The Versatile Master Artist

Chapter 671: Chapter 308: A Spring Day’s Interlude (Part 2)

The train station patrol officers aren’t so foolish as to rush at wealthy people for extortion.

It’s likely due to a few Japanese words exchanged between Koizumi Katsuko and her bodyguard, and the Japanese version of “Encyclopedia of Myanmar Monuments” tucked under Miss Sakai’s arm.

This made the patrol officer see them as naive Japanese cash cows, ripe for a good shake-down.

“Greedy,”

Gu Weijing estimated how much money this guy wanted.

The female bodyguard tried to discreetly slip him a 50-dollar bill, but it was righteously refused. The officer even brandished handcuffs, accusing the bodyguard of attempting to bribe a public official.

However.

Gu Weijing clearly saw this “fair and impartial” officer glance at the camera hanging over Koizumi Katsuko’s chest.

The smug little expression clearly conveyed, “You can afford a $20,000 Leica and offer such a paltry amount? Do you take me for a fool?”

Extortion in Myanmar isn’t news anymore.

Earlier this year, a foreign jeweler was reportedly extorted for tens of thousands of dollars.

In Yangon, traffic police usually settle for 200 Myanmar Kyat from drivers.

Extorting wealthy tourists is high risk but offers high rewards.

Police have to be careful not to provoke the wrong people, so when they do make a move, they target the rich and easy marks.

Gu Weijing reckoned that with handcuffs already out, it wouldn’t end without at least a dozen Franklins.

“Mr. Gu, pay up. You’re with a girl as precious as pearls, don’t let her suffer,” Uncle Ah Lai quietly reminded.

In Southeast Asia, the underworld and police often symbolize opposing forces of justice and evil.

For some, aside from the tattoos on gangsters and the uniforms on police, they’re all the same.

The difference is, you can deal with the underworld with force, but not the police. Gu Weijing must be wealthy, but these petty bureaucrats holding power fear not your money. Without sufficient local connections and influence, they might even try to squeeze more out of you.

Uncle Ah Lai isn’t afraid to throw down.

Even with one crippled leg, he can easily beat up these corrupt, out-of-shape officers who might struggle to run a kilometer.

However, a good assistant needs to exercise restraint, providing the wisest advice to their employer.

In this scenario, even as Ethan Hunt or James Bond, resorting to violence is unwise.

If there’s trouble, your side will always be at a disadvantage.

Uncle Ah Lai worried that Gu Weijing, young and impetuous, might act rashly in front of his girlfriend.

The other side is armed; it’s no shame to pay up for now and address this later.

Frankly speaking.

Even if they took Koizumi Katsuko away for a search, there’s a 99% chance it wouldn’t escalate.

At most, they’d be detained for a couple of hours in a small dark room, citing customs regulations, accusing Koizumi Katsuko of bringing in an expensive professional camera without prior declaration.

Auntie Sakai’s influence should be enough to reach high-ranking embassy officials directly.

After embassy staff intervene, they might be released by evening.

It would, however, spoil a holiday trip.

After all, they’re police.

After all, this is the old capital, Yangon.

Sexual assault and extortion are different issues and charges.

This isn’t the Golden Triangle.

In the Golden Triangle, where warlords rule, some armed forces moonlight as robbers demanding ransom. It hasn’t come to that here.

Even against ordinary tourists, they’re not that bold, as tourism is a significant contributor to Yangon’s economy.

But the question is, do you want to gamble? Is it worth the risk?

They bank on you not wanting to break an expensive piece of jade against porcelain.

“If you can’t swallow this, once Miss Sakai is back at the hotel, you can have an elder call the Yangon Tourism Board to lodge a complaint. They’ll definitely give you an explanation,”

Uncle Ah Lai advised Gu Weijing not to be impulsive.

Gu Weijing was ready to pay up to settle the matter.

Uncle Ah Lai was right, discretion is the better part of valor.

In this situation, you don’t even need to call the tourism board. Just have Uncle Sakai send out a tweet tagging the Foreign Ministry. Once the issue gains attention, a diplomat might personally come to apologize.

It’s just infuriating.

Plus, the local police and criminals are in cahoots.

Myanmar’s police and military systems operate independently; at most, someone might get a disciplinary slip or a scapegoat is found, but honestly, if they dare to extort you, they don’t care about the risk.

Again.

This isn’t a major issue.

It’s just that when you’re out having fun with a girl, encountering something like this is always unpleasant.

Especially since Gu Weijing only has a few thousand Myanmar Kyat and a hundred-dollar bill in his wallet, he might even have to borrow some from Koizumi Katsuko to pay the bribe.

“Or should I make a call?”

Gu Weijing felt not the slightest panic.

He wasn’t without options.

The worst case scenario was making a phone call, and not to Meiquan Palace Affairs Office, even though they seem pretty imposing.

Every snake has its hole, every rat its path.

They only have a small office in Yangon, which might be less effective than the embassy in resolving issues.

Fitz is the best private school here.

Apart from students like Gu Weijing who aim to pursue art professionally, many local elites send their children here to nurture connections for future prospects.

The simplest way would be to call Koukou; she can probably help out.

The problem is.

Running into trouble on a romantic trip with his girlfriend and turning to this brat for help felt oddly inappropriate.

Just as Gu Weijing hesitated a bit, an advertisement board caught his eye above.