Chapter 21: Capturing the Primary Human Trafficker (5)
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“Crack!” The spear suddenly struck the glass of the Jinbei van driven by Liang Song and Zhang Heng, causing it to shatter instantly.
Liang Song and Zhang Heng looked ahead and saw a large group of men approaching the abandoned hospital where the burly men wielding machetes had been before. At the front, each man held a protective shield, while those behind gripped machetes and sticks. Moreover, the burly men who had fled when Liang Song fired his gun earlier had now reappeared among the crowd, clearly having gone to find reinforcements. Among them was a man dressed sharply in a suit and sunglasses, carrying a spear gun — the kind hunters use.
It became clear that the spear shot moments ago had come from this man in the middle.
They were closing in step by step on Liang Song and Zhang Heng.
The burly man who had been shot in the thigh and collapsed shouted toward the approaching group, “Big brother! Help me! They have real guns!”
His cry caused the suited man in the center to halt, and when he stopped, the others also ceased advancing. This man was clearly their leader.
After stopping, the leader handed the spear gun to a subordinate, then removed his sunglasses, blew the dust off them, and gave them to another underling. He then looked first at Liang Song and Zhang Heng, and then at the injured man bleeding profusely on the ground. Blood was pouring from the wound, staining the earth red.
The leader then made a gesture to two subordinates, who quickly moved forward. One gently helped the wounded man up, while another carried him on his back, retreating into their own ranks.
Meanwhile, Liang Song and Zhang Heng watched silently without intervening.
When the subordinates tried to advance with their weapons, the leader stopped them with a hand raised and said, “Fall back.”
At his command, everyone stepped back.
The leader calmly strode forward a few paces and looked at Liang Song and Zhang Heng.
“Who among you shot my brother? Speak quickly. If you tell me, I promise you won’t die.”
Despite the intimidating atmosphere, Liang Song and Zhang Heng did not flinch. Liang Song stepped forward slightly, smiled faintly, and said, “It was me. I am Liang Song, a criminal investigation officer from the Beijing Public Security Bureau, Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China. I fired the shot while lawfully performing my duties. Any dangerous individual obstructing police duty can be lawfully executed on the spot and is protected by national law.”
He then pulled out his police badge from his pocket and held it up.
He glanced back at Zhang Heng, signaling him to do the same. Zhang understood and also produced his badge.
Seeing the badges, the leader’s expression faltered, though he tried to maintain composure.
“May I see your badges?” he asked politely. “Don’t worry, I just want to verify them.”
Liang Song nodded after a brief moment of thought.
The leader signaled two subordinates, who put down their machetes and hurried forward.
One approached Zhang Heng to take his badge, but Zhang hesitated. Liang Song urged him, “Give it to him.”
Zhang handed over his badge, and Liang Song did the same.
The subordinates ran back to the leader, respectfully presenting the badges.
The leader examined them carefully and was stunned. The badges appeared genuine, not fake. As a seasoned gang leader, he could distinguish between ordinary people and police. From their demeanor alone, these two were clearly not ordinary men but indeed officers.
After a thorough look, his anxiety grew. One subordinate noticed the leader’s change in mood and hurried over.
The leader handed the badges to the subordinate, saying, “Quickly, return these badges to the police officers.”
Hearing this, the subordinate dashed back to Liang Song and Zhang Heng, returning their identification.
The leader’s face transformed instantly from grim to a sly grin. Smiling, he said, “Officers from the capital Beijing, I apologize. We didn’t recognize your importance and should not have blocked your way. We’ll withdraw immediately.”
He gestured to his men to put away their weapons, which they did promptly.
Turning back to Liang Song and Zhang Heng, he said, “We won’t disturb your duty. We’re retreating now.”
He ordered his men, “Fall back, quickly…”
“Stop!” Liang Song’s voice rang out clearly and firmly.
The leader tensed instantly, then turned back with a smile.
“What is it, Officer Liang? I called you wrong before, Officer Liang, my apologies. Nice to meet you, Officer Liang.”
He even gave a comical salute.
Liang Song smirked slightly and replied, “Enough pretending. We’re here to investigate a matter and will leave soon. But we need your cooperation.”
“Of course, Officer Liang. Whatever you need, I’m more than willing to help. No hesitation.”
“In that case, please have your men leave. Too many people will hinder our investigation and evidence gathering.”
“Understood.”
The leader turned to his men.
“Everyone, listen up! The police officers from Beijing are here to investigate. Why are you still blocking them? Move aside for our respected People's Police officers!”
Everyone immediately stepped aside.
“Hey, what are you doing? Didn’t you hear what the police said? Move away now!”
“Boss, should we really leave?” a subordinate asked.
“Yes, everyone must leave now!”
At his command, the crowd dispersed like startled horses, scattering in all directions.
Soon, the place was deserted.
The leader turned back to Liang Song and Zhang Heng.
“Officers, I’ve sent my brothers away as you requested. Do you have any other instructions?”
Liang Song asked calmly, “What’s your name? How should I address you?”
“Officer Liang, my name is Shang Youlong, but everyone calls me Brother Shang here. Just call me Old Shang.”
“Alright, Old Shang. You share the same surname as your city’s Public Security Bureau Chief Shang, don’t you?”
“That’s right. I even had dinner with Chief Shang before.”
Both Liang Song and Old Shang laughed naturally.
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“Well then, Old Shang, let’s get to the point.”
“Sure thing, Officer.”
“I want to ask if you know what that remote hospital behind you is used for? It looks like it’s not ordinary.”
“Officer, nothing special. That hospital has long been relocated and ceased operations. The building and rooms are abandoned. Some of my homeless brothers have nowhere else to live, so they stay in that hospital.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, Officer, absolutely. If you don’t believe me, I can call my homeless brothers to come here, and you can question them yourself.”
“How about this, Old Shang? Would you take us inside for a brief look? We’ll just take a quick look and leave immediately. We won’t linger.”
Hearing this, Old Shang panicked briefly but quickly composed himself.
“Officer, there’s nothing worth seeing. The place where my poor brothers live is filthy and chaotic. They don’t even keep sanitary habits—defecating and urinating right outside the doors. As their leader, I don’t even want to visit. It’s disgusting. So, Officer, I really don’t recommend you go in for a look.”
“Old Shang, we’re adults here—let’s not beat around the bush. Myself and this officer came from Beijing to investigate a serious case. Your hospital is a crucial site for evidence. Since your brothers live inside, shouldn’t you be more willing to show us around?”
“No, Officer Liang. I swear on my name, there’s nothing illegal inside that hospital. It’s just my brothers living there—some even with their families. The hospital is their home. As their leader, don’t I have the right to keep outsiders away?”
“Officer, tell me honestly—if someone suddenly invaded your home to search, even if you were innocent but suspected, how would you feel?”
Liang Song smiled faintly, about to speak, but Old Shang interrupted.
“Officers, I guarantee you, there’s absolutely nothing illegal in that hospital—just my brothers’ residence. If you want to check anywhere else, I will fully cooperate.”
“Alright, Old Shang, so you’re not planning to let us check inside?”
“No, no, Officers, how about this? If you insist on inspecting, come back tomorrow. Tonight, I’ll have my brothers thoroughly clean the whole hospital first…”
“Sigh, I see.”
“By the way, Officer, we agreed—besides the hospital, if you want to inspect anywhere else, I will fully support and cooperate.”
At this moment, Liang Song realized the hospital must be hiding some unspeakable secret. But for now, entering the hospital was not a top priority.
“Alright, Old Shang, let’s put the hospital inspection aside for now. I have a few key questions for you.”
“Go ahead, Officer. I’ll tell you everything I know honestly.”
“Have you ever heard of…”
Liang Song suddenly stopped, turned to Zhang Heng, and asked, “What’s Liang Lahua’s husband’s name?”
“Li Guisheng,” Zhang answered.
Liang Song then looked back at Old Shang.
“Old Shang, have you heard of Li Guisheng, or Liang Lahua’s family?”
“Officer, to be honest, I’ve heard of him but don’t know him personally. My brothers said that Li Guisheng was utterly ruthless—he secretly sold his own son to gamble. After that, I don’t know what happened.”
Hearing this, Liang Song and Zhang Heng felt like they had struck gold.
Liang Song pressed on, “Old Shang, do you know who that ruthless father, Li Guisheng, sold his child to?”
“No, Officers, I really don’t know. I just heard from my brothers about a father who sold his own child to gamble. I was angry and saddened when I heard it. How could that innocent child have such a beast for a father? And that Li Guisheng, how could he be so heartless as to sell his own flesh and blood? It’s unimaginable.”
Hearing Old Shang’s words, Liang Song and Zhang Heng realized the prime suspect in Liang Lahua’s missing child case was undoubtedly the child’s biological father, Li Guisheng, who was also Liang Lahua’s husband.
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