Chapter 46: Why Use an Ox-Knife to Kill a Chicken?

Sihe Academy, front courtyard, three gates.

A proper eight-legged table and three armchairs were arranged with due formality.

Each of the three elders had a large enamel teacup before them—some bought themselves, some awarded by the factory.

At this moment, Li Xuewu entered the courtyard, face flushed, reeking of alcohol.

After walking half a li, the alcohol in his stomach had seeped out as sweat through the back of his cotton cap.

His body felt pleasantly warm, his clothes still cozy; by the second gate, he let out a hiccup.

“Burp~”

Startled as he stepped through the second gate, he saw that normally, after 7 p.m. when darkness fell, the courtyard grew quiet—but tonight, lanterns hung above the front courtyard’s three gates, and every man, woman, and child in the compound sat watching him.

“Holy shit! What’s this? A trial of Yang Naibu?”

Li Xuewu’s remark sent the crowd into roaring laughter.

The people in the courtyard didn’t take this meeting seriously; some even treated it like a show.

Liu Guang, sitting near the second gate, rushed to explain: “Comrade Li, the idiot stole Xu Damao’s chicken—we’re holding a meeting to deal with it.”

No wonder Li Xuewu saw the idiot and Xu Damao’s couple sitting face-to-face before the three elders’ eight-legged table, like plaintiff and defendant.

Yesterday noon, the canteen bulletin board announced Li Xuewu’s appointment as Head of the Security Division, Militia Company Commander, and Factory Guard Unit Captain—official cadre post, salary grade 25, 37.5 yuan.

Li Xuewu didn’t come home last night, but the whole courtyard spread the word: Li Xuewu was truly awesome—he started work as a cadre right away; no one in the courtyard had ever heard of anyone getting a cadre post on their first day.

Even stranger today: the entire factory knew something had happened; the leadership held a meeting all afternoon and came out with icy faces.

Rumor had it that last night, the Security Department sent ten large trucks armed with guns to round up people.

Others claimed: “It’s definitely Wang Jindong—he offended Li Xuewu. Neighbors heard gunshots last night; he was tied up and hauled away in a truck.”

Some went further, saying Li Xuewu brought mysterious power to capture people—claiming they were spies.

If Li Xuewu heard this, he’d suspect someone was eavesdropping—there were geniuses among the masses.

Underground rumors, once pooled, could guess events with 80–90% accuracy.

But no matter how wild the rumors, it was true: one building in the office block had been sealed, and by afternoon, a truck had carried people away.

This morning, fewer workers showed up in the workshop, fewer guards appeared at Security, and the warehouse supervisor from Production Management didn’t come to work.

Today, the whole factory buzzed about it; rumors flew wildly back to the courtyard, and the center of all gossip was Li Xuewu—now everyone looked at him with growing fear.

Though Li Xuewu’s joke made everyone laugh, no one dared joke with him directly.

Second Elder seized the chance to perform: “Comrade Li, you’ve arrived just in time—come sit here. Guangfu, bring tea. Comrade Li, as Head of the Security Division, you should also weigh in—judge the idiot’s offense.”

Second Elder really had no shame—so old, still a Grade 7 worker, groveling before a mere division head.

“What the hell? He’d steal from the courtyard? Pfft~”

Li Xuewu pushed through the crowd to the table, lifted the lid off the clay pot, and peered inside.

“Hey! It really is a chicken!”

Xu Damao perked up immediately, shouting: “Comrade Li, see? That’s our chicken! You’re here now—we can settle this officially.”

Looking at the half-chicken in the pot, Li Xuewu narrowed his eyes.

His drunken mind finally caught up.

Today, the idiot was in trouble—the three elders were fabricating charges.

He had no real connection to the idiot, but they lived in the same courtyard; the day he’d asked him for help, the idiot hadn’t even hesitated—that alone warranted him stepping in.

Li Xuewu turned to the idiot and asked: “What’s your side?”

The idiot opened his mouth to explain, then paused and glanced at Qin Huaiju.

Qin Huaiju had been nervous since Li Xuewu entered.

A courtyard meeting was bad enough—if it reached Security, it’d be a disaster.

Tears welled in her eyes as she kept glancing toward the idiot.

Watching these two exchange glances, Li Xuewu felt disgusted; the alcohol surged, and his words turned sharp.

“Speak now, and I’ll listen. If you don’t, don’t blame me for not helping you.”

Li Xuewu had no intention of getting tangled in this mess. The idiot was being framed for his own reasons—if falsely accused, he should explain clearly. Instead, he was stubbornly defiant, and Qin Huaiju was practically ready to bite him—so Li Xuewu decided to drop a polite line and go home to sleep.

Qin Huaiju trembled with fear—this thug never acknowledged anyone from the courtyard at the canteen, clearly had no mercy. Yesterday’s cadre appointment, today’s rumors...

As she thought, her heartbeat rose to her throat—she feared he’d take charge. If they found out it was Banggeng who did it, Banggeng was finished.

After saying this, Li Xuewu glanced at the idiot and turned to leave—when Lou Xiaoe spoke up sharply.

“Comrade Li, what do you mean? Are you saying our Damao framed the idiot?”

Li Xuewu stopped, staring at this tiny, high-pitched tiger.

“No meaning. If you want to settle it in the courtyard, that’s your business. If you take it to Security, they’ll investigate thoroughly. I don’t see you wanting Security involved—have fun, it’s quite entertaining.”

Third Elder chimed in: “Xuewu, why use an ox-knife to kill a chicken? This matter can be settled in the courtyard.”

The idiot tilted his head at Third Elder—he felt insulted. So I’m the chicken now?

Second Elder was also annoyed—what was this? He’d been promised Holmes, and now it was chicken-killing?

First Elder, sensing Third Elder’s words were off, interrupted: “Let’s get to the facts. Since Damao insists on going official, Second Elder, explain the situation to Comrade Li. We three elders want to uncover the truth.” He gestured for Second Elder to speak.

Second Elder bowed slightly to Li Xuewu, then said: “Today’s courtyard meeting has one purpose...”

Li Xuewu, hearing Second Elder’s bureaucratic tone, frowned and snapped: “Cut to the point.”

Startled, Second Elder shrank back and hurriedly explained: “Xu Damao’s family lost a chicken. The idiot’s stove has a chicken stewing. We thought...”

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Hearing this, Li Xuewu looked at Xu Damao and his wife glaring at the idiot, while the idiot wore an indifferent expression.

Li Xuewu asked the idiot: “Did you steal it?”

With Li Xuewu backing him, the idiot spoke plainly: “No! I’m not a thief—why would I steal a chicken?”

Before Li Xuewu could speak, Xu Damao pointed at the pot: “Then tell me—where did your chicken come from? Where?!”

“Did you get to ask?” Li Xuewu cut in.

Xu Damao stiffened his neck to shout, but remembered the rumors and sat down—Lou Xiaoe jabbed her useless husband in the ribs.