Paul,
There you go..... having a wifes brother as a senior judge in your pocket, is just about as good as you can get ...hahaha!!
Yes, i understand about your wife's situation, somewhat similar to Lucy's situation, she has also travelled outside of China for the later part of her life with various companies on business. In fact she is still travelling now, but mainly around eastern Europe and Germany. But seeing that she has always worked, and for sometime in goverment positions in the past, and is due a pension from the state. I don't see why it should be stolen from her, just because she marries a foreigner, so it's better in her pocket than in theirs is what we say!!! ...lol!!!
Maybe you can find out from your brother-in-law if he can put you in touch with such a guy, (Fixer) i know it would help a lot of the brothers here, when they find themselves in a catch 22 situation.
David.....