Chapter 56: Toilet Conflict

Toilet construction site.

Liang Jin Bao shouted angrily at the septic tank.

Even inside the Siheyuan at the back, many people came out and pointed at Master Lei.

"No, I said no, so it's no."

"You're digging a septic opening right at our gate—who are you trying to disgust?"

"It must be torn down."

Master Lei can't stand this household.

"Don't rush, old man. Wait until the First Elder of this courtyard comes over, then you can talk to him."

"We can pause the excavation of the septic tank, but you must not cause us damage."

Soon someone went to fetch the Three Elders.

The people in the back hutong courtyard wouldn't listen to Master Lei; they clamored to tear down their toilets.

Yi Zhonghai came over and heard the situation.

He explained.

"Liang Jin Bao, what we're building is a flush toilet, not a pit latrine."

"Look at these several pits; they've gone through layer after layer of filtration."

"There's also a water seal on top, and we need to put a lid on it, then seal it with soil—how could there be any smell?"

"Haven't you seen the leaders' toilets? Do they smell?"

Elder Liang looked at Yi Zhonghai's educating manner, got angry, and jumped up to retort.

"Don't feed me that nonsense."

"All I know is, a toilet is smelly."

"Even if it's not smelly normally, it stinks when you clean it out."

"By then it'll be all over our doorstep—who can we reason with?"

"You with the surname Yi, I tell you it's not allowed—it's not allowed—and if we take this to the Street Office, we're still in the right."

After Elder Liang finished speaking, the crowd became even more agitated.

"Exactly, exactly, it's shameless—building a toilet facing our gate, isn't that lacking virtue?"

"Exactly, and we're not even allowed to use it—why should it be built at our gate?"

"We don't agree—let's smash it."

Elder Liu stepped forward, head high and chest out.

He was big and burly, looking very mighty, intimidating some people.

Moreover, they'd heard that the Second Elder likes to beat people and doesn't hold back.

He even hits children.

This made them feel a bit fearful.

"What are you doing? What are you doing? Are you trying to destroy unity?"

"I tell you, gathering to cause trouble is a crime; if you resort to violence, it becomes a mass violent incident, and you could get shot."

After being intimidated by Liu Hai Zhong, the people opposite dared not press forward any further.

"Anyway, the toilet can't be here; no matter what you say today, we won't let you dig a septic pit here."

Others were adamant; the Elder had no recourse.

The Third Elder, seeing the situation turning bad, went back to summon people.

Not long after, dozens of people surged from the Siheyuan.

"Who, who said they'd smash our toilet? Go ahead and try smashing one."

A group of people truly surrounded Liang Jin Bao and his companions.

The other side had too many people; he feared that if they fought, he'd be at a disadvantage.

"Yi Zhonghai, what are you trying to do? Are you relying on your numbers to bully the neighbors?"

Seeing his own people arrive, the First Elder also gained confidence.

"You were the first to be unreasonable."

"First, the septic tank is in my courtyard; it doesn't occupy your space."

"Furthermore, we told you there's no smell."

"You just won't listen and want to act like ruffians—what can we do?"

Liang Jin Bao.

"Stop trying to fool me—I've never seen a toilet without a smell."

A group of people jeered.

"That's just because you're inexperienced."

Liang Jin Bao saw he couldn't win this argument with Yi Zhonghai, so he shifted tactics.

"Fine, Yi Zhonghai, this is what you said—if there's a smell, see if we won't smash your toilet."

"Let's not talk about that for now; let's discuss something else—how will you handle cleaning out the toilet?"

"With so many people in your courtyard, if the toilet isn't cleaned every day, how can we get by doing it this way?"

The Third Elder snorted contemptuously.

"Country bumpkin, clueless."

"This is a flush toilet, a septic tank—haven't you seen how big this pool is?"

"This toilet at most needs to be emptied once every six months."

Generally speaking, it takes a year.

And the septic tank is buried underground.

You're saying our smell is as strong as the chamber pot you use every day?

Liang Jin Bao had never heard of such a thing, but he knew that San Da Ye, as a scholar, would not deceive him.

Really?

San Da Ye nodded.

Truly.

Liang Jin Bao knew the other side had many people; if they came strong, his side would definitely lose, so it was better to have them write a guarantee and settle the matter of opening the door.

Not having gained any benefit from Yang Qing, he was very unwilling.

Yan Fu Gui, since you say that, I'll tentatively believe you.

However, you need to give us a written guarantee.

Just write it: if your toilet smells, we have the right to demolish it.

The people in the courtyard disagreed.

On what grounds? We're building in our own courtyard however we like—what business is it of yours?

Exactly, it's like worrying over salty radish—needless worry.

Go ahead, try demolishing one!

Seeing their stance, Liang Jin Bao also refused to back down, rolled up his sleeves, and retorted.

What, you still want to use force? Let's try.

Today I tell you: if you don't give me a guarantee, your toilet won't get built.

Seeing the situation about to blow up, Yi Zhonghai hurried out to mediate.

Write it—we've written this guarantee, we have confidence in our toilet.

Then he gave a glance to the two elders.

San Da Ye got it right away—first build the toilet, then we'll discuss the rest.

Right, we're confident—what's there to fear? Let's write it for them.

They've never seen a flush toilet; they don't know how good it is.

Let them see for themselves.

Er Da Ye, under Yi Zhonghai's constant signaling, also understood.

Alright, alright—don't say anything that harms unity.

It's just a written guarantee—Liang Da Ye wants one, so we'll give it to him.

The three elders spoke, and the others stopped arguing.

After the guarantee was written, Liang Jin Bao spoke again.

Alright, the toilet issue is settled, but we also have opinions on how to build it here.

Yi Zhonghai's expression darkened.

Liang Jin Bao, are you giving face or not?

Don't push your luck—building the toilet had nothing to do with you, so why are you making a fuss?

The Jiedao appointed you as courtyard elder—just to let you cause trouble for the Jiedao?

Liang Jin Bao wasn't afraid of Yi Zhonghai's noisy fuss either.

Yi Zhonghai, don't try to pin something on me.

You have a toilet, so it'll need emptying—let's discuss how to do it.

You can't open the feces outlet in front of our door.

When it's time to empty the feces, won't it get everywhere?

Who are you making dirty?

This is absolutely not allowed.

Yi Zhonghai glared, and the whole Siheyuan crowd showed their anger on their faces.

You're damn impossible—what do you think you are?

Say another word and I'll hit you—those Nima won't even know what hit them.

You're not capable—are you the heavenly king? This Jingcheng is your fief, everyone must obey you.

Come on, let's practice.

Everyone's emotions grew more heated.

Liang Jin Bao felt a bit guilty, but he always wanted to save face—lose the person but not the cause.

Yi Zhonghai, do you still want to talk properly? Hiding in the back, what are you up to?

Do you still want to hide behind the crowd, inciting your courtyard's people to violence?

Yi Zhonghai heard from Liang Jin Bao's tone a harsh exterior but weak interior.

I daren't—who are you, Liang Jin Bao? This isn't allowed, that can't be done—you've reached your hands into our courtyard.

You're just getting started—even the Jiedao office can't match you.

Liang Jin Bao waved his hand.

Don't waste my time with talk.

Our only demand is that we cannot empty feces at our door.

Our toilet is here—if we don't empty the feces here, where would we go?

Liang Jin Bao pointed at the courtyard wall.

Open a door here and let people come into your yard to scoop out the dung.

Don't say we don't look after you.

Otherwise we'll seal this place shut and make you haul dung from your own courtyards.

Let's see who's disgraceful.