At this time, Minister Zhang of the County Armed Forces came in from the gates and greeted with a smile, “Director, I’m here to listen in.”
When Zhang Heilu saw him, he immediately shouted, “Uncle, you can testify for me— I would never lie.”
Minister Zhang’s face turned dark. Zhang Heilu was a nephew of his own family. After being demobilised from the military, he managed to obtain his position in the Shansui Labour Farm due to Minister Zhang’s connections. I told that idiot to read more books and brush up on his knowledge but he just wouldn’t listen, what a useless troublemaker.
Although the garrison of the Shanshui Farm was said to be a branch of the regular army, in fact, the soldiers inside were all either demobilised or transferred from the military. Strictly speaking, they couldn’t ever become a regular soldier as evidenced by the fact that they no longer enjoy army allowances.
It was just nice to call themselves regular soldiers. Especially for people like them, who exalted their status as a member of the army whilst despising the actual demobilised and transferred soldiers.
Minister Zhang reprimanded him with a straight face, “There is no place for personal relationships in public affairs as the only thing that should be taken into account is work. If you have made a mistake, then even your father will not protect you.”
Zhang Heilu was still a little unconvinced. He stared at Han Qingsong, still insistently thinking that he was the one who hid Han Qinghua.
At this time, Luo Haicheng presented another piece of evidence about Zhao Anpin and Zhao Jianshe bribing Zhang Heilu and the two Squad Leaders beneath him. According to the conditions, they asked them to take special care of Zhang Jianshe, bully Han Qinghua. They also mentioned that Han Qinghua should be forced to follow the arrangements of their plan.
After all, the soldiers under Zhang Heilu were not monolithic and not all of them were confidantes. Zhao Jianshe’s special treatment on the farm was obvious to all, so there was no rebuttal that could be made either.
Anyone who was not under the control of Zhang Heilu could testify.
He also added that someone was able to act as a witness on the night Han Qinghua was taken away.
As soon as the evidence from all parties was presented and the witnesses were present, Shorty got scared and rushed to confess Zhao Jianshe’s crimes first.
“H-he said that as long as we listen to him, we will be living our lives as comfortably inside the farm as we did outside. We were to frighten Han Qinghua, let him escape back home and then help him reduce his sentence later on. Otherwise, we were to beat him up every day. He agreed on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival and ran away at noon the next day. It was originally agreed to have him run back to Shanzui Village and hide in a designated place near Director Han’s house. He will then take the initiative to explain that Director Han covered his escape, so we could also…get rid of Director Han at the same time.”
Towards the end of his confession, Shorty’s voice was almost inaudible.
Han Qingsong sat there, still remaining silent. If he was getting angry, his expressions certainly didn’t show it.
Zhao Jianshe was so angry that he scolded Shorty for his betrayal, but when he came to his senses, he changed his narrative and yelled at him for accusing him. He then tried to convince everyone that Shorty was being bribed, coerced and lured by Luo Haicheng to present such a story.
Minister Zhang glared at Zhang Heilu, “Speak!”