Original subtitles

HAISHAN GEM-MINE, MOKOK

MOKOK MARKET

Sir, look.

The pattern of this fish is quite interesting.

It is indeed an extraordinary fish.

It has a golden spot on its head. This symbolizes good fortune.

Really? Then you can release this one.

No, the merit to release it should be yours, Mr. Cai.

Mr. Cai.

I will go into the mountains for ascetic practice soon.

Would you care to join me?

Of course, I'll go, sir.

Every time I go to meditation with you,

-I benefit a lot from it. -Mr. Cai, don't flatter me.

You didn't know much about this. My wife-to-be and her brother

serve year-round by the side of the great Zen master.

I can often receive guidance from the Zen master.

Anyway, I'm being given special treatment.

Speaking of being sharp and having a clear mind,

you are still a notch above.

That's so nice of you to say.

I've been supplying water recently.

When I passed through the central region,

I found that no one was smuggling live cattle.

No way.

The cattle trade route in the central region is the most active.

It's impossible that no one is smuggling. No, that's not it.

They aren't out of business. They just don't sell live cattle anymore.

They've switched to frozen meat.

Frozen meat?

The lowest cost with the highest profit.

Think about it. Remove the bones of a cow,

take off the skin, and throw away the offal.

What's left is all meat.

The profit can triple compared to smuggling live cattle.

Also, on the way here,

you don't need to feed the cattle, right?

So I'm thinking you can really consider this.

This could be the trend in the future.

Mr. Cai, you really are a good businessman.

If this is the case,

the profit might be more than smuggling live cattle.

But I don't know about frozen meat.

Moreover, we'd have to invest a lot at the beginning, right?

There's no rush for this.

I can ask the professionals.

After all, logistics is my line of work.

Your proposal is a great one.

After all,

this is a big issue, so I need to think it over.

I understand.

-The air is so good here. -Hmm.

I'm sorry.

-You must be my uncle's friend. -Shen Xing?

Yes.

Just call me Jue Xintun.

Here.

Right. This is my uncle's car.

Look at the license plate. Are you sure it's his?

I'm sure. I recognize it.

Where is he?

After we talked on the phone, I went to check it out.

Your embassy happened to be coordinating a humanitarian corridor.

These photos were brought out with the first group of Chinese from that.

Will they go back again?

Of course.

However, coordinating is very troublesome.

No one knows when it will happen again.

After all, that area is at war.

I don't understand. How about your government?

Your local militias are fighting,

but your federal government didn't even intervene.

It just sent troops to barricade the roads

and make the area a restricted zone. Why is that?

All right.

Let me put it to you this way.

At first, to alleviate the turmoil left by colonialism,

the two largest states of this country,

Bokang and Mokang,

signed a ceasefire.

And now, these two states

have become the Bomo Federation and have local autonomy.

However…

You see.

Despite the ceasefire,

this place belongs to the Mokang side.

But in fact, this place is controlled by a warlord named Banlong,

who claims it as Nanbo.

So, this area is a restricted zone now.

Yes.

For a long time,

this has been a territory that Mokang couldn't annex.

An exclave.

Sangkang, who owes your uncle money,

was Banlong's deputy before.

I thought he was just a businessman.

Anyway, the government sealed off the zone,

because they wanted the two parties to fight against each other

until they were worn down.

So now you understand why you can't get in, right?

Anyway, just wait for the embassy's message.

I will keep trying to figure something out.

Well, how much should I pay you

for your new plan? Money?

It's not about that. I'm not trying to extort you.

Can't you see I'm a good person?

I surely can. Of course, you are a good person.

You're a cop, right?

I just saw the handcuffs.

You have sharp eyes.

All right, I have things to do. I have to go. By the way,

things would be the same if you waited for your uncle in China.

You don't have to stay here.

Once there's news, I will contact your embassy directly.

It's fine. I'll just wait here.

If there's any problem, I can handle it promptly.

That construction site is already gone. Where are you staying now?

I found another job, transporting stuff.

All right, then, you pay the bill, okay?

-Call me if something comes up. -Okay.

Is this a festival?

This is a wedding. Don't you know that?

Stop.

Ridiculous. How could you drive like that?

-If you can't drive, get lost. -Scrag.

Drive.

The guests attending the wedding are all somebody.

We can ask about your uncle.

Thank you, Mr. Cai.

Almost all the guests have arrived.

Haishan.

-Mr. Cai. -Wish you good luck.

Hello, sorry to have kept you waiting.

Here, take this.

Thanks, Mr. Cai.

Xing.

Mr. Wu.

Sir.

Hello, sir. Long time no see.

Still looking great.

This is the man I mentioned to you before,

Wu Haishan of Mokok.

-Mr. Aiso. -Nice to see you, Mr. Haishan.

It's too hot here. Come inside for some tea.

Come on, this way.

Mr. Aiso.

I'm here to offer my congratulations

on behalf of the Xianglong Chamber of Commerce.

I also prepared a small gift.

The green from Pugan, the red from the mine.

-Impressive. -Just a small gem.

I hope you can accept it.

Our chairman, Mr. Chen, is looking forward to the day

when our Xianglong Chamber of Commerce can cooperate with Mongnawng.

That's a good idea. That Mr. Chen,

like Mr. Cai, is also Chinese.

I've heard so much about him.

When he has time, invite him to Mongnawng.

I really appreciate it. Thank you, Mr. Cai.

Aiso.

My older sister is ready.

This must be

the secretary-general of the great Zen master Ukamaha,

Mr. Chapo, right?

Wish you good luck. I've heard much about you.

Don't flatter me.

You must be Mr. Cai from To-pan.

Aiso has mentioned you quite a lot recently.

Mr. Aiso and I go way back. We are fellow practitioners.

We've agreed to go into the mountains by the end of the year

to practice asceticism.

It's quite hard.

Aiso.

This is…

-Wu Haishan. -From the Xianglong Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Chapo, a pleasure to meet you.

The ceremony is about to start. How about I save us some seats?

This has a symbolic meaning.

You and the tapir have deep connections.

Besides, they are monogamous animals,

now and forever.

It signifies your enduring love for your wife.

All right?

-I hope your older sister will like it. -She'll definitely love it.

That's good then.

This is the work of Master Wu Wei.

He has an eye condition, so he seldom works these days.

Mr. Cai, you are quite thoughtful.

It is a gift for you, so of course.

Also, the trip to Mrs. Ma's place was quite interesting.

I saw many trucks of frozen meat.

I've proposed this to you before. You said you would think it over.

Yes, Mr. Cai.

You truly intrigued me with your proposal.

Aiso.

The ceremony is about to start.

But after all, it is a transition.

I think such an important change

will require significant initial investment.

To be honest,

-I'm not sure about it. -No worries.

Everything should be ready by now.

The ceremony is about to start. Let's head over.

Please.

Let me.

Mr. Cai, please.

I will leave you two here.

A sacred wedding requires the most sacred witness.

Now, please allow me to call upon the witness,

the bride's younger brother

and also the secretary

to our most respected Zen master Ukamaha,

Mr. Chapo.

Today is a wedding day of great joy.

I have another announcement to make.

The tapir once given to Banlong

has grown old over the years. It's time to bring it back home.

Mr. Cai, take a look.

Bro.

Is this Banlong the head of the local militia?

The one who fought in the restricted zone.

How does he know Aiso?

Dummy.

Aiso gave the tapir to Banlong back then. That's how he became the sheriff.

Xing.

You declined the reward this time. That was very smart.

Mr. Cai thinks highly of you now. Also, don't be too anxious.

He is here to do business with Aiso.

If everything goes well, we will be family.

Then it will be easy to save your uncle.

In the Trilateral Slopes, tapirs are considered divine beasts.

People who find tapirs

will have good fortune all their lives.

You see, Aiso is among them.

Is this the divine beast from the picture?

Let's drink, Mr. Cai.

Haishan.

Enjoy the food and drink.

Sir.

Come on.

Good.

-Haishan, try this. -All right.

What's up?

Why are you wiping your hands? We're just starting to eat.

It's too oily.

Wiping your hands means you are not going to eat anymore.

He doesn't want Buddhist cuisine.

He wants beef.

Take this. Slaughter a cow.

I…

He is my newly accepted apprentice.

He's inexperienced.

Foreigners don't understand the customs.

Please don't take offense.

Papa. All the rice is packed.

Go on, try to finish the almsgiving before nightfall.

It rained yesterday.

It's hard to drive the motorbike on this path.

After delivering to the households up the mountain,

I won't be able to return before dark.

It's better to use my pickup to deliver the alms.

The mountain roads are muddy after the rain.

Riding a motorbike is too dangerous.

Mr. Cai, I don't want to trouble your boy.

No trouble at all.

He is quick at driving the pickup up the mountain.

-Come on. -Let's drink.

Sorry about that.

Chinese?

You are also Chinese?

No.

I am forced to learn Chinese.

My name is Lanbo, and you?

Shen Xing.

You just displeased Papa, didn't you?

Papa? Mr. Aiso.

He raised all the kids in the orphan squad.

-Did you steal some beef to eat? -No, don't frame me.

In Mongnawng, it's forbidden to eat or kill cattle.

You'll be put to death if you get caught eating beef.

-Then why does your papa deal in cattle? -It's all about faith.

He is the most devout believer.

But the cattle which are sold are meant to be killed, right?

Is that devout?

The cattle which are sold don't count.

The bhikkhus invited by Mr. Chapo will hold transmigration ceremonies.

Each cow has its religious rites performed.

Bhikkhus transmigrate their souls.

What's left is just the shell that can be sold.

Isn't that just self-deceit?

The bhikkhus invited by Mr. Chapo

are disciples of the great Zen master Ukamaha.

-Uk… -The great Zen master Ukamaha.

I've never heard of him.

Look.

Papa built that stupa for him.

So that's why your papa can trade cattle.

The great Zen master endorsed him to do so.

What do you mean?

Turn left.

Thank you, madam.

Thank you, madam.

Madam, To-pan is a small place. The gift is the best we could offer.

I hope you won't take it amiss.

Thanks for the generous gift, Mr. Cai. I like it very much

I am glad that you like it.

Mr. Cai. Didn't you prepare a generous gift

for Mongnawng as well?

It's not really a generous gift.

I just wanted to give Mr. Aiso a little surprise.

It's really hot these days in the Trilateral Slopes.

This meat has been on the road for four or five days now,

and it hasn't spoiled yet.

This truck is good. It can preserve meat for a long time.

Regarding the slaughterhouse, I've chosen a land in Mongnawng.

If we start to work now, it can be built in two weeks.

This is really a generous surprise.

I know.

These days, you have been giving alms to the surrounding villagers.

Let me be part of this good course.

All the meat from these trucks is on me.

-Thank you, Mr. Cai. -I'll make arrangements.

Thank you, ma'am.

Be careful.

Two bags here.

There's another household back there. Two bags for them too.

Okay.

Granny.

Lanbo.

Someone has stolen cattle, and they have guns.

What's wrong?

Lanbo. Where are you going?

Lanbo! Where are you going?

That is to say

he's willing to bear all the costs after the transmigration.

That's what he said.

I've also seen that refrigerated truck. Made in Japan, not cheap.

I've asked around before.

The cattle dealers in the central region turned to selling frozen meat,

and their profits doubled.

If he is willing to handle all those trivialities

after the transmigration,

it would save us a lot of trouble.

-Once you're ready, come with me. -Okay.

Lanbo!

Stop the car.

There are trees on both sides!

It's too dangerous!

Thanks for your generous gift.

A good idea is worth more than gold. Aiso, what do you think?

After Mr. Cai proposed this to me, I sent people to investigate.

Frozen meat is indeed the trend

-for future development. -Yes.

But it's just that I wonder,

after you've done so much important work,

what do you want in return?

I want a 30% cut.

What, scared now?

Cattle dealers have zero tolerance for stealing live cattle.

Wasn't it just a few cattle?

-What's the big deal? -It is big.

You have to understand

cattle dealing is all about controlling the route.

Major cattle dealers are generally representatives of local powers.

On important routes, they've already marked their territories.

They don't allow others to encroach. Once they find the intruders,

they kill both the cattle and intruders.

Since this is so dangerous,

aren't the thieves afraid of dying?

In recent years, the border control has become stricter.

Many routes have been sealed off.

But Aiso's route is unobstructed.

One reason is that he is a sheriff in power.

Second is that he repairs and paves roads.

Under such circumstances,

some desperate and bold fools will come over to steal cattle.

The point is that Lanbo is doing the killing for him.

-He is like, barely 18, right? -Lanbo is different.

He is

one of the orphan squad.

Aiso was also an orphan when he was young.

He was raised by different families.

But he is a lucky man. He found a tapir and became a sheriff.

But the local people had seen him at his lowest time.

They thought that he was just lucky, so everyone was reluctant to obey him.

Then Aiso adopted all the orphans in Mongnawng

and provided them with food and education when they were young.

When they grew up, they had to work for him.

Hence, the orphan squad.

With Aiso's charity and public security reinforcement,

his prestige was established.

Tuo.

Did the business talk go well?

It hasn't been finalized yet.

Aiso said

he needs to test out the first batch of goods.

If it goes well, then we can officially cooperate.

Patience.

When the right time comes, I will ask him about your uncle.

Thank you, Mr. Cai.

As for this cold chain route for frozen beef,

you can run it, Dan Tuo.

Okay.

Our mission this time is to get familiar with the route

and see how the road conditions are

and how long the trip will take.

We have to ensure

the integrity of the entire cold chain during transportation.

This slaughterhouse is far from Mongnawng.

There is a great demand for pork here.

At dawn, pigs are slaughtered and taken to the market daily.

No freezing required.

So, in the Trilateral Slopes,

there aren't many slaughterhouses that have cold storage.

I had a hard time finding this one.

We can only drive a bit longer since it is a bit far.

Bro. Is the custom in this place to venerate cattle as sacred animals?

The documentary I watched back home

said the cattle in Poduo are quite formidable.

People and vehicles have to give way when they see cattle

and let the cattle go first.

I've been thinking that if I were to be reincarnated as a cow,

I'd definitely choose to live a good life in Poduo.

There are three main routes for cattle trading in the Trilateral Slopes.

Central, west and north.

Aiso controls the north.

The west borders Poduo.

Where do you think all those cows

in the west come from?

Poduo? That can't be, right?

Even faith has a price.

I think I'll stick to being a human.

It's fine. Scarecrows.

Placed at this intersection to warn those who steal cattle

because the road ahead belongs to Aiso.

Aren't they the ones who were killed the other day?

Wish you good luck.

Wish you good luck.

Follow me.

Papa ordered me to take you through this route.

Come on.

Why are you carrying a gun?

Why, don't you carry a gun when you go out?

Drive.

Stop.

What's wrong?

That path leads to the forest below.

You have to take the turn ahead.

Papa said,

there are eyes behind the clouds.

We can't stop but be quick.

-Remember? -Got it.

Let's go.

This is the border. Through these woods and we're out.

Guandu rice cake.

Deep-fried mushrooms. We are from To-pan.

Unload the goods.

Make sure everything is tied up tightly, so it doesn't get jolted out.

Get the meat back and load it

on the truck immediately. It's hot, and the meat spoils easily.

Don't worry.

By the time you answer nature's call, I'll already have crossed the border.

If the meat spoils, it's on me.

Bro.

So, mission accomplished now, right?

Yes, they will take it from here.

I'm going to take care of something at the border.

Wait here.

Okay.

How could there be such a cold area in the Trilateral Slopes?

The temperature difference is big here.

Wait.

No. No. Crap.

-What's wrong? -Something's crawling on me.

-It's moving. -Stay still.

-What is it? -Maiden.

Maiden.

A maiden. It's sweet.

-You eat spiders? -Give it a try.

Are you a turtle, all hesitant and shy? Such a scaredy-cat.

Disgusting.

That Lanbo is disgusting.

I also think he is disgusting.

So I left him to watch the van.

Faster.

That is the border.

What kind of town is that?

Why is there such a big difference between the two sides?

Take a closer look. There's a river in between.

Why does Aiso want to spend money to widen the Secret Passage?

Because it leads to the border of three countries.

Speak up. Is there anything you want to say?

Mr. Cai.

You said the business in Mongnawng was To-pan's top priority.

Shen Xing doesn't know anything. And he is a coward.

I'm afraid he'll mess it up if he tags along.

Did your sister tell you anything before she died?

She told me to make sure you wouldn't marry again.

So do you think you've fulfilled the task?

I keep you here because of your sister.

I keep Shen Xing for Dan Tuo.

Here.

You now have a two-hour break. You can go for a walk around the area.

-Where are you going? -Laza.

-I'll go with you. -You can't get through without an ID.

Meet here at one o'clock.

I am not implying anything.

It's just that I'm afraid an outsider is unreliable.

Actually, it doesn't matter whether he is an outsider or not.

As long as I know what he wants,

I can take advantage of that and make him my boy.

Mr. Cai, we have a visitor.

Aiso is here.

LAZA, BORDER

Aiso.

Why didn't you call me before you came? So I could greet you properly.

-Wish you good luck. -Wish you good luck.

Mr. Cai, close friends don't need that.

I've acquired a new Buddha statue.

It comes from the holy land Chanlin. It's quite extraordinary,

so I brought it over

for you to take a look.

Gracious and kind, just like Buddha's glow. It's rare indeed.

Glad you like it.

Mr. Cai, I am here to apologize to you in person.

-Why? -If you don't mind,

this Buddha statue can serve as my apology gift.

-Hurry up. -This road is bumpy.

-Where's the van? -Where's Lanbo?

He gave us a golden statue because he won't cooperate with us?

Not just the golden statue. He also reimbursed our initial investment.

He bought all the refrigerated trucks

and said he would give us money

for Mr. Cai's great idea.

We've gone through so much trouble not for just a little bit of money.

Why did Aiso suddenly change his mind?

Chapo.

Chapo said that after much thought,

he believes the cattle slaughter business is a big deal in Mongnawng.

If it provokes public outrage, he wouldn't be able to contain it.

So he went to Moyok, which is next to Mongnawng,

and found a guy there

who owns a slaughterhouse and a whole set of cold chain equipment.

Why did Aiso listen to him? It doesn't matter what he said, right?

Chapo is Aiso's major shareholder, each getting a 50-50 split.

Only he can mobilize the resources from the great Zen master

to endorse his cattle slaughtering business.

Look at this golden Buddha.

Its design is acceptable. But it does weigh a lot.

Then we will stop here just like that? What about our plan?

Aiso did a perfect job of turning us down.

If I didn't accept the statue, he would have turned hostile on the spot.

Then we wouldn't stand a chance in the future.

Mr. Cai.

Do you mean we are not giving up?

Dan Tuo.

You need to be more patient.

I understand, Mr. Cai.

I found out that the new guy is called Tisa.

He was in the pig slaughtering business before,

so he has a slaughterhouse.

But I think it is still necessary to look into his background.

As long as there is one loophole,

I can turn the whole situation around.

Then it would be an important opportunity for To-pan.

How come there are construction vehicles here?

It's still under construction?

We can sneak in at night.

-You're quick. -Come on, let's go.

Let's just try again.

It's very simple.

I give up.

You'll learn it very quickly.

Forget it. Still need to undergo training.

It's easy, the same as any other vehicle.

Let's talk in the office.

Don't bother. I won't do it.

I will pay you more, okay?

-What's going on? -Aiso lied to us.

Those drivers were complaining to the manager just now.

They don't want to be trained to drive refrigerated trucks.

Didn't Aiso say this slaughterhouse has a complete cold chain?

How could the drivers have never driven refrigerated trucks?

Exactly.

It's just a waste of time.

I'm done.

What is taking so long to fix an excavator?

What's wrong?

Are they dismantling or building something?

Building, I suppose. All these materials are new.

-They are definitely building something. -They are building the workshop overnight,

so there's no cold storage at all.

Right.

Who are you guys?

STORY BASED ON THE ESCAPE FROM TRILATERAL SLOPES SERIES

OF STORY HUNTING PROGRAM

NO ANIMALS WERE HAMRMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS FILM