Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The bunch of them cheered as they continued their journey.
The happenings by the river had caused them to become excited. However, their excitement did not last long. That was because they had to start trekking up a mountain now. The mountain was very steep. After passing the mountain, however, the customs would be near.
There was a road in the mountains. Like all mountain roads, it was rugged and was even muddier after the rain.
Someone had prepared in advance for that. There were rocks of different sizes placed on the road. That helped make walking over the muddy patch easier. However, the path was very steep and they had to ride on it very carefully.
Such paths were uninteresting. Li Du had traveled far and wide for many years, and he had been to many places. Typically, mountains with poor road conditions would be accompanied by breathtaking scenery.
However, this mountain that they were on was full of nothing but rocks. In between the rocks, typically there would be some trees here and there. However, the trees of this mountain had been cut down. Such stone mountains were very ugly and Li Du lost his interest in it after a glance.
They could only ride up the mountain in a single file. The conditions of the road were poor and there were many sharp turns. Besides, there would be people coming down or up at the same time. Hence, they had to be careful. Otherwise, it would be a disaster if they collided with another car there.
After a close shave where two of their bikes skidded and almost caused an accident, they finally arrived at the peak of the mountain. The military police had set up a customs pass there and everyone lined up for inspection.
There were several machine guns resting on tripods on the ground. As the saying goes, “One man can hold out against a thousand”.
After seeing Li Du’s passport, the military officer frowned and said something in Burmese.
Zhong Da Pao answered in Burmese and Young Markelov translated, “They are saying that we are foreigners with unknown backgrounds. We are not allowed to pass through.”
Li Du knew about that regulation. In order to combat the smuggling of jade and to maintain law and order, the Myanmar government once banned foreigners and even outsiders from entering various fields.
However, that was a regulation only in name. Without foreigners bringing in money, the stones in the field would not be able to become more expensive. Hence, for those people who had better connections, those regulations would not be upheld.
Previously, Li Du had also passed through many customs. Cole and Winston had made some connections for him and gave him a pass. There had been no customs to stop him so far. This was the first time the customs closed the door on him.
Zhong Da Pao knew the military officers. He passed a cigarette for them to share. Then, he started to pull some strings.
He was a local. Such an issue had never been a problem. However, now there was one. The military officers took his cigarette but continued to shake their heads, rejecting his request.
Liu Zi, who was very impulsive, was about to rush forward. Li Du jumped up and held him back. “D*mn, Master Liu, you dare to make trouble here? They have guns!”
Liu Zi said, “I am rash, but I’m no fool. Would I do this if I had no experience? I just wanted to go over to tell Brother Pao that there must be someone who is the mastermind behind this.”
Indeed, although the military officers did not allow Li Du and his men to pass through, they nodded after seeing Da Mao’s passport. They waved him through.
Liu Zi stood atop a bunch of sandbags, looking around. Then he pointed at the road down the mountain and said, “D*mn, brother Pao, we don’t have to say more. It’s the King of Hpakant’s ploy.”
Li Du squeezed over for a look. He saw that there was a middle-aged man in a suit who was standing at a turn ahead. He was grinning.
Zhong Da Pao took his passport back and said with a pale face, “Let’s return.”
They went back the same way they came up. However, they did not go too far. They found a comfortable wide space and sat down.
Li Du went to buy some drinks and fruit. Needless to say, the things there were much more expensive. A pineapple cost two hundred RMB. That was akin to open robbery!
He was not lacking in money. Their journey there had caused them to become tired and thirsty. Hence, he couldn’t bother to ask for a bargain. After buying a huge bunch of fruits, he went back to share with the rest.
Myanmar was known for producing fruits. Although the fruits on the mountain were expensive, they tasted nice. The pineapples were sweet and juicy. The durian was not too strong in taste and was aromatic and sweet.
After some time, the suited man walked over with a few companions. He waved and greeted, “Ah, Master Pao, Mr. Li, Mr. Mao, how are you guys doing? Such a coincidence for us to bump into each other here.”
Zhong Da Pao laughed. “Tulsi, was it you behind the issue at the customs?”
Tulsi threw out his hands and feigned confusion. “What customs? I don’t know about that. I’m just strolling around here. Ah, the air in the mountains after the rain is really good.”
Zhong Da Pao waved his hands and said, “Forget it, Tulsi. Tell us what you want. This is exactly why I cannot hold you guys in high regard. What ploy are you thinking about when you don’t have enough brains for that? For someone trying to feign like you, it’s just hilarious.”
Hearing that, the corner of Tulsi’s lips twitched. He grinned and said, “I’m not feigning, but I understand what you’re talking about. You guys have many foreigners with you. Therefore, you can’t pass without having some special connections, right?”
Zhong Da Pao glared at him. “In the past, I could cross, but not today.”
Tulsi smiled. “All of you can’t pass through, right?”
He looked at Da Mao. With a sincere look, he said, “Mr. Mao, hello. Our boss is very keen to become friends with you. He is waiting for you at the bottom of the mountain. Hope that you will give him some face and meet him.”
Although Da Mao had a big mouth and liked joking around, he was timid and did not dare to offend others.
Now, he had been enjoying a good working relationship with Li Du, Zhong Da Pao and the rest. Although he had not made a lot of money yet, his income was more than he expected. Besides, it helped him to gain experience. Hence, he did not have any desire to join another group.
However, he did not dare to reject Tulsi outright. He did not dare to offend the other party. After all, they were also powerful local people. It was too easy for them to deal with a foreigner like him who had no status or power.
He had seen a lot in his short life and learned the danger and risks in Hpakant. He also knew that if he was not careful, he might lose his life there.
Hence, he was in a fix. Fortunately, he was rather good on his feet. He had an idea very soon.
He only looked to Tulsi helplessly and then waved his hands to say, “Ahhh baa, ahhh baa, ahhh baa, ahhh baa…”
Nobody expected that. Tulsi’s face went pale and Liu Zi burst into laughter.
Zhong Da Pao kicked Liu Zi. Then, he started to make some signs to Da Mao.
Da Mao, too, did some hand signs. They did not know what the two men were trying to tell each other. In any case, Da Mao looked frightened. He hugged himself and then squatted in the middle of the group.
Zhong Da Pao said to Tulsi helplessly, “Sorry, my nephew Da Mao is a deaf-mute. I have tried to communicate with him in sign language. He’s very timid and does not dare to leave my side.”
Tulsi said with a deadpan look, “Master Pao, smart people will get straight to the point. Mr. Mao is no deaf-mute. Rather, he is very eloquent. In addition, his last name is Mao and yours is Zhong. How can you guys be uncle and nephew?”
Zhong Da Pao said righteously, “Oh, this is part of our local tradition. Let me tell you, Mr. Mao is really my nephew. However, his father took the last name of my father’s. As for me, I went with my mother’s last name.”
Tulsi, who had been trying hard to control himself, could not take it any longer. He pointed at them and said, “Nonsense!”
Zhong Da Pao’s face instantly darkened. He said, “Are you insulting me? Tulsi, is it because I no longer wield a knife? Or is it because you have become more daring?”
Tulsi laughed coolly and then left. After a short while, he returned and said, “Master Pao, I have a suggestion. Why don’t you consider it?”
