Return to 1983 Hunting Xing'an Mountains

Chapter 752 New Year's Eve Gambling Crackdown: Dogs Fighting, a Mess
Meng Yinhe is not very shrewd; when she swallows dumplings, a smile appears on her face when she thinks about the bad things she has done.

After everyone put down their chopsticks, they sat down and chatted casually. Xu Ning and Meng Yinhe went to the second room on the west side and whispered to each other.

Xu Ning was overjoyed to hear that the Chang brothers had gone to stay with the Guo and Zhao brothers.

He certainly has no remorse, because Lao Guo is no good either. Over the years, he has made more than 800 yuan a year just by taking a cut of the winnings. He has also set up many schemes to trap others. So he deserves what he got, or rather, these gamblers and organizers deserved it!
After receiving the news, Lao Qian hurriedly called Zhou Dayong of Hongxing. Coincidentally, Zhou Dayong was on duty that evening!

Zhou Dayong hurriedly dispatched his subordinates, while Bian Baoguo frowned and said, "Master, we can't handle this. Qing'an is too far from here, and it's dark with a biting wind. If you ride a sidecar out, you'll be frozen solid in less than five minutes."

Zhou Dayong laughed and said, "I'm going out to borrow a car. You guys take out the bedding from the rest room and put it in the car later. It should be fine to drive."

"Director Zhou, is it possible to secure funding for this project? The New Year is just around the corner."

Zhou Dayong turned his head and said, "I'm no more anxious than you. You all need to keep your mouths shut and not let anyone leak any information. Let's get moving! Hurry up!!"

After everyone got moving, Zhou Dayong ran out of the duty room and came to the alley to the right of the gate. After passing through the alley, he saw the main road and an old Jiefang truck parked on the side of the road.

Old Qian saw someone approaching, so he pushed open the door and got out of the car. "Hey! Director Zhou, it's a holiday and you're still serving the people. You've worked hard."

"What's so hard about it? It's my duty! When did you get back?"

"I've only been back for two days. I heard your child is going to study in the city next year?"

"Yeah, Erning helped with the arrangements. Once we get to the city, we'll have to ask your wife to help take care of us."

"Okay, I'll let my wife know when the time comes. The car keys and everything are in the car. I also put two bags of rice cakes and biscuits in the passenger seat. You can have a bite if you get hungry."

Zhou Dayong laughed and said, "Thank you for your trouble, brother. I'll go take care of my business first, and we'll get together again when I get back."

"okay."

Zhou Dayong drove back to the gate, got out of the car and glanced at the license plate and the things under the windshield. The license plate had long been removed by Lao Qian, and there were no items under the windshield that could reveal information.

Bian Baoguo led eight people out carrying bedding and said, "Master, I've asked Lao Zhang to stay and watch the house."

"Old Zhang, you're staying behind. Did you take all the equipment?"

"I've taken it all. I can't fire a gun, can I? I only brought two magazines."

"That's enough. You drive, Xiaoyu!"

"arrive."

"You know where this place is, come sit in the passenger seat with me. There's some rice cake and biscuits in the passenger seat, you can hand them out so the brothers can have a bite."

Xiaoyu smiled ingratiatingly and said, "Oh, well done, Zhou has prepared everything so thoroughly, you're so thoughtful."

Zhou Dayong smiled and waved his hand. After everyone had checked their equipment, the old Liberation truck sped off towards Beitun.

The moonlight reflected off the road, but it was blocked by car headlights. Looking up and around, it was pitch black, with only the occasional shadow of a tree flitting by...

Upon arriving at the outskirts of Beitun, the car gradually slowed down and pulled over to the side of an empty road, turning off its lights.

Zhou Dayong gathered the nine men together and said, "Let's formulate a tactical plan first. This operation is mainly based on a tip from the public that there are about a dozen people gambling at Lao Guo's house in Beitun. We definitely can't set up an ambush. I suggest we launch a surprise attack!"

"There are two reasons. First, several families in Beitun also own cars, so our car won't be conspicuous. Second, if we walk into the village, we might be spotted by the villagers. We don't know the road conditions in the village, so we'll definitely suffer. It's better to drive straight to Lao Guo's house, get out of the car, go inside, and trap them all inside!"

Bian Baoguo nodded: "I think it's a good idea!"

"agree……"

"Okay, Xiao Wang and Li Zi, quickly block the main gate. Liang Zi and Xiao Liang, block the main house with the lights on. The rest of you, follow me and make arrests! Don't fire any shots unless absolutely necessary. This is a village, and firing shots can easily disturb the people's rest."

"clear."

Zhou Dayong waved his hand: "Alright, let's get started."

Everyone quickly climbed onto the vehicle, and Zhou Dayong and Bian Baoguo also got into the driver's seat. Then, the old Jiefang truck drove towards the village.

Xiaoyu pointed to the houses with lights on ahead and said, "Go another 50 meters ahead, and the house with red lanterns hanging at the door is Old Guo's house."

At this moment, the side room of Lao Guo's house was bustling with activity, filled with smoke and shouts of cursing.

The Chang brothers and the Zhao brothers had already played two rounds. Chang Beifeng had lost badly, losing a full 18 yuan. Chang Xifeng hadn't fared well either, losing more than 6 yuan. On the other hand, the Zhao brothers had won a total of 24 yuan, so they had smiles on their faces. The Chang brothers, however, had gloomy faces and were getting more and more impatient.

All four of them played well, but it was clear that the Chang brothers' card skills were not as good as the Zhao brothers'.

Wang Changhai, sitting next to him, advised, "You two are having bad luck today. Why don't we go home?"

Zhao Guoqing laughed and said, "Hey, we've only played two rounds, how can we leave halfway through? Besides, those of us who won money haven't left, so what's the difference between us who lost money and those who didn't?"

Chang Beifeng gritted his teeth and said, "Stop pretending. Let me clear my head, and I'll definitely win back everything!"

There was about 60 yuan on the table. The two groups of people playing dominoes on the kang (a heated brick bed) each had a stack of loose change next to their legs, which could be conservatively estimated to be more than 200 yuan.

Wang Changhai said helplessly, "Sigh, I'm really impressed."

Chang Xifeng turned his head and said, "Are you itching to play? Why don't you play a couple of rounds?"

"Come on, I was in a hurry to leave and didn't bring any money. You guys keep playing."

Zhao Guofeng chatted idly, saying, "Changhai really has self-control. If it were me, I would have lost my temper long ago."

"What self-control do I have? I brought them here to find the police, so I have to follow the rules too."

Zhao Guoqing laughed and said, "Nobody's picking on you."

On the kang (heated brick bed), people were playing dominoes with great enthusiasm; the winners were laughing heartily, while the losers were cursing and swearing...

Just then, everyone in the room heard the sound of a car engine, but no one paid any attention.

Old Guo muttered, "Old Li doesn't even have a moment's rest during the holidays; he's always up early and working late."

The sound of a car engine grew closer. Old Guo stood at the door of the side room and glanced outside. He saw an old Jiefang truck suddenly brake and stop in front of his house. This made Old Guo slightly surprised. What did Old Li mean? Was something wrong?
Old Guo took two steps forward, and then he saw two men in military overcoats jump out of the car. The middle-aged man in the lead shouted, "Hurry! Hurry!"

At this moment, the seven people in the back of the train had already jumped off and rushed towards the main gate.

Upon seeing their attire, Old Guo's pupils constricted, and he hurriedly turned to shout towards the side room, "Run! Run!"

"Shut the fuck up! Press him down!" Bian Baoguo and Xiao Liang took the lead and pressed Lao Guo to the ground, while Xiao Yu, Liang Zi and the others quickly blocked the door of the side room and the main room.

Zhou Dayong drew his Type 54 pistol, cocked it, and crawled into the house, shouting, "Everyone, squat down! Red Star..."

After he announced his organization's name, everyone in the room was stunned and stood frozen in place, not daring to move.

“Check them one by one! Bao Guo’s records… Hey, don’t move. Did I say you could move? The door is blocked. You still want to stuff money into your pocket? You’re really bold.”

Chang Beifeng paused, then put down the money he was holding, while Chang Xifeng and the Zhao brothers were still sitting in their seats, their hands still arranging their cards, not having reacted yet.

Wang Changhai, being quite experienced, immediately moved from the stool to the ground, squatted down, covered his head with his hands, and shouted, "Boss, I was just watching the show..."

"Watching the fun? What are you doing watching the fun during this holiday? What's your name? Where are you from? Who's in your family?"

Bian Baoguo walked up to him, holding up his notebook to take notes, while Xiao Liang pushed Lao Guo into the house and said, "Director Zhou, this is the head of the household, Guo Mao. Xiao Wang just went into the main room. Inside are his wife, children, and his mother who is bedridden."

Old Guo hurriedly pleaded, "Sir, this has nothing to do with my family. I accept the punishment. Please don't take my wife with you, okay? My mother needs someone to take care of her."

Old Guo squinted and remained silent, pointing at the people inside the room and saying, "Did you recruit all these people in the room?"

"...Yes, boss, I admit I had someone set up the den, you can let them go."

Zhou Dayong patted his cheek and said, "You're quite something, aren't you? It's because of people like you who organize these parties that these gamblers have lost their families and lives. What kind of fun are you to them?"

Old Guo looked up at Wang Changhai and said, "Did you pick me?"

"What? Are you crazy? What did I do that you're blaming me for?"

Old Guo frowned at Wang Changhai's reaction, but just as he was about to think about something, he was slapped. He lowered his head, his face dark, and tried to sort out his thoughts again.

When Wang Changhai arrived, the Chang brothers accompanied him. When he went to make a phone call, he followed alone. During this time, no unusual behavior was observed from Wang Changhai. Could he be one of the villagers? Did they see that he had made money organizing gatherings in the past two years, so they raided his hideout?
Bian Baoguo walked over with a notebook and said, "Director Zhou, there are 14 people in the room, and the gambling stakes are a whopping 266 yuan and 3 mao! These four people alone have taken more than 60 yuan."

Zhao Guofeng hurriedly waved his hand: "Boss, it's a misunderstanding! It's really a misunderstanding. I just came to play mahjong when I had nothing to do. I didn't play anything. These are all my relatives."

Chang Xifeng reacted quickly, replying, "Yeah, that's right, we're all relatives..."

Bian Baoguo glared and said, "Why are your relatives here instead of at home? Do you think everyone else is stupid?"

Zhou Dayong sneered: "Take them all away!"

The group of gamblers were dragged out the door, and Old Guo said through gritted teeth, "Can't you show some mercy...?"

"What are you talking about? What feelings do you have to offer?"

At this moment, Old Guo's wife, wearing a cotton-padded coat, ran out of the house and knelt down beside Zhou Dayong, crying and wailing, "Oh dear, but no, leader, you're taking our whole family's lives..."

Zhou Dayong frowned and said, "Your whole family has been involved in gambling. I didn't say I'd take you away because your old lady is lying on the kang (heated brick bed) inside. She can't be left unattended. If you howl a couple more times, I'll take you with me, okay?"

"No, no, no... I... I didn't participate! Husband, if you're going to be stuck in the fence, what are we three supposed to do? Say something, come up with a plan!"

Old Guo said with a dark face, "What tricks are you thinking of? If you're going to get beaten, just stand at attention. Go tell everyone in the neighborhood to come to town tomorrow."

Zhou Dayong said, "Don't cause trouble. We still need to investigate the specifics. Let's get them in the car."

Immediately, Lao Guo was escorted into the carriage by Bian Baoguo, and Zhou Dayong waved his hand: "Let's go!"

An old Jiefang truck came and went in a hurry, leaving only its taillights and Old Guo's wife sitting on the ground crying. Her child stood at the door and urged, "Mom, get up quickly. They're all gone. Didn't you hear what Dad said?"

Old Guo's wife stopped talking and stood up, gritting her teeth as she said, "That damned bastard! I told him a long time ago not to bring people home all the time. What's the point of having fun on a holiday like this? A bunch of addicted bastards... Go tell their families to prepare some money. We'll go to town together tomorrow."

"OK."

The child ran out of the house and knocked on doors to tell everyone what was happening. When the people heard that their son and father had been taken away, they didn't cry or make a fuss at all; instead, they were furious!
When the two daughters-in-law and the old woman from the Zhao family found out, the old woman was so angry that she gritted her teeth and said, "These two are not human, they deserve to be beaten! Go back and tell your mother to let them die in the fence. I don't have the spare money to take care of them."

When a young man who had just gotten married heard about it, his father simply said, "I'm not going. Whoever wants to go can go."

"..."

Most of the family members of this group didn't want to help, and some even had the mentality of telling them to die. Only two families were relatively proactive, but that wasn't all that great...

On the way, Bian Baoguo made an impromptu inquiry in the carriage, pointing at Chang Xifeng and saying, "It's a fact that he was sitting at the mahjong table, right? You don't need to rush to refute it. If you played, you played; if you didn't play, you didn't play. We have regulations... Come on, man, look up. I'm asking you, did Zhao Guofeng and Zhao Guoqing play? Speak up!"

One of the young men couldn't withstand Bian Baoguo's gaze and trembled in fear, blurting out, "I...I'll play."

“They must have been playing. We saw them when we came in. You were all playing on the kang (heated brick bed).

"Comrade, I didn't play, I really didn't play, you can ask them if you don't believe me... I was just watching the fun."

This was a middle-aged man wearing a tattered cotton-padded coat. Bian Baoguo turned his head and asked, "Did he play?"

"He didn't play; he was just watching the fun."

"Who hasn't played yet?" Bian Baoguo said, squinting. "As long as someone can testify for you, we won't wrong an innocent person."

Wang Changhai took a deep breath and said, "I didn't play; I just sat on the sidelines watching the fun."

"Who can testify for you?" Bian Baoguo asked.

Wang Changhai looked directly at the Chang brothers, but the two brothers didn't say a word, nor did the two Zhao brothers.

"Chang Xifeng, don't you know whether I played or not? You'd better say something when the time comes!"

Chang Beifeng scoffed, "You didn't play today, but you often organize games, gathering us together to gamble."

Bian Baoguo smiled at Wang Changhai, who was completely dumbfounded. He shouted, "You're talking nonsense! Are you even human? Huh! How have I ever treated you two badly? Why are you treating me like this?"

Zhao Guofeng said, "Isn't it a fact that you frequently organize gatherings?"

Wang Changhai said, "Who has evidence? Do you have any evidence? Don't fucking accuse me!"

"Who's framing you? Everyone here knows who Wang Changhai is. What are you trying to say? Just admit your mistake."

Bian Baoguo frowned and said, "Do you have a grudge against each other? You can't just talk nonsense without evidence or catching him in the act, you know? I'm just asking him if he played today or not."

Chang Xifeng looked up and said, "He didn't play."

(End of this chapter)