Chapter 99

After traveling back and forth over two thousand kilometers, he finally brought the son back to hold a public arrest meeting.

Theft, assault, and escape—these crimes would not be lightly punished by the court. Gu Xinguì would likely spend seven to eight years in prison. If he went to Gu's home now, he certainly wouldn't be welcomed. The same matter, but different people handling it would yield vastly different results.

One must have self-awareness. Since he had offended someone, he shouldn't go and make himself unwelcome.

Han Bo thought for a moment and decided to send the recently returned Xiao Dan and Old Mi to visit Gu Xinguì's parents, to prepare them for the visit from their son's wife and two grandchildren, whom they had never met.

Gu Xinguì was in his thirties, and by the time he was released, he would likely be in his forties.

Having been in prison, with a criminal record, it would be difficult for him to find a wife. His current wife was devoted to him, and they had to do everything possible to keep her happy. Parents' love for their children is boundless; the two elders would likely welcome them warmly.

Just as Xiao Dan drove the No. 7 car out of the compound, a Cherokee police car and a Santana slowly drove in.

No wonder no one answered the office phone or the pager; it turned out Director Ji was on the way.

The bureau leader who "contacted" him had arrived in person, and the person in the sedan was likely also a leader. Han Bo hurriedly ran up, stood at attention, and saluted: "Police Commissioner Han Bo of Liangzhuang, welcome Director Ji to the police station for an inspection."

The formalities pleased Director Ji, who raised his hand in return: "At ease."

"Yes!"

"Chairman Bai, let me introduce you. This is our anti-human trafficking hero, Captain Han Bo of the newly established Anti-Human Trafficking Unit. Captain Han, this is Chairman Bai of the County Women's Federation."

A female official in her forties, plump and fair, wearing a well-fitted overcoat, exuding grace, and sitting in a sedan—everyone knew she was a leader even without an introduction.

The full name of the Women's Federation is the All-China Women's Federation, a mass organization of women from all ethnic groups and sectors under the leadership of the Party, striving for women's liberation. Its basic functions are to represent and defend women's rights, promote gender equality, and also protect the rights of children. Although it is defined as a "non-governmental organization," it is essentially no different from a government department.

At the level of a full-section chief, the same as Old Lu, she must be shown sufficient respect.

Han Bo stood at attention and saluted again: "Chairman Bai, hello. I am Captain Han Bo of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of Sigan County Public Security Bureau. Welcome to our unit for guidance."

"Comrade Han Bo, don't be so formal."

Chairman Bai lightly held his hand and said, "Comrade Han Bo, I am here on behalf of all women to thank and comfort you. With a high sense of responsibility, you have carried out the campaign against human trafficking, achieving significant results in solving cases and rescuing trafficked women, greatly deterring traffickers and buyers. Several families have been reunited, and the personal safety of many women has been effectively protected..."

Journalists!

A county TV station reporter and a cameraman got out of the car, one holding a microphone and the other carrying a camera. They started interviewing without even a greeting. However, the camera seemed to focus on Chairman Bai, who spoke with passion and enthusiasm, clearly well-prepared.

"Our Women's Federation will continue to 'represent and protect women's rights and promote gender equality,' and will actively cooperate with the police in combating human trafficking. We will work together to protect women's rights and promote social harmony and stability. We also wish you greater success in your anti-human trafficking efforts and look forward to more trafficked women returning to their warm homes."

"Thank you, Chairman Bai. We appreciate your encouragement and support. The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit will persist in our efforts and resolutely combat human trafficking under the leadership of the bureau's Party committee, working together with the Women's Federation to protect the rights of women and children."

Truly a student party member and student union cadre.

Truly someone who had studied in Jiangcheng for four years and seen the world.

Persisting in efforts, resolutely combating criminals, and not forgetting the leadership of the bureau's Party committee—how well said! If it were someone less discerning, they might have said, "We will continue to strive and achieve new successes."

Director Ji was very satisfied with the subordinate's appropriate response. When the beautiful female reporter put down the microphone, he smiled and said, "Xiao Han, we just came from the detention center. The journalist has just filmed the traffickers and the people involved in buying trafficked women. Next, they will interview the rescued women, and Chairman Bai will also comfort them. Where are they? Take us there."

"Report to Director Ji, report to Chairman Bai, the rescued women are temporarily housed at the Sericulture Guidance Station in the market, about 1.5 kilometers away."

"Ride with me, and lead the way."

"Yes."

The journalist and Chairman Bai got into one car, while the police car had only the driver and the bureau leader who "contacted" him. Han Bo sat in the back and leaned forward to ask, "Director Ji, we just caught a few traffickers and rescued a few women. Why is Chairman Bai here to comfort them and the TV station here to interview? Is it really necessary to make such a big deal?"

Not boasting about his achievements, such a young man is rare.

Director Ji glanced back and said with a half-smile, "It's not usually this exaggerated, but it's not a usual time now. It's during the special campaign against human trafficking. The county needs to set an example and needs a hero to deter those who buy wives. You solved a trafficking gang and rescued so many women, and caught all the people in Liangzhuang who bought wives. If not you, who else? If not a hero, who else?"

"But, why did the county suddenly decide to combat human trafficking, and why not do it properly, with a thorough investigation and simultaneous action? This way, it will alert the criminals."

Working in Liangzhuang, it's not surprising that he didn't think of this.

Director Ji explained in a low voice, "Last night, Secretary Lu went to the county party committee to report. The county leaders were holding a standing committee meeting to discuss how to spend the New Year. Liangzhuang is debt-free and has nothing to worry about. Other towns are not so lucky; many town leaders are already preparing to go into hiding to avoid debts. The Spring Festival is approaching, and 1997 is just around the corner, with Hong Kong about to return. Stability is paramount.

If the New Year comes and no wages are paid, teachers will cause trouble, and retirees will petition. The county treasury has squeezed out some funds, and Secretary Xie and County Chief Yang have helped the most problematic towns secure some bank loans, but there is still a significant shortfall. After listening to Secretary Lu's report, County Chief Yang saw this as an opportunity and decided to use the anti-human trafficking campaign to collect social抚养 fees for unplanned births."

"Those who bought wives?"

"Yes, most of them didn't get marriage certificates. Unplanned births are subject to fines. Ordinary people who have unplanned births might hide or have their houses demolished. But buying a wife and having children is not only illegal but also a crime. If they run away, they become fugitives, and a nationwide manhunt will be issued. Liangzhuang caught dozens of them, which shows the determination of the county party committee and government in combating human trafficking. The county leaders believe that with proper publicity, the collection work should not be difficult."

This isn't an anti-human trafficking special campaign; it's clearly a fine collection campaign.

Han Bo was at a loss and couldn't help but ask, "How many people in the county have bought wives and had children? How much can be fined? Even if all the fines are collected, how significant would it be?"

"The county arranged for each town and our bureau to conduct a preliminary investigation this morning. Including those before the 1991 NPC Standing Committee's decision to severely punish traffickers and kidnappers of women and children, there are quite a few in the county. A concentrated cleanup will involve those who didn't get marriage certificates to get them, collect fines for unplanned births, and help the children get registered. This will also deter those who want to buy wives, achieving multiple goals at once, which is not a bad thing."

Collecting fines for unplanned births might not be enough to deter them. Han Bo asked again, "Director Ji, does this mean a blanket approach to those who bought wives, where they will be let off if they pay the fines?"

"How could that be? Buying a trafficked woman is a crime, and our police will still investigate and handle it. Those with a good attitude will be placed under surveillance, while those with a bad attitude will be prosecuted by the procuratorate."

"What does a good attitude mean?"

"Each town will form a working group to urge those who bought wives to cooperate actively with the investigation. They will be granted bail within a week. Those who fail to do so will be severely punished."

I see, each town wants to collect fines for unplanned births to get through the New Year, and the bureau plans to use this opportunity to collect bail money.

According to the decision to severely punish traffickers and kidnappers of women and children, the maximum sentence for buying a trafficked woman is three years, with no provision for fines. The bureau can only think of collecting bail money. By frequently summoning them, if they fail to appear once, the bail money can be legally confiscated and returned to the bureau.

The same anti-human trafficking campaign, but with different motivations.

However, one thing is certain: after the special campaign, no one will dare to buy a wife for at least two to three years, unless they are prepared to face severe penalties from the police and family planning departments. This will indeed deter those who want to buy wives, ultimately achieving the goal of "no buying, no selling."

...

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