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

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shuya was clearly very interested.

Putting aside how exciting it is to catch tadpoles, for Zhang Shuya and others, things like chiseling ice to catch fish, and shooting squirrels and sparrows with slingshots or air guns are seriously thrilling.

But Zhang Shuya said:
"This year is going to be tough. With the New Year approaching, there are more and more rotten fish and shrimp, and there are a lot of things to deal with every day."

After saying this, Zhang Shuya sighed again and said, somewhat puzzled:

"It's strange, there are so many more rotten fish and shrimp this year than in previous years. We catch one wave and another comes along. It's driving us crazy."

Wang An knew that these last few months were the last good times for those rotten fish and shrimp, and for those worthless donkeys and horses. By May or June, their good days would be over.

However, Wang An wouldn't say these things to Zhang Shuya; instead, he said with a grin:

"If it doesn't work this year, we'll do it next year; if it doesn't work next year, we'll do it the year after that. You can come to my house anytime, and I'll make arrangements for you, hehehehehe."

Zhang Shuya looked at the group of people who were already fully prepared and said:

"Alright, stop tempting me. Get in the car and let's go. You drive and lead the way."

Wang An agreed and led Huang Zhong toward his Gas.

Two minutes later, a soft-top GAZ truck with a well light, a jeep with a well light, two fully enclosed Jiefang trucks with well lights on their trailers, and Wang An's GAZ truck drove out of the Gong'anju compound.

Led by Wang An's GAZ truck, the five vehicles headed towards Shuangqiao Township.

Shuangqiao Township is right next to DJ County, adjacent to Taiping Village, about 70 li away.

The group of five cars drove quite fast, and it only took them about 40 minutes to arrive in Shuangqiao Township.

When Wang An arrived in Shuangqiao Township, he learned why Song Ping would only gather in Shuangqiao Township on the fifth day of each month to collect hides and bear bile.

Because every fifth day of the month is the market day in Shuangqiao Township, and a great many people come to the market in Shuangqiao Township on this day.

So the caravan slowed down as soon as it entered the street.

Compared to Xing'an Township, Shuangqiao Township appears to be larger, and its supply and marketing cooperative is also larger and more densely packed with buildings.

Shuangqiao Township has only one main street. As for the so-called street behind the supply and marketing cooperative, it can only be considered a small alley.

Although there are roads in the alleys, it is difficult for vehicles to pass because many villagers have placed stacks of firewood and manure on both sides of the roads.

In addition, there were quite a few people in the alley, so everyone had to park their cars at the entrance of the alley, leave someone to watch the cars, and the rest of them had to get out of the cars and walk across.

As the five cars came to a stop, people filed out of them, and the people on the street who were at the market immediately fell silent, all turning their curious eyes toward them.

Such a large number of vehicles and tea supplies arriving at once is quite rare in rural markets.

After quickly reorganizing their formation, the group, led by Wang An, headed straight for Song Ping's house.

As the crowd passed by, the locals at the market quickly made way for them, whispering amongst themselves. However, everyone kept their eyes fixed ahead, completely ignoring the surprised looks from the others.

Soon, the group arrived at the second street behind the supply and marketing cooperative and came to the third house, which was Song Ping's home or residence in Shuangqiao Township.

At this moment, the courtyard gate was wide open, and there were more than a dozen people who came to sell leather or other mountain products. They were scattered around the courtyard, all carrying or carrying sacks, urea bags, and cloth bags.

There was a table under the window in the courtyard, and one of the two people sitting behind it was Song Ping, the target of Wang An and the others. Not far behind these two, there were two other people carrying Type 56 rifles standing there; it was obvious that these two were the security guards.

At this moment, the two people sitting behind the table, Song Ping was checking the hides or bear bile handed over by the sellers one by one, while the other person was constantly counting money, handing over money and keeping accounts.

It's quite obvious that Song Ping and his ilk are doing a very legitimate and thriving business selling furs and mountain products.

The main point is that he dared to openly and brazenly collect leather pelts and bear gallbladders in the back street of Shuangqiao Township Supply and Marketing Cooperative, without being afraid of being dealt with by the investment office, purchasing station, or supply and marketing cooperative. This is enough to prove that Song Ping and others have power.

Of course, Wang An and the others didn't care about any of that.

The entry of Wang An and his group into the courtyard naturally silenced everyone present. The sudden quiet in the courtyard also caught the attention of Song Ping and the others.

Before Song Ping and his companions could react, Wang An and his group had already walked up to them.

Standing beside Song Ping, Wang An stared into Song Ping's eyes and said with a cold smile:

"Hehe. Song Ping, right? Do you know why we came to find you?"

Wang An could clearly see a hint of panic in Song Ping's eyes, but what Wang An was unsure of was whether Song Ping was the one who poisoned his house.

Song Ping naturally knew Wang An as well, because Wang An and his group had been frantically buying up valuable mountain products such as bear bile and musk all year, taking over the market from Song Ping and his group.

Of course, even without mentioning these things, given his reputation as the richest man in Shantun and even the entire Xing'an Township, Song Ping, who spent years traveling from village to village collecting mountain products, could not possibly be unaware of it.

Song Ping was simply unaware of Wang An's identity as a company defense officer and his true background in the county.

After Wang An finished asking his question, Song Ping did not answer it. Instead, he turned to look at the heavily armed group of Jingcha soldiers and asked:

"You're not from the LQ County Work Safety Bureau, are you? What are you doing here in LQ County?"

It has to be said that Song Ping, who travels from village to village all year round and has managed to build such a large-scale fur trade, is quite knowledgeable. He even knows that workers cannot cross borders without a valid reason.

After Song Ping finished speaking, Wang An looked at Zhang Shuya, but Zhang Shuya directly said to Wang An:

"Tell him why we came to find him."

Zhang Shuya came here today to support Wang An. If the Jingcha from LQ County comes, only a powerful figure like Zhang Shuya can keep them in check; someone of a lower rank might not be able to take them away.

Wang An smiled slightly and said:

"The anti-terrorist office received reports from hunters in Hongfengtun, Qingshantun, Yangshutun, Sujiatun, Liujiatun, Linjiatun, oh right, and Kaoshantun, among others."

After a pause, Wang An said:

"They say you've been collecting wild animal products like hides and bear bile in these villages for years, and the amount involved is enormous, seriously affecting the purchasing stations and supply and marketing cooperatives' purchasing quotas. Now they want you to come back with them to investigate."

Raising his head, Wang An then addressed the people next to Song Ping, and the two men behind them carrying guns:
"As Song Ping's accomplices and associates, you also bear an inescapable responsibility. Come back with us to cooperate with the investigation."

Wang An's words were forceful and well-reasoned, clearly indicating that he did not allow Song Ping and the others to refuse.

Although the two men behind Song Ping were carrying guns, they didn't even dare to make a move to remove them in front of the heavily armed Jing Cha.

Of course, no one in their position would dare to do that—what audacity! (End of Chapter)