Chapter 547: At My Place, There Are Blue Hats
Chapter 541 of "The Great Ming in the Box" opens with: Bai Yuanâs plea for assistance was practically the last straw that broke the camelâs back.The... See what unfolds next!
Bai Yuanâs plea for assistance was practically the last straw that broke the camelâs back.The two civil officials, Thirty-Two and Tan Liwen, almost both abandoned their duties together.
However, this was, after all, the Deityâs decree; how could they just abandon their duties whenever they pleased? The Deityâs instructions had to be carried out, no matter the cost.
Thirty-Two and Tan Liwen had to take out those thick files once more, flipping through them desperately, searching, âBlue hats, blue hats, where could there be any more extra blue hats?â
Just as they were completely overwhelmed, a figure passed swiftly at the door of the conference hall, and in walked an old acquaintanceâthe Head Guard, Zhong Gaoliang.
By now, Zhong Gaoliang had become a very important big shot in Gaojia Village, overseeing up to one hundred and twenty thousand labor offenders, nearly matching the entire ordinary population of Chengcheng County, with an intimidatingly massive labor force at his command.
A joke circulating in Gaojia Village went like this: if a small mountain blocked Zhong Gaoliangâs path, all he had to do was point at it and say âdig it up,â and the whole mountain would be completely removed by the next dayâsuch was his power.
As soon as Zhong Gaoliang entered the room, he grinned at Thirty-Two and Tan Liwen and said, âYou two, Iâve come to ask for something once again. A few of the labor offenders under me have performed exceptionally well, and I want to reward them with something special. Do you happen to have any bizarre food bestowed by the Deity to give them?â
Thirty-Two replied, â.â
Zhong Gaoliang said, âWow, thatâs not an idiom at all.â
Thirty-Two replied, âI donât have time to think of one.â
Zhong Gaoliang was greatly puzzled and asked, âWhat are you so busy with?â
Then Thirty-Two explained the matter of the blue hat technical workers they were lacking.
Zhong Gaoliang laughed and said, âOh, thatâs what it is? If you need manpower, you should have asked me! I have one hundred and twenty thousand people under me, and there are plenty of talents among them.â
Thirty-Two made a surprised sound, âHuh?â and said, âIt wouldnât be strange if you had yellow hats, but how could you produce blue hats?â
âOf course I can!â Zhong Gaoliang replied. âYouâve seriously underestimated the labor offenders. Their professions cover all walks of life! Among them are all sorts of artisans, and many even know reading and writing. Theyâve been working everywhereâquarrying mountains, doing road construction and miscellaneous tasks, participating in various projects in Gaojia Village. After working alongside our own people a few times, some of the competent ones have grown into blue hats.â
Thirty-Two was overjoyed and said, âSo thatâs how it is! Excellent!â
After smiling for a moment, he suddenly looked troubled and said, âBut these people are still serving sentences. How can we let them wear blue hats and go off to Shanxi? What if they escape on the wayâŚâ He added softly, ââŚthe Deity would surely blame me.â
Zhong Gaoliang said, âThat requires careful selection. Pick those with skills, good character, real reform, and high ideological awareness. Itâs time to let them step out of prison to atone for their crimes with meritorious deeds.â
At this point, lowering his voice, Zhong Gaoliang added, âIâve already thought of a few candidates: one named Qi Cheng, one named Chen Ergou, and others⌠Their reformation is solid, so why not test them out? (Qi Cheng and Chen Ergou appeared in chapters 460 to 462; friends whoâve forgotten can review.)â
Thirty-Two was still hesitant.
Just then, the Deity embroidered with golden thread on his chest opened its embroidered mouth and spoke, âYou can try!â
Since the Deity had uttered these golden words, naturally there was no problem.
Thirty-Two nodded and said, âAlright! Zhong Gaoliang, you choose this group. Be thorough, and donât cause any troublemaker.â
One day later.
Huanglong Mountain, labor valley.
Today, the labor valley was bustlingâŚ
Outside the fortress at the main gate of the labor valley, a group of âmodel labor offendersâ stood stiffly upright, including those two comrades in hardship, Qi Cheng and Chen Ergou.
Today, their clothing was different from the usual.
Normally, they wore undyed, raw cotton clothesâthe standard uniform for labor offenders.
Today they wore the exact same uniforms as the technical workers of Gaojia Villageâblue overalls and blue hard hats. The only difference was a âčŻâ (Probation) character on their helmets, marking them as still in the trial phase.
Donning these clothes gave them the illusion, âAh, Iâve returned to being a Common Tradesman!â
Tens of thousands of labor offenders who had come to watch gazed at them with envy.
Zhong Gaoliang stood atop the fortress, holding a tin microphone. He shouted loudly, âCongratulations, everyone! Due to your excellent performance in re-education through labor and your technical skills, the Deity has specially granted you permission to leave labor valley for an extended period. You are being posted to Shanxi. There, you will briefly enjoy the treatment of a Common Tradesman!â
As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd gasped with wonder.
Zhong Gaoliang continued, âFor this outbound assignment, youâll receive wages like a Common Tradesman technician, though slightly less. However, this deducted portion can be used to exchange for âsentence reduction,â offering you a chance for early release!â
Qi Cheng and Chen Ergou were overjoyed simultaneously. They grabbed each otherâs hands excitedly. âWow! A chance for sentence reduction!â
Though life in labor valley meant sufficient food and warmthâŚ
It was still as they say: human desires always climb upwards. One has only one worry when hungry, but countless worries when full.
These years of reform through labor had long taught the offenders they no longer craved just a mouthful of Common Tradesman. They pursued a better life now, yearning for the freedom outside labor valley.
With this chance to leave, who wouldnât be thrilled?
Qi Cheng was the first to lead the cheers: âRest assured, Head Guard! Iâll perform excellently!â
Chen Ergou hurriedly followed: âWe wonât disappoint you, Head Guard!â
Zhong Gaoliang laughed. âHead Guard this, Head Guard that? Itâs the Deity! You answer to the Deity, not to me!â
The crowd exclaimed!
Zhong Gaoliang ordered, âLook down! Look at the chest of your overalls!â
The labor offenders all looked down at the chests of their uniforms. Embroidered there on each, with five-colored cotton thread, was a Deity Statue.
As they lowered their heads to look, the Deity Statue on Qi Chengâs chest suddenly grinned widely. Qi Cheng jumped in fright.
Then, that statueâs expression returned to normal. Yet immediately, the Deity Statue on Chen Ergouâs chest began to grinâŚ
Like dominoes falling, the Deity Statues started grinning, one after another, across the chests of these labor offenders.
The crowd murmured in wonder!
Zhong Gaoliang shouted loudly, âRemember, there are gods three feet above your head! Man acts, Heaven watches. The Deity watches always! If any of you harbors evil intentions, youâd better cut your own throats earlyâdonât dare scheme under the Deityâs gaze!â
Qi Cheng again led the call: âWe wouldnât dare! I revere the Deity the most! Iâll perform excellently! I absolutely will not disappoint the Deity!â
Chen Ergou hastened to follow. A large group of blue hats all shouted in unison, âAbsolutely will not disappoint the Deity!â
Zhong Gaoliang declared, âGood! You may depart now.â
A retainer from Bai Family Fortress stepped forward: âFollow Me.â