Chapter 68

After listening to Qin Qingman’s suggestion, Zheng Anguo and Zhou Jingguo immediately realized that they had been thinking wrong. They had always assumed that many people would raise objections for their own benefit, but the movement was top-down. It wasn’t about raising objections in the commune to bring about change.

What these people were urgently trying to change at that moment was their current way of life, their survival.

Only by staying alive could one think of anything else.

“Comrade Qin, you’re very smart. I look forward to working with you in the future,” Zhou Jingguo said, for the first time reaching out his hand to shake Qin Qingman’s. This gesture also marked his official recognition of Qin Qingman’s abilities.

What would happen in the future was hard to say, but he no longer thought of replacing Qin Qingman with his own people.

Zhou Jingguo could see that Qin Qingman was not only intelligent but also capable. A person like that was not easy to deal with. If he misjudged, he might end up losing. Now that things had come to this point, no one could take away Qin Qingman’s credit, so he decided not to worry about it anymore.

“Comrade Zhou, I will definitely learn from you in the future.”

Qin Qingman gave Zhou Jingguo enough face.

“Mutual learning, mutual learning,” Zhou Jingguo replied. He felt a little uneasy in front of Qin Qingman, realizing that just moments ago, he had suddenly realized that he had been outsmarted by Qin Qingman before.

His previous underestimation of Qin Qingman’s age was also the root cause of his earlier setbacks.

“We’ve already discussed the regulations, so we should implement them quickly. But this isn’t a commune, so we have some difficulties with staffing,” Zhou Jingguo said, feeling a bit troubled as he looked at the large number of people in the cafeteria. He felt there was no one suitable for the job at hand.

Qin Qingman understood Zhou Jingguo’s thoughts. He lowered his head and spoke a few words to Zheng Anguo, who then said, “Comrade Jingguo, the people of Kaoshan Village will only maintain order. We won’t be involved in anything else. You can find someone at the farm to help you.”

Zhou Jingguo nodded in satisfaction. “Then I will find Comrade Liu Hechang. He’s the head of the farm union and is familiar with the farm workers. It should be easy for him to help with this.”

“That works, but choosing only one person might not be suitable. In that case, I will also choose someone.”

Zheng Anguo had his own plans.

“Who will you choose?” Zhou Jingguo felt a sudden wave of nervousness, worried that Zheng Anguo might be setting a trap for him.

“I choose Comrade Zhou Bangguo. Comrade Zhou Bangguo is the deputy director of the farm. After the director’s incident, he became the most capable person on the farm,” Zheng Anguo said, revealing the person he had already had in mind.

When Zhou Jingguo heard Zhou Bangguo’s name, he remained silent for a few seconds before nodding.

He wasn’t afraid of someone with a questionable background playing tricks.

Zheng Anguo and Zhou Jingguo reached an agreement. Zhou Bangguo and Liu Hechang immediately began implementing the central idea of the struggle session according to their plans. By the time the commune head, Fang Mingjie, and the commune militia captain, Jiang Yuanwei, arrived, Zheng Xuesong had nearly completed gathering testimonies and evidence.

“Comrade Mingjie, Comrade Yuanwei,” Zheng Anguo and Zhou Jingguo greeted the two, while Qian Xiangyang was standing beside Fang Mingjie.

“Comrade Anguo, Comrade Jingguo, what happened? How did a crowd blockade the police and obstruct the law enforcement? This is no small matter. No one was hurt, right?” Fang Mingjie asked immediately after shaking hands with both Zheng Anguo and Zhou Jingguo.

He had been on duty at the commune that day and was shocked to receive news from Qian Xiangyang, which made him break out in cold sweat.

On the way here, he had been uneasy, but when he saw the farm gate and noticed that the situation wasn’t as serious as he feared, he finally felt a bit relieved.

However, he still didn’t understand the full details of the incident, and before taking any action, he needed to get a clear understanding.

Just as Zheng Xuesong finished recording the testimony of the last witness, he made way for Fang Mingjie to take a seat. Then, Qin Qingman, the key witness, explained the situation from start to finish.

From Wu Weimin’s unprovoked provocation, to the arrival of the fake police, to the revelation of the fake police’s intentions, and how they resorted to desperate measures and killed someone. When the real police, Zheng Xuesong and the others, arrived after receiving the report to investigate, the Wu family blocked the police from doing their job, surrounded and threatened them. Finally, Comrade Zheng Anguo led the people of Kaoshan Village to assist the police in subduing the entire Wu family. All of this was recounted in the simplest terms.

Qin Qingman narrated the events without any personal bias, just a straightforward account.

This allowed everyone to clearly understand what had happened, who was right and who was wrong.

After listening to Qin Qingman’s account, Fang Mingjie asked, “You are Comrade Qin Qingman?”

“Yes, Comrade Fang, I am Qin Qingman,” Qin Qingman acknowledged his identity confidently.

“You’re a good Comrade.” Fang Mingjie was deeply impressed by Qin Qingman’s clear recount of the events, and he also keenly recognized Qin Qingman’s abilities. His integrity and capability were exactly what the commune needed.

“Thank you for the compliment, Comrade Fang.”

Qin Qingman accepted the praise without hesitation.

Fang Mingjie gave Qin Qingman a approving glance before turning to Zheng Anguo and the others. “According to procedure, we will vote on the handling of the Wu family by Comrades Anguo and Jingguo. If it passes unanimously, we will begin the public criticism of the Wu family immediately.”

“Yes, Comrade Mingjie.”

Everyone nodded solemnly in agreement.

The decision to handle the matter was proposed by Zheng Anguo and Zhou Jingguo, both of whom signed, indicating they shared the same responsibility.

Zheng Anguo was the first to raise his hand, followed by Zhou Jingguo.

Qian Xiangyang glanced at Zheng Anguo and raised his hand in support. Jiang Yuanwei also looked at Zhou Jingguo before raising his hand. Qin Qingman understood immediately from their exchanged glances that both of them were aligned with the same stance.

“It seems the Comrades are in agreement with this course of action. I too agree. Let’s begin immediately,” Fang Mingjie said as he raised his hand last.

With five votes in favor, the resolution passed with a majority. The absence of a few others didn’t matter—the decision could now be executed.

The cafeteria was large, but it was packed with people. 

Outside, more and more farm workers kept arriving after hearing the news. Within just a few minutes, the area outside the cafeteria was crowded, and even though the latecomers couldn’t enter the cafeteria or hear what was happening inside, they all stayed. 

Everyone was waiting, waiting for the final outcome of the Wu family.

“Comrade Fang, there are more people outside the cafeteria. We can’t convince them to leave. It’s too cold, and among the crowd, there are elderly people and children. What should we do?” Zhou Bangguo and Liu Hechang came together to consult.

“Is there a larger meeting hall?”

Fang Mingjie was troubled.

“Comrade Mingjie, there isn’t a larger hall. Even if there were, it wouldn’t accommodate the people arriving. Our farm has more than 4,000 people, and no hall, no matter how big, could hold them. Moreover, we wouldn’t be able to burn enough coal to heat such a large space,” Zhou Bangguo, familiar with the farm’s specifics, explained.

“Then we must make a quick decision and not drag it out. Let’s all go outside and hold the meeting there. If the comrades outside are enduring the cold, we should stand with them,” Fang Mingjie decided in an instant.

“Yes, Comrade Mingjie.” Zheng Anguo waved his hand, and immediately, the people of Kaoshan Village began dragging the Wu family out.

Wu Yuanming, along with the impostors Jin Yuanchao and Quan Aiguo, was also escorted out by Li Hongyi and several other real police officers.

As soon as Zheng Xuesong and the other police officers, dressed in their uniforms, appeared, they had more influence than Fang Mingjie, the commune head. 

Many people didn’t recognize Fang Mingjie, but they knew what the uniforms of the real police officers represented.

The crowd quietly observed as the police officers, escorting the three Wu family members, made their way outside.

“Comrades, I am Commune Head Fang Mingjie. The investigation into the impostor police officers and Wu Yuanming’s crimes will be handled by the county police department, as our commune does not have the authority to judge. What we are doing today is addressing the incident where the Wu family, by knowingly breaking the law, obstructed the police. I now declare that the public criticism of the Wu family will begin. Anyone who has been harmed by the Wu family can speak freely,” Fang Mingjie stated, making the commune’s position clear.

At the same time, he issued a request: “Comrades, time is limited, and it’s too cold. Each case can only be shared once—no repetitions. But rest assured, you can submit any grievances or experiences of persecution by the Wu family to the commune after today. We will process them and take action based on the information provided.”

“Comrades, speak boldly. The Commune Head, Comrade Fang Mingjie, will stand by you,” Zhou Jingguo also spoke up, assuring everyone that there would be no retaliation or scrutiny.

Those who had already prepared what they wanted to say immediately stepped forward to criticize the Wu family.

Each person shared their personal experiences of suffering at the hands of the Wu family, focusing only on their own hardships, without mentioning politics or factions. It was purely about their own pain and struggles.

This was exactly as Qin Qingman and the others had predicted.

The rule that each case could only be spoken about once helped minimize repetitive stories, and within half an hour—despite the numbness in everyone’s legs from standing—the criticism meeting came to an end.

Throughout the process, many of the cases sparked strong emotions, and countless snowballs were hurled at the Wu family members.

If it weren’t for the people of Kaoshan Village blocking their way, the Wu family wouldn’t have just been beaten black and blue; they might have been struck to the point of bleeding from head wounds.

Among the crowd, the Wan family was also frightened, trembling with fear. They had often bullied the people around them, just like the Wu family, when they relied on their powerful connections. Now that their backer had fallen, they feared that if they didn’t behave themselves, they might soon meet the same fate as the Wu family.

The Wan family nervously looked around, then quietly slipped away.

They feared that if they stayed any longer, the angry crowd might remember their own wrongdoings and deal with them as well.

After a fervent and angry round of criticism, the sky grew darker.

Fang Mingjie immediately made an announcement, “Due to the numerous violations of organizational discipline committed by the Wu family, they will be guarded by farm personnel today, and tomorrow, the militia captain of the commune, Comrade Jiang Yuan Kui, will lead the militia to send the Wu family members who have committed offenses to the labor reform farm for ideological re-education.”

“Leader, Leader, I was wrong! Please give us a chance to reform!”

When Fang Mingjie’s announcement was made, it could be said to have sealed the Wu family’s fate. Although the labor reform farm also had the word “farm” in its name, its nature was entirely different. People sent to the labor reform farm had no personal freedom.

Not only was their freedom restricted, but their treatment was also worlds apart.

“Leader, Comrade, please show mercy and let us go! We really understand our mistake. We didn’t want to hinder the police enforcement; it was Wu Rong who forced us, he made us do it!”

Countless members of the Wu family cried bitterly, filled with regret.

Qin Qingman quietly watched their display, then asked, “When you were bullying others, was it also Wu Yuanming and his family who forced you? When you were reaping the benefits and rewards, was it someone else who made you do it?”

The previously lively scene of repentance suddenly went silent.

The road was one they had chosen themselves. It was useless to blame anyone else when something went wrong. The sins they had committed, they would have to bear the consequences.

“Comrade Jiang Yuan Kui, stay behind to lead the farm personnel in guarding the Wu family. I’ll go back and start the procedures. Tomorrow at dawn, I’ll send Comrade to bring the militia to assist you in sending the wrongdoers from the Wu family to the labor reform farm,” Fang Mingjie instructed the militia captain of the commune.

They had arrived hastily that day and had not been able to gather the militia.

“Comrade Mingjie, don’t worry, I will definitely keep a close watch on all the members of the Wu family who have committed offenses,” Jiang Yuan Kui solemnly assured Fang Mingjie.

“Comrade Yuan Kui, thank you for your hard work,” Fang Mingjie said, shaking Jiang Yuan Kui’s hand.

“Comrade Mingjie, this is the material for our participation in the criticism meeting. We’ve all signed it and it follows the proper procedures. I’m handing it over to you for filing,” Zheng Xuesong said, handing a signed document to Fang Mingjie.

“Comrade Xuesong, thank you for your effort,” Fang Mingjie replied, shaking Zheng Xuesong’s hand.

“Comrade Mingjie, it’s getting late, and we still have criminals to escort back for trial,” Zheng Xuesong said as he glanced at Jin Yuanchao and Quan Aiguo, whose clothes and hats matched exactly, serving as evidence of their crimes.

“Comrade Xuesong, do you need personnel for escorting?” Fang Mingjie asked, looking at the three criminals and then at the small public security team of only four people, including Zheng Xuesong.

Zheng Xuesong hesitated a bit.

They had only come in a jeep, and their original plan had been to use the farm’s tractor for the escort. But now, with it getting late, the tractor would take a long time to go to the county and return, probably not making it back until eight or nine at night. Driving at night in the snow didn’t feel safe to him.

Without the farm’s tractor, the jeep couldn’t fit seven people, plus a dead body.

This was a bit of a problem.

Maybe they could ask the commune for help, since Fang Mingjie and the others had arrived by bicycle and couldn’t help with the escort.

“Ding—”

At that moment, a loud horn sounded, and everyone saw a jeep speeding toward them.

“It’s Brother-in-law!”

Chuchu excitedly shouted as he sat in Bao Shengli’s arms.

Qin Qingman immediately turned to look. The jeep was still a bit far away, and with her 5.2 vision, she couldn’t make out the driver. “How do you know it’s Ah Ling?” she asked, suspecting that Chuchu might just be shouting randomly.

“I recognize Brother-in-law’s car. This is definitely his car,” Chuchu said confidently.

Qin Qingman: … The child was too confident, and she felt a little embarrassed.

It turned out that the child’s sixth sense was very accurate. As the jeep drew closer, Qin Qingman clearly saw the person in the driver’s seat.

She not only saw Wei Ling’s face but also observed his expression.

It was cold—colder than the snow outside.

Qin Qingman knew that Wei Ling was angry, and he was extremely angry.

“Qingman.” The jeep smoothly reached Qin Qingman and stopped in front of her. Wei Ling, surrounded by an aura of icy coldness, got out and immediately embraced Qin Qingman.

He held her tightly, so tightly that it felt like he wanted to merge her into his very flesh.

When Wei Ling received the news about Qin Qingman’s danger at Hongqi Farm, he immediately reported to his Colonel and rushed over with his troops.

The jeep had driven faster and arrived a minute earlier than the trucks.

Wei Ling had only been holding Qin Qingman for less than a minute when several trucks entered the farm one after the other. As soon as the vehicles stopped, soldiers in full gear jumped out of the truck beds, each holding a rifle.

Fang Mingjie and everyone at the farm were startled.

“Ah… Ah Ling.” Now that Qin Qingman had seen so many soldiers, she regained her senses and quickly whispered a reminder into Wei Ling’s ear.

“Mm.”

Wei Ling let go of Qin Qingman and calmly turned around to face everyone.

“I am Colonel Wei Ling from the 1st Battalion, XXX Division. I have been ordered to escort the criminals Jin Yuanchao and Quan Aiguo.” Wei Ling had met Fang Mingjie and Zheng Xuesong before. He saluted them, and this salute was not the one representing a lower-ranking officer greeting a superior, but a standard, respectful military salute.

“Comrade Wei Ling, hello. Do you have the documents?” 

Zheng Xuesong returned the salute. He had been discharged from the Military Unit and had a natural affinity for them, also being familiar with the proper procedures. 

“I do.”

Wei Ling waved to Xiao Shi, who had just gotten out of the jeep holding a file folder.

Xiao Shi jogged over and pulled a document from the file, handing it to Zheng Xuesong.

Zheng Xuesong carefully examined the seal on the document before reading the contents. Once he had confirmed everything, he immediately handed the document back to Wei Ling, then said to Li Hongyi, who was guarding Jin Yuanchao and the others, “Hand the criminals over to Comrade Wei Ling.”

“Understood.”

Zheng Xuesong, as the team leader, and Li Hongyi, along with the other officers, followed orders without question.

They also knew they could not inquire further; once the criminals involved the military, it became classified.

“Comrade Fang Mingjie, all relatives of the Wu family need to be escorted to the labor reform farm for custody. They are now under our control.” After saying this, Wei Ling took another document from Xiao Shi and handed it to Fang Mingjie.

Fang Mingjie read the document and immediately nodded in agreement.

“Ma Wu, take these people and escort all the Wu family members onto the trucks. Then, send teams to search all the Wu family homes,” Wei Ling commanded directly.

“Understood, Colonel.”

Ma Wu immediately led soldiers to force all the Wu family members onto the trucks. He also personally led a team to search their homes.

The Wu family was large, and there were many homes, so it would not be possible to finish the search in a short time.

“Comrade Wei Ling, do you think we can leave now?” Zheng Xuesong asked. After handing over the criminals, there was no need to escort them anymore. The vehicle had enough space for four people, and even if there were additional corpses, it wouldn’t be a problem.

“Comrade Xuesong, thank you for your hard work.”

Wei Ling shook Zheng Xuesong’s hand, showing his gratitude, especially for Zheng Xuesong’s previous efforts in protecting Qin Qingman.

“It’s part of my duty.”

After exchanging a few polite words with Wei Ling, Zheng Xuesong left with his team, taking Wu Weimin’s body with them.

With the public security officers gone, Fang Mingjie and the others saw no reason to stay. They too bid farewell to Wei Ling.

After shaking hands with Fang Mingjie and the others, Wei Ling saw them off.

The last to leave were Qin Qingman and the people from Kaoshan Village. Zheng Anguo patted Wei Ling on the shoulder and said to Qin Qingman, “We’ll wait for you at the gate.” Since Wei Ling was here on official business, he couldn’t accompany Qin Qingman back. Ultimately, Qin Qingman and her brother would follow the large military unit from Kaoshan Village home.

“Secretary Zheng, thank you.”

Wei Ling expressed his gratitude not only for Zheng Anguo’s protection of Qin Qingman but also for the letter that had helped the division capture a long-hidden individual.

“Don’t call me secretary. Just call me ‘uncle,’ like Qingman.”

Zheng Anguo grinned and playfully glared at Wei Ling.

“Uncle,” Wei Ling sincerely called him.

For a commune deputy secretary to step in and fight on behalf of an ordinary villager was enough to prove Zheng Anguo’s integrity.

Zheng Anguo smiled contentedly at Wei Ling’s words, then led the Kaoshan Village group toward the farm gate.

“Wife, go home and rest early. I’ll come back after finishing my work.”

Wei Ling had so much to say to Qin Qingman, but in the end, it all condensed into this one sentence.

“Mm.” Qin Qingman’s gaze toward Wei Ling was filled with tenderness.

“Brother-in-law.” Chuchu leaned his small face close to Wei Ling.

Wei Ling looked at the injury on Chuchu’s face and, feeling pity, gently touched it. “I’m proud of you, Brother-in-law.”

The little boy immediately broke into a bright, radiant smile.