As he said that, Master Zhuzi raised his head, looked at Duan Zetao with a burning look, and said excitedly: "Don't underestimate this ordinary gong, it has made great contributions to the War of Resistance Against Japan! When the brigade commander brought his troops to Xiejiaao, we were pounding this gong to greet him. The troops needed military rations and supplies. As long as I sounded this gong, the villagers would rush to save money and use the dry food squeezed out, and the bedding was sent to me. The troops wanted to recruit new recruits. As long as I sounded this gong, the young men in the village would rush to me to sign up..."
Duan Zetao's heart also caused a stir. What a simple commoner. They selflessly contributed and even gave their lives to fight against foreign invaders. The revolution was successful and the motherland was liberated. They should have lived a happy and fulfilling life, but the superior bureaucrats ignored their sufferings at all and colluded with the profiteers to harm their interests. This undoubtedly greatly hurts their trust and feelings for the government. It is no wonder that even Zhuziye, an old anti-Japanese hero, also has such deep hostility and prejudice towards government officials.
Thinking of this, Duan Zetao bowed deeply to Master Zhuzi and said sincerely: "Mr. Zhuzi, on behalf of the government, I apologize to you and the villagers of Xiejiaao. You have paid so much for the motherland. Without you, there would be no us today. The government did not care enough for you in the past. I promise you that I will definitely help you uphold justice and let you live a happy and fulfilling life!..."
Master Zhuzi smiled even happier, waved his hand very proudly, and shouted to Zhuzi beside him, "Zhuzi, come with the gong, hammer!..."
"Dang! Dang! Dang!...", the crisp and thick gong sounded throughout Xiejiaao. The younger generation of villagers couldn't figure out the situation, so why did Master Zhuzi beat the gong properly?! The older generation of Xiejiaao villagers knew what the gong meant, and all stood up excitedly, and walked out with crutches on the pillar, crying as they walked in tears: "The gong is ringing! The gong is ringing! Our Eighth Route Army is back!"
Some old men were already ill in bed and dying. When they heard the sound of the gong, which was already as dead as death, suddenly shined in their eyes. They struggled to help their children and grandchildren quickly support themselves to welcome the Eighth Route Army.
Some younger generations of villagers didn't understand, "Grandpa, are you so confused? What era is now? Where is the Eighth Route Army?!" Before he finished speaking, the old man's crutch fell down, "You know what's the matter! This gong hasn't sounded for sixty years. The gong was personally under the control of Master Zhuzi himself. Now the gong is ringing again. If it weren't the Eighth Route Army?!"
When it comes to Master Zhuzi, the young people dare not speak. They have seen Master Zhuzi's power. Once, a buffalo in the village went crazy and rushed to the crowd. Several villagers were injured. Master Zhuzi came and knocked down the crazy buffalo with one palm. If the palm hit him, nine lives would not be enough to hit him. He honestly supported the old man at home out and gathered towards the top of the mountain where Master Zhuzi lived with him as the sound of the gong.
After a while, the top of the mountain was filled with villagers from Xiejiaao Village. The huge cement house could not stand, and the most exciting thing was Xiaozhuzi. His family had never been so lively. He led his friends to hike in the crowd excitedly.
When the villagers came to the top of the mountain, they only saw Master Zhuzi and a strange young man. The mountain people who had been besieging Duan Zetao before also recognized him as the young official at first sight, and they all looked at Master Zhuzi in confusion. Master Zhuzi never liked to deal with government cadres. One year, a deputy county magistrate in the county came to comfort the old anti-Japanese hero, but was bombarded by Master Zhuzi without any face. Today Master Zhuzi mobilized so many people to gather everyone. Could it be that the sun came out from the west?!
Master Zhuzi saw the doubts of the villagers, and waved his hand and said excitedly: "Friends, do you still remember Brigade Commander Xiao?!" Then an old man with a strong body in the front row replied loudly: "Why don't you remember?! Back then, Brigade Commander Xiao and the Eighth Route Army were stationed in our Xiejiaao area. The Japanese were frightened and they didn't dare to come here easily. We suffered a lot of crimes! I also helped Brigade Commander Xiao feed horses back then!..."
"Haha! Old Li, you are a mortal, don't have a bad memory! You still remember so clearly for so many years!..." Master Zhuzi pointed at the old man and joked. He waved his hand and pointed at Duan Zetao and said excitedly: "Do you know who he is? He is the grandson of Brigade Xiao, and now he is the governor of our Xishan Province! It was Brigade Xiao who sent him to preside over justice for us Xiejiaao Village! Our days are hopeful!..."
The villagers were also excited. What a great official the governor is! If the governor is willing to help them uphold justice, there would be hope for that day. Although the younger villagers are still a little suspicious, Zhuzi's words in Xiejiaao Village must be true, so they all looked at Duan Zetao eagerly.
At this time, some people in the crowd burst into tears. The villagers followed the news and cried. The person who was crying was Grandma Xie, an elderly widow in the village. Grandma Xie's wife passed away more than 20 years ago. She worked hard alone to raise her two sons. Seeing that both sons grew up to be a big guy, Grandma Xie could enjoy a happy life at home, but the family was too poor, and both sons could not marry a wife, so she had to go to Xiejiaao Coal Mine to work. As a result, there was a mine accident. Both sons were buried under the mine and never came back. The mine paid 50,000 yuan and then ignored it.
Grandma Xie went to the government to complain, but the government cadres and coal mine owners were in a turmoil and refused to accept the case. She also said, "Fifty thousand yuan is not bad! Your two sons are only 100,000 yuan. How long does it take for you an old lady to earn 100,000 yuan! You are content!..."
"Master Qingtian, you want to help me avenge me! My son died miserably!..." Grandma Xie was supported by the villagers and walked up to Duan Zetao tremblingly, and she wanted to kneel down to Duan Zetao on the spot!
Duan Zetao hurriedly supported Grandma Xie and said sincerely: "Grandma, our work has not been done well, and you have suffered a grievance. Don't worry, just tell me if you have any grievances. I will definitely give you a satisfactory answer!"
After hearing Grandma Xie’s crying, Duan Zetao was furious, "What a bastard! Are these people’s consciences eaten by dogs?! You can say such words, and such people are worthy of being government officials?! Grandma, then you point out those people and I will remove them!..."