Chapter 210: At the End of the Road

After Li Xian finished discussing the reward matter with Xiao Ji, he called Zhou Yong over and instructed him to take his savings book and withdraw the money, delivering it to the police station.

What kind of impact could 100,000 yuan have in 1993?

In Pu City, the average housing price was 850 yuan per square meter, and a duplex garden house cost around 1,500 yuan per square meter.

Rice was 0.3 yuan per jin, and eggs were 0.8 yuan per jin.

A haircut near Bangye's train station cost 20 yuan.

For an ordinary family, the total cost of marrying off a daughter, including dowry and home appliances, was about 30,000 yuan.

Applying the Malrus' demand theory, with prices based on the cost of a haircut, and considering a 500-fold increase in prices over twenty years, 100,000 yuan would equate to 2.5 million yuan.

Even Zhou Yong was tempted by such a reward, insisting on going out to search for the suspect.

However, Li Xian didn't permit it. He instructed Zhou Yong to mobilize the local people to search, while he would need to make arrangements regarding Gao San. Li Xian, feeling dizzy and exhausted, especially after the annoyance of his family's silly dog, finally drifted off to sleep.

In his dreams, Li Xian was unaware that once the reward notice featuring Zhao Er's photo spread throughout the small county, Bangye was thrown into chaos.

On the streets:

"Hey, why isn't Er Zhuzi at work today?"

"Work? What's the point? How much can you earn in a year? Go find someone!"

"Find someone? That pays?"

"Didn't you see the notice? Catching the suspect gets 100,000, and providing direct information gets 50,000. Why did you drop your hoe? Aren't you working?"

"Forget working!"

In the factory:

"What's going on with this place? Why are there so few workers today? Is everyone quitting?"

"Factory Manager, the workers are out looking for people."

"Looking for people? How does that help us?"

"Well, they can't eat people, but didn't you see the notice? The police are offering 100,000 for capturing the suspect! I have weak legs, or I'd be out there too... Factory Manager, where are you going?"

"Today the factory is closed!"

In school:

"Kids! As the youth of the new era, we must have the spirit of helping others, the courage to face dangers, and the belief to fight against evil like Wang Er Xiao! Now, here's a chance to learn from a role model! Pay attention to the blackboard. This photo is of a notorious fugitive. You must remember his face. If you see him anywhere, report to your teacher immediately. Understood?"

"Understood!"

"Teacher, how do we divide the 100,000 yuan reward?"

"Chen Xiaoming, get out. You'll have your class outside."

...

In one night, the streets of Bangye, major intersections, the train and bus stations, and even the mountain roads leading out of Bangye were crowded with people attracted by the reward.

Feeling that this search was too chaotic, the various communities and townships within Bangye quickly organized search teams. These teams, mostly relatives, worked in groups of ten to twenty, dividing tasks and coordinating with other teams to conduct organized searches.

The atmosphere in Bangye turned peculiar.

People no longer greeted each other with "hello" or "have you eaten?" but with "any leads?" or "has anyone found him?"

Under the lure of 100,000 yuan, Bangye County felt less like a place recently shaken by a kidnapping case and more like a place where people had discovered a hidden treasure waiting to be unearthed.

...

In a dilapidated thatched house in the western part of Bangye, Zhao Er was trembling, his heart racing as he heard footsteps outside.

He regretted returning to Bangye instead of heading to Hailin. He planned to hide in the city for a few days, get some money for travel, and then escape while the police were less vigilant.

But now, the streets were full of people searching for him. Not only could he not escape, but he also couldn't even show his face. He had been holed up in this crumbling house for a whole day, feeling as if he might starve to death.

This situation wasn't going to work.

Hearing the footsteps fade, Zhao Er pounded the earthen wall in frustration.

He needed to find a way out!

Staying in Bangye was a dead end.

But how to escape?

Zhao Er sat on the damp, moss-covered ground, feeling the cold beneath him and his stomach empty, sinking into despair.

What a mess! He hadn't made money from the kidnapping but ended up in this dire situation.

It seemed his skills in kidnapping weren't as professional as lock-picking or door-to-door robbery.

He glanced at the pile of junk in the house and sighed deeply.

Junk...

Hmm?

Suddenly, he recalled a conversation with Gao San's men at the scrap yard.

"Third Brother is quite a big shot. Even though this junk seems worthless, those old items, when shipped directly from Bangye to Hong Kong, never had an issue all these years. His connections are impressive!"

Carefully peeking out from the run-down house, Zhao Er looked north and saw the tallest spot in the XC District, with a luxurious three-story mansion, flaunting its wealth.

Immediately, he rolled on the ground, smeared his face with moss and mud, and picked up a broken bowl from the trash.

As the smoke from cooking fires rose, he steeled himself and stepped out of the crumbling house.

...

Gao San's parents died early, and with five brothers at home and no success by the age of thirty, he never married. Later, when he made money from scrap dealing, he had lost interest in marriage.

With money, who wants to live with a woman every day? 

To carry on the family line and provide for old age? 

Forget it.

When his parents were sick, none of the six sons did anything or contributed money.

With money, everything is available. Without money? Children aren't children, parents aren't parents.

That's how he thought.

Over the years, many women lived in the three-story house, including young girls, mistresses, and married women. Sometimes there were multiple women at once, but none stayed longer than half a month.

Rumor has it that Gao San hid many treasures in the mansion. To prevent anyone from discovering the hiding place, he only allowed women and extremely important guests inside.

Whether this was true or not was unknown, but Gao San indeed restricted access to the mansion beyond these groups.

Nightfall.

In the mansion, Gao San, dressed in a bathrobe, was sitting on a leather sofa, ignoring his new lover, Xiao Juan, who was mewing "Third Brother" beside him. He was on the phone, fuming.

"Damn it! Li Xian is such a scoundrel. I thought making amends and delivering the Ming Dynasty ivory penholder would make him back off, but instead, he used it as an excuse to frame me. Boss Wei said that penholder is worth at least 200,000. Damn, it was like feeding it to a dog!"

"What to do? I can't swallow this. He wants to ruin me, but he should see if he has the capability! This grudge can't end here. Mr. Huo, find out if that bastard has any dirt on him. If he wants to destroy me, I'll destroy him first!"

As Gao San cursed on the phone, the entire house went dark.

Xiao Juan screamed in fright, "Oh no, Third Brother, the power's out! It's so dark, I'm scared."

Gao San threw the phone aside and swore.

When he went to find a candle, he wondered why the power was out while the lights in the distance were still on. Was it a tripped circuit breaker?

Taking a flashlight, Gao San went outside.

He confirmed that the power had indeed tripped and cursed. Suddenly, a strong, foul smell came from behind him.

As he turned around, he felt a sharp object pressing against his waist.

"Third Brother, I'm out of options. You brought me to Bangye. Now, can't you help me get out?"

Hearing the voice, Gao San was stunned.

"Zhao Er? The entire Bangye is searching for you, and you still dare to come here? Besides, why should I help you? You caused this mess yourself by acting out of line and kidnapping someone. You broke the rules and got into big trouble!"

"I'm not afraid to come. Third Brother, I've made a huge mess this time. If I get caught, things won't end well. If you want me to spill something damaging about you, then don't help me."

In the darkness, Gao San frowned.