The powerful arguments and solemn rebuttals stirred the hearts of the people present, and there was silence inside and outside the house, and people listened and chewed every word. Xiong Laoqi fidgeted, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Hu Fu stood up abruptly and said with unconvincing arguments: "At the time of this national crisis, how many bloody fathers and brothers, aunts, sisters-in-law, and sisters-in-law sacrificed their lives to resist Japan and save the country. But you, Mr. Xiong, stubbornly refuse even this point of being conducive to the cause of national liberation. According to the calculations of the villagers, even after the rent reduction in the second five-year period, you can at least receive more than 80,000 catties of rent, and you are just a family of eight, and you are still full of warehouses and hoards, eating and drinking endlessly.

Zhu Mingyuan said: "The 20,000 or 30,000 catties of wheat that were lost from the rent reduction were distributed to dozens of tenant households, and each family received very little. Mr. Xiong, ask yourself, who supported your family with blood and sweat? If you want to collect less than 20% of the rent, it hurts more than ripping off the flesh of your heart, and you shout and complain about grievances. But where should those villagers who were once forced by you to ruin their families go to sue? Where to sue? ”

The strong class feelings infected everyone, and Aunt Xiong, Xiong Fangjian, and several old concubines couldn't help but pull up their clothes and wipe the corners of their eyes. In the silence of indignation, there was an intermittent sobbing sound.

Xiong Laoqi's eyes were blood-red, and his lips were white.

Luo Ronghuan continued: "In the current period of the National Liberation War, in order to defeat Japanese imperialism, we should constantly strengthen the anti-Japanese national united front. In this period of national calamity, it is the duty of every upright Chinese to mobilize the whole people and unite to resist the war of resistance. The villagers don't have to worry about food and clothing, so they have the strength to fight devils, and the rent and interest reduction are for this purpose. ”

Chen Guang took it and said, "Mr. Xiong, who protected your family in the last battle and several anti-'sweeps'?" Who protected your wealth? In this period of the sacred national liberation war, you still exploit the villagers like this, is it reasonable for the national conscience? As soon as the decree on rent reduction and interest reduction was promulgated, many enlightened landlords and gentry expressed their support, but you still stubbornly resisted in such a way that you disregarded the overall situation, don't you feel ashamed? ”

Xiong Laoqi still refused to admit his guilt, and stubbornly insisted: "In front of us, the Nationalist Government led by Chairman Jiang is in power, and it is not legal for you to do this!" ”

"In this way, you have admitted that the rent and interest reduction are reasonable, but it is not legal. Isn't it? Luo Ronghuan asked.

Xiong Laoqi didn't say anything.

Zhu Rui said with certainty: "The basis of legislation is common sense, and everything that is reasonable must be legal." Even if it does not conform to the law of the ruling authorities, it is also in accordance with the law of the people. ”

"In any case, you should submit to the jurisdiction of the national government. According to one's own likes and dislikes, this is feudal secession, this is overstepping the bounds. Xiong Laoqi was a little hard again.

"Please don't be too busy making charges." Chen Shiqu said, "The rent reduction and interest reduction are clearly included in the Ten Programs for Resisting Japanese Aggression and Saving the Country, which is justifiable. The decree on rent and interest reduction was promulgated by the government of Ganyu County, the county magistrate Zhu Mingyuan, who was the nephew of Gong Zhu Aizhou, the local administrator appointed by the national government, and the county magistrate democratically elected by the people. ”

"Not bad! How could County Magistrate Zhu's implementation of the decrees of the current legitimate government be feudal and overstepping? It seems that it is not us, not legally. It's not reasonable, it's unreasonable, it's even more illegal, it's you, my big boss, Mr. Xiong Laoqi! Xiao Hua said.

Xiong Laoqi was shocked, raised his head suddenly, and his gaze happened to meet Chen Shiqu's awe-inspiring gaze. Chen Shiqu then asked sternly: "You refused the legitimate demands of the villagers and resisted the current laws and regulations of the Japanese government, not only resisting, but also sabotaging behind your back. Xiong Laoqi, everyone wants you to confess, what is your real intention? ”

Xiong Lao prevaricated: "Doesn't your army advocate democracy?" Don't we have the freedom to express our opinions? ”

Luo Ronghuan said solemnly: "We recognize that you have this freedom, and we can give you more opportunities and time to fully exercise this freedom." Aren't you exercising this right without being deprived of anything? However, if you have something to say face to face, the villagers can't tolerate small actions behind your back, let alone sabotage. ”

"I'm just talking casually, how can it be regarded as any destruction. Political Commissar Luo may be too heavy. Xiong Laoqi smirked in fear.

"What are you talking about? What the hell are you doing behind your back? You've got to give it a good account. Xiong Fangwen asked angrily.

"Fang Wen, how can you be so big and small? How can you be so presumptuous with your elders! Xiong Laoqi asked angrily.

"If you dare to say it, you dare to do it. Where's your boss's energy? Xiong Fangwen didn't budge.

"Fang Wen, don't quarrel with him. He doesn't say it, I'll say it for him. Aunt Xiong said angrily at Xiong Laoqi, "Xiong Laoqi, didn't you say that you don't say secret words to Mingren?" Why don't you dare to take out those secret words? You said that the Eighth Route Army had bad intentions, made a fuss about reducing rents and interest rates, instigated discord between the owners and tenants, and provoked the anger of the heavens and people. He also said that if he offended the big landlords outside Ganyu County, the Eighth Route Army would not want to gain a foothold in Ganyu, and County Magistrate Zhu would have to follow. Have you said any of these things? ”

"This ......"

Aunt Xiong glared at Zhang Xiaoer again and said: "You are not serious, you are desperately beating the side drum on the side, saying that the Eighth Route Army instigates people to do things that have no conscience, and other people's flesh can't grow on yourself." ”

"Xiong Lao Wu is not a good thing either!" Xiong Fangjian shouted, "He said to my mother, ** The Eighth Route Army has a wolf's heart, give everyone a little sweetness first, and when the rent and interest reduction are over, they will force the young people to become soldiers and pull them back to the mountains to fight guerrillas." ”

Xiong Fangjian's mother immediately took it and said: "This was instigated by Xiong Laoqi, and Xiong Laoqi said this to me." He also said that the wool came out of the sheep, and he didn't lose money if he didn't stick silver, and he was happy to do this business. ”

Everyone was enraged, and one after another scolding them poured towards the bear's master and servant's head like a torrential rain: "They also said that they would ask the little devil to send troops to 'sweep' Heilin and Wushan, and drive away the ** Eighth Route Army and the county magistrate Zhu." ”

"Whoever reduces rent and interest will be punished: reduce - 100 catties will be fined 200 catties, and 5 yuan will be fined 10 yuan."

"They also made up a smooth talk: a good dog protects the three families, why kill yourself, it's a human being, not a dog, and it's ......useless to lose it."

Xiong Laoqi was speechless about these solemn and ruthless revelations, and just sat silently with his head down. Zhang Xiaoer and Xiong Lao Wu sat together with a shrunken face, looking at the ground, eager to find a crack in the ground to get into.

Chen Guang said solemnly: "Xiong Laoqi, you raise your head to take a look, prick up your ears and listen, are you stating your personal opinion like this?" ”

Xiong Laoqi didn't have the courage to receive Chen Guang's solemn gaze, and said stupidly: "It is difficult for one person to suppress everyone, and two fists are invincible to four hands." You have pushed me into the dock, what else can I say! ”

Chen Guang's tone softened slightly: "Mr. Xiong Laoqi, quibbles, vomiting, and slaying can't solve the problem, it's better to honestly recognize the general trend." It's not that we pushed you into the dock, it's that you are willing to stand in the dock. We had expectations for you, but you closed the door yourself. In order to help resist Japan and save the country, we adhere to the policy of regimental unity, and as long as you confess your mistakes, promise not to sabotage again, and agree to reduce rents and interest rates, you can no longer pursue what has already passed. ”

When Xiong Laoqi heard that he was asked to confess his guilt in public, he was a little panicked, and hurriedly said: "Master Chen, this matter of rent reduction and interest reduction can be considered by us." ”。

"This rent is reduced!" Chen Guang said categorically, "We can give you time to think about how to confess to the villagers and admit your mistakes." ”

Xiong Laoqi didn't say anything more, slowly stood up, took Zhang Xiaoer and Xiong Laowu, and retreated with heavy steps.

The mass struggle of reasoning has defeated Xiong Laoqi's arrogance. Then, a mass meeting of the whole village was held, at which Xiong Laoqi's master and servant all confessed their sabotage activities and admitted their mistakes in public.

These victories greatly encouraged the masses and brought the movement of rent and interest reduction in Dashu Village into a new stage. In the past few days, tenant households have been busy turning over the new wheat and preparing for the distribution of the field, and the rent and interest reduction committee, which is composed of party, government, and military cadres and tenant farmers' representatives, has also been busy with various specific tasks. The voices of the people were noisy, the singing was bright, and the whole village was filled with joy.