The relocated households had assumed that after dealing with the Red Guards, the Revolutionary Committee Director would come for them next. To their surprise, the next target turned out to be the village chief.
"Village Chief Zhang, you’re a grown man—how can you mismanage labor assignments like this?"
Village Chief Zhang wore an expression that said, "I knew this was coming." He had always suspected he wouldn’t escape unscathed.
"Please guide me, Director Nan. I’ll follow your instructions without question!"
"I’m not here to lecture you, but look at these relocated households—men, women, the elderly, and children. You have them all tilling the fields together. Are you trying to reform them or give them an excuse to slack off?
Can a four-year-old child plow fields? Send them to cut pig grass! And that old man, barely able to walk steadily—assign him to herd cattle! If he collapses and dies in the field, who would dare eat the crops grown there?"
Village Chief Zhang hurriedly agreed. He had considered separating them before but feared assigning lighter tasks would displease the Revolutionary Committee.
Now that Director Nan had given her orders, he would comply without hesitation.
"Yes, Director Nan. I’ll rearrange the assignments immediately. For the women, how about assigning them to planting?"
"Do as you see fit, but make sure they don’t slack off. By the way, how many meals a day are the relocated households given?"
Village Chief Zhang admitted they were only given one watery meal a day, which instantly ignited Director Nan’s temper.
"Why only one meal? If they don’t eat, they won’t have the strength to work—think of all the lost productivity!
No, they must have at least one more meal. You must enforce strict discipline—no leniency!"
Village Chief Zhang nearly choked on his own bewilderment. Something about her words felt… off.
Next, Director Nan intended to visit Yang Junzhi. The village chief informed her that he had improved and was no longer coughing up blood.
As Nan Sheng approached the cowshed, she noticed the drafts seeping through the gaps and the overwhelming stench of manure. She couldn’t fathom how anyone endured such conditions.
Before even stepping inside, she launched into another performance. "Village Chief Zhang, I truly don’t know what to say to you."
Village Chief Zhang: ?
What now? Did I step forward with the wrong foot? Or was walking ahead of you a crime?
Suppressing his frustration, he replied, "Please enlighten me, Director Nan!"
"That cow dung is the most nutrient-rich fertilizer. If these relocated households inhale all its essence, what will be left for the crops? Once the autumn sowing is done, have them relocate their living quarters.
And their new shelters must be sturdy enough to block wind and rain. No one gets to feign illness and skip labor reform—understand?"
Inside the cowshed, Yang Junzhi, still too weak to rise, overheard every word. He wondered which privileged young lady had descended upon the countryside to spout such absurdities.
The whole thing struck him as laughable—until the moment she entered. Then, his amusement vanished.
"Yang Junzhi, Director Nan of the Revolutionary Committee has come to see you. What an honor!"
Yang Junzhi’s vision darkened. Was this a final visit to ensure his demise?
Wen Min placed a package of brown sugar and pastries on the crude wooden plank serving as his bed.
"Our Director Nan is the epitome of fairness and reason. Your unjust beating has been reported to the county, and after deliberation, Comrade Yu Gan has been demoted. This is your compensation. Until you recover, you’re exempt from fieldwork."
Yang Junzhi could hardly believe it. Since when did the Revolutionary Committee show such kindness? Yet, they had no reason to deceive him.
Whatever Director Nan’s motives, he had to express gratitude.
"Thank you, Director Nan. Once I recover, I’ll redouble my efforts in labor, striving to reform myself into a better person."
Nan Sheng nodded approvingly. "That’s the spirit. Labor is the most glorious endeavor!"
After a brief exchange, she left the cowshed. The stench was unbearable—any longer, and she’d vomit.
"Village Chief Zhang, today I received orders from above: we must unite all forces that can be united. These relocated individuals are here for reform. As long as they work diligently, they remain our comrades. Understood?"
"Understood! Absolutely!"
The village chief sighed inwardly. Policies changed faster than the seasons.
Before leaving Qingxi Lane, Nan Sheng made a point of checking on the Red Guards, who were dutifully digging fields.
"Since you’ve behaved well, I’ll let you off with a warning this time—no mining camp punishment. But you’ll participate in the autumn sowing here, not missing a single day. Clear?"
"Yes!"
"Thank you, Director Nan!"
(Internally sobbing: Suddenly, even endless homework sounds preferable…)
Next, Nan Sheng visited Longshan Village and Zhuying Village, employing the same tactics—disciplining the Red Guards with a mix of threats and punishments while relaying the county’s new directives.
Left unchecked, these youths would stir endless trouble. She was determined to make them experience the suffering they’d inflicted on others.
Exiting Zhuying Village, Nan Sheng planned to return to the town government office, but Deng Jun pointed out that Yunshui Village was nearby—saving her a trip the next day.
With an empty stomach growling, Nan Sheng gritted her teeth and pressed on.
Yunshui Village, nestled near a picturesque lake, struck her as a future tourist hotspot.
As they entered the village, however, they found the villagers gathered in a cluster instead of working. A woman’s sobs mingled with hushed whispers.
"Hand this slut over to the Red Guards! Strip her naked and parade her through the streets! Even after being relocated, she dares seduce married men—no wonder her husband died of rage!"
The accused, Liu Yun, was drowning in despair. She and her husband, both former university professors, had been sent to the countryside. Her husband, frail, had succumbed to illness within a year.
Now, she was little more than a walking corpse. She could accept death, but not the loss of her dignity.
Trembling, she pleaded, "Village Chief, Liu San assaulted me! Look at my torn clothes! I beg you—grant me justice. I’d rather die than live with this shame!"
Liu San’s wife, long aware of her husband’s wandering eyes, had never caught him red-handed until now. Humiliated, she had escalated the matter publicly.
No matter what, she would ensure Liu Yun was driven out—preferably to a grave far away, so her husband’s lust would finally die with her.
"Lies! My Liu San comes from three generations of poor, upstanding peasants! He’d never touch a relocated wretch like you! Village Chief, who do you believe—your own kin or this shameless slut?"
Village Chief Liu Qikui hesitated before decreeing, "Gag Liu Yun, bind her, and deliver her quietly to the Red Guards in town. No one breathes a word of this—bury it in your hearts!"
Liu San was his nephew. If Liu Yun’s claims were true, he’d face execution for sexual misconduct. The town authorities must never find out.
The Red Guards, young and ruthless, would handle her—likely torturing her to death overnight.
At the chief’s words, Liu Yun’s face drained of color.
She wept bitterly. Had she known life could be this cruel, she would have followed her husband to the grave rather than endure such degradation.
Just then, a woman’s voice cut through the chaos.
"No need to take Liu Yun to town. I’ll conduct the trial right here."
Liu Yun looked up, stunned, as two men and a woman approached. This time, it was the village chief’s face that turned ashen.
