Chapter 25: Medicine Bestowed Upon Comrades, Undercurrents Rise Again

The news of the rolling mill union distributing Dianqi (Yunnan Notoginseng) spread like wildfire. During the lunch hour, workers at the canteen windows were buzzing with excitement, their faces glowing with satisfaction.

"I got mine! Two taels of Dianqi for just twenty cents! Dr. Zhang from the infirmary said it’s great for soaking in wine for rubbing or simmering in soups!"

"Old Liu from the forging shop twisted his back moving materials yesterday. He used the Dianqi wine this morning and said he feels much better!"

"Section Chief He of the Procurement Department is really something! To be able to source such high-quality goods!"

He Yuzhu and Ma Hua were eating in the small canteen kitchen, listening to the commotion outside. Ma Hua grinned, "Master, the workers are really grateful to us now!"

He Yuzhu continued eating, "As long as it’s put to good use and not wasted, that’s all that matters. How are things going with the contact in Southern Yunnan?"

"The call went through," Ma Hua said, lowering his voice. "The one who answered was the production team leader of the Manlong Village, Yan Wen’s father. When he heard that our union wants to establish a long-term worker-farmer mutual aid program and purchase Dianqi at prices higher than the supply and marketing cooperatives, he was overjoyed! He said they’ll organize everyone to expand planting as soon as spring arrives! The first batch of dried goods can be shipped next month."

"Good," He Yuzhu nodded. "Since the union is leading this, have Little Wang keep a close eye on the accounts and invoices, and ensure everything is handed over clearly to the logistics warehouse. Worker-farmer mutual aid is a noble cause; it must be handled with integrity."

"Understood!"

That afternoon, He Yuzhu was called in by Union Chairman Li. The Chairman was beaming, "Yuzhu! The distribution of Dianqi has been incredibly effective! The workers are full of energy! Did you make contact with Southern Yunnan?"

"Contact has been made, and the first batch of dried goods will arrive next month," He Yuzhu reported.

"Excellent!" Chairman Li rubbed his hands together. "I reported it to the factory leadership, and they praised it too! They said this is a practical deed that benefits the workers! Keep it up, Yuzhu! The union fully supports your procurement section!"

Leaving the union office, He Yuzhu felt good. The path for the Dianqi supply was now open; it solved the factory's needs while helping a distant village—a win-win situation.

***

Returning to the residential compound after work, the atmosphere was distinctly different. In the front courtyard, the Third Master, Yan Bugui, was repairing his bicycle with his reading glasses on. Seeing He Yuzhu, he took the rare initiative to greet him, "Back from work, Yuzhu? The factory’s Dianqi distribution is making quite a stir!"

"It’s a benefit organized by the union; as long as everyone can use it, that’s good," He Yuzhu replied.

"Indeed, indeed!" Yan Bugui moved closer, lowering his voice. "That boy from the Jia family... you taught him a lesson yesterday, didn't you? He hasn't been seen out of the house all day."

He Yuzhu didn't respond, his gaze sweeping across the middle courtyard. The Jia family’s door remained tightly shut and silent. The little bit of nerve that Bang Geng had for petty thievery had been temporarily curbed by yesterday’s fright and punishment.

Just as he entered the middle courtyard, he heard a commotion from the back. It was Xu Damao’s voice, dripping with sarcasm: "...Oh! Second Master, you’re looking better and better! Heard the factory issued some Dianqi? Didn't you manage to get some to nourish yourself?"

Second Master Liu Haizhong snorted, "The union distributed it based on workshops! I’m in the forging workshop, everyone got some!"

"Tsk, tsk, your workshop is really practical, Second Master!" Xu Damao laughed mockingly. "Unlike some people who act craftily, bringing back some scrap roots to buy hearts. Who knows if there's something fishy going on? The accounts in the procurement section... hmph!"

These words were meant to insult He Yuzhu by attacking others. Several neighbors in the courtyard looked toward He Yuzhu as he walked into the middle courtyard.

He Yuzhu didn't stop or acknowledge it, heading straight for his room. Getting into a public shouting match with someone like Xu Damao would only lower his own status.

"Silly Pillar! Pretending you can't hear me?" Seeing He Yuzhu ignore him, Xu Damao raised his voice. "That Dianqi you brought back, is the price really that cheap? Don't tell me you're using public funds to polish your own image? Everyone knows about the shady dealings in the procurement section!"

He Yuzhu stopped at his doorway, turned around, and looked at Xu Damao with calm eyes: "Xu Damao, if you have any objections, go to the factory union to report it or file a complaint with the logistics department. Spreading rumors in the courtyard just makes you look pathetic."

"You!" Xu Damao was choked by the response.

"What about me?" He Yuzhu’s tone remained flat. "The Dianqi is a benefit distributed by the union at cost price. The price, source, and inspection reports are all on file with the union, and the factory leadership has approved them."

"You doubt it? Fine, bring evidence and report it. If you’re just spewing filth without proof, Section Chief Wang of the Security Department is still at the factory. Do you want me to help you recall what happened the last time you made a false accusation?"

At the mention of "Section Chief Wang" and "false accusation," Xu Damao looked like a chicken caught by the throat, his face turning bright red. The shadow of his suspension and investigation from the last time he faked the green bean swap had not yet faded.

"Hmph! Just you wait!" Xu Damao threw down a threat and ducked back into his room.

Second Master Liu Haizhong looked at He Yuzhu with a complex expression, but ultimately said nothing and walked back to his room with his hands behind his back.

The courtyard returned to silence.

He Yuzhu sneered and pushed his door open. Xu Damao, that grandson, clearly never learned his lesson and was brewing more trouble.

***

A few days later, in the procurement office, He Yuzhu was checking the next month’s food procurement plan with Ma Hua when Deputy Section Chief Sun Jianguo walked in with a dark expression, holding an envelope.

"Little He, come out with me for a moment."

He Yuzhu’s heart skipped a beat as he followed Sun Jianguo to the end of the hallway.

"Someone dropped this in the factory’s suggestion box," Sun Jianguo handed the envelope to He Yuzhu.

He Yuzhu pulled out the letter. It was an anonymous, typed denunciation. The content directly accused He Yuzhu’s team of "unclear accounts," "questionable pricing," and "suspected embezzlement under the guise of worker-farmer mutual aid."

"Section Chief Sun, this..."

"I believe you," Sun Jianguo interrupted, his tone low. "But the letter reached the factory office, and Vice Factory Director Li... has already inquired about it. He demanded a thorough internal investigation of the procurement section and a written explanation."

Vice Factory Director Li? He Yuzhu’s eyes sharpened. It seemed Xu Damao was just a barking dog; the one wielding the whip behind the scenes was still Li Huaide!

"Investigate!" He Yuzhu didn't hesitate. "Collect all accounts, invoices, mutual aid agreements with the union, warehouse entry records, and distribution logs related to the Dianqi. We are ready for inspection at any time! Section Chief Sun, I’ll trouble you to supervise this personally."

"Good!" Sun Jianguo appreciated He Yuzhu’s openness. "An upright person doesn't fear a crooked shadow! Let's clear this up and shut those petty people up!"

Over the next two days, Sun Jianguo, along with the department’s veteran accountant, carefully audited the entire process of the Dianqi procurement: from the union funding application, phone records with Southern Yunnan, remittance vouchers, to the warehouse inspection reports, union distribution plans, and worker receipt logs.

Every entry was clear, invoices were complete, prices were transparent, and the process was fully compliant with regulations.

Sun Jianguo brought the thick stack of evidence and a detailed report directly to Vice Factory Director Li’s office.

"Director Li, this is the detailed audit report on the Dianqi procurement. All accounts and invoices are here for your review," Sun Jianguo stated firmly.

Vice Factory Director Li flipped through the report and vouchers, his expression sour. The chain of evidence was too perfect; there wasn't a single loophole.

"Hmm... It seems someone was chasing shadows and making malicious accusations!" Vice Factory Director Li set the report down, speaking in bureaucratic jargon. "The work of the procurement section, especially Comrade He Yuzhu, has stood the test! Deputy Section Chief Sun, let this matter end here. File the report. Go back and reassure Comrade He Yuzhu not to have any unnecessary burdens."

"Yes." Sun Jianguo turned to leave, a hint of an imperceptible cold smile on his lips.

The news reached the procurement section. Ma Hua and Little Wang were relieved, but He Yuzhu’s expression remained unchanged: "As long as it’s cleared up, that’s fine. Let’s get to work; we need to keep an eye on the quota from the meat processing plant for next month."

On his way home from work, just as He Yuzhu pushed his bike into the alley, he saw the Deaf Old Lady standing at the gate with her cane, as if waiting for him.

"Old Lady, why are you standing here?" He Yuzhu quickly went up to her.

The Old Lady’s cloudy eyes looked at him, and she whispered, "Zhuzi, a tall tree catches the wind. The fragrance of medicine can heal, but it can also attract pests. Both inside and outside the compound, people are eyeing the food in your bowl. That piece of work from the Xu family is jumping around, but behind him... there is someone."

The Old Lady didn't explicitly state who "someone" was, but He Yuzhu knew clearly. He nodded, "Thank you for the reminder, Old Lady. I understand."

Watching He Yuzhu push his bike into the courtyard, the Deaf Old Lady sighed and slowly walked back, leaning on her cane. In this compound, peace was hard to come by.

He Yuzhu parked his bike. The medicinal scent of Dianqi seemed to still linger in the air, but the shadow of Xu Damao’s sarcasm and the Old Lady’s warning drifted over like a thin cloud.

It seemed that the more stable his position in the procurement section became, the more people would covet it.

The next storm was coming—he just didn't know when.