Chapter 10

Zhu Shijun continued, "For comrades like Liu Yuanchao, who are disorganized and undisciplined, and who block intelligence from the organization, this is not the first time the organization has dealt with such issues. There are precedents to follow. I think we should handle it according to the rules."

Sun Qianjin said, "Right, handle it according to the rules. The principles of our organization have not changed; we still adhere to the policy of punishing past mistakes to prevent future ones and curing the sick to save the person. For such matters, we handle them as they come, without leniency. I think we should deal with this matter as soon as possible, tonight."

"Right, tonight, tonight we'll meet at Lao Mo's," Lei Xiaotian said with a smile.

Seeing that everyone was still joking and no one was blaming him for his "betrayal," Liu Yuanchao felt relieved and said boldly, "If it's Lao Mo's, then it's Lao Mo's. This meal is on me, as a way to apologize to you guys."

Xue Xiang, seeing that Liu Yuanchao and Li Hongjun's destination was decided, asked, "What about the four of you, are you going to work at the factory or go to the countryside?"

Sun Qianjin said, "My father arranged a job for me at the Chaoyang Iron Factory, driving a truck." Sun Qianjin's father was a military-turned official. Although he was affected during the turmoil, he was rehabilitated early and now serves as the deputy director of the Beijing Light Industry Bureau.

After Sun Qianjin spoke, Lei Xiaotian, Kang Tong, and Zhu Shijun remained silent. Xue Xiang guessed that the three of them probably had no good options and might have to go to the countryside. The atmosphere became somewhat somber, and Xue Xiang finished his drink and said, "If you're planning to go to the countryside, don't go."

Hearing Xue Xiang's words, the six of them all changed expression. Although the propaganda at the time emphasized that the youth going to the countryside was voluntary, in reality, the leader's call was more powerful than any administrative order or propaganda. Compliant children went voluntarily, and those who refused were easily dealt with. The organization would first mobilize them at home, and if they did not cooperate, they would not be given jobs, leaving them hanging. Eventually, the leaders of their parents' units would talk to their parents, making things difficult for them, and they would be dealt with in no time.

"Brother Three, if we don't go to the countryside, our living expenses will be cut off. My father hasn't been rehabilitated yet, and I'm the only one at home. If I stay, they can't do anything to me, but I'll starve," Zhu Shijun said. His father was an official at the Central Propaganda Department and was also exiled, and his mother had already passed away.

"You're just a fool. Has Brother Three ever let us go hungry? Since Brother Three said this, he must have a plan," Lei Xiaotian said. "By the way, Brother Three, you haven't said where you plan to go yet."

"Calling me a fool, you're not much better. It's obvious, if Brother Three leaves, what will happen to Xiao Wan and the others? Besides, if Brother Three doesn't go to the countryside, will those guys from the Revolutionary Committee dare to make a fuss?" Zhu Shijun retorted, feeling triumphant.

"Right, Brother Three, tell us your plan. I'll follow you wherever you go," Lei Xiaotian said, not bothering to counter Zhu Shijun. His parents were originally officials in the Beijing Municipal Committee, but after the review, they were both unemployed at home, and his sister had already gone to the countryside in the north.

Xue Xiang said, "I definitely can't leave home, and I can't work in a factory. I plan to go to university! Old Zhu, don't give up on your studies, prepare well. Ma Leizi and Xiao Kang are not suitable for this, but you are different." Zhu Shijun had always been a good student and often dressed like a scholar.

Xue Xiang's words left everyone stunned. What was wrong with Brother Three today, always saying surprising things?

"Brother Three, are you talking nonsense? There are only two university spots in our compound, and I remember the District Revolutionary Committee recommended the two silly girls from Commander Wang and Commissar Li's families. Did you come up with some trick to make the crooked Zhang from the Revolutionary Committee give you the spot?" Li Hongjun, who had been silent along with Kang Tong, now spoke up. Kang Tong was a quiet person, and everyone knew he would definitely follow Xue Xiang, so they didn't ask him. Li Hongjun was the only one among them whose family was not affected and whose father held a high position. Originally, Xue Xiang and the others had no place to go, but he was going to join the army, which made him feel uncomfortable. So, whenever they talked about their future, he usually kept quiet to avoid upsetting his friends. Now, hearing Xue Xiang's surprising words, he couldn't help but ask.

"I didn't say I'm going to university this year. Let's prepare and review first; maybe there will be a turning point," Xue Xiang said, not wanting to reveal too much. He couldn't tell them that the college entrance exams would be restored next year and that he could enter university the following year, or they would bombard him with questions. Fortunately, he had a high reputation in this small circle and was always right, so although everyone was puzzled, they didn't press him further.

Xue Xiang continued, "As for the problem of food, I have an idea to make money. Let's discuss it."

Then, Xue Xiang explained the plan to loot the old house and sell antiques. The others listened and clapped, seeing no problem with speculation. The prospect of making money made everyone smile, and the idea of having meat to eat was the top priority for these young men, even more important than joining the army. Xue Xiang raised his hand to stop their laughter and pointed to the sleeping Xiao Shi in his arms, saying, "Don't get too excited yet. We need to plan this carefully. First, who among us has knowledge of antique appraisal? None of us, right? So, finding an experienced appraiser is our top priority. Second, when we buy, we need to be discreet and not all go to the same place, or it will attract attention. We need to go to quiet places, especially those that the Red Guards haven't visited, such as large mansions or small houses where the ancestors were officials. Finally, we need to consider the initial capital and distribution. Let's see how much we can gather, and I can contribute fifty. When distributing, find several people with different household registrations, preferably from the Beihai Ice Rink, and make sure they are reliable. We don't want to end up with nothing and get into trouble."

He wouldn't say that he was an expert in antiques, as this would only raise suspicions. Xue Xiang's plan was well-organized and thorough, and the others nodded in agreement.

Sun Qianjin said, "Let's do it as Brother Three said. I know someone who is an expert in appraisal. My uncle's factory has a lame old man named Lao San, whose family has been in this business for generations. His ancestors had a shop in Liulichang that has been in business for over a hundred years. It was merged during the cooperative movement, and after years of turmoil, his father couldn't take it and died. Lao San himself was also injured and now works as a gatekeeper at my uncle's factory."

Xue Xiang said to Sun Qianjin, "Good, handle this. Remember to keep it confidential."

Sun Qianjin nodded in agreement. With the appraisal issue settled, they started to gather money. Apart from Xue Xiang's fifty, the six of them could only come up with less than ten yuan. The amount was less than one-fifth of Xue Xiang's contribution, and they felt embarrassed. To shift the focus, Zhu Shijun said, "Comrade Liu Yuanchao, you said you would treat us at Lao Mo's tonight, but with the one yuan and forty-three cents in your pocket, we can't even afford porridge."

"Old Zhu, don't be silly. Lao Mo's is a Western restaurant; where would they serve porridge? He said he would treat us, but he didn't say who would pay. He'll probably eat and drink and then call the waiter to pay, while he pretends to be dead. He has no money, but he has a life. In the end, we'll have to pay, and this isn't the first time. He's already an old hand at it, and you still believe him," Sun Qianjin responded.

"Right, from a psychological perspective, a person's behavior is highly habitual. Comrade Liu Yuanchao's behavior, from a philosophical standpoint, is a mistake of metaphysics, always viewing things in a one-sided and static way. Every time he calls for the bill, he pretends to be dead, never using his initiative to discuss the price structure of the dishes with the boss from a commercial perspective, or from the field of hygiene..." Zhu Shijun, known for his eloquence, continued his rant.

For a moment, everyone joined in, and Liu Yuanchao felt cornered. He slammed his glass on the table and said, "This time, I'm serious. I promised to treat you and apologize. I won't do it like before. You guys can leave after the meal, and I'll stay behind. That's the deal."

He had indeed planned to do as Sun Qianjin said, but now that it was exposed, this trick wouldn't work. Cornered by the others, he had to grit his teeth and stand firm. He realized he needed to come up with new tricks, as the fox was getting smarter, making life harder for the hunter. He sighed, thinking that if it came to it, he would eat and run, and they couldn't do anything to him. At worst, he would wash dishes for a few days, but as long as Brother Three and the others didn't find out, it wouldn't be a loss of face.

Seeing Liu Yuanchao's determination, Xue Xiang quickly mediated, "Let's talk about going to Lao Mo's later. Once we get this matter settled, we can go to Lao Mo's every day. If we get tired of Lao Mo's, we can go to the Beijing Hotel, where they serve state guests. We can enjoy the same treatment."

"No, Brother Three, if we agreed to go to Lao Mo's, we'll go to Lao Mo's. I, Liu Yuanchao, always keep my word. Let's see how it goes tonight."

You guys, if I always keep my word, who should we ask for the money we've contributed in the past? Everyone sighed inwardly. But thinking about it, his word games made sense. He said he would treat us but didn't say he would pay. We need to be careful with his words in the future and not let him get away with it.

Liu Yuanchao didn't realize that the others had already raised their alert level to red for him.