Chapter 52: Evidence was found and taken away

The inspection team, after the door to Peng Zhigang’s room was opened, immediately began their search.  Although Peng Zhigang knew he hadn’t hidden any foreign books, his heart pounded.

He had a strong premonition that he was in trouble. He had secretly planted things in Mu Jingxun and Bai Ziyong’s rooms; could someone have done the same to him?  The thought that someone might have planted something in his room made him even more anxious. His fear became reality.

 The inspection team quickly found several English books under Peng Zhigang’s mattress. Upon seeing the books, Captain Liu questioned, “Whose bedding is this?” The male educated youths sharing the room with Peng Zhigang feared being implicated, so they all pointed at Peng Zhigang, afraid the inspection team would misunderstand.

Captain Liu sneered at Peng Zhigang, “Comrade Peng, we found several English books under your bedding, confirming the report against you. Come with us for further investigation.” Peng Zhigang recognized the books as the ones he’d placed in Mu Jingxun and Bai Ziyong’s rooms.  He realized they’d discovered his actions and were retaliating by framing him.

He immediately pleaded with Captain Liu, “Captain Liu, this has nothing to do with me! I was framed. I would never read these books; someone must have secretly placed them under my mattress.

” Captain Liu refused to listen to Peng Zhigang’s explanation, scoffing, “You say you were framed. Do you have any evidence? Without evidence, you must come with us.  Every arrested person claims innocence. You can submit evidence to prove your innocence later.  We won’t wrong you. But now, you must come with us for investigation.

” Peng Zhigang couldn’t provide any evidence. Going with the inspection team meant being sent to a labor camp. He turned to Li Changping for help, “Captain, please help me! I was framed. Please plead for me.” Li Changping looked at Peng Zhigang with disappointment. As the captain of the educated youth center, he was quite troublesome. “Comrade Peng, I’m just the captain. I can’t interfere with the inspection team’s work.

You must take responsibility for your actions.” Peng Zhigang felt Li Changping was biased. When Mu Jingxun and Bai Ziyong were reported, the captain spoke up for them. But now, he offered no help. “But I was really framed…” Seeing Peng Zhigang still struggling, Captain Liu impatiently ordered his men, “What are you waiting for? Take Comrade Peng away.

” The inspection team quickly apprehended Peng Zhigang and escorted him out of the educated youth center. “Captain Li, we’ve finished the investigation and taken the person.” Captain Liu greeted Li Changping before leaving.  The inspection team left with Peng Zhigang.  The educated youths were stunned.

Peng Zhigang had hidden English books? How could the captain of the educated youth center do such a thing?  They had a poor impression of Peng Zhigang, and now that he was arrested, no one defended him.

  His departure left the captain’s position vacant. Many educated youths wanted the position, as it offered advantages, such as priority in college entrance exams and opportunities to return to the city.  Many team members, unaware of the situation, approached Li Changping.

 “Captain, what happened? What did Comrade Peng do to be taken away by the inspection team?” “Yes, Captain, why was Comrade Peng taken away?” Li Changping didn’t want to explain. Regardless, Peng Zhigang’s actions would affect the Victory Production Brigade. He was worried about the year-end brigade evaluation.

 This incident meant they wouldn’t receive a good evaluation. As captain, Li Changping was more upset than anyone.  He responded with displeasure, “Yesterday, the inspection team made a mistake.

 It wasn’t Comrades Mu and Bai who hid foreign books, but Comrade Peng. Today, they investigated again and found several foreign books under his mattress.

” Many team members were surprised. How did it become Peng Zhigang? “Captain, no way! If Comrade Peng dared to hide foreign books, why was he so arrogant yesterday? Shouldn’t he be nervous?  Shouldn’t he have thrown the books away when Comrades Mu and Bai were reported yesterday? Why did he keep them?” A thoughtful team member questioned.

Li Changping agreed. Unless Peng Zhigang was foolish, he should have thrown the books away. Jiang Li quickly spoke up, “His arrogance yesterday might be due to nervousness. The more nervous someone is, the more they act tough. Besides Peng Zhigang, did anyone else say anything? As for why he kept the books, he might have thought the inspection team wouldn’t come again, taking a chance.

” Everyone found Jiang Li’s explanation reasonable. Li Changping urged everyone, “Alright, stop speculating. The inspection team will investigate.  It’s getting late; go to work.”  The team members dispersed. Jiang Li and others went to the rice paddy field.

 Mu Jingxun and Bai Ziyong followed Jiang Li and whispered, “Sister Jiang, did you do this to Comrade Peng?” If not Jiang Li, no one else could have done it. Jiang Li smiled mysteriously, “Whether I did it or not, remember, what goes around comes around.

Don’t have malicious intentions.”