Chapter 418

Every morning at seven-thirty, Liu Haizhong punctually pushed his Phoenix bicycle out of the courtyard gate.

The bike bell must be rung three times.

Ding-ling-ling—ding-ling-ling—ding-ling-ling—

Clear, loud, carrying an indisputable rhythm—like an announcement, yet also a demonstration.

He swung onto the seat, pushed off with his right foot, and the wheels began to turn. The brand-new spokes flashed silver in the morning light, and the bell on the handlebars swayed lightly with each bump.

From the Siheyuan to the Steel Rolling Mill, it's three li.

These three li are Liu Haizhong's most enjoyable time of the day.

Workers rode battered Forever and Pigeon bicycles, or simply walked; upon seeing him approach, they all hurried to make way at the roadside.

"Good morning, Deputy Director Liu!"

"Director Liu is going to work!"

Greetings rose and fell one after another.

Liu Haizhong gave a slight nod, without bowing his head or smiling, keeping a stern face—this was something he had studied; a leader must have the bearing of a leader.

But inside, he was already blooming with joy.

Just like drinking an ice-cold soda on a scorching summer day, refreshing from the throat down to the stomach.

He is now the deputy head of the Revolutionary Committee, in charge of ideological work. With several thousand people in the factory, who would dare not show him a bit of respect?

Even those workshop supervisors, who used to give him curt replies, now proactively offer him cigarettes, each saying, "Director Liu."

This feeling is truly great.

Liu Haizhong pedaled with greater force, the wheels spun rapidly, and the bike bell rang ding-dang.

It was as if he were telling the whole street: I, Liu Haizhong, am no longer what I used to be!

As the saying goes, a new official sets three fires upon taking office.

Liu Haizhong's first fire was aimed at the Security Section.

He had been pondering this matter for several days.

Li Ping'an was too hard, too steady, like a rock—no amount of hammering could break him. The last time I went to the Security Department, his attitude and gaze made it clear he didn't regard me, the deputy head, at all.

That won't do.

We must let Li Ping'an know who calls the shots now.

And also let the whole factory see that Liu Haizhong is not a pushover.

On Friday afternoon, Liu Haizhong convened a meeting of the Revolutionary Committee.

The meeting room was filled with people—all young cadres wearing red armbands, plus a few newly promoted activists from the workshops.

Liu Haizhong sat in the chief seat and cleared his throat.

"Comrades, since the Revolutionary Committee was established, our factory's ideological work has achieved great results. But!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the entire assembly.

"There are still blind spots! There are still loopholes! Some departments, some comrades, do not pay enough attention to ideological work, even treating it passively!"

Below, not a sound could be heard.

"I have recently observed that the Security Section is a typical case." Liu Haizhong tapped the table, "Discipline is lax, work style is slack, lacking revolutionary vigilance! How can this be acceptable? The Security Section is an important department of the factory; in such a state, how can production safety be guaranteed?"

A young cadre raised his hand.

"Deputy Director Liu, then what should we..."

"Rectify!" Liu Haizhong slammed the table, "Starting next Monday, the Revolutionary Committee will be stationed in the Security Section to carry out a week-long ideological rectification! Identify problems, pinpoint shortcomings, catch typical cases!"

A murmur of discussion rose in the meeting room.

Some were excited, some worried, some expressionless.

Liu Haizhong was very pleased with this effect.

He seemed already to see Li Ping'an bowing his head and admitting fault before him.

On Monday morning, just as the Security Section finished its morning meeting, the door was pushed open.

Liu Haizhong led seven or eight people, marching in mightily.

Li Ping'an was arranging duties when he saw this spectacle and stopped mid-sentence.

"Deputy Director Liu, what's the matter?"

"There is." Liu Haizhong walked with his hands behind his back, "The Revolutionary Committee has decided to conduct an ideological rectification of the Security Section. Starting today, our people will participate fully in your work, checking discipline and supervising work style."

Those young people in red armbands behind him immediately dispersed—some went to flip through duty logs, some to inspect equipment cabinets, and some simply stood at the doorway, staring at the coming and going security cadres.

The atmosphere instantly grew tense.

Chen Jianghe's face darkened; he wanted to say something, but Li Ping'an stopped him with a glance.

Li Ping'an remained calm.

"Since it's the Revolutionary Committee's decision, the Security Section will certainly cooperate." He turned to Chen Jianghe and said, "Captain Chen, bring out the recent duty roster, patrol logs, and attendance evaluations for Deputy Director Liu to review."

"Yes."

Chen Jianghe went to fetch the materials.

Liu Haizhong walked to Li Ping'an's desk, picked up the enamel jar on it, glanced at it, then set it down.

"Chief Li, I've heard that in your Security Section, someone has been arriving late and leaving early lately?"

"Is that so?" Li Ping'an countered, "Who exactly are you referring to, Deputy Director Liu? Specific times? Specific instances?"

Liu Haizhong choked.

He had just said it offhand; there were no concrete examples.

"Well… the masses have reflected it."

"Then please have those masses who reflected the situation come forward so we can verify it on the spot."

Li Ping'an's expression didn't change, "If this is indeed the case, then criticize where criticism is due, handle where handling is due. If not, we also cannot wrongfully accuse a comrade."

His words were watertight.

Liu Haizhong felt a bit embarrassed.

At that moment, a young clerk ran over.

"Deputy Director Liu, I've found a problem!"

"Speak!"

"The patrol records of the Security Section are not detailed in some places! For example, last night's patrol at ten o'clock only wrote 'The factory area is normal,' without specifying which places were checked!"

Liu Haizhong's spirits lifted.

"Section Chief Li, how do you explain this?"

Li Ping'an glanced at the young clerk.

"What's your name?"

"Wang... Wang Jianguo."

"Comrade Wang Jianguo." Li Ping'an nodded, "You asked a very good question. However, the Security Section's patrol records are internal work logs, not a ledger for outsiders. Writing 'The factory area is normal' already indicates everything is normal. If we wrote too much detail, should it fall into the hands of someone with ulterior motives, it would instead leak the factory's deployment situation. Do you understand this reasoning?"

Wang Jianguo opened his mouth but said nothing.

Liu Haizhong's face grew even uglier.

He hadn't expected Li Ping'an to be so eloquent.

Every sentence was reasonable, every sentence left him speechless.

"Then... what about the attendance evaluation?" Liu Haizhong changed tack, "I've heard someone has been taking a lot of leave!"

"The attendance records are right here." Chen Jianghe happened to bring over the materials, a thick stack, "Deputy Director Liu can take his time looking. However, I need to clarify that the Security Section operates on a shift system, not fixed eight-hour shifts. Some work night shifts, some day shifts, some take compensatory leave. Just looking at the number of days attended doesn't reveal anything."

Liu Haizhong took the materials and flipped through them.

Forms dense with tables, numbers, and signatures.

He felt dizzy looking at them.

But the words were already out; he couldn't just let it go.

"Like this." Liu Haizhong closed the materials, "The rectification must still proceed. Starting today, all work of the Security Section must be reported to the Revolutionary Committee. Everyone must write a daily thought report for a week, without letting up."

Having said that, he led his people away.

As they left, their steps were somewhat hurried.

The Security Section grew quiet.

Chen Jianghe walked up to Li Ping'an and lowered his voice.

"Brother, Liu Haizhong... is clearly looking for trouble."

"I know." Li Ping'an glanced at the door, "A new official always lights a few fires upon taking office. If they land on us, it's no surprise."

"Then are we just going to let him toss us around?"

"Of course not." Li Ping'an turned, "But meeting force with force isn't the way. With this type of person, the more you contend with him, the more he escalates."

He walked to the window, watching Liu Haizhong and his party recede into the distance.

"We need to let him burn himself with his own fire."

Chen Jianghe didn't understand.

"Brother, you mean..."

"What is Liu Haizhong most proud of right now?" Li Ping'an asked.

"Being deputy director, riding a new car, showing off everywhere."

"Right." Li Ping'an nodded, "But how did he become deputy director? By giving gifts to Li Huaide and arranging for his sons to enter the factory. He thinks it's flawless, but in reality it's full of holes."

Chen Jianghe's eyes lit up.

"You mean..."

"I haven't said anything." Li Ping'an cut him off, "Get back to work. If Deputy Director Liu wants a thought report, write it. If he wants work reported, report it. We'll follow the rules."

He paused.

"However, some accounts outside the rules also need to be settled."

Late at night.

The Steel Rolling Mill office building was pitch dark.

Li Ping'an slipped over the wall like a shadow, soundlessly.

First he went to Li Huaide's office.

The door was locked, so he slipped the envelope directly through the crack.

The letter was written with the left hand, the characters crooked and uneven:

"Director Li, please open: Liu Haizhong used his position for personal gain, arranging for his two sons to enter the factory, violating recruitment regulations. He also hid 'Four Olds' antiques in his office, with unclear intent. The evidence is in the second drawer on the left side of his office. Please investigate."

Next he went downstairs to Liu Haizhong's office.

Likewise, he picked the lock and entered.

Liu Haizhong's desk, the second drawer on the left, was locked.

Li Ping'an picked the lock and pulled open the drawer.

Inside were some miscellaneous items: a ballpoint pen, a notebook, a tea canister, and several packs of Da Qienmen cigarettes.

He took a small cloth bag from his spatial storage.

Inside the cloth bag was a palm-sized bronze miniature cauldron—this was among the items collected from the Lou Half City Villa, the most inconspicuous piece. Yet even so inconspicuous, it is still an antique, and thus one of the "Four Olds."

He placed the cauldron at the innermost part of the drawer and covered it with the notebook.

Then he took out another document.

This is the material he has gathered these past few days: the recruitment records of Liu Haizhong's two sons, Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu. It bears Liu Haizhong's signature and approval, as well as Li Huaide's seal.

On the surface the procedure seems fine, but a closer look shows these two people simply do not meet the recruitment requirements—their education level is insufficient and they lack recommendation letters.

Li Ping'an placed the document beside the small ding.

After finishing, he closed the drawer and locked it again.

He left the office and locked the door.

He climbed over the wall and left.

The whole process took less than twenty minutes.

The night remained deep, the moonlight blocked by clouds, with only a few stars twinkling in the sky.

Li Ping'an walked down the deserted street, his steps light.

He recalled Liu Haizhong's smug face, the brand-new Phoenix bicycle, and the three clear chimes of its bell.

"Ding-ling-ling—ding-ling-ling—ding-ling-ling—"

Like a funeral bell.

Early the next morning, Li Huaide went to work.

Just as he opened the door, he saw a letter and bent down to pick it up.

After reading it, his expression changed.

He did not erupt immediately, but instead summoned his secretary.

"Go check whether Liu Haizhong's two sons have recently joined the factory, and what procedure they used."

The secretary left at once.

An hour later, the secretary returned, holding that recruitment record.

"Director Li, I've looked into it. Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu both joined the factory last week, one in the Logistics Department, the other in the Transport Team. The paperwork……the paperwork looks complete, but a closer look shows these two do not meet the recruitment requirements."

Li Huaide took the record and examined it.

His expression grew increasingly grim.

"Moreover," the secretary lowered his voice, "I heard that on the day Liu Haizhong joined the factory, he bought a Phoenix bicycle. Where did he get the money? Does he still have the ticket?"

Li Huaide said nothing.

He recalled how Liu Haizhong had come to see him, bowing and scraping, wearing a fawning grin, and as he left slipped him a small cloth bag—inside were two small yellow croakers.

At the time he thought, Liu Haizhong was sensible, would get things done.

Now he realizes, this was treating him like a fool to deceive him.

Arranging for his sons to enter the factory, buying a new car—doing these things so blatantly, does he really think Li Huaide is blind?

"Take two people and go to Liu Haizhong's office," Li Huaide said, putting down the record, "open the second drawer on the left and have a look."

The secretary hesitated, but didn't ask further, then turned and left.

Ten minutes later, the secretary returned, holding the bronze small ding and the recruitment record.

"Director Li, I found it. It's right in the drawer."

Li Huaide took the small ding and hefted it.

It was cold and heavy.

Bronze, at least a Ming–Qing era piece.

"Four Olds,"

Liu Haizhong actually dared to hide this in his office?

What was he planning?

Li Huaide suddenly recalled the rumor he'd heard a few days earlier—that Liu Haizhong was rectifying the Security Section and had come into conflict with Li Ping'an.

Now it seems, this is more than just a work dispute.

This is Liu Haizhong getting carried away, not knowing his own limits.

"Notify the Revolutionary Committee to hold a meeting," Li Huaide said, setting down the small ding, his voice cold, "right away."

In the meeting room, the atmosphere was solemn.

Liu Haizhong still didn't know what had happened, still thinking Li Huaide was going to praise his achievements in rectifying the Security Section.

He had purposely arrived ten minutes early, sitting in a front seat with his back ramrod straight.

When everyone had gathered, Li Huaide then entered.

He held the bronze small ding in his hand.

"Today's meeting will concern only one matter," Li Huaide said, placing the small ding on the table, "Someone has reported that Comrade Liu Haizhong abused his power for personal gain, arranging for his sons to enter the factory and hiding 'Four Olds' antiquities in his office."

The meeting room instantly erupted.

Everyone turned their gaze to Liu Haizhong.

Liu Haizhong's face turned white in an instant.

"Director Li, this… this is a false accusation! I—"

"Whether it's a false accusation, we'll know after an investigation," Li Huaide interrupted him, "I've already looked at the recruitment records of Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu. They don't meet the requirements, so how did they get into the factory? How do you explain your signature?"

Sweat beaded on Liu Haizhong's forehead.

"I… I was just following procedure…"

"Procedure?" Li Huaide sneered, "Does the procedure mean stuffing two unqualified sons into the factory?"

He picked up the small ding.

"And this—these 'Four Olds' antiquities you hid in your office—what were you planning? To keep them for display? Or wait for them to appreciate in value?"

Liu Haizhong trembled all over, unable to speak.

All that filled his mind was one thought: It's over.

All done.

"After study, the decision is made." Li Huaide stood up, his voice echoing through the whole conference room, "Liu Haizhong is suspended for investigation; the deputy director position will be temporarily assumed by comrade Wang Jianguo. Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu do not meet the hiring criteria and are dismissed from the factory effective immediately."

Liu Haizhong's legs went weak, and he collapsed onto the chair.

It felt as if his bones had been pulled out.

When the news reached the Siheyuan, it was already evening.

Liu Haizhong pushed the Phoenix bicycle back, but this time the bell didn't ring.

He lowered his head, hunched his back, and walked home step by step.

The people in the courtyard saw him, and their gazes changed.

There was mockery, there was pity, there was indifference.

Sha Zhu was washing vegetables by the sink, and upon seeing Liu Haizhong's condition, he grinned.

"Hey, Deputy Director Liu—no, you should be called Master Liu now, right? What happened, the deputy director's seat hadn't even gotten warm, and it's already been knocked away?"

Liu Haizhong ignored him and pushed the bike into the back yard.

Er Da Ma came out of the house, and upon seeing her husband's state, her heart gave a sudden thud.

"Old Liu, what's wrong?"

Liu Haizhong tossed the bike into the corner with a clang.

"It's over, completely over."

"What's over?"

"The deputy director is gone, and Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu have also been dismissed." Liu Haizhong plopped onto a stool, hands clasping his head, "Li Huaide… Li Huaide has turned his face and refuses to recognize anyone!"

Er Da Ma's legs went weak, and she leaned against the door frame.

"How could this… how could it be like this…"

"Someone stabbed me from behind!" Liu Haizhong jerked his head up, his eyes bloodshot, "It must be Li Ping'an! It has to be him!"

He recalled that bronze small cauldron.

He had never seen that thing before!

How did it end up in his drawer?

And that hiring record…

Liu Haizhong suddenly understood.

It was a trap.

Li Ping'an dug the pit for him, and he foolishly jumped in.

"Li Ping'an…" Liu Haizhong gritted his teeth, "You're so ruthless…"

In the Xi Kua Yuan, Li Ping'an was teaching Li Yaozong how to write.

Lin Xueqing returned from outside, her complexion somewhat complicated.

"Ping'an, Liu Haizhong… has collapsed."

"Oh." Li Ping'an didn't even lift his head, "Wrote it wrong, this stroke needs to be lifted upward."

Li Yaozong quickly corrected it.

Lin Xueqing walked to her husband's side and lowered her voice.

"I heard that in his office they found an antique, and also evidence that he arranged for his son to enter the factory…"

"He who does many injustices will bring about his own ruin." Li Ping'an set down his brush, "People like Liu Haizhong, once they gain power they lose restraint, forget how much they weigh. Tripping and falling is only a matter of time."

"But…"

"There is no 'but.'" Li Ping'an cut her off, "Xueqing, remember my words: in this courtyard, in this factory, whoever gets cocky, whoever flaunts, they are not far from misfortune. All we need to do is live peacefully, not stir trouble, nor fear it."

Lin Xueqing looked at her husband's calm face, and the uneasiness in her heart gradually subsided.

Indeed.

Xu Damao fell, and Liu Haizhong also fell.

But Li Ping'an is still here.

This home is still standing.

That's enough.

Outside the window came Liu Haizhong's shouts and curses, and Er Da Ma's sobbing.

Fragmented, like cicada cries in autumn—hoarse and feeble.

Li Ping'an walked to the window and looked toward the back yard.

The setting sun sank in the west, the horizon a wash of blood red.

He recalled Liu Haizhong's brand‑new Phoenix bicycle, which should still be lying in the corner.

The gleaming handlebars will gradually rust, and the bell will slowly go mute.

Just like some people: the higher they climb, the harsher the fall.

Li Ping'an turned and returned to his desk.

"Yaozong, keep writing."

"Yes, father."

In the courtyard, dusk gathered on all sides.

Another day passed.

And tomorrow's sun rose as usual.