empathizes.

Old Lu was furious, his face turning ashen. He slammed the table and instructed that those who should be arrested be arrested, those who should be sentenced be sentenced, and those who should be sent home be compensated and given travel expenses. The township would allocate 100,000 yuan for post-incident expenses, and the task force would be responsible for the entire process.

As Old Lu put it, they need to scare them and give them a lesson to deter others.

Anyone who bought a wife would be detained, no exceptions.

The community defense team would bring in the suspects, and An Xiaoyong, Xiao Dan, and Chen Meng would interrogate them in three offices, take statements, and gather evidence. They would also interview the women they bought to verify the information. A minibus was arranged to send them to the detention center early the next morning.

According to Shen Qiuyan's account, seven women were lured to Jiang Province in her batch. One of the traffickers, a man named Hao Li from Xichuan, who is about 40 years old, seems to be the ringleader, as the others all follow his orders.

The two arrested traffickers boarded a long-distance bus in Jiangyang City. Hao Li may be in Jiangyang City, possibly with a hideout, and might even be holding other women captive.

It was almost dark, and if the transaction went smoothly, the two arrested traffickers should be able to return by noon the next day. The suspect surnamed Hao is extremely cautious and might move if he doesn't see his accomplices.

They need to act quickly, pry open the mouths of the two traffickers, and find out Hao Li's whereabouts.

To prevent collusion, the male trafficker is being held in the interrogation room.

Han Bo pulled out a chair and sat opposite him, taking out a cigarette and lighting it for him. Wang Yan picked up a pen, ready to take notes.

They need to act swiftly and don't have time to ask for his name or gender.

Han Bo picked up his ID card and said coldly, "Meng Shiyong, I know you can understand and speak Mandarin. Don't pretend to be crazy or deaf. The law stipulates that those who traffic three or more women or children, and whose circumstances are particularly serious, shall be sentenced to death and have their property confiscated.

You are doomed. You have trafficked more than six women, and your circumstances are particularly serious. You will be dealt with swiftly and severely according to the law. If you don't cooperate and resist, you will face the death penalty, with no chance of a reprieve."

The 1979 Criminal Law was too lenient in dealing with trafficking in women and children, so the NPC Standing Committee issued the 'Decision on Severely Punishing Criminals Involved in Trafficking and Kidnapping of Women and Children,' which was promulgated by Presidential Decree No. 52 on September 4, 1991, and has legal force.

Wang Yan showed him the 'Decision' and pointed to the clause on the death penalty, warning, "Meng Shiyong, our policy is leniency for those who confess and severity for those who resist! Don't be stubborn; this is your last chance to redeem yourself."

From last autumn to now, several women have been brought here one after another.

All of them are still here and can identify you; there is no way to deny it.

Meng Shiyong had been in labor re-education and knew the police were not joking. He didn't want to be executed for trafficking and couldn't guarantee that his female accomplice wouldn't talk.

The crimes are serious, and the psychological defenses of the suspects are easily broken, but they were busy rescuing other women and attending the township meeting, leaving no time for interrogation.

Han Bo only asked the key questions, and Wang Yan only recorded the key points. As the suspect continued to confess, a large-scale trafficking network emerged, with over a dozen women needing to be rescued in just the rural areas of Nangang. This is a major case, and they must report it to the bureau leadership.

...

PS: Thank you to all the brothers and sisters who have been concerned about Muxian's health, and to all the book friends who have donated, sent red envelopes, promoted, recommended, evaluated, and given suggestions. The week is almost over, and the results are astonishing. Not only have we not fallen off the category member recommendation list, but we have maintained a good ranking.

That's a position for the greats, truly unimaginable.

A new week is about to begin, and I sincerely ask for your continued support. The website's recommendation for next week is good (bookshelf push, with a cover), so please reserve your valuable recommendation votes, clicks, and collections.

Finally, thank you to "错爱," "好书就追," "龙门山有雨," "chenm726," and "迷糊书子" and other new and old book friends for their generous donations (the detailed list will be posted in the evening). We now have eight patrons, awesome!