Chapter 11: Investigation: The Zheng Family Has Done All the Bad Things

Muzhuang Village.

Nangong Ye and He Chunfeng quietly entered the village and visited several impoverished households to inquire about the Zheng family.

The Zhengs could be described as the local tyrants.

Old Man Zheng was the village head, his eldest son was the brigade leader, his second grandson was the village accountant, and his fourth grandson was preparing to take over as village head.

And the families they visited were the ones who hated the Zheng family the most.

“The Zhengs rely on their successful children and completely treat the rest of us like dirt.”

The villagers bitterly described how the Zhengs bullied them, docked their work points, seized their grain rations, and even took meat from the pigs raised for New Year.

“Especially that youngest girl in the Zheng family if she liked something, she’d get her brothers to snatch it for her. My grandson nearly died at their hands.”

The elderly woman speaking pointed at a 13 or 14-year-old boy in the yard who was playing while wetting himself.

“He’s alive, but now he’s an imbecile. When we tried to demand justice, they barred us from leaving the village. Just like that…”

The old woman wiped away her tears.

“My son died, my daughter-in-law went mad, and now it’s just us two me and my grandson surviving on measly work points. And that cursed Zheng family still takes food from us.”

The more she spoke, the angrier she got, pounding her chest in agony.

“Why couldn’t I have died instead? My son, oh my son how are we supposed to live without you?”

Before leaving, Nangong Ye left some money for the old woman. The other families they visited had faced similar tragedies dead, mad, disabled loved ones and those still alive were barely clinging on.

They visited more homes, and though not everyone openly badmouthed the Zhengs, their words still revealed the family’s misdeeds.

“I know you’re here from the authorities to investigate the Zhengs. I don’t know who had the courage to report them, but we hope you can root out the evil they’ve caused.”

“If the Zhengs keep bullying us, none of us will survive.”

He Chunfeng, reading the testimonies he had written down, was so angry his face turned dark. He gritted his teeth and said, “The Zheng family truly deserves to die!”

A small village official living like a petty emperor unless they had backing from higher-ups, how could they dare to treat the villagers this way?

Raised with strong ideals, Nangong Ye was also furious. If not for the uniform he wore reminding him to act with restraint, he would’ve already hauled the Zhengs to a public trial led by the villagers.

He Chunfeng flipped through the notes. Just these testimonies weren’t enough to convict them they still needed hard evidence.

“Let’s go to the brigade office.”

Someone had tipped off the Zhengs that officials were in the village conducting an investigation.

Old Man Zheng immediately summoned his sons and grandsons from the fields.

Looking grim, he told them, “Someone from the higher-ups is here. Clean up any loose ends.”

“Second, go tell your mother to prepare a meal.”

“No matter who it is, we must handle it smoothly if not…”

Though he didn’t finish the sentence, everyone understood.

Over the years, they had used their positions to embezzle village funds and grain, and abused their power to oppress the villagers even to the point of driving some to death.

If this reached the higher authorities, the entire Zheng family would be finished.

Everyone sprang into action, hurriedly covering up their wrongdoings.

They just had to survive this crisis. If things went really south, they could always turn to their higher-up backer.

But when they reached the brigade office, they saw two young men already waiting there.

Eldest Zheng’s face twitched but quickly regained composure. Pretending not to know them, he smiled and said, “You must be the new educated youths, right? Sorry, we’ve been so busy with fieldwork lately, I forgot to send someone to welcome you.”

He even looked around them and said, “Huh? Where’s your luggage?”

He Chunfeng, raised in a political compound, didn’t miss the flash of panic in Eldest Zheng’s eyes.

“You’re the brigade leader of Muzhuang Village, correct?” He Chunfeng took out his credentials. “I’m He Chunfeng from the Red Sleeve Office. We received a report yesterday, so we’re here today to verify the facts.”

Without waiting for their reaction, He Chunfeng continued, “Hand over your village’s financial records for the past few years.”

Zheng Hu, the village accountant, turned pale at the demand. “The records are submitted annually who reported us?”

“Yeah, we’ve worked honestly for the village. You can’t just slander us like this.”

At the mention of a “report,” Eldest Zheng’s heart nearly leapt out of his chest.

Who was the bastard who went behind their back and reported them? If he found out who it was, he’d make sure they paid.

His eyes briefly flashed with malice before he forced a smile and invited the two inside. “Comrades, let’s discuss this inside.”

Before entering, he gave his youngest son a signal.

Zheng Long understood immediately and slipped away to take care of other matters.

He Chunfeng had no patience for delays. Since he had revealed his identity, it was time to get straight to the point. Word games and stalling wouldn’t change anything.

“No need. Just give us the records.”

Zheng Hu looked to Eldest Zheng for help. The records couldn’t be handed over he knew exactly what he’d done. If exposed, the Zhengs would be ruined.

Eldest Zheng realized these officials weren’t easy to fool. His tone turned sharp. “Does Team Leader Zhao know you’re here investigating Muzhuang?”

He Chunfeng glanced at him coldly, walked over to the village office phone, and dialed.

“Hello, this is He Chunfeng. Detain Zhao. Also, send more personnel to Muzhuang.”

“Yes, the report is true.”

“Good. Hurry.”

The Zheng family men, standing by the door, heard every word.

Watching the confidence on that young official’s face, they felt their hearts sink.

“Comrade He, everything can be discussed. Please don’t be so hasty in judging us!”

“We’ve prepared a meal at home. Please come to our house so we can talk it over.”

He Chunfeng snorted. “No need.”

Then he looked at Nangong Ye. “A-Ye, detain them.”

Nangong Ye nodded and locked the Zheng men inside the room. He stayed at the door, though his thoughts wandered to Zheng Qingning’s application to the arts troupe.

If the Zheng family was convicted, she’d carry a political stain and fail the vetting process all her hard work would be for nothing.

Thinking of the hopeful look in her eyes, which might soon be replaced by despair, he lowered his gaze to hide the emotion in them.