When Gou Yurong realized that Mingzhao didn't take her seriously at all, her initial guilt was immediately replaced by an even stronger sense of jealousy and resentment.
Mingzhao wasn't angry; rather, she was drawn to the logical contradictions in Gou Yurong's words.
She turned around, her clear gaze falling directly on Gou Yurong's face, as if she were looking at some novel species.
Gou Yurong felt uneasy under her gaze, but forced a glare back: "What...what are you looking at! Did I say something wrong?"
"Does Aunt Gou have a grudge against me?" Mingzhao asked, her voice clear and sharp, without a trace of anger, yet every word was distinct. "Or do you like me so much? Paying attention to my every word and action at all times?"
She paused, then turned her gaze to the women sewing shoe soles, and said solemnly, "The five grains usually refer to rice, millet, sorghum, wheat, and beans. I recognize rice, wheat (in flour form), corn (in corn form), and soybeans. Your accusation that you cannot distinguish the five grains is unfounded."
The women were stunned by her calm listing and subconsciously nodded to confirm that Mingzhao was right.
Gou Yurong's face flushed red: "You...you're lying! You're still relying on Little Grass Girl to teach you! And on Commander Huo to support you!"
“Mutual assistance is a basic model of social cooperation.” Mingzhao explained with great clarity, “Li Xiaocao taught me how to start a fire and dig for wild vegetables, and I expressed my gratitude. Huo Hua provided me with accommodation and living supplies, and I reciprocated by tidying up my belongings and learning new knowledge. This is in accordance with the principle of equivalent exchange.”
Seeing Gou Yurong's increasingly pale face, she continued calmly, "As for you, Comrade Gou Yurong."
She called out names directly.
Gou Yurong froze, a sense of foreboding washing over her.
“Your remarks just now,” Mingzhao’s gaze sharpened, like a precise scalpel, “contained denigration of others’ labor and malicious speculation about others’ legitimate marital relationships. According to the spirit of the latest draft of the National Public Security Administration Punishment Regulations, and the principle of ‘unity-criticism-unity’ in the ‘Problem of Correctly Handling Contradictions Among the People,’ your behavior constitutes maliciously spreading rumors, sowing discord among neighbors, and undermining a stable and united social atmosphere.”
These were all broadcasts that Mingzhao had heard through Howard's radio. Mingzhao practiced speaking along with them every day and had long since memorized them perfectly.
Her speech was steady and clear, each word like a cold steel ball striking the ground, carrying an undeniable, authoritative force.
"Article 19 of Chapter 2 of the draft regulations clearly states: 'Publicly insulting others or fabricating facts to defame others' shall be punished with a warning, a fine, or short-term detention. Your remarks have damaged the reputation of me and Comrade Li Xiaocao and are suspected of being illegal."
The last four words, "suspected of violating the law," struck Gou Yurong like a bolt from the blue, leaving her utterly terrified!
"You're talking nonsense!"
Those in the surrounding neighborhood who also had radios nodded in agreement after hearing Mingzhao's words: "That's right, I listen to it every day. It's said on the radio, how could it be false?"
When Gou Yurong heard someone testify, her lips trembled. She was just a country woman who could barely read or write, so how could she understand any draft regulations? But just hearing the words "illegal" and "detention" made her legs go weak!
Especially when it comes from Mingzhao, a mute girl who is usually "dumb and silly," speaking in such a calm and confident tone, the deterrent effect is doubled!
"You...you're talking nonsense! What regulations! I...I don't know! I haven't broken the law. Ignorance is no excuse." Gou Yurong's face turned deathly pale, her voice trembling uncontrollably, and she screamed fiercely but inwardly weak.
"The Central People's Broadcasting Station broadcast a detailed report on the spirit of the draft and some of its clauses in its news summary program at 7:30 pm on the 15th of this month." Mingzhao accurately stated the time and channel, his eyes like those of a highly precise instrument. "Do you need me to repeat the specific content? Or, can we go to the street office or security department to verify the dissemination of the draft regulations?"
"Boom—!" Gou Yurong felt the world spinning! What was said on the radio? This idiot actually remembered what he heard on the radio? Go to the neighborhood committee? Go to the security department? What about her reputation? Would she really be arrested?
Overwhelmed by immense fear! She looked into Mingzhao's calm eyes, which seemed to hold the power of a state apparatus; she looked at the women around her, their expressions a mixture of sudden realization and disdain; she looked at Li Xiaocao, standing tall and proud...
"I...I didn't mean it! I was just talking nonsense! I was wrong! I'll never do it again!" Gou Yurong could no longer hold back and let out a pig-like scream. Carrying an empty basket, she scrambled back to the family compound as if being chased by a ghost, not daring to look back even once, for fear that if she was a step too slow, she would be "handled" by the law.
She just ran away like that?
There was a deathly silence under the locust tree.
Several women sewing shoe soles stared at Mingzhao in disbelief, their eyes filled with awe and lingering fear.
This isn't a fool; this is a living rulebook! He speaks with logic and evidence, his rules and regulations are intimidating! He even remembers exactly what was broadcast on the radio! Unapproachable! Absolutely unapproachable!
Li Xiaocao was so excited that her face turned red. She grabbed Mingzhao's arm, her voice trembling, "Mingzhao! You...you're amazing! You remember everything they said on the radio? That regulation...it really works on her?"
Mingzhao nodded, her expression remaining calm and composed: "The broadcast content is time-sensitive. Her actions meet the preliminary definition of defamation in the draft. The deterrent effect has been achieved."
She seemed to be stating an experimental conclusion, then her gaze fell back to the wild vegetables in her basket. "Time to go back and cook. The experiment... dinner needs to be prepared."
"Yes, yes, yes! Cooking! I'll teach you! I guarantee you'll learn!" Li Xiaocao suddenly realized what was happening, and looked at Mingzhao as if she were looking at a glittering gold mine!
This girl isn't just bad at talking; when she does speak, it's a bombshell!
Knowledge is power! Radio is a weapon! She's truly had her eyes opened today!
Amidst the awe-inspiring gazes of several women, the two walked proudly into the family compound.
After this battle, the label of "dumb and stupid" was completely torn off in the family compound, and in its place came the legend of "living rules that are not to be trifled with".
Beside Mingzhao's 1970s life skills tree, a small sapling named "Persuading Others with Reason" quietly sprouted from the soil.
Li Xiaocao asked Mingzhao somewhat shyly, "Mingzhao, can I listen to your radio too?"
She genuinely admired Mingzhao's ability to speak fluently about laws and regulations. Back in the countryside, the old women's insults were always about certain organs, sounding incredibly vulgar, and she couldn't bring herself to argue with them.
Having knowledge of laws and regulations makes all the difference; it has a real legal effect. The more you know, the more likely you are to have the right to call the police and have them arrested if you can't intimidate them.
Mingzhao stood there, stunned, recalling the radio parts she had disassembled that morning after Huo Hua left. She was speechless.
They could only take Li Xiaocao to see it by themselves.
"My goodness! Girl, what happened to your perfectly good radio?!"
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