Chapter 36

The man who had practiced kung fu had a strong voice.  Zhan Xinyue, with her qi sunk into her dantian, let out a loud yell, reminiscent of the “Little Dragon Girl” of old.  It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that it could be heard for miles around.

The people of the 70s were not afraid of trouble, and they wouldn’t stand by and do nothing when someone was calling for help.  Hearing someone cry out, the workers immediately grabbed their carrying poles and dog-beating sticks and came running.

The militia platoon leader immediately gathered five or six people, and they rushed towards the reed thicket, armed with shotguns and torches.

Liu Shuji was so scared that he forgot to put on his shoes and ran barefoot to the front.

The hero’s mother, the regiment commander’s grandmother, was in danger.  If the perpetrator succeeded and something happened, how could he explain to Sheng Tunan, how could he explain to the organization?  He was afraid that he would lose his position as village secretary.

“Comrade Xinyue, where are you?  Is grandma alright?”  Liu Shuji asked anxiously.

“Who dares to commit murder in the Changhong Brigade?  That’s just asking for trouble with me, Zeng Guang Rong.  I warn you, put down your weapons immediately, raise your hands and surrender, or I’ll shoot!”

The militia platoon leader followed closely behind Liu Shuji, his voice hoarse from shouting.

Zhan Hongyan was so frightened by the scene that she cowered.  She wanted to raise her hand and walk out, but her legs were so weak that she couldn’t stand up.

At this time, grandma was also awakened by the noise and woke up in Zhan Xinyue’s arms.  Seeing Zhan Xinyue, the old lady’s first reaction was to push her away, “Xinyue, run, it’s dangerous here.”

Zhan Xinyue’s eyes were a little wet.  She quickly comforted her grandmother, “Don’t be afraid, it’s safe now.  Liu Shuji and the militia platoon leader are here.  And the perpetrator is only Zhan Hongyan.  Grandma, don’t be afraid.”

The workers of the Changhong Brigade also arrived one after another, many of them holding torches, illuminating the sky.

Zeng Guang Rong was impatient.  Seeing that no one came out, he started shouting again, “I’m counting to three.  If you don’t come out, we’ll have to shoot.”

Faced with real guns and bullets, Zhan Hongyan was speechless with fear.  Her mouth opened wide, but she couldn’t make a sound.

Zhan Xinyue glanced at her and responded to Zeng Guang Rong, “Platoon Leader Zeng, there’s only Zhan Hongyan inside, the perpetrator.  My grandmother and I are safe for now.  Zhan Hongyan is so scared that she can’t move after seeing you.  Don’t shoot.  Just send two people in to tie her up.”

Liu Shuji was relieved to hear that Zhan Xinyue and Sheng Grandma were safe.  He patted his chest and said, “Zeng Guang Rong, you and I will go in.  The rest of you stay outside and guard.  If Zhan Hongyan has accomplices, be sure to catch them.”

“Yes.”

A militia member handed over a rope.  Zeng Guang Rong handed his gun to the militia member, took the rope, and followed Liu Shuji into the reed thicket.

“Sheng Grandma, we’re here.”  Liu Shuji held a torch and approached.

“We’re here.”  Zhan Xinyue waved her hand.

Liu Shuji held up the torch and took a look.  His heart almost sank.  Sheng Grandma’s forehead was covered with red and blue patches, with unknown herbs applied on top, looking swollen and frightening.

He didn’t know if the herbs were poisonous.  What if they got infected?

Liu Shuji had studied in the city and trusted Western medicine more than traditional Chinese medicine.  He was afraid that these herbs that had not been disinfected would have bacteria.

“What happened?  Hurry up and take Sheng Grandma to the hospital.”  Liu Shuji’s heart, which had just calmed down, rose again to his throat.

“No need, I know herbs.  I’ve already stopped the bleeding for grandma.  Her head is just an external injury.  There’s no need to go to the hospital.”

Zhan Xinyue said calmly, “Besides, grandma was frightened today.  She can’t handle the stress.  She needs to rest for a night.”

“But,” Liu Shuji was still worried.

“Liu Shuji, tie up Zhan Hongyan first.”  Zhan Xinyue pointed to Zhan Hongyan.

At this moment, Zhan Hongyan was like a quail, curled up in a ball, trying to hide in the reeds so that no one could see her.

“Alright, alright, alright.”  Liu Shuji’s attention was diverted.  He and Zeng Guang Rong quickly tied her up.

Zhan Xinyue summarized what happened tonight in a concise manner, “This is how it is.  My grandmother was picking wild duck eggs at night and ran into Zhan Hongyan and three male educated youths having an improper transaction.  The four of them were doing something indecent in the reed thicket.  Zhan Hongyan discovered my grandmother, sent the educated youths away, and then hit my grandmother on the head with a brick.  Later, she wanted to continue attacking, with the intention of killing her to silence her.  Fortunately, I arrived in time and stopped her.”

At this time, other militia members and villagers crowded in.  Hearing Zhan Xinyue’s words, they were all stunned.

What?  Zhan Hongyan and three male educated youths, doing indecent things.  They were caught by Sheng Tunan’s grandmother, and they wanted to kill her to silence her.

“Comrade Zhan Xinyue, I didn’t understand correctly, did you say that Zhan Hongyan, she’s alone with three men, doing that?”  A burly man couldn’t help but ask.

Zhan Xinyue pointed to the bound Zhan Hongyan, “You ask her.  I wouldn’t falsely accuse her.”

It seemed that this was indeed the case.  Everyone looked at Zhan Hongyan with disdain.  They couldn’t believe it.  This woman had actually spent the night with three men.  How unsatisfied was she?

Liu Shuji’s face turned green.  One incident after another in his jurisdiction.  Where would he put his face as secretary?  He was afraid that they would be criticized as a typical example at the commune meeting.

“Comrade Zeng Guang Rong, immediately arrange for someone to tie up all three educated youths and bring them to the brigade headquarters.  I want to interrogate them tonight.”

“Yes.”  Zeng Guang Rong dispatched four militia members to catch them.  The educated youths had already moved their household registration to the Changhong Brigade.  They wouldn’t dare to resist, nor would they dare to run away.  In this era where you needed an introduction letter, even if they ran away, they would be stuck.

“Where’s Zhan Ai Guo?”  Liu Shuji asked again.

“He didn’t come out.”  Someone in the crowd answered.

Liu Shuji’s face was ashen.  Now that Zhan Hongyan had committed a crime, her father couldn’t escape responsibility.

“Liu Shuji, I’m going home with grandma.”  Zhan Xinyue helped her grandmother up.  Zhan Hongyan had been caught and couldn’t escape.  She had to take her grandmother home to rest.

“Alright.”  Liu Shuji’s tone softened, “If grandma’s condition changes at night, you can come to me.  I’ll immediately send a tractor to take grandma to the hospital.”

“Alright, thank you, Liu Shuji.”  Zhan Xinyue agreed, squatted down, and prepared to carry her grandmother home.

Liu Shuji immediately pointed to a strong worker and asked him to carry her.

Zhan Xinyue smiled and refused, “I’m strong, and grandma is light.  I’ll carry her.  I’ve already troubled everyone tonight.  Now that we’re alright, everyone go home and rest.  You have to work tomorrow.”

“Don’t be so polite.  It’s what we should do.  We’re all from the same brigade.  We wouldn’t stand by and do nothing.”

The villagers said a few polite words.  Seeing that Zhan Xinyue had already carried the old lady, they all went home.

Liu Shuji and Zeng Guang Rong escorted Zhan Hongyan back to the brigade headquarters to interrogate her and the three educated youths overnight.

Liu Shuji’s face was as heavy as water.  After the interrogation, he planned to go to the police station early tomorrow morning to apply for a public meeting to bring Huang Jian Jun back to the Changhong Brigade and put him on trial together with Zhan Hongyan and the three educated youths.

This way, they could keep the scandal within the brigade.  Holding a public meeting in the Changhong Brigade, it would be all their own people.  It would be better than going to the commune and losing face!