Fellow Villager's Plea for Help

The presidential election in the Gangge Republic lasted for more than half a year from its start to its conclusion, making it a protracted and drawn-out process.

It can't be rushed.

Zhang Yang sat in the general's residence for a long time before finally coming out.

Along the way, soldiers and officers bowed their heads in greeting, their expressions humble.

Some of these people were naturally respectful to Zhang Yang because of his "King of Soldiers" buff, but others were only like this because of Zhang Yang's status.

In recent days, Zhang Yang's frequent public appearances have led to a steady rise in his status.

Everyone in the know gradually realized that this man was General Zabol's most trusted advisor and close friend, the general's spokesperson, and a very popular figure.

Without the general's presence, his words are equivalent to those of General Zabol.

"Mr. Zhang!" Beside the Hummer military vehicle, a senior officer in government military uniform stood respectfully waiting.

This is one of Zabol's officers.

He was also one of the thousand who received the "King of Soldiers" template.

"Um."

Since we're all on the same side, there's no need to be polite.

Zhang Yang nodded, opened the car door casually, and got in.

A moment later, the colonel got into the driver's seat, sat upright, and started driving.

Sitting in the back seat, Zhang Yang looked out the car window at the scenery outside, at this land that was both barren and full of wealth, and fell into deep thought.

··

An airplane lands at the airport in Salito Province.

Wang Furong hurriedly stepped off the plane, his brows furrowed with anxiety.

He owned a hotel in Jinsa, the capital of Gango, but just yesterday he received news that a fellow countryman and friend of his who owned a hotel in Salito Province had been kidnapped and a ransom of over a million dollars had been demanded, for reasons unknown.

The person who sent him the message was Zhou Keying, the younger sister of this fellow villager.

His sister could afford the money, but the key question was, who knew what the other party's motives were? Would they release the person after taking the money?

"If you don't dare to go pick them up, neither do I!" Wang Furong wiped the sweat from his forehead and muttered to himself.

They're all doing business and making a living in Africa. Who doesn't know that risks and opportunities coexist on this land? Some people get rich here, but many more lose their lives.

Outside the airport, he and his two bodyguards stood by the roadside waiting.

A short while later, an older Renault, covered in dust and mud, pulled up beside them. The door opened, and a still-attractive young woman stepped out.

It was Zhou Keying.

"Brother Wang, thank you for coming all this way." Zhou Keying's eyes were red, and she looked completely flustered.

"It's alright, it's alright, let's talk in the car." Wang Furong waved his hand and got into the car with his two bodyguards.

The interior space is not small, but it's very old.

In Africa, flaunting wealth is a cardinal sin if you don't have enough power, but even if you're very careful and discreet, you still can't avoid being targeted.

"Just yesterday, Zhou Tong had barely stepped out of the hotel when he was forced into a car by several armed men right at the entrance." Zhou Keying gripped the steering wheel tightly with her pale hands. "They asked for a million yuan right off the bat and even sent someone to deliver it personally. I was planning to..."

"No! You absolutely mustn't go yourself." Wang Furong glanced at Zhou Keying's alluring figure and quickly warned her. "The people here have absolutely no principles... Don't get yourself into trouble..."

With that figure and looks, she'd be considered stunningly beautiful even in China. If she went to a thief's den, wouldn't she be like a lamb entering a tiger's den, completely at their mercy?

Losing both people and money is probably the least of our worries.

"I understand the logic, but... but..." Zhou Keying said helplessly.

"Did you call the police?" Wang Furong asked.

"I called them immediately, but they just told me to wait, and there's no hope for them at all," Zhou Keying pleaded desperately. "Brother Wang, you and my brother are good friends, I can only turn to you. Please, you must help me think of a way to save my brother."

"Don't worry... I'll definitely help, let me think about it first." Faced with his friend's sister's pleading, Wang Furong sighed.

Let's think of a solution.

He's human too; he's afraid of losing his life. Asking him to go and negotiate in person would be daunting for him.

So what should we do?

In utter desperation, a figure suddenly appeared in his mind.

The one he met by chance on the plane.

Although I don't know the other person's identity, based on the few words we exchanged and the fact that they could afford such a security team, their identity must be extraordinary.

Perhaps, is it possible?

··

Lost in thought, the car drove back to the hotel that Zhou Keying and her brother owned.

The hotel would be considered a Samsung hotel in China, but in this area, it's quite unique and luxurious.

Those who come to Africa to do business, besides those who come empty-handed to make a living, often have some family wealth.

Zhou Keying's family is considered quite well-off in China.

In recent years, China-Africa exchanges have been close, attracting a large number of domestic small and medium-sized enterprises to invest, exchange and cooperate in Africa. Zhou Keying's brother, Zhou Tong, is very enterprising. He took his money and went to Africa to make his way in the world.

A few years later, this hotel opened.

Zhou Keying had an unhappy marriage in China and was divorced and single. Since her older brother had some connections here, she decided to come over and help him manage the hotel.

"Brother Wang, please have a seat. By the way, you haven't eaten yet, have you? I'll have the kitchen make you something to eat." Zhou Keying invited Wang Furong to sit down in the hotel lobby, barely suppressing her inner turmoil as she forced a smile.

"No rush, no rush, I'm not hungry." Wang Furong quickly waved his hand. "By the way, please sit down, I just happen to have something to tell you."

"Brother Wang, please speak." Zhou Keying sat down opposite him and wiped her eyes with a tissue.

"Well, I know a friend who also does business in Salito Province. He might have some connections." Wang Furong hesitated for a moment, then said, "I'll try to find out for you."

"Will this... will this work?" Zhou Keying asked, her eyes red.

"Let's try it first, and if it doesn't work, we'll think of something else," Wang Furong said.

A moment later, Wang Furong found the phone and dialed the number.

A moment later, the call was connected.

"Hello? Where is this?" The person on the other end sounded slightly puzzled, with an air of superiority.

Wang Furong knew it from the tone of the other person's voice.

They've completely forgotten about meeting me on the plane; look, they haven't even saved my number.

Seeing the hopeful look in Zhou Keying's eyes, Wang Furong had no choice but to bite the bullet and continue speaking.

"Brother Zhang, it's me, Wang Furong. We came from the same first-class Gango."

There was a moment of silence on the other side.

"Oh, it's Brother Wang! Hello, what can I do for you?" the person on the other end asked.

Wang Furong felt a sense of relief.

Sure enough, the other party remembered.

"Brother Zhang, here's the thing... I have a tricky matter here and would like to ask you for help." Wang Furong took a deep breath and then explained the whole story.

After he finished speaking, he held his breath and waited.

But to his surprise, the other person didn't show the slightest emotional reaction after hearing what he said.

"Okay, I understand. Wait a moment."

After saying that, the phone call ended.

Wang Furong listened blankly to the dial tone, then looked up with an embarrassed expression.

"How did it go?" Zhou Keying asked nervously.

"Maybe... the other party is busy right now, should we wait a while?" Wang Furong said in a dry voice.

Zhou Keying's eyes immediately dimmed to the naked eye.

"Okay..." she said, wringing her hands.

In just a few minutes, the phone rang again.

Wang Furong shuddered and looked at the incoming call, only to be utterly astonished to find that it was actually his friend Zhang calling first.

"Hey, Brother Zhang?"

"Here's what you'll do: tell me your current address, and I'll come over in a bit," the person on the other end said succinctly.

Wang Furong just nodded blankly until he hung up the phone, only then realizing what he wanted to ask, though he hadn't uttered a single word.

"Keying, they said they'd be coming over later."

"Come over? Okay, that's fine." Zhou Keying nodded blankly, only muttering to herself, "The more people we talk to, the more likely we are to find a solution?"

She assumed that the friends Wang Furong had invited were only there to help discuss matters.

That's good; more people means more strength.

Being in a foreign land, having more fellow countrymen can give you more leverage.

Later that evening, the phone rang.

Wang Furong stood up while answering the phone.

"Okay, we've arrived? Let's go now."

Zhou Keying also stood up.

The two walked out of the hotel together and went to the entrance to pick up the person.

Outside the hotel, a military Hummer was parked quietly at the entrance.

The car door was open, and a tall figure leaned against the vehicle, waving from afar.

"Brother Wang, over here."

"That's Brother Zhang!" Wang Furong whispered a reminder, then quickly raised his arm in response. "Brother Wang, I'm here, I'm here!"

Zhou Keying paused, looked at the young and handsome figure, and was momentarily stunned.

"Is this... this person?"

A short while later, the three met.

"Brother Zhang, this is my old buddy's sister," Wang Furong introduced. "This hotel is run by the brother and sister... Keying, greet them."

"Hello, Brother Zhang," Zhou Keying said softly.

"Yes, hello." Zhang Yang nodded. "Let's get in the car together and go for a ride."

"Huh? Now?" Zhou Keying asked instinctively. "Now we go to?"

"Picking someone up, huh?" Zhang Yang gestured towards the car with his chin. "Aren't you in a hurry to pick up your brother?"

The two then realized that the person sitting in the driver's seat was actually a local soldier.

Zhou Keying doesn't have a direct experience yet.

But when Wang Furong glanced at the soldier's rank, his heart pounded wildly.

Oh my god, there's a colonel on this train!

"Get in the car quickly, Keying, your brother is saved! He's really saved! Hahaha!" He was overjoyed! "Brother Zhang, thank you so much, thank you so much!"

To everyone's surprise, this Mr. Zhang actually knew such a powerful figure in the area.

That's a colonel!

Those local kidnappers are nothing!

Brother Zhang certainly has extraordinary connections in the area. I'm really curious to know just how big a business he runs there.

A moment later, everyone got into the car.

Headed straight to the destination.

"We've found him. He's alright, so don't worry." Zhang Yang casually mentioned this while sitting in the car.

Throughout the entire process, the officer who was focused on driving was never mentioned.

Wang Furong was filled with apprehension.

This young man, Zhang, is so casual. Shouldn't he give this officer some face?

"Brother Zhang... thank you so much!" Zhou Keying was overwhelmed with emotion upon hearing this, and was extremely excited.

To my surprise, such a huge problem for her was resolved by others in just a few minutes.

"We've prepared the money. You can decide what you need later..."

She glanced furtively at the officer driving the car.

She knew all too well that in Gango, everything required money to pave the way.

Since this matter has been handled so smoothly and efficiently, she naturally wouldn't hesitate to spend money on favors and gifts.

Give what is due.

"Money? What money?" Zhang Yang looked at her and chuckled. "You even prepared a tip for your trouble?"

"Of course, Brother Zhang," Zhou Keying said, biting her lip.

"No need," Zhang Yang said with a smile, shaking his head. "Keep it for yourself."

For a moment, Zhou Keying didn't know what Zhang Yang meant, and glanced at Wang Furong nervously.

But Wang Furong didn't know either.

Surely something this big can't happen without needing to spend money to "grease the wheels," right?

A moment later, the car arrived at its destination.

At a busy street corner, in front of a building.

A group of soldiers are pinning a local man to the ground, preventing him from moving.

"Brother!" As soon as she got out of the car, Zhou Keying spotted a man standing in the crowd.

There were no visible scars on the man's body.

But judging from his pale face, he was clearly terrified.

"It's nothing, it's nothing," the man quickly waved his hand.

Zhang Yang and his colonel, a top soldier, got out of the car.

Upon seeing Zhang Yang, the soldiers in front of him immediately became solemn and assembled, displaying utmost respect.

"Mr. Zhang, this is the one who instigated it." Among the group of soldiers, a soldier who seemed to be the leader jogged up to Zhang Yang and reported respectfully.

"Yes, thank you for your hard work." Zhang Yang gave him an approving look.

Immediately, the soldiers seemed to receive tremendous encouragement and praise, their chests puffed out, and they stood tall and proud.

Zhang Yang glanced at the accompanying elite soldier Wang Jun and gestured to him.

There was no need for him to say a word; he immediately understood.

Then, he drew his gun, stepped forward, pressed it against the kidnapper's head, and fired without hesitation.

Bang!

The man convulsed, and a pool of blood immediately spread out beneath his head.

Zhou Keying, who was fussing over her own brother, screamed and trembled as she watched this scene.

Wang Furong was also stunned.

Just like that... just right there in the street, in front of everyone, they just shot him?

"Don't be surprised, it's very common here. It's simple and direct, and it can also serve as a deterrent." Zhang Yang glanced at the group's still shaken expressions and explained casually.

Severe measures are necessary in times of chaos.

In Gango, in this country, there is its own way of governance.

For example, criminals who commit serious crimes like kidnapping, and who may have even killed their hostages, should be executed in the street as a warning to others.

As for whether it's compliant or not.

Sorry, but at least in Salito Province, his words can be taken as law.