"How is it, Deputy Director Jia? Is there any place we haven't searched yet? Should we search it again more carefully?"
"No need. The contents of the whistleblower letter are untrue. However, as the deputy director of the Revolutionary Committee, I have an obligation to verify any whistleblower reports."
Chu Jianguo ignored Deputy Director Jia's last-ditch efforts. After this incident, the Revolutionary Committee was practically under his control. Deputy Director Jia could only lie low; he would find an opportunity to get rid of him. He wouldn't tolerate another man snoring on his bed. The idea that the once powerful Chu Jianguo could be led by the nose by a nobody was wishful thinking.
"Captain, this is a misunderstanding. We've searched the premises; you've been framed. Our staff has documented everything that was broken, and Deputy Director Jia will handle all compensation. Don't worry. Is that right, Deputy Director Jia?"
Deputy Director Jia is now like an angry frog; that guy surnamed Chu has gone too far.
"Yes, I keep my word. Give me the statistics you've compiled."
"Lu Shuqi, have you made a good note? Bring it here. Deputy Director Jia will have to pay compensation at the original price."
"I've got it, I've got it, I'll take it right away."
Lu Shuqi walked over with several sheets of paper and handed them to Chu Jianguo.
Chu Jianguo took it and saw that it was four whole pages long, densely packed with text. He wondered if Deputy Director Jia would faint after reading it.
"Deputy Director Jia, take a look. All the damaged items are recorded here. You know better than I do how to handle compensation. We're paid, we can't let our farmers be shortchanged, right?"
Deputy Director Jia reached out and took the papers. Looking at the densely packed text, he felt as if ants were crawling all over him, and goosebumps rose all over his body. He took a few deep breaths to keep from fainting; otherwise, he would have become an even bigger laughingstock for that man surnamed Chu.
Deputy Director Jia's hands were trembling as he held the paper. He strode angrily toward his cronies, and soon his tirade of curses could be heard, along with the men's hushed apologies.
They were probably still confused. Wasn't this how they raided houses before? Why wasn't it happening today? It seemed even Deputy Director Jia couldn't do anything about Director Chu. The other junior officers were also having their own internal monologues, each keeping track of what was going on.
No matter how unwilling Deputy Director Jia was, he couldn't escape this compensation. As for whether he would ultimately pay it himself or let his group split it equally, Chu Jianguo didn't care. It would be best if they all contributed something; that would intensify internal conflicts, allowing him to reap the benefits without lifting a finger.
The group of young men who came so confidently and full of vigor are now wilted like frostbitten eggplants. They didn't get any advantage themselves and were even forced to pay compensation by Deputy Director Jia. It was all his cronies who caused the damage; what did it have to do with them? Yet they still had to pay up.
"Captain, this is the compensation from our Deputy Director Jia. Take a look and see if it's enough. If it's not enough, our Deputy Director Jia won't let our farmers feel disheartened."
Ah Xiang's father had served in the army and seen the world, and after so many years as a brigade leader, he could easily see through the subtle tension between them. However, regardless, they were truly grateful to Director Chu this time; otherwise, their village would have been doomed. Now that this matter was settled, they didn't have the power to get involved in the power struggles at higher levels, and they couldn't afford to offend anyone.
"Thank you, Director Chu. That's enough, absolutely enough. No amount of words can express our gratitude, really."
Uncle bowed deeply to Director Chu, and the other clansmen followed suit.
Chu Jianguo stepped aside, realizing he also had his own selfish motives and didn't deserve their gratitude. He truly wasn't a completely innocent person.
The Revolutionary Committee members left dejectedly, leaving behind a mess.
Uncle and the others were quite happy. The crisis was over. Although the place was ransacked, the compensation was substantial, far exceeding their losses.
Most of the damage was done by the tribespeople themselves, so there was no cost involved. However, the compensation was based on market price, and they even made a small profit. How could they not be happy?
Not to mention the Dai village's joyful packing up, the fact that Deputy Director Jia led a group of listless young men back to the office in a dejected manner left everyone speechless.
"What's wrong? Director Jia looks unwell, all pale and ashen."
"Did you not get any advantage?"
"I heard there are witch doctors in the Dai villages. Could they have been cursed? Have they fallen under a spell?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? That's all feudal superstition. Director Jia will make an example of you later. Besides, it seems that the Miao people are the ones who can cast spells on spirits, and they even have Gu worms!"
...
A group of onlookers, seemingly unfazed by the commotion, were discussing the matter animatedly, almost ready to grab a cup of tea and some melon seeds.
"Bang……"
The door to Director Jia's office slammed shut, jolting the onlookers awake. They'd been completely bewildered, eagerly following Director Jia's gossip—the old man was asking for trouble. The crowd dispersed in a flash; Deputy Director Jia's imposing presence was undeniable.
In contrast, Director Chu and his three scoundrels walked slowly behind them, their faces beaming with undisguised smiles.
"Uncle Chu, have we completely suppressed Deputy Director Jia this time?"
“Weiguo, you must remember, never underestimate anyone. Deputy Director Jia has been operating in this area for so many years, he won’t be so easily suppressed. We’ve only won this small victory. We must be even more careful from now on until we completely remove him from this position, leaving no room for maneuver. If you don’t kill the snake, you’ll only suffer the consequences. Remember that.”
Qian Weiguo and Lu Shuqi seemed to be deep in thought, while Wang Wen had long understood this principle.
This grand raid on the village ended hastily, and the ultimate winner is self-evident.
"Yu Yin, I'm coming in."
"Ah Xiang, what brings you here?"
"What do you think? You've done something so important, how could I not come to thank you?"
In the courtyard, Ah Xiang didn't dare to speak loudly, for fear of bringing trouble upon Yu Yin.
"Oh dear, we just happened to be here. If it were you, you wouldn't just ignore it either. What kind of relationship do we have?"
"Okay, I won't say thank you. I just wanted to ask you, how should we thank Wang Wenye and the others?"
They informed us in advance because of Yu Yin, but we still have to show our appreciation.
"Let's talk about this later. Deputy Director Jia is keeping an eye on them and your village. Once things have calmed down, you can catch a couple of chickens, cook a nice meal at my house, and treat them to a good meal. It'll be a way to express your gratitude without being ostentatious, and it won't lead anyone to suspect anything."
"Okay, I'll listen to you. Whenever it's a good time, just let me know, and I'll show you what I've got to do and let you try our Dai cuisine."
"That's great! Your cooking skills are unparalleled, especially the dipping sauce. Oh my, I can't even think about it, it's making my mouth water!"
"It's not that exaggerated."
The two chatted and laughed, their bond was extraordinary; they were sisters without blood ties.
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