Siheyuan: The Era of Struggle

Chapter 258 The theft case at Shazhu’s house
I ignored the words of a few people who came to make fun of the crazy old lady.

He Yuanchao followed his own thoughts and said to everyone in the courtyard: "Those who have been at home today, stand still and don't move. Those who have been out and those who came back before 3:50 in the afternoon will come out and stand behind me."

When everyone heard this, you looked at me and I looked at you, all looking confused.

Although I couldn't figure out what medicine He Yuancao was selling, since I agreed to the self-examination, I couldn't regret it at this time, so I acted according to his wishes.

"Chief He, is your method of catching thieves reliable? Why does it feel so scary?"

"Yes, Daliang, why does catching a thief make me feel like the Japanese soldiers identifying underground party members?"

"Aunt Wang, Section Chief He has handled several big cases in the factory. Catching a thief is not easy, so please do it!"

"Grandpa He, if you catch the thief, should you send him to the artillery station to eat black dates, or should you spank him with a belt?"

"..."

Listening to the teasing and complaining of everyone in the courtyard, He Yuanchao smiled at the little boy who asked, and then focused on the other child next to him.

"Yes, if you can't find a way out of your ugly head, let's go find the police."

It's best to deceive the thief and save a lot of trouble. Even if no one comes out to admit it, at least you can take the opportunity to observe everyone's reaction.

He Yuanchao's little thoughts in Yan Bugui's stomach were clear at a glance. He was just thinking about the food that He Yuyu had brought back.

Seeing that it was getting late, He Yuanchao did not leave any more ink. He took two steps and came to Jia Zhang's house and said to the group of people who had been at home all day:

"Okay, then don't be polite to your brother Yan."

"Brother Yan, things are still unclear at the moment. I will definitely speak to you when I need help."

"You're right. Even if you are a cadre, you can't just accuse people of injustice, right?"

If someone was wrongly accused in front of everyone in the courtyard and caused a commotion, then the rumor that He Yuanchao had no ability and was worthless would spread in the steel rolling mill tomorrow.

He stretched out his hand not to hit the smiling man, not to mention that He Yuan was eager to catch the thief and had no intention of arguing with him.

Everyone in the courtyard was divided into two groups and had just stood up. Before He Yuanchao could say anything, Yan Bugui spoke first with a smile.

The idea I had just now has gone back to the head. This time I have to learn from my experience and be more cautious.

This superfluous drama is nothing more than giving everyone the feeling that they "almost know who it is", and by extension, it also adds a little psychological pressure to people with a guilty conscience.

"Everyone, don't be anxious. Let's see what he says first. If it doesn't work, go to their leaders. I still don't believe it. There is no place in the world that can be reasoned with."

"Everyone has been neighbors with Zhuzi for many years. Before the investigation, I will say one more thing. As long as the person who took the things comes out and admits his mistake and compensates for the loss, I promise to put aside the past."

Seeing that his goal was not achieved, Yan Bugui did not dare to pester him any more. After he finished speaking, he stood aside with his eyebrows drooping.

As soon as He Yuanchao finished speaking, others in the courtyard were still busy, and the group of people who had been at home all day stopped working.

"Daliang, everyone has already stood up as per your request. If you need any help next time, just tell Brother Yan and we will get it done for you!"

After saying that, He Yuanchao lit a cigarette and smoked while quietly looking at the people in front of him.

"Chief He, what do you mean? Just because we were at home all day, you can't say that we stole your things, right?"

Although there is a high probability that the footprints in the kitchen and on the windowsill were left by thieves, it cannot be ruled out that they were caused by mischief, playfulness, etc.

……

Seeing the people in front of him angrily condemning himself, but no one came out to admit stealing, He Yuanchao knew that there would be no results if he waited any longer.

Waving his hands, after everyone shut up, He Yuanchao said: "It doesn't matter if you don't admit it now. I'll find someone later. I hope you guys don't blame me for being unkind."

After looking around and seeing that no one said anything, He Yuanchao continued: "Since you guys have no objections, I won't talk nonsense."

After throwing the cigarette butt in his hand on the ground and stamping it out, He Yuanchao looked at the third aunt.

"Sister-in-law Yan, you live in front of the front yard. Think carefully about whether there are any outsiders in our yard today?"

Seeing He Yuanchao staring at her expressionlessly, the third aunt became panicked for no reason.

"No...no, anyway...I haven't seen anyone else anyway. Why don't you ask others, maybe they have!"

After the third aunt finished speaking, she quickly turned to look at the neighbors beside her.

When everyone saw this, they started talking about what they knew without waiting for He Yuanchao to ask.

"I've been at home all day, and I haven't seen anyone else."

"I didn't see it in the morning, so I don't know clearly in the afternoon."

"..."

He Yuanchao waited for everyone to finish speaking, then looked at him again, and then he said calmly: "Everyone has not seen the outsiders, so I suspect that this thief belongs to our courtyard, do you have any objection? "

"You can't say that. Bao... Baoqi, is there an outsider who sneaked in while hiding from everyone?"

After hearing what Jia Zhang said, everyone in the courtyard looked at each other and thought it made sense, and started discussing the possibility of this matter.

"How can I be a bad cadre? I'm going to make trouble for you and investigate the case. Just check it out!"

Jia Zhang glanced at the neighbors who were noisily expressing their opinions, and then at He Yuanchao who was silent, and she couldn't help feeling proud.

Seeing the mocking look in Jia Zhang's eyes, He Yuanchao snorted in his heart and interrupted the discussion in the courtyard.

"Since everyone doesn't agree with this statement, let's change it to something more convincing."

After He Yuanchao finished speaking, he stopped talking nonsense and led everyone to the kitchen of Shazhu's house.

When we got to the kitchen, when everyone in the courtyard was still confused, a woman in her fifties started to joke. "Daliang, isn't it because you couldn't catch the thief that you feel embarrassed and want to treat your sister-in-law to dinner?"

"Sister-in-law, we are all responsible for our duties. If the suspicion is not ruled out, will we be able to eat safely?"

After saying that, He Yuanchao ignored everyone's agreement, turned around and pointed at the footprints on the kitchen window sill and said: "Since you guys don't believe in inferences, let's speak with facts.

Everyone has seen the footprints in front of us. I think everyone knows what happened. Whether it is a thief or not, we will talk about it after comparing the footprints. "

As soon as He Yuanchao finished speaking, Yan Bugui on the side took over and said: "Daliang, this footprint is not big. Should we let the children in our courtyard compare it first?"

Hearing this, before He Yuancao could say anything, everyone in the courtyard started calling their children to come forward.

Everyone finally understood that He Yuanchao did not mean to bluff. They must come up with an explanation for today's matter. Instead of making people suspicious, it is better to quickly prove his innocence and watch the fun with peace of mind.

The children did not have the complex thoughts of the adults, so they joined in the excitement. In a short time, fifteen or six children were standing in front of everyone, laughing and joking.

"Daliang, all the people in the courtyard who can walk are here."

After listening to Yan Bugui's words, He Yuanchao smiled and nodded at him and the people around him and said, "Okay, sorry to bother you guys, let's get started now."

Most of the children in the courtyard knew what He Yuanchao did and were a little afraid of him. They did not dare to be naughty and did whatever they were told.

The children lined up, walked to the kitchen window sill one by one, took off their shoes, and compared the size of the shoe prints under the supervision of He Yuanchao and the people around him.

Although the footprints of the previous children were not comparable, the progress was smooth. But when it came to the last one, the child refused to agree.

"Grandma, I don't want to compare footprints, don't compare footprints."

As the child spoke, he ran to Mrs. Jia Zhang and hugged her thigh.

Seeing this scene, everyone in the courtyard had some speculations in their minds, but no one said anything, they all wanted to see what Jia Zhang had to say.

"Banggen, be obedient. Take off your shoes and let your Grandpa He compare them. It will be over soon."

After Jia Zhang finished speaking, she pulled the stick stalk a few more times. Seeing that he had no intention of letting go, she said to He Yuanchao with a stern expression: "Daliang, my stick stalk has been honest and obedient since he was a child, and he is timid. If not, don’t let him compete.”

After hearing the previous words, everyone felt that they were overthinking it, but after hearing the next words, everyone couldn't help but look at the Jia and Zhang family in surprise.

He who wanted to be outspoken said directly: "Sister-in-law of the Jia family, no matter how timid you are, you won't be scared by a footprint, right?"

Seeing someone starting to make a move, the adults in the child's house who had compared the footprints also started to make noises.

"Yes, sister-in-law of the Jia family, everyone is competing, so you can't be special if you stick with me, right?"

"Sister-in-law Jia, stop standing there and come over here with your stick in your arms to compete. You are so big that you can't take care of a child?"

"..."

Listening to the strange crowds in the courtyard, Mrs. Jia Zhang wished she could strangle He Yuanchao to death for looking for trouble.

What's wrong with your family, which has a big business and a big business, and you've lost some food? Why are you so reluctant to let it go?

But come to think of it, in the face of the crowd's booing, Jia Zhang could only ruthlessly pick up the stick and walk to He Yuanchao.

The result of the comparison was just as most people thought. Banggeng's shoes fit perfectly with the footprints on the kitchen window sill.

"Hey! Why don't you want to compete? After working for a long time, this thief is really awesome!"

"Sister-in-law Jia, isn't this the first time Banggeng has stolen something? A few days ago, my house was missing a cabbage, wouldn't he steal it too?"

"My matchmaking ball is also missing several pieces..."

"..."

Faced with everyone's ridicule, Jia Zhang's face flushed with anxiety, and she simply started throwing a tantrum.

"You say my family is a thief, but I think you are the thief? Your whole family is a thief."

After quarreling with everyone, Jia Zhang targeted He Yuanchao again.

"I'm telling you, He Daliang, you have to be responsible for what you say. The footprints on the window sill are so special to me. There are so many feet of the same size.

Besides, even if the footprints belong to my Bangji, wouldn't they be left while playing, so how can it be that my Bangji must have stolen something? "

Looking at Mrs. Jia Zhang with raised eyebrows in front of her, He Yuanchao didn't tolerate her at all.

"The footprints on the window sill were left by playing around, but what about the ones in the kitchen? What about the ones in front of the stove? Your cute guy wouldn't just jump out of other people's kitchen windows just for fun, would he?"

At this time, Yu Li, who had been standing next to He Yuanchao, also pointed to the dots of oil stains on Banggeng's clothes and said: "Aunt Jia, what's going on with Banggeng's chest? I didn't hear that your family recently bought Meat."

After listening to Yu Li's words, everyone also focused on Banggeng's chest.

"Sister-in-law Jia, admit it, the oily ideas on Banggeng's chest can't fool anyone."

"Yes! You can find out if your family has bought meat recently. Don't insist on it. Just say a nice word and beg for mercy!"

"It's not that good. Children should be educated on their mistakes. If a grown-up like you doesn't understand, it won't be justified."

……

Listening to everyone's accusations, Mrs. Jia Zhang suddenly sat down on the ground with her stick in her arms, and then burst into tears.

"Old Jia! You are so cruel! You left us orphans and widowed mothers to be bullied. Open your eyes underground and see what we have suffered! Please show your spirit quickly!"

Seeing Jia Zhang's signature soul-calling technique, although everyone knew that she had acquiesced in this matter, there was nothing they could do against her. After all, no one wanted to bear the reputation of bullying widows and orphans.

(End of this chapter)