Chapter 43: Seeking Revenge for Mother

**Afterward, he immediately convened a village meeting and severely criticized those members who had stored extra sweet potatoes in their homes. He ordered everyone to surrender all their sweet potatoes.

The members were worried and asked, "Captain, if we give up our sweet potatoes, what will we eat?"

"Starting tomorrow, the production brigade will reopen the communal kitchen, and we will make sure no one goes hungry," Dragon Jiusheng declared firmly.

And so, the sweet potatoes that had been distributed to Longtou Village were once again collected. Of course, sweet potatoes grown by individual members on their private plots were not confiscated. The following day, Dragon Jiusheng managed to gather 120,000 catties of sweet potatoes and delivered them to the commune.

"Director Zeng, you see, these sweet potatoes are intended for planting. Our village members also feel they shouldn't be too selfish, so they contributed an additional 20,000 catties," Dragon Jiusheng explained.

"Very well, excellent. Dragon Jiusheng, you've done a great service this time," Director Zeng expressed his delight.

Longtou Production Brigade had delivered 120,000 catties of sweet potatoes for planting, and Director Zeng was highly satisfied. However, Director Zhang was dissatisfied, and he said, "Dragon Jiusheng hid the actual production figures and didn't report them. Why isn't he being held accountable? Those who hide production and privately distribute surplus grain should be arrested to prevent other production brigades from following suit!"

Dragon Jiusheng was one of Director Zeng's trusted subordinates, and he had worked hard to expose Director Zeng's weaknesses. How could he easily let him go?

Director Zeng calmly responded, "Dragon Jiusheng did not hide the production figures. Last year, when Longtou Village was assigned to replant sweet potato seedlings, every household also planted sweet potatoes on their private plots. Therefore, the surplus production from Longtou Village is due to the individual efforts of our members and falls outside the official statistics. 

All the sweet potatoes used for planting in our commune this year were provided by Longtou Production Brigade. This year, Captain Long persuaded our members to donate an additional 120,000 catties of sweet potatoes grown on their private plots, which arrived just in time to help the production brigades in need. With such a significant contribution, can we hold Captain Long responsible?"

Director Zeng subtly hinted that there were those who envied others' abilities and liked to meddle in various matters, and it seemed like Director Zhang was one of them.

In fact, Director Zeng had his doubts about Longtou Village storing grain, but since each household had replanted sweet potatoes and their production was already impressive considering the drought conditions, he didn't think they could have stored away more. 

Moreover, Longtou Village had gone above and beyond by donating 120,000 catties of sweet potatoes, and Director Zeng was reluctant to tarnish their reputation.

Director Zhang was dissatisfied and thought to himself: "I had finally caught a weak point to exploit, and now it's slipping through my fingers. Not only that, but I've also given Director Zeng the upper hand. I won't let this slide."

Turning away, he made a phone call to another production brigade.

That day, Tang Ailian accompanied her mother to the riverside to wash clothes. Suddenly, her mother, Liu Xiujuan, saw a man approaching from the other side of the river and froze, saying, "Hey, that man..."

Tang Ailian looked up and saw a man crossing the river dam, glancing around nervously. It was clear he had a specific purpose in coming to Longtou Village.

"Mom, do you know that man?" Tang Ailian asked, sensing her mother's unusual reaction.

"That man seems somewhat like the thief who stole the sweet potatoes!" Liu Xiujuan hesitated, unsure if it was the same person. The day had been dark, and she couldn't be certain.

"The thief who stole the sweet potatoes? The one who injured you?" Tang Ailian's heart filled with hatred. She would never forget that day when she found her mother lying in the sweet potato field in shock and anger. If she hadn't given her mother water from the well, she might have lost her forever.

This man deserved to be punished!

The man hadn't noticed Liu Xiujuan when he first arrived at the riverbank. It wasn't until he had crossed halfway across the dam that he suddenly slapped his forehead and said, "Oh no, I completely forgot about the main thing!" He turned and hurriedly headed back, increasing his pace. It seemed like he had suddenly remembered something urgent that required his immediate attention.

However, Tang Ailian's psychic abilities had already reached him. She whispered into his ear, "Catch the sweet potato thief quickly!"

Hearing the voice, the man immediately panicked and asked, "Who?" But when he looked around, he didn't see anyone. He picked up his pace and started running.

In his ears, he heard another voice saying, "You injured a family member, and now you're running away."

Terrified, the man shouted, "It wasn't intentional! She tried to grab me!"

Tang Ailian had heard enough. She didn't intend to let him escape. While he was in a state of panic and his guard was down, she directed her psychic energy to infiltrate his mind. From that moment on, his life would be filled with fear and nightmares. His daytime thoughts would be scattered, and he would live in constant dread.

According to the shaman's principles, Tang Ailian couldn't harm innocent people, but this man, who had injured her mother, didn't deserve her mercy.

Tang Ailian had no idea that her actions inadvertently thwarted Director Zhang's investigation. He had hoped to receive a report from Su Youhe about Longtou Village's concealed sweet potato situation but instead received news of Su Youhe suddenly going mad. Unable to find the hidden sweet potatoes or any evidence against Longtou Village, Director Zhang reluctantly abandoned the investigation.

In 1960, despite a severe drought and even locusts later in the year, Honglian Commune had grown a substantial amount of sweet potatoes. The production brigades still managed to harvest the underground sweet potatoes, and though the yield wasn't ideal, it helped everyone survive the famine year.

During this time, Longtou Village continued to operate its communal kitchen. Even though they were eating sweet potatoes, the villagers felt fortunate. They knew many others couldn't even afford sweet potatoes.

Dragon Jiusheng, who had been promoted to the production brigade leader just over a year ago, finally shed the label of "

inexperienced" or "ineffective." Two years later, he was promoted to the position of brigade leader within the commune. After serving in that role for a few years, he eventually advanced to become Deputy Secretary of the commune, but that's a story for another time.

(End of this chapter)