Chapter 84: The Raid
Chapter 84: The Raid
Han Guo, along with Chen Chuan and five other students, exited the grand hall and boarded a military transport vehicle that had been parked outside. They began their journey.
Inside the vehicle, Chen Chuan and the others could only observe the outside world through small sliding windows. He also noticed a small radio set placed within.
Han Guo distributed a set of documents to each of them, saying, "These are the specific details of the robbers. However, this information is from before their imprisonment. So, just take a look. Fang Dawei and his gang raided the residence of Congressman Fang Zuo, allegedly kidnapping his seven-year-old son."
A male student with the surname Wu, without lifting his head, asked impatiently while flipping through the documents, "But we can't tell that from these papers."
Han Guo glanced at him and said, "Congressman Fang Zuo had previously banned a batch of prohibited drugs, and it's suspected that he moved some of them to his residence. However, no traces of such items were found in his residence. It's likely that he had already sold them off. The Patrol Bureau deduced that the robbers kidnapped Congressman Fang's son to force an exchange for the prohibited drugs or to meet some other conditions."
The female student asked, "If that's the case, is Congressman Fang's son safe for now?"
Han Guo replied calmly, "That's assuming the situation is as we've deduced.
When I came to see you, the shootout at the bank had already ended. The Patrol Bureau suffered numerous casualties. These two groups have joined forces and are retreating towards the north of the city. However, the Patrol Bureau has been tailing them, and they haven't been able to escape the pursuit. They've now retreated to a location."
As she spoke, she took out a map and unfolded it in front of everyone. "According to the latest information, they should be here now," she said, pointing to a location on the map. "Caijia Village."
At the same time, in Yangzhi City, the deputy director of the Patrol Bureau, acting as the temporary commander, Guan Yuming, was staring at a map hanging on the wall, his eyes fixed on the location of Caijia Village.
A messenger entered and saluted, reporting, "The temporary telephone line has been set up. We've received a message from the city. The students from the Wu Yi Academy who were dispatched to assist are on their way, and...Congressman Fang's wife has also arrived here."
"Noted," said Guan Yuming.
He turned away and left the temporary command post located on the high ground. Taking out a telescope, he observed the distant village. He could vaguely see people moving about inside and asked, "Are all the personnel in position?"
His deputy, following behind, quickly opened a folder and said, "Except for the Changbao District, where the headquarters is located, the other districts—Westgang, Baofeng, Gateway, Dongbao, Quanbei, and Daping—have all dispatched patrol officers who are now in place. They are led by the captains of their respective districts..."
"No need to read it all. Just tell them that we're all familiar with each other. I won't call them over one by one. Just have them follow my orders when the time comes, and don't let me down."
"Yes, sir!"
Guan Yuming looked ahead at the village, which spread out in an east-west direction. The western side was higher than the eastern side, with a hill to the north and a stream to the east. At the southwest entrance of the village, there was a small hill with several elm trees and bushes. The entrance to the village was a gentle slope, and a donkey cart was overturned there, with the donkey lying on the ground.
However, as he surveyed the scene, he couldn't help but feel that the small hill at the village entrance was an eyesore.
He asked, "Have the machine guns, mortars, smoke grenades, and hand grenades I requested been delivered?"
"Reporting, sir. They haven't arrived yet. The headquarters said that the approval is stuck at the Government Hall," replied the deputy.
At that moment, a messenger entered and saluted, saying, "Reporting, the temporary telephone line has been set up. We've received a message from the city. The students from the Wu Yi Academy who were dispatched to assist are on their way, and...Congressman Fang's wife has also arrived here."
"Noted," said Guan Yuming.
He turned away and left the temporary command post located on the high ground. Taking out a telescope, he observed the distant village. He could vaguely see people moving about inside and asked, "Are all the personnel in position?"
His deputy, following behind, quickly opened a folder and said, "Except for the Changbao District, where the headquarters is located, the other districts—Westgang, Baofeng, Gateway, Dongbao, Quanbei, and Daping—have all dispatched patrol officers who are now in place. They are led by the captains of their respective districts..."
"Don't read it all out. Just tell them that we're all familiar with each other. I won't call them over one by one. Just have them follow my orders when the time comes, and don't let me down."
"Yes, sir!"
Guan Yuming looked ahead at the village, which spread out in an east-west direction. The western side was higher than the eastern side, with a hill to the north and a stream to the east. At the southwest entrance of the village, there was a small hill with several elm trees and bushes. Entering the village was an upward slope, and a donkey cart was overturned, with the donkey lying there.
However, as he surveyed the scene, he couldn't help but feel that the small hill at the village entrance was an eyesore.
He asked, "Have the machine guns, mortars, smoke grenades, and hand grenades I requested been delivered?"
"Reporting, sir. They haven't arrived yet. The headquarters said that the approval is stuck at the Government Hall," replied the deputy.
Guan Yuming was dissatisfied, "Never mind the mortars and machine guns, but not even hand grenades and smoke grenades? Fine, we'll do without them.
Order Sun Quezi to stand guard near the east bridge entrance, and Yu Quezi to take a team and set up the radio station behind the stream, cutting off the rear of the village. Wei Laohu and Xiao Nvsheng, each lead a team around the hill. Wei Laohu's team should hold their position for now, as there's likely someone there. Wait for an opportunity to move in."
"Once the others are in position, upon receiving the signal, initiate fire suppression within the village. Even if you don't hit anyone, create some noise. Then inform the personnel from the commission company. While we suppress their fire, they should use their speed to charge forward."
"Yes, sir!"
The messenger quickly jotted down these instructions and rushed out.
After about twenty minutes, the messenger returned and reported, "Reporting, all teams are in position. Captain Yu reports that a group of villagers has organized and blocked the rear, and there was a previous shootout with the robbers."
Guan Yuming's eyes turned cold. "Where did they get those guns?"
The messenger replied, "Captain Yu reports that they are old weapons from the Great Expansion Era, including hunting bows and arrows. They are from nearby villages and are related to the villagers of Caijia Village. There are many of them, and they are familiar with the local terrain, allowing them to hold off the robbers for now."
Guan Yuming frowned, sensing that the situation was more complex than it seemed. He instructed, "Tell Captain Yu to disarm and control these villagers for now.
In this moment, he was unwilling to tolerate the presence of another armed force nearby. However, he didn't have the time to pursue this matter now; he needed to deal with Fang Dawei's group first.
The messenger patrol officer soon returned with an update: "Director Guan, Captain Yu reports that the villagers are cooperating and have surrendered their weapons."
Guan Yuming nodded and said, "Good. Send the signal."
"Yes, sir!"
Almost immediately, a signal was sent out, and at the same time, gunshots rang out from several directions around Caijia Village. The personnel from the commission company also began to charge towards the village.
There were nearly twenty of them, running and stopping intermittently, taking a winding route. They quickly approached the village entrance, and the front few increased their speed, charging into the village.
Seeing their success, the rest followed, but just then, a burst of gunfire and loud thuds erupted from the hilltop. Those who had reached the slope were knocked down, and several were torn apart by the onslaught.
Guan Yuming's expression remained calm as he spoke in a steady tone, "The Li Ting Machine Gun, as expected, there's a firing position, and someone is assisting them."
Through his telescope, he saw that the commission personnel who had rushed into the village were unable to retreat. They had no choice but to bravely charge forward, but a burly man emerged from the other side and punched one of them to the ground. There was also a swift, dark shadow crawling along the ground. Whenever it passed by a commission member, they would silently fall to the ground.
In just over ten seconds, everyone who had charged into the village was taken down.
Around the same time, intense gunfire erupted from behind the hilltop, lasting for about half a bell before the machine gun fell silent.
The messenger soon entered, "Report, Captain Wei reports that they have occupied the hilltop. Two armed bandits were killed, one escaped into the village. A damaged Li Ting Machine Gun was seized, along with some bullets."
Guan Yuming acknowledged with a hum. Unfortunately, the hilltop didn't provide the same advantage as the village's higher ground. If they had occupied that position, they could have fired directly into the village from an advantageous position.
"Don't stop me. I want to talk to your leader."
At that moment, a woman under thirty years old, with wavy long hair, delicate curved eyebrows, and wearing elegant earrings and a lake green improved robe, burst in. Upon seeing Guan Yuming, tears welled up in her eyes as she cried, "Director Guan, please save my child, please save my child!"
The deputy said, "Director Guan, this is Mrs. Fang."
Guan Yuming looked at her and said, "Mrs. Fang, we will ensure his safety."
"But, I just saw you shooting. Can't we negotiate? I can offer those bandits any amount of money as long as they guarantee my child's safety..."
Guan Yuming said, "Mrs. Fang, we will handle this in our way." He instructed the patrol officer at the door, "Take Mrs. Fang to rest."
"No, I won't go anywhere. I'm staying here!" Mrs. Fang refused to budge, and due to her status, the patrol officers could only try to persuade her.
Just then, the telephone rang. The deputy picked it up and said to Guan Yuming, "Director Guan, it's a call for you."
Guan Yuming took the call, "Hello, this is Guan Yuming."
"How's the situation?"
"We've surrounded Caijia Village."
"Don't push too hard. You can leave a path open. The Government Hall is paying close attention. I even received a call from above. Remember, you can ignore everyone else, but we must ensure the safety of Senator Fang's child at all costs."
Guan Yuming paused for a moment, then said, "Understood."
After hanging up, he turned to his deputy and said, "Send a telegram. Tell Yu Xiaoyan to clear the way, and send someone to negotiate. We can discuss terms as long as they release the child."
After about seven or eight minutes, the messenger patrol officer reported, "Sir, they sent someone to talk. They're demanding a large quantity of anti-mutation drugs, at least twenty boxes, along with fifty thousand Jianyuan Yuan and three vehicles."
"I'll give it, I'll give it all, as long as they release the child!" Mrs. Fang exclaimed before Guan Yuming could respond.
Guan Yuming thought for a moment and said, "Tell them we'll provide the items, but we must first see the child to confirm their safety."
The messenger patrol officer saluted and left to convey the message.
After a few minutes, the messenger returned, "The bandits say we can send someone to see the child, and the other items can wait, but we must bring the medicine first, or there's nothing to discuss."
Just as Guan Yuming was considering this, someone entered and spoke briefly to the deputy, who then said, "Sir, the Wu Yi team has arrived."
Guan Yuming looked up and said, "Perfect timing!" He instructed the deputy, "Go and invite them in. I have a task for them."
...
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(End of Chapter)
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