Chapter 9 : Abuse of Martyrs’ Families

Jiang Baoshan beamed with pride. Jiang Li had spoken highly of him at the commune, raising hopes that Dashuping might be recognized as an advanced brigade by year’s end.  

“This is what we ought to do,” he said. “We work for the people.”  

Jiang Li smiled. “Uncle, I have one more question. Are there any plans to recruit workers for the brigade?”  

She was well aware that many educated youths had returned to the city. Some became teachers in the town’s primary school, while others served as brigade accountants. There were gaps to fill.  

Jiang Baoshan hesitated. The team was indeed short on workers, but jobs were limited, and fierce competition made decisions difficult.  

For instance, the accounting position was contested by Jiang Fugui’s granddaughter and the niece of retired accountant Ding. Both families were influential, and no one wanted to concede.  

He shook his head. “Lizi, to be honest, the accountant’s position has already been decided. As for teaching jobs in town, those decisions are beyond the brigade’s control.”  

Jiang Li understood his implicit message. “Thank you for letting me know, Uncle.” She knew well that those with connections were always first in line.  

A knock on the brigade headquarters’ iron door interrupted their conversation.  

Both turned to see Qi Shaoqiang standing upright, saluting. “Excuse me, who is the secretary of the Dashuping Production Brigade?”  

Jiang Baoshan stood up, startled. “Who are you, and why do you want to see the secretary?”  

“I’m Qi Shaoqiang from the Bailutang Production Brigade. I have something to report to the Party Secretary.”  

Jiang Baoshan tensed. Bailutang’s rising prominence, especially due to an officer like Qi Shaoqiang, was widely known.  

“Captain Qi, please come in. Secretary Jiang is out, but I’m here to help.”  

Qi Shaoqiang glanced at Jiang Li, who immediately excused herself. “Captain Jiang, I’ll leave now.”  

Jiang Baoshan nodded approvingly. Once Jiang Li was out of sight, Qi Shaoqiang said, “Captain Jiang, I’ve come to report that there’s been abuse of a martyr’s family in Dashuping.”  

Jiang Baoshan’s eyes widened. “Captain Qi, that’s a serious accusation! We’ve always cared for martyr families, ensuring pensions and work subsidies are distributed on time. Who told you otherwise?”  

Calmly, Qi Shaoqiang replied, “While passing through Dashuping, I found Comrade Jiang Li fainted on the road. The health worker said she was malnourished.”  

His tone remained neutral, but the facts were damning. Jiang Li, though tall and weighed so little that she felt frail. In stark contrast, her cousin Jiang Hongmei was visibly well-fed and plump.  

“If this isn’t neglect and abuse, what is?”  

Jiang Baoshan, relieved that Jiang Li hadn’t filed a formal complaint, tried to explain. “Captain Qi, Jiang Li’s family situation is… complicated. Her grandmother, Zhou, is an old woman, grieving her son’s death. She tends to take out her frustrations on Jiang Li. We’ve intervened before, but it’s hard to manage family matters permanently.”  

Qi Shaoqiang sneered. “The martyrs made sacrifices for the country. Their families’ well-being is a public matter, not just a private one. If this were reported to the commune, the Dashuping brigade would face serious scrutiny.”  

The warning struck home. Jiang Baoshan promised, “This will never happen again. We’ll ensure Jiang Li is treated properly.”  

That evening, Jiang Baoshan personally delivered Jiang Li’s pension in front of the Jiang family. He also announced that Jiang Li would begin work as the brigade’s scorekeeper the next day.  

Old Mrs. Zhou was livid. “How could you give her the money? This wretched girl lives off the family’s food and shelter!”  

She lunged for the money, but Jiang Li tucked it into her pocket. Enraged, Mrs. Zhou clawed at Jiang Li, only to be stopped by Jiang Baoshan’s booming voice.  

“Zhou Zhaodi! How dare you act this way in front of me?”  

Terrified, Old Mrs. Zhou trembled. Her usual dramatic tantrums, complete with rolling on the ground and wailing, failed to provoke any sympathy.  

“Zhou Zhaodi,” Jiang Baoshan said coldly, “there’s been a report of abuse. If you continue, I’ll take you to the commune myself.”  

The threat silenced her. Jiang Changyi, Zhou’s son, quickly intervened. “Captain Baoshan, please forgive her. She’s old and confused.”  

Feigning helplessness, he added, “We’ve always treated Jiang Li like family. Life is hard for everyone, but we’ve done our best to send her to school. Even Hongmei didn’t get to finish high school.”  

Jiang Baoshan glanced at the dinner table: five people eating, but only four bowls. “Jiang Changyi, which room does Jiang Li live in?”  

Changyi hesitated, glancing toward the woodshed. But before he could answer, Jiang Li pointed to the east wing where Jiang Hongmei lived.  

“Captain,” she said with a calm smile, “my uncle loves me and lets me stay in the east wing.”