"Captain, I will keep the call open," Gui Yuanliang replied happily, his voice filled with enthusiasm and readiness.
Sima Hongguang nodded approvingly, his tone filled with concern. "Then you go, go early and return early."
Gui Yuanliang exited the room, a smile adorning his face as he dialled the number of his best colleague, Xiao Chang. Both young men were eager to explore and embrace the opportunity to wander the unfamiliar streets.
Saimaili, a town nestled in the heart of a desert country known as AM, boasted a population nearing 10,000—an impressive figure for a medium-sized city in this arid land. While occasional acts of violence marred its reputation, overall, the town maintained a semblance of law and order. It had yet to reach the point where firearms dotted the streets or remnants of a war-scarred landscape.
"It finally came out, it suffocated me," Gui Yuanliang exclaimed, a sense of liberation evident in his voice.
Xiao Chang chuckled in response. "Our captain is overly cautious. The country of AM may not be in turmoil, and the situation seems relatively stable. However, our neighboring country, YM, is embroiled in constant conflict."
As the two young men strolled through the streets, engaging in lively conversation, they occasionally halted in front of street stalls, their eyes gleaming with curiosity. They examined local trinkets and curiosities, their interest piqued by the unique offerings.
Unbeknownst to them, a few Middle Eastern men trailed closely behind, dressed in traditional attire, donning robes and turbans. These individuals were Rhodes' armed cohorts tasked with kidnapping crew members from the Global Shipping Group. They had diligently surveilled the hotel for days, waiting for the opportune moment to strike.
Finally, they sensed the perfect chance was upon them. The intersection ahead offered convenient transportation options, with one street leading directly out of the town—an ideal escape route.
Gui Yuanliang and Xiao Chang remained oblivious, their carefree steps guiding them further away from the looming danger. Engrossed in their surroundings, they purchased local artifacts and savoured the freedom of exploration.
Abruptly, a worn-out van screeched to a halt beside them, catching the young men off guard. In a flash, two individuals clad in swift and practised robes seized Gui Yuanliang and Xiao Chang, effortlessly guiding them into the van.
Amidst the chaos, Gui Yuanliang mustered the courage to question their captors. "Who are you? We are crew members of the Global Shipping Group!" His voice trembled with fear.
The captors remained silent, wasting no time in brandishing syringes and injecting their victims. Soon, Gui Yuanliang, Xiao Chang, and their consciousness succumbed to the drug's effects.
Meanwhile, back at the hotel, Captain Sima Hongguang inquired about Gui Yuanliang's return from his colleagues. "Has Gui Yuanliang returned from his leave?"
One of his companions shook their head. "No, I haven't seen them come back yet."
Sima Hongguang glanced at his watch, growing increasingly dissatisfied. More than an hour had passed, and Gui Yuanliang had agreed not to exceed this timeframe.
Concern etched on his face, Sima Hongguang attempted to contact Gui Yuanliang, only to encounter a frustrating lack of signal. His heart sank, a foreboding feeling engulfing him. While the mobile reception in this area was notoriously unreliable, this extended absence was disconcerting.
"Old Li, notify me immediately if they return," Sima Hongguang instructed urgently.
Li nodded solemnly, promising to relay any updates promptly.
Another half hour trickled by, and Gui Yuanliang and Xiao Chang were still nowhere to be seen. The futile attempts at communication only deepened Sima Hongguang's unease. Something must have gone terribly wrong during their expedition.
"This can't be a mere delay anymore, Captain. It's time to send a search party," a crew member suggested, concern lacing their voice.
Sima Hongguang nodded solemnly. "Indeed, that seems to be our only option now. If we can't locate them, we'll have to involve the authorities."
Organizing fifteen crew members into five groups, Sima Hongguang dispatched them to scour the town for any sign of their missing colleagues. Every street, alley, and corner was meticulously searched, yet Gui Yuanliang and Xiao Chang remained elusive.
Faced with the harsh reality, Sima Hongguang wasted no time. He contacted the local police, their presence essential in investigating this distressing incident.
A police station, moderately sized, nestled within the town. Dozens of officers scurried into action, and their collective efforts focused on recovering the kidnapped crew members. The town's proximity to Port Harriman and its diverse seafarers' population justified the station's robust personnel.
However, hours ticked by, and the search efforts yielded no results. Eyewitnesses reported that two individuals matching Gui Yuanliang and Xiao Chang's description had been forcibly taken into a vehicle. Rhodes' cohorts were the primary suspects.
Sima Hongguang promptly relayed the dire situation to Global Shipping Group, urging them to take swift action.
In the headquarters of Global Shipping Group, Liu Yong received the distressing report, his surprise evident. It marked the first instance of his crew members being kidnapped overseas.
"MMP, whoever eats the guts of a leopard! How dare they kidnap Brother Yong's people?" Liu Yong fumed, his voice laced with righteous anger.
Approximately two hours later, a call finally reached the offices of Global Shipping Group. The kidnappers demanded a staggering 50 million U.S. dollars be deposited into a designated account within 24 hours, threatening dire consequences should their demands go unmet.
Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun, both present in Liu Yong's office, visibly wore expressions of anxiety. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily upon them.
"Boss, what should we do?" Qiu Yang implored, his voice tinged with desperation.
Liu Yong pondered the situation, his mind working through the available options. After a brief pause, he offered his guidance. "Do your utmost to negotiate and buy time. If delaying proves futile, transfer the 50 million U.S. dollars. However, ensure the safety of our crew is guaranteed. Their lives take precedence over money."
Life safety took precedence in Liu Yong's code of ethics; monetary concerns paled in comparison.
Qiu Yang inwardly admired Liu Yong's decision, recognizing that not all bosses would prioritize the welfare of their employees over financial matters. He felt fortunate to work under such a leader.
After a few additional instructions, Liu Yong revealed his own course of action. "It appears I must personally travel to the Middle East and meet these criminals face-to-face."
Concern painted their faces, and Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun exchanged glances.
Liu Yong, sensing their apprehension, offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about me. Last time I ventured to Somalia, it wasn't entirely without its challenges, yet I returned unscathed, didn't I?"
Relieved by Liu Yong's confidence, Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun found solace in his words.
"Focus on managing the company efficiently in my absence. I'll be accompanied by Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang this time," Liu Yong stated, formulating the plan.
Shortly after Qiu Yang and Hu Shijun departed, Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang entered Liu Yong's office together.
"Boss, you summoned us?" they chimed in unison.
Liu Yong nodded, recounting the kidnapping incident involving Gui Yuanliang and Xiao Chang in the small town of Saimaili. He then presented his proposition. "Both of you will accompany me to the Middle East. As per our agreement, you will receive a labor cost of 10 million yuan each."
The offer delighted the two men.
Beyond the financial gain, the opportunity to wield firearms excited Kang Zhenggang and He Qiang. They yearned for an opportunity to venture outside the confines of the country.
"Boss, we'll gladly go with you to the Middle East," they responded in unison, their decision instantaneous.
"Very well. We mustn't delay any further. Let us depart immediately and head for the capital of AM," Liu Yong declared, setting the wheels in motion.
The trio required minimal preparations, travelling light without extensive luggage. Their minds focused on the critical task that awaited them.
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