The Courtyard House: He Yuzhu Returns with Boundless Hatred for Revenge

The security department's investigation into He Yuzhu's rumor-mongering went surprisingly smoothly. All the materials were compiled in just one afternoon.

Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, Yan Bugui, and the employees who followed the rumors, no matter how they tried to shirk responsibility or shift blame, did not deny that they actively spread rumors.

Anyway, within the steel rolling mill, these rumors were spread in an organized manner, centered around Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong, with the aim of teaching He Yuzhu a lesson and making him back down, etc... In order to protect themselves, these people not only desperately tried to clear themselves of any wrongdoing, but also confessed everything else clearly.

In just one afternoon, the statements of all those involved were compiled and a thick stack was placed on the working group's table.

After quickly reviewing the materials, the team leader looked at Tan Jin and said, "Secretary Tan, the situation is more typical than we expected. This has gone beyond a simple neighborhood dispute and slander."

He picked up the summary report, pointing to the key points: "Based on cross-verification of testimonies, within the courtyard at No. 95, a small group with a clear hierarchy and objectives has long existed, centered around the three so-called stewards, Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, and Yan Bugui. Whenever the masses showed the slightest dissent, they would launch a media offensive both inside and outside the courtyard, fabricating facts, damaging their reputations, and attempting to use external power to suppress them, relentlessly pursuing their goals."

The head of the working group said with an extremely serious expression: "This is no longer an ordinary internal conflict among the masses. It has obvious sectarian and oppressive characteristics, and is a disguised restoration within the grassroots groups of the new society! Although it is small in scale, its nature is extremely egregious!"

Tan Jin listened, feeling extremely annoyed. Being criticized so harshly and mercilessly by the head of the work group, and being unable to refute it, was a disgrace to himself and all the leaders of the steel rolling mill.

At this crucial moment, Section Chief Zhao added, "Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong, leveraging their senior worker status, did indeed cultivate a group of people in their respective workshops, forming small cliques. The spread of this rumor within the factory was rapidly accomplished through these cliques. This has already affected the normal production management and worker unity in the workshops."

A hush fell over the meeting room. The problem had been laid bare, making it even more difficult to handle. This was no longer simply a matter of dealing with a few rumor-mongers.

After smoking two cigarettes, Tan Jincai slowly spoke, "The main responsibility for this matter lies with Wang Xuemei and Yang Weiguo, the two direct supervisors. Wang Xuemei abused her power and deliberately condoned it; Comrade Yang Weiguo neglected his duties and prioritized personal interests over public ones. The district committee's working group and the department will handle these two cases seriously according to procedures."

He paused, then looked at the working group. "As for the employees in the steel rolling mill involved in spreading rumors and participating in small group activities, as well as the problems within No. 95 Courtyard, my opinion is that they should be handled separately, but the results should be shared to form a joint effort."

"All employees involved in spreading rumors will be disciplined or required to write a self-criticism, depending on the severity of the offense. This will be recorded in their files. Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong, as the main organizers, will be dealt with severely. The specific handling will be decided collectively at an expanded meeting of the factory's Party Committee tomorrow morning. Yan Bugui is not an employee of the steel rolling mill, but as a core member of the institute, his issues and proposed handling will be formally communicated to his unit by us."

The head of the working group nodded in agreement, "Secretary Tan's consideration is thorough. Let's do it this way. The steel rolling mill will deal with its internal personnel first, while we will simultaneously conduct an in-depth investigation into Wang Xuemei and Long Xiaocui, and hold the subdistrict office accountable for its dereliction of duty in this matter."

Tan Jin concluded, "Then let those people calm down in the security department tonight. Lock them up for the night and let them think about what they did. We'll announce the decision after tomorrow's meeting."

The detention cell of the steel rolling mill's security department was a partitioned-off room from an abandoned warehouse. It was damp, cold, and drafty. A dozen or so people were crammed together, barely able to keep warm with their body heat. In the dead of winter, with no one bringing clothes or blankets, they were nearly frozen to death.

After an unknown amount of time, a young worker, one of Yi Zhonghai's lackeys in the courtyard, finally couldn't hold back any longer. "What kind of mess is this? I didn't get anything out of it, so why did I provoke Sha Zhu? Now look what's happened, he's come in! My wife just gave birth, and we're short of money. What will I do if I get fired?"

These words were like a spark, instantly igniting the resentment of the crowd.

"That's right! Master Yi, say something! You were the one who patted your chest and said it was fine, that Sha Zhu wouldn't cause any trouble!" another worker asked. He was from Yi Zhonghai's workshop and often ran errands for him, but he couldn't help but complain now.

Liu Haizhong, already feeling cold and afraid, became even more enraged upon hearing this. He roared at Yi Zhonghai, "Old Yi! Did you hear that? It's all your fault! You insisted on dragging me into getting houses and meals for the Jia family! You want your apprentice to support you in your old age, why are you dragging us into this? What am I after? Now look what's happened, we're going to get punished! We won't be able to keep our official positions anymore!"

Yi Zhonghai, huddled in the corner, retorted angrily upon hearing Liu Haizhong's accusations, "Fatty Liu! Stop pretending to be innocent! Didn't you want the He family's house? Didn't you plan to get your son in? You were more enthusiastic than anyone else when you were stirring things up! Now that things have gone wrong, you want to pin it all on me? Dream on!"

"You're talking nonsense! You came up with all the ideas! Who knows what you and that deaf old lady are up to behind the scenes? You're always the first to step up and be the most enthusiastic! Let me tell you, Yi Zhonghai, if I lose my leadership position this time, I'll never forgive you!"

"You think you're finished with me? Do you think you can be afraid of me?!" Yi Zhonghai retorted sarcastically. "A mere level five blacksmith, always dreaming of becoming an official, doesn't he ever look at himself in the mirror? What kind of trash is he?!"

"Who the hell are you talking about? Try swearing at me again!" One of Liu Haizhong's apprentices stood up abruptly and pointed at Yi Zhonghai.

It has to be said that this is the biggest difference between Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong. Liu Haizhong teaches his disciples sincerely, so they all respect him greatly. They immediately jump in and cause trouble when they see their master being insulted. In contrast, Yi Zhonghai's disciples all act as if it's none of their business, showing no awareness of the importance of master-disciple unity.

"I was talking about that fatso! What's wrong with him?"

"What? I'll give you two slaps first!" Liu Haizhong's apprentice, young and hot-blooded, rushed up and gave the old man two hard slaps.

Yi Zhonghai was slapped twice and stood there stunned for more than ten seconds. He simply couldn't believe that young people these days were so lacking in martial ethics? They should have acted when necessary, instead of bullying an old man like him? Did they not understand respect for elders and care for the young? Was this how Fatty Liu taught his disciples? Truly, like father, like son! The excellent situation in the courtyard was ruined by two-faced scoundrels like Liu Haizhong!