Chapter 219

Zhao Jianguo slipped his phone back into his pocket and looked up at the sky. A crack opened in the clouds, and sunlight fell onto his shoulder, warm.

He didn't linger, stepped forward. Today the court was in session; the last three of Xu Da Mao's crew were still stubborn, saying "reviving the economy is not a crime." He sneered, clutching the printed audio Waveform Diagram, its edges damp with sweat from his palm.

People were already waiting at the Courtyard Gate. Jia Dongxu stood at the bottom of the steps, wearing work clothes faded from washing, and when he saw Zhao Jianguo he rushed over: "Ready?"

"Been ready for a long time," Zhao Jianguo handed over the documents, "The call logs exported by the system last night are fully processed. The audio is very clear."

"What if they refuse to admit?" Jia Dongxu asked.

"Whether they admit it isn't up to them," Zhao Jianguo patted his shoulder, "Present the evidence, and the judge will rule."

The two walked in together. The courtroom was small, long wooden benches arranged in rows, and two uniformed bailiffs stood against the wall. The Auditing Request seats were filled with many people, some from Siheyuan, some from outside. Someone whispered, "These guys used to be so flashy, flipping electronic meters, radios, even daring to sell the unit's copper wire."

"And now they're coming in too?"

Zhao Jianguo sat at the witness stand. The presiding judge flipped through the materials for a while, struck the gavel, and said, "Bring in the defendants."

The three men lowered their heads as they entered, each with a grayish complexion. One of them glanced around, froze when he saw Zhao Jianguo, and quickly lowered his head again.

The judge began to state the case, reading each charge: illegal resale of state materials, forging procurement documents, embezzling proceeds… each item listed specific times, locations, and amounts. The audience gradually fell silent.

It was time to present evidence. The clerk played the first audio recording.

"The hole under Xizhimen Bridge, remember? Stuff the gold bar in, seal it with bricks on the outside."

"What if someone digs it up?"

"Who would dare? That spot even dogs avoid at night."

The voice was clear, tone familiar. It was exactly Xu Da Mao's words relayed through a relative during a prison visit. All three defendants' bodies stiffened simultaneously.

The judge asked, "Is the source of this recording lawful? Can it be admitted as evidence?"

Zhao Jianguo stood up: "The recording was obtained by me in a legally monitored setting, processed with system noise reduction and timestamp authentication, genuine and valid. The original file has been submitted to the technical appraisal team for filing."

The judge nodded: "Evidence accepted."

Next came the second and third segments. With each playback, the defendants' complexion grew paler. One even began shaking his leg, which a bailiff had to restrain before it stopped.

The judge turned to Zhao Jianguo: "Why did you collect this evidence?"

"Because what they did wasn't just about greed," Zhao Jianguo's voice was low but audible throughout the courtroom, "They dismantled equipment that should have been used for factory upgrades and sold it as scrap, causing the production line to halt for three months. Others, to meet quotas, cheated farmers into exchanging grain for electronic meters, which turned out unusable. This isn't commerce; it's preying on people."

Someone in the audience gave a soft "hm".

When the judge delivered the verdict, the sun had risen to the roof's apex. The three were sentenced to seven to ten years respectively, and all illegal gains were confiscated. The amount was announced—123,600 yuan.

As the words finished, a notification tone rang in Zhao Jianguo's mind.

【Detected illegal fund settlement completed】

【Suggestion: Convert the funds into social value】

【Create a public welfare fund?】

He didn't hesitate and clicked confirm.

Immediately, before the judge had left the courtroom, he stood up, faced the Auditing Request seats and the media, and said, "This money shouldn't just disappear. I propose establishing the 'Siheyuan Technology Assistance Fund' to specifically support grassroots youth in learning technology and innovating. Whether you're a worker, a farmer, or an unemployed youth, as long as you have the will to learn a skill, you can apply for support."

After speaking, he looked at Jia Dongxu.

Jia Dongxu was stunned for a second, then clapped loudly. The slap sound echoed sharply in the quiet courtroom. Then San Daye also began clapping, and Sha Zhu shouted, "What a good thing!" The applause burst forth like boiling water.

A reporter brandished a notebook and rushed over: "Mr. Zhao! Why did you choose this direction?"

"Because I've seen too many people with skills and brains but no opportunities," Zhao Jianguo said, "Our country needs to develop; it can't rely only on a few clever individuals. More ordinary people must be able to get involved and do real work."

The reporter wanted to follow up, but a colleague pulled them away. The crowd inside the courtroom began to disperse, people chatting as they walked out.

"Can this money really be put to practical use?"

"When has Zhao Jianguo ever spoken empty words?"

"I heard that up in the northwest, kids have built their own greenhouses using the schematics he released."

Zhao Jianguo walked at the rear. Jia Dongxu, walking beside him, suddenly said, "With this announcement, that money can never be used selfishly again."

"It shouldn't have been touched in the first place," Zhao Jianguo smiled, "Money is dead, people are alive. Let it help more people, and that's when it truly comes to life."

Leaving the Courthouse, sunlight spread over the whole street. Wind came from the Hutongkou, carrying a hint of locust‑flower scent. They walked back, their shadows stretched long, lying on the ground like several black lines.

Jia Dongxu kicked a small stone: "Do you think there will still be people who learn from them in the future?"

"Definitely," Zhao Jianguo said, "As long as there's profit, someone will always look for shortcuts."

"Then what do we do?"

"Then we give everyone a chance to walk the right path," he paused, "For example, teach them how to use technology to solve problems instead of relying on scams."

Jia Dongxu fell silent, but his steps became lighter.

Back at the Siheyuan gate, San Daye was sweeping. Seeing them return, he set down the broom and asked, "Was it sentenced?"

"It was," Zhao Jianguo replied, "Starting at ten years."

"Serves them right," San Daye hummed, "A couple of days ago someone told me those guys were considered 'talented people', what a pity. I told them to be modest; talent should be used for benefit, not for harm."

Sha Zhu stuck his head out of the cafeteria: "Stewed meat for lunch! Specially for celebrating this!"

A group burst into laughter.

Zhao Jianguo stood in the middle of the courtyard, looked up at the sky. Many clouds had cleared, patches of blue appearing. He pulled out his phone, opened the system interface. A line of text popped up:

【Social Influence +15%】

【"Siheyuan Technology Assistance Fund" has been registered and filed】

【The first tranche will be transferred to a dedicated account within seven days】

He put his phone away, turned and walked toward the house.

Just as he reached the gate, his phone vibrated again.

A new message arrived.

He opened it; it was a photo. The picture showed an old workshop, a weathered Blackboard on the wall with Chalk writing "Radio Training Class Enrollment". In the corner, a line of small text read: "We want to learn, but no one teaches us."

Below was a name: Li Weiguo, 45, former electrician at Hongxing Mechanical Factory, now unemployed.

Zhao Jianguo stared at it for a few seconds, then replied:

"Tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock, the online class will start on time. I'll send you the address."

After sending it successfully, he leaned against the door frame and took a breath.

From inside the house came Jia Dongxu's voice: "Brother Zhao, Chen Jianguo called you, saying there's an urgent matter."

"What's the matter?"

"He said the patent bureau has issued new regulations; the energy-saving stove design we submitted earlier might have been targeted."