Rich in the 70s: I Made a Rugged Veteran a Millionaire-Chapter 44: Antique Trafficking

Jiang Cheng quickly connected the dots in her mind and discreetly pulled Principal Wang aside, speaking to him in an unnoticed corner.

"Principal, the training was your idea. After the human trafficking incident last time, you thought night school students should not only have extensive knowledge but also strong physiques."

"Huh? Isn’t this lying?"

Jiang Cheng disagreed, saying, "How is it lying? Aren’t we out here for training?"

"Yes!"

"Did we not rescue the fire at the first moment?"

"Yes!"

Jiang Cheng confidently said, "That’s right. You’ve done what needed to be done, and now we’re just changing the narrative. No matter who asks, say it this way, and I guarantee you we’ll receive the title of advanced unit."

Principal Wang didn’t understand the connection, but instinctively trusted Jiang Cheng and asked, "Is there any real use in getting the advanced unit title?"

"With the honor, applying for more funding from the leaders becomes much easier, doesn’t it?"

Principal Wang’s eyes suddenly lit up.

Oh, right!

The night school in the neighboring city gets more funding every year, all because of a "title"!

"Jiang Cheng, I’ll follow your advice."

After getting Principal Wang’s assurance, Jiang Cheng stood honestly by the side.

Principal Wang: Who is this girl planning to fool now??

Ten minutes later, Principal Wang watched Jiang Cheng organize the teachers and students, having them run the training back to night school.

"Please trouble Teacher Hu to organize. The new exercises for all subjects are on my desk."

"Class heads, ensure headcounts are accurate, coordinate with teachers for proper learning arrangements. Thank you all for your hard work."

With just a few words, the teachers and students were very cooperative, responsibly lining up, and orderly jogging back to night school.

Leader Tang unknowingly stood beside Principal Wang.

"Aren’t you the principal?"

Principal Wang, with hands behind his back, said in a manner befitting a teacher: "Knowing people and using them well is the way of a leader."

After speaking, Principal Wang nodded with profound meaning.

How right he was!

Jiang Cheng sure knows how to use him!

Even when there’s pretending to be done, it’s left for him!

Leader Tang, upon hearing Principal Wang’s words, nods in agreement. Well said.

After arranging the night school personnel, Jiang Cheng ran up to Principal Wang and said, "Principal, everything’s arranged as per your instructions."

"Well done."

Principal Wang responded in an ostentatious manner.

Leader Tang, observing this, confirmed his previous thoughts: Principal Wang is indeed a true educator.

With the night school people leaving, Jiang Cheng and Principal Wang went to the police station for the investigation.

The two underwent questioning, their answers almost identical: training to strengthen physique, accidental encounters.

They weren’t suspected of anything, but as they prepared to leave, Jiang Cheng was called back.

Sister Kong wanted to see her. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"To see me?"

Jiang Cheng was truly surprised.

While she was contemplating, three people entered the police station, among whom was a familiar face.

"Jiang Cheng?"

"Uncle Zhong?"

At that moment, Uncle Zhong once again returned to the resolute state they were in upon first meeting.

Leader Tang, upon seeing Uncle Zhong enter, gave him a strong manly embrace.

"Zhong Zi, what brings you here!"

These two men, both leaders on their sides, went off to whisper among themselves.

A few minutes later, Uncle Zhong and Leader Tang called Jiang Cheng out together.

Inside the office, after hearing Uncle Zhong’s words, Jiang Cheng understood the context of the matter.

"You’re tracking an antique smuggling case, and the junkyard is their hideout. Four sorters at the junkyard are accomplices, and as you were about to capture them, they were killed. Now, Sister Kong is the only one who knows."

Uncle Zhong nodded, looking at Jiang Cheng and said, "Last time the information you provided helped us pinpoint the junkyard. Tang – the police said Sister Kong wants to see you. We wonder if you can make her talk; we need to know the transport channels and there are still people not caught."

Leader Tang watched Jiang Cheng with some nervousness, for she never followed convention.

"Alright, I’ll try."

Jiang Cheng agreed.

A few minutes later, Jiang Cheng sat opposite Sister Kong in the interrogation room.

In just one day, Sister Kong’s head had sprouted many white hairs.

Her eyes were lifeless. She tried to move her mouth when looking at Jiang Cheng but couldn’t manage to smile.

"I don’t understand why you want to see me."

Jiang Cheng got straight to the point, and Sister Kong spoke, her voice coarse and hoarse from smoke.

"I don’t know either, just wanted someone to talk to."

"When my son Dong Zi was young, he was especially adorable... At that time, his dad loved to drink, and when drunk, he hit me. As Dong Zi got older, as soon as his dad raised his hand, his tiny body would shield me."

Sister Kong delved into her memories, and Jiang Cheng listened attentively.

"Time passed, and Dong Zi turned ten. He always asked why I wouldn’t leave. He said we could be happy even begging together, yet I didn’t have the courage."

"I remember that winter’s snow was particularly heavy. Dong Zi’s dad went out drinking again, very late and never returned. Dong Zi said he was going out to find him, but didn’t succeed."

"That night, his dad froze to death on the streets."

Sister Kong suddenly laughed, a desolate laugh.

"Do you know what I did? I hit Dong Zi, cursed him for being heartless, blamed him for not searching longer."

"Isn’t it just utterly pathetic?"

Jiang Cheng shook her head.

"I don’t know, because I’m not you. I haven’t endured what you have, haven’t empathized. I’m in no position to judge your actions then."

Sister Kong was dumbfounded.

It was the first time anyone viewed her without standing in judgment.

She felt inexplicably a bit relieved internally and continued, "Afterward, Dong Zi changed. He did nothing, even resorting to violence. I know he’s resentful of me."

"I’m telling you this to say Dong Zi isn’t bad, truly isn’t."

Jiang Cheng remained indifferent, speaking expressionlessly, "If you want to trade information to lighten Dong Zi’s sentence, I must say you’re mistaken."

Sister Kong didn’t understand, even suspected Jiang Cheng was deceiving her.

"Sister Kong, have you ever considered what crime you’ve committed? Why are you doing this? Have you earnestly thought it over?"

"They threatened me with Dong Zi. I only sold a few broken plates and bowls!"

Jiang Cheng lightly patted the table with her palm, raising her voice as she said, "First of all, those weren’t broken plates and bowls!"

"Secondly, they used Dong Zi to threaten you because they know Dong Zi is your weakness. If Dong Zi is released, finding him becomes easier for them."

"Conversely, as long as Dong Zi remains inside, he’s eating the country’s meals, receiving the highest level of state protection. You needn’t worry about his safety at all."

"Shouldn’t Dong Zi staying alive be your utmost wish?"

Sister Kong opened her mouth multiple times, but couldn’t come up with words to refute.

Jiang Cheng didn’t give Sister Kong time to think.

The chair suddenly squeaked backwards, making a sound, causing Sister Kong to raise her head and gaze at the stern-faced Jiang Cheng.

"Sister Kong, what you sold are the cultural heritages of our country’s five-thousand-year legacy, treasures preserved by revolutionary ancestors’ blood, items coveted by small R country even during invasions!"

"If Dong Zi knew you worked and sacrificed for small R country, he’d certainly look down on you!"