“You handle it yourself!” Chen Zi’an said, frowning impatiently.
Cadre Liu understood. This meant he had to bleed heavily.
Trembling, he took out all the coupons and money he had on him, then said to the group of lackeys, “Take out all the money and coupons you have!”
These people usually followed Cadre Liu. When Cadre Liu spoke, even though they didn’t understand why, they obediently took them out.
Ten or so people, one person with one coupon, another with two, they pooled together a total of one hundred and twenty-three yuan and four jiao, plus thirty-five jin of grain coupons, two jin of sugar coupons, eight jin of meat coupons, and seven chi of cloth coupons.
“Minister Chen, this is all we have. Is it acceptable?”
As he handed over these money and coupons, Cadre Liu’s hands were shaking. So much money was being given to Su Chuan’s family like this, it hurt!
Even if they usually had some extra income, how much could it be? On this trip, they had lost so much.
“You are compensating the Su family. Why are you asking me?” Chen Zi’an glared. Cadre Liu didn’t dare to say another word and obediently carried the money and coupons to find Su Chuan.
Su Chuan hadn’t fully processed what was happening. Seeing Cadre Liu approaching with money and coupons, he instinctively prepared to refuse.
Su Xiaotian, quick as lightning, snatched the coupons and money from Cadre Liu’s hands.
Perhaps some of their own money and coupons were among these. Why refuse?
“It’s a bit less, but it’s acceptable. Cadre Liu, I am from a good background, my family has been poor peasants for eight generations, and our family history is clean!” Su Xiaotian said with a hint of pride, her words infuriating.
Su Xiaotian’s words almost made him reach out and hit her, but did he dare?
Of course not. As long as Chen Zi’an was willing to let him go now, it would be a blessing from his ancestors.
Only after finally leaving did Cadre Liu heave a sigh of relief.
Heaven, he had managed to save his life. Fortunately, he had reacted quickly!
“Cadre Liu, are we still going to the cowshed?” the sharp-mouthed, monkey-faced young man asked.
“Go to hell! Why are we still going to the cowshed? Let’s go back.”
“Go back?”
The young men were clearly surprised that Cadre Liu was going to turn back.
“Not going back, and waiting to be beaten by Chen Zi’an?” Cadre Liu glanced disdainfully at the young men who couldn’t grasp the situation.
“With so many of us, can’t we beat one person?”
“With your scrawny bodies, twenty to thirty of you wouldn’t be enough for Minister Chen to fight alone!”
Setting aside the fact that these people came with high spirits and left dejectedly, let’s talk about the Su family’s courtyard.
“Old Uncle Su, hello. I am Chen Zi’an, entrusted by Commander Dong Yuanzhong to visit you.” Chen Zi’an spoke after seeing Cadre Liu and his men leave.
As for the people from the Hongxin Brigade present, he didn’t ask them to leave.
Su Chuan was stunned for a moment before remembering that Dong Yuanzhong was the little beggar Gou Sheng, whom he had saved years ago when he was starving, and who had also sent them things recently.
Compared to Su Chuan’s natural expression, Su Changjiu and the others looked quite displeased.
Even without much common sense, they knew that Dong Yuanzhong was a top official in the province. They never expected that the person who sent things to the Su family was the top official of the province.
The old Su family’s luck had turned.
Su Chuan’s years of doing good deeds had finally paid off.
Accountant Li was envious and jealous, wishing that the person who saved Dong Yuanzhong had been his own father. Unfortunately, his father was stingy and had never given anyone even a bite of food.
“Minister Chen, I am Su Changjiu, the captain of the Hongxin Brigade. Today, I was wrong in not protecting Comrade Su Chuan!” Su Changjiu stepped forward to admit his mistake.
Minister Chen was a person of character. If he admitted his mistake, he surely wouldn’t blame him.
As expected, Chen Zi’an glanced at him and said, “In the future, take better care of Comrade Su Chuan’s family. If anyone tries to cause trouble for Comrade Su Chuan, just let me know!”
As a production brigade captain, he couldn’t really stop people from the commune if they caused trouble.
Su Changjiu quickly agreed, then, with great tact, prepared to leave with the female cadres, the militia captain, and Accountant Li.
The other two also knew that Chen Zi’an must have come to the Su family to speak with them privately, so they quickly took their leave.
But Accountant Li was somewhat unwilling. When a county-level cadre arrived, wasn’t this the time for them, the cadres, to show themselves? How could they leave now?
He thought the captain was useless and a fool!
“Is there anything else?” Seeing Accountant Li not leaving and walking towards him, Chen Zi’an immediately became stern.
Did he not see that this person was in league with the commune cadres? It was just not worth his while to bother with such a minor figure.
“Minister Chen, I am, I am the accountant of the Hongxin Brigade, Li Zong…”
“You don’t need to tell me who you are. However, I have a word for you: one must stick to their own duties to last. Little Zhu, escort them out.” Chen Zi’an said unceremoniously, shooing them away.
Su Changjiu glared at Accountant Li. This person had no foresight. He refused to leave on his own and now he felt good about being kicked out?
After all the extraneous people had left, Chen Zi’an looked at Su Xiaotian and smiled, “Little girl, what’s your name? You’re quite brave!”
Su Xiaotian smiled sweetly and said, “Uncle Chen, my name is Su Xiaotian. My family all calls me Tian Mei Zi, Tian Bao!”
It was rare to connect with such a powerful figure, and Su Xiaotian didn’t want to miss the opportunity to rely on a strong backer.
Their family had already offended the commune cadres. If they didn’t have such a strong person to cling to, they would likely still be in danger.
“Little girl, you truly live up to your name.” Chen Zi’an patted Su Xiaotian’s head, took out a bag of White Rabbit milk candies from the large bag carried by Little Zhu, and said, “This is for you!”
Su Xiaotian didn’t accept it, only looking at Grandpa Su and Grandma Su.
“Comrade Minister, we cannot accept this!” Grandpa Su finally managed to speak properly.
“This is not from me to you, but from Commander Dong. Years ago, Commander Dong often said that if it weren’t for you, he wouldn’t be here today.” Chen Zi’an said sincerely, “It’s just that Commander Dong is too busy in the province and cannot spare time to visit you for the moment, so he entrusted me to visit you and, according to the Commander’s arrangements, send you some supplies as a token of my regard.”
“The Commander is too kind. Back then, I only gave him a few meals!” Grandpa Su said, feeling very embarrassed.
Just a few meals, and he had already received so many things, how could he still accept more?
“The kindness of saving a life should be repaid with a gushing spring. Old Uncle Su, please accept it. If you refuse, the Commander will feel even more guilty.” Chen Zi’an wore a rare smile.
Only then did Old Uncle Su agree to accept it, but he didn’t realize what the words “accept it” implied!