Era: Starting from the local police station

Zhang Chongguang rode a three-wheeled motorcycle in the front, Jiang Zhenghua sat behind, and Zhang Youming sat in the sidecar.

Zhang Youming said loudly, "Instructor Zhang, it's about thirty li outside the city from Dongzhimen."

"understood."

Soon after, the car drove out of Dongzhimen, and the road changed from bluestone bricks to dirt road.

Jiang Zhenghua leaned forward and asked, "Comrade Zhang, how much do you know about Houjia Village?"

Zhang Youming turned to the side and said, "I don't know much about Houjia Village. The vast majority of families in Houjia Village are surnamed Hou, with only a few people having other surnames. It's a typical family-run village."

Jiang Zhenghua frowned: "What's the reputation of Houjia Village?"

"Houjia Village has a good reputation in our area. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, many young people joined the army, but only a handful returned when the War of Liberation ended. These people all had jobs, which gave many people in Houjia Village confidence."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhenghua's brows relaxed slightly.

Fortunately, if that's the case, there should be reasonable people who are easy to talk to.

These days, the most dangerous places for law enforcement are clan-based villages. Not only are the people united, but outsiders often have no way to intervene in the village's affairs. They adhere to clan rules, which even the police may not respect.

"Has your town undergone collectivization?"

"Not yet. When I went home a few days ago, I heard that the town is actively promoting it, but there are still a few villages where the work hasn't been completed. However, I heard that Houjia Village was the first to respond actively. I've heard of the village's Party Secretary; he's a veteran who went out to fight the Japanese in 1938 and returned in 1944. I heard that he was wounded in battle and had no choice but to return to his hometown."

"What's his personal reputation like?"

"I've never met him in person. But I've heard our village chief say that he's a rather assertive person. However, the village chief said that he actually admires him quite a bit. He's usually reasonable, but if someone provokes him and he's not in the right, he can stand in front of the town mayor and yell at them."

Forty minutes later, the vehicle was driving on the gravel road.

Zhang Youming shouted, "Instructor Zhang, turn left at the intersection ahead and follow the dirt road. It will take about ten more minutes to reach Houjia Village."

San Kuazi turned onto the dirt road.

A thick layer of dust covered the ground, and as vehicles passed by, dust billowed up.

Jiang Zhenghua laughed and said, "Deputy Director Jin must be cursing. All the dust we kicked up went into the car."

Zhang Chongguang laughed and said, "Then let's run quickly. They have canvas tents to block out some of the danger, but we have nothing to block out."

Jiang Zhenghua chuckled and turned to look at both sides of the road.

The crops are growing vigorously, the green canopy stretches to the horizon, and the corn and sorghum leaves ripple in the wind. In the distance, commune members can be seen moving through the fields, with red flags dotting the landscape.

Zhang Chongguang exclaimed, "Wow, these crops are growing really well. It looks like this year will be another bumper harvest!"

Jiang Zhenghua lamented the nation's turbulent fate.

The crops now appear to be growing vigorously, a scene of abundant harvest, but in reality, it is the result of "deep plowing and dense planting".

Corn, sorghum, millet, and sweet potatoes were planted in a densely packed manner, with significantly reduced plant and row spacing. The resulting green canopy was even denser than in previous years, with corn and sorghum plants growing taller and sweet potato vines completely covering the ground.

The current situation presents a picture of "false prosperity but not reality". However, the summer grain production has increased slightly, while the autumn grain production is too dense. Although it appears to be a bumper harvest, it actually hides a large number of empty husks, lodging, and low actual yield. The overall effective yield is significantly different from the surface appearance.

Not far ahead, after turning a corner, a village came into view.

Zhang Youming pointed to the village and said, "Deputy Director Jiang, that's Houjia Village."

Jiang Zhenghua was jolted awake from his reverie by Zhang Youming's words.

Looking up, a huge village came into view.

The village is nestled on the slope of a hill, with courtyards scattered in a neat and orderly fashion. There are no red or blue brick walls, only earthen walls, and inside the courtyards are all earthen houses with white walls and blue tiles. The sound of dogs barking can be faintly heard from the side.

In the fields not far from the roadside, busy figures stopped, quickly walked to the edge of the field, and pointed at them.

"Should we stop and ask around?"

"Go a little further ahead, there are people by the roadside. Ask them for directions to the village chief or the Party Secretary."

They soon arrived at the location, where a middle-aged man in his forties was standing by the roadside. He wore a tattered straw hat, was hunched over, dressed in clothes covered in patches, was barefoot, and was holding a pipe in his right hand, waving at them.

Zhang Chongguang stopped the three-horse-drawn carriage.

The middle-aged man immediately stepped forward and greeted him: "Hello, police officer, I am Hou Yongshou, the Party Secretary of Houjia Village."

Jiang Zhenghua jumped off the three-wheeled vehicle, reached into his shirt pocket, took out his identification, and handed it over with a smile: "Hello, Secretary Hou, we are police officers from Taotiao Hutong Police Station in Beijing. This is my identification."

Hou Yongshou quickly wiped his dark hands on his clothes before reaching out to take the item and carefully flipping it open.

After he saw the official position clearly, his expression changed, and he immediately closed the document.

He returned the favor with a smile: "So it's Deputy Director Jiang. Welcome to Houjia Village."

Jiang Zhenghua took the documents and put them back in his pocket, then held out his hand and said, "Secretary Hou, I'm really sorry to trouble you this time."

Hou Yongshou quickly wiped his hands on his clothes again before extending his hand to shake hands with him: "Deputy Director Jiang, you're too kind. Please feel free to ask if you need anything."

Those rough hands pricked Jiang Zhenghua's hands painfully.

This is a Party branch secretary who serves the people and often works in the fields.

Jiang Zhenghua released his grip.

At this moment, the jeep also stopped.

Jin Hong was the first to jump out of the car, patting the dust off his clothes: "Wow, this dust is pretty bad."

Jiang Zhenghua stepped forward and introduced, "Secretary Hou, this is Deputy Director Jin of the East City Branch of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau."

He then introduced Jin Hong: "Deputy Director Jin, this is Comrade Hou Yongshou, the Party Secretary of Houjia Village."

Jin Hong stretched out his hand and said with a smile, "Secretary Hou, I'm sorry to have disturbed your work."

Hou Yongshou extended both hands and shook hands: "Welcome, leaders, to Houjia Village. Come to the team headquarters for tea; it's so hot, have some water to quench your thirst."

Jin Hong smiled and said, "Secretary Hou, you're too kind. We're not here for an inspection; we have business to discuss with your village."

Hou Yongshou's expression changed, and he cautiously asked, "Sir, may I ask which rascal caused trouble outside?"

Jin Hong waved his hand: "No, I just wanted to ask some members about something."

Hou Yongshou's expression visibly relaxed, and he immediately asked, "Who are you looking for? I'll send someone to find them right away."

Jiang Zhenghua interjected, "Secretary Hou, is there a Hou San in your village?"

Seeing that the other person looked confused, Jiang Zhenghua explained, "It's just that I often take people to work at the Hongxing Machinery Factory."

Hou Yongshou nodded: "His name is Hou Laicai. He is the third child in his family, so people call him Hou San."

He suddenly paused, and asked softly, "What...what happened to him?"