In the afternoon, Cheng Rushan greeted his parents and borrowed a bicycle from the brigade to ride to the county seat.

Cheng Fugui and Cheng Fuwan were actively moving around to try to capture Wensheng, but Cheng Rushan wasn’t going to sit idly.

In the morning, he first discussed his eldest brother’s situation in detail with Cheng Yunzhi, then went to the village to talk to Cheng Fujun, Cheng Fulian, and some elderly people.

Only in the afternoon did he head to the county seat.

At this time, Cheng Fugui was still in the hospital.

Although he could have been discharged and gone home to recuperate, he insisted on staying to emphasize the severity of his injuries.

He was determined to capture Cheng Ruzhou before considering leaving.

His ear was completely damaged, with a part that wouldn’t heal and kept festering, eventually requiring abandonment, leaving him with only half an ear.

His injured arm was slow to heal, especially given his age, and the damaged tendons made one hand almost numb.

He hated the fact that he couldn’t command the militia directly as before. He asked Cheng Fuwan, “What does the Public Security Bureau say?”

“Cheng Ruzhou is staying quiet in the village and hasn’t done anything outrageous. The Public Security Bureau says it’s not easy to arrest him,”

Cheng Fuwan replied with regret. “But as for what happened to our eldest brother back then, someone is digging up old accounts.”

Cheng Fugui sneered coldly. “There’s no need to fear those old matters. I clearly explained everything to the organization at the time, without hiding anything.

They say I was trafficking tobacco? I never did! It’s all recorded in black and white.

Now they want to bring up old accounts?

No way! As for Cheng Yi and Cheng Rongzhi, they used to talk big about not betraying the Cheng family’s descendants, yet why were they so cozy with the Japanese collaborators?

They had to send food to the Japanese to protect their family’s estate; otherwise, Shuihuicun would have been wiped out long ago.

Accusing me of collusion with the Japanese and executing me would be unjust!”

In his youth, he didn’t study well and hung out with some unsavory characters, one of whom was Zhao Farong’s underling.

Zhao Farong was a notorious local gang leader who prospered under Japanese patronage, dealing in tobacco, smuggling firearms, and even obtaining a title in the puppet army when war broke out.

Cheng Fugui had hoped to make a fortune and planned to join Zhao Farong with his brother.

However, Cheng Rongzhi caught wind of this plan and had him captured and beaten, leading to years of imprisonment.

Later, he sincerely repented and expressed his intention to join the revolution, which persuaded Cheng Yunzhi to release him.

Ultimately, due to Cheng Rongzhi’s interference, he didn’t accomplish much of substance, mostly just associating with Zhao Farong’s underling.

The following year after the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, Zhao Farong’s network collapsed, and he himself was executed by the revolutionaries.

That brother who had planned to join Cheng Fugui came forward and disclosed the location of Zhao Farong’s buried treasure.

Cheng Fugui led them to survey various locations and finally unearthed a small jar of silver dollars and gold in an inconspicuous courtyard.

Cheng Fugui offered the silver dollars to the organization and immediately received a promotion, using this as leverage to enter the regular army.

Despite not being skilled in combat or having engaged in frontline combat, he still managed to become a platoon leader and later a company commander.

However, realizing his limited abilities and understanding that advancing further without military achievements would be difficult, he decisively returned home in 1947-1948 to lead land reform efforts during the local agrarian reform and anti-landlord movements.

Until the 1960s, he had a relatively smooth path.

Later, as the political landscape changed with movements like the Great Leap Forward, the Four Cleanups Campaign, and the Cultural Revolution, both central and local powers underwent reshuffling.

Though he didn’t achieve his ambitions, he also avoided tragic outcomes and continued to serve his commune.

Confident in his significant contributions, he had no fear.

At that moment, someone arrived to deliver a message. “Comrade Cheng, Cheng Rushan from your village has come to the Revolutionary Committee.”

“What’s he here for?” Cheng Fuwan exclaimed. “I’ll go see.”

The messenger quickly held him back. “He’s here to inquire about Cheng Ruzhou’s case and also report on their family’s request for rehabilitation.”

Cheng Fuwan asked eagerly, “Cheng Ruzhou really has no trouble now?”

The messenger nodded. “The Public Security Bureau couldn’t find a reason to arrest him unless he harms someone again.”

Cheng Fuwan immediately declared, “Elder brother, this is easy. We’ll find a way to make him harm someone again. I don’t believe we can’t get rid of him.”

Cheng Fugui said, “There’s no need to rush.”

Things like this take time to resolve, not just in a day or two.

Struggling to go outside, he said, “Let’s go, we’ll meet this kid and see what he’s up to.”

Cheng Fuwan immediately helped him, and Cheng Fugui’s wife hurried in from outside, worriedly saying, “What are you doing? You should rest properly.”

Cheng Fugui replied, “It’s alright, let’s go.”

…

Cheng Rushan first went to the Public Security Bureau to ensure everything was fine with his elder brother; as long as he didn’t harm anyone, he wouldn’t be arrested.

Then he visited the Revolutionary Committee to thank Secretary Zhao and went to the transportation team to greet the leader there.

He made a call to the Provincial Military Region.

He dialed the switchboard and asked for Captain Cen’s office number.

“Captain Cen, this is Cheng Rushan.”

“You little guy, last time you brought supplies, why didn’t you come have a drink with me? Afraid I’d eat you up?”

“Captain Cen, I didn’t want to disturb you without a special reason.”

Cheng Rushan had only spent a few days with Captain Cen, but the captain had treated him well and even gave him his phone number, inviting him to have a drink together when he visited the Provincial Military Region.

He wouldn’t really bother him without good reason.

“It seems there is something special this time. Spit it out, are you changing wives or changing jobs?” Captain Cen joked, his playful tone clear even over the phone.

Cheng Rushan replied hesitantly, “Thank you for your concern, Captain Cen. My wife is fine and there’s no need to change jobs. It’s about my family’s rehabilitation matter. I suspect there might have been more to the story back then.”

Captain Cen’s voice became more serious. “Cheng Rushan, I’ve seen the documents. Your family was indeed on the list for land reform.

It was determined based on land acreage, and your grandfather and uncle did have records of dealings with the Japanese collaborators. These documents are not forged.”

Cheng Rushan knew arguing about this would be pointless.

Whether his grandfather and uncle supported the revolution by providing money and food or their dealings with the Japanese to protect the people from harm wouldn’t change anything.

He knew such arguments wouldn’t make a difference, as they would have been considered if they were valid.

So he didn’t want to defend himself now; it would be meaningless.

“Captain Cen, did the documents mention that Cheng Fugui once colluded with fake soldiers and gangs to sell tobacco and was once imprisoned by my uncle?”

Captain Cen: “Let me check.”

Back when they were investigating Cheng Rushan, they gathered all information about him, which Captain Cen personally handled.

Soon, Captain Cen’s voice came again, “The records show Cheng Fugui wanted to infiltrate the gangs undercover to stop their tobacco trafficking, but your uncle stopped him.

Later, after joining the military, he seized the chance to uncover Zhao Farong’s hidden money stash, using it all to support the liberation war.”

He paused and continued, “From the documents, Cheng Fugui is innocent.

However, he has limited abilities and his methods are not always correct.

Despite rising to county level over the years, he was sent back to the commune, likely because some people are unhappy with his past actions.”

Even if Cheng Rongzhi had evidence of Cheng Fugui’s misconduct back then, he had already destroyed it.

Cheng Fugui claimed he wanted to go undercover to help the people, but didn’t manage to do so.

His achievements were documented in black and white, hence his promotion.

Even if some are dissatisfied with him, the documents cannot be denied.

“Thank you, Captain Cen,” Cheng Rushan said.

Just as he was about to hang up, Captain Cen’s voice came again: “Wait.”

Cheng Rushan’s heart skipped a beat as Captain Cen continued, “Proving his past crimes won’t be easy, but it might be possible to prove he framed your grandfather and uncle.”

Cheng Yi and Cheng Rongzhi were revolutionary gentry.

Even if they were initially detained for land disputes, explaining the situation could have led to confiscation of land and houses, not execution.

Cheng Yi obviously didn’t get a chance to explain or was executed by Cheng Fugui before the cadres in power could release him.

It might have been due to work negligence that this situation arose in the past.

However, now that everything has been rectified, it should be noted that there were mistakes in the past.

Today, there should be someone responsible for these mistakes, and it’s only right.

Originally, the leaders of the Water Village Land Reform Project, Cheng Fugui and Shang Weiye, etc., knew the situation at that time, and they were busy with the Cheng family’s efforts to ensure that Cheng Yi and others were not shot to death.

However, Shang Weiye had to reach the scene to that had been could prevent Cheng’s officials had been reached,

“If it’s confirmed, although we can’t prosecute, we can remove from office.”

Captain Cen shared this analysis with Cheng Rushan, assuring the Cheng family of a complete exoneration without any disturbance.

He was confident in his work and never allowed mistakes, as that would be a blow to his own reputation.

Cheng Rushan thanked him and hung up, then asked for internal envelopes and stamps.

He wrote three short letters, sealed them, addressed them, stamped them, and personally dropped them in the mailbox.

On his way, he met Cheng Fugui’s brother hurrying over.

Cheng Fugui, not young anymore and now injured, looked disheveled.

Cheng Rushan, in contrast, was a young man with a strong and imposing presence.

Cheng Fugui sneered, “You’d better send the lunatic where he belongs.”

Cheng Rushan calmly replied, “That advice suits you better.”

Cheng Fugui angrily retorted, “You brat, just wait!”

Cheng Rushan stared coldly at him, “If you dare harm my elder brother, I dare ensure your end is unclear. Just try me.”

Cheng Fugui was furious but felt a pang in his head. “Cheng Rushan, the past is settled. Don’t think about reopening it.”