Back in the 1980s, hiking in the mountains was also a way of life

Back then, anyone caught, whether they were hunters selling goods or buyers, would be severely punished.

Unfortunately, back then, cracking down on capital activities was quite strict.

Therefore, Comrade Peng Zhiyong, who had lived through those years, would panic upon hearing about such matters.

After Wang An finished speaking, Peng Zhiyong immediately grabbed Wang An's sleeve and asked anxiously:
"Brother, you're not going to arrest us hunters too, are you?"

Wang An shook his head and said:

"It's alright. You should have gone into the mountains these days before the New Year. If anyone comes to question you, just tell them all about the peddlers who came by. Just say they said they were sent by the supply and marketing cooperative and you didn't know anything about it."

Peng Zhiyong wasn't stupid. Hearing Wang An immediately absolve himself of any responsibility, he blinked and said:
"Then...what if they ask you about it? What should we say?"

Clearly, Peng Zhiyong was worried that Wang An and his group wouldn't escape either, and he also wanted to test their strength.

Upon hearing this, Wang An, with a completely unconcerned and arrogant attitude, said:
“Say what you want to say. We don’t have any ulterior motives. Let me tell you, Brother Peng, since we dare to do this, we’re not afraid of being investigated. Do you really think that the two bucks we make end up in our pockets? Hahahaha, money isn’t that easy to earn.”

As he spoke, Wang An patted Peng Zhiyong on the shoulder.

Wang An's words mainly conveyed one meaning: that there are powerful figures behind Wang An and his group, and that any investigations or investigations are none of their business.

Wang An's words reassured Peng Zhiyong.

Peng Zhiyong, his previous panic gone, now echoed with a beaming smile:
"I knew you weren't an ordinary guy, driving such a high-end car and offering us such high prices, and you even specialize in buying expensive things. Brother, you guys are definitely the bosses of this place."

When he finished speaking, Peng Zhiyong gave Wang An a thumbs up.

Wang An laughed heartily and said very modestly:
"What boss or not, I just want everyone to make more money. Hey Peng, I'll have to trouble you to inform the hunting crew around your village. I think they'll all listen to you."

Upon hearing this, Peng Zhiyong patted his chest and said very confidently:
"Don't worry, brother. Leave it all to me. I'll definitely handle this matter perfectly for you."

After exchanging a few more useless words with Peng Zhiyong, Wang An drove off to say goodbye.

Lost in thought, Wang An drove home without realizing it.

When Wang An arrived home, he found Huang Zhong practicing the Scorpion Crawling Backwards Technique.

Unlike before, this time Huang Zhong was able to walk upside down completely, and he was even walking around the yard upside down.

Although Wang An knew that Huang Zhong had always practiced diligently, he never expected the kid to be this diligent.

So it's quite obvious that Huang Zhong had excess energy because he drank the blood of a mutton.

Seeing Wang An drive into the yard, Huang Zhong walked towards Wang An upside down, and with a flip, Huang Zhong was standing next to Wang An.

"Brother, you're back." Huang Zhong greeted Wang An as he got out of the car.

Wang An nodded and asked Huang Zhong:

"Do you remember that old guy who always came to our village to collect small furs and bear bile sachets and stuff like that?"

The so-called "small furs" actually refer to the furs of small animals such as weasels, squirrels, minks, foxes, and sables.

The reason it is said to specialize in collecting small hides, bear bile, musk, and the like is because furs such as wolf skins and bear skins are not only large in size but also very heavy. Using a bicycle to collect these things would take up too much space and wouldn't earn much money.

Upon hearing this, Huang Zhong immediately replied, "I remember, I remember it very well. Before we settled in Weizigou, he would always wander around that area."

After a pause, Huang Zhong gritted his teeth and said:

"That old guy is a real scoundrel. He thinks we vagrants are easy to bully, and every time he buys something, he either finds fault with it to death or tries to drive down the price. He never makes us pay up easily."

Seeing Huang Zhong's angry expression, Wang An almost couldn't help but laugh.

Wang An knew all too well the nature of these peddlers; nitpicking and being picky were their usual practices.

However, Wang An also understands these people very well, because that's what they make their money from.

Otherwise, how could they possibly make money if they bought furs and bear bile at prices higher than those offered by supply and marketing cooperatives, especially since their sales channels were not very good?

Wang An did not comment on Song Ping's actions during the acquisition of goods, but instead said to Huang Zhong:
“Hey Xiao Zhong, you’ll do some work for me. Starting tomorrow, you’ll ride your horse around these villages for miles around and look for this old bastard named Song Ping.”

"After you find him, don't disturb him. Try to find out where he stays at night, and then come back and tell me."

Huang Zhong asked with some doubt:
"Brother, what do we need him for?"

Wang An did not hide anything, but said in a deep voice:

"I suspect that the person who threw the mutton with arsenic into our house is most likely him."

Upon hearing this, Huang Zhong's eyes widened instantly, and then, with a murderous look on his face, he said to Wang An:
"Brother, as long as you give the order, I'll shoot him dead as soon as I find him tomorrow."

Wang An was still pondering how to get Song Ping to tell the truth once he found him, when he heard Huang Zhong's completely off-the-charts words and was speechless.

If Song Ping dared to travel from village to village as a peddler in these deep mountains and forests, then he must have been carrying a gun.

Otherwise, let alone being unable to deal with those who smashed bars and robbed people, even jackals and tigers could devour Song Ping.

Even after 00, wild animals still frequently attacked or even ate people in these remote mountains and forests.

Wang An twitched the corner of his mouth and said with a look of annoyance:

"Are you fucking crazy? Do you think Song Ping is some kind of wild animal from the mountains? Or some vagrant from out of town? You just want to kill him like that? What? You don't want to live anymore?"

After Wang An finished speaking, Huang Zhong replied without hesitation:

"At worst, we'll trade our lives for one. Anyway, without my older brother, there would be no me or our family today."

Wang An said with a speechless expression:
"No way, it's such a small thing, we haven't even figured out what happened yet, and you just go up and shoot someone? What were you doing? Are you crazy?"

That's what they say, but Huang Zhong's unintentional display of loyalty was still quite touching for Wang An.

Yes, it was touching.

Although Huang Zhong was illiterate, he was not stupid. On the contrary, he was quite clever. Of course, he knew what "a life for a life, a debt for a debt" meant, but he still said that one life for another.

However, dealing with a mere peddler doesn't require Huang Zhong to risk his life. He can simply use Wang An's position as a garrison commander to take care of Song Ping.

Wang An sent Huang Zhong to find Song Ping's whereabouts simply because he was afraid Song Ping would get wind of the investigation and run away, making it difficult to catch him later. (End of Chapter)