Siheyuan: Walking the Path of Qin Huairu

After seeing Ren Xuemei off, Xu Huizhen went to the Daqianmen Police Station. It was snowing today, and Director Song did not go out. They were all old acquaintances, and after some pleasantries, Xu Huizhen told them the purpose of her visit.

She said, "Director Song, this is what happened. I got some clues about Ren Qingsong being beaten in the yard of No. 83. I wonder if this will help you with your investigation?"

Director Song: "This case was handled by Lao Liu, right? Lao Liu, please tell us the details."

Lao Liu said: "The case is like this: we visited the residents in the yard, but because it was dark, no one saw the criminal. So the case has not been solved until now."

Director Song asked Xu Huizhen: "Comrade Huizhen, what clues have you obtained?"

Xu Huizhen said: "According to Ren Xuemei, two uncles in the courtyard had approached her to borrow her house, but she refused. The fact that the criminal was able to enter Ren's house accurately and find Ren Qingsong directly shows that the crime was committed by an acquaintance, or at least there was an insider in the courtyard. Ren Xuemei suspected that someone in the courtyard was plotting against her house."

Lao Liu: "This is just a suspicion. We have no evidence."

Xu Huizhen: "We can doubt boldly and seek evidence seriously."

Director Song: "Well said! Please continue. How do you seriously verify the facts?"

Xu Huizhen: "Ren Xuemei and Ren Qingsong are children of martyrs. We cannot let heroes shed blood and tears. Our neighborhood committee also has the obligation to protect the personal safety of martyrs' children. I suggest that the neighborhood committee and the police station jointly handle the case and must uphold justice for Ren Qingsong. As the saying goes, if you don't want others to know, then don't do it. As long as you do it, there will be clues left. Tomorrow is Sunday, we can hold a general meeting of the whole hospital and call on everyone to provide clues. There will be a large reward for those who provide valuable clues. Of course, we must keep the person who provides the clues confidential. I believe that there will be brave men under the heavy reward. Maybe there will be unexpected gains."

Old Liu asked doubtfully, "Is it possible? I have interviewed everyone in the yard, but I don't have any valuable information."

Xu Huizhen said: "How can we know if we don't try? The father of the two children sacrificed his life to defend his country. We must do our best to protect his children."

After listening to Xu Huizhen's words, Director Song made a decision: "I will take two police officers with me to go there at 8: tomorrow morning."

Xu Huizhen: "Okay! Don't forget to bring your guns. To deter scoundrels. Three people from our neighborhood committee will go too. I don't believe that even the most cunning prey can't escape the hunter's eyes."

Director Song slammed the table and said, "Well said, we must bring the criminal to justice." After Xu Huizhen left, Director Song and others discussed the case again and determined the action plan for tomorrow.

At 8:83 the next morning, the police and neighborhood committee came together, marching into the yard of No. with great vigour and confidence. Because it was Sunday, the children did not go to school and most of the workers were off duty. The personnel were relatively complete.

Xu Huizhen brought Master Ge and Sister Liu from the neighborhood committee. When the director heard about this, she came to the scene despite being sick. After all, she was most familiar with the specific situation in the hospital.

Director Song brought Lao Liu and Wang Lixin. After entering the door, Xu Huizhen asked Master Ge to close the gate and be careful not to let people out of the yard.

Sister Liu and Wang Lixin went to notify all residents that everyone, regardless of gender, age or status, must attend the meeting in the front yard.

The police in this era are still very deterrent, and everyone cooperated and came to the front yard.

A young man from some unknown family even brought out an eight-person table and a few stools for everyone to sit on. When most people had gathered, Ren Xuemei was also among them.

The director spoke first and said, "First, let me announce something. The neighborhood committee has decided to remove the positions of the first and second uncles in the yard. The specific successors will be reappointed after the neighborhood committee discusses it."

After listening to Xu Huizhen's suggestion, Director Wang immediately dismissed the two old men from their positions. He wanted the people in the courtyard to provide clues without any worries and not have to worry about the two old men taking revenge in the future.

Seeing this, an old man in the yard stiffened his neck and said, "Director Xu, if you say to withdraw, then we should withdraw. There must be a reason, right?"

Xu Huizhen said without showing any weakness: "Why? Let me ask you, Ren Xuemei and her brother are children of martyrs. How do you treat children of martyrs in your courtyard? The first and second uncles even want to borrow someone else's house? Do you dare to say that you have never done it? Her glass was smashed, did you do anything about it? There was even a vicious incident where Ren Qingsong had his leg broken! Don't say it has nothing to do with you. We have already obtained certain clues, and it is inseparable from the people in the courtyard. I will not listen to your sophistry. Now let Director Song speak."

Director Song took out the pistol from his waist and put it on the eight-immortal table with a "bang", which scared everyone. The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

He said seriously, "Ren Qingsong's father shed his blood on the battlefield so that the people could live a happy life. His mother also sacrificed her life to protect state property. We must investigate this case thoroughly and punish the perpetrators severely without mercy. We called everyone to a meeting today in the hope that everyone can actively cooperate with us to solve the case. The police station and the neighborhood committee will reward anyone who provides valuable clues."

At this time, Xu Huizhen took out three dozen big black tens from her bag, each tied with paper strips, and put them on the table. Real gold and silver are placed on the table, and you ask if you are tempted? When you see money, can you open your eyes?

Xu Huizhen said righteously: "I will keep my word and never break it. The maximum reward for important clues is 100 yuan."

Then she took out another bag of candy and put it on the table. "These candies are extra rewards for the children. Children, listen carefully, tell the police what they ask. Didn't the teachers at school teach you that honest children are good children? All the good children who tell the truth, Auntie will give you candy!"

Some people in the crowd were whispering to each other, and Wang Lixin shouted, "No one is allowed to whisper to each other!" Everyone immediately quieted down. Director Song's eyes swept through the expressions of the crowd like a searchlight. He was observing everyone's expression.

After a while, Director Song continued, "The criminal was able to find Ren's house accurately and evacuate quickly after committing the crime, which means he was very familiar with the situation in the yard. It is very likely that someone in the yard did it, or at least there were accomplices in the yard who provided him with information. Ren Xuemei saw the criminal. Although it was dark and she couldn't see his face, she saw his height, body shape, tools used in the crime, and escape route. We have now locked in on the suspect. Everyone knows that our policy is: leniency for those who confess, severity for those who resist. If the criminal can take the initiative to admit his crime, his punishment can be reduced. Otherwise, after being found out, he will almost have to eat peanuts. Harming the children of martyrs is a serious crime."

After Director Song finished speaking, Ren Xuemei said, "Director Song, I was in the hospital taking care of my brother last night. When I got home this morning, I found that my house had been robbed and my belongings were turned upside down."