Cheng Kuan grabbed Wei Aiguo's pants and said, "I'll talk, I'll tell you everything."

"Everyone, quiet down! Cheng Kuan is about to confess his crimes!" Wei Aiguo shouted.

Cheng Kuan knew that whether his child could have a mother depended on whether he could satisfy Wei Aiguo.

“I said it was my mother who made me do it. Other families in the brigade could earn money in the weaving group, but my family couldn’t…”

Everyone immediately started shouting.

Why can't we let your family do it? I don't know! Don't you know your family is causing trouble for others? Your family is shameless…

Captain Wu signaled for everyone to be quiet.

“When I was caught, I knew I was doomed, so I wanted to kill Wei Aiguo and Wu Dayong. If they were dead, no one would know I wanted to set fire to the place,” Cheng Kuan continued.

The crowd quieted down considerably. Some people hadn't believed Wu Dayong when he told them, thinking he was exaggerating. But it turned out to be true. Someone they saw every day. How could he dare to kill and commit arson?

Wei Aiguo pulled the fan out of Cheng Kuan's arms. "Don't tell me you just think it's pretty and want to take it home to use."

Cheng Kuan's last shred of hope was gone. He thought he would bear what he could; even if Captain Mao couldn't give him all the money he promised, he could at least give his child some. Now…

“My mother went to the commune and was blocked by Captain Mao from Tugang Village.”

He said he wanted my mother to find a way to steal the pattern of the knitting kit, and then burn the kit. He would give her 100 yuan.

My mother said that if I did it, she would give me all the money.

"I wandered around the knitting group twice, and every time I got close to Song Yan's dog, it barked. Brigade Leader Mao said, 'Let's poison the dog.'" Cheng Kuan said, enduring the pain in his leg.

“You say it’s Captain Mao’s fault, but if he doesn’t admit it, then it’s all your problem. Do you have any evidence?” Wei Aiguo asked.

“Yes, he gave my mother 50 yuan first. My mother was afraid he would renege on the debt, so she made him write an IOU for 50 yuan. The IOU is still with my mother.” Cheng Kuan finished speaking and looked at his mother.

"Can't you just shut up?" Cheng Kuanniang still wanted the fifty yuan, but her son had already spoken up. Her meaning was practically written on her face; everyone understood.

"I'll take some men to search." Cheng Yousuo led a few militiamen away.

There is no such thing as a search warrant now; the militia captain has that authority.