The downfall of the Song family came faster than anyone had anticipated.
When fully armed soldiers escorted the five Song brothers and their henchmen out of the ancestral hall, the whole village erupted in jubilation.
As the village bullies, their village had been bullied by the Song family countless times.
The villagers peeked out from their hiding houses, initially unable to believe their eyes.
It wasn't until I saw Song Tieshan's signature scarred face covered in ashes that I was convinced this wasn't a dream.
"Thank God!"
An old man with white hair knelt by the roadside, tears streaming down his face, and kowtowed to the sky.
Village Chief Zhang stood at the entrance of the ancestral hall, watching the Song family members being escorted onto the military vehicle, his body trembling with emotion.
He turned to Su Jianguo beside him.
"Jianguo, how...how did you do that?"
Su Jianguo watched the departing military vehicle and smiled smugly.
“Village Chief Zhang, the Song family has committed numerous evil deeds; they deserve to be dealt with long ago. I just happen to know some people in the military.”
The truth is far more complicated than that.
Upon receiving the news, Su Mingchao's old comrade-in-arms, Battalion Commander Li, immediately reported the situation to his superiors.
The authorities had long been aware of the existence of local criminal gangs in the Baoding area, and the Song family was one of the key targets of surveillance.
This incident provided the authorities with an excellent opportunity to close the net.
That afternoon, the county was in an uproar.
Song Tielin, the second son of the Song family, is the protector in the county.
Ma Debiao, deputy director of the Public Security Bureau, was drinking tea in his office when he was suddenly taken away by disciplinary officials who barged in.
Following this, several officials from the Industry and Commerce Bureau, the Tax Bureau, and other departments were taken into custody. They were all members of the "network of connections" that had provided protection to the Song family for many years.
"I heard even the county magistrate was summoned for questioning!"
When Village Chief Zhang returned from the county, he excitedly reported the latest developments to Su Jianguo.
"The Song family is completely finished this time!"
Su Jianguo nodded, but there wasn't much joy on his face.
He was more concerned with how to properly arrange his mother-in-law's funeral and how to take care of his father-in-law and brother-in-law.
Mrs. Wang's funeral was held three days later.
That morning, the sky over Lijia Village was exceptionally clear, as if the heavens were bidding farewell to this kind old man.
Villagers spontaneously came to pay their respects at the funeral, and the procession stretched from one end of the village to the other.
Many people who had received kindness from the old lady had tears in their eyes, especially the orphans and widows who had eaten at her house.
"The old lady is kind-hearted."
A middle-aged woman wiped away her tears and said to Wang Xiulan.
"That year my husband died, and we were starving. It was your mother who secretly brought us a bag of flour..."
Wang Xiulan was dressed in plain white mourning clothes, her eyes red and swollen like peaches.
She mechanically returned the greetings to each villager who came to offer their condolences.
Su Jianguo stood by her side the whole time, ready to support his wife who might fall at any moment.
After the funeral, Su Jianguo gathered his family to discuss the follow-up arrangements.
"Dad, brother-in-law, pack your things and come back to Beijing with us tomorrow."
Su Jianguo said to Old Master Wang and Wang Dajiang, who were sitting in the main room.
Grandpa Wang shook his head, his wrinkled face filled with determination.
"Jianguo, your brother-in-law and I have discussed it and decided that we will stay in our hometown."
"What?"
Wang Xiulan suddenly looked up, and tears welled up in her eyes again.
"Dad! How can you manage here alone? My eldest brother isn't in good health either..."
Wang Dajiang, sitting in his wheelchair, spoke with difficulty.
"Sister, brother-in-law...we've thought it through...we know a lot of people back home...it'll be convenient..."
Looking at his two disabled relatives, Su Jianguo understood.
Elderly people are nostalgic, especially at this age, they are even less willing to leave the place where they have lived their whole lives.
But he was also worried about their lives.
"Dad, Xiulan will worry if you and my brother-in-law are here."
Su Jianguo offered this advice tactfully.
Grandpa Wang waved his hand, his voice hoarse but firm.
“I’m over seventy, I don’t have many years left. I want to die on my own kang (heated brick bed). Besides, your mother is still here, I have to be with her…”
These words completely devastated Wang Xiulan.
She threw herself at her father's knees and burst into tears.
"Dad! Please don't say that... Come with me, I'll take care of you..."
Grandpa Wang stroked his daughter's hair with trembling hands, tears streaming down his face.
"Silly girl, Dad knows you're filial. But these old bones of mine can't take any more strain. Your older brother also needs someone to take care of him..."
Su Jianguo felt a pang of sorrow as he watched this scene.
He knelt down and gently put his arm around his wife's shoulder.
"Xiulan, since Dad and your brother-in-law have made their decision, let's respect their wishes."
Wang Xiulan raised her tearful eyes.
"Jianguo! How could you... leave Dad here all alone..."
"Not alone."
Su Jianguo comforted him.
"With my brother-in-law around, and with Village Chief Zhang and the villagers looking after us, we can come back to visit them often."
He turned to his father-in-law, his tone solemn.
"Dad, are you really sure?"
Grandpa Wang nodded, a hint of determination flashing in his cloudy eyes.
"It's decided. This old man isn't going anywhere."
Su Jianguo took a deep breath, took out a thick envelope from his inner pocket, and handed it to his father-in-law with both hands.
"Dad, here's a thousand yuan. You and your brother-in-law can use it first. Call me anytime if you need more."
Unable to refuse, Old Master Wang finally accepted the envelope with trembling hands.
Wang Dajiang spun his wheelchair forward and struggled to grasp Su Jianguo's wrist.
"Thank you...brother-in-law..."
Su Jianguo patted his brother-in-law on the shoulder.
"We're family, no need for formalities. I've already spoken to Village Chief Zhang; he'll come to visit you regularly. Just let him know if you need anything."
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