Chapter 52 He Who Shouts Loudest is Right

By the Suzhou River.

A jobless youth named Zhang Shiyu inexplicably spent 5 cents to buy today's Wenhui Bao.

However, before he could read for long, he was captivated by a headline that read, "A Jobless Youth Decided to Die."

......

"Though there is no path ahead, I will still bravely walk forward... Even if the world is unfair to me, my heart still yearns for the warm sun, striving toward life in the face of death..."

Upon seeing these words, Zhang Shiyu's deadened heart suddenly started beating again.

Unawares, the corners of his eyes grew damp. They sang the praises of the educated youth sent to the countryside, the praises of the working class, and the praises of farmers.

Yet no one was willing to speak up for the jobless youths. Did we willingly choose to become jobless youth? We were forced into it.

Not everyone is capable of studying well and passing exams for a college degree, nor are all parents willing to retire early just to leave their jobs for their children.

What could we possibly have done wrong?

Why do we deserve to be looked down upon?

Now, someone has finally stood up to speak for them.

"Damn it all to hell."

Zhang Shiyu pulled half a steamed bun, frozen hard as a rock, out of his pocket and took a fierce bite.

He began to seriously contemplate his life, feeling that he could no longer muddle through like this.

......

In a Shikumen alleyway.

A youth who was still hesitating over whether to become an individual proprietor was also reading the newspaper.

He read the passage:

"Failing to secure an iron rice bowl is not our end; life should hold more choices, so I choose to become a cartoonist."

Life should hold more choices!

The youth muttered, repeating these words.

Ever since he was a child, his family had instilled a single ideology into him: the worker-peasant class is the greatest.

Born in the city, the fact that he failed to ride a bicycle and become a glamorous worker felt as though he had committed a crime.

Yet after finishing this article, the youth mustered his courage and bravely said to his family, "I don't want to stay at home anymore. I want to open a private noodle shop at the entrance of our alley."

......

Panjiawan.

Hearing everyone discussing Zheng Fei from Tanyawan, and how he made the headlines again, Gao Xiaoshuai hurriedly bought a copy of Wenhui Bao.

Since he was not very literate, he could not understand the entire newspaper and quickly took it back to show his master.

"Master, Zheng Fei seems to have made the newspaper."

Zhao Dagang, whose complexion had improved quite a bit recently, looked at the newspaper, his expression turning even more desolate as he let out a heavy sigh.

"Xiaoshuai, why don't you go make amends with Zheng Fei and just follow him from now on?"

Gao Xiaoshuai shook his head. "No, being with that kind of person is too miserable. You can't beat him at anything. It's better to stay with Master."

Zhao Dagang was stunned, feeling a lingering sense of being offended, but reflecting on his apprentice, he realized the boy had never been one to say pleasant things.

......

In a study room located in a certain alleyway, a lianhuanhua (comic book) artist surnamed Jiang trembled as he held the newspaper, his face turning pitch black with anger.

Although not a single word explicitly mentioned him throughout the entire piece, every single line seemed inextricably linked to him, especially the concluding sentence.

"Though my road of striving toward life in the face of death has been blocked once more, I am still full of fighting spirit, because I know this path is the right one, otherwise no one would feel jealousy and resentment."

It was practically screaming his name.

Originally, after he published that critical article, the leaders had already decided to cancel the reprint of the comic strip *Fung Wan*.

However, with the publication of this article—

Jiang Weishan felt that things might be heading in a direction he wished not to see.

Throughout this article, Zheng Fei positioned himself within the demographic of jobless youths, casting himself as a cartoonist who had endured countless hardships and achieved success solely through relentless effort.

Among the ranks of jobless youths, Zheng Fei could be considered one in a million, yet precisely because of such a rare talent, someone had gone out of their way to block his path.

How could one not be furious?

In that era, people suffered far too many hardships, and countless negative emotions had nowhere to vent.

Jiang Weishan's actions were no different from those wearing armbands during that turbulent decade.

People harbored an even deeper hatred for such individuals. That very afternoon, numerous jobless youths spontaneously headed to the Vanguard Publishing House to stand up for Zheng Fei. After all, idle hands are the devil's workshop, and if there was one thing they had plenty of, it was time.

The Vanguard Publishing House was surrounded so tightly not even a drop of water could leak through. Upon seeing this array of people, the elderly gatekeeper downstairs was frightened into hiding inside his office.

Mo Changshan, who happened to be on duty today, hurriedly came out to explain, "Comrades, listen to me, our publishing house is also a victim.

......

If you really want to seek justice for Teacher Zheng Fei, I suggest you go to the Shanghai Fine Arts Publishing House. The article attacking Teacher Zheng Fei was written by their deputy editor-in-chief surnamed Jiang."

Upon hearing Mo Changshan's words, the crowd marched in a mighty procession toward the Shanghai Fine Arts Publishing House, blocking its entrance completely.

"Let the one surnamed Jiang come out!"

"We want to reason with him. Why harbor such malicious intent toward Teacher Zheng Fei, and why look down on us jobless youths like this?"

"Do they think our lives aren't miserable enough?"

"Today, we demand an explanation."

......

Facing hundreds of jobless youths, the employees of the Shanghai Fine Arts Publishing House were too terrified to do anything other than take detours.

Upon learning the specifics of the situation, they could not help but curse Deputy Editor-in-Chief Jiang, unanimously agreeing that he was far too petty.

Yet there were also those who gladly enjoyed the spectacle; since the fire wouldn't burn them, they wished the commotion would grow even larger.

Holding the newspaper, Zheng Fei was quite satisfied. He planned to visit the Vanguard Publishing House to sound out Chief Editor Mo.

He wanted to consult him on how the leadership viewed this matter and what instructions they might have.

Unexpectedly, as he passed by the Shanghai Fine Arts Publishing House, he discovered a multitude of protesting youths and casually asked someone about it.

That was how Zheng Fei learned that these people were all jobless youths who had come exclusively to vent their anger on his behalf.

Seeing these people, Zheng Fei couldn't help but feel a little moved. He had to admit that the people of this era still possessed genuine backbone.

......

Inside the publishing house.

Looking at the group of jobless youths outside the gates chanting slogans and demanding to settle accounts with Jiang Weishan, Chief Editor Chen could not help but sigh.

He felt as though his grey hairs had multiplied significantly in the days following the Lunar New Year. Seeing that these people had no intention of dispersing, he had no choice but to send someone to notify Deputy Editor-in-Chief Jiang.

He told him not to come to the Shanghai Fine Arts Publishing House today, otherwise, there was a genuine possibility he might get beaten up; after all, the hostility among jobless youths was relatively volatile.

Even the organization found this demographic quite a headache, primarily fearing they would stir up trouble.

In just two days, the tide had completely turned. Shortly after the jobless youths gathered in protest, he received a phone call from the leadership.

They instructed him to properly "convene a meeting to study the matter" and handle the situation appropriately, making sure not to disappoint the jobless youth demographic or let them cause further disturbances.

Chen Lida felt a strong urge to curse.

At first, you were the one who told me to handle things conservatively. Now that Zheng Fei, this "jobless youth," has fought back, you want me to hold a meeting and study it properly.

So whoever shouts the loudest is right, is that it?

Chen Lida thought about it and realized, uncomfortably, that it really seemed to be the case. At the same time, he grew increasingly appreciative of this young man Zheng Fei.

Decisive in his actions and swift as thunder, most importantly, delivering a fatal single blow that left Jiang Weishan utterly unable to retaliate.

That slap to the face must have hurt quite a bit!

Glancing at the grinning Mo Changshan beside him, Chen Lida let out a cold snort. "I heard this mob went to your publishing house first?"

Mo Changshan grinned broadly, playing dumb without answering.

Chen Lida continued, "You should take a good leaf out of Zheng Fei's book—fast, accurate, and ruthless. No wonder an editor-in-chief like you can only let yourself be led around by the nose."

Mo Changshan maintained his silly smile.

Chen Lida sighed, yet upon reflecting that Zheng Fei was such an outstanding young man, and that Suisui happened to be his comic assistant—

Living and working together day in and day out... there was truly a chance he might snatch her away. Suddenly, Chen Lida stated, "I'm going to transfer two apprentices from the publishing house over to you. Groom them well and let them be Zheng Fei's assistants."

Upon hearing this, Mo Changshan smiled genially and said, "Chief Editor Chen, does that mean *Fung Wan* can continue publication?"

Chen Lida glared at Mo Changshan, who loved to play dumb, let out a huff, and said:

"I'll give you a task. Go notify the heads of the relevant departments later. Meeting tomorrow morning at eight sharp, and tell them municipal leaders and leaders from the Xinhua Bookstore will be attending as well."

"Understood, leader."