Chapter 10 Nine

"possible." "It's not possible, it's certain." "Definitely." I looked sadly at the dangling iron lock under the handcuffs. "If there is such a day, I will stand on the bank of the Yellow River and tell my ancient ancestors that I am a descendant of the ancient Yellow River." As he said, he stood up from his seat excitedly. I bent down to pick up the woolen coat that he had thrown on the floor, put it on him again, and forced him to the seat.And took the letter folded into the shape of a boat from him and put it in the pocket of the woolen coat—because through the glass of the car door, I saw that Captain Cui had already returned from roll call, which was the only way he had to go back to the cadre compartment.This annoying idiot obviously didn't know my intentions, and he was holding the "boat" tightly with both hands.It seems that I want to look at it for a while.I whispered to him, "Give it to me! Quick—"

late. Captain Cui is already standing in front of us. Fan Hanru didn't seem to realize the risk of this letter, he was still looking at the "ship".In his opinion, the policy on reforming "rightists" does not stipulate that "rightists" can only live in celibacy.Therefore, even if this letter was copied by Captain Cui, it would not constitute a problem.What's more, the carriages are filled with rightists who have taken off their hats? "Hat-removing rightists" should enjoy full freedom of love!But my heart is beating like a drum, because this letter not only involves Tao Yingying, but more importantly, it involves the respected captain Tian; "The couple laid maggots.Shanxi-Bohai Bay is far away, but he only needs to send a letter with a "red band" on his arm, saying that they sympathize with criminals, and he will bring them endless troubles.The matter has come to this point, I can no longer ask for this "ship" from Fan Hanru, in order to avoid arousing the suspicion of Commander Cui, so I can only sit there blankly and wait for the trial of fate.

Captain Cui snatched the boat from Fan Hanru's hand with one hand. He looked at him from the corner of his eyes and said, "What did I say to you just now? I told you to honestly reflect on your mistakes! What are you doing while wearing handcuffs?" He even folds paper boats for fun! It’s so reactionary, he’s willing to be a granite stone, and go to God’s instigation!” "Captain Cui! I made this paper boat." I stood up and blocked Fan Hanru with my body, for fear that he would cause any trouble again. "Do you think he can make this thing while wearing handcuffs? I shouldn't interfere with it." He concentrates on reflecting on his crimes! You...you give it back to me!" I held my breath and stared at the "boat", fearing that if he suddenly opened it, it would be like setting myself on fire.

"What's the use of keeping this thing? Huh?" He shook off the prestige of the commander-in-chief, twisted his hands vigorously, tore the "boat" made of several layers of paper into pieces, threw it to the corner of the carriage, and practiced with his hands on his hips!He reprimanded us and said, "Should you launch an active struggle against Fan Hanru! Fan Hanjie's younger brother is a bunch of counter-revolutionaries! If he was placed in the society, he should have been sent to the crematorium long ago! He still doesn't appreciate the kindness of the Cultural Revolution If you want to play... play with a paper boat. Where do you want to go on the boat? To Taiwan? Or to the United States? Don't have that dream! What is waiting for you is the strict control team..." He said all the revolutionary words, and trembled He lost his prestige, until his mouth was dry, and then he left in a cotton coat in a hurry.

Amitabha!Fan Hanru didn't say a word during this training.Maybe it's the handcuffs, let him wake up more or less!I let out a sigh of relief and took out my handkerchief to wipe my sweat. From the corner of the carriage, the partners found the torn "boat" - a pile of paper scraps, and brought it back to Fan Hanru. Fan Hanru - this man who never shed tears, tears suddenly flickered from the corner of his eyes; then the tears fell on the piece of paper he held in his hand, and on the handcuffs on his wrist... This is the first time I've seen him cry in the years I've been with him.

I took off my glasses for him, and handed over my handkerchief: "It's over, don't be sad." "It's unlucky, the first letter is..." he murmured to himself. "This may be a good omen." I searched my brains for a reason to comfort him, "Look! The train is passing the Hongdong county boundary. 'Su San' has suffered here, but isn't the ending happy?" "But on the way she was being escorted, she ran into a kind-hearted 'Chong Gongdao'! Who would have thought that he...he...how could he send me away!" Following the "flea" promotion to "heaven", Fan Hanru went to "purgatory" until the four ran amok

Crabs, entered the steamer of history... The train runs tirelessly.The monotonous sound of the wheels seemed to remind me repeatedly: "It's almost here—it's almost here—it's almost there!" No, it's not too close to the riverside farm here, because I still can't see the walls and watchtowers that look like ancient castles, and I can't see the land that I have cultivated here for several years.From 1969 to 1976, in this short but long time, silver threads appeared in my black hair, and deep wrinkles appeared in the corners of Fan Hanru's eyes and forehead. The threshold of the year!

In the severe years, there was no tolerance for Cui Xuan (Captain Cui's tuba) who was proud of himself for a while. After a few years, he was only in his thirties, but above his head, there appeared a halo—— —He bald prematurely.But what a state he had been when he first came to Riverside Farm!After arriving in Shanxi, it soared up like catkins again, and the little black gauze hat was inserted with gorgeous feathered wings.Jiang Daqi, the former director and political commissar of Hebin Farm, got the title of political commissar by this "captain of what" - Cui Xuan, who actually didn't know anything, and he sat in this golden chair without hesitation.

Fan Hanru's situation fell to the bottom of "hell" following Cui Xuan's promotion to "heaven".Originally, there was a strict boundary between "rightists who took off their hats" and prisoners; but every time a meeting was held to criticize Fan Hanru, the prisoners were brought in to strengthen the prestige of the new political commissar.As for the crimes, they have already been woven together: "Break the window glass during the transfer and try to escape", "Fan Hanjie's younger brother", "holding a paper boat in a daze, trying to cross the border by boat"... Fan Hanru seems to have no idea about the first two charges. Touched, when Cui Xuan announced that he was trying to cross the border, he straightened his neck, stared round his eyes, and roared: "I am a descendant of Yan and Huang. Even if you hit me with a stick, I will not leave the land of China that raised me. This It's an insult to me!" The prisoners shouted the slogans of "down" and "severely punished", which rolled like thunder from the sky.Although the grey-haired director Jiang and the main cadres in the factory made public exits to protest Cui Xuan's violation of the law, Cui Xuan turned a blind eye.After several criticism meetings, he put Fan Hanru in mace handcuffs, sent him to the prisoner strict control team, and sent someone to transfer his history in a serious manner.

The day Fan Hanru moved into the "big wall" was the Spring Festival of 1971, the cold wind was biting, and the land was dying.Because of the pair of mace handcuffs he was wearing, the more he moved, the tighter he was. In order to save him from suffering, his partners took the initiative to pack his bags.In order to increase his mental energy, I also put Tao Yingying's clothes in my pocket.He came up and said to me with irrefutable command: "Take it out!" "You should keep it with you, it will give you..." "Tell you to take it, take it out!" He said violently.

"why?" "I don't want to dirty this pocket." "Where do you put it?" "You keep it for me." He said, "Also... If you can find out her address, write to her and tell her that she has come out and I will go in. If she meets someone she likes, I will I wish her all the best and a happy life.” "Are you crazy?" "Why bother him! I'm going to spend the rest of my life in the prison run by Cui Xuan." I am not so pessimistic.I think Director Jiang and the cadres in the field are watching the "crab" with cold eyes, and will not allow them to trample on the law for a long time.I whispered to him: "Two days ago, Director Jiang asked almost everyone about you under the guise of asking us to have a private conversation." Fan Hanru didn't seem to be any excited, he said: "Yesterday, you all went out to work, he came to this dormitory, I thought it was to read my reflection materials, in order to save saliva, I gave him a blank paper , with two large characters written on it—'Innocence'. After he questioned me all over the place, he said to me coldly: "You will go to work tomorrow." He didn't show any sympathy for me. " "Fool! Isn't the face of 'Hei Yaoqi' cold? This is necessary for work." I told Fan Hanru my analysis, "Especially these days, springs are gushing underground and water is flowing under the ice; he asked you to participate Isn't the meaning of labor just to remove the iron bracelet on your wrist with a reasonable excuse? You have been in the labor camp for so many years, why don't you have any knowledge of this?" Fan Hanju slightly realized: "Really?" "Just wait and see!" A few days later, when our brigade carried picks and shovels and went to dig the canal on the Yellow River Diversion site, my "estimated staff" estimate came true: on the flat field about one mile outside the prison wall, I saw Fan Hanru.He and several "old men" in prison uniforms were cleaning up debris and snow in a circle surrounded by barbed wire.At this time, the sun had just risen, and Fan Hanru was already barebacked and wielding his shovel in the cold spring; the sun shone on his firm chest, and the glistening beads of sweat, like broken pearls, dripped from his naked body slip down.When our team passed the barbed wire fence.I couldn't help but feel joyful, and I greeted him implicitly: "Hey! The sun shines in the east and rains in the west!" He turned his head to the ground and immediately replied: "The Tao is invisible but there is sunshine." "What work will you be assigned?" I asked in a low voice. His witty and open-minded personality, revived with the lifting of his hands.He played charades and said, "Hey you! Feed me!" "What does it mean?". "Cluck-clack--" he stretched his neck and imitated the sound of a rooster crowing, and then said seriously, "Old man Jiang told me to lead some prisoners and set up a chicken farm here." "Isn't that offending the power of the political commissar?" I was a little worried. "Old man Jiang said, 'He is engaged in his politics, and I will catch mine.'" Fan Hanru whispered, "The cow's hoof is divided into two parts, each plays its own tune, and each walks its own way!" I am happy for Fan Hanru: "So, do you have something to look forward to?" "There are always more good people than bad people in the world." He grinned with thick lips, "Otherwise, that new rich man will kill me!" I laughed.But it was too early to laugh.When we passed the barbed wire fence the next day, Fan Hanru and those "old names" disappeared.I was panicked.But a few days later, Fan Hanru and those old prisoners reappeared.As soon as I breathed a sigh of relief, Fan Hanru and those prisoners disappeared again; after that, they reappeared.This unpredictable situation finally made me understand: Political Commissar Cui Xuan was not asleep, he was fighting with Director Jiang; whether Fan Hanru could lift the ban to work was just a shadow of this struggle.Therefore, my partners and I use the barbed wire fence and whether we can meet Fan Hanru to judge the weather of the farm—no, it should be said that we use it to predict the fate of our country.Although our tattered clothes were invariably patched, there were no patches on the eyes—they were brighter than searchlights. Time, like the wheels of a train, rolls fast... Time, like a big river rushing by... A few years have passed, and the chicken farm has not yet been completed. Sometimes it stops working, and sometimes it starts; …In the changing climate wind, Fan Hanru is like a leaf in the whirlwind, being thrown into the sky for a while, and falling to the ground for a while.Once, when the farm was "turning cloudy and sunny", I came back from the Yellow River Diversion site alone to pick up production tools, and ran into him by the barbed wire. "Any news?" He asked anxiously. "No letter." I knew what "news" he was talking about. " "Didn't you find a way to find out?" "I asked, but the other cadres didn't know where the women's team was staying. I had the guts to ask Cui Xuan, but my nose was ashamed!" He shook his head in disappointment: "It's over!" "Can you tell Mr. Jiang about your business?" "We talked about it, and he said that he can't take care of these trivial matters now." "What's the matter?" I asked puzzled. "Do you know why 'Left Squint' came to Shanxi? Do you have such a strong root in Shanxi? There is a big rebel in Taiyuan, and he was transferred from the army with him. One person attained the Tao, chickens and dogs ascended to heaven, Cui Xuan, a little sesame seed Big cadres are invincible. Jiang old man can't handle him every day, how can he take care of his children's personal affairs!" I was silent. "Just treat it as a dream!" "Don't think that way, there must be reasons we couldn't have imagined for not receiving Tao Yingying's letter!" Just like this, it was not until the "October Thunder" that shocked the whole world, when Fan Hanru ended his life as a "substitute prisoner", that this unsolved mystery was finally solved.Once, Fan Hanru and I were having a drink, reminiscing about the past, when Cui Xuan appeared at our small homemade table.I was very disappointed and pretended to turn a blind eye; Fan Hanru did the opposite, filled a glass of wine and held it up to Cui Xuan, saying: "Political commissar! Drink this glass of wine! This is a wedding wine." "I don't know how to drink any kind of wine!" He smiled awkwardly, "From now on, you all don't call me political commissar, I have already written a resignation report to Director Jiang." "No, you can't resign, I'm still waiting for you to lead the prisoners to hold my criticism conference!" Fan Hanru said without revealing, and handed the wine glass to Cui Xuan. Cui Xuan coughed twice mockingly: "Today, I came here to tell you something." "Are you telling me to move into the cell again?" Fan Hanru said fieryly, standing up at the same time, "I'll go with you right away!" "What are you talking about! I'm here to tell you about that... who is Tao Yingying." Cui Xuanmu showed a helpless look on his blank face, "At that time, you were under censorship, and she came to you According to the rules, this letter cannot be shown to you; later, the work was busy, and this letter could not be found.” "Do you still have the address?" Fan Hanru suddenly forgot everything. "She's in...the infirmary of Quzhuang Brick Factory in North Shanxi." Cui Xuan replied as if endorsing. Fan Hanru immediately took out his notebook.Cui Xuan stopped him and said, "Don't forget about it. Didn't you talk to Director Jiang about this matter? He made a long-distance call to the brick factory this morning and wanted to transfer her from the brick factory. I also agreed. In the past, there is no need to say anything! From now on..." A few drops of sweat crawled out of his bald hair. Fan Hanru was possessed by the sudden good news.He wanted to say a few words of thanks, but he couldn't; he wanted to vent the grievances accumulated over the years, but Cui Xuan stood in front of him in such an embarrassing manner, like a person who was drowned by the flood, appealing to him. Like a lifebuoy.Fan Hanru pondered for a long time, then handed the wine glass to Cui Xuan again and said: "Although I have been an 'alternate prisoner' for more than six years, it was yesterday after all! Let's drink this cup!" On Cui Xuan's lifeless face, there was a dull smile, he picked up the wine glass dumbly, and drank the wine.With the drastic changes in the situation, it seemed that there were many "hole-plugging" tasks waiting for him to do aftermath, so he didn't dare to stay in our dormitory any longer, and left in a hurry. At this moment, we know that the soundproof wall between Fan Hanru and Tao Yingying was built by Cui Xuan.The grim history did not forgive him. A few months later, the little flea on the top of the tall building on the lake was knocked down by the iron broom of the times. Not long after he disappeared from the cafeteria, Director Jiang announced at the general meeting that he was sent to where he should go.Since then, "Captain What" has disappeared from our lives..." On a public holiday not long after, Fan Hanru woke me up early in the morning.He pointed into my ear and said, "Ye Tao, get up!" The matter of mobilizing Tao Yingying is very troublesome!He's been talking about it for the past few days, so I think it's about her again: "It's not long before the procession arrives for her!" "No, that's not it!" "..." "I'll tell you. Last night I went to see old man Jiang and asked for leave for you. Let's go see the Yellow River together." He said happily, "Originally, I should have told you about this last night, I'm afraid You lost sleep because of excitement. I... I didn't sleep well all night, so get up!" I looked at my watch: "The morning train is late!" "Old man Jiang lent us a public bicycle. I will take you for a while, and you will carry me for another. It can reach tens of miles with two wheels." It was early autumn.The mountains are green, the rice is golden, and the road leading to Fenglingdu is full of people and horses.Fan Hanru carried me on his bicycle and drove on the spacious road.The blue sky is far and deep, and even the wind blowing on the face seems to be full of sweetness, which is really very pleasant. "One day, we will be able to ride a bicycle around Chang'an Avenue..." I said longingly. "No, if that day comes, I'm going to stay here." "why?" "You think, besides the 'rightist' problem, Tao Yingying also has the problem of being sentenced for medical malpractice. Even if she arranges a job in the future, she may have to stay and work for a long time!" He said, "More importantly, I like Huang He There are plenty of jobs in Binhe town, including raising chickens and teaching foreign languages ​​at school. I am not afraid of suffering, no matter how hard it is, it is better than reform through labor, but there is one condition. In this place, I must be able to see the Yellow River from my feet. "