The case of the tinkerer kidnapping and imprisoning women and children was so typical that the police internally required detailed documentation to be published in the police reports.

Other newspapers also wanted to report such sensational news but needed to process it with discretion.

Lin Shu, worried that the tinkerer might have accomplices and that they might cause more trouble in the future, asked more questions.

“Comrades, was the tinkerer part of a human trafficking gang?”

She knew that in the 1980s and 1990s, human traffickers were quite bold, but she wondered about the situation in this era.

Other villagers also became anxious. “Yes, catch them all.”

A police officer from Huang County quickly clarified, “Comrades, don’t worry. He’s just a tinkerer who has had some mental issues due to stress. There isn’t a gang involved.”

If people believed there was a human trafficking gang in their county, it would damage their county’s reputation.

The local police also reassured the onlookers, “Yes, don’t be afraid. This isn’t a gang; it’s an individual act. We have always been strict with criminal. We check all introduction letters for anyone leaving the commune, and travel and transport also require introduction letters. It’s not easy for outsiders to come here and cause trouble.”

Director Qin added, “They don’t have enough grain coupons or money to travel far. It’s easier for a gang to attract attention if they operate nearby, so they wouldn’t dare.”

At that time, there were no ID cards, so travel relied on introduction letters for transportation and accommodation.

However, introduction letters only had stamps and no photos, which could be forged.

Introduction letters could only constrain law-abiding individuals.

Those with real skills or who were deliberately breaking the law could easily find someone to forge an introduction letter.

The main factors that truly constrain people from running amok in this era are poverty and collective labor.

To eat, you need ration tickets, and ration tickets require food to be exchanged.

Every household’s food is tight, and money is even scarcer.

Organizing a criminal group involves significant expenses like introduction letters, ration tickets, and money.

Even if you manage to get a child, whether you’ll break even is uncertain, since the buyers are also poor and can’t pay much.

Moreover, whether in the countryside or the city, collective labor is the norm. Every leave of absence is recorded, and unexcused absences are reported to the police.

It’s really not easy for one person to do something alone.

If a stranger appeared in the village without reason, they would definitely be questioned.

Additionally, family planning was not yet widespread; families could have as many children as they wanted.

Unless there were health issues, it was rare for families to be short of children, so there was no need to steal them.

Those who couldn’t have children usually adopted one from someone who didn’t want theirs.

Some families, with too many children to support, would give away baby girls.

Young people who had secret relationships and got pregnant but couldn’t marry often had to secretly give away their babies, especially among some young female intellectuals.

As for stealing children, it was mostly due to individuals’ ignorance or personal grudges.

After hearing the reasoning from the police, everyone felt relieved, saying, “That’s good.”

Qiu Pozi muttered, “I heard from an old sister that her daughter’s aunt, who works at a provincial hospital, had a nurse who stole children to sell. Such a black-hearted person.”

The police immediately responded, “Auntie, that’s not true. No nurse would dare to steal children.”

Qiu Pozi was a bit unconvinced but didn’t dare argue with the police.

Instead, she whispered to Li Shen’er, “She said a nurse stole a child for her infertile sister.”

Li Shen’er was immediately interested, asking, “What happened then? Was the thief caught? Did she get divorced? In the end, did the man become infertile?”

Qiu Pozi replied, “…Actually, it was the woman who couldn’t have children. After the divorce, the man remarried and had two children.”

Lin Shu couldn’t help but overhear their conversation.

As a result, she missed some of the details about how the police discovered the tinker’s flaws.

However, with Tiantian and Panpan around, she didn’t need to speak up much.

The two of them were very talkative.

Huahua, being bold, dared to come forward and listen.

She even whispered to Panpan, while Honghong and Yuanyuan were shy and scared, hiding behind the elders and peeking at the police officers through the gaps in their clothing.

The police officers were particularly pleased with Tiantian and Panpan.

“These two children are so pretty, bright, and articulate. They’re really good kids, well-educated.”

“Such children, they definitely won’t get lost.”

Seeing Huahua’s hopeful gaze, he casually praised her, “This girl is also great, brave and not shy.”

Huahua immediately smiled proudly at Panpan.

Hearing about the interview, Huzhi scampered over, shouting, “Interview me! Interview me!”

He squeezed between Tiantian and Panpan, his big eyes spinning non-stop. “It was me who got lost! And then there’s Chang Xiaogang behind me. We were both locked up in the big well.”

Everyone: “…”

This kid is overly…

The police officer responsible for writing the report started to interview him.

Initially, he was careful not to probe too deeply due to the child’s tender age, but Huzhi kept chattering away, “Xiaogang suffered a lot. He didn’t get to eat a meal all day, but I got to eat twice a day.”

The police officer noted down his statements and kept the interview brief.

Huzhi went up to Tiantian and said with a grin, “Tiantian, did you hear me? I did well, didn’t I?”

Tiantian whispered, “Tell us the details later, and I’ll write them down.”

Huzhi eagerly agreed, “Okay, okay!”

Panpan immediately nudged him away with her bottom, keeping him at a distance from Tiantian.

After the interview, the police officers said they had a certificate of commendation to award to the Lu family for their bravery.

The brigade leader suggested using a loudspeaker to announce it to the villagers at the brigade office, making it formal and honorable.

However, the brigade secretary stopped him, suggesting not to be too ostentatious and to present the certificate directly to the Lu family instead.

If Lu Shaotang hadn’t been involved in the incident, a grand ceremony at the brigade would have been fitting.

However, given the Lu family’s current state of mourning, it was more appropriate to keep it low-key.

The brigade leader agreed.

The police presented the certificate to Tiantian and Panpan.

Director Qin gave Lin Shu gifts: two white porcelain teacups, a metal thermos, and notebooks with pencils for the children.

The onlookers were envious, admiring the pristine teacups and the bright red metal thermos.

Such items were rare and expensive, often only found in wealthier households.

Old Mrs. Chang had stayed home from work due to illness, cooking and resting.

She saw the brand-new metal thermos and white enamel teacups on the table through the back window of the Lu family’s house.

Seeing the police and officials, she was filled with jealousy and her eyes turned red.

Heaven, is there no justice left?

Her grandson had lost his legs due to being kidnapped, and none of these officials had come to visit her family…

Why is it that they’re sending things to the Lu family but not to her own?

She really wanted to ask the brigade leaders why this was happening.

However, she was smart enough and had some tact.

While she could make a fuss at the production team, she wouldn’t dare create a scene in front of the brigade leaders, commune officials, and police.

She knew she didn’t have the face for it, especially since she had just lost face because of her daughter-in-law’s behavior at the brigade.

She planned to ask her husband to inquire with the brigade leader later.

Her husband often flattered and drank with the brigade leader, so their relationship was quite good.

After the certificates and prizes were handed out, the police officers took their leave, politely declining the brigade secretary’s offer to stay for a meal.

Director Qin also did not linger. He and the police officers and militiamen said their goodbyes and left.

Lin Shu and the children escorted the guests to the road and waved goodbye as they drove or rode away.

The brigade secretary turned to Lin Shu and said, “These two children are smart and clever. They should start school early.”

The brigade leader added, “Yes, indeed!”

The brigade secretary gave Lin Shu a few more instructions before walking away with his hands behind his back.

At that moment, Lu Shaocai rushed back on his bicycle, shouting, “Where is Director Qin? Where are the police officers? Hurry up and come to my house for a meal!”

He was riding so fast that he nearly crashed into a roadside drainage ditch, but the brigade leader managed to stop him.