Chapter 512: Paying Respects to Director Shangguan

As it turned out, I had already grabbed Director Li's neck with both hands and wasn't letting go.

"Are you telling the truth? Director Shangguan was sent to that crematorium to be cremated. Speak quickly." I said at that moment, gritting my teeth, tears streaming from my eyes.

"I'm telling the truth, Mr. Zhao. Think about it—Kong Shi has already gone in; do I need to lie again? He was sent to the Nine Ridges Mountain Crematorium. It was the vehicle from the Bin Yi Guan that took him away." Director Li said, his voice trembling.

"Come with us to the Nine Ridges Mountain Crematorium to verify this. If you're lying, I'll cremate you on the spot." I said angrily.

"All right, I'll go with you. Please, Mr. Zhao, release me." Director Li pleaded.

I released my grip,

I said to Shi Yong, "Shi Yong, drive; we're going to the Nine Ridges Mountain Crematorium."

Shi Yong then went to drive.

I and Director Li followed behind.

We quickly arrived at the Nine Ridges Mountain Crematorium in Teng County.

Director Li quickly found the person in charge of the Bin Yi Guan, Director Wang,

and produced the hospital's certificate,

specifying the date, they had dispatched a vehicle from the hospital to carry away one corpse.

The Bin Yi Guan's Director Wang,

after looking at Director Li's certificate, said, "That person was ordered to be cremated by the superiors. We've already cremated him. What's wrong with that?"

"Mr. Zhao, I haven't been talking nonsense, have I? The corpse has already been taken away by them and cremated—I have no responsibility here." Director Li said.

I then turned to Director Wang and asked, "Do you know who that person you cremated was? After cremating him, how did you handle his ashes?"

Director Wang looked at me calmly,

"Who are you? What relation are you to that person?"

"Don't ask who I am; I just want to know where you placed Director Shangguan's ashes." I asked angrily.

"Speak up, or I'll smash this place to pieces." Shi Yong shouted from the side.

Upon hearing Shi Yong say that,

Director Wang laughed,

"Daring to come here and smash things—you've really smashed the nest. If you're capable, go ahead and dismantle that furnace. Nowadays everything is smokeless."

"Dismantling the furnace is something we can't do. My brother asked—where did you put Director Shangguan's ashes? We need to use them." Shi Yong said.

"Director Wang, this is Zhao Jianqiang, former chairman of the Da Heng Group, who had the best relationship with Director Shangguan. Director Shangguan's ashes—do you still retain them?" Director Li asked from the side.

"Ah, it's Mr. Zhao. My apologies. If an ordinary person came, I would never tell them. I have retained Director Shangguan's ashes—not only that, I specially found a good spot and buried them for him." Director Wang said, his voice low.

"How do you know Director Shangguan?" I asked, puzzled.

"That was many years ago; I worked in the county, and my direct superior was Director Shangguan.

He was later transferred to Zaocheng, and we lost contact.

When our vehicle went to the hospital to pick up an unidentified corpse,

I had to personally examine it.

As soon as I saw this person, it turned out to be Director Shangguan.

Director Shangguan was a good person; I know that, having worked with him before.

I never expected he would suddenly die now.

Moreover, the superiors ordered me to cremate him, and after cremation I was not allowed to keep the ashes. I could only outwardly obey the command.

I believe Director Shangguan definitely died unjustly.

He was utterly upright—how could he have passed away like this?

Someone will come to investigate his death.

So I secretly kept his ashes.

Not only did I keep his ashes, I also preserved a few of his personal belongings.

"Director Shangguan really was a good person." Director Wang said, voice breaking.

I never imagined that Director Shangguan would meet an acquaintance here, and that this person would help him at the final moment.

Without Director Wang, I believe Director Shangguan's ashes would have been gone long ago.

Still, good deeds are rewarded.

I became overwrought,

I quickly said, "Thank you so much, Director Wang. Where are Director Shangguan's ashes now? We'd like to go see them."

Director Wang said, "All right, please follow me. I buried Director Shangguan in the Gong Mu of our Bin Yi Guan."

Having said that, Director Wang walked toward the Gong Mu.

At this point, Director Li hastily said, "I have nothing more to do here; I'll hurry back."

I had just thought to have Shi Yong drive him back,

but Director Li turned his back and ran off without looking back.

This Director Li—really, he has nothing left to do here; why is he running?

Director Wang and I went up the mountain path, and before long we arrived at the Gong Mu area.

Here tombstones are everywhere, bearing photos of all kinds of people.

There are old and young, women and men,

perhaps this is truly people's final home.

After turning a few corners, we came to a platform.

Director Wang stopped,

and pointed at that platform, saying, "This spot is a good location in our Gong Mu; when the Gong Mu was built, a feng shui master had inspected it."

I looked around; the position was indeed good.

It was clearly noticeable that, compared to other places, this place was more outstanding and more obvious.

Director Wang came to the high platform,

found a tombstone,

"Mr. Zhao, this is Shangguan Zhuren's tomb."

I buried him here. Originally there was no stele. A few days ago, Kong Shi was overthrown, so I secretly erected a stele for Shangguan Zhuren.

Take a look,

The characters on this stele, I haven't gilded them yet; this task must be done by Shangguan Zhuren's closest relative.

I didn't dare to touch it."

Following Director Wang's gesture,

I indeed saw a tombstone ahead, inscribed with "Tomb of Shangguan Yunseng."

Only today did I learn that Shangguan Zhuren's real name was Shangguan Yunseng.

Seeing this scene, I could no longer hold back.

I plunged down, kneeling before the tombstone,

then hurriedly kowtowed toward the tombstone,

"Shangguan Zhuren, I've come to see you; I am Zhao Jianqiang—can you hear me?"

I cried out loudly.

But my crying drew no response.

I lay prostrate on the ground,

using my hand to slowly wipe the dust off the tombstone, as if wiping dust from Shangguan Zhuren's face.

I cried and shouted,

Shangguan Zhuren,

Shangguan Zhuren gave no response at all.

At that moment Director Wang came over and patted me,

"Mr. Zhao, the dead cannot be resurrected. We have all seen your feelings for Shangguan Zhuren.

But you cannot cry like this.

Otherwise, you will disturb others."

I had no choice but to stop crying.

I said to Shi Yong, "Shi Yong, go buy some offerings from below; I want to make offerings to Shangguan Zhuren here, buy more cigarettes, as Shangguan Zhuren liked to smoke."

Shi Yong agreed and went down.

I said to Director Wang, "Thank you, Director Wang; without you, Shangguan Zhuren would have left no remains, and I would have had nowhere to even cry."

"Alas, I too have received favors from Shangguan Zhuren. He was a good person; good people must receive good recompense. I have done too little for him.

Mr. Zhao, this stele still has no photo. Shangguan Zhuren has no descendants; if anyone does, please have them affix a photo."

"Yes, Shangguan Zhuren has a daughter.

I will turn back to arrange for her to come as much as possible, to place a photo for Shangguan Zhuren." After I said that, tears welled up again and flowed down.

At that moment Shi Yong had bought many offerings.

Director Wang took it over and placed it properly.

I said to Director Wang, "Director Wang, I will pay respects to Shangguan Zhuren a bit; here our parents have passed away, so we perform the great ritual of three kowtows and nine bows; today I will perform this great ritual for Shangguan Zhuren here, and only in this way can I repay Shangguan Zhuren's kindness. Shi Yong and I will bow together."