"Who exactly did this?!"
Zhao Mengsheng could not contain his temper any longer, his fury erupting. Although he was well past fifty with graying temples, that thunderous roar still carried the weight of a tiger’s cry, sending a jolt through everyone present.
Liu Qiang, Zhong Mao, and the others desperately tried to hide behind the crowd, shrinking back as far as they could. Sun Da naturally wanted to hide too, but those two had his clothes gripped in a death lock, leaving him nowhere to go.
Seeing that no one answered, Zhao Mengsheng scanned his surroundings, his eyes bloodshot. He had intended to find someone in charge to answer for this, but in the process, he spotted that familiar yet tragic plaque. Standing amidst the ruins, Zhao Mengsheng slowly crouched down, staring at the First-Class Merit plaque that had been trampled into shards at his feet.
Memories rushed back like a violent tide. The glory that the Company Commander had fought for him in a hail of bullets was now being humiliated and trampled underfoot by this bunch of trash! If not for Liang Sanxi, there would be no Zhao Mengsheng. He had once sworn to help Liang Sanxi take care of his family. But now...
Zhao Mengsheng looked at Grandma Liang, who had wept until she fainted, at Mother Liang with her bloodshot eyes, and at young Liang Song, who was forced to shoulder the burdens of the household while suffering from illness. He clenched his fists, guilt gnawing at his heart like a swarm of ants. He had promised to look after Liang Sanxi's family. But now...!
The wind howled through the broken walls and wreckage, kicking up sand and dust, as if screaming about the suffering they had endured. It felt as if his old friend was demanding to know why he hadn't kept his promise to protect his family.
Zhao Mengsheng straightened his back once more. Looking into the swirling dust, he vowed with iron conviction, "I will protect your family. Every evil force that has bullied them will pay the price for their actions!"
Zhao Mengsheng had never felt such rage; his indignation surged within him like molten magma. Yet, as a man at the very pinnacle of power, he retained the composure of a mountain that would not crumble even if the sky fell. He took a deep breath and looked at Sun Da and the others, who stood pale-faced, desperately trying to dodge a fate from which there was no escape.
"Who exactly did this? Step forward!"
Sun Da had nowhere to hide. He was even shoved forward by Liu Qiang and Zhong Mao. He stumbled, nearly falling flat on his face, and when he looked up, he saw Zhao Mengsheng standing before him like a monolith. Sun Da swallowed hard, his eyes filled with shock. He turned to look at Liu Qiang and Zhong Mao, but those two cowards didn't even dare to lift their heads, shaking like quails.
Knowing he was cornered, Sun Da shrugged his shoulders and stepped forward with a fawning smile. "I am the County Head of De'an County. This scene is truly unsightly. I have tried to advise them time and again, but the specifics of the demolition are handled by the Town Head."
As he spoke, Sun Da hurriedly signaled to Liu Qiang with his eyes, hoping Liu Qiang would take the fall for him in exchange for a promising future. He believed he had treated Liu Qiang well enough that the hint was obvious; surely Liu Qiang would take the blame.
But he had clearly overestimated their bond. Liu Qiang had been submissive in the past only because Sun Da’s background could provide him with greater benefits. One plays the dog only to get a good bone. But seeing Zhao Mengsheng’s aura, Liu Qiang doubted he would even keep his life, let alone get a bone. He abandoned Sun Da without a second thought, stabbing him in the back.
Liu Qiang shook his head like a rattle and pointed directly at Sun Da. "I only did what the County Head ordered! The demolition work was all arranged by him; we were just following instructions!"
To prove his loyalty, he immediately pointed at the thugs. "Those are the goons the County Head keeps to terrorize the villagers. I had to turn a blind eye, strictly out of fear of Sun Da’s power."
Zhang Chong, still reeling from the beating Liang Song had given him, was lying to the side, pale and weak. Hearing Liu Qiang’s words, he cursed, "You bastard, what are you talking about?! The County Head treated you well, gave you the position of Town Head, and now you’re turning around and selling him out at the critical moment?"
Liu Qiang used to be terrified of Zhang Chong, but with soldiers and police behind him now, he finally straightened his spine. "What 'treated well'? I earned the Town Head position through my own ability! I wanted to do real work for the country, but I was manipulated by him. If I didn't follow his will, I’d get a beating! What was I supposed to do?"
Sun Da never expected Liu Qiang to betray him so quickly, playing the part of a victim who had been oppressed for years. He was so furious he began to laugh. "Liu Qiang! Think carefully before you speak!"
Liu Qiang trembled at the threat, and ultimately, he remained silent.
Zhao Mengsheng did not press further, watching them tear each other apart with cold eyes. It was this oppressive silence that forced Sun Da to offer an explanation. "I apologize for the scene. Perhaps there was some miscommunication between us. This is all a misunderstanding. We did not use forced demolition..."
He was cut off by a piercing cry. Grandma Liang, clutching Liang Sanxi’s memorial portrait, stood beside Zhao Mengsheng and pointed at Sun Da’s nose. "What misunderstanding could there possibly be?!"
"Was it not you who forcibly demolished our home?"
"Was it not you who ordered these thugs to squeeze and bully us?"
"In this De'an County, you call yourself the local emperor, covering the sky with one hand, thinking no one can touch you!"
"What else is there to misunderstand?!"
Grandma Liang’s voice was hoarse from her denunciation, and she struggled to catch her breath. Liang Song stepped to her side, supporting her and patting her back. "Grandma, don’t get too excited. Uncle Zhao is here; he will get justice for us."
As Liang Song spoke, he looked at Zhao Mengsheng with trust and respect. He believed his father’s sacrifice would not be in vain. Zhao Mengsheng looked at Liang Song’s familiar features and felt as if he saw the Company Commander smiling at him. For a moment, his expression softened.
Sun Da seized the opportunity to retort, "You’re getting on in years, why bother getting involved in these things? I told you, this is a legitimate demolition. You refused to leave, so we had no choice but to use some forceful measures. Demolition is supported by national policy; we didn't use illegal methods!"
As he spoke, Sun Da grew more confident, even puffing out his chest, as if he truly believed he was in the right.
Zhao Mengsheng watched his self-delusion and gave a cold, hollow laugh.
"Guards, take him! Execute him on the spot!"