92

A tense, oppressive atmosphere permeated every corner of the bases meeting hall. The lights all around were glaring and cold. The white fixtures suspended from the ceiling illuminated everyones faces, revealing even the beads of sweat on the foreheads of several comrades. The polished floor reflected the light, and every footstep seemed especially heavy in the silence. As soon as Lü Heruo and his group entered the hall, several comrades wearing security force uniforms surrounded them.

"Dont tie me up! Im not a criminal!" Lü Heruo shouted angrily. His gaze was sharp as a blade, and he fiercely struck the air with both hands, as if trying to push away the guards surrounding him. The comrades behind him also appeared somewhat agitated, and several secretly watched this sudden confrontation.

Two heavy crates of explosives had been placed in front of the podium in the meeting hall. They stood like two silent platforms of judgment, coldly facing every comrade who entered. The atmosphere inside the hall grew increasingly stifling. Everyones eyes were fixed firmly on Lü Heruo, as though this "public trial" had already quietly begun.

Without looking to either side, Lü Heruo walked resolutely toward the "defendants chair" beside the podium. He sat with his back straight. His shoulders trembled slightly, but he still maintained his proud bearing. With every step, the wooden floor beneath the chair gave a faint creak, as though this trial was an ordeal for everyone.

Turning around, Lü Heruo swept his gaze across the hall. His voice was low but firm. "Comrades, I deeply regret that this incident has happened! With our formidable enemy right before us, not only have we failed to unite and stand together against our common foe, but some people among us are creating divisions within our own ranks." Emotion gradually heightened in his voice. He clenched both fists tightly until his fingertips turned white.

Lü Heruos gaze flashed like two sharp blades as he glared at Chen Danghe and Dong Zhiqian. "I havent left this place because I intend to face this case personally. My conscience is clear, so I can stand here before all of you and submit to an investigation." His voice echoed through the meeting hall, immediately drawing everyones full attention.

Chen Benjiang nodded slightly and spoke in a steady, forceful voice. "Before the truth about this case has been established, I hope none of you will jump to conclusions or harbor preconceived notions. After all, no one wants to be wrongfully accused." His tone was extremely cautious as his eyes moved across the comrades present.

Just then, Chen Danghe raised his hand and lightly tapped the tabletop several times, calmly requesting permission to speak. "Chairman, I have always dealt with matters objectively. I would never deliberately frame a fellow comrade. Director Wang has recently made remarks that often violate the Partys line, making me question his loyalty to the Party. And now, considering what happened last night, the stolen explosives were found under his bed in his dormitory. The facts are right before us. Director Wang can hardly escape suspicion." His tone was cool and cutting, and his sharp eyes remained fixed on Lü Heruo like pointed spears.

"I hope Director Wang will honestly disclose what happened to the other crates of explosives. I also ask the chairman and all the comrades to show leniency toward his actions and give him a chance to mend his ways." Chen Danghe made no attempt to conceal the provocative undertone in his voice. He lowered his head slightly and narrowed his eyes, apparently waiting for Lü Heruos reaction.

After hearing Chen Danghes remarks, Secretary Chen Chunqings expression changed slightly. He was displeased by such aggressive language. He raised his hand to request permission to speak, his voice impassioned. "Comrades, considering Director Wangs usual conduct and the way he deals with people, I ask you to think about whether he would really have had the motive to do such a thing. Besides, if he really did it, why would he hide the stolen goods under his own bed and leave evidence of his crime behind? This is clearly someones secret attempt to frame him, using the tactic of planting evidence and shifting the blame. Everyone, think about it. Isnt that so?"

For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall grew even more tense. People began whispering among themselves. Dong Zhiqian frowned slightly and raised his hand to speak. His tone was even more grave. "As the old saying goes, Catch an adulterer in bed, catch a thief with the stolen goods. Since the two crates of explosives were found under Director Wangs bed, we cant simply claim that everyone is framing him. I believe the comrades should reach a resolution on how to handle this matter. Anyone who has done something against the Party must naturally accept the Partys disciplinary action."

Liao Xueli was sitting in a corner of the hall. He suddenly stood up and hurriedly interrupted before the chairman could speak. "First, I must make a confession. I was the one who went to inform Director Wang about this matter just now. At the time, I advised him to leave this place temporarily until the truth was known. But Director Wang said his conscience was clear and that he was willing to return and face the investigation. Think about it, everyone. If Director Wang had really committed this theft, he could easily have left and never come back. But he didnt. There must be an injustice here. I ask everyone to think about this carefully." His tone was sincere. He spread his hands and appealed to the comrades around him for understanding.

Chen Danghe and Dong Zhiqian were taken aback by Liao Xuelis unexpected remarks. They exchanged glances and frowned slightly, questions rising in their minds. Chen Danghe thought to himself, "This man usually seems to be a wanderer who gets along with everyone. How could he have taken Lü Heruos side?"

Chen Benjiang nodded and tried to calm the situation. "Does anyone else have anything to say?"

Liao Musheng, who was seated among the observers, raised his hand. Chen Benjiang nodded to acknowledge him. "Chief Secretary Liao has something to say. Lets hear him out."

Liao Musheng stood up and nodded slightly. His voice was steady. "Im your friend, Liao Musheng. From beginning to end, Ive been an outsider in this case involving the theft of explosives. Originally, I had no standing to speak, but just now, at Village Chief Chens home, when Director Wang received Liao Xuelis notification, his immediate reaction was to face the matter openly. On that basis alone, I believe Director Wang has been framed. Those crates of mining explosives would be difficult to sell outside, no matter how they were transported, without knowing the right people and the proper channels. And even if someone managed to sell them, the amount of money involved wouldnt be very large. Whats more, there is no record of Director Wang ever having left this place. That is enough to show that he had no motive to steal and sell the explosives."

Chen Qiwang also nodded in agreement. "Chief Secretary Liaos analysis makes a great deal of sense. Although this matter is an internal affair of your base, it concerns the good name of our good friend, Director Wang. As his friends, Chief Secretary Liao and I cannot help but speak a few words in the interest of justice."

Chen Benjiang pondered for a moment before speaking in a calm voice. "Since both sides have made reasonable arguments, Director Wangs duties will be temporarily suspended until the truth has been established. His freedom of movement will also be restricted. Once the investigation is complete, everyone can discuss together what disciplinary action, if any, should be taken."

That afternoon, sunlight streamed through the windows into Chen Qiwangs home. The air inside was slightly warm, and several people sat around an old wooden table. Cups of steaming tea were arranged across the tabletop. The wooden chairs, worn down by years of use, creaked faintly. Chen Chunqing, Liao Xueli, and Zhang Haiqing (He Yunxuan) had just entered the house, but they could already feel the heavy atmosphere weighing on everyone.

Chen Chunqing frowned, his expression somewhat grim. As he sat down, he began speaking. "Director Wang has been targeted by malicious people. Chen Danghe and Dong Zhiqian have been looking for every possible opening to cause him trouble. Ive noticed that for a long time." His voice was agitated. He slammed both hands down on the table, causing the tea in the cups to ripple.

Liao Xueli lightly tapped the tabletop. His voice was low but firm. "Earlier, Chen Danghe and Dong Zhiqian took a bag of venomous snakes in the middle of the night and dumped them into Director Wangs dormitory, intending to have them bite him to death. Director Wang has never allowed me to tell anyone about this incident." As he spoke, anger showed in his eyes. The slight trembling of his voice betrayed his agitation.

Chen Chunqings eyes widened, and he leaned forward slightly. His voice carried unmistakable surprise. "Did something like that really happen?"

Liao Xueli nodded, his expression completely serious. "Would I bring this up if there were no truth to it?" His voice grew even more solemn. His fingers unconsciously tightened around the edge of the table, revealing his firm conviction.

He Yunxuan leaned back in his chair, his brow furrowed. After remaining silent for a moment, he spoke in a somewhat gloomy tone. "Chen Danghe and Dong Zhiqian—one is a ritual master, and the other is an altar assistant. Ive suspected for a long time that the two of them were working together. They might have been plotting something. I never imagined that Director Wang would be the person they were targeting." He shook his head slightly, unable to conceal his disappointment.

A flash of anger crossed Chen Chunqings eyes. He sprang to his feet and slammed his hand hard against the table. "Those two are utterly ruthless! They would even resort to such a vicious act against their own comrades. Its absolutely outrageous!" His voice reverberated through the room, and the atmosphere instantly grew even more somber.

Chen Qiwang slowly set down his teacup and looked at everyone. His voice was calm but full of reason. "Chunqing, after working alongside Director Wang during this period, Ive come to understand quite a bit about his character and the way he handles things. But, Xueli, you say that Danghe and that Dong Zhiqian fellow released venomous snakes to bite Director Wang. Unless you have solid evidence, you cant just use this accusation against them." His tone was cautious, and his sharp eyes made it clear that he took such accusations very seriously.

Liao Xuelis expression darkened. He stared straight at Chen Qiwang and spoke forcefully. "If I, Liao Xueli, am lying, may I die a terrible death!" He straightened slightly, his gaze as firm as a rock.

Zhang Haiqing (He Yunxuan) could no longer maintain a calm tone. With his hands clasped in front of his chest, he looked urgently at Chen Qiwang. "Village Chief, youve always carried a great deal of weight when speaking before our Chairman Chen. Could I ask you to intercede for Director Wang with our chairman? Please ask him not to keep Brother Wang confined to the dormitory." His voice was full of pleading and trembled slightly, clearly revealing his anxiety over Director Wangs predicament.

At that moment, Chen Ruyu also stood up. Her expression anxious, she hurried over to Chen Qiwang and gently took his arm. She pleaded, "Brother, please intercede with Chairman Chen on Director Wangs behalf. Hell listen to you. Besides, how can we just stand by and watch Director Wang get framed?" Her eyes were filled with deep concern, and her voice carried a trace of uneasiness.

Chen Qiwang took a deep breath and gently patted his younger sisters hand. His voice was gentle but rational. "Little Sister, we cant force our way into this matter. It happened inside the base, so its their internal affair. We have no standing to interfere." He shook his head slightly, his expression complicated. Clearly, he felt helpless in the face of his sisters anxiety.

He turned to Chen Chunqing and spoke even more cautiously. "Chunqing, as the saying goes, Even an upright official finds it difficult to judge a family dispute. Im not one of your comrades, so it wouldnt be appropriate for me to interfere in matters inside your base. Besides, from what Ive heard, Chairman Chen hasnt found Director Wang guilty. The disciplinary measures imposed on him at this point are fair enough." He paused, then continued with slightly greater emphasis. "But what my younger sister is worried about is whether Chen Danghe and Dong Zhiqian might take advantage of Director Wangs confinement and try to harm him again."

Chen Chunqing clenched his fists, his face filled with determination. "Ill do everything I can to protect Director Wang. I wont let Chen Danghe and Dong Zhiqian have another opportunity to harm him." His tone was resolute, and his eyes conveyed a warning that could not be ignored.

Although Liao Xueli remained anxious, he took a deep breath and spoke with lingering concern. "Im still very worried about Director Wang and the situation hes in now..."

Chen Qiwang gently patted Liao Xueli on the shoulder. His reassuring voice carried a note of strength. "Dont worry about that for now. The most urgent thing is to find the other crates of explosives as quickly as possible. Since Director Wang wasnt the one who stole them, they must still be hidden somewhere in our village. In a little while, Ill ask our village clerk, Bida, to bring a few able-bodied men and go around the village with you to look for them." His tone was firm, and his words carried an unmistakable note of command.

After thinking it over, Liao Xueli nodded. "The village chief is right. What we need to do now is find out where those explosives are as quickly as possible. Only then can we clear Director Wangs name." His shoulders relaxed slightly, but the worry in his eyes had not disappeared.

Ruyu, meanwhile, anxiously rubbed her fingers together. Suddenly, she raised her head, her voice urgent. "I dont care! Brother, you must find a way to save him right away!" Her eyes were full of concern for Director Wang, and her voice was close to breaking into tears.

Chen Qiwang lowered his head and sighed deeply. Then he looked at Ruyu, his voice utterly firm. "Little Sister, calm down and listen to me. I feel the same way you do. I also believe Director Wang didnt steal those explosives. But right now, we have no evidence to prove his innocence." He gently took her hand. His voice was soft but carried a deep sense of responsibility. "If I go to Chairman Chen right away, the people at the base will think Director Wang is relying on me as his protector, and that is why he dared to do such a thing. If I interfere without distinguishing right from wrong, I may actually make them suspicious and put Director Wang in an even more difficult position. Do you understand the complications after hearing my explanation?"

At that moment, Liao Qingyun gently took Ruyus hand and comforted her in a tender voice. "Little Sister Ruyu, dont worry just yet. Brother Wang is a good man. Everyone is trying to find a way to help him." He gently patted her hand, his voice full of warmth and reassurance.