Chapter Ninety-Six: Letting Nature Take Its Course
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Han Li completed the basic sequence of movements, signaling the end of his warm-up. He bent his waist, retracted his shoulders, drew back his chest through twelve postures, and continuously struck with his hands—splitting, crashing, drilling, blasting, and striking horizontally without pause.
Han Li himself didn’t realize that today his punches and kicks were larger in motion and more forceful than usual.
After the wooden post rattled under his blows for a while, it finally split into two pieces, which brought his focus back.
He then let out a self-mocking smile—silent but growing increasingly broad.
Had anyone seen him at that moment, they would have been startled; his silent laughter twisted his expression oddly.
“Go live your life, go forgive, go pardon—damn it, that’s the work of saints, nothing to do with a lowly commoner like me.”
Judging by Zhang San’s character and Yun Yingying’s speculations about him, if Zhang San ever got a chance, he would surely take it secretly. Then, the one tied up and taken away today would be Han Li himself.
How many people would gloat, how many would add insult to injury, how many would gather to speak with one voice?
Some would even fabricate lies and false evidence just to pin the blame on him and clear themselves.
When that time comes, who would dare cry injustice on his behalf? Who would pity him?
Only his family far away in Forty-Nine City would grieve, risking everything to pull him out.
Chancellor Cao once said, “Better I wrong the world than the world wrong me.”
To hesitate and not sever ties when necessary only breeds chaos; indecision ultimately places oneself in grave danger.
Therefore, Han Li made good use of this inspection opportunity.
Even if some believed Zhang San was innocent, their suspicions would fall on the group of educated youth who stole the bean pods—it was dog eat dog, with no clean hands.
As this thought crossed his mind, Han Li abruptly stopped his silent, wild laughter, and with both fists, he struck the broken wooden post again.
Crack, crack... the post, already split into two, shattered further into three.
Expressionless, Han Li replaced the post with a new one, clapped his hands, and turned to wash the sweat off his body.
This incident had some benefits for Han Li; many things had become clearer.
His image as a diligent person was firmly established, which would greatly aid him in the days ahead.
When Han Li finished eating and stepped outside, his face still wore that harmless, innocent look.
Just as he left his home, he ran into He Mi and the three Yun sisters, though they all looked rather downcast.
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He Mi asked, “Han Li, what do you think will happen today?”
Han Li looked at their expressions, thinking these two matters had nothing to do with them; the women simply overthought things.
He had already forgotten the turbulent emotions from his earlier wild punches and, with a somewhat pretentious air, said, “The gentle breeze wishes to travel eastward—why set a net to trap it?”
“What?” The Yun sisters were utterly baffled by Han Li’s cryptic words. He Mi smiled and remarked, “Just let it be.”
“What else can we do?”
When they arrived at the drying yard, the presence of villagers and educated youth was noticeably greater than before.
After all, such an incident had even affected Han Li to some extent.
But not too much; several elder women waved to him from a distance, inviting him over.
The three powerful figures of Shanghe Village were absent today, so the work atmosphere felt dull.
Most people murmured about yesterday’s event, with the main topic focused on Zhang San’s remarkable deed.
They chatted, occasionally glancing toward the village entrance, hoping to catch the latest scoop.
Unfortunately, by noon, as the work break arrived, no movement or news came from the village entrance—not even a messenger.
At midday, Han Li lacked the energy to cook and simply picked some tender radish leaves from his yard.
He rinsed them in water, dipped them in fermented bean paste, and ate a bite before lying down on the kang for a short nap.
When the clock rang, Han Li rubbed his temples with a frown, washed his face, and tried to clear his mind.
Halfway through the afternoon’s work, the squad leader came to notify everyone to gather at the drying yard after finishing work.
Instantly, everyone’s spirits lifted—they sensed a conclusion was near.
As the crowd buzzed with speculation, several women working beside Han Li gathered around.
“Han Youth, nothing like Zhang San’s situation has happened here before. What do you think will happen to him?”
Han Li smiled wryly and replied, “Aunties, how would I know such things?”
“Just tell us, if this happened back in your Forty-Nine City, how would they handle it?”
What a joke; was this something he could just say?
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Even if he knew how things were handled back in Forty-Nine City, he couldn’t say it here.
No matter how harsh or lenient his words, if they didn’t match the current handling of Zhang San’s case, it would mean he disapproved of the leadership’s actions—and if that got out, trouble would find him.
Some may forget every praise, but they will never forget a single dissenting voice.
Han Li said, “Aunties, common folk say ‘three li apart, different winds; five li apart, different customs.’ How much more so in matters like this? We only need to trust the leaders—they would never wrong a good person nor spare a bad one. We just need to respond without question.”
The workday soon ended, but this time it was different from before—many wore expressions as if watching a play.
They hurried toward the drying yard, not running but quick-stepping with small brisk strides.
As they neared, their pace slowed, for the scene at the drying yard was impressive.
A large Liberation truck, a jeep, and a three-wheeled cart were parked nearby.
Zhang San remained the central figure in this affair; the educated youth who stole the bean pods were mere accessories.
From afar, Han Li spotted Aunt Liu, though she stood a little further back.
Only a fool would approach to identify themselves in such a setting; many things work best when half-hidden.
Han Li stood among the crowd without advancing; Aunt Liu gave him a slight nod.
As villagers and educated youth arrived, someone at the front began to speak loudly.
They delivered a lengthy, righteous speech centered around Comrade L. Feng’s words.
Treat comrades with the warmth of spring, work with the fervor of summer.
Deal with bad hatchets like autumn winds sweeping fallen leaves, enemies with the cruel relentlessness of winter.
Those who collude to do evil will receive resolute and merciless punishment.
By the time the convoy departed, night had fully fallen, and Han Li’s throat had grown hoarse.
He was not alone; the other educated youth’s voices were similarly strained.
As everyone headed back, He Mi approached Han Li, her voice hoarse as she smiled and said something quietly.