Starting as a Train Driver to Enter the Ministry - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: The Street Punk Hit Someone!

The year was 1952, and a bitter cold wind howled through the streets of Beijing.

The Ninety-Fifth Compound lay buried under a thick blanket of snow.

Director Wang of the Neighborhood Committee, dressed in an olive-green military uniform with a Mauser pistol strapped to her waist, marched briskly toward the compound. Behind her followed several young men in similar military attire and a few elderly women with armbands, their bound feet shuffling quickly to keep up.

“Hurry up! Don’t delay! The execution is about to start!”

Old Beijingers referred to executions as “issuing a red warrant”, a term dating back to the early days of the new republic, when capital punishment was carried out either by beheading or firing squad. There was no lethal injection back then, and blood was always spilled, hence the name.

The sight of Director Wang rushing through the South Luogu Lane drew gasps from onlookers.

“Good heavens! What wind blew her here today?”

“This must be serious! Normally, neighborhood representatives handle small matters. If the Military Control Committee’s Director Wang is involved, it’s definitely not trivial!”

“Could it be related to the bandit execution? I heard the infamous ‘Second Master Wu’ from Crescent Lane and his gang are getting their red warrants today!”

“Come on, let’s go see!”

“Director Wang, this is the Ninety-Fifth Compound.”

Yan Bugui, a resident of the compound, paled at the sight of the armed entourage. “Oh no… something’s happened. Something big!”

Director Wang cut him off. “Quiet! Which courtyard does Chen Shi live in?”

“The east side-courtyard!”

With a wave of her hand, Director Wang led the group toward the east wing.

Yang Ruihua nudged her husband. “What’s going on?”

Yan Bugui smirked. “What else? That good-for-nothing from the east wing must’ve caused trouble again. That kid’s been a troublemaker since he was little, always stirring up chaos. Just wait, they’ll drag him away for sure.”

Yang Ruihua nodded knowingly. “Chen Shi causing trouble? No surprise there. Old Man Chen’s gonna have another fit!”

She sighed. “The Chens and the Jias have been rivals for years. They competed over everything, buying houses, Old Chen won by a hair; getting married, he beat Jia Dongxu again. Even when it came to outliving each other, Old Chen won, Old Jia died early.”

“Everyone thought the Chens would have the last laugh. But who knew Jia Dongxu would not only become a respected factory worker but also take Yi Zhonghai as his master? Sooner or later, he’ll crush Chen Shi under his heel.”

Yan Bugui chuckled. “Now this is gonna be fun to watch.”

In the central courtyard, Jia Dongxu and his mother, Jia Zhangshi, overheard the commotion. The moment they heard the Military Control Committee was after Chen Shi, they nearly jumped out of their skin. Slipping on their worn-out cotton shoes, they rushed to the east wing to gawk.

Meanwhile, in the east side-courtyard, Old Man Chen and his wife, Tian Xiulan, lay sick in bed. Their daughter, Chen Maihua, stood on tiptoe, licking icicles from the eaves to stave off hunger.

A sharp voice cut through the cold: “Anyone home? Is Chen Shi here?”

Startled, Chen Maihua stumbled back and fell. “M-Mom! Dad! Someone’s looking for Brother!”

Old Man Chen struggled to sit up. “Director Wang… you’re looking for Chen Shi? The boy’s still asleep.”

“Wake him up. Our investigation shows your son had dealings with the bandit leader, Second Master Wu. Per orders, he must attend the execution for re-education. Bring him out, now.”

“The bandit leader?!”

“Isn’t he the one getting executed today? The notice’s already up at Shunzhi Gate!”

“Oh damn… Chen Shi’s really done it this time! Getting mixed up with a bandit chief?”

“You think he’s part of the gang? Are they taking him to be executed too?”

“If that’s true, the Jias will be gloating for years! The Chens and Jias have been at each other’s throats forever. After Old Jia died, the Chens never missed a chance to rub it in. Old Chen even boasted that Old Jia could never outdo him, not in ten lifetimes!”

“That’s ancient history. Sure, Old Chen outlived Old Jia, but compare Chen Shi and Jia Dongxu now, what’s there to compare? Jia Dongxu’s a proper worker, with a master who’s a senior fitter. He’s set for life at the steel mill! And he’s filial, never makes trouble.”

“But Chen Shi? No job, sick parents, a little sister to feed, and he’s a damn street punk, climbing roofs, picking fights. How’s he supposed to compete? Once Old Chen kicks the bucket, the Jias will laugh all the way to his grave!”

Jia Dongxu puffed out his chest at the whispers. “Director Wang, I’ll go wake Chen Shi!”

The east side-courtyard was the largest in the compound, originally the study of the former owner. Unlike the traditional siheyuan layout, it had a more modern design, with wooden floors in the main rooms.

Three rooms made up the wing: two outer chambers and a hidden inner one, with unusually deep dimensions. Though smaller in layout, the west wing had lush greenery, four trees (a date, pear, apricot, and crabapple) lined the inner yard, and a trumpet vine curled over the north wall.

Best of all, a sturdy wall separated the east wing from the outer courtyard.

Old Man Chen had bought it before liberation. Jia Dongxu had coveted that courtyard for years. Now, with the Chens in trouble, he couldn’t wait to kick them while they were down, maybe even take the place for himself.

Barging into the east room, Jia Dongxu kicked the door open. “Chen Shi! Get up! The Military Control Committee’s here for you!”

BAM!

Still half-asleep, Chen Shi swung a fist, sending Jia Dongxu flying. Blood gushed from his nose.

“HELP! The street punk’s attacking! Director Wang, you saw that! He’s just as vicious as Second Master Wu!”

Director Wang frowned. “Chen Shi. By order of the authorities, you’re coming with us.”