"That’s right. I remember at first, it was just said to be a cold. Widow Qiu went around telling everyone that Chunzhu had gotten frozen on the mountain. Later, when he didn’t get any better, who would have thought he’d pass away so soon after the new year began."
At this, the faces of the Qiu Family members all turned sour. Qiu Chunzhu’s cousin, Qiu Chunxi, then stepped forward, "We can’t let this matter rest; we must seek justice for my cousin."
Another sister-in-law from a different branch of the Qiu Family also spoke up, "Right! If Qiu Baolin and Qiu Baojuan are not Chunzhu’s offspring, then they can’t occupy our Qiu Family’s house."
These words further fueled the Qiu Family members’ righteous indignation. "Exactly! We can’t let those murderers off the hook! We must get justice for Chunzhu!"
So the Qiu Family quickly gathered. After a discussion, Qiu Chunxi and an elder from the same clan decided to go to the commune to find the leaders. They planned to demand that public security severely punish the culprits. Follow current novels on n0velfire.net
Secretary Li of the commune hadn’t left with the county officials. After seeing them off, he and the Branch Secretary returned to the brigade headquarters. "Comrade Yang Gengtian," Secretary Li said, "as the Branch Secretary, you also bear responsibility for such a major incident in the village."
The Branch Secretary didn’t dare to retort, but inside, he was itching to curse. "Yes, it is indeed my fault for not doing my job well."
He was busy enough with the brigade’s daily affairs; where would he find time to monitor those clandestine dealings? Besides, everyone appeared so proper in public; who knew they were actually so vile behind closed doors?
Secretary Li sighed, "With Xu Wenchang involved in such a matter, we, the leaders of the commune, also bear responsibility. However, the most pressing issue now is to quickly elect a competent and virtuous brigade leader to stabilize the situation."
The Branch Secretary nodded, "Secretary Li, you’re right. The harvest season is just over a month away, so this matter is indeed of utmost importance."
Secretary Li gave a few instructions before preparing to leave Songling Village.
Just as he was about to get up, he remembered something and stopped in his tracks, "Branch Secretary Yang, is there a ’sent-down youth’ with the surname Chu in your village?"
The Branch Secretary looked at Secretary Li, not understanding what he meant.
Secretary Li explained, "An old superior of mine once mentioned that a younger relative of his was coming here as a ’sent-down youth.’ I’ve been so busy I’d forgotten about it."
To think Chu Zhiqing’s elder knew the commune’s Secretary Li! "Indeed," the Branch Secretary said, "there is a ’sent-down youth’ surnamed Chu, named Yunyi."
Secretary Li raised his hand, "Yes, yes, yes, her name is Chuyunyi."
The Branch Secretary looked towards the Willow Tree, "Should we call her over?"
Secretary Li gestured with his hand, "No need. As long as it doesn’t violate any regulations, just look out for her a bit."
With that said, he led his people away.
Since work had already been delayed, the Branch Secretary thought for a moment and then decided to gather all the commune members. "The position of brigade leader," he announced, "cannot remain vacant indefinitely. After all, someone needs to handle the village’s affairs, big and small. Following Commune Secretary Li’s directive, we must quickly elect a capable member to serve as brigade leader.
Next, each small production team will nominate two candidates. Then, all commune members will vote, and the one with the most votes will be elected."
By noon, Songling Village had elected Qiao Yougen as the new brigade leader.
Qiao Yougen was an upright and capable person in the eyes of the villagers, so his election faced no opposition.
Thus, Xu Wenchang became history, and Qiao Yougen officially took over as the brigade leader of Songling Village.
Xu Wenchang was taken back to the county. Initially, he was very defiant, insisting he had been wronged. But when he saw the notebook, he knew he was finished.