Chapter 195: Restored to Commoner Status
The injured Zhang Laowu was immediately brought back to the village by the villagers. The Short-term Workers Village now had its own doctor, a traveling physician who, upon arriving at Gao Family Village, found himself unable to leave—and indeed, only a fool would want to.
This doctor was remarkably skilled. He employed traditional Chinese medical methods to diagnose his patients, and after pinpointing the cause of their ailments, he would administer the “celestial medicine” provided by Li Daoxuan. The results were consistently outstanding.
For common minor illnesses and injuries, his remedies were unfailingly effective, curing ailments as soon as they were applied.
After his examination, Zhang Laowu's injuries were determined to be merely superficial. With medicine applied and a bit of rest, he would be fine. Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief.
While everyone else focused on Zhang Laowu, Li Daoxuan's attention was fixed on Zhong Gaoliang.
Upon seeing that Zhang Laowu was unharmed, the labor reform inmate let out a long breath, clapped his hands together, and quietly headed back toward the labor reform camp worksite. No one seemed to notice him.
Good deeds, it seemed, were often quickly forgotten.
Li Daoxuan's brow furrowed slightly.
He almost felt like waking Gao Yiye to deal with this matter...
A villager replied, "Oh... I think it was one of the labor reform inmates. Looked pretty sturdy, too. As for who exactly... I didn't get a clear look."
San Shier frowned. "Seriously! How could you not get a clear look?"
The villager explained, "At the time, everyone was just focused on Zhang Laowu."
San Shier instructed, "Help me ask around, and I'll ask too. We absolutely must find out who saved him."
A faint smile slowly curved Li Daoxuan's lips. Good. So there were still people who remembered to seek out those who'd done good deeds. Excellent. The village continuously recruited talents from all walks of life, wasn't it precisely so that there would always be someone to handle any given situation?
Gao Yiye could get some more sleep, then.
San Shier questioned people throughout the crowd and finally learned the name, "Zhong Gaoliang." The name itself rang a bell for him, undeniably distinctive as it was.
That evening...
As the sun dipped below the horizon, all the labor reform inmates dragged their weary bodies back to the labor reform village. They would put down their tools, wash their faces, cook a meal, and then head to the Gao Family Commercial District to watch the Northern Shaanxi Daoqing opera.
This was their sole solace after a day of exhausting labor.
Unfortunately, they had no income and thus couldn't offer tips to the opera troupe, a fact that remained the labor reform inmates' greatest regret.
Zhong Gaoliang, along with a few fellow workers, strode into the village, hoes slung over their shoulders, exchanging awkward pleasantries. Just as they were heading home to cook, they suddenly saw San Shier, Clerk Tan, and several assistants entering the labor reform village together.
The assistants loudly called out, "All labor reform inmates, gather! The Third Manager has an important announcement to make!"
The labor reform inmates quickly gathered, and Zhong Gaoliang blended in among them, wearing an expression that suggested he was expecting some amusement.
Seeing that everyone had gathered, San Shier cleared his throat and announced loudly, "Today I've come to the labor reform village to speak about an important event that happened during the day..."
In an instant, San Shier thoroughly recounted the entire incident: Zhang Laowu's injury and Zhong Gaoliang's heroic rescue.
The labor reform inmates were currently working in different areas, and many genuinely hadn't known what had happened earlier. After hearing San Shier's account, they all collectively pushed Zhong Gaoliang to the front, many playfully teasing him, "Brother Gaoliang, so you did such a good deed today!"
"Brother Gaoliang is amazing!" another chimed in, "He can still climb a steep slope while carrying someone on his back!"
"He's got some real skills!"
Zhong Gaoliang beamed happily at the praise. After all, he was only human, and being commended naturally filled him with joy. He couldn't help but secretly wonder, "The Third Manager chose this time to announce this matter... could it be that he's going to give me an extra meal tonight, perhaps a piece of meat? That would be quite nice."
Just as he was thinking this, he heard San Shier announce loudly, "Zhong Gaoliang, disregarding his own safety, bravely rescued someone. As the saying goes, 'saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda.' This is a truly great good deed and serves as a vital example. A great good deed can offset a great evil, and following the guiding spirit of the Heavenly Lord's last decree, I have decided to implement a sentence reduction for Zhong Gaoliang!"
As soon as these words were uttered, all the labor reform inmates collectively froze.
Zhong Gaoliang was the most stunned of them all. He had thought he might get an extra meal, a good feast, and that would be the end of it. He never expected the Third Manager had actually come to announce a sentence reduction. This was truly incredible!
Zhong Gaoliang asked in a trembling voice, "I wonder... how long will it be reduced? A month? Two months?"
San Shier declared, "You originally had half a year remaining on your sentence, but Zhang Laowu's life is exceedingly precious, and more than enough to offset your half-year sentence. Therefore, I now announce that Zhong Gaoliang is to be released immediately, his commoner status restored!"
Upon hearing these words, it was as if he had been struck by five bolts of lightning.
Zhong Gaoliang stood stunned for what felt like thirteen blinks of an eye. Then, with a loud cry, "Wah!" he bellowed, "I... I... I've had my commoner status restored!"
The surrounding labor reform inmates cheered in unison, "Brother Gaoliang, congratulations on being restored to commoner status!"
Zhong Gaoliang's body trembled. "I... from now on, when I work, I'll get paid?"
San Shier smiled. "Yes!"
Zhong Gaoliang continued to tremble. "I... my farmlands in Zhong Family Village... I can go back and cultivate them?"
San Shier maintained his smile. "Yes! You can go cultivate those fields anytime now. The Heavenly Lord has already invited the Dragon King to bring rain to Zhong Family Village. A large irrigation pond has also been dug there, and the Heavenly Lord used his divine power to fill it with water!"
Zhong Gaoliang was overjoyed. He suddenly took huge strides and sprinted wildly in the direction of Zhong Family Village. "I'm going to see my family's farmlands!" he bellowed, "Hahahaha, I can plant sorghum now! Hahahaha, it's only March, there's still time, still time to plant sorghum!"
The labor reform inmates watched Zhong Gaoliang's receding figure, their gazes complex—some envious, some jealous—but ultimately, all transformed into longing.
Sentence reduction.
Longing for the future!
"Only half a year left, and we, too, can gain our freedom like Zhong Gaoliang."
"Perhaps not even half a year, as long as we actively strive to be good people and do good deeds, perhaps we can..." San Shier turned to the remaining labor reform inmates, a smile gracing his face. "Everyone!" he said, "I won't say much more. Your expressions already show that you've understood. The Heavenly Lord is benevolent. Do not disappoint his kind intentions."
The labor reform inmates collectively bowed deeply towards the sky, then began clamoring over each other. "Heavenly Lord, please observe my actions!"
"Heavenly Lord, this humble one will certainly not fail your expectations from now on!"
"For the rest of my life, I will never commit evil deeds again!"
Li Daoxuan revealed a satisfied, knowing smile...
Very good, very good!
This was the true meaning of labor reform. He hadn't said a word himself, yet these humble people had grasped the point on their own. This was tremendous progress!
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