Wang Guixiang led the women to jump down from the oxcart at the back.

"Old man!"

Wang Guixiang's loud voice drew the attention of passersby.

"Everyone's here, so whatever you say we do, we'll do!"

The old man nodded, his sharp gaze sweeping over the group of weary villagers.

Among them were elderly people in their sixties and seventies, as well as young men in their seventeens and eighteens; each of them had an expression of anger and determination on their face.

"Fellow villagers."

The old man's voice wasn't loud, but it silenced everyone.

"I, Su Dashan, thank you all for coming from so far away. Mingde is in the hospital now; the doctor said he's not in any life-threatening danger, but this matter can't just end like this!"

A burst of angry agreement erupted from the crowd.

"Yes! We can't just let this go!"

"They dare to bully the Su family! They're asking for death!"

"Sir, what do you say we should do? We'll do as you say!"

The old man raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.

"We're here to reason things out, not to fight."

He turned to Su Jianjun.

"Have all the oxcarts been inspected?"

"They've been checked, all twelve are sturdy!"

Su Jianjun patted his chest and guaranteed.

"good."

A glint of light flashed in the old man's eyes.

"Hang up all the banners, line up the oxcarts, and we'll proceed slowly. Remember, when we arrive, no one is allowed to lay a hand on them. Just sit there and block their doors completely!"

Wang Guixiang interjected.

"Sir, all of us women brought dry food and water, enough to last two or three days!"

The old man nodded approvingly and turned to a few teenagers in the crowd.

"Dog Egg, Iron Pillar, you guys who are quick on your feet, spread out later and lure any reporters with cameras over."

He then spoke to the old Party Secretary.

"Brother, you and a few older folks sit with me in the front. If they dare to make a move, we'll sit there and see if they have the guts!"

The old Party Secretary grinned, revealing his few remaining yellow teeth.

"Don't worry, Dashan, my old bones are still hale and hearty!"

With everything arranged, the old man, leaning on his cane, turned over and sat on the lead oxcart.

Su Jianjun cracked his whip, and the oxcart slowly started moving. Eleven oxcarts followed in succession, and then a group of people on foot.

The procession marched towards the textile factory in a grand procession, banners fluttering in the wind.

Passersby stopped to watch, some whispering, some taking notes, and several people who looked like reporters with cameras quickly caught up with the group.

"That's... a military medal?"

A middle-aged man wearing glasses pointed to the medal on the old man's chest and said to his companion in surprise.

"Judging by this situation, the textile factory is going to be in big trouble..."

His companion responded in a low voice.

After driving for more than half an hour, the convoy turned the last street corner, and the tall iron gate of the textile factory came into view.

Upon seeing this, the security guards at the gate turned pale and ran into the factory.

The old man stood up from the oxcart, his voice booming.

"Stop the car! Stick to the plan!"

Twelve oxcarts immediately lined up in a row, completely blocking the gate of the textile factory.

The villagers tacitly divided themselves into several groups.

The young and middle-aged people sat on the outermost edge, forming a human wall.

The woman sat in the middle, holding up a banner.

Several teenagers nimbly weaved through the crowd, ready to respond to any unexpected situations.

The old man, leaning on his cane, led several elderly people in their seventies and eighties to the front of the gate.

Su Jianjun quickly brought over a few small stools for the elderly people to sit down.

Grandpa Su put on his general's cap properly, and the medals on his chest gleamed in the setting sun.

"Sit down, everyone, and be quiet."

The old man gave the instructions in a low voice.

"We won't get up until someone gives us an explanation."

The entire protest was well-organized, without any noise or violence, only a silent and resolute presence.

This discipline shocked the onlookers and reporters who rushed to the scene.

A young reporter carrying a camera squeezed to the front and raised his camera to take a picture.

Dog Egg immediately went to meet him.

"Reporter, you'd better take good pictures! My grandfather is a veteran of the War of Resistance against Japan, and those medals on his chest are all genuine!"

The reporter looked at the old man in surprise, the camera focused on the medal on his chest.

The old man raised his head at the right moment, his weathered face filled with determination.

"Sir, may I interview you?"

The reporter crouched down and took out his notebook.

The old man nodded slightly, his voice soft but firm: "My grandson, Su Mingde, was severely injured by the son of Deputy Director Wang of the textile factory and is currently in the hospital. My son, Su Jianguo, brought people to demand an explanation, but they were beaten instead. Today, the entire village of Sujiatun, young and old, has come to seek justice!"

These words immediately attracted the attention of the surrounding reporters, and more cameras were pointed at the old man.

"Grandpa, could you tell us your story?"

Li Weiguo, a senior reporter from the Sijiu City Daily, handed the microphone to the old man.

He noticed several medals pinned to the old man's military uniform, among which the "Independence and Freedom Medal" stood out.