Chapter 1, Qiao Si

Qiao Si advanced step by step towards the girl, as if he had not anticipated how terrifying Qiao Si would be when enraged. The girl took a step back in fear, her face turning pale

A boy in military uniform jumped out and stood in front of the girl

Whoever dares to strike you, you shall use this stick to smash their head. If you lose the fight, do not return to see me

It is him again ... it is him again ...

Snowflakes fell all around Qiao Si, and the cold wind cut against his face like a knife. The weather was so cold that he instinctively wrapped his tattered cotton coat tighter around himself and quickened his pace towards the school. On the path leading to the campus, one could often see students having snowball fights and skiing. What a happy golden age; most boys of this age do not even know how to write the character for worry. Perhaps it is true that children of the poor mature early; although he was the same age as these boys, the daily hunger forced him to think about how to make his family a little wealthier. What a happy golden age; most boys of this age do not even know how to write the character for worry. Perhaps it is true that children of the poor mature early; although he was the same age as these boys, the daily hunger forced him to think about how to make his family a little wealthier. The school Qiao Si attended was quite dilapidated, consisting merely of a large courtyard and a few big tile-roofed houses. (This was already considered quite good, as at that time in Northeast China, most people still lived in wooden houses.)

Qiao Si, whose real name is Song Yongjia, is fifteen years old this year. Due to his family's status as a "nail household," he is referred to as Qiao Si. What does "nail household" mean? It refers to those who refuse to move when asked, decline to relocate to the countryside, and resist farming when instructed. In that era, China's system was not well-established, and everyone had to obey the orders of the Party and the government, with no personal rights. However, Qiao Si's father dared to confront the government, not out of ideology. In that era, China's system was not well-established, and everyone had to obey the orders of the Party and the government, with no personal rights. Yet, Qiao Si's father dared to confront the government, not out of ideology. It was purely due to his innate boldness and shamelessness. Growing up in such a family, Qiao Si never knew what fear was. As the saying goes, "A tiger father does not produce a dog son." If the father is unafraid of political parties, how could the son fear a mere local police officer? It is precisely because of such a family background, combined with innate courage and the opportune moment of China's reform and opening-up, that he became the most formidable gang leader in China, following Du Yuesheng, and a new head of the underworld in China... Fourth Master. It is precisely because of such a family background, combined with innate courage and the opportune moment of China's reform and opening-up, that he became the most formidable gang leader in China, following Du Yuesheng, and a new head of the underworld in China... Fourth Master.

"Get out, and bring your family out here." Zhang Tao kicked Qiao Si out, wanting to see who had raised such a bold bastard.

"I am the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, what do you want to do?" The short and stout Zhang Tao adjusted his oversized glasses that were about to fall off his face. He watched as the tall and robust Song Shichun approached him, holding an axe in his hand.

"Useless trash," Song Shichun directly handed a wooden stick to Qiao Si.

Qiao Si returned home crying with his face covered, dragging his father out. As soon as Zhang Tao saw Song Shichun, he immediately knew something was wrong. Song Shichun was notorious for being a rogue and a scoundrel, having openly defied the Party's orders multiple times, refusing to work, and having been criticized countless times. Everyone knew he was brutal and ruthless, and fearing his retaliation, no one dared to truly confront him.

Zhang Ye, fifteen years old, male, is the only son of Zhang Tao, the Secretary of the Harbin Municipal Committee. Five years ago, when Zhang Ye and Qiao Si were still two children, they got into a fight while playing. As a result, the smaller Qiao Si was at a disadvantage and returned home crying.

To this day, my father's words still often echo in Qiao Si's ears

"For a cigarette in someone else's hand, one can kill. For a piece of meat, one can kill. Whoever provokes you, you can kill them"

Qiao Si's eyes were about to burst into flames; the young man before him, even in ashes, was someone he recognized

You, you need to think it through. I... I am a state official, a member of the Communist Party

The winter in Northeast China is very cold, which indirectly contributes to the bad habit of drinking among the locals. In such a frigid season, staying indoors by the stove with a pot of liquor and a plate of peanuts is quite enjoyable. However, Qiao Si has to get up to go to school. To be honest, he is not a person who loves studying; in the depths of winter, there is no place more comfortable than his bed. Yet, he still has to study, as at least in school he can occasionally get some meat to eat. Coming from a family like his, he is not allocated good jobs; his father was publicly denounced by the Red Guards for three days and nights and died in a cow shed. At home, it is just him, his mother, and his grandmother; the three of them rely solely on his mother's meager salary to make ends meet. Each month, the pork ration of two taels per person is mostly used to nourish his grandmother, and their impoverished life has directly led to his noticeable malnutrition. Standing at 1.7 meters tall, he is thin and weak, a typical pale-faced scholar.

"Damn it, who is it? Who is so bold as to even hit my son? Damn it, take me to see!" Zhang Tao pulled the still-crying Zhang Ye and rushed out.

"What do you want to do..." The girl widened her eyes and stared at Qiao Si

"You little reactionary, just like your father, you deserve to be beaten to death." A girl in a green military uniform with a long braid glared with her big eyes and uttered words that pushed Qiao Si to the brink of tolerance. If she had merely insulted Qiao Si or even hit him, it would have been bearable, but mentioning his father was unacceptable. Blood boiled in Qiao Si's body, and his eyes began to turn red.

"Go ahead, let's see what you've got." Zhang Tao dragged Zhang Ye out in a flurry. Soon after, Song Shichun was arrested. This time, the struggle session was unlike any before; Qiao Si never saw his father's once fearless and strong face again.

"Song Yongjia, you reactionary, you want to run away as soon as you see us, damn it." The speaker was a group of young men dressed in green military uniforms. In this era, everyone's clothes were tattered and patched up, and the green military uniform was the best attire of the time.

"You, little reactionary, dare to bully the family of revolutionaries in public? Take action against him."

Qiao Si grabbed the stick and rushed out, before Zhang Ye could react to what was happening, he was struck on the head. In children's fights, it is all about courage, determination, and momentum. Zhang Ye was beaten to a pulp, crying as he fled back home. Upon seeing this, Zhang Ye's father, Zhang Tao, was displeased. In this era, people in Northeast China are very biased towards sons over daughters. Zhang Tao had one daughter and only had this son in middle age, treating him like a treasure, never daring to lay a finger on him. Now, he had been beaten up by another child like this.

Qiao Si gritted his teeth, feeling somewhat speechless; these fools were truly boring. He had already lowered his head and walked away, yet these people still insisted on recognizing him. Qiao Si silently cursed in his heart, but there was nothing he could do. The boys and girls who blocked his way were all children of high-ranking officials from absolutely poor peasant backgrounds, and families like Qiao Si's, which were considered "nail households," were precisely the targets of their criticism. Although the special period had ended six months ago, the long-term political education and ideological struggle could not be changed in a short time.

"Damn it, you little brat, you even dare to hit my son." Zhang Tao fiercely twisted Qiao Si's ear, "Slap... slap," and then gave Qiao Si two more slaps.

When Song Shichun first saw Zhang Tao, he was momentarily taken aback. He truly did not dare to strike the municipal party secretary, especially during the Cultural Revolution, as hitting a Communist Party member was a grave offense. Particularly since Zhang Tao was a figure of the leftist faction. Song Shichun gently removed the glasses that Zhang Tao had just adjusted and forcefully crushed them underfoot, grinding them to powder.

What did you say? If you have the courage, repeat what you just said.

Dad, someone hit me

Get lost