Chapter Eighteen: The Captain Controversy

Secretary Yang of the brigade was furious at the actions of Wang Hongkui, the production team leader, who had been caught hoarding grain. He immediately convened a general meeting of all the commune members.

At the meeting, Secretary Yang reported the results of the grain search, sternly criticized the hoarding, and announced the removal of Wang Hongkui from his position as team leader. He proposed Wang Hongbing as the new leader. When the vote was taken, everyone raised their hands in agreement, except for Chen Facai.

"Why didn't you raise your hand, Facai?" Secretary Yang asked.

"I don't agree," Facai replied, standing up to address the secretary.

Caiyun, sitting beside him, hurriedly pulled at his sleeve, urging him to sit down and stop talking.

"Why don't you agree?" Secretary Yang continued.

"Because he is the one who led the way in stealing grain."

"Chen Facai, you are spouting nonsense!" Wang Hongbing shot up at these words, pointing an angry finger at Facai. "Secretary Yang, he is making baseless accusations and framing me. Make him produce evidence!" Wang turned to appeal to the secretary.

"That's right, Chen Facai. You claim he stole grain—do you have any evidence?"

"I saw it with my own eyes."

"When did you see it, and what did you see?"

"My wife saw it with her own eyes. Caiyun, tell him." Facai pulled Caiyun to her feet.

"Secretary, he had a high fever last night and was delirious. His fever hasn't fully broken yet, so please don't listen to his rambling. Wang Hongbing has high ideological awareness; he wouldn't do such a thing," Caiyun said, her voice firm.

"Facai, did you hear what your wife said? Don't talk nonsense in the future. I'll let it slide this time for your wife's sake," Secretary Yang said, before continuing, "I personally inspected Wang Hongbing’s home and checked everywhere that seemed suspicious. You are all welcome to go and look; there is truly no hoarded grain there."

"I now announce that, effective immediately, Wang Hongbing is the captain of the Wangjiayu production team. As for the hoarding of grain by other households, we will waive accountability this time—let this be the only instance. The meeting is adjourned."

Warm applause filled the room.

Facai was furious about Wang Hongbing becoming the team leader, and even more incensed by Caiyun’s behavior at the meeting. "Caiyun, why didn't you tell the truth about Wang Hongbing stealing that grain?" Facai demanded.

"Are you brainless?" Caiyun retorted.

"Maybe I don't have a brain, unlike Wang Hongbing, who is so flexible and clever."

"The secretary proposed Wang Hongbing as leader. By disagreeing, you didn't just offend him—you offended Secretary Yang as well."

"If you had just spoken up about him stealing the grain, Secretary Yang would have praised me for being right to expose him, and Wang Hongbing would never have become captain!"

"Without evidence, what would be the point?"

"You saw it—isn't that evidence?"

"We’re husband and wife. If I say I saw it, will anyone believe me?"

"I can testify for you. You never lie."

"Then do you know where he hid the grain?"

"That’s something he should be made to confess himself."

"Is he a fool? Even the secretary’s team couldn't find it after searching. Why would he confess?"

"He’s not the fool; I am. You vouched for him, saying he wouldn't do such a thing. Of course he won't confess," Facai said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"I was trying to cover for you. Don't be an ingrate who bites the hand that feeds you."

"It seems you’ve learned quite a bit from Wang Hongbing. Did you learn it in bed?" Facai didn't fully grasp his own metaphor, but he knew that all these clever tactics of hers came from Wang.

"How can you be so vulgar?"

"I'm vulgar, unlike Wang Hongbing, who knows how to 'bite your cave'—that must be much more interesting, right? That’s why he’s a 'good man' to you."

Caiyun wanted to laugh, thinking to herself, *What an illiterate fool!*

She patiently explained, "I didn't say he was a good man. I was just smoothing things over so you wouldn't lose face."

"And when you said he had high ideological awareness? Was that just smoothing things over too?"

"That was just something I said off the cuff."

"Stop making excuses. I know you were just afraid he wouldn't become captain, so you were determined to polish his image."

"What does it matter to me whether he’s the captain or not?"

"It matters a lot! You must be so happy that your lover became captain. Now you can be his little sweetheart."

"Here you go again. You know I’ve barely spoken to him in months. I’ve even stopped attending the literacy class. What more do you want from me?"

"That just proves your relationship is improper. You act decent on the surface while doing dirty things behind my back."

"What dirty things have I done?"

"You know in your heart."

"I don't know."

"Then tell me, a few nights ago, why were you always shouting in your sleep: 'Hongbing, faster, faster...'? What did you want him to do faster?"

Caiyun was startled. She knew she had had dreams of that nature, but she hadn't realized she had called out Wang Hongbing’s name. "Once was a nightmare, and I was calling for help," she stammered.

"Stop making it up! When you were calling him, your hips were twisting and turning, and you kept moaning. You clearly couldn't take it anymore and were telling him to hurry up!"

Caiyun, unable to argue back, turned and walked out the door.

"Caiyun, where are you going?" Wang Hongbing asked as he approached her.

"To the canteen," she replied.

"Thank you for what happened today. If you have any trouble in the future, just come to me."

"Thank me for what?"

"You praised my ideological awareness in front of the secretary and the whole team. That is the highest honor; shouldn't I thank you?"

"No need. I just hope you won't hold a grudge against Facai. He’s a rough man, but he doesn't mean any harm."

"I know what I’m doing."

Caiyun wasn't sure what he meant by that, but she continued to plead for Facai. "Actually, Facai admires you. He often says you’re educated, capable, and smart. He says you’re a real talent. He just has a big mouth that likes to offend people. Please don't take it to heart."

"Of course. Now that I’m the leader, I must unite all forces that can be united to do a better job."

"With your level of talent, it would be a shame if you weren't a leader!"

"So, you think I’m qualified for this position?"

"To tell you the truth, I’ve long hoped you would be our captain. I believe that in this production team, only you can lead us to a better life."

"It’s rare to find someone who trusts me so much. I will definitely work hard and never let everyone down."

"You’ve become captain at such a young age—your future is limitless."

These words hit home for Wang Hongbing, and his face beamed with joy.

Wang Hongbing was a classic power-seeker. When his older brother was the captain, he had admired him immensely—being able to lead over a hundred people and organize feasts for the team officials was truly enviable.

Beyond envy, he felt indignant. He believed he was superior to his brother in every way, so why was his brother the captain while he was not? He even felt he had the ability to be the brigade secretary.

Though he felt it was unfair, he never lost hope, believing that if he worked hard, his chance would come. Now, that chance had arrived, and he had become the production team captain just as he had wished.

He recalled the election meeting, where Chen Facai’s accusation of grain theft had truly struck a nerve, leaving him in a cold sweat. Even though he had immediately filed a complaint with the secretary, he couldn't hide the emptiness in his heart, and his legs had been trembling the whole time.

He believed Caiyun knew, or had even seen, the truth about his hoarding. Why hadn't she spoken up? He hadn't had time to think then, but now he understood.

The morning after he became captain, Wang Hongbing checked his hidden grain stash. Seeing that his markers were undisturbed, his heart settled.

He thought to himself that he had at least twice as much grain as his brother. If Caiyun had reported him at the meeting, he might have lost the grain and his chance at being captain.

Realizing this, he had to admit a fact: on the crucial matter of his future and his position, Caiyun had indeed helped him. Because of her, he had ascended to a position of leadership. Consequently, his resentment toward her faded significantly.