Sweet Rebirth: The Little Healer

While helping out, Hua Yusen took the opportunity in the kitchen to quietly ask Zhou Jianguo for an update. ”Do you think your big brother can handle this?”

”We have to handle it, whether we think we can or not. If we let those people run rampant, your mission will be impossible to complete. Besides, we don’t want to see the people of Labor County suffer!” Zhou Jianguo said. ”My brother and I have already investigated. That Zhao Liqiang clearly came with a plan, using this as a chance to send unsuspecting people to the countryside. Some villages have already missed the spring plowing. They might be able to get by on wild greens in the summer, but what will they eat in the fall and winter? They’ll have nothing. They’ll starve.”

”Then you need to prepare the materials to send up the chain. So many people are in trouble; someone has to be held responsible,” Hua Yusen whispered, seething with frustration.

”That’s right. A lot of the common people will only understand after they’ve suffered for it this year. Only then will they learn what’s right and what’s wrong,” Zhou Jianguo said scornfully. ”The people may be ignorant or foolish, but they will absolutely refuse to be starved.”

”Then we’ll have these people denounce Zhao Liqiang’s improper actions. We must report this situation, and our people will provide their full support.” Hua Yusen reassured Zhou Jianguo that the two brothers would not have to face this alone and that many others would be joining the effort.

”Yes, we will. The materials are almost ready,” Zhou Jianguo said. ”We’re submitting them this afternoon. You’ve come at just the right time.”

The two men discussed the details at length, with Hua Yusen learning about the situation in the county town and Zhou Jianguo, in turn, getting updates on the countryside from him.

Around noon, Zhou Jianmin arrived at his younger brother’s place. He and Hua Yusen met, and after a detailed discussion to get a full picture, they formulated a counter-strategy.

After the meal, Miao Dahai personally delivered the report to the officials in charge. However, Miao Dahai was just a village functionary, an ordinary man in their eyes. No one paid him any mind, and no one cared.

Zhou Jianmin personally brought his people to meet with Miao Dahai, publicly endorsing his report and offering praise.

But where there was praise, there was also attack. Zhao Liqiang’s assistant, Assistant Wang, seemed to object just for the sake of objecting. Without even considering the report’s merits, he simply decided that Nianqiao Village’s ideological standing was inadequate.

”An approach as superficial as this will never allow those in need of help to profoundly recognize their mistakes,” Assistant Wang said, his smile not reaching his eyes. ”Mr. Zhao has instructed us that only through intensive study, under the denunciation of the people, can they achieve a profound awareness of their errors.”

He was, in effect, accusing Nianqiao Village of failing to follow Zhao Liqiang’s directives and obstructing their agenda.

Miao Dahai started to object, but Hua Yusen held him back. At a time like this, Assistant Wang wouldn’t pay any attention to what Miao Dahai said—he wouldn’t even acknowledge him. Their statuses were unequal. In the eyes of such protocol-obsessed officials, they only listened to those of equal or higher rank.

Zhou Jianmin raised his teacup, took a few sips, and looked at Assistant Wang with a smile. ”In that case, Assistant Wang, what sort of proof are you looking for?”

”It’s not about what they say, of course, but what those people in need of help actually do,” Assistant Wang replied. ”A public demonstration is the best method.”

”A public display is just one method. What comes after?” Zhou Jianmin pressed.

”Zhou Jianmin, that line of thinking from you is unacceptable,” Assistant Wang declared, putting on an air of righteousness.

Zhou Jianmin scoffed. ”Many villages have already missed the spring plowing. They can get by on tree bark and wild greens through spring and summer, but what about the fall? There will be no autumn grain, and people will starve in the winter. That is a responsibility you should bear.”

At these words, Assistant Wang’s face fell. ”They’re just lazy and unwilling to work. What has that got to do with me?”

”What has it got to do with you?” Seeing Assistant Wang’s shameless expression, Zhou Jianmin grew even more disgusted. ”If you hadn’t ordered Zheng Delin to take those people to the countryside, would they have gone?”

”It’s not my responsibility...” Assistant Wang began to break out in a cold sweat. ’Zhou Jianmin is saying this to my face. It proves he’s coming after me. Something really did go wrong last year. The common folk wouldn’t dare come here and make a scene, but if someone like Zhou Jianmin starts raising a fuss, it’ll get very tricky. When that happens, Zhao Liqiang won’t be able to protect me. I’ll just be cannon fodder.’

”Whether or not it’s your responsibility isn’t for you to decide. It’s for the people to decide, and for the higher-ups to decide,” Zhou Jianmin said. ”We must rely on the facts for everything. I am not going to wrongfully accuse you. And right now, there is clearly a better way.”

”No, that method is unacceptable...” Assistant Wang retorted. If they really followed Zhou Jianmin’s proposal, all of his previous efforts would be wasted. He might even be held responsible for what happened to those people.

’That was a responsibility he couldn’t afford to bear, nor did he want to!’

”Whether this method will work or not is also not for you to decide,” Zhou Jianmin said grimly. ”Regardless, I have the statistics right here. Your actions last year have already caused severe consequences.”

”Ah, that many...” Assistant Wang was terrified. The matter was serious, and the consequences would be dire.