Lai Qingyan laughed and said: "This is Mogok, not like Pa Gan."
The implication is that this is Mogok, and things still need to be a little low-key. After all, it is the territory of the National Defense Forces.
Of course, the conflict between the Lai family and the Song family was excepted with the tacit approval of the garrison commander.
Luo Gang was noncommittal, but didn't say anything more.
Then he went to look around the other two mines. His subordinates came over and reported to Lai Qingyan, saying that the road was basically passable.
Lai Qingyan said to the three of them: "General Somchai, please invite Master Ni to Pakant. There should be important matters, so I won't retain a few more here."
"If you are offended, please ask Master Ni and Luo Dajingang to comfort me."
Luo Gang chuckled and said, "Okay, no more nonsense, we really should set off immediately."
Then the group of people returned to the courtyard of Lai's house. Ni Dehong drove again and Lai Qingyan escorted them personally. They did not return until everyone reunited with the motorcade.
After getting back on the road, Luo Gang made some adjustments to the team.
It is divided into three teams: front, middle and rear. The front team is responsible for leading the way and guarding, the middle team is responsible for personal escort, and the rear team is naturally responsible for preventing various emergencies.
Fortunately, no accidents occurred during the rest of the journey. In the afternoon of that day, everyone bypassed Mandalay, Myanmar's second largest city, and stayed in a county called Indo for the night.
We continued our journey early the next morning and finally arrived at the final destination of our trip, Hpakant Town, at noon.
The first impression Pa Gan gave to Tang Song and Yuan was that he was dirty and messy.
The dilapidated streets full of dust and garbage, the low old buildings, and the occasional newer style buildings are all rare.
It’s hard to imagine that in such a dirty and messy place, the jade produced contributes half of Myanmar’s GDP.
After passing through the town, the road became difficult to navigate and turned into a muddy dirt road.
It can't even be called a road, it might as well be called a rut.
After another twenty minutes of turbulence, the convoy drove into a military camp on a hillside.
This is Somchai’s camp in Hpakant.
In a spacious open space, Ni Dehong stopped the car.
As soon as they got out of the car, a man with dark skin, thick eyebrows and rosacea came over with a smile.
"Haha, Master, I've been waiting for you!"
If nothing else, this person should be Songchai.
He was probably in his forties and was wearing a dark green camouflage uniform. The patterns on his cap badge and epaulettes were a bit complicated. Even Tang, Song and Yuan could not understand them, and there was no need for X-ray examination.
Ni Dehong smiled lightly, shook his hand and said, "My Chinese has improved and I am becoming more and more fluent."
Songchai laughed again and said, "I specially hired Chinese teachers, and there are some who are studying seriously every day."
With that said, he took Ni Dehong's arm again and said, "Master, please come in quickly!"
As he walked inside, he said:
"Yesterday I heard Luo Gang say that something unexpected happened on the road. I was so angry that I wanted to send troops over on the spot to kill him and other members of the Lai Jia Song family."
"Fortunately, Luo Gang assured me that there would be no safety issues, so I suppressed my anger..."
The barracks also have an obvious Burmese style. The walls are surrounded by wooden boards, and the roof is a warp and weft grid made of moso bamboo, which is covered with a layer of bamboo fence woven from bamboo slices.
Ni Dehong was obviously familiar with the place and stepped in without any ceremony.
Tang Songyuan followed him, looking around curiously.
"This must be my junior brother!" After sitting down, Songchai noticed Tang Songyuan and greeted him with the same enthusiasm:
"When you get here, it's like you're at your own home. In Pagan, if you tell me your name, no one will bully you!"
Tang Songyuan smiled slightly and responded politely: "Thank you, senior brother!"
Songchai waved his hand and said: "It's okay, we are all our own people. I will let Luo Gang take you around later."
"With him at your side, you can go straight into most venues."
So awesome? ! ?
Although he said this, Tang Songyuan was still suspicious and cautious, and would not act rashly.
Ni Dehong also said: "Don't be too strict with what you say. At least the Kachin Army may not buy your account."
Somchaihun said nonchalantly: "It's okay, Master. In recent years, we, the Kachin Army and the National Defense Forces have been trying to make money."
"As long as it doesn't involve major interest disputes, there will generally be no problems."
Hpakant is geographically and administratively affiliated with Kachin State, and the Kachin Independence Army is the real leader here.
Somchai's team belongs to the Kachin New Democratic Army and controls the "First Special Zone" of Kachin State.
At the same time, the Kachin New Democratic Army also has a red color, which is why they can receive secret domestic support.
In addition to the National Defense Force, there are more than a dozen ethnic armed groups in Pagan, each with its own sphere of influence.
Ni Dehong nodded slightly and did not continue to struggle with this issue. He turned to look at Songchai and said:
"Let's talk about Ji Qing. In the past ten years, this old boy has lost a hand and an eye to me, and he still dares to challenge me. Have you ever asked what happened?"
A meaningful smile appeared on Somchai's face and he said:
"According to the information I gathered, the old man Ji Qing should be supported by the Arakan Army."
"However, the Arakan Army is in dire straits. If it had not been for the critical moment of help from the Kachin Independence Army, they would have been beaten to the ground by the National Defense Forces. Now they are trying to get a share of the jade industry in Hpakant... ..."
Hearing this, Tang Songyuan couldn't help but asked in confusion: "Master, which great god is the 'Jiqing' you mentioned?" "
"Bullshit god!"
Ni Dehong said disdainfully: "It's just a defeated general!"
Songchai on the side explained to Tang Songyuan with a smile:
"Master's stone gambling skills are unparalleled in the world. He is known as the King of Stones in Myanmar and even Southeast Asia."
"But there are always those who are blind and want to challenge the master's position. Ji Qing is the craziest one among them."
"Ten years ago, I challenged Master for the first time. If Master loses, he will give up the title of Stone King. If Master loses, he will cut off one of his hands..."
"Five years ago he challenged again and lost another eye."
"This is the third time..."
According to Tang Song and Yuan's understanding, Ni Dehong probably didn't care about the title of King Shi. The old man didn't even care about money now.
I stay at home all day long, and at most I occasionally visit the market and play with jade wool.
Ni Dehong said calmly: "It doesn't matter, I'm here now, I'll play with him!"
...
