Reborn in 1985: Starting from Contracting a Ranch

Chapter 71 The Zhang Family's Preparations

Shan Yaowen didn't expect that Lao Lang would use a scene from a TV series.

However, he didn't care too much; news about his brother-in-law was good news.

"No pain, no gain," Shan Yaowen nodded, took a sip of tea, and tried to calm himself down.

"Yes, your brother-in-law's name is Zhang Du, right? I did find out about him; he's from Zhangjiayan."

"Yes, yes, it's Zhangjiayan."

"The bad news is that he has been sent to a ranch for reform through his involvement in speculation and profiteering."

Shan Yaowen was taken aback. "Going for rehabilitation? So soon? Wasn't he just arrested?"

He remembered that only the descendants of capitalists and landlords were sent for reformation in the past.

During this crackdown, offenders are severely punished, either going to jail or being shot.

His brother-in-law's case wasn't a big deal in itself, but given the crackdown, it remains to be seen how the judge will rule.

In reality, there may not have been any trial at all. They might have just arrested someone and quickly gone through the proper procedures, with the Public Security Bureau or the local township police station handling the matter.

"They were arrested not long ago, but they happened to be sent to a labor camp along with the previous batch of people. To save trouble, the people there didn't sentence them and just sent them all away in one truck."

Shan Yaowen sighed. What could he say?

That's what bad luck is like; you always seem to get into trouble.

If it weren't for this trip to send the prisoner to the labor camp, his brother-in-law might still be waiting for his sentencing in town.

"Hey, what's the good news?" Composing himself, Shan Yaowen asked the question that concerned him most.

"I have connections on your brother-in-law's side. He's a special envoy, just like me before. Your brother-in-law's case isn't too serious, since he wasn't the mastermind. We can get him out of there."

"Really?" Upon hearing this news, Shan Yaowen jumped up and stared wide-eyed at the old wolf in front of him.

"Of course, I just found out." Su Lang nodded.

"However?" Shan Yaowen calmed down after his initial excitement.

There's always a price to pay for rescuing someone.

Old Wolf glanced at Shan Yaowen in surprise, not expecting this young man to be so sensible. "I told him about your and your brother-in-law's situation. Don't give him anything else. I might need your help to make amends. Also, give him this jar of deer blood wine; he likes it."

"Can I help?" Shan Yaowen frowned in thought. What help could he possibly offer?

I'm not a professional myself, and besides, when it comes to chasing criminals...

Old Wolf didn't say anything either; he wanted to see if Shan Yaowen could come up with it on his own.

As he was thinking, Shan Yaowen suddenly paused, looked up at Old Wolf, and asked, "Silly bird?"

Old Wolf was still thinking when Shan Yaowen's "idiot" left him speechless. If he didn't know Shan Yaowen, he would have thought the guy was cursing him.

"Is the eagle you keep called 'Silly Bird'?" Old Wolf couldn't help but ask after he realized what was happening.

"right."

Old Wolf didn't know what to say.

That majestic steppe eagle was called a silly bird.

"You really want my help?" Shan Yaowen still couldn't quite believe it.

When did I acquire this skill? Or rather, when did this silly bird become so popular?

When Captain Deng from the county came last time, he also planned to have him join the search team organized by the county.

However, she refused that time because he was getting married.

I didn't expect this to happen again.

"Of course, don't worry, we will ensure your safety and that of the silly bird. You only need to direct the eagle to conduct aerial reconnaissance."

Shan Yaowen hesitated for a moment, but still nodded in agreement.

There was no other way; after all, I had to save my brother-in-law, and this was also a way to support the police work. Building a good relationship with the officers at the police station would also make things easier for me.

"Alright, go back and prepare. Bring the bird and a change of clothes. Let's try to get it done before the New Year so you and your brother-in-law can go home for the holiday."

Old Wolf rubbed his face and prepared to get up to get ready.

Shan Yaowen quickly drove his carriage home.

To go out, besides clothes, you also need documents; you need a certificate from the village.

As soon as he got home, his whole family and the neighbors who had heard the news gathered around him, eager to know the firsthand information.

"How is it?" Shan Ping looked at her younger brother nervously, afraid of hearing some bad news.

Shan Yaowen wanted to tease his older sister, but seeing the tear stains on her face, he couldn't bring himself to do it.

"It's okay, it's all sorted out. I'll pack my clothes and go pick them up in a bit."

Upon hearing this, everyone around breathed a sigh of relief and then began to ask for more details.

Sister-in-law Shi Fang couldn't help but ask, "Awen, really? Your older brother went to the ranch to ask the leaders, and they said the person has already been taken away and is no longer in your brother-in-law's town."

Before Shan Yaowen returned, Shan Yaowu went to his workplace to inquire with the ranch leaders.

The result was that there was nothing that could be done; the ranch's leaders couldn't even find out where the people had gone.

It wasn't that she didn't want her older sister's family to be well; it was just that her husband had brought back news that they couldn't find the person, but when Shan Yaowen came back, he not only found the person but also managed to get them out, which she found hard to believe.

"Yes, because we ran into a group of labor camp inmates, they were sent directly to the ranch for reform through labor. The location is in the county. I contacted Director Su and went through the county public security bureau."

Shan Yaowen said simply, then looked at Lin Nian, "Help me get the arm guards and those, then it might take me a few days to get to the county."

"Why do you need arm guards? Are you going to take that silly bird out with you?" Mother Shan couldn't help but ask.

"Yes, after all, we need to get people out of trouble. In Director Su's words, it's about redeeming oneself through meritorious service. Otherwise, why would anyone help you get people out of trouble for no reason?"

Upon hearing this, Shan Ping finally felt relieved.

"Then what do I need your help with?"

"I'm not sure yet, sister. Don't worry, I'll definitely bring my brother-in-law back for the New Year."

"Sigh, I believe you, but do you need any money for this trip?"

Seeing the older woman reach into her pocket again, Shan Yaowen stopped her hand. "I've been going out with Director Su this time. Give me two yuan so I can buy some cigarettes for him."

He originally didn't intend to take his older sister's money, but seeing how worried she looked, he realized that if he didn't take it, she would live in constant fear.

"Is two yuan enough?" Shan Ping wanted to take all the money out of her pocket and give it to her younger brother.

Shan Yaowen waved his hand, "That's enough. Keep the money to buy some New Year's goods. We can't let our brother-in-law come back for the New Year without a single bite to eat, can we? Besides, once we rescue our brother-in-law, shouldn't you treat the police chief to a meal? Keep it."

Lin Nian also came over and pulled Shan Ping, "Sister, Wen knows what he's doing, just listen to him."

The mother looked at her son with concern, "Awen, don't be reckless when things happen."

Although she was worried about her son-in-law's accident, she didn't want her son to get involved as well.

"Okay, big brother. I'm leaving now. I'll leave things at home to you. Remember to shovel snow for me at the sheep pen."

Shan Yaowu nodded. "Don't worry, nothing will happen at home. You just need to be careful out there."

"Well, come with me then. Take me to town, and then you can drive the carriage back."

"OK."

After Shan Yaowu agreed, he immediately went out with Shan Yaowen.

The two did not go directly to the town; instead, they went to the village committee to get a letter of introduction from the village secretary before setting off.

As Shan Ping watched the two brothers drive their carriage away, all she could do was pray silently.

She had no choice but to go back to her parents' home to ask for help, having exhausted all her connections with her in-laws.

Fortunately, her younger brother is capable, which puts her at ease.