Chapter 22

Yu Xiangnian ran quickly and arrived at the Political Department’s office within a few minutes.

Several people were inside, from the division commander to the regimental commanders. They were all discussing the disciplinary action notice for the next day.

After all, the incident had caused quite a stir, with five family members injured and the entire 9th Army mobilized.

A soldier stopped her. “Who are you? The leaders are in a meeting, you can’t go in.”

“I’m Yu Xiangnian, Cheng Jingmo’s wife. I need to speak with your leaders.”

Everyone inside knew Yu Xiangnian, not just because she was Cheng Jingmo’s wife, but more importantly, because she was the daughter of the Commander-in-Chief. They had all attended Yu Xiangnian and Cheng Jingmo’s wedding.

“Let her in,” the division commander said.

Yu Xiangnian walked into the office and bowed to everyone. “I’m sorry to interrupt, leaders. I’m Cheng Jingmo’s wife, Yu Xiangnian.”

“Comrade Yu, please sit down. What do you need to discuss with us?” the division commander asked.

At this moment, Yu Xiangyang and Cheng Jingmo also arrived.

Yu Xiangyang wanted to go in, but Cheng Jingmo held him back. “Don’t be impulsive. Let’s listen first and decide based on the situation.”

Yu Xiangnian sat down confidently, straightening her back. “Leaders, I just heard that the army is going to give Cheng Jingmo a disciplinary action, and I find it unreasonable.”

The leaders exchanged glances but remained silent. Regimental Commander Ai Jianguo spoke up, “Comrade Yu, this is army business. Why are you, a woman, interfering?”

Yu Xiangnian responded, “Chairman Mao said women hold up half the sky. Commander Ai, are you looking down on women?”

Ai Jianguo was momentarily speechless.

Yu Xiangnian continued, “I’m not meddling in army affairs. Cheng Jingmo is my husband, and I care about his matters. He did nothing wrong and shouldn’t be punished.”

Ai Jianguo argued vehemently, “How did he not do anything wrong? He led those family members to the bamboo grove to pick bananas, which resulted in them being bitten by wolves!”

“Commander Ai, your wording is inaccurate. What do you mean by ‘led’?” Yu Xiangnian countered. “Did he tell those family members to pick bananas? Or did he use some method to entice them to pick bananas?”

Ai Jianguo replied, “Today we questioned the injured family members. They said Cheng Jingmo told them there were bananas in the bamboo grove!”

“But did you also ask if Cheng Jingmo told them to go pick the bananas?”

Ai Jianguo fell silent.

Indeed, when questioned, the family members said Cheng Jingmo only mentioned picking the bananas in the bamboo grove and went home without saying anything more.

Actually, everyone present understood that the family members had gone to pick the bananas of their own accord.

Seeing Ai Jianguo rendered speechless, Political Commissar Su Mingliang stepped in, “Comrade Yu, although Deputy Commander Cheng didn’t tell those family members to pick bananas, he’s still connected to this incident. When everyone saw him with a large bunch of bananas, they were tempted and wanted to eat them, so they went to pick them.”

Yu Xiangnian, thinking of Dr. Wu, got even angrier seeing Commissar Su. “Commissar Su, if it were you yesterday who picked a bunch of bananas and the family members saw it, would you tell them not to be tempted, or would you refuse to tell them where you picked the bananas?”

Su Mingliang hesitated. “Deputy Commander Cheng could have distributed the bananas to everyone, thus avoiding the family members running out to pick bananas.”

Yu Xiangnian laughed at this reasoning. “Commissar Su, let me ask you, can you distribute the bananas to everyone in the family quarters? What about those who don’t get any? And, putting yourself in his shoes, would you be willing to give away everything in your hands, leaving your wife and children hungry?”

Su Mingliang fell silent. Yu Xiangnian’s sharp tongue was truly impressive!

Yu Xiangyang and Cheng Jingmo were eavesdropping at the door. The more Yu Xiangyang listened, the more excited he became, almost wanting to applaud his sister. Cheng Jingmo, on the other hand, lowered his eyes, filled with complex emotions.

Seeing that both Ai Jianguo and Su Mingliang were at a loss for words, Ma Dacheng, the Political Commissar of the 9th Army, spoke up. “Comrade Yu, the army has its regulations! Deputy Commander Cheng picking bananas and being seen by the family members indirectly led to their injuries.”

Yu Xiangnian stood her ground. “Since we’re talking about regulations, then let’s handle this according to the rules! Those family members went to pick bananas on their own and got injured. Why is the responsibility being placed on Cheng Jingmo? Did he know they would go pick bananas? Did he know there were wolves?”

“Cheng Jingmo has been a soldier for many years. You all know his character. If he had known about the wolves, he would have stopped those family members, even if it meant not eating a single banana himself! You just want someone to take responsibility for this incident. But this was an accident, something no one wanted to happen!”

“You are leaders, responsible for so many soldiers. When something goes wrong, you should think about how to solve it, not just find a scapegoat. Your actions damage the soldiers’ morale! If the army insists on disciplining Cheng Jingmo, I will report this to higher authorities, all the way to the top!”

Yu Xiangnian’s forceful argument left everyone speechless.

After a while, Ai Jianguo scolded, “Comrade Yu Xiangnian, don’t think you can cause trouble just because you have the Commander-in-Chief backing you!”

Not just family members, but even soldiers had never seen someone like Yu Xiangnian before.

“Did I mention the Commander-in-Chief even once? I don’t need anyone to back me up; I have reason on my side!” Yu Xiangnian retorted even more forcefully. “And I’ve been speaking calmly, stating facts and regulations. Commander Ai, why accuse me of causing trouble?”

Ai Jianguo was left speechless again. “How did such a sharp-tongued person emerge?!”

Outside, Yu Xiangyang excitedly nudged Cheng Jingmo. “Listen! My sister is so satisfying to hear.”

Cheng Jingmo’s expression remained unchanged, but inside, he was stirred up.

Years ago, someone else had stood up for him fearlessly, unconditionally defending him.

The division commander, who had been listening all this time, finally spoke. “Comrade Yu, we understand your point. We will discuss this matter again and make a decision.”

“Thank you, leaders.” Yu Xiangnian stood up, bowed again, and said, “If my words were offensive earlier, I apologize.”

Yu Xiangnian turned and left the office, glaring at Cheng Jingmo and Yu Xiangyang at the door before walking off quickly.

Inside the office, everyone exchanged looks.

They had heard Yu Xiangnian was spoiled and willful, but they hadn’t expected her to be so articulate and logical in an argument.

She had left everyone speechless!

Of course, making Cheng Jingmo take the blame for this incident was a bit far-fetched, but someone had to be held accountable!

After a while, the division commander said, “Let’s do this. I’ll report this matter to the Army Headquarters tomorrow and let them decide.”

The division commander had worked with Yu Jiashun for many years and knew that Yu Jiashun wouldn’t favor Cheng Jingmo. However, he also knew that Yu Jiashun cared deeply for his daughter.

When Yu Xiangnian returned home, she was still angry at the two men.

“How can you both be so cowardly, hiding outside and not daring to say a word!”

“Especially you!” She glared at Cheng Jingmo. “They want a scapegoat, and you just accept it? I don’t even know what to say to you!”

The more she looked at him, the angrier she became. Finally, she waved her hand. “Go cook, everyone is hungry!”