Chapter 389

The frame of the greenhouse was built.

Afternoon.

Wan Ping'an returned to the Sihe Academy.

He happened to catch everyone getting off work, and Liu Guangqi, still a half-grown boy, came to notify him that a courtyard-wide assembly was to be held.

"What kind of trouble is Yi Zhonghai trying to stir up again?"

Wan Ping'an suspected immediately that Yi Zhonghai was up to something.

Half an hour later.

At the assembly site.

More than half of the people in the Sihe Academy were present.

A courtyard-wide assembly didn't mean everyone had to attend; it meant at least one person from each household had to attend.

Most of the time, people in the courtyard would come if they were free; after all, entertainment was scarce, and many people treated the courtyard-wide assembly like watching a play.

"Everyone, be quiet for a moment. Next, I invite the Second Elder to speak!"

Yi Zhonghai gave the opportunity to speak to Liu Haizhong.

Wan Ping'an was stunned. What was Yi Zhonghai doing?

How could he give the opportunity to Liu Haizhong?

Very quickly.

Wan Ping'an thought of a possibility.

Yi Zhonghai must have reached some kind of agreement with Liu Haizhong in private.

"They've joined forces. Yi Zhonghai hates me very much and has always wanted to drive me out of the Sihe Academy."

"He realized he couldn't do it himself, so he joined forces with Liu Haizhong. That must be it!"

Wan Ping'an analyzed the truth.

"Ahem, I am representing the subdistrict office to convey the spirit of the higher-ups' instructions."

Liu Haizhong was very proud.

He was imitating the way leaders spoke.

"For a period of time recently..."

Liu Haizhong rambled on for half an hour.

There were only two things.

One thing was preventing spies.

Having just entered the new society, there were still some remnants of the old society who were saboteurs carrying out destructive activities, and some of these saboteurs were very rampant.

The most important purpose of setting up managing elders in each courtyard was to prevent spies.

The other thing was fire prevention.

A while ago, a big fire occurred in the neighboring block, burning down an entire courtyard. The scene was very tragic and unbearable to look at.

Buildings in the fifties had a heavy proportion of wooden structures.

Once a fire started, it was very easy to spread.

"Fire?"

Yi Zhonghai's eyes lit up. He looked at Wan Ping'an and then glanced at the direction of Wan Ping'an's house.

Wan Ping'an's house, like everyone else's, was mainly a wooden structure. Once it started burning, wouldn't Wan Ping'an be in trouble?

A murderous intent flashed in Yi Zhonghai's eyes!

He had suffered too many losses at Wan Ping'an's hands, hated him too much, and saw no hope of victory!

So he thought of physical destruction!

"First Elder, First Elder?"

When Yi Zhonghai was lost in thought, he heard Liu Haizhong calling him.

"Uh, what?"

Yi Zhonghai came back to his senses.

"First Elder, I'm finished speaking, it's your turn!"

Liu Haizhong was very puzzled.

What was wrong with Yi Zhonghai?

Could he even be distracted during a courtyard-wide assembly?

"I know!"

Yi Zhonghai's old face flushed slightly, feeling a bit awkward. He immediately adjusted his state, stood up, and prepared to begin his performance for the day.

He glanced at everyone.

"Neighbors, we are lucky to live in one courtyard; it's a big family made up of many small families, and the Sihe Academy is our common home."

Yi Zhonghai's speaking still had a certain level of quality.

"We are all members of the family, members of the small collective, so we must have a sense of collective honor and value the collective honor of the courtyard!"

"As the old saying goes, family shame should not be spread abroad!"

"Things that affect the reputation of the Sihe Academy should not be talked about outside the courtyard; just talk about them inside the courtyard. Otherwise, none of us will have any glory on our faces."

Hearing this, Wan Ping'an suddenly realized.

Yi Zhonghai wanted to control public opinion and close off the channels of speech; this was the "courtyard matters should be resolved in the courtyard" that he had always advocated!

"If there are any conflicts between neighbors, don't go to the subdistrict office, and there's no need to call the police. Find the three of us elders, and we will help you mediate."

"Courtyard matters should be resolved in the courtyard!"

"Family shame must not be spread abroad!"

Yi Zhonghai continued.

Liu Haizhong and Yan Fugui both supported him.

People all yearn for power.

They also hoped to lord it over others in the courtyard; on this point, their goals were consistent with Yi Zhonghai's.

Wan Ping'an sneered.

He Daqing frowned.

Xu Fugui had a mocking smile on the corner of his mouth.

All three of them saw it: the three elders were up to no good!

Yi Zhonghai finished speaking.

Liu Haizhong applauded.

Yan Fugui also started applauding.

Even the deaf old lady applauded to show her support.

Many neighbors also started applauding; only a few people, like Wan Ping'an, He Daqing, and Xu Fugui, remained coldly unmoved.

"Alright, there is one more very important matter."

"I've discovered that many people in our courtyard have no jobs and go out to do odd jobs. Not only is it dirty and tiring, but the pay is low and it's unstable."

"I propose that those who have the ability help those in the courtyard who don't have jobs to solve their employment problems. Everyone, tell me, is that good?"

Yi Zhonghai smiled very brightly.

While he was speaking, his eyes were staring triumphantly at Wan Ping'an! ===== CHAPTER 391 =====