Courtyard Houses: Starting with the principle of hard work paying off

Chapter 151 Li Hongbing Reveals His True Colors, Yi Zhonghai is in Trouble (6k)

"Master Dong, to be honest, I have a grudge against Yi Zhonghai, and it's not a small one."

"I didn't want to get involved in this matter. It wouldn't do me any good and it would easily be misunderstood as me seeking personal revenge."

"Yesterday I heard that Sha Zhu had gone to work as a cook at a steel rolling mill. I was just a little surprised at first, but after learning some inside information this morning, I found that things were not so simple."

"To put it bluntly, you and my master are friends. Although we only met briefly two years ago, you are my senior. I heard that you fell ill because of Sha Zhu's matter..."

"..."

What Li Hongbing wanted to express was actually very simple.

I didn't want to get involved, but we're family, and I couldn't stand by and watch.

While building closer relationships, they are also seeking a sense of belonging.

As for the mess between him and Yi Zhonghai, regardless of whether Dong Congyou had heard of it or knew anything about it, Li Hongbing put it aside first to avoid arousing suspicion later.

Li Hongbing did indeed come with a purpose.

But I have an open and honest heart.

"Good boy..."

Although he still had some unresolved questions, Dong Congyou felt a greater sense of closeness to Li Hongbing after hearing his words.

Perhaps Dong Congyou and Li Hongbing are not familiar with each other, but does he not know Guo Youzhong?
"Little Li... if you don't mind, I'll call you Hongbing!"

After calming down a bit, Guo Youzhong said directly to Li Hongbing, "Tell me what you know!"

"Master Dong, actually I don't know much about the situation; most of it is just guesswork."

Li Hongbing has already said quite a lot.

What can and should be said next is still speculation without evidence.

"Then I'd like to know, how do you guess?"

Hearing Li Hongbing say that he had only guessed the inside story, Dong Congyou became even more curious.

Because almost everything he "guessed" was correct.

The only people who know about these things are basically just a few of the people involved.

Dong Congyou even thought that He Daqing had told him this in person.

As for Yi Zhonghai, he has a grudge against Li Hongbing, so it's impossible for him to talk to him about these things.

"Maybe I don't know the truth of the matter, but I know people well. Yi Zhonghai has targeted me more than once. I know all too well what kind of person he is."

"Three years ago, when He Daqing abandoned Sha Zhu and his sister and ran away to Baocheng, many people in the courtyard were talking about it, and there were all sorts of opinions."

"Actually, I've never really understood what kind of person would abandon their own children and ignore them for the sake of a widow."

"Later, Sha Zhu was introduced by Yi Zhonghai to work as an apprentice at Emei Restaurant. At that time, many people in the courtyard were curious about how Yi Zhonghai, a factory fitter, could have such connections."

"It wasn't until this morning, when I learned that you and He Daqing knew each other before and even had a past relationship, that I realized that Sha Zhu's entry into Emei Restaurant and his quick acceptance into your service, Master Dong, was actually your arrangement, or rather, He Daqing's backup plan for Sha Zhu."

"This discovery has made many things that seemed normal before become suspicious, and some of them are suspicious..."

"Since He Daqing made preparations and left some options for Sha Zhu and his sister when he fled back then, and Yi Zhonghai was an insider or middleman in the process, then in theory, Sha Zhu and his sister should not have any problems with food and clothing."

"But for a period of time after He Daqing left, Sha Zhu and his sister lived a life of hunger, often going to the vegetable market to buy rotten vegetable leaves, and even..."

"..."

Li Hongbing's explanation made his earlier guesses instantly seem reasonable.

Dong Congyou was silent for a moment, then said, "I know about Sha Zhu picking up rotten vegetable leaves back then."

When Li Hongbing heard Dong Congyou's words, he was completely stunned.

Seeing Li Hongbing's surprised expression, Dong Congyou explained, "Actually, before He Daqing went to Baocheng, he left a sum of money for Sha Zhu and his sister, which was placed with Yi Zhonghai."

Later, Yi Zhonghai gave the money to Sha Zhu. At that time, Sha Zhu hated He Daqing for abandoning him and refused to accept the money. He insisted on being self-reliant and even went to the vegetable market to pick up rotten vegetable leaves to fill his stomach.

Yi Zhonghai later told me about these things. He knew that Sha Zhu was stubborn and was afraid that Sha Zhu would find out about my relationship with He Daqing. He was only able to get into Emei Restaurant because of He Daqing, and Sha Zhu refused to accept it.

So Yi Zhonghai discussed it with me, asking me not to reveal my relationship with He Daqing, and to introduce Sha Zhu in his name, so that he wouldn't act recklessly again.

I agreed to it at the time, so Shazhu didn't know any of this for so long..."

Li Hongbing understood.

A lie that is only partially true is more likely to be believed.

Yi Zhonghai wasn't stupid. If he didn't tell the truth, and things were exposed, he wouldn't have any room to maneuver.

Moreover, at that time, Yi Zhonghai needed Dong Congyou to cooperate with him so that all of He Daqing's arrangements could be attributed to him alone, and he needed a legitimate and justifiable reason.

This is where Yi Zhonghai's brilliance lies.

Realizing that Dong Congyou was also part of Yi Zhonghai's scheme, Li Hongbing did not back down. Instead, he asked, "Master Dong, I've never heard of what you just said before. But didn't you notice anything amiss?"

"what?"

Dong Congyou's expression froze slightly, and he didn't react for a moment.

"Since Sha Zhu's entry into Emei Restaurant was arranged by He Daqing from the beginning, why didn't Yi Zhonghai send him over earlier, even if it was in his name, instead of letting Sha Zhu and his sister pick up rotten vegetable leaves for a while?"

"Because of this, Sha Zhu and He Yushui, the brother and sister, almost starved to death. Throughout the process, Yi Zhonghai fed them like cats and dogs, giving them a little food from time to time so they wouldn't starve, but not letting them eat their fill."

"Even if Sha Zhu is stubborn and refuses to take the money because of He Daqing, the money is in Yi Zhonghai's hands. Can't he use He Daqing's money in his own name to ensure that Sha Zhu and his sister have at least enough to eat and wear?"

"Based on your contact with and understanding of Yi Zhonghai, he shouldn't be such a rigid person who doesn't know how to be flexible, right? Otherwise, when he came to you, he wouldn't have proposed to use his name to get Sha Zhu into the Emei Restaurant."

"And think about it, even if it's mostly He Daqing's own fault that Sha Zhu hates He Daqing so much, it's been three years and Sha Zhu still hates He Daqing. And whenever anyone mentions it in front of him, he's like a cat with its fur standing on end. There's a possibility that Yi Zhonghai is behind this."

“This time, Sha Zhu did something so outrageous, and there’s been another rift between you two. Don’t you think all of this is too abnormal?”

"..."

Listening to Li Hongbing's analysis, Dong Congyou's heart sank to the bottom.

There are too many shady dealings involved.

Especially after He Daqing fled, Dong Congyou only now truly understands Yi Zhonghai's actions.

Yi Zhonghai did carry out the arrangements that He Daqing entrusted to him, but if it was really as Li Hongbing said, it would obviously make people doubt his motives.

"But why is he doing this?"

Obvious.

Dong Congyou also suspected Yi Zhonghai, but he couldn't figure out why.

Since He Daqing took the initiative to find Yi Zhonghai to be the person in charge of taking care of Sha Zhu and his sister before he ran away, he must have trusted him.

At the very least, there was no animosity or grudge between the two.

Why did Yi Zhonghai do this?
What benefit would he gain from doing this?
"Master Dong, I don't know about these things. You might have to ask Yi Zhonghai himself to find out, but I'm sure he has his own ulterior motives."

Li Hongbing knew that Yi Zhonghai wanted Sha Zhu to be his backup plan for old age, but he couldn't tell Dong Congyou directly.

otherwise.

How did he know Yi Zhonghai's thoughts?
There's no way to explain it.

not to mention.

Yi Zhonghai now has Jia Dongxu, and this is openly and brazenly planned to have Jia Dongxu take care of him in his old age.

Not only were Yi Zhonghai and his wife fully aware of this matter, but Jia Zhangshi and Jia Dongxu were also in the know, and even many people in the courtyard could see it.

Perhaps in Yi Zhonghai's mind, Sha Zhu is not as good as Jia Dongxu, but he must have his own ideas and plans. Otherwise, he would not have started to scheme and "cultivate" Sha Zhu from the time He Daqing ran away.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket; Sha Zhu is Yi Zhonghai's double insurance.

Yi Zhonghai kept this thought quite secret.

Aside from Yi Zhonghai and his wife, and Li Hongbing who has a god-like perspective, probably no one could have imagined this.

Even if I told people, they might not believe me.

"Master Dong, I'd like to ask you about something."

Seeing Dong Congyou remain silent, Li Hongbing took the initiative to speak.

"You said."

By this time, Dong Congyou clearly valued Li Hongbing highly.

Li Hongbing's gaze fell on Dong Congyou, and he deliberately probed, "In the three years since He Daqing left, in the correspondence with you, did he ask about the situation of Sha Zhu and He Yushui, the brother and sister?"

"And in between, did they send anything back to the siblings, like local specialties from Baocheng, or any subsidies for their living expenses?"

Li Hongbing just asked whether He Daqing had maintained correspondence with Dong Congyou in recent years. Dong Congyou did not deny it, which is why Li Hongbing asked him about it.

It's certain that He Daqing sent living expenses.

In the original drama, when He Daqing returned to the courtyard house, the incident was mentioned briefly, though only briefly.

The key point is that this matter is somewhat unusual.

If Sha Zhu had known that He Daqing was sending him living expenses every month and had accepted it, he wouldn't have been in such a miserable situation back then, and his life would definitely be better now.

But the problem is.

Sha Zhu clearly didn't know about this living allowance, and he still hated He Daqing to this day, so even if he knew, he wouldn't accept it.

The fact that He Daqing continued to send money to He Yushui until she came of age suggests something fishy is going on.

He didn't believe that Yi Zhonghai hadn't tampered with it.

Even if Jia Dongxu is later killed and Sha Zhu starts to "become a regular employee," and Yi Zhonghai tries to cover up the loopholes in this matter to avoid future troubles, that time is not yet here.

Anyway, in front of Dong Congyou, Li Hongbing was there to verify any wild ideas or guesses he might have, so he said whatever came to mind, even if he was wrong. "Why did you ask that?"

When Li Hongbing asked him a question, Dong Congyou did not answer directly, but asked curiously instead.

"Since He Daqing made all the arrangements for Sha Zhu and He Yushui when he left Beijing, then no matter what his reasons were or whether he was really doing it for a widow, he was obviously not completely heartless and indifferent."

Under such circumstances, even if He Daqing never returned to Beijing, it was impossible for him to completely ignore Sha Zhu and He Yushui…

After presenting this analysis with reason and evidence, Li Hongbing looked at Dong Congyou and continued, "Yi Zhonghai also has an apprentice named Jia Dongxu. You should know about this, right?"
When my sister got married, you came to our courtyard to cook for the Jia family. You were the one who got married.

Yi Zhonghai, a senior fitter at a steel rolling mill, earns a decent monthly salary. However, his wife suffers from a chronic illness and requires medication year-round, costing him a significant amount of money each month.

This is what Yi Zhonghai himself said.

For this reason, Yi Zhonghai and his wife lived a very frugal life, and they couldn't even bear to buy meat.

Even under such circumstances, he still managed to set aside a considerable amount of money each month to subsidize his apprentices, without ever stopping.

When the Jia family got married, they bought a sewing machine for their home, and the money for that was borrowed from Yi Zhonghai.

The Jia family borrowed money but never repaid it...

I remember when the Jia family asked Sha Zhu to ask you to cook, it seems that you weren't paid at first, right?

It was only later, when Sha Zhu asked the Jia family for it, that it was replaced.

This money was also paid by Yi Zhonghai on behalf of the Jia family.

At the beginning of last year, Jia Dongxu was punished by the factory with a wage reduction for making a mistake, and his whole family only had a monthly wage income of 180,000 yuan.

At the time, his wife was pregnant, and now they are a family of four. In between, there were several months of sick leave and no source of income. It was all thanks to his master, Yi Zhonghai, that they have been supported until now.

They themselves lived such a frugal life, yet they always managed to provide a steady stream of financial assistance to the Jia family whenever they needed it. I've never understood this, but if…”

"You mean, Yi Zhonghai has been using the living expenses He Daqing gave to Sha Zhu and his sister to subsidize his own apprentice?"

Dong Congyou was furious.

Although Li Hongbing didn't say it explicitly, Dong Congyou understood exactly what he was trying to say.

Dong Congyou initially couldn't understand why Yi Zhonghai would do these things when He Daqing and Yi Zhonghai had no grudges against each other. But if this situation was true, then everything made sense.

In this world, there is no love without a reason, nor is there hatred without a reason.

Once a reasonable motive is established, things that initially seem illogical or incomprehensible become understandable.

"I only have a suspicion. If He Daqing really did send living expenses back, and Yi Zhonghai was the middleman, then it is quite possible."

"After all, Sha Zhu has been supporting himself with his own salary for the past few years. The apprentice's salary is not high, but it is enough for Sha Zhu and He Yushui to live on."

"The siblings' lives weren't bad, but they weren't exactly thriving either."

"Yi Zhonghai seems to treat Sha Zhu well, but in terms of money, he hasn't really given them much help..."

"..."

Yi Zhonghai certainly has a lot of wealth of his own, and there is no doubt that he has the ability to subsidize the Jia family. However, he has been pretending to be poor and has claimed that Wang Guihua spends most of his salary on medicine every month.

Li Hongbing also used this point to enhance the rationality and credibility of his speculation.

Moreover.

This might not actually be just Li Hongbing's wild guess.

Even when it comes to his own retirement, he has to scheme and plot, unwilling to give his heart. How could Yi Zhonghai be so generous and willing to throw money at the Jia family?

Even if Yi Zhonghai is optimistic about Jia Dongxu, does he not know at all what kind of person Jia Zhangshi is?
Investing in the Jia family is not entirely without risk.

For Yi Zhonghai, the existence of Sha Zhu was precisely a backup plan to mitigate this risk.

Everyone can see that Yi Zhonghai is subsidizing the Jia family.

As for Sha Zhu, he was just a tool. He did a lot of work and effort for Yi Zhonghai and the Jia family, and was even often tricked into buying meat to stew for the deaf old lady.

Even though Sha Zhu knew that He Daqing had sent them living expenses, he was stubborn and didn't want them. Yi Zhonghai was genuinely kind and wanted to give Sha Zhu and the others He Daqing's living expenses, but he had to come up with a clever excuse, which he never did.

if not.

Yi Zhonghai could have easily told He Daqing to stop sending money here, but he continues to receive it every month without giving Sha Zhu a single penny. What does that mean?
He, Yi Zhonghai, is neither a fool nor an elder, nor a bank. What reason does he have to keep these things for He Daqing and his sister?
Under the guise of doing what's best for Sha Zhu, Yi Zhonghai has actually been working to sow discord and alienate the father and son. His true intentions are obvious.

Is what you said true?

Dong Congyou's gaze was icy as he stared directly at Li Hongbing.

It must be said that Li Hongbing's sudden appearance today has brought him too many shocks and upheavals.

Li Hongbing noticed that Dong Congyou was angry, but he knew that Dong was not targeting him, so he felt no pressure and said frankly, "Master Dong, a lot of this is just my own speculation. However, the story about Yi Zhonghai subsidizing his apprentice is not something I made up. You can ask anyone in our courtyard to verify the truth. I have no reason to lie to you!"

As for Yi Zhonghai's care for Sha Zhu and his sister, it can't be said that there was none; otherwise, Sha Zhu wouldn't have treated Yi Zhonghai like a father. But how many other things are unknown about this is uncertain.

However, Yi Zhonghai must have done something to get Sha Zhu hired by the steel rolling mill. Otherwise, why would Sha Zhu suddenly do something so unruly for no reason?

As for Yi Zhonghai, he's not a child anymore, he's a grown man. Do you really believe that he did it for Sha Zhu's own good without considering the consequences?
Even if Sha Zhu doesn't understand the rules, Yi Zhonghai has lived for so many years, surely he doesn't understand any rules either?

Master Dong, you have many friends in Beijing. If you really wanted to, I think it wouldn't be difficult for you to find out the specifics of this matter..."

Li Hongbing has already said everything that needs to be said; he doesn't need to do anything else.

Now that Dong Congyou has developed doubts, he will naturally try to verify them himself.

"Hongbing, thank you for coming all this way today to tell me all this."

If Dong Congyou still can't see Li Hongbing's true purpose by this point, then he's lived in vain for all those years.

However, Dong Congyou did not make any further comments regarding Yi Zhonghai and Sha Zhu's matter. Instead, he asked Li Hongbing, "Regarding today's events and what you just said, I hope you can keep it a secret for now and not tell anyone else, including Sha Zhu, okay?"

“Master Dong, I’m here today to visit you on behalf of my master. As for the other casual conversations, I only remember your care and encouragement for the younger generation.”

Upon hearing Dong Congyou's words, Li Hongbing understood his meaning and immediately reminded and wished him well: "No matter what, I hope you can take good care of your health and recover soon. Don't let some irrelevant people spoil your mood and affect your health."

Li Hongbing knew that even if Dong Congyou believed him in his heart, he couldn't simply believe everything Dong Congyou said. He would definitely need to verify and investigate further before making a final judgment.

"Okay! When I get back, please thank your master for his concern. I'll visit him again when I'm better."

Dong Congyou was very satisfied with Li Hongbing's quick understanding and also envied Guo Youzhong for having such a polite and sensible apprentice.

If what Li Hongbing said is true.

For both him and He Daqing, it was no longer a matter of personal favor, but a great debt of gratitude.

"Master Dong, I won't bother you any longer today. Please get some rest."

Having achieved both of his objectives for the day, Li Hongbing got up to say goodbye and left, not intending to stay any longer and disturb Dong Congyou's peace and quiet.

"Okay, take care."

"Xiangqin, see Xiao Li off."

"Master Dong, there's no need to trouble yourself."

"No trouble."

"Xiao Li, come over for a visit sometime."

"Okay, that's fine with you..."

"..."

After seeing Li Hongbing off, Dong Congyou's wife, Ma Xiangqin, returned. Seeing Dong Congyou sitting on the bed, seemingly lost in thought, she couldn't help but say, "This little Li is truly a polite and well-mannered child."

Honey, were you and Master Guo on such a good relationship before?
I've never heard of that before..."

Dong Congyou didn't reply, but looked at his wife and said with a serious expression, "Xiangqin, go and find Baoguo. I have something very important to discuss."

"Now?"

Ma Xiangqin was stunned, quite surprised.

Baoguo, whom Dong Congyou mentioned earlier, is his eldest disciple.

The other party arrived very early this morning.

He said he had specifically asked for leave to stay here and take care of and serve his master, Dong Congyou, but Dong Congyou scolded him and sent him back to work.

Now, Dong Congyou wants her to call him back again, which Ma Xiangqin finds hard to understand.

"Go quickly, don't ask any more questions."

Seeing his wife still standing there in a daze, Dong Congyou had no intention of explaining and simply urged her on.

"Then you..."

"I'm fine right now and don't need anyone for the time being. Just go and come back quickly."

"Alright, I'll talk to Old Luo's wife in the yard and ask her to keep an eye on things. If anything happens, just let me know."

"Row."

"..."

As Ma Xiangqin left, Dong Congyou looked at the closed door and couldn't help but sigh.

Even though Sha Zhu's actions this time hurt his pride and feelings after three years of mentorship, Dong Congyou couldn't possibly be completely indifferent.

Sha Zhu was not only his apprentice whom he had taught for three years, but also the biological son of He Daqing, the man who had saved his life.

He had been disheartened, but Li Hongbing's arrival revitalized him.

If someone else is behind this, then the situation is completely different.

He wanted to get to the bottom of everything, not just about Sha Zhu's recent job at the steel mill, but also about the relationship between He Daqing, Sha Zhu, and Yi Zhonghai.

Having lived for so many years, even when he was being hunted down by his enemies, no matter how disheveled and terrified he was, he had never felt so frustrated as he was now.

(End of this chapter)