Peng Yu was a murderer. Yang Jian was somewhat surprised but not entirely. Like A Bao and Yang Fan, many people who committed crimes in China fled here to seek refuge. The northern Myanmar region had effectively become a sanctuary for Chinese criminals.
"Peng Yu, I've just communicated with your local police and learned about your case. In that brawl, the main culprit who actually killed someone has already been executed. You were only involved in the fight. If you return to face trial, your sentence won't be severe."
Qin Feiyang understood that Peng Yu had been on the run for four years and had not dared to contact his family. He didn't know the subsequent developments of his case.
Peng Yu's dejected spirit suddenly perked up. "Officer, is what you're saying true? I won't be sentenced to death?"
"No, your local police station has already notified your parents. They will call you shortly to speak with you, which will prove I'm not lying."
"My parents are going to call?"
Peng Yu, who hadn't contacted his family in four years, felt it was somewhat unreal.
"Yes, these past few years, your family has been looking for you, hoping you would surrender yourself and accept punishment sooner to regain your freedom. You are still young, and your family is willing to forgive your youthful recklessness and give you a chance to start anew."
"Thank you, officer. I am willing to go back with you to accept punishment."
Qin Feiyang nodded at Zhang Hui, leaving the subsequent work to him.
"Peng Yu, do you want to go back without going to jail?"
Zhang Hui dangled the bait.
Peng Yu looked at him with some confusion. "Officer, what do you mean?"
"I can give you a chance to atone for your crimes. As long as you cooperate with us and handle things properly, not only will this arrest be considered a surrender, but you'll also be commended upon your return, and a recommendation will be made to the judge to waive your punishment."
"How should I cooperate? Tell me, as long as I can do it, I promise to follow your arrangements."
"Become our informant and help us dismantle the drug trafficking chain in China."
Zhang Hui knew very well that they currently lacked the capability to raid overseas drug production bases. The only thing they could do was to round up the drug trafficking gangs in China.
"Be an informant? You want to let me go back, aren't you afraid I'll run?"
Not only was Peng Yu surprised, but even Yang Jian on the side felt Zhang Hui's decision was unreliable. This was Myanmar, and if Peng Yu were released, recapturing him would be almost impossible.
Zhang Hui smiled. "You can run, but you know the consequences. Either you'll spend your life surviving in this man-eat-man place, perhaps becoming cannon fodder in a war one day, or you'll be sold off by your boss.
Or you'll be caught and spend ten, eight years, or even life imprisonment or the death penalty in jail, because we have already gathered evidence of your drug trafficking. Your sentencing will not be based solely on the brawling."
Hearing this, Peng Yu fell silent, weighing the consequences of cooperating versus not cooperating.
"You don't need to make a decision right away. Let's wait until you've spoken with your parents. We won't force you."
Zhang Hui added, then asked Qin Feiyang to contact China again.
This was a psychological tactic. Yang Jian finally understood and felt a bit of admiration for the police's methods, unlike himself, who would resort to violence to solve problems.
Twenty minutes later, Qin Feiyang's phone rang. After a brief conversation, he handed the phone to Peng Yu.
Zhang Hui beckoned Yang Jian and Qin Feiyang to come out with him, leaving Peng Yu to speak with his family alone.
"Captain Zhang, are you trying to track down Brother Mao through Peng Yu?"
At the warehouse entrance, Yang Jian voiced his question.
Zhang Hui nodded. "Brother Mao's contact in northern Myanmar is Brother Nan and Peng Yu. If Peng Yu's line is cut, it will be very difficult for us to find Brother Mao. If we can win Peng Yu over, we can not only find Brother Mao sooner but also find Brother Nan, thereby uncovering clues about San Pang."
"Do you think Peng Yu will cooperate?"
"He should. This place is not paradise, and no one wants to stay here forever. Peng Yu is just a subordinate. He's young now, and they'll use him. Once he gets older or his health deteriorates, his ultimate fate will be to be sold off and die in a foreign land."
The three waited outside the door for half an hour and went in only after hearing a knock.
"Officer, I am willing to cooperate with you as an informant. I hope you can take me back soon."
Peng Yu handed the phone to Qin Feiyang, his tone sincere.
Zhang Hui patted his shoulder. "Your choice is the right one. Others don't even have this opportunity. Cherish it."
"Officer, what do you want me to do?"
"Come in, I'll tell you privately."
Zhang Hui nodded at Yang Jian and Qin Feiyang, then led Peng Yu into the warehouse.
Yang Jian, being tactful, left the warehouse and found A Bao in the courtyard.
"Brother Bao, I have two things to tell you. First, Captain Zhang recognized Brother Fan a long time ago, but he has no intention of reporting him or arresting him. I can guarantee this. I hope you can explain this to Brother Fan, or have him call me.
Second, Peng Yu has been persuaded and is willing to be a police informant, cooperating with us to find Brother Mao and Brother Nan. This will save us a lot of detours."
Yang Jian felt a lingering unease about being misunderstood by Yang Fan and particularly wished to have a deep conversation with him.
A Bao chuckled. "Little Yang, Uncle Master must have some thoughts about you. If you want his support here, I think you should show some attitude."
"What attitude?"
"I'll talk to you about this in private when there's time. As for Peng Yu becoming an informant, you decide. His boss, Brother Fei, has significant influence in Muse. Releasing him might cause a lot of trouble."
"It's okay, I believe Captain Zhang and the others will find a way to handle it."
Yang Jian felt that after today, their actions here would not receive Yang Fan's support, as Yang Fan's misunderstanding ran deep.
A moment later, they saw Zhang Hui and Qin Feiyang escorting Peng Yu out. Peng Yu's eyes were covered with a black cloth.
Zhang Hui walked over and quietly instructed, "A Bao, please arrange for two brothers to drive him out. Just leave him on the street."
A Bao looked puzzled. "Brother Zhang, you're making him an informant, aren't you afraid he'll run, or tell his boss that we kidnapped him?"
"Don't worry, he doesn't know where this place is. Didn't you see I blindfolded him? Besides, we've already won him over; he won't betray us."
"Then how will he explain to his boss? If the reason isn't sufficient, he might be killed."
"He has already thought of this. He'll say a group of people targeted their drug deal and wanted to rob the transaction funds. They didn't expect he had no cash on him, so they only took the cash and gold necklace he had, beat him up, and let him go."
"Hmm, that explanation is plausible. It depends on whether Brother Fei believes him."
After speaking, A Bao waved for Xiao Yu and Xiao Fu to come over, whispered a few words to them, and then they all put Peng Yu into the SUV.
"Little Yang, let's go back to the hotel to rest. Peng Yu said that Brother Mao will only contact him after receiving the goods, so this matter cannot be rushed."
Watching the SUV drive out of the courtyard, Zhang Hui suggested returning to the hotel to wait for news.