Time: 2010-11-711:25:11 Words: 12036
seven
There was too much rain this year. It was already the season for the magnolias to bloom, but it was still chilly in spring. Luo Yuzhen intentionally opened a window. The room was filled with the rich fragrance of the magnolias, making it seem much warmer.
Hua Shiliang woke up before dawn. He had the habit of sleeping early and waking up early. He gently got out of bed and lit the kerosene lamp. He saw that his beloved wife had opened her sleepy eyes and looked at him with a gentle smile. He bent down and kissed her fair face, as if he felt that the fragrance of the Magnolia was coming from her face. He said softly,"Sleep for a while more!" He tucked her under the thin blanket again. When he saw that his wife had closed her eyes again, he held the lamp and tiptoed downstairs, afraid that he would wake his children and little brother.
He washed his face and made a cup of Longjing tea before entering the study on the west side of the guest hall. Although he took out the manuscript of " clinical diagnosis " that he had written long ago, he could not focus on revising it as he usually did. He just sat there and smoked. He had been feeling down lately and had run into some trouble.
At the end of last month, Gong Laifa, the head of Shidu township, contracted typhoid fever. Zhu Shaomei, a traditional Chinese medicine doctor, prescribed a few prescriptions, but his condition did not improve. Gong Laifa asked his wife, Zhou Xuemei, to row a boat and invite Hua Shiliang over. He saw that the patient was in critical condition and advised the family to send the patient to Hangzhou for treatment. Gong Laifa and his family repeatedly begged him for treatment because of his medical reputation, and said that life and death had nothing to do with him. He carefully diagnosed the patient and prescribed the medicine. Before she left, she repeatedly reminded Zhou Xuemei to take care of herself. He was also very serious. Although there were many people at home who wanted him to treat them, he still took time out of his busy schedule and hired a small boat to give Gong Lai a diagnosis once a day. The round trip was more than thirty miles, and he often had to return home at eight or nine o'clock in the evening, but he didn't find it tiring. Gong Laifa's condition had greatly improved. After three days, for some reason, the fight suddenly repeated, and it was very critical. He knew that there was nothing he could do. He advised the patient's family to send him to Hangzhou immediately. Zhou Xuemei said that her family had no money for treatment. He generously gave Zhou Xuemei money and asked her to leave immediately. He had even escorted them, but who knew that Gong Laifa had already died when they arrived in Hangzhou.
Gong Laifa was originally a poor farmer. He had a deep hatred for the poor, had a high class consciousness, fought against the landlord, carried out land reform, and caught bandits. He was active, brave, and had a firm stand. He was almost assassinated by bandits. He didn't flinch because of this, and he worked even more actively. He was highly regarded by the deputy county magistrate An Yuangeng, who was in charge of the countryside, and was promoted to be the township head. A young and strong capable cadre died so quickly. Deputy County Head An suspected that the bandits were using Hua Shiliang's ruthlessness. The county's culture and health department immediately sent someone to investigate. Jia Jinshi from the county's cultural and health department immediately formed a four-person investigation team. The team leader was Fang Zhaorong, who had been retained. He knew that this was a thorny matter, and he and Hua Shiliang were brothers, so he had politely declined. At that time, only Fang Zhaorong truly understood medicine in the Department of Culture and Health. Jia Jinshi still insisted that Fang Zhaorong go.
Fang Zhaorong brought the other three young officers to the Hua family. When he saw Hua Shiliang, he was humble and respectful on the surface, saying that the emperor's orders could not be carried out.
Although Hua Shiliang also felt that the county's sudden inspection of Gong Laifa's illness must have been suspicious of Gong Laifa's death, he did not expect the county to treat this as a political matter. He also knew that Fang Zhaorong was the only one in charge of medicine and health among the few officials in the county's Department of Culture and Health. Naturally, he was the only one who brought people to check. He took out Gong Laifa's medical record and his prescription to show Fang Zhaorong and the others.
Fang Zhaorong was promoted to the county's Department of Culture and Health as a cadre. He felt that he was a step higher than the director of the hospital. His economic income was lower, but his political status was higher. If a retained employee could be valued, they naturally hoped that he could make some achievements and attract the attention of the county. They would think that he was a rare talent and put him in an even more important position. It had been almost a year since he was liberated. He could already see that in the future, what mattered was not the property owned by people, but the political status occupied by people. The higher the status, the greater the power. Not only would it be more prestigious, but it would also better satisfy his material desires. Now, in order to protect himself, he had to draw a clear line between himself and Hua Shiliang. He had to be serious and stay on the left. He also believed that if he could find out about Hua Shiliang's medical negligence, it would mean that Fang Zhaorong's medical skills were higher than the famous doctor Hua Shiliang's, which would indirectly raise his medical reputation. He would become the authority of Western medicine in this area, which would be beneficial to his political status. Therefore, he carefully checked the medical records, carefully reviewed the prescriptions, cleaned the flesh and bones, and wanted to find a business trip. He reviewed it over and over again and thought carefully. He felt that this was the only dosage that could be used for this kind of illness. There was no hole to drill through and no bone to pick out from tofu. He was worried that he would be careless and not notice the problem. He wanted to take the medical records and prescriptions back for further investigation.
Hua Shiliang was confident that there would be no problem with the treatment. Fang Zhaorong was also a friend of his, so he did not object.
Luo Yuzhen had always been very careful with the medical records and prescriptions of critical patients. Especially when she thought that the county had specially come to check, she smiled and said to Fang Zhaorong,"You're a doctor too, so you're very careful with your patients 'medical records and prescriptions. How about this, you can copy the medical record and prescription.”
Fang Zhaorong couldn't force it, so he could only copy it in his notebook and leave.
Hua Shiliang also carefully thought about his treatment process and believed that he was right. He believed that Fang Zhaorong would also report to the county truthfully, indicating that he was fine. How could he know that Fang Zhaorong would treat others as sincerely and selflessly as he did?
After Fang Zhaorong went back, he looked at the medical records and prescriptions he had copied in his notebook again and again. He even flipped through a few medical books, but he did not find any problems. However, he did not dare to make a decision. He thought that since the county had set up a special investigation team for this matter, it would not be settled easily. If he sent someone else to investigate and found out that there was a problem, not only would they think that his medical skills were bad, but they would also say that he was unstable and that he was playing favoritism. If it was light, he would be demoted and sent back to the hospital to be a busy doctor. If it was serious, he would be fired. The remaining personnel were like eggs on a monkey's head. If they were not careful, they would fall to the ground and shatter into pieces. He didn't want to damage his fame and fortune for Hua Shiliang. Although he did not have Hua Shiliang's help that year, he would have been chased out of D City long ago. He might even have died at the hands of the Qing Gang.‘A man with a conscience should not eat feces. When Jia Jinshi asked him about the investigation, he only said that the situation was complicated and that it was still under investigation. Jia Jinshi wanted him to speed up and told him that Hua Shiliang was not only backward in his thinking, but also dissatisfied with the Great Party. Because during the War of Resistance Against Japan, Jia Jinshi had asked Hua Shiliang to support the guerrillas with some medicine, but Hua Shiliang said that the medicine in his clinic had been robbed by the Japanese. Jia Jinshi told him that Gong Laifa's death was likely a political incident. He realized that whether or not he could find out the truth would directly affect his future. He wanted to rely on Hua Shiliang's medical records and prescriptions, but it was difficult to find out the problem. Therefore, he went to the Hua family for a second time to have a "heart-to-heart talk" with Hua Shiliang, hoping to hear some mistakes from Hua Shiliang's mouth.
Hua Shiliang had repeatedly stated that the illness he recorded was objective and absolutely accurate. He also described in detail the process of diagnosis and the patient's condition. It was definitely not a misdiagnosis.
Fang Zhaorong said that if the medical records were true, then the diagnosis and medication were correct. Logically speaking, the patient should have improved and not died. Perhaps there was some negligence during the diagnosis and there was a deviation, resulting in a misdiagnosis. It was common for doctors to misdiagnose. If they really misdiagnosed, they could just admit their mistake. At most, they would have to pay some financial losses. He also said that he would help with the financial losses and even pay for them all. He still wanted to please both sides. The county praised him, and Hua Shiliang was also grateful to him.
Hua Shiliang didn't understand what he was thinking and was somewhat grateful. Because if he really had to pay, it would not be a small sum. Fang Zhaorong was a doctor, so he naturally knew this. But he didn't want to accept the favor, for he was certain that he hadn't misdiagnosed, so how could he admit to it. This was not just a matter of compensation, but also related to his reputation in the future. He definitely could not compromise.
Fang Zhaorong didn't get anything out of it and was anxious. He said,"Brother Shiliang, you and I are best friends, and we are like brothers. To be honest, the county attached great importance to the death of Village Head Gong, which is why they specially set up an investigation team. I only agreed to be the team leader because of you. I also think that there's nothing wrong with your treatment, but the higher-ups don't believe me and still urge me to continue investigating. I think you understand the mystery behind this, so I don't need to say anything more. If you make a mistake, tell me honestly. We can also discuss a way to deal with it. I will always do my best to help you. If you treat me as an outsider, I can immediately resign from my position as team leader and leave the investigation team. However, the county would definitely send someone else. If it was someone else, it would be hard to say. If it was a worker or a farmer who did not understand medicine, it would be like fighting the landlord or counter-revolution. It would be unimaginable.”
"It doesn't matter who you send.”
"I think so too, but it's not as simple as we think. According to common sense, after the county heard my report, they should have concluded that it had nothing to do with you and could end the investigation. However, they didn't believe it and continued to investigate. Anyway, I don't think they would let it go easily. "I can go and take over for a while longer. Think about it again and come to me when you've thought it through. There's nothing between us that can't be discussed. Even if I have to risk my life, I have to think of a way to protect you." Fang Zhaorong left after saying that. In fact, he did not go to the county to " defend " him. He was just thinking about how to make Hua Shiliang voluntarily admit that it was a " misdiagnosis." As for how Hua Shiliang would be dealt with if he really admitted it in a muddle, Fang Zhaorong would not " protect " him.
Although Hua Shiliang was sure that he did not misdiagnose, Fang Zhaorong's words could not help but shock him. He had already realized that the county would treat Gong Laifa's death as a political event, which might make him a landlord and a counter-revolutionary. At that time, he would not be able to explain it even if he had a mouth. Recently, there had been a "struggle meeting" and a "public trial meeting". Although he had never gone to see it, his younger brother Shijie went to see it almost every time. When he came back, he would always tell him and Luo Yuzhen about it. Once they were interrogated, they would either be sent to prison or executed. In the past, the cowardly party could still bail them out with money, but the great party did not like this. He heard that the mayor of Lu Town had been jointly guaranteed by the business world, but it was useless. He was still suppressed. Thinking of this, he was indeed a little worried. He was an honest man and wouldn't make a mistake. He was also a timid person. He was afraid that he would be charged with a misdiagnosis. It was a crime to misdiagnose a human life.
It had been three days since Fang Zhaorong had left the Hua family for the last time. Hua Shiliang had been worried about this every day. He was a person who had his worries and joys, so he pretended to be nonchalant in front of his wife and did not tell Luo Yuzhen about Fang Zhaorong's conversations. Anyway, Fang Zhaorong was a regular here. His wife would not suspect him no matter what.
He drank his tea and smoked. He picked up his pen several times to revise the " His heart was extremely disturbed by this matter, as if he had walked into a maze and could not get out no matter what.
The dull sound of a wooden fish came from afar. Hua Shiliang really wanted to cry when he heard that. It was his brother, Hua Shixian. When Hua Shixian was young, he was also called a gifted scholar by the people in D Town. He became a monk because he failed in love. Soon after, he became a madman. The people in the town called him "Crazy Monk". This mad monk knocked on the wooden fish and walked down the street every day before dawn. D Town was not big and was surrounded by city walls. The Qingxi River flowed through the middle of the town. There was a long stone bridge across the river. Mad Monk used this bridge as a boundary. He walked half the town on the east side of the bridge and half the town on the west side of the bridge. As he left, he knocked on the wooden fish with his hand and either chanted Buddhist scriptures or hummed the lyrics he had made up.
Only then did Hua Shiliang remember that today was the day his brother was going to live in the western half of the country. As usual, he went to open the door and waited for his brother, whom he had always adored.
Mad Monk walked to the door of his house. When he saw his second brother standing there, he only smiled.
"Brother, go in and sit. This is your own home!”He still said this sentence as usual. Ever since the day he returned home to open the Guang Hua Western Medicine Clinic, he had said it for more than ten years.
Mad Monk still said,"My home is in the sky, on the ground, and in Xue Ping's heart."”After saying that, he laughed and sat down on the stone slab in front of the door. Xueping was his lover.
Hua Shiliang had no choice but to sit down next to his brother. It was as if the two brothers had sat here in their childhood, looking at the Qingxi River in front of them, watching the pedestrians walking on the street, innocently chatting and having fun. Today, he seemed to realize that the real joy was in childhood. Once one became an adult, they would encounter all kinds of disasters. People seemed to move from joy to sadness step by step. His brother was like this, and he would be like this too. He wanted to cry, but he restrained himself. He was afraid that if he made his brother sad, he would go crazy again. Today, he seemed to be more eager for his brother to come home and help him support this family. Before his brother went crazy, he was not only talented but also very capable. He took out a wad of cash from his pocket and stuffed it into his brother's pocket.
Mad Monk didn't say anything. He just put his palms together and bowed to the sky.
The two brothers were still sitting in silence, holding hands as usual.
Hua Shiliang suddenly begged,"Brother, come back!"”
Mad Monk didn't even look at his brother and just laughed maniacally.
The brothers fell silent again. The sky was bright, but it was still gloomy and there was no sunlight.
Mad Monk stood up and knocked on the wooden fish again. He walked towards the long bridge while humming the song he had just composed.
"Love in life, love in death,
A cup of honey yellow lotus wine.
The morning bell and evening drum sit in meditation,
Cold-eyed life was a play.
Flowers fall easily, flowers bloom easily,
Flowers bloom and fall, but always tears.
When will the wind and rain cease? -
A pot of sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy rice.
It's hard to wake up, hard to sleep,
a boat full of saints and robbers.
Smash the wooden fish, smash the bell,
How can I see someone returning from the maze!"
Hua Shiliang seemed to understand something from the lyrics, but he couldn't explain it. It was only when he could no longer see his brother's back that he sighed and went back in. He saw his wife standing on the east side of the garden admiring the pot of begonia flowers that Jiang Shanshan had sent last year. He walked over and held her shoulder, saying,"This begonia is even more enchanting in your hands.”
Luo Yuzhen understood that her husband was praising her with the flowers, so she turned her head and looked at her husband tenderly."Nearly forty years old, Haitang is already old, can she still be enchanting?”
"You look like flowers every year, but I'm different every year. I'm getting old."
Bing Ying walked out of the guest hall and adjusted his father's collar."Dad, I think Mom is still as beautiful as ever. You're also in your prime.”
Hua Shiliang saw that his daughter was wearing a suit and said,""'Dressed in thick clothing and lightly smeared, it's always appropriate.'My daughter looks beautiful in anything.”
"Daddy, you're the only one who likes to praise me." Bing Ying said as he went to school.
Hua Shiliang proudly watched his daughter leave before entering the guest hall with his wife. Seeing that his son, Binghuan, had just woken up, he lovingly stroked his son's head and said,"You should learn from your sister and wake up early. It's better to self-study in the morning than at night.”
Bing Huan admired his sister in his heart, but he still smiled and said,"Dad, maybe even if sister has scars on her body, you will say that it's the best.”
"What flaws do you think your sister has?”
"But there's nothing bad about me. My grades are not worse than others. One had to do things their own way and learn everything from others. Was it tiring?”Hua Binghuan said as he stretched out his hand." I want to buy mountain yuan cakes."
Hua Shiliang said to his wife,"I've given all my money to my brother. Give it to her." Give him more and let him keep more money in his pocket so that he doesn't have to ask for it often.”
"Mom won't give me less." Hua Binghuan only took a note from his mother's hand and said,""I only want the money to buy snacks.”
After the couple entered the study, Luo Yuzhen asked,""What seems to be bothering you recently?”
Hua Shiliang could only cover it up and say,"I feel that this draft is still missing something. I can't find any additional information at the moment."”
Luo Yuzhen was about to say a few words of comfort to her husband when she saw a woman in an old blue shirt enter the door and went out to welcome her.
The middle-aged woman had already walked to the front of the guest hall. She forced a worried expression and called out,"Martial Aunt Hua!"
Only then did Luo Yuzhen recognize that it was Guo Jinmao's wife, Ruan Saijun, who was outside the small south gate. She quickly helped her into the guest hall and made a cup of tea for her."I can't recognize you in this outfit.”
Ruan Saijun thought that her husband Guo Jinmao had been classified as a landlord and had been sent to the police by the peasant association. His family property had also been confiscated, so there was no need to say anything more. She only said that her youngest son Guo Lixin was sick and wanted to get some medicine.
When Hua Shiliang was young, he studied in a private school with Guo Jinmao. After they grew up, they had some friendship. He said,"Sister-in-law, why didn't you bring your little nephew along? He didn't even look at the patient's condition and knew what medicine to prescribe. -- I'll go with you to take a look."
Ruan Saijun quickly stopped him." Our family is the landlord. You shouldn't go. If the people from the Farmers 'Association see you, it will affect you." The little dog only has a stomachache, please give it some medicine.”
"Doctors don't ask who they are. Let's go. We can't have so many misgivings.”Hua Shiliang picked up the stethoscope and medicine box and left.
Ruan Saijun went into the city. She was adorned with gold and silver, dressed in silk and satin, and was gorgeously dressed. Today, she was wearing this old cloth and felt ashamed. She only covered half of her face, lowered her head, and followed behind Hua Shiliang. She was afraid that others would see her and affect Hua Shiliang, so she kept a distance from him and did not say a word.
As soon as Hua Shiliang left the Small South Gate City, he saw the high wall courtyard at the foot of Qianyuan Mountain. He thought that the Guo family still lived in this ancestral residence and walked straight there. As soon as they crossed the Chenghe Bridge, Ruan Saijun called out to them, saying that her house no longer lived in the courtyard. He had no choice but to follow her along the road to the east of the moat. It was only five to six hundred meters, and he heard Ruan Saijun pointing at two old houses in front of him. He entered the house. The room was dark and there was a musty smell. There was a kitchen in one half of the room, and a shabby eight-square table and a few stools were placed in the other half. When his eldest son, daughter, and grandson saw him enter, they all stood up and let him sit. He exchanged a few pleasantries with them before following Ruan Saijun into another room. There were four beds in this room, making it even more cramped. He carefully examined Guo Lixin for a while and asked about his condition. He determined that it was gastroenteritis and gave him medicine. He returned to the guest room and chatted with Guo Jinmao's eldest son, Limin, and daughter, Lifen.
Li Fen was bolder and did not care about her mother's obstruction. She told Hua Shiliang about the recent situation in the family, saying that the ancestral house and the mahogany furniture in the house had been confiscated, and the peasant association said that they would give it to the farmers. These two rooms were her family's woodshed, and the peasant association wanted them to move here. Her older brother had also been punished by the farmers because he had collected rice from them. The eldest sister-in-law ran back to her family in Shimen, saying that she wanted to draw a clear line with the landlord's son. The little brother was also fired by the silk factory on the grounds that he did not want to break off his relationship with the landlord family. His unwed sister-in-law also came to break off the engagement. Because she was the daughter of a landlord, no one dared to hire her to work. Thanks to her cleverness, on the day the peasant association came to capture her father, she had escaped through the back door with some gold and silver jewelry to maintain her current life. She had visited her father a few times, but the police didn't allow her to see him. She heard that he would be sentenced to death. She choked and sobbed, unable to continue.
Hua Shiliang didn't have time to sit for long. He comforted her and stood up to leave.
Ruan Saijun took out a pair of gold earrings as a reward for Hua Shiliang.
Hua Shiliang refused and said,"Sister-in-law, you've already fallen to this point. Can I still stop?" Keep it for your own use, or you'll be treating me as an outsider.”He walked out of the door and sincerely reminded Ruan Saijun,""If you have any difficulties in the future, feel free to come to my house. You know Yuzhen is easier to talk to than me.”
As Hua Shiliang walked, he raised his head and saw the Guo family's courtyard. He had entered before. There were pavilions, pavilions, buildings, halls, carved beams, painted buildings, ponds, and gardens. They were very gorgeous. It was built by the ancestors of the Guo family during the Daoguang period. Guo Jinmao was not considered a prodigal, but he was not a capable descendant either. He only guarded more than 100 mu of ancestral land in his life. Now that he was classified as a landlord, he was in prison, and even his descendants were affected. He saw that the Li flowers in the courtyard had bloomed again, but it was said that the wall door had been sealed. He couldn't help but sigh. When he thought of his own matters, he became depressed again. When she arrived home, she saw that the guest hall was filled with people who had come to treat her. Once he entered, he did not say anything. He stood behind Luo Yuzhen and watched how many patients she had examined and prescribed. He was secretly impressed. He walked to the side to treat other patients. Only at this time did he not have any worries in his heart. His thoughts were very focused when he treated patients.
It was only around four o'clock in the afternoon that the clinic was free. Hua Shijie wanted to play basketball. Luo Yuzhen had always been considerate of her uncle, so she went to the river dock to wait for the boat from Hangzhou to get the herbs. The medicinal herbs they wanted had to be bought and transported by the ship owner to Hangzhou. Luo Yuzhen and Hua Shijie had just left when Fang Zhaorong came with a young cadre from the county investigation team called Zhen Jianwei. Hua Shiliang was afraid that his wife would hear him when she came back, so he let Fang Zhaorong and the others into the study.
Zhen Jianwei was not a local, and he was a new cadre. He said without any scruples,"Hua Shiliang, we've done an investigation. Gong Laifa died because of your treatment.”
Hua Shiliang was shocked and looked at Fang Zhaorong. Fang Zhaorong only lowered his head and smoked without saying a word.
Fang Zhaorong was also a little passive. In the morning, Jia Jinshi looked for him again, saying that Deputy County Head An had already urged him to ask several times, but when he heard that the investigation team still hadn't found anything, he was very dissatisfied. He wanted the investigation team to make a decision within three days, or else he would transfer someone else. Fang Zhaorong was most afraid of transferring people, so he naturally did not dare to speak up for Hua Shiliang. Jia Jinshi knew about the relationship between Fang Zhaorong and Hua Shiliang, so he asked if Fang Zhaorong was unwilling to investigate because of their relationship. He panicked and swore that he had no selfish motives at all. He was determined to find out the truth within three days. He wanted to find out within three days, so he could only use the method of pretending to be a tenon. However, it was too obvious for him to be the black face. Moreover, Jiang Shanshan had told him several times that even if Hua Shiliang really made a mistake, he had to find a way to protect Hua Shiliang. Even if he was fired because of this, it did not matter. Therefore, he discussed with Zhen Jianwei and asked him to be the black face and say some threatening words to Hua Shiliang. Because he knew that Hua Shiliang was a coward. If he were to do this forcefully, then he would give him some soft advice. Perhaps it would be effective. If he miscalculated this move, he could only admit that he was incompetent and listen to fate.
"Do you think that the person is already dead and the corpse has rotted?" Zhen Jianwei said. Your medical record and prescription were filled in later. Gong Laifa's condition at that time was not like this. It can be seen that you deliberately killed our revolutionary cadre.”
Hua Shiliang did not expect this young man to spout such nonsense. He was so angry that his entire body trembled."You, you, how can you say that? I don't have any grievances or enmity against the Great Party. Why would I deliberately kill a revolutionary cadre for no reason?”
"You have always been dissatisfied with the Great Party.”Zhen Jianwei brought up what he heard from Jia Jinshi. "During the Anti-Japanese War, the Great Party guerrillas were injured while fighting against the Japanese and urgently needed medicine. The underground party came to you and asked you to provide some medicine. Yet you firmly refused. Is this the truth?"
Hua Shiliang remembered, but he did not deny it. He said,"That's true, but at that time, the medicine in my own pharmacy was also stolen by the Japanese. How do you want me to support the guerrillas?”
"You're still lying! They were clearly dissatisfied with the Great Party and refused to support it!”Zhen Jianwei said," Last year, the county mobilized you to go to the hospital several times and even made you the deputy director. You gave one reason after another and kept pushing it. Even our Section Chief Jia personally came to persuade you, but you were still unwilling.”
" I have my special circumstances-"
"What special circumstances?" Zhen Jianwei retorted,"It's clearly a feeling of resistance against the Great Party!"”
Hua Shiliang also wanted to explain," At that time, the county officials, including Chief Jia, also felt that my reason was right. They did not ask me to go to the hospital again.”
"I don't think your reason is right, but I think you're too stubborn and hopeless!" Zhen Jianwei said. There's no need to accommodate you anymore. Didn't you want to be a doctor in the Japanese hospital in the past? -- You don't have to quibble anymore! Today, we still want to save you. We'll give you two days to consider. If you're willing to confess, the people will still be lenient towards you. If you resist to the end, we can also punish you! -- Comrade Fang, let's go. Let him think about it himself.”
Fang Zhaorong deliberately said,"Comrade Little Zhen, if you have any questions, please take your time to discuss them. Why are you in such a hurry to leave?"?”
Fang Zhaorong naturally wouldn't leave. He was also a little surprised by this young officer's words. Because when they discussed it, they wanted this young man to insist that Hua Shiliang had " mistreated " him. However, Zhen Jianwei said it was "intentional." Fang Zhaorong was not so cruel as to want Hua Shiliang to take the path of death. Since Zhen Jianwei had overdone it, he could only return the favor. He handed Hua Shiliang a cigarette.
Hua Shiliang looked in the direction Zhen Jianwei went and said with worry and anger,"How preposterous!"
Fang Zhaorong said," Sigh, these young officials are all like this, but the county just believes them. I've said several times that Gong Laifa's death had nothing to do with you, but who would believe me?!"”
"I have no enmity with Gong Laifa in my previous life, so why should I treat him to death?”
"I thought so too, but they said that Gong Laifa is a member of the Great Party and that you are mainly dissatisfied with the Great Party.”
"I never talked about politics. I became a doctor in a Japanese hospital because I had just graduated from school and had no place to go. When the war of resistance broke out, he realized that he was from China and couldn't work for the people who invaded us, so he resigned and came home to open a clinic. The herbs in my clinic were taken away by the Japanese. How am I supposed to support the guerrillas? If you want to add a crime, you don't have to worry about having no excuse. This is clearly forcing me to confess!"
"I also think it's a little strange, but how can I explain it clearly?”
"What's there to explain? Didn't my medical record and prescription make it very clear?”
"Didn't Little Zhen just say that they don't believe it?”
"You know that I don't know how to fake things.”
"I can be 100% sure that you won't lie. But if they don't believe me, what's the use?"
"In that case, I can only admit that I intentionally killed Gong Laifa."
"Brother Shiliang, you've wronged me. Even if you really wanted to kill me, I wouldn't let you admit it. Gong Laifa is the head of the Great Party, and this is considered a counter-revolution. Even if he's lucky enough not to be suppressed, he'll be sentenced to life imprisonment. They would love for you to admit it yourself. No, you can't admit it like that." Fang Zhaorong handed Hua Shiliang another cigarette and sighed deliberately."I've racked my brains, but I really can't think of a foolproof plan to help you get through this crisis. They only gave you two days, and it was too rushed. I objected, but they said that I sympathized with you and refused to agree to a longer time.”
"I won't admit that I didn't kill anyone!”
"Yes, you shouldn't admit it like this, but you have to have a way to deal with it. -- Brother Shiliang, to tell you the truth, I'll be transferred out of the investigation team in the next few days. They already think I'm incompetent. I don't know who you're going to send. I'm worried that if someone like Little Zhen comes, you'll be in trouble. So I think you'd better think of a way to deal with it in the next few days.”
"I've always been a person who only knows how to be realistic. I won't cheat.”
"That's true." Fang Zhaorong deliberately smoked for a while and said,"Brother Shi Liang, may I ask, did you accidentally misdiagnose me? " If it is, I have already said that I still have a way to deal with it. At most, I will write a self-reflection letter and compensate you with some money. As for the money, I will definitely help you. There is no need to calculate the financial accounts between us. Moreover, you are a famous doctor admired by the neighboring counties. The people will also speak up for you.”
"I definitely didn't misdiagnose!"
"Think about it carefully."
"Don't think about it anymore."
Fang Zhaorong's heart also turned cold. He knew that Hua Shiliang was honest and timid, but he was also very stubborn. Since he refused to admit that it was a misdiagnosis several times, it would arouse Hua Shiliang's suspicion and see that he had ulterior motives for the "misdiagnosis". If he told Jiang Shanshan, he would be in a difficult position. Therefore, he thought it was better to leave. Before he left, he said,"Brother Shi Liang, I have the heart but not the strength. At this critical moment, as your little brother, I can't help. I'm really ashamed, please forgive me. There's something I have to remind you. In the county, other than me who knows medicine, the other officials only know about political struggles. They won't speak up for you everywhere like me. You must be mentally prepared. I'm worried that you won't be able to explain yourself. You've seen Little Zhen's attitude. Be careful, remember, remember.”After he finished speaking, he politely took his leave as usual. He sighed as he walked out of the door, thinking that he was done for. The county would definitely think that he was incompetent. Not only would they transfer him out of the investigation team, but they would also demote him.
Hua Shiliang was a well-known good doctor, but he also adhered to the traditional attitude of life like some scholars in the feudal era. He was upright and honest, conservative in his thinking, and narrow-minded in his interests in life. Once he became interested in a certain subject, he would devote himself to it and 'shut himself away from the world's affairs. He didn't like to socialize, nor was he good at socializing. Occasionally, he would interact with others and only stick to Confucius 'words: "Do you believe in befriending friends?" He always treated people with open hearts, without any hypocrisy or selfishness. For this reason, he often trusted others. He believed in the theory that human nature was good and believed that people became bad and evil because of the social environment. He treated Fang Zhaorong as a close friend because Fang Zhaorong had flattered him in the past, as if he had poured his heart and soul into it. At the same time, it was also out of respect and love for Jiang Shanshan. Therefore, he did not suspect that Fang Zhaorong was two-faced in this matter. He thought that Fang Zhaorong had indeed spoken up for him, but the higher-ups did not believe him. This was because Fang Zhaorong was a " retained employee ", a " two officials ". In the past dynasties, the new dynasties that changed the world would not put the trust of " two officials " in important positions. The Great Party would definitely have reservations about those who had worked for the Cowardly Party. He was sure that Fang Zhaorong had the intention to help, but he was powerless. He almost thought that Fang Zhaorong was feeling guilty for his silent grievance.
Fang Zhaorong's words before he left really shocked Hua Shiliang and caused him to think deeply. He was worried that the higher-ups would really remove Fang Zhaorong from his position and transfer him to someone else. Moreover, just as Fang Zhaorong said, the newly replaced team leader did not understand medicine and only knew about political struggles. He was just like that young cadre surnamed Zhen. He did not pay attention to facts and was subjective and arbitrary. Then he really could not explain himself. There were too many good people who had died unjustly because of 'groundless'. In his mind, political struggles were just a contest between power and power, while reason and righteousness were just a banner to flaunt his appeal to the world. After more than 30 years of life experience, he had come to this conclusion. Any political party would cover up their ultimate goal with high-sounding propaganda. The Qing Dynasty was full of "the emperor's grace", Yuan Shikai had his beautiful slogan, Sun Chuanfang had his deceptive oath, and even the "Three People's Principles" that he admired. The cowardly party had been promoting for decades, but it was still a piece of paper. It had been less than a year since the Great Party was liberated. With only his daughter's guidance, he naturally did not have a deep understanding of it. He was only skeptical. Zhen Jianwei's assertiveness had pushed him away. He was constantly seeking new ideas in medicine, but he was conservative in his worldview, and as he grew older, he became more and more conservative. There was always a traditional resistance to new things. He loved the truth, but he did not dare to rush forward to fight for it. Therefore, when he measured his so-called "power" and "force", he had to be limited.
The Hua family was originally a farmer. Hua Shiliang's great-grandfather herded cattle for the landlord when he was a child. He was intelligent and studious. Every day, he went to the window of the private school to eavesdrop on the teacher's lecture on the Four Books and Five Classics. The tutor cherished him and volunteered to teach him to read. After ten years of hardship, the private tutor funded him to go to the capital to take the exam. After he passed the Jinshi, he let the magistrate go and changed his family. Later, because of an unjust case, he was unwilling to collude with his superior and kill innocent people. He reported illness and returned home. From then on, he did not allow his descendants to give up Confucianism, but he also opposed his descendants from getting involved in officialdom. Hua Shiliang's grandfather was very knowledgeable and had taken the road of business. See D city county farmers every household sericemaking spinning, according to local conditions set up cocoon line, silk line. He had a good business and a good way of making money. Three years later, he became the first owner of the cocoon and silk industry in D City and County. Hua Shiliang's father was a little inferior to his predecessors. There was no new development or decline. He had hoped that his intelligent eldest son, Hua Shixian, could inherit his ancestors 'business and revive them. Who knew that the eldest son had become a monk after losing his love and even became crazy. This father who adhered to the golden mean became depressed from then on. Medicine was ineffective and he died early. The clever third son, Hua Shijie, was only six years old. Hua Shiliang did not know how to do business, so he closed the cocoon station.
Hua Shiliang thought that the Great Party paid too much attention to family composition. If he wanted to trace the roots, his ancestors were both feudal bureaucrats and capitalists. Although he was a doctor, he had been a doctor in a hospital run by the Japanese. From Zhen Jianwei's tone, he could hear that it was extremely disgraceful. In short, he thought that he was powerless in politics. If the new investigation team leader was like Zhen Jianwei, he would not be able to defend himself. Based on his past experience, he thought that he had the final say in which political party it was. He could only tie himself up and let himself be slaughtered. Thinking of this, he felt uneasy. He paced back and forth in the study. From the changes in the Guo family, he thought of the changes in the families of the cowardly military and political officials and some gentry in D Town. These people were all punished because of the counter-revolution and evil gentry. Some were suppressed, while others were sentenced to prison. Their families also suffered. Some relied on washing clothes to feed their children, some relied on selling carrots and vegetables to make a living, some relied on selling gold and silver jewelry to support their families in the storm, and some relied on borrowing money to survive. Some of these down-and-out wives had relied on their husbands to enjoy themselves, while others were just tools to raise children. Most of their children were hatching bean sprouts at home. He thought of Jiang Shanshan again. She was such a smart woman who was full of enthusiasm for the Great Party. However, she was rejected by the revolution because her father was a capitalist. The more he thought about it, the more afraid he became. He thought that once the investigation team concluded that he was " deliberately killing a revolutionary cadre," he would be sabotaging the revolution and would be designated as a counter-revolutionary. If he killed someone to pay for his life, he would definitely be suppressed. His death was just a misfortune. His father's property would be confiscated, his relatives would live in a small, damp, and broken house, his beloved wife would wear a tattered shirt like Ruan Saijun, his daughter would be fired from school, his son would not be able to find a job after graduating from high school, and his brother would be the same. The whole family would be discriminated against because of this. If one person was guilty, the whole family would suffer. He was worried for himself and more worried for the whole family. He didn't want to be executed for no reason, and he didn't want his family to suffer, but he couldn't think of a way to free himself. He was terrified, and his heart seemed to be trembling.
When his son and daughter returned, he only smiled sadly, as if he had let them down.
It was getting dark, but he didn't think about lighting the lamp. He just stood there, leaning against the window bars.
Luo Yuzhen came back, followed by a worker who was carrying the medicine bag. After the worker put down the medicine bag and paid some money, he lit the lamp. Only then did he see her husband standing there silently. He walked in and said with a smile,"What's wrong with you? Why do you look so worried?”
Hua Shiliang tried to cover it up by saying,"I'm not worried. I just feel a little stomachache."”
"Why do you have stomach problems?" Luo Yuzhen asked anxiously. Lie down on the rattan bed. I'll get you some medicine.”
Hua Shiliang had no choice but to swallow the medicine in front of his wife and asked,""Have you bought all the medicine you wanted?" He wanted to go to the pharmacy.
"I've already bought it. Don't worry about it.”Luo Yuzhen lovingly helped her husband lie down on the rattan couch.
The young female assistant walked to the door of the study and said,"The food is ready. Let's eat."
"Is Uncle back?" Luo Yuzhen asked with a smile.”
"I don't think he's back."
Luo Yuzhen said,"Then let's wait a little longer. Where are Bingying and the others?"”
"They're all upstairs reading."
Hua Shijie didn't come back until it was dark.
Hua Shiliang didn't want to eat at first, but he was afraid that his wife would see through his thoughts, so he went to the dining table and pretended to be very happy. He asked everyone to drink a few glasses of wine. He took turns to drink with his beloved wife, younger brother, daughter, son, and the female minister. He drank and laughed with everyone, looking happier than ever, and the merriment he made infected himself. At this moment, he was truly free from all his fears and worries. He felt that what his brother said about a cup of honey coptis wine made some sense. Life was a cup of wine. There were sweet times and bitter times. Now that the wine was sweet, he should drink this sweet wine to his heart's content. How many times could he get drunk in his life? When he was happy, he was happy. He and his brother drank cup after cup.
Luo Yuzhen advised gently,"Your stomach isn't feeling well. You should drink less."”
Hua Shiliang smiled and said,"It's rare for you to be so happy. It's fine." Come, let's drink to that too." He inadvertently revealed a sentence,'Today there's wine today, today is drunk, tomorrow is sad tomorrow.'”
"What exactly are you worried about?" Luo Yuzhen asked sensitively.”
Hua Shiliang hurriedly covered it up and said," Isn't this what people often say when they drink? I'm just casually using it. Are you serious? I'm happy that the husband and wife are loving, the brothers are harmonious, and the children are filial.”Actually, when he thought of this, he really wanted to cry. If this matter were to break out, would he still be able to enjoy it? He quickly raised the glass in his hand and clinked it with his wife's glass. He drank it in one gulp and urged his wife,"Don't be suspicious. Drink it."
Luo Yuzhen felt relieved after hearing her husband's words and finished the glass of wine.
Hua Shiliang felt a little tipsy. He was afraid that if he continued drinking, he would slip up and make his wife worry. He stood up and entered the study. He heard his daughter telling his mother that the pear blossoms in the school were blooming and that he wanted his mother to go and admire them tomorrow. He gently recited Su Shi's poem,"The pear blossoms are pale white and the willows are deep green. When the willow leaves fly, the city is filled with flowers.”Tears of sadness welled up in her heart again.
The whole family sat and chatted for a while after dinner, then went back to their rooms to sleep. Only Hua Shijie went out to play with his friends.
Luo Yuzhen fell asleep in her husband's gentle voice. Hua Shiliang couldn't fall asleep. He looked out of the glass window and saw someone pushing the door open in the dark. He felt as if Little Zhen had come in with the public security officers. He couldn't help but shiver. It wasn't until he heard his brother open the door that he calmed down.
The bell in the guest hall downstairs rang three times, but Hua Shiliang still did not fall asleep. The weather was unpredictable, and people had their ups and downs. He thought that he had encountered an unexpected disaster that he could not escape from. He felt that he had reached the end of his life. He thought that this was the arrangement of fate and there was no need to resist. He felt that he was already a tumor on the family's body. If this tumor was not removed, it would cause the family's body to die. He only hoped that he would not implicate his family.
The chime struck again dully, like a sledgehammer striking his heart, and tears of grief flowed down his face...
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