CH 412

Xiuyun’s mother was an honest but simple woman, so her brain wasn’t active enough to process Lin Lan’s deal in a matter of seconds. Taking advantage of her confusion, Lin Lan managed to return the basket to the older woman, but in the end, 5 eggs were taken out and left on the table,  “Cook these for the children.”

Lin Lan had no choice but to accept it, but she took half a pack of brown sugar and a handful of red dates back to Xiuyun’s mother, “These aren’t that easy to buy, so make them Xiu Yun and take care of her well. Let me know if there is anything you ever need in the future.”

Xiuyun’s mother burst into tears, “Dear, look at you— I came to thank you, but you gave me more things for Xiuyun instead.”

Lin Lan smiled and pushed her away quickly.

***

Soon, Youth Chen’s verdict was passed.

The County Revolutionary Committee was still pursuing and handling matters regarding the Yellow River Brigade’s case, especially when it came to troublemakers and those who committed heinous crimes. Youth Chen fell into the same category rather easily, so he was arrested and given a heavy sentence as well.

Originally, the Revolutionary Committee sentenced him to death, but Liu Guifa took the initiative to intercede with Han Qingsong and Han Yongfang. Even though Youth Chen tried to escape, his failure in it did bring justice to Xiuyun’s reputation in a way, so the Liu family did not seek his life as revenge. Hence, he hoped that they would understand their wishes.

Hence, Han Yongfang wrote a letter of appeal and asked Han Qingsong to take it to the Revolutionary Committee. There, Youth Chen’s punishment became an indefinite period of work in the labour farm instead.

An indefinite imprisonment was different from the sentences of Han Qinghua and Zhao Jianshe.

Han Qinghua could still accept family visits, be eligible to apply to go home once every few months and had work points for any work he contributed. The work would be slightly tiring, but to outsiders, it would merely seem like a group volunteer activity instead of a bunch of prisoners carrying out a punishment.

The ones who were indefinitely imprisoned were serious criminals who were placed under special custody and had to be reformed through labour. Outsiders were not allowed to visit them at will and they could not ask for leave of absence at will, let alone apply to leave the labour reform farm.

If anyone showed any signs of resistance or tried to escape, the guards could kill them immediately on the spot.

This was what he deserved.

The weather was getting colder and the crops in Shanzui Village have all been harvested. Since the cultivation of wheat in the arable land had ended, there was basically no work to be done either.

The farmers have entered the slack period.

Lin Lan and Dong Huaihua’s publicity work officially started. She made suggestions whereas Dong Huaihua recruited manpower and handled venues. In fact, Lin Lan almost seemed to be her assistant.

They were going to hold the session in the meeting room of the Brigade Headquarters, so they announced in advance with gongs and drums, “Attention all to all commune members, pay attention! The Brigade Publicity Team will have a program tonight!”

This was Lin Lan’s idea. All the members were the same— if there was a meeting that didn’t include work points, no one would bother to participate; if there were work points, everyone would be more eager than the other.

Hence, she announced that there will be events tonight.