Siheyuan: Starting from Building a Village

At first, Liu Guozheng just reminded Yan Bugui to be careful, avoid people, and not be so blatant so as to avoid being reported. As a result, his words really came true.

The next day, when Liu Guozheng just passed by the gate of No. 95 Courtyard, he saw Yan Bugui tied up with a beheading sign stuck behind his back with the word "speculator" written on it.

"It's unfair, I feel wronged. I was just helping. What's wrong with helping neighbors?"

Yan Bugui was very unconvinced. What was wrong with buying things for others and charging them a fee? After all, he was just an errand boy, no different from those tricycle drivers on the street, who all made a living by working hard.

"Stop talking nonsense and get out of here, you opportunist."

When he reached the gate of the compound, Yan Bugui's feet seemed to have taken root and he was unwilling to move. He knew very well that as long as he walked out of the door, his old face would be completely disgraced.

"Go away, or I'll beat you up."

The person who said this was none other than Yan Jiefang, the second son of Yan Bugui's family. He held a rope in one hand, which was around Yan Bugui's neck, and held a branch in the other hand, pulling the rope impatiently.

“Ding ding ding…”

The sound of the gong attracted the residents in the alley to come out and watch. Although today was not Sunday, many people were resting at home. Seeing something exciting to watch, they rushed out of their homes.

When Liu Guozheng saw the person beating the gong, he was happy. It turned out to be Yan Jiekuang.

"Liu Guozheng, Liu Guozheng, did you report me?"

Seeing Liu Guozheng in the crowd, Yan Bugui thought of what Liu Guozheng had reminded him of last night, and subconsciously thought that it was Liu Guozheng who had reported him.

Yan Bugui's voice focused everyone's attention on Liu Guozheng.

"Yan Bugui, don't be like a mad dog and bite everyone you see. What good will it do me to report you?"

What Liu Guozheng didn't expect was that Yan Bugui actually suspected that he had reported him. Isn't this nonsense?

"I can't think of anyone else except you?"

Yan Bugui didn't believe it. He had already determined in his heart that it was Liu Guozheng who reported it.

Human beings are very strange animals. Once they determine that someone did something, they will not believe it even if others present evidence to them.

"Why not ask your two good boys?"

After hearing what Liu Guozheng said, the onlookers noticed the two brothers Yan Jiefang and Yan Jiekuang, one beating the gong and the other holding the rope.

"The old Yan family has a rebellious son."

"Who says it's not true? It's ridiculous that my son took the lead in criticizing me."

"That's just the beginning. I heard that in South City, there were many cases of wives reporting their husbands and sons reporting their parents. It is said that they were more ruthless than outsiders during the struggle sessions."

"Tell me, raising a child to this age doesn't mean you're creating an enemy, right?"

"The world is in chaos, and if you disagree with someone, you will be criticized."

"Old Niu, be careful with your words, don't you want to live anymore?"

"Right, right, old cow, you better watch your mouth from now on, don't let anyone catch you. If someone puts a rope around your neck and leads you in front, you will really become an old cow."

"I, ah."

"Everyone, keep your voices down. Didn't you see those people on the patrol team glanced at us several times?"

"..."

During the storm, it is common to see fathers and sons suspect each other, husbands and wives turn against each other, and friends become enemies. Everyone lives cautiously and tries to speak as little as possible if possible.

The more you talk about this, the more mistakes you make. You're just afraid of blurting out something and saying something very ordinary, and people find out and report you directly, and then you can just wait to be criticized.

"Liu Guozheng, please testify for me. I am not a speculator, and I am certainly not a profiteer. I did not buy high and sell low. I was just helping my neighbors and friends."

After all, Yan Bugui did not have the courage to ask his two sons, for he was afraid of getting answers he did not want to hear.

Liu Guozheng made a suggestion: "Yan Bugui, you can ask those people you help to testify for you."

Yan Bugui's eyes lit up. Yes, why didn't he think of this? Yan Bugui looked at the people around him and pleaded loudly: "Fellow villagers, neighbors, I beg you, please bear witness for me. I really didn't charge you too much money. I kneel down for you."

After saying this, Yan Bugui was about to kneel down, but because the rope was around his neck and his arms were tied behind his back, his ability to move was restricted, making kneeling extremely difficult. He tried several times but failed.

Yan Bugui, who was full of hope, was destined to be disappointed. The crowd suddenly became much quieter. Many people lowered their heads and did not even have the courage to look Yan Bugui in the face. These people were workers in the steel rolling mill and most of them had asked Yan Bugui to help them purchase things at the office.

But it is impossible to get them to come out and testify.

Faced with the "extremely vicious" patrol team, they were also afraid, fearing that they would be criticized as well.

"My fellow villagers, we must act according to our conscience. I beg you."

No matter what Yan Bugui said, he couldn't get any response from anyone. Some people didn't even bother to watch the fun and just turned around and went home, believing that out of sight, out of mind. They didn't have the courage to face Yan Bugui.

"Stop howling, you are just an opportunist. I am so unlucky to have a father like you."

Yan Jiefang pulled the rope hard and almost pulled Yan Bugui down.

“Ding ding ding…”

"Young and old, everyone, come and see, Yan Bugui, a former elementary school teacher, is a sanctimonious person. He said he was helping his neighbors, but he actually made money from them. Do you think this is helping?"

"Yan Bugui is a double-dealer. I feel ashamed to be his son."

Yan Jiekuang was not idle either. He beat the gong and scolded Yan Bugui.

Yan Bugui closed his eyes, tears silently falling down his cheeks. At this moment, he felt "heartbroken". Wasn't everything he did just to make life better for this family?

Since the movement, many teachers have been overthrown and schools have been suspended. Yan Bugui had no income, so he tried to earn more money to supplement his family income, but he ended up being betrayed by his two sons.

“Ding ding ding…”

"Everyone, come and see, this is the fate of speculators, please take it as a warning."

"Dang Dang Dang..."

Today was really an eye-opener. Yan Jiekuang was beating the gong and leading the way in front. Yan Jiefang was pulling the rope and dragging Yan Bugui from the back. Following behind were some pickets, all wearing red armbands.

Yan Bugui was dragged by his son directly to the temporary high court at the intersection and made to kneel down in front of everyone.

“Ding ding ding…”

Yan Jiekuang kept beating the gong, trying to attract more people to the criticism meeting.