Chapter 6, My Father is the Secretary

He touched his nose and smiled: "I do feel a bit itchy; how about giving me a punch to satisfy my craving?"

Yan Sanyi forcefully pried open Cao Baoming's hand and fiercely pointed at Yang Rui, saying: "I will hit you today, what are you going to do about it?"

Yan San scoffed and said, "I thought you had some skills, but all you can do is call your parents."

"It was he who wanted to hit me, not I who wanted to bully him. In matters like this, when brought to the surface, of course, the one who strikes first will suffer the consequences." Yang Rui smiled and let out a sigh of relief, pulling a few classmates who had just stood up to sit down: "Let us eat first, and after we finish eating, we can take a nap. We still have three exams this afternoon. Once the exams are over, if you have any questions, you are welcome to audit my study group."

After finishing the math exam, it was time for a break. Wang Guohua casually asked Yang Rui a couple of questions and then excitedly spoke about his feelings while solving problems, followed by his aspirations for reviewing other types of questions. He had only started studying earnestly in the past three to four years, most of which was spent catching up on previous coursework. Time was tight, and the results were poor; he had never experienced such a nearly carefree state of answering questions, and his high spirits were evident. He had only started studying earnestly in the past three to four years, most of which was spent catching up on previous coursework. Time was tight, and the results were poor; he had never experienced such a nearly carefree state of answering questions, and his high spirits were evident.

The boy with a face full of acne let out a "Hey" as he swaggered over to the two, dragging his cloth shoes behind him. With a cocky demeanor, he pointed at Yang Rui and then at Wang Guohua, saying: "Yang Rui, you’ve got some guts, daring to challenge me, Yan San. Are you feeling a bit rebellious? Step aside, or I’ll take you on too."

The acne-ridden man, who goes by the name Yan San, smiled while stroking his chin and said, "You little rascal have developed some temper, huh? Alright, I'll treat you to something meaty."

Yang Rui, however, did not give him time to think. He looked around and said: "Those who should eat, eat; those who should sleep, sleep; don't just stand around. Let me remember the names of the books and pictures; it's not a good thing."

The matter of beating Wang Guohua is minor; however, if Yang Rui is involved, the situation could escalate significantly.

Wang Guohua happily talked from the classroom to the cafeteria, discussing everything from getting food to eating. Yang Rui listened patiently. Focusing attention on trivial chatter is certainly better than fixating on a dry bun.

At this time, although the head of the township has been renamed as the township party secretary, the power remains essentially the same as that of the former commune secretary. From land development to housing construction, and from pig farming to crop cultivation, there is nothing he cannot oversee. The saying goes, "The commune secretary is a local emperor, and the brigade secretary is a local tyrant." In the countryside, these officials can wield life-and-death power, and their words carry more weight than those of the provincial party secretary.

Wang Guohua kept watching him leave the courtyard of the cafeteria, then turned in surprise to Yang Rui and said, "I never thought your status as the son of the secretary was anything special before, but today seems different."

Someone has already started cursing while pointing at their nose

He originally thought he was playing a thrilling game of vengeance in the martial world, but how did it suddenly turn into a sinister struggle in the officialdom?

Each rule has its own benefits, and each block has its own strengths. The director of the power supply station can certainly manage without relying on others, but when issues arise, he finds that he cannot seek help from anyone.

Yang Rui, being well-informed and experienced, immediately stood up and pulled Wang Guohua behind him upon noticing the two individuals clenching their fists

Yan San gazed at Yang Rui's cold eyes, suddenly feeling a bit dazed.

What are you saying, you rascal

"If you dare to lay a hand on me today, I will immediately go to the county to report my injuries." Yang Rui spoke in a calm tone: "My second uncle is the chief of the police station in Xibao Town, and my older cousin is in the county criminal police team. I can assure you that they will definitely find evidence of harm, and at that point, it will become a criminal case"

The society of China in the 1980s was far from the simple and kind image portrayed by later generations. The impending crackdown was a response to the near collapse of social order. At that time, the brazen behavior of thugs and hooligans on the streets reached a point where ordinary people were afraid to go out at night. Moreover, in addition to professional thugs and unemployed youth, many employed young people would occasionally switch to temporary roles, engaging in acts such as robbing elderly men while drunk or groping women amidst the chaos. Although schools were somewhat better, young men in their twenties were still prone to bravado and violence.

Unfortunately, today Yang Rui easily saw through Yan San's hesitation. He parted the people in front of him with both hands and clasped his hands together, saying: "Everyone, I truly want Yan San to indulge today, so please do not stop him."

Xizhaizi Township is adjacent to Xibao Town, the latter being slightly more prosperous in terms of its streets, yet its area and population are considerably smaller than those of Xizhaizi Township. The Yang family has produced two generations of township Party secretaries, with family members entrenched in the surrounding area, making them local power brokers. Although Yang Rui's father and grandfather maintained strict self-discipline throughout their lives, their methods of operation were extremely forceful; they have fought against others, manipulated situations, and bullied people, leaving behind stories that the locals can boast about for an entire day

However, the Yang Rui of today is no longer the timid and weak character he once was. The hardships he faced after graduation and the challenges of entrepreneurship have forged him, and he will not quietly evade as the other party expects.

Do you not want to continue living in the countryside any longer

Although Yan San did not go so far as to bully Yang Rui in the past, he certainly did not regard this dull-witted bookworm with any respect

He is betting on the reputation of the Yang family to intimidate others

The vague gazes from all around made Yan San even more uneasy

Wang Guohua, having drawn the ire of the crowd, licked his lips and fell silent.

Yan San blinked his eyes, not quite understanding the situation, while Wang Guohua, Cao Baoming, and others also wore expressions of astonishment

Yang Rui calmly pushed aside Cao Baoming and stood in front of Yan San without hesitation, saying: "I dare you to hit me. If you have the ability to make me bleed, I will turn around and leave without a word, and Wang Guohua can beat you however he likes."

His father wields considerable power, with sycophants and flatterers everywhere, but to dominate everything single-handedly is still a far cry from that

Saying this, he rolled up his sleeves, looking as if he was ready to engage in a fierce battle

In his impression, this action was sufficient to make Yang Rui retreat in the face of difficulty

Wang Guohua spoke happily, but not everyone can remain as composed as Yang Rui

The people in front of him were all dazed, among them the tall and strong Cao Baoming, who used one hand to block Yang Rui and the other to stop Yan San, saying: "Don't fight, don't fight, everyone step back, everyone step back..."

The current college entrance examination admission rate is quite low, and there are many students who have repeated their studies for several years. Therefore, those who can pass the exam in two or three years are referred to as "Liberation Army," meaning they will soon welcome their liberation and belong to a fortunate group. The "New Fourth Army" refers to the anti-Japanese forces, and their distance from liberation is still a long way off.

Yan San is the self-assumed "bandit name" he chose, while his real name, Hu Yanshan, lacks the grandeur.

He is naturally the son of a cadre, as his father is the director of the power supply station in Xibao Town. With a constant flow of spare money and a willingness to make friends, he is quite popular in the local streets, considered a small tyrant in the countryside

In a small rural area, where there are only boarding students, several children of officials are well-known to everyone. Two senior students, clenching their fists, immediately came to a halt and turned to look back.

Yang Rui said with a smile, "Playing house is for children, but going to prison is not child's play. When the time comes, I will personally bring you food in the interrogation room. I am quite curious how your father, the director of the power supply bureau, managed to pull you out of the clutches of the public security and judicial system."

The power supply station is one of the so-called "electric tigers and water kings," managed by "lines" and not subject to the leadership of the "blocks" at the township level. In this era, it is a department with considerable power, capable of cutting off electricity for anyone it chooses. A simple statement of "equipment issues" can leave you relying on a kerosene lamp for the New Year, and it holds significant confidence when facing the township and village governments

He knew that they could not remain in this deadlock any longer, so he gave a mischievous smile, pointed at Yang Rui from a distance with his finger, and said, "You are quite something," before turning around and leaving

There are older students who have been participating in the college entrance examination since 1977 and 1978, and some have even spent several years as educated youth. Even now, they are still retaking the exam, struggling to pass, which leaves them feeling both bitter and inferior. It is easy to imagine their discomfort upon hearing the high-handed sarcasm from the fresh newcomers.

The students who were waiting to watch the spectacle burst into laughter, with some directly pulling over a stool, squatting on it while holding a steamed bun, ready to eat amidst the bloody and grim fight.

The students who were watching the commotion glanced at each other and quietly dispersed

Several people nodded with smiles, showing a lack of seriousness about the matter

The college entrance examination had just concluded not long ago, and Wang Guohua was still quite sensitive. Without even turning his head, he said: "So what if you got accepted? Aren't you all part of the New Fourth Army now? What are you bragging about?"

Perhaps. Yang Rui's gaze was wandering. As a biological research student who had once executed hundreds of white mice, dissected dozens of white rabbits, and senselessly harmed countless lives, he possessed a certain degree of coldness.

In a moment, apart from Hu Yanshan, only a few people were standing on Yang Rui's side. The others either returned to their seats or, as if nothing had happened, went straight back to their dormitories.

Eating only steamed buns without any side dishes for several consecutive days is undoubtedly a dietary practice that modern individuals are reluctant to challenge, yet most students enjoy it immensely. The abundant supply of white flour steamed buns in school cafeterias is a phenomenon that only began in high school; previously, they had to be paired with coarse grains such as cornmeal buns.

Yan San was stunned for quite a while, not knowing what to say

The impact of these words was even greater, not only igniting the old student sitting at the same table with a face full of acne, but also rousing several other old students nearby. A dozen or so people stood up in a huddle, forming a semi-circle that effectively blocked out the sunlight

This pattern is incorrect

The tall and sturdy Cao Baoming curiously asked, "What you mentioned earlier about sending Yan San to prison, was that just to scare him?"

Most of the senior students merely grumbled, but the two sitting at the same table as the acne-ridden senior took advantage of the chaos to rush forward, fists clenched, intending to give Wang Guohua a severe beating

Several classmates who were familiar with Yang Rui quickly stepped forward to intervene, standing in front to mediate the conflict

He still has some dubious friends on the street, but even the most notorious ex-convict among them does not dare to provoke the police

The students in the re-education class are mostly around twenty-three or twenty-four years old, with the youngest being seventeen or eighteen. Although they are not overly worldly, they are aware that they should not cause trouble for their families

Before Yang Rui finished eating the first steamed bun, a senior student with a face full of acne slammed the table in dissatisfaction and said in a harsh tone: "I’m talking to you, it’s just a mock exam, what’s there to be so happy about? If you were really that capable, why did you come back to repeat the year?"

Yang Rui's threat is very real, and no one is willing to provoke this bad luck