Chapter 195: Freedom Restored

The injured Zhang Laowu was swiftly carried back to the village by the villagers. The Short-term Workers Village now had its own doctor, originally an itinerant physician. Yet once he wandered into Gaojia Village, he never left. Only a fool would willingly depart.

This doctor’s skills were remarkable. He diagnosed ailments using traditional Chinese medicine methods. Once he identified the cause, he treated it with the “Divine Medicine” provided by Li Daoxuan. The efficacy was outstandingly good.

Minor illnesses and injuries were routinely cured completely at his hands.

After diagnosis, Zhang Laowu was found to only have flesh wounds. With some applied medicine and rest, he would recover. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

While others focused on Zhang Laowu, Li Daoxuan’s attention was fixed on Zhong Gaoliang.

This labor offender, upon confirming Zhang Laowu was alright, exhaled deeply in relief. He clapped his hands and walked back towards the laborers’ worksite. No one noticed him.

Those who did good deeds were always easily forgotten.

Li Daoxuan’s brows furrowed slightly.

He felt somewhat like waking Gao Yiye to handle this matter…

Just then, a figure approached from the distance. It was Thirty-Two. Upon hearing Zhang Laowu’s injuries weren’t serious, he grabbed a villager from Zhangjia Village: “Who pulled Zhang Laowu out of the ditch?”

The villager replied, “Oh… seemed like a labor offender, a rather sturdy one. But as to exactly who… I didn’t quite see clearly.”

Thirty-Two frowned, “Heavens! How could you not see clearly?”

The villager explained, “Everyone was focused on Zhang Laowu at the time.”

Thirty-Two urged, “Help me ask others. I’ll ask around too. We must find out who it was that did the rescuing.”

A faint smile slowly spread across Li Daoxuan’s lips. Good, very good. So someone remembered to look for the doer of the good deed after all. Excellent. Continuously inviting talents from all walks to the village, wasn’t it precisely so that someone would be there to handle any situation whenever needed?

Gao Yiye could sleep a little longer.

Thirty-Two asked around diligently among the crowd and finally got the name “Zhong Gaoliang”. He vaguely remembered the name himself – it was far too distinctive.

That evening…

As the setting sun painted the sky, all the labor offenders trudged back to the Labor Offenders Village, bodies exhausted. They prepared to put down their tools, wash their faces, cook a meal, and then head to the Gaojia Business Circle to watch the “Shaanbei Diaoqu” opera.

This was their sole comfort after each grueling day of working.

Sadly, they had no income and couldn’t tip the opera troupe – the labor offenders’ greatest regret.

Zhong Gaoliang walked into the village alongside a few fellow workers, carrying hoes and engaging in awkward small talk, intending to head home to cook. Suddenly, they saw Thirty-Two, Clerk Tan, and several helpers enter the Labor Offenders Village together.

The helpers began loudly calling out, “All labor offenders, assemble! Third Manager has an important announcement to make!”

The labor offenders hurriedly gathered around. Zhong Gaoliang blended into the crowd, wearing an expression of someone anticipating an entertaining spectacle.

Once everyone was assembled, Thirty-Two cleared his throat and announced loudly, “I’ve come to the Labor Offenders Village today to speak about a significant event that occurred this afternoon…”

In a flash, Thirty-Two recounted the details of Zhang Laowu’s injury and Zhong Gaoliang’s rescue.

The labor offenders were now dispersed across different work sites. Many hadn’t heard about the day’s events. Listening to Thirty-Two, the crowd pushed Zhong Gaoliang to the front while many laughed and teased him, “Brother Gaoliang! So you did such a good deed today?”

“Brother Gaoliang is impressive! Carrying someone while climbing that steep slope!”

“Quite capable!”

Praised, Zhong Gaoliang chuckled happily. After all, being praised is naturally pleasing to anyone. He thought inwardly: Third Manager chose this moment to talk about it… could it mean extra food tonight? Maybe a piece of meat? That would really be nice.

Just as this thought crossed his mind, he heard Thirty-Two declare loudly, “Zhong Gaoliang disregarded his own safety and heroically rescued another. Saving one life brings greater merit than building a seven-stupa pagoda; it is a profound act of goodness, setting a crucial example. Great goodness can offset great evil. Therefore, guided by His Holiness the Deity’s recent decree, I have decided to award Zhong Gaoliang a reduction of sentence.”

The words struck all the labor offenders speechless.

Zhong Gaoliang was the most stunned. He had thought it was just about extra food for a meal. He never imagined Third Manager was here to announce a sentence reduction. This was truly astonishing.

Zhong Gaoliang asked in a trembling voice, “I… I wonder… how long is the reduction? A month? Two months?”

Thirty-Two responded, “You had half a year left in your sentence. However, Zhang Laowu’s life is immensely precious. It amply offsets your remaining six months. Therefore, I now declare: Zhong Gaoliang is released from sentence immediately, his freedom restored!”

The words hit like five thunderbolts from heaven striking his crown.

Zhong Gaoliang stood frozen for thirteen blinks of an eye. Then, he roared with an explosive, “Wah!” – “I… I… I have my freedom back!”

The surrounding labor offenders cheered together, “Brother Gaoliang! Congratulations on your freedom!”

Zhong Gaoliang’s body shook. “I… when working now… I can earn wages?”

Thirty-Two smiled, “Yes!”

Zhong Gaoliang continued shaking. “My… my farmlands in Zhuangjia Village… I can go back and work them?”

Thirty-Two continued smiling, “Yes! You may tend those lands anytime. The Deity has already invoked the Dragon King to send rain upon Zhuangjia Village. They’ve also dug a big pond for irrigation. The Deity performed magic to fill it full of water.”

Overwhelmed with joy, Zhong Gaoliang suddenly took giant strides, sprinting madly in the direction of Zhuangjia Village. “I need to see my farmland! Hahaha! I can grow sorghum now! Hahaha! It’s only March, there’s still time! Still time to plant sorghum!”

The labor offenders watched the figure of Zhong Gaoliang recede into the distance, their expressions complex: envy, jealousy… but finally settling into aspiration.

Aspiration for the future!

Six more months, and they too could gain freedom like Zhong Gaoliang.

Perhaps less than six months. If they actively strove to be good, did good deeds, perhaps they too could earn a reduction.

Thirty-Two turned to the remaining labor offenders, a smile on his face. “Friends! I need say no more. Your expressions tell me you’ve grasped the point. The Deity is benevolent. Do not disappoint His generous heart.”

The labor offenders bowed deeply in unison towards the sky. Then they clamored excitedly:

“Deity! Please witness my conduct!”

“Deity! This lowly one will strive not to fail your hopes!”

“Never again will I do wrong in this lifetime!”

Li Daoxuan revealed a warm, maternal aunt-type smile…

Excellent! Excellent!

This was the true meaning of rehabilitation. He hadn’t said a word, yet his little people understood this point themselves. Truly immense progress.