Chapter 432: Turning Point

Time flies.

After the content of the Headline Daily spread to Jingcheng, at first no one paid attention, merely thinking that Yang Qing was spreading alarmist rumors.

But as the situation developed, many things were verified one by one.

This made many people feel embarrassed.

The Instructor said.

"Someone is stirring up trouble, someone is using this matter to seize power and profit."

"Our team has been mixed with many people with ulterior motives."

"He wants both power and wealth."

"We just suppressed the jackals, and then someone turned into tigers and leopards."

"What the Headline Daily said is right: the boy who slew the dragon eventually became the dragon."

The Instructor's words made many people break out in cold sweat.

But now it's already at the point of no return; moving against these people would herald utter defeat.

Because among them there are indeed some who are his own supporters and also the executors of this campaign.

His own decay is faster than he imagined.

This is also his original intention in carrying out this campaign: to purge the corruption within himself.

The campaign must still go on; we cannot fail at the last minute, and now we cannot afford chaos.

"I have a suggestion."

"All seized goods must be turned over to the public, no deaths, no destruction, ensure good production, and we must ferret out those among us who are heinously wicked."

"Establish an inspection team, and show no leniency toward those who cause harm to one side."

Everyone's hearts tightened, then they let out a sigh of relief.

These words were serious, yet they did not drive those people to desperation.

Catching the big and letting the small go can get us by for now.

Looting and smashing are no longer allowed, but pocketing a few small items is still fine.

This can be counted as a self-correction.

It can also be seen as a bold move.

Not long after, Liu Hai Zhong was denounced, rolled out of the Reform Literature Association, and then the Workshop Director was also purged.

Scapegoats are what were used at this time.

Fortunately he still had some value, otherwise it wouldn't have been just a demotion.

At the same time, Li Changzhang, to protect himself, handed over the wealth he had extorted, also arranged some scapegoats, mixing his own belongings with their illicit goods, and turned them over.

In an instant, Li Changzhang's wealth shrank by seventy percent.

Xu Damao thus became one of the unlucky ones.

The newly bribed director hadn't even warmed his seat before he was purged, and he also had to give up half of his illicit gains.

Because he didn't want to make a big scene, Li Changzhang said all the right things, pulled all his strings, and their punishment was not severe; he thus became a projectionist again.

The misfortunes of Liu Hai Zhong and Xu Damao made the people in the compound feel greatly satisfied.

Especially He Yuzhu, who was practically overjoyed, as these days he had been nearly bullied to death by Xu Damao.

Faced with such a situation, Xu Damao could only swallow his bitterness.

Liu Hai Zhong, feeling indignant, sought out his fellow sufferer Xu Damao and began to vent his grievances without restraint.

"These officials are truly worthless; they use you when they need you, you become their capable aide, but when something happens they instantly sell you out—utterly inhuman."

"I can't swallow this anger; I'm going to sue them."

Xu Damao looked at him as if he were an idiot, "What is this nonsense? Are you mentally disabled?"

He originally didn't want to persuade him, but thinking of Liu Guangtian, he felt he had to say this.

At the same time he also feared that this matter would bring misfortune and drag him in as well.

"Er Da Ye."

"Exactly, this guy has become Er Da Ye again."

"You say, have you done enough to deserve being shot?"

Xu Damao's words left Liu Hai Zhong stunned, and then a wave of fear washed over him.

"So then, why does handing over contraband allow one to keep working instead of facing execution?"

Liu Hai Zhong was already sweating.

"You mean..."

Xu Damao nodded.

"Yes, this is all to offset our losses; our leaders have taken themselves out of the picture, letting us take the blame, but they also saved us."

"If you go and sue them, they will indeed suffer misfortune, but you will also face execution."

He paused, then continued in an old-fashioned, pompous tone.

"Sometimes, being able to shield the leader from bullets is also a kind of luck."

"Once the turmoil passes, the leader, mindful of your merits, would he still mistreat you?"

(An old tradition, seen everywhere—throwing something away here, picking it up there; those who understand, understand.)

Liu Hai Zhong suddenly realized.

"Yes, that's the reasoning."

"How did I not think of that?"

"Damao, thank you; if it weren't for you, I would truly have done something foolish."

Xu Damao also only understood after someone gave him advice.

And the person who gave him advice was Liu Guangtian.

That day he went to Liu Guangtian to vent his grievances, and Liu Guangtian analyzed the situation for him.

Brother Xu Damao, when Qing Ge was around, we got along well; these days you've also put in a lot of effort to protect Qing Ge's house.

I can't bear to watch you ruin a good thing; actually, stepping down might be a good thing. What you were doing was fundamentally wrong, and later they might even settle scores.

Besides, you took the blame, but there's no real punishment—you just got put back in your original positions.

You have to accept this favor; the benefits will come later.

Liu Guangtian said all that to him, and he also helped his father out, thus repaying the favor.

Liu Hai Zhong still didn't know that it was his own son who had helped him out.

He kept thanking Xu Damao.

After Yan Jiecheng left, Xu Damao also needed an outside ally, so he naturally fell in with Er Da Ye.

Li Fengxia couldn't help advising after Liu Hai Zhong left.

Xu Damao, this Er Da Ye doesn't look like a good person at all; you'd better not get too close to him.

Xu Damao took the child from her arms and said.

Now we've lost our influence; we need an alliance, or else we'll be bullied to death.

You don't understand; just focus on raising the child.

Once the trouble blows over, I'll use my connections to get you a job and transfer your household registration to the city.

Hearing Xu Damao's promise, Li Fengxia was left with only joy, and she immediately forgot about Er Da Ye.

Xu Damao and Liu Hai Zhong ran into bad luck, and others distanced themselves from them, fearing trouble.

The Liu and Xu families were thus isolated.

Seeing that his father was useless, Liu Guang Qi's mind started racing again.

Living together with that couple was too oppressive.

His wife also didn't want to live with them.

After once again receiving cold stares in the courtyard, Liu Guang Qi came back with a dark face.

"Dad, we want to move out; everyone in the courtyard is being weird and unpleasant—how are we supposed to live like this?"

His wife got the hint and also said.

"Yeah, my son keeps getting bullied by the people in the courtyard; we need to move out."

"Look at Yan Jiecheng—he's even moved into an apartment building."

Liu Hai Zhong was already in a bad mood, and after his son said that, he felt even worse.

"I disagree; there are some things at home—are you just going to abandon your parents and not care?"

"Liu Guang Qi, do you still have any conscience?"

Er Dama also scolded them.

"You two are never home all day—what grievances do you have?"

"Don't rub salt in your father's wound; just behave yourself."

"All day long, you don't bring the kid, don't cook, don't wash dishes, don't clean, and I'm the one washing your clothes—what do you have to complain about?"

If Er Dama didn't say anything, it would be fine, but once she spoke, Liu Hai Zhong felt even more heartbroken.

Man, I thought the eldest son had promise, but who knew he'd be so heartless and ruthless.

None of the three children turned out to his liking.