Chapter 284: Refusing to Release Someone

When the Junior Company Commander gave the order, the nearest militia kicked Tan Kaiping to the ground, and another militia raised his gunstock and struck Tan Kaiping's back.

"Stinky Old Nine, you even dare to sell the state's property; your conduct is truly vile…"

The militia kept hitting while cursing.

Tan Kaiping lay on the ground, curled up as if the beating had given him experience, tightly protecting his head and stomach.

Even though his bones were nearly broken from the blows, Tan Kaiping only clenched his teeth, stubbornly not uttering a word; perhaps that is his proud backbone.

You can beat me, but I will never beg you for mercy.

What puzzled Lu Cheng was that, although the Company Commander said in person that he embezzled state assets, Tan Kaiping offered not even a single defense.

Perhaps Tan Kaiping knew that, as a sent‑down person, no one would believe his words; otherwise he wouldn't be staying here for re‑education, so even if he tried to defend himself it would be useless.

Watching Tan Kaiping's miserable beating, Lu Cheng several times wanted to step forward and stop; in theory, Tan Kaiping was being hit because a false charge had been pinned on his head.

But if he did that, he still couldn't take Tan Kaiping away.

Thus, if Tan Kaiping wants to leave and regain his freedom, the punishment he suffers now can only be something he must endure.

Even though Tan Kaiping was already screaming in pain, the Company Commander was still dissatisfied, scolding the two militiamen for not having eaten, and he himself stepped forward to add a few more kicks.

"Comrade, why don't you also give a kick."

The Company Commander extended the invitation warmly, as if inviting to a feast.

These days, regarding Stinky Old Nine, everyone wishes to see him executed; if you, like others, go up and beat him, you are drawing a clear line.

Conversely, an unclear line shows insufficient Revolutionary Will and calls for strict education.

Lu Cheng hesitated, but ultimately could not bring himself to beat Tan Kaiping; he only wanted to end this farce quickly.

"Alright, Company Commander Comrade, stop beating him; if you keep beating, he'll die."

Lu Cheng's remark directly revealed his Revolutionary Will was not firm enough, and the Junior Company Commander instantly responded with dissatisfaction.

"Hey, Comrade, do you pity a Stinky Old Nine? He even dares to sell state property; what's there to pity! Such a person should be beaten to death.

And you, Comrade, how can you have so little ideological awareness? This is unacceptable; you need education."

Saying that, the Junior Company Commander shouted at the two militiamen: "Hit, keep hitting, don't hold back; they deserve to die."

Lu Cheng took a deep breath: "I'm not pitying him; I have a mission today—to bring Tan Kaiping back to the bureau for interrogation. If you kill him, how can I interrogate him!"

Lu Cheng's words gave him a solid footing, and the Junior Company Commander could no longer doubt his ideological awareness.

But saying that Lu Cheng should take the person away made him somewhat reluctant; mainly because he wanted to interrogate Tan Kaiping himself, and if he got results, the credit would be his.

If a big issue were uncovered, perhaps he could rise further.

Thinking this, he waved his hand to halt the militiamen.

Then he reached out and lifted the emaciated Tan Kaiping, as thin as a dried chicken.

"Old Tan, this Comrade from the Railway Bureau says you sold factory machines on the side; is that true?"

The lifted Tan Kaiping's face was covered in mud, yet even though the beating left him unsteady, he still carefully straightened his clothes.

That tattered clothing was his last semblance of dignity.

After fixing his clothes, Tan Kaiping finally looked at Lu Cheng, then shook his head, saying he had never done this before and did not know Lu Cheng.

The Company Commander clapped his hands instantly: "See, he says he never sold machines; I think you're mistaken, so you should go back first."

Lu Cheng was speechless; he hadn't asked before, now he was being questioned, and the earlier beating seemed inexplicable.

Perhaps beating these people required no reason at all.

At this moment, Lu Cheng realized a problem: this militia, together with the Company Commander, seemed unwilling to let him take the person away.

It seemed this time would not go smoothly.

Nevertheless, Lu Cheng was not prepared to give up; since he represented the Railway Bureau and accused Tan Kaiping of selling factory machines, the people of the Farm would certainly not let Tan Kaiping go so easily.

The only possibility was that these people wanted to claim the credit for themselves.

Whether Tan Kaiping would admit it was another matter; anyway, these people had means to force him to confess.

By then, Lu Cheng would pretend to accuse Tan Kaiping of selling machines, then take away the matter of assisting in developing a snow‑removal machine; what began as a good deed turned into a Death Talisman for Tan Kaiping, thus harming him.

Therefore, Lu Cheng, today he must take the person away no matter what.

"Company Commander Comrade, may I ask: Tan Kaiping was sent here because of academic issues; did he ever admit it before?"

The Company Commander, unaware of Lu Cheng's words, fell into a trap and replied without thinking.

"Of course he didn't admit it; he was also charged with several other crimes, and he didn't admit those either, but his denial is useless."

Lu Cheng nodded: "So now his denial of selling machines is quite normal, isn't it?"

The Company Commander was caught off guard; he didn't realize this young Comrade's mouth was quite articulate, and in a few words he shut him down.

He inhaled: "Then let's do this—since he has issues, let our Farm interrogate him; you all go back first. If anything comes out of the interrogation later, we'll send someone to inform you."

The more Lu Cheng insisted on taking the person away, the more the Company Commander believed Tan Kaiping had problems, and the credit could not be given to others.

Before coming, Lu Cheng knew taking the person away wouldn't be easy, so he prepared an Arrest Warrant, but he never expected these people to entangle him so much.

"Sorry, Company Commander Comrade, this is a normal Official Coordination; if you can't make a decision, you may contact the Commune."

As the saying goes, the King of Hell is easy to meet, but little demons are hard to deal with.

Lu Cheng truly wasn't afraid of Commune officials arriving; the higher the rank, the more they follow procedure, and Lu Cheng, bearing the Arrest Warrant, was acting procedurally on the surface.

It was the militia's Junior Company Commander who acted like a bully.

After hearing Lu Cheng's words, the Junior Company Commander was momentarily stumped, but he still didn't intend to release the person.

"Let's do this: it's just a minor matter, no need to bother the Commune; I think Tan Kaiping should decide himself—where he wants to be interrogated, he stays there."

Lu Cheng was somewhat speechless; he understood the Junior Company Commander's petty motives perfectly.

Let Tan Kaiping choose himself? He can't choose anything; he doesn't dare leave this place at all.

Previously, when facing the Junior Company Commander's obstruction, Lu Cheng had managed to counter his words, leaving the Junior Company Commander at a loss; this time, he still prepared to follow the Junior Company Commander's suggestion.

Because he held a Family Photo that could make Tan Kaiping trust him.