Chapter 5 of Volume 1: Enduring Humiliation and Bearing Heavy Burdens

  "County Governor Mo, if there's anything you need us to do, just give the order directly and we'll take care of it. What's so important that you have to go personally?"

  "Duan younger brother, I'm now anxious like a burning fire, you must help me with this matter!" Magistrate Mo didn't have his usual arrogance.

  "What's wrong, County Magistrate Mo? What's happened?"

  "It's like this, my wife's younger brother was traveling in our county and somehow got targeted by bandits. The county head was kidnapped by the bandits, who are demanding 5,000 silver dollars as ransom within three days, or else they'll kill him."

  "How can this be, these thieves are too bold. Don't worry, County Magistrate Mo, bandits also want wealth, they won't kill people or demand ransom unless absolutely necessary. When did this happen?"

  "What happened last night, this morning a knife was stuck in the door with a note. The knife belongs to my younger brother and the note is here." County Magistrate Mo handed over a brief note.

  Roughly scanning the contents of the letter, Duan Guoxue couldn't help but be enraged by the contents, his hands trembling with rage. The letter clearly stated that he had to pay 5,000 yuan within three days to ransom the person at a specified location. Although the language used was not overly aggressive, why did they kidnap the county head and demand that he himself pay for the ransom? This was obviously looking for trouble. With great difficulty, Duan Guoxue suppressed his anger and said to County Head Mo:

  "County Magistrate Mo, please go sit in the living room for a while, I'll just go prepare."

  "Ah, trouble! Trouble!" Magistrate Mo followed Pei Liang into the house to drink tea. Duan Guoxue scowled at You Tian and said:

  "Youta, go and get Kanfurin! Also, bring Weirong over!"

  Before long, Gan Fulin arrived at Duan Guoxue's office. Duan Guoxue didn't waste any words and directly handed the letter to Gan Fulin.

  "What's the origin of this Blackhead Ridge! Don't try to fool me, don't think you can pretend to be silly every day, but among these few brothers, you're the most clever. Honestly, I need the most detailed information." Duan Guoxue opened his mouth and pierced through Gan Fulin's trick.

  "Teacher, I'm sure you can see that this is a tricky situation, it's just that saying it out loud..." Gan Fulin's hesitant expression was reminiscent of Duan Guoxue's demeanor when he negotiated with Old Man Xu and Ferner.

  "Shut up! After this matter is settled, I'll discuss the terms with your father!" Duan Guoxue also understood what Gan Fulin wanted to say in his heart. Having been here for so long, Gan Fulin had always been evasive and hadn't made it clear to himself. As the leader of a minority group, he must have had his reasons for sending his child to study by his side. However, Duan Guoxue didn't rush to speak out, as previously, he really didn't have the power to negotiate, and without a good hand, it would be pointless to talk.

  "Ah! I'll go tell my dad." After getting Duan Guoxue's promise, Gan Fulin was overjoyed. He picked up the teacup on the table and drank a mouthful before saying slowly:

  "Hei Tou Ridge is a force 200 miles away, with over 200 people and considerable strength. However, it's unclear who the leader is. Logically, this kind of cross-regional business shouldn't be done, but judging from the situation this time, it should be an action taken after colluding with local forces. Teacher, before you came, they only collected protection fees from smugglers and lived off them, occasionally doing some small deals. Now that you've suddenly made such a large investment and taken big action, they haven't gained any benefits, so naturally, they'll think of ways to make you bleed."

  "Back then, I even gave those bandits incense money, just to have a period of stable development time. But they ate and drank and still weren't full!"

  "Teacher, let's do it! Anyway, the brothers of the security team have been shouting for actual combat for a long time. Let's take this opportunity to train everyone!" The speaker was You Tian, who had followed Duan Guoxue for the longest time and had trained in the most subjects. Duan Guoxue's spear and sword techniques had all been mastered by him, and he couldn't wait to find a target to test his skills.

  "Right, teacher, and that new grenade launcher you've been working on, bring two rounds loaded with that C4 explosive you were talking about, I've been wanting to try out its power for a long time. And that directional infantry mine, and..." The speaker was Bao Di, who had followed Duan Guoxue around doing experiments, so he knew more about the new things teacher had come up with than the other three people did.

  "No way! This time we can't fight!"

  "Why?!" four students asked in unison with surprise.

  "Our current strength is insufficient, and we have too few people on hand. Although the security team's training is not bad now, they can only handle defensive battles for the time being. We need to go rescue people, which requires infiltration and assassination techniques. Not to mention other things, if something unexpected happens during the rescue process, everyone's experience will be insufficient, and it will not only harm others but also put ourselves in danger."

  When Duan Guoxue pointed out the shortcomings of the security team, several students had nothing to say.

  "Alright, don't be too upset. Being unable to do anything now doesn't mean it'll always be this way. These bandits really know how to pick their timing. I really can't take action against them right now. Forget it, I'll just consider the 5,000 yuan as a peace offering. But they kidnapped the county head and specifically asked me for money? This slap in the face is really loud! Hasan, go to the finance department and pay out 5,000 yuan. I'll go meet with these bandits."

  "Teacher, don't go, it's too dangerous." Several students heard that Duan Guoxue was going to go in person and rushed forward to stop him.

  "It's not going to work if I don't go, the letter clearly states that I need to bring money to redeem the person. I think they just want to give me a little warning, they won't hurt me. If I don't go, it will be more dangerous for the hostage. Once the hostage is harmed, Mrs. Mo, the county head's wife, will always be by his side whispering unfavorable rumors about us, that would be a loss."

  "Then, teacher, I'll accompany you. With me around, at least the people of Hei Tou Ridge will show some consideration." Gan Fu Lin said with a self-assured tone.

  "Alright, Fulin and Youdian, you two come with me. We won't need to bring guns. It's not good to delay, let's set off immediately."