Chapter 13: Think for Yourself
Lu Debang and Zhang Hongfa finished distributing the grain to Shen Meng, asking her and the others to wait inside the house. They needed to go to the production team to fetch some things, and also to find a plank to carry her out. Shen Meng readily agreed.
As they stepped outside, they saw quite a crowd gathered at the entrance of the Lu Family. They hastily waved their hands, shooing the crowd away.
"Get back to your work. There are no work points earned here. Don't come running to me when grain and meat are distributted at the end of the year."
Watching the village chief dispersing the crowd, those who knew better left first, while others shuffled their feet, still glancing towards the Lu Family home.
On the way back to the production team, Lu Debang said with a frown, "What are you thinking, compensating Zhenping's wife ten yuan and thirty kilos of fine grain without discussing it with me first? If other people find out, will they be willing to accept this?"
"Humph, what if they are not willing? A bull from our production team gored someone, nearly killing her, and we didn't even call a doctor. If word gets out, our Lu Family Village production team will be known throughout the commune for this. When Zhenping gets back, he won't let this go. Don't forget that the County Government has people who know Zhenping. If he decides to hold grudges, who will take responsibility?"
Lu Debang sneered, unconvinced, "I think you're overthinking it. Zhenping is someone who listens to reason."
"Reason or not, his wife, the mother of his child, was injured. He's out there protecting our country, and we, his family and fellow villagers who grew up with him, did not come to their rescue. Think about whether he would be willing to accept that."
Lu Debang was rendered speechless by his words, knowing full well Zhenping's temperament; when roused, he could indeed be frightening.