One - The File

Bolin Tsui was introduced to his Central Government political party as the new junior Interior Minister. Clearly he was expected to toe the party line or face being ousted by the men who nominated him.

Modern day China is an exciting place in the world. Shanghai rivals New York City in most categories. The Shanghai economy is the strongest and it is the wealthiest in its country. The changing landscape, politically speaking, is progressive with aggressive authoritarian capitalists. Beware of the old dogs who hate new tricks.

Beijing is the political stage for China and in March the Congress meets to elect its national members. It was there, a group of men thought Bolin would fit in nicely with the old dogs. By all accounts proud of his party and his country.

Life, for young Bolin, was easy. The son of a well respected politician in Shanghai, he had the best schooling, and never wanted for anything. He chose a political future because of the lifestyle his father provided for his mother, sister and himself.

This particular March was special for Bolin. His father stepped aside so he could be elected in his place. There were no guarantees but his father was a very loyal supporter of the party and had made many friends in Beijing.

There was one man in Beijing who wanted a fresh face among the aging faces. A close friend of the family. So close, in fact, Bolin thought of him as family. That man was elected and was given the senior Interior Minister post. The next day, that man influenced the selection committee and Bolin was named junior Interior Minister.

His father was so proud he was bursting with joy. The two families celebrated. Bolin would learn from his father's longtime friend in Beijing. Chinese politics is a tricky business, one must learn the ways to navigate the treacherous waters.

Bolin's wife, Fan Bo was a tiny but fiesty woman. The two met in university when he faked he needed a history tutor. She was aware of his keen knowledge of history and knew he was interested in her.

Fan Bo's father was a village politician who wanted more for his only child than life in the village. He sent her to the best university in Shanghai so she could meet young businessmen and find a new life of her own. She found the young Bolin, they fell in love and married. A few years later their daughter, Gembira was born.

When Bolin was elected he moved to Beijing leaving his wife and daughter in Shanghai. It was there, with time on his hands and through generally accepted practices he met LiLi. A woman who knew what she wanted and it was not marriage. She was drawn to power and young handsome politicians.

In a local bar, after Bolin's friends and colleagues went home for the night, he sat alone in the halfmoon booth seat slowly sipping his scotch. LiLi slipped in beside him and smiled. She had a look in her eyes that meant only one thing. There was an immediate attraction felt by Bolin, who slid the scotch away, and they headed back to his apartment. The affair would continue until that fateful night.

Life was great for the junior Interior Minister, making many allies in a city where he needed many. He had an eye for detail and a nose to smell trouble. He never thought he would find trouble with his father's longtime friend and his Beijing mentor.

A new file came to his desk. A file he was not expecting because the senior minister always had a meeting before handing off a portfolio to his junior. This file was far different than any he had ever encountered. The contract was vague specifying a number and a region. A real head scratcher as they say.

Bolin was diligent and like a predator on the trail of his prey unlocked the mystery. It was not pretty and it took a lot of self convincing that what he figured out was true. His mentor was profiting from human smuggling.

Bolin did not want to believe it and grabbed the file to confront his mentor. The senior minister welcomed Bolin into his office and offered his junior a drink. He accepted believing he needed a little false encouragement to bring this up. He took the scotch in one gulp.

Bolin stood then slid the file to his mentor who opened the folder to find the contract. He simply smiled at Bolin who was confused by the reaction. The man was caught but he just smiled to his junior.

"Bolin, sit." He gestured still smiling. "Sit." He sat dumbfounded. "This was not meant for your eyes. I need you to forget you ever seen it, okay?"

"But, this is slavery of our own people. Buying, selling, trading of humans is outlawed!" Bolin felt for the people who were mere numbers to people who profited by such activities.

"By who?" The senior minister simply tried to deflect his junior.

"By the world! This is crazy! Madness! Selling poor children to factory owners!" Bolin was ignited, maybe the scotch did help.

"I do not sell children." The man spoke calmly. "This is not what happens, Bolin."

"This contract says you authorized this to happen." Bolin pointed to the contract.

"Authorized what, Bolin? This is nothing more than stating where they are allowed to find workers they require." The senior minister lied to ease Bolin's mind. "Okay, that is enough talk today. I am needed in a meeting with the Prime Minister in thirty minutes. We will go for dinner after. Huh?"

Bolin was stunned but stood and replied with one word. "Dinner." Though he was not convinced fully he gave the appearance he was to his senior.

He was not convinced in the least. Stunned by the audacity of the family friend to out and out lie about what was plain as day. Bolin was not going to let this slide.

He returned to his office and advised his secretary he would not be taking any calls the rest of the day. He closed his office door. Something he rarely done in the past and began a deeper look into his senior minister's activity. But his clearance level was woefully inadequate for the information he sought.

He quickly texted another new friend in the city to meet him outside his office building for 'a walk'. But the world of human smuggling has a far reaching net and this new friend was part of the sticky thread of money. Bolin asked him for help. The friend agreed and the junior minister was doomed. He did not let it go as he let on in his mentor's office and now his life would change.

Bolin returned to the office, sent his secretary home and changed his shirt before dinner with his mentor. He wondered aloud, "I wonder if Dad knew about this? I've got to know!"

He phoned his father. "Dad, tell me about uncle Chen. Any strange dealings?" Bolin waited for his father but what he heard was the phone hit the floor. "Dad!"