Chapter 41 Collapse
Old man Chang suddenly stood up, clasped his fists towards Director Zhang, and explained in a deep voice: "Comrade police officer, I am the head of the household, Chang Xusheng."

"This Chaoyang, no, Comrade Wang Deming is my daughter-in-law's foster brother."

"He is studying at our house."

"I'm just a step-relative to my wife!"

Director Zhang raised his eyebrows, snorted, and said with a curled mouth: "Oh, do you have many godparents in this feudal family?"

"And good and bad?"

"What's wrong?"

"Are you still protecting your corrupt little circle?"

"Don't dare!"

"Although I come from a feudal and decadent family, I hate my origins."

"You can't change your origin, but you can change your thoughts. Especially after the government organized a study of the 'Three Old Articles', people have become more aware."

"So last year I actively responded to the government's call and sold a house, and donated all the proceeds to the Korean battlefield to show my gratitude!"

"Oh?" Director Zhang was a little surprised, and frowned slightly and said, "Since you have this awareness, why are you still?"

"Alas, my family is unlucky. I have been spoiled since I was young. I am no longer able to do anything about it!"

"I hope the government can teach them how to reform themselves and start a new life as human beings this time!"

Director Zhang nodded in approval and said, "Okay, it's good that the old comrade has this awareness!"

"But," Director Zhang pointed at the dishes on the table and said, "We still need to improve our awareness!"

"We must actively transform ourselves and work hard to adapt to the new society!"

"We must oppose extravagance and waste, and be frugal!"

Xia Xiwu also stood up and apologized, "Comrade police officer, I am Xia Xiwu, the bone-setting doctor of the Chinese Medicine Association. Today is the day I accept young comrade Wang Deming as my apprentice."

“So I followed the old etiquette and performed the apprenticeship ceremony.”

"This is my fault. Comrade Wang Deming and Comrade Chang Xusheng cannot be blamed!"

"It's because I wasn't aware enough that I brought discredit upon the government!"

Wang Deming quickly stepped forward and said with shame on his face: "Director Zhang, I am still not aware enough!"

"We failed to explain and convey the government's call and spirit to the teachers in a timely manner!"

"We only consider the small aspect of respecting teachers and respecting morality, but ignore the opposition to waste and the need for thrift and diligence!"

"Okay," Director Zhang's expression eased, and he said calmly, "I'm not here to promote the policy to you today, but you just need to pay attention next time."

"Director!"

"There's a discovery!"

A policeman who was searching the north room came in quickly with a piece of opium wrapped in oil paper in his hand. "It's under a small bed in the north west room."

"Director, we have also made a discovery!"

The police who went to search the No. 82 courtyard also held up a piece of opium. "It's in the north room of the east wing of the next courtyard, right in the kang hole!"

Director Zhang's face regained its stern look. He looked at Chang Youguang with disgust, as if he was looking at a maggot. "Take Chang Youguang, Ma Xiulian, and Chang Yourong away!"

The two policemen immediately pulled Chang Youguang out of the chair and escorted him out the door.

Other police officers had already brought Grandma Ma Xiuqin and Sister Chang Yourong from Yard 82 to Yard 81.

Yan Baozhen, the elder sister who came along, saw her husband being escorted out of the room by the police and he was unsteady on his feet, so he had to be supported by his godmother Wang Shuqin and Wang Kui on both sides.

Nephew Chang Renchun and niece Chang Yichun looked pale, not knowing what had happened. They snuggled up to Yan Baozhen and hugged her thighs.
Before leaving, Director Zhang turned around and looked at the people at the dinner table, "New China, new society, new consciousness!"

"I hope you will completely break away from the feudal ways of the past!"

“Be a Chinese of the new era.”

Director Zhang stood in the middle of the courtyard of No. 81. The two sides were clearly divided. On one side were the police escorting Chang Youguang and his mother and son, and on the other side were Old Man Chang and Yan Baozhen and others. As for the masters and apprentices of Shaguoju, they had already left early.
Director Zhang announced loudly: "A total of 6 taels of opium have been seized and confiscated according to law!"

"We seized 3 sets of opium smoking paraphernalia and confiscated them according to law!"

"It was found that Ma Xiuqin, Chang Yourong and Chang Youguang continued to illegally smoke opium. They were arrested and detained in the detention center according to law."

"One week later, the People's Court will publicly sentence Chang Youguang and others in accordance with the law!"

“Family members can be present at that time!”

"Close the team!"

Chief Zhang took the lead, led by a large group of police officers, and escorted Chang Youguang and his mother and son out of the courtyard of No. 81 Gulou East Street.

The yard was silent.

A gust of wind blew, blowing the leaves off the pomegranate tree, which fell all over the yard, giving off a somewhat mournful feeling. "Wow!"

Only then did Chang Renchun and Chang Yichun dare to cry out: "Dada (Manchus' name for grandfather), Taitai (name for grandmother), and Ama, why were they all taken away by the police?"

Old Man Chang squatted down, stretched out his hands, wiped the tears from the faces of his two grandsons, and forced a smile on his face: "My wife and dad broke the government's law!"

“So the police took them away to educate them.”

"Once they have corrected themselves, we will let them go back!"

"Dada, didn't you work as a lawyer before? Didn't you handle lawsuits for people?"

"Can you ask the police to let my wife and father come back as soon as possible?"

Chang Renchun was a little older and had heard a few words from the adults chatting before. He knew that his grandfather used to be a lawyer.

Old Man Chang pulled the corner of his mouth and showed a bitter smile. He stood up and touched his grandson's head, taking the opportunity to educate his grandson, "Renchun, grandpa's lawyer's license was bought before the liberation, and it is useless now."

“Now is the new China, the new government, and the new society.”

"You need to study hard and pass the exam to get a lawyer's license."

Chang Renchun sobbed and raised his head: "Dada, I will study hard and do well in the exams in the future."

"I will never let my wife and father break the law again."

"Yeah, good boy, haha!"

After comforting his grandson, Old Man Chang clasped his fists towards Xia Xiwu with a look of shame on his face and said, "It is unfortunate for our family that such a thing has happened!"

"I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, Doctor Xia!"

"I'm sorry for not entertaining you well today. I won't keep you here any longer."

"Some other day, some other day I'll go to the opera with you!"

Xia Xiwu sighed, clasped his fists and said in return: "Second Master Chang, you are too polite!"

"We are just friends, but we have a deep relationship. However, since we have a relationship with Deming, I will give you some advice."

"How many families among us Bannermen have ruined their fortunes by smoking opium?"

"The new government is now forcing people to quit smoking, which is good for both their own health and their families!"

"We are all old, so please relax."

"As long as they quit smoking, the government will let them go."

"Doctor Xia, we two old men really hit it off right away. Thank you for your concern!"

"Well, we have been through a lot. All the storms and waves have passed."

"It's a good day now."

"Besides, I still have such wonderful grandchildren."

"I have to take good care of myself!"

"Yaxuan (Mr. Rong Si), please help me see Doctor Xia off."

After Fourth Master Rong sent Xia Xiwu and Wu Dinghuan away, Old Man Chang turned to Wang Shuqin again and said ashamedly, "Mother-in-law, I, Chang Xusheng, have no way of managing my household and educating my children. I am sorry to have embarrassed you!"

Wang Shuqin consoled him, "Father-in-law, Youguang has a good character, and we all know that. It's not his fault that he smokes opium. Didn't many people smoke opium in the past few years?"

"What Doctor Xia said just now makes sense. The government is helping Youguang quit smoking opium. It's good for Youguang and it's good for us too."

"When Youguang quits smoking opium and comes back, he can find a job in the city. Wouldn't that mean he can start a business?"

"Lend your auspicious words!"

"I've wronged Baozhen!"

"What are you talking about, father-in-law? It is a blessing for Baozhen to marry into your family."

"Okay, you help Baozhen and take the child back to the house to rest. I think Baozhen doesn't look well."

Old Man Chang turned around and went back to Courtyard 82, looking lonely, singing an opera as he walked: "I was standing on the tower looking at the mountain scenery, when I suddenly heard a commotion outside the city."

Wang Shuqin looked at Old Man Chang's back, sighed inaudibly, and then said, "Stepmother, I'll help Baozhen back to the house to rest. You can take care of the two children and sleep for a while."

"Well, it's hard for the two children. They have been crying for such a long time!"

"what!"

"Baozhen!"

"Baozhen!"

"Deming, come here quickly!"

(End of this chapter)