Arson is a capital offense; everyone knows that. Before Cheng Wenkai went to the Tugang Brigade, Mao Yiheng still held a sliver of hope. But after Cheng Wenkai left, Mao Yiheng began to panic.

Even more panicked than Mao Yiheng was Mao Libin.

Actually, he wasn't a participant in this matter, but rather someone who knew about it. Captain Mao explained everything to him. If Cheng Kuan failed, he would implicate himself. Captain Mao wanted Mao Libin to stabilize the people of Tugang Village at this time.

Mao Libin was uncertain. He didn't know if his uncle could hold out in the end. If the police told him he knew something, he was finished.

It's fair to say that Mao Libin is in a complete panic right now.

Mao Yiheng had two sons and two daughters, and his youngest son was the brigade leader. He felt that his youngest son was most like him and could shoulder the responsibility of the family.

If the eldest son is incompetent, and the youngest son is finished, he won't be able to be the brigade leader at all. The family can't rely on the eldest son for the future.

Mao Libin is the eldest grandson, but he hasn't been doing well over the years.

Mao Yiheng knew very well how many advantages his son enjoyed as the brigade leader, and how much he secretly benefited from it.

The issue now isn't whether I'll remain the battalion commander or not; it's whether I can save my life.

Overnight, Mao Yiheng developed blisters in his mouth, and he was extremely anxious.

…

On the Qingshan Brigade side, everyone was working enthusiastically, eagerly awaiting the trial proceedings.

Cheng Kuan's wife knew her husband was going to die, so she was heartbroken. They stayed home and didn't go anywhere, so as not to be looked down upon by the whole village.

Cheng Yong's family is also scared. His child and his older brother's child are both in literacy classes, and today they were beaten and cried by their classmates.

The students all accused his family of being traitors, even though his family wasn't in the knitting group. But weren't the notebooks and pens the students used bought with money earned by the people in the knitting group?

It's no wonder the children reacted this way. The adults in the family were all very resentful and didn't avoid talking to the children when they spoke to them. Influenced by the adults, the children were also very angry with the Cheng family.

Jiang Xiaoxiao and Song Yan pulled Cheng Yong and Cheng Kuan's child, who had been beaten, out from among the children.

Song Yan and Jiang Xiaoxiao only pulled a few children out; they didn't think they could stop the resentment of the entire brigade.

The matter has been exposed, and Cheng Kuan failed. If he had succeeded, the entire brigade would have been in a passive position.

No matter how skilled you are, you can't cook without rice.

To get someone else's materials, you either have to provide them with technical expertise, or Song Yan has to provide samples, or you have to pay money to buy them. It's frustrating to even think about!

And who would Cheng Kuan spend the money on? Of course, it would be on his son.

As for Cheng Yong's child, if a political background check is required in the future, is his uncle unrelated to him?

Song Yan and Jiang Xiaoxiao told the children to go home first. They didn't actually intend to expel them. Everyone was quite emotional right now; things would be much better once they calmed down.

Furthermore, shouldn't people have a sense of awe? As an adult, shouldn't Cheng Kuan weigh what is permissible and what is absolutely forbidden?

The one in the Cheng family who couldn't sit still was Cheng Yi's father. He went to the county every day to inquire about information. He couldn't even get into the police station compound, so he couldn't find out anything.

The police can detain suspected individuals, but the detention period is not long.

In order to put some pressure on Mao Libin, Cheng Wenkai decided to wait a few days before detaining him.

The logic is simple: they didn't arrest him when they investigated at the brigade level. They didn't arrest him for several days after they returned, so if they arrested him again, it would only mean that Brigade Leader Mao had confessed.

It was easier to break through Mao Libin's defenses during interrogation when he was under such psychological suggestion.

Because of Captain Mao's resistance and mental fortitude, the police officers were quite cautious about Tugang Village.

It is uncertain whether Mao Libin will implicate Captain Mao after his arrest. Even if he does, there is a lack of physical evidence, making it difficult to get Captain Mao to confess.

Captain Mao's mental fortitude is truly extraordinary, and he is also very meticulous. It's a waste that this person doesn't follow the right path.

These past few days, Wei Aiguo has been leaving early and returning late every day, telling Song Yan that he's going to find other evidence of Captain Mao's crimes. He's busy during the day, and he doesn't forget to torment Song Yan at night.

Song Yan exclaimed in amazement, "How can this person have so much energy?"

…

Over the course of several days, Cheng Wenkai intended to break Mao Libin's mental defenses, but unexpectedly, Mao Yiheng's mental state also collapsed at the same time.

Mao Yiheng went to Mao Libin and said, "Isn't it always true that if the people don't complain, the officials won't investigate? If we can get the Qingshan Brigade to drop the matter, Cheng Kuan will be fine, and if he's fine, then Brigade Leader Mao will be fine too."

But how can we let the Qingshan Brigade not pursue the matter? We tried to bribe Captain Wu and the others, but let alone how much money Captain Mao's family could come up with, Wu Changsheng was not the kind of person who would just settle things with money.

Mao Libin was just as eager for the brigade leader to be alright as Mao Yiheng was. He listened to whatever Mao Yiheng said, and besides, it's perfectly normal for a grandson to listen to his grandfather.

Mao Yiheng seemed to be in a better mood. Although his eldest grandson wasn't particularly bright, at least he was obedient. It's always the case that the timid starve while the bold thrive. Mao Yiheng didn't consider himself a timid person.

Mao Yiheng has always had a lot of influence in the Mao family, and now that his grandson listens to him wholeheartedly, Mao Yiheng feels even more certain about his own idea.

…

"Clang clang clang, clang clang clang..."

"Why are they banging the gong again? And so urgently?" The older women in the weaving group all sensed something was wrong. They dropped what they were doing and ran out to see.

"Militiamen, assemble! Militiamen, assemble! Militiamen, grab your weapons and assemble..."

"The elderly and children are staying home..."

Someone was running and shouting.

Song Yan: "Why does this look like bandits have come?"

"Almost! The people from Tugang Village have surrounded our brigade." Cheng Youfu shouted as he ran.

There's a set rule for this gong sound: when it's rung, everyone in the brigade is called to the brigade headquarters.

Men and women alike headed towards the brigade headquarters.

Today's events have once again shattered Song Yan's worldview.

Is Mao Yiheng simply ignorant and fearless, or is he completely unaware of the law? Over the years, Tugang Village has taken advantage of others through its brute force. Perhaps he thinks that his fighting skills are enough to make him invincible.

Mao Yiheng led all the able-bodied men of Tugang Village, armed with sticks, to surround Qingshan Brigade. "Surround" might be a bit of an understatement, as he didn't have that many men.

They blocked the entrance to the Qingshan Brigade.

Captain Wu, Secretary Lu, and Captain Cheng stood at the front, and the able-bodied young men of the brigade ran to the village entrance one after another behind them.

The women didn't dare go any further.