Cheng Rushan said, “You colluded with gangs to sell tobacco, seeking revenge against my grandfather and uncle. This matter will be settled before your coffin is closed.”

With a cold laugh, he walked away.

Cheng Fugui gritted his teeth in pain.

He was certain this matter couldn’t be reopened.

Many people were overthrown back then, even if there were wrongful convictions, they were just exonerated without anyone taking responsibility!

The whole situation was chaotic, so who should be held accountable?

He went to the office of the Revolutionary Committee chairman, hoping to complain to the secretary.

Following the secretary inside, he saw Secretary Zhou on the phone.

Secretary Zhou said, “Understood, less trouble is better than more. That’s true. Rest assured, it will be handled properly.”

After hanging up, he noticed Cheng Fugui entering and immediately showed concern, “Your injuries aren’t healed yet. Why are you here? Rest well.”

Cheng Fugui smiled bitterly, “Secretary Zhou, where can I rest? If I rest more, I might as well go home and sleep forever.”

Secretary Zhou chuckled, “Old comrades are always humorous.”

Cheng Fugui smirked inwardly but remained humble outwardly, “I may be old, but my heart still beats for the party and the country. I can work another thirty years!”

There was no way he would retire and make way for others!

After exchanging pleasantries, Secretary Zhou stated directly, “Regarding Cheng Rushan’s incident, as long as he doesn’t harm anyone again, please don’t pursue him, old comrade.”

Cheng Fugui looked mournful, “Secretary Zhou, so I just have to accept being attacked for no reason?”

Secretary Zhou hesitated, “Well… Comrade Cheng Fugui, according to the investigation, Cheng Rushan’s reaction was particularly intense towards you.”

Implicitly suggesting, what did you do to him to leave such a deep impression? If you insist on pursuing him, should we first clarify your involvement in this matter?

Feeling guilty, Cheng Fugui understood.

He looked genuinely wronged and frustrated, “Secretary Zhou, someone must be plotting against me.”

Secretary Zhou smiled gently, “Comrade Cheng Fugui, it’s not that serious. Since you’ve been cleared, it’s best not to stir up trouble.”

Cheng Fugui felt a chill in his heart.

This was a warning—if he persisted, someone might dig into his past affairs.

But… it shouldn’t be a problem.

Everything was clearly documented in black and white, showing his contributions to the revolution!

As for the incident of hastily executing Cheng Yi, many were executed on the spot back then without waiting for orders from above.

It was chaotic, and who cared?

Everyone claimed innocence—there wasn’t enough energy to investigate each case individually.

He resigned himself to his fate.

Cheng Fugui reassured himself.

However, he deeply feared Cheng Rushan’s capabilities now and knew he couldn’t afford another conflict.

It was best for everyone to lay low.

Leaving the Revolutionary Committee, Cheng Fugui advised Cheng Fuman, “For now, ignore Cheng Rushan and his group. Just focus on our own work.”

With Secretary Zhou passing on the message, he had to be grateful and avoid offending anyone further.

His hopes for promotion were dashed, and he couldn’t afford to lose his position as the commune’s secretary.

He needed to return immediately to oversee the work and prevent the deputy secretary from taking advantage.

Cheng Rushan went to the county Revolutionary Committee to settle the matter, finally easing tensions at home.

More than a month passed.

It was late autumn, and the ancient locust tree in the village shed its leaves daily with a rustling sound.

Along the road, the poplar leaves turned golden yellow, falling with every breeze. Elderly women and children carried baskets and rakes, gathering grass.

Wensheng was carrying a rake and a basket.

Dabao and Xiaobao each had a long iron rod, threading leaves onto it.

Once their rods were full, they would scrape the leaves into the basket.

They were quick on their feet and could thread a lot of leaves in no time.

They were collecting grass, while Cheng Yunzhi was nearby cutting some dry grass or branches with a sickle to store for winter firewood.

“Dabao, Xiaobao, tell us more about Sun Wukong!” A few children, including Goudan and Gousheng, ran over when they saw them.

Dabao replied, “No way, we’re still collecting grass.”

“I’ll help you collect!” The children eagerly shouted.

Xiaobao said, “My big brother will tell the story.” He was referring to Wensheng.

The children quickly tried to flatter Wensheng, “Big brother, big brother, please tell us a story.”

Wensheng responded, “I told a story yesterday, and we haven’t even started today.” He focused on collecting grass.

The three of them could now listen to stories not only from their grandparents and Jiang Lin but also on the radio.

In the evenings, there was an old man named Sun who told stories about the Journey to the West, which fascinated them.

They couldn’t wait for it to get dark so they could listen again, but the wait was always excruciating.

Yan Runzhi had sent them out to collect grass to keep them busy.

The children were anxious. “Dabao, Xiaobao, tell us a story.”

Dabao thought for a moment, then asked them to help fill the basket.

As he threaded leaves, he mimicked the tone of the radio announcer: “Last time, we talked about Sun Wukong defeating the White Bone Demon three times. The soft-hearted Tang Monk chanted the binding spell…”

The children immediately fell silent, listening intently.

Even Wensheng and Xiaobao couldn’t help but join in.

As they listened, Wensheng and Xiaobao noticed that Dabao was improvising and not telling the exact story from the radio. But it was still very entertaining.

As long as it was a story, the children listened with great interest.

Dabao continued, “Sun Wukong, in a fit of anger, flew back to Flower Fruit Mountain, ignoring the soft-hearted Tang Monk. He left him to be captured by the old demon lady.”

The children chimed in unison, “Captured by the old demon lady!”

When Cheng Yunzhi returned, he heard Dabao making up a new version of Journey to the West.

In Dabao’s story, Sun Wukong ignored Tang Monk, who was then whipped eight times a day by the old demon lady.

Pigsy went to beg Sun Wukong for help, but Sun Wukong refused and even captured Pigsy to whip him with thorny branches.

“I’ll teach you to egg on our master! I’ll teach you to egg on our master! I hate it when people egg on my mom… our master!” Dabao narrated, waving the iron rod around and acting out the scene.

The children cheered, “Good job! Beat that old fat pig!”

“Keep going, what happens next?”

Dabao waved the iron rod and said, “To find out what happens next, listen to the next episode.”

“Aww…” The children groaned in disappointment.

Cheng Yunzhi sighed and called out, “Time to go home!”

The children ran to him, pleading, “Grandpa, Grandpa, tell us a story!” When Cheng Yunzhi first returned, the children were a bit scared after hearing rumors about landlords being bad.

But seeing Cheng Yunzhi always cheerful and friendly, telling stories, they grew to like him more and more.

Even the naughtiest children at home would gather around Cheng Yunzhi, eager to hear his stories and listening attentively.

Cheng Yunzhi told them a story about Kuafu chasing the sun, which captivated them and sent them off happily.

Then, he took Wensheng, Dabao, and Xiaobao home.

By the time they arrived, it was getting late.

Yan Runzhi was preparing dinner.

Seeing them return, she called out, “Old man, help me wash the rice. We need to steam some for Bao’er’s mother.”

Wensheng asked, “Why hasn’t Mom come home yet?”

Dabo replied, “She’s at the brick factory, very busy.”

Xiaobao suggested, “Let’s go pick her up.”

Cheng Yunzhi quickly said, “Don’t go there, it’s too chaotic. Your mother doesn’t want you to go.”

For the past month, Jiang Lin had been setting up a small brick factory in Shuihuai Village.

She had roped in Cheng Yulian and the old lady from the Shang family, and also brought in Cheng Fujun and Cheng Fulian to represent the brigade.

This way, the brigade would support her, and they could share the profits. It also made it easier to find brigade members to help.

With the brigade backing her, troublemakers like Cheng Fuwan and Ma Kaihua didn’t dare cause problems.

She had Cheng Rushan use his connections to buy tile-making machines, tile molds, and brick molds, along with plenty of coal and other materials.

The brick kiln was built at the foot of the mountain, where they could easily dig soil.

There was also a water pool nearby, making it convenient to fetch water.

Jiang Lin had also asked Zhu Junjie to find a skilled kiln master to control the firing process, oversee the kiln, and teach the men in Shuihuai Village how to make bricks and tiles.

A group of people were busy every day, barely having time to rest.

As life improved, more people were getting married and having children.

With the increase in families, housing was in short supply, necessitating expansion.

Having had enough of the hardships of living in mud-and-grass houses, the members of the community were determined to build brick houses.

In the past, they couldn’t buy bricks even if they wanted to, but now, with the brigade’s support, many were eager to secure their bricks early.

They went to Jiang Lin to pay deposits, waiting to collect the bricks as soon as they were fired.

The finished bricks and tiles were pre-ordered before they were even fired, with many people in line waiting to collect them.

Today was their second trial firing of green bricks.

Jiang Lin had left early in the morning and hadn’t returned yet.

At the brick kiln, Jiang Lin was overseeing the process with Shang Zonghui, Shang Baozhu, and others.

She asked Master Wu, who was in charge of the kiln, “Master Wu, how’s this batch looking?”

The success rate of the first batch was a bit low.

Jiang Lin had a long discussion with Master Wu and Master Zhu, and today they were firing the second batch.

At this point, the kiln had already been sealed.

Master Wu was directing people to pour water into the kiln from above, a process called “yinzhuan.”

The originally red-hot bricks would turn into a beautiful blue-green color.

He glanced inside the kiln from the top and made a gesture to Jiang Lin, “Congratulations, Director! This batch is excellent!”

Everyone was very happy to hear this and applauded, finally achieving success.

Master Wu said, “Alright, once the yinzhuan is done, we’ll uncover the kiln top and let it air for a day before taking the bricks out.”

Seeing that everything was going well, Jiang Lin decided to head back.

She called out to Shang Zonghui, “Let’s go.”

Shang Zonghui quickly washed her face and hands, threw on a jacket, and followed her.

As they left the kiln, Jiang Lin said, “Zonghui, learn well from Master Wu and Master Zhu. Firing bricks is a skill that comes with experience. With enough practice, anyone can become a master.”

Shang Zonghui looked at her in surprise, “Sister, do you think I can do it?”

Jiang Lin replied, “Why not? Are you missing an arm or your brain?”

Shang Zonghui laughed, scratching the back of her head, “If you think I can do it, then I’ll give it a try.”

When they reached the village, Jiang Lin and Shang Zonghui parted ways and went home.

Before she even got home, she saw Wensheng leading Dabao and Xiaobao, carrying lanterns, running towards her.

“Mom, Mom!” they called out happily.

Jiang Lin smiled and quickened her pace to meet them. “I’m back. Why were you in such a hurry? You didn’t need to come out to meet me.”

Dabao and Xiaobao each took one of her hands.

Xiaobao touched Jiang Lin’s hand and said, “Linlin is so tired, Dongsheng should feel sorry for her.”

Jiang Lin thought, “Dongsheng should feel sorry? You little kid, what do you know?”

Wensheng asked, “Mom, why don’t you take me to work anymore?” She used to take him to help with roofing, but now she didn’t.

Jiang Lin smiled and said, “The brick kiln isn’t a place for children. It’s dangerous. You can go when you’re older.”

Dabo said, “When I grow as tall as Wensheng.”

Wensheng measured Dabao and then compared himself to Jiang Lin, feeling very wronged. “I’m taller than you, Mom. Why can’t I go?”

Jiang Lin replied, “You need to help me watch over Dabao and Xiaobao.”

Dabao and Xiaobao protested, “Mom, we don’t need watching.”

Jiang Lin sighed, “Alright, alright. I’m starving. Let’s hurry home.”

When they got home, Yan Runzhi noticed that Wensheng seemed unhappy, carrying the lantern listlessly at the back.

She asked in surprise, “Wensheng, what’s wrong?”

Usually, he was as cheerful as Dabao and Xiaobao, but now he looked downcast.

Wensheng sighed deeply.

Yan Runzhi, concerned, asked, “Wensheng, tell Grandma what’s wrong.”

Wensheng said, “Grandma, I think Mom… might not like me anymore.”

Yan Runzhi was puzzled. “Why do you say that? I see that she loves you very much, just like Dabao and Xiaobao.”

Wensheng explained, “She doesn’t take me to work with her anymore. She used to take me every day.”