Chapter 12: Boss Hu of Colombia

Chen Yaozu's mouth twitched; he didn't speak, merely nodding perfunctorily before getting into the vehicle.

Freedom?

On the surface it means freedom.

In this context it usually refers to a state of freedom broken free from some constraint, the right and status of freedom — meaning she was a prisoner or slave before? What the hell is she talking about, as if the East doesn't let people emigrate; it's not like anyone stopped her! What the hell is the constraint?

She's clearly badmouthing the domestic side.

Looking at this woman putting on airs, she doesn't look poor; that camera plus lens on her hand alone cost no less than 100,000.

She's also a reporter; every move, every word and deed so confident and composed — she's clearly a petty bourgeois who benefited from the domestic side.

However, what Chen Yaozu couldn't figure out was: someone like himself, with a murder case on his back, forced to walk the line to America — fine.

But this petty bourgeois, what excitement is she joining in to come walking?

Does she have a hole in her brain? If she were a bottom-rung person, owed a buttload of debt, maxed out online loans and rushed over to gamble it all like Donut, that would be understandable.

It's equivalent to a poor person changing to a more economically developed place to work; if it fails they end up in a box.

Like that woman just now — she has some money, yet doesn't have the capital to take a proper immigration route; who knows what she went to America for! You should know, EB-5 investment immigration only needs 800,000 USD minimum, and America is very loose on investment immigration now, after all the economy is declining severely.

That is to say, the woman before him, though looking like a petty bourgeois, actually can't even cough up 800,000 USD.

Clearly, what constrains her isn't the East refusing to let her emigrate, but the money in her pocket not supporting America accepting her; she can only enter America through walking the line.

Yet she can't even cough up 800,000 USD, a middle-class petty bourgeois — why not properly enjoy her little sentiment in the domestic side? Coming to America at this time, isn't that asking for trouble? What can she do once there? Who knows how many professors, teachers, and all types of middle class have crossed these thunder zones.

These middle class could get by in the domestic side because they have various certificates recognized domestically, have various connections.

But you change heaven and earth, run to America seeking freedom — who the hell recognizes your certificates, who recognizes your qualifications, where do your connections come from? In the end you can't even find work, what will you eat? Honestly, Chen Yaozu couldn't figure out what that professor living in the sewers was thinking.

But that has nothing to do with him; his most important task right now is to reach America, lest he get caught and sent back for execution.

The vehicle interior was nearly full; Antonio Simmons had gone elsewhere to pick up a batch first, then came to the hotel to pick them up — looked like about twenty people.

There were a few South Americans, but most were Asians, very likely also Easterners; only two Black people.

"Mr. Chen, you sit here!"

Antonio Simmons pointed at the first seat behind the driver, smiling at Chen Yaozu.

This was the seat he reserved for this Eastern Wizard.

Chen Yaozu nodded at him: "Thank you!"

Then he sat down.

Antonio Simmons acknowledged, and after that reporter mother and daughter boarded and settled, he coughed once: "Gentlemen, ladies, since the journey has begun again, we must conduct the first step of the journey."

"First let me explain: this northbound route is very dangerous!

Not to mention other dangers encountered on the road, just the mosquitoes of South America alone could be fatal to you outsiders.

So the first step of our journey now is to get vaccinated for yellow fever, lest you get killed by a tiny mosquito on the road.

Especially Easterners — your living environment is too clean, which also causes your bodies to possibly be even less adapted to South American mosquitoes.

So you all need to get vaccinated even more."

On the minibus heading to the clinic, from the rear seats a youth in his twenties or thirties patted Chen Yaozu's seat; his first words carried a heavy Northeastern accent.

"Brother, the guide respects you quite a bit; your surname is Chen? I'm a Northeasterner, called Ceng Hongbing; where are you from?"

Chen Yaozu turned his head to glance at him — medium build, about 1.75 meters, bearing the worldliness of past thirty, sporting a crew cut — and replied with one sentence: "Guangdong Province, Chen Yaozu!"

Ceng Hongbing looked somewhat suspicious: "Guangdong? Looking at this build you don't seem like it! You speak without an accent too.

If you didn't say so I'd have thought you were from Shandong!"

Then he waved his hand: "Regardless of where, once out of the country we're all fellow countrymen; although many said before leaving that the most untrustworthy people abroad are fellow countrymen.

But we haven't reached America yet!

I did my homework before coming; this route isn't easy to walk now, it's not like a few years ago.

A few years ago, though dangerous, the dangers were on the road or inside the tropical rainforest.

But now, I hear there are gangs on the road specifically making money off us line-walkers!

So I figured, adversity reveals true feelings; everyone help each other, good to have someone to watch your back on the road! Yaozu! What do you think?"

Chen Yaozu nodded perfunctorily; the other party had one sentence that wasn't wrong — once abroad, the most untrustworthy are fellow countrymen.

Because they can't scam foreigners; compared to foreigners, these fellow countrymen fresh out of the country are easier to scam, easier to fool.

Of course that's only a portion; most are still good.

But this is just his cognition from before transmigration; as for this world, he only got a few months of memories from the original body, and isn't very familiar with these overseas situations.

But it's all more or less the same! Human nature is like this! Seeing he had no desire to chat, Ceng Hongbing turned to chat with the sideways-sitting female reporter, though ultimately having national quality, he kept his voice very low and didn't disturb others.

The clinic wasn't big, but there were many people getting vaccinated!

"Mr. Chen, don't look at this clinic being small, but its vaccine quality is the best.

Because this is a clinic jointly recommended by us guides.

Almost all walking immigrants departing from Quito come here to get a shot before leaving.

So its quality is already the best in all of Quito; of course it's also the most expensive."

Chen Yaozu nodded; he knew, just like tour guides bringing tourists to certain scenic spots or shops to buy things, they get a commission.

He believed Antonio Simmons was the same; still that sentence — this world is more or less the same.

In this clinic there were even more Asians, even more precisely, more Easterners.

But they followed different guides, yet the routes they walked were about the same.

All after getting vaccinated, board the chartered minibus, straight for the Colombia-Ecuador border line.

Colombia and Ecuador are connected by highway, so this stretch is still easy to walk, but what comes after won't be so easy.

During the trip Ceng Hongbing said: "Other people's routes might get you robbed two or three times in Colombia.

But predecessors who successfully walked it online recommended this Antonio Simmons; his route is relatively much safer."

Sure enough, ever since entering Colombia they had not encountered any gang robberies, and they soon reached the vicinity of the border.

Not far from the border jungle, the new minibus they had switched to after entering Colombia pulled the group into the largest Eastern store in this border town.

That's right!

This is a store run by an Eastern person, selling Eastern people's products!

"Gentlemen, ladies.

Next we will resupply.

Ahead lies the border tropical rainforest between Colombia and Panama; everyone must purchase the things you need for hiking across the tropical rainforest before entering it.

These are supplies from the East, quality guaranteed.

From here on, you will bid farewell to comfortable vehicle migration and enter the hiking phase.

So you must buy products suitable for hiking at this Eastern-run store. First, you must pick well-fitting hiking boots; go ask the boss — the boss has recommendations, he's very experienced! You also need to get raincoats, quick-dry clothes, socks.

Most important: water bottles — everyone write this down, write it on your phones! Your phones may have no signal, but they can still be used for notes!

The water bottles must be the Eastern military canteens that can be disassembled to serve as pot, lunch box, and pot for heating food; nothing ensures your life safety in the rainforest like having hot food.

Also tents — the store's tents are lightweight, easy to use.

It rains at any time in the rainforest; without a tent you simply cannot overnight.

And food!

You must absolutely trust the boss's professionalism; though a bit pricey, and maybe a bit bad-tasting, they can better replenish heat and satiety.

I suggest you don't buy those instant noodles that look delicious; the most practical are those hard military dry rations.

Although these Eastern military dry rations don't have as much variety as America's, they are indeed very filling.

This can save lives in the rainforest!

Most important: you must have mosquito repellent — of course you can skip it, but if you don't use it you'll face mosquitoes bigger than dragonflies.

If you do use it, preparing some Eastern cooling oil and medicated oil is also good.

Let me say solemnly: if the store boss recommends a floral water called Six God, that's for repelling mosquitoes, not perfume.

The tropical rainforest has leeches, Amazon giant centipedes two or three as tall as a person, and all kinds of poisonous insects.

So, the first aid kits the store has prepared — one per person — contain the essential medical supplies for crossing the tropical rainforest.

Fire source: besides lighters, you must also prepare a magnesium rod; the rainforest is humid, lighters easily fail to ignite.

Let me say here: once in the rainforest, don't rely on others — you must have your own, otherwise if you die inside don't blame me for not warning.

Everyone must carry a knife; the knives in this store have a compass on the handle, which can save lives in the tropical rainforest.

But the good news is: although it seems very dangerous, the actually very dangerous tropical rainforest isn't a very long distance.

Fast: three to five days; slow: eight to ten days, and you're through.

Once past the rainforest it's good! Past the rainforest is Panama, then you can ride vehicles all the way north.

Alright, after buying things we'll rest a night by the rainforest edge, and tomorrow we start entering the rainforest."

After Antonio Simmons finished saying everything that needed saying, he waved a hand, and the minibus doors opened to let the people off.

After getting off, Chen Yaozu raised his head to look at the store's signboard before him — four square large characters hung bright and clear: "Department Store".

The sign was brand new.

Chen Yaozu clicked his tongue — such strong national pride?

Or deliberately targeting Eastern domestic fellow countrymen's business, scamming his own people?

But seeing Colombian locals also shopping inside the Department Store, this should just be a department store specializing in Eastern goods.

He had just wanted to follow everyone over, but was stopped by Antonio Simmons behind him: "Mr. Chen, you don't need to go; we've already arranged supplies for you."

Antonio Simmons naturally couldn't let this Eastern Wizard go buy things himself; after all, in Quito he had already said he would send him to the US border for free.

"Oh, okay!"

Since he had it arranged, Chen Yaozu was happy to enjoy the result, and followed Antonio through the store's back door, where someone was already waiting for them.

"Antony, long time no see!"

An Eastern man laughed and embraced Antonio, then hugged Cindy as well.

Only then did he look at Chen Yaozu with some surprise — after all, this was the first time Antonio had brought someone other than his own partner in through the store's back door.

So he asked:

"Is this your new partner?"

Antonio hurriedly shook his head: "No no no no, this is my honored guest, and also one of you Eastern people.

Mr. Chen, this is Hu.

Hu, this is Mr. Chen."

This Eastern boss called Hu looked a bit surprised, but still smiled and extended his hand: "Hello, Mr. Chen! I'm Hu Xiaoquan — not that Zhang Xiaoquan of Zhang Xiaoquan Kitchen Knife fame!

A Hujian native, very glad to meet you!"

"Chen Yaozu, from Guangdong Province! I'm also very glad to see such a large Eastern-run department supermarket in South America.

No wonder they say Hujian people aren't just the East's Hujian people, but the whole world's Hujian people!"

Chen Yaozu also extended his hand; the two exchanged a round of businesslike mutual flattery, shook hands — very enthusiastic, also very perfunctory.

Hu Xiaoquan truly deserves to be a businessman; he plays perfunctory enthusiasm with consummate skill.

"Hu, the supplies you prepared for me — have someone prepare a share for Mr. Chen too!"

Antonio spoke up from the side: "Put it on my tab!"

"Fine, but since Mr. Chen is your friend and also my fellow countryman, this supply costs nothing — my treat!

I'll go prepare it personally!

You two have tea and some pastries first; I'll be right back!"

After Boss Hu brewed them tea and left, Antonio didn't hide it, smiling as he explained: "We have a cooperation relationship with him; the supplies here cost twice as much as elsewhere.

Some items sold to these hikers cost several times more, but since we brought them, there's no other channel besides buying here.

So this money is also income for us.

As Hu puts it, making money isn't shabby!"

The last six words were spoken in Eastern Han Chinese, though somewhat stiffly and with inaccurate pronunciation, but the meaning could still be understood.

Cindy worried Chen Yaozu might overthink, and immediately explained: "Actually, compared to the money we make, the money we save for them is already a lot.

Our route is much safer than others'; along the way we avoided several invisible checkpoints of gangs.

On routes taken by other guides, from here on, one must pass through at least four or five gang robberies.

Mr. Chen should have seen on Twitter posts by your Eastern people: robbed seven or eight times along the way, even their clothes were stolen.

Then they wait directly outside the bank for those Eastern people to withdraw money.

We bypassed those routes, saving these people from huge losses."

Chen Yaozu had heard of this sort of thing; a rebate! Nothing strange about it!

You wouldn't dare imagine that this department store actually sells Sha County Snacks! A group of hikers who had been in South America for several days, whether Asian or African, paid high prices to eat Sha County Snacks, as if eating some delicacy.

After eating their fill and resting for one night, everyone was roused before dawn the next morning; each person had to buy a very expensive flashlight, and then they set out.

"Crossing the border, so departing in the dark is safer."

(Chapter End)