Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Splitting the Family and Changing the Surname
How could something go wrong?
The moment he collapsed, Wu Yicang's eyes went dark.
"He's guilty!"
"Old bastard, they really did collude to kill people, how cruel!"
"He must have had evil intentions after seeing Qinghe's request to divide the family property and he was unwilling to do so!"
"I didn't!" Wu Yicang spoke again hurriedly while supporting himself on the ground.
"He's lying!"
Hearing the noise, Doctor Niu rushed over and glanced at the pale Lu Qinghe. He then looked at Village Chief Meng angrily, "I testify! The Wu family has long wanted to harm Lu Qinghe! A few days ago, Qian Lamei came to me and asked for fever-reducing medicine. I asked who needed it, but she just mumbled and didn't say anything. Later, Qinghe couldn't hold it anymore and came to me herself, saying that she had a fever and needed it reduced."
Qian Lamei's legs had long since gone limp, and even though she was trembling, she couldn't hide the ferocious anger on her face. "Niu Dali, wasn't it just last year that I casually said your grandson wouldn't grow tall? Are you still holding a grudge against me?! Besides, was it wrong for me to buy pills from you?"
"Who wants half a bottle of pills at a time? You even told Lu Qinghe that you should take five Analgin tablets at a time. If I really gave it to you, who knows if you would take it home and stew it in soup to harm others!"
Qian Lamei gritted her teeth and said, "I'm afraid that Lu Qinghe's cold will infect the family, so I bought it to use as a preventive measure!"
"Who would ask a doctor for half a bottle of Analgin for no reason? This stuff is regulated. How dare you ask? You're so mean and stupid!"
"Prevention? The health team just taught us that word a few days ago. They really are good at making excuses."
"I think they're going to poison me!"
Wu Yicang staggered to his feet, his old face wrinkled. "God swear to us, we really didn't mean that. This must be a misunderstanding. It was an accident. Yes, it was an accident!"
"Still saying no?"
Captain Liu was also completely furious. "Wu Yicang, everyone saw it with their own eyes, and you still refuse to admit it? How could our Dagu Village produce a family of beasts like you!"
While her face was still wet, Lu Qinghe squeezed out two tears and cried, "Dad, a few days ago we agreed to give me the compensation within three days after it was sent to me. But three days have passed, and I thought that after all, no one in the family urged you. I can't swim at all, and there was no one there so early in the morning. I was definitely going to die. Why did you do this?"
"That's right. The compensation is 150 yuan, and Qinghe also said that he would give 50 yuan to the family. Although 150 yuan is a lot, this is a life after all. Could they have other ulterior motives behind this?"
"You're not going to tell me, are you? Go and invite Master Zhao over, and then tie up Wu Yicang and Qian Lamei and bring them to the village brigade!"
At a command from Village Chief Meng, the security team tied the two men's hands and feet and lifted them up regardless of how they struggled.
"Qinghe girl, how are you? Why don't you go to the medical team and change your clothes first?"
Lu Qinghe had a waterproof layer tied under his coat, so he definitely couldn't change clothes outside.
After a pause, she pretended to be conflicted before shaking her head. Her palm-sized face grew paler, and her almond-shaped eyes, filled with tears, looked pitiful. "Uncle Meng, I want to go over and ask for clarification!"
"Okay, we'll do whatever we need to do later. Don't be soft-hearted."
-
In mountain villages like Dagu, due to lack of communication, villagers have their own set of local self-governance rules when they make mistakes.
After the village brigade put the "crime" written in black on a white background on the three people of the Wu family, they waited for Mr. Zhao, the oldest man in the neighborhood, to come and take charge, and then threw them directly into the open space outside the brigade yard and made them kneel.
"There are eyewitnesses and Dr. Niu's oral statement. Wu Yicang, do you have anything else to explain?" Mr. Zhao listened to the whole process on the way, and walked over with someone to support him. Holding his crutch, he pointed in the direction with an angry face.
Captain Liu: "If he could explain, he would have spoken up long ago. Master, I think we should just parade him through the streets and criticize him, and then send him to the farm behind Zhaojiagou to live in the cowshed!"
Wu Youde was so frightened that his tears and snot were already streaming down his face. He half-paralyzed on the ground and sobbed inconsolably.
Ma Wenli, who had come with them, finally couldn't hold it in any longer and rushed out crying, "We admit it, we admit it, but it's not enough. Captain, my parents asked Youde to do this. Captain, Master Zhao, please, it's almost winter, and we'll freeze to death in the cowshed!"
"When he pushed me, didn't he consider that I might freeze to death in the river?" Lu Qinghe glanced at Ma Wenli. "Since you're afraid of the cold, I think we should file a petition and report it to the police in town."
Lu Qingshan, a tall and strong man, stood beside his sister, sneered and nodded: "Yes, he was premeditated to kill. I have relatives in the police force. I heard that serious cases can lead to being shot. This is not cold at all!"
"Lu Qinghe!" Wu Yicang shuddered with fear and glared at Lu Qinghe. "You don't want to live like this anymore, do you? Would you be satisfied if everyone in your family died because of you?"
"You're all going to kill me, how can we still live like this?" Lu Qinghe said coldly, "Don't confuse right and wrong. It was obviously you who acted recklessly first. If I show any more mercy, I will not only be sorry for myself, but also for Dagu Village."
Mr. Zhao looked at Lu Qinghe approvingly and said, "Let's make a decision now. Girl, what do you think we should do?"
Mr. Zhao has spoken, and it ultimately depends on Lu Qinghe's opinion.
Lu Qinghe took the towel that Xue Lanhua found for her and wiped her hair, and the yard became quiet.
After struggling for a while, Lu Qinghe had almost finished wiping his hair. He sighed, as if expressing regret, but his tone was very firm.
"I think... we should call the police! I'm afraid they've gone to the cowshed and are planning to harm the people at the forest farm again!"
Hearing this, Wu Youde no longer cared about his parents. He staggered to Lu Qinghe and knelt down.
"Sister-in-law, my eldest brother is not at home. I have helped the eldest wife with her problems over the years. We have some affection for each other. Please, sister-in-law, please let me go this time. I beg you!!"
Lu Qingshan frowned and kicked him. "Screw your mother's kindness. How can you say such nonsense? If you hadn't ganged up on my sister and everyone saw it, you would have just brushed it off!"
If the matter gets out of hand, people outside Dagu Village will definitely know about the relationship between the brother-in-law and the sister-in-law. If we let him spread this news, who knows what the end result will be.
Seeing Wu Youde unable to get up, Ma Wenli knelt down crying, "He said the wrong thing. I'm watching over the family. It's my sister-in-law who has helped me take care of the children over the years. Sister-in-law, we are a family after all. We can't let it fall apart. Think about my eldest brother. He still..."
Hearing this, Qian Lamei was anxious and flustered and wanted to say something to stop it.
Wu Yicang's face darkened instantly, and he hurriedly interrupted Wu Youde, "Grandpa, I accept this even if it means living in a cowshed. I was momentarily possessed by evil spirits and forced my second son and Lamei to do this. It's all my fault."
“Yes, yes, yes!”
Wu Youde cried and nodded repeatedly, "My father forced me to do it. If I didn't do it, he would kill me. I was also trying to protect myself! My mother was also forced."
Captain Liu said, "Wu Yicang, you are confused. Are you doing this just for that hundred dollars?"
"...Captain, you also said I was confused. I've been poor all my life and almost starved to death in the early years. The thing I hate most is money. Lu Qinghe is my daughter-in-law, but she is not from the same family after all. I still don't consider her a family member. She suddenly asked for money, and I was really upset. That's why I came up with this idea."
"You old coffin-stuffer, aren't you afraid that the King of Hell will take you away as retribution?"
"Bah! Even a dog would dig up his grave if he died!"
Wu Youde and Ma Wenli cried one after another, Qian Lamei lowered her head helplessly, Wu Yicang gritted his teeth, endured it and looked at Lu Qinghe again.
"Qinghe, I'm sorry for you, old man. For Xingliang's sake, please don't let the villagers report to the police!"
"Sister, tell me."
"Qinghe girl, you decide!"
Lu Qinghe looked around, slowly stood up, walked up to Old Master Zhao, Captain Liu, and Village Chief Meng to express his gratitude, and then looked at everyone around him.
"Our villagers have been watching all these years. Today, the Wu family was the first to behave themselves. If you don't call the police, I have only one request."
"Qinghe, just tell me what you want to do."
"That's right, we are all witnesses, let the old man decide for you!"
Lu Qinghe: "In addition to the punishment from the village, I request to separate from the Wu family, and the property will be directly divided from the public funds. After the divorce, the two children will change their surnames to mine. From now on, we will cut ties with the Wu family and have no further relationship!"
The purpose of dividing the family is to divide the property, and the purpose of changing the surname is to change the household registration.
In those days, there were actually no household registration books. Everyone in a village was recorded in one or two family tree books, but the villagers only recognized these.
After the relationship was severed, even if she couldn't go out in the future, even if Wu Xingliang came back, unless he forcibly stole the children away, she could still rely on this to ask the villagers to help her protect the two children.
Old Master Zhao nodded and asked, "Does Qinghe have any requests regarding this matter?"
Lu Qinghe shook her head and looked over seriously. "I trust the old man. Besides, we are all here. We can divide the family property however we want. Now my parents-in-law want to kill me. There is no affection or intimacy anymore. I agree to a divorce. After the divorce, I only want my share!"
"become."
Master Zhao knocked on the ground with his cane, not allowing Wu Yicang to speak. He directly ordered: "Detain Wu Yicang and take him home to get the account book. Bring all the money at home and divide it among the brigade. The Wu family has two sons, and the house is divided into two..."
"Grandpa, I don't want the house. It can be converted into money."
"Then we'll settle it together later."
"From now on, you orphans and widows must not let anyone see how much you divide up. Go inside and divide it later. I'll watch you."
"Thank you, Grandpa!"
After Master Zhao gave the order, everyone, whether they were just spectators or members of the village team, walked back and forth very quickly.
The Wu family's account book was taken to the brigade, and after Mr. Zhao calculated it, he came up with a shocking figure.
Although Wu Xingliang did not send money home very often over the years, his daily wage as a temporary worker at the Huashi Steel Plant was 1.5 yuan, with four days off a month, totaling 45 yuan a month. For six consecutive years, he kept part of the money for his food, clothing, and other expenses, and sent a total of 1,200 yuan home!
After deducting daily food and drink, and adding the brigade's work points and wages, the remaining money is a full 700 yuan. If you include the pension that you didn't see, it's 850 yuan.
Master Zhao: "Where's the compensation? Wu Yicang, at this point, I don't need to call anyone in to ask you, do I?"
Wu Yicang leaned against the door with a dejected look on his face. "...I was afraid people would find out, so I asked the factory to send it to my child's aunt's home in the provincial capital."
Mr. Zhao couldn't help but spit in disgust, "A cunning rabbit has three burrows. Why don't you hide the money in your pocket again?"
“…”
Lu Qinghe finished the account beside him and said, "Six hundred belongs to me. Master, please take a look at this account and see if it is correct."
"Well, take the house you didn't ask for, and that's the amount."
"Why so many?!!"
After going out, Wu Youde was stunned after seeing the number, "Grandpa, this..."
"And Qinghe's compensation, another fifty, do you have any objections?" Master Zhao glanced at Wu Youde with disgust.
"Is this too much?"
"You suspect me of favoritism?"
"...No, Master, that's not what I meant."
Lu Qinghe looked over indifferently: "Grandpa, I told you they are prone to mean-spirited behavior. Why don't you call the police?"
"No, no, no, I admit it, I admit it!"
Mr. Zhao nodded.
"Then this matter is settled. Qinghe and the two children have no further relationship with your Wu family. You two had the intention to kill, and according to village rules, you cannot be forgiven lightly. Wu Yicang will be sent to live in the cattle shed behind Zhaojiagou for five years, sweeping manure for the farm. Starting today, you will kneel in the ancestral hall for two hours every day before work for a year. How do you do that?"
It was just a routine question, so Wu Youde had no right to offer any opinions at this time.
Amid Qian Lamei's crying, the father and son were dragged away.
Lu Qinghe thanked the brigade leader Mr. Zhao again. Xue Lanhua and Lu Qingshan went home with her to pack up their things, and took the two children to live with her mother temporarily.
At the edge of the field, the mule cart wobbled to a halt.
Zhao Zhanming held the wheel tracks with both hands, took out the toll money and handed it over. Hearing the sound, he saw the crowd in the distance.
"What happened over there?"
A familiar face working in the fields greeted him and sighed with emotion, "Big deal! A murder case! Even the old man from Zhaojiagou has been invited!"
A look of suspicion flashed across Zhao Zhanming's handsome features. After saying goodbye, he walked towards home.
"Zhanming is back." "It's Brother Zhao Zhanming! Brother, I'm Liuzi!"
"Hello, Master."
At the edge of the field, the man stopped and politely greeted Mr. Zhao who came from Dagu Village, then looked at the young man next to him.
He was the grandson of Mr. Zhao’s direct descendant, and he used to follow Zhao Zhanming around every day, treating him like his big brother.
Zhao Zhanming: "Sixth son, you've grown a lot stronger after not seeing you for a year."
Zhao Xiaoliu scratched his head and said, "Hehehe, that's definitely not as good as your muscular body."
"That's nothing. If you practice hard, it will happen sooner or later."
Mr. Zhao looked at Zhao Zhanming's tall and straight spine with satisfaction. "Zhanming, if I were to ask you, you're the most promising person around here. So, I heard you came back this time specifically to look for a wife?"
There was a hint of hesitation on Zhao Zhanming's handsome features.
Master Zhao saw this, paused, and said, "You're fighting on the front lines, so it's a good thing to have a woman behind you. You need someone who knows you well, both at home and abroad."
"To be honest," Zhao Zhanming said, looking over frankly, "I used to think the same as you, but time has changed, and those thoughts have faded."
Who hasn't had dreams? Unfortunately, there are people in front and behind, but they are not close friends, and are even annoying.
When Zhao Zhanming's ex-wife was mentioned, Zhao Xiaoliu was stunned and stopped talking.
Mr. Zhao smiled and said, "Your destiny will come sooner or later. Expecting everything to go smoothly is not that precious. Besides, you still have a baby. You should talk to your family and wait and see."
Zhao Zhanming knew that his family had informed Mr. Zhao in advance. He had something to say, but after hearing a few words from Mr. Zhao, he didn't want to say it anymore.
"I just heard that there was a murder over there?" On the way, Zhao Zhanming glanced sideways and spoke again.
Xiao Liuzi became lively now, jumping up and down and giving a general account of what had happened in Dagu Village.
"The wife of the Wu family is a pitiful woman, and the Wu family is a bunch of beasts!" Xiao Liuzi still felt unsatisfied after cursing, and spat twice more.
Old Master Zhao listened in again, his eyes narrowed. "The Lu family girl looks weak and I've heard she's a simple-minded child. But I think although she's honest, she's not stupid. She has her own ideas."
Not to mention that he was able to remain calm after falling into the water, just look at the fact that he just didn't want the house that should have been allocated to the child. Many people on the scene couldn't understand why.
It is not a long-term thing for a woman from the mountains to take her children back to her parents' home after divorce. After all, there is a place to live and it can be passed down to the next generation in the future. But the girl exchanged the money without hesitation. I am afraid she had already made up her mind and planned for the future.
After hearing what the old man said, Zhao Zhanming became curious instead. He was about to ask, but he had already arrived at the destination, so he could only say goodbye and go into the house.
At this time, everyone in the family went to work and the children were not at home.
Zhao Zhanming threw his luggage into the house, looked around, and then took out a cleaver from the yard to chop the remaining firewood.
"Li Shuyu...ah! Zhan Ming is back! I heard his voice and thought your mother was home!"
Zhao Zhanming: "I just got home, what's the matter, Aunt Guo?"
Aunt Guo covered the mole at the corner of her mouth and laughed for a long time. "Oh, it's hard to say for now. I'll come over after your mother comes home this afternoon!"
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