RBCT Chapter 104 Handwriting as Evidence, Conspiracy Exposed
Chapter 104 Handwriting as Evidence, Conspiracy Exposed
When the security guards took Xu Damao away, the entire forging workshop erupted in chaos. Workers who had been diligently polishing parts at their stations stopped what they were doing, craning their necks to look down the corridor. Whispers spread like boiling water. Liu Haizhong squatted by the anvil in the corner of the workshop, taking a deep drag on his pipe, the pipe clinking crisply against the cold iron surface. His brows furrowed deeply—he never imagined that Yi Zhonghai would actually dare to instigate Xu Damao to forge letters, nor that Lin Chen had been prepared, exposing Xu Damao on the spot.
"Master Liu, you said that Uncle Yi usually seems quite upright, how could he do such a despicable thing?" the young apprentice next to him asked in a low voice, the file in his hand still covered with iron filings. When he first joined the factory, Yi Zhonghai had given him some guidance as a senior technician, and in his mind, he had always been a highly respected figure.
Liu Haizhong exhaled a smoke ring, glancing with a complicated expression at Lin Chen, who was organizing blueprints not far away. "Upright? That's because you haven't hit his weak spot yet. All he wants in his life is to find a reliable person to take care of him in his old age, and Lin Chen is too outstanding, blocking his way." Just as he finished speaking, he saw Zhou Jianguo, the workshop director, walking towards them with Wang, the head of the factory's security department. Both of them had faces so dark they could drip water. He quickly stubbed out his cigarette and lowered his head, pretending to continue polishing the parts.
"Lin Chen, come to my office." Zhou Jianguo's voice carried a barely perceptible weariness. Yesterday he was still happy that Lin Chen had secured the military order, but today this kind of thing happened. If it's not handled properly, not only will the workshop be affected, but he himself might also lose his position as director.
Lin Chen put down the calipers he was using, carefully placed the military parts sample he had just tested into his canvas bag, and followed the two men to the office. Passing Liu Guangtian's workstation, he gave him a meaningful look, signaling him not to worry. Liu Guangtian gripped the forging hammer tightly, his knuckles white—when Xu Damao was arrested, he clearly heard the other man call out Yi Zhonghai's name. He was terrified that this would implicate Lin Chen, and even more afraid that the hope he had just glimpsed would be shattered again.
Entering the office, Section Chief Wang slammed the forged letter onto the table, the words "Resale Agreement" on the envelope particularly glaring. "Comrade Lin Chen, how do you explain this letter? Xu Damao says it's proof of your transaction with Old Wang at the scrap yard, and that Yi Zhonghai can testify." Section Chief Wang's voice was stern. He held the half-grain coupon Xu Damao had handed over, along with the cassette tape, and had already formed a preliminary judgment in his mind, but procedurally, the parties involved had to confront each other face to face.
Lin Chen didn't rush to defend himself. Instead, he took out a palm-sized metal box from his canvas bag. Inside, three things were neatly arranged: a magnifying glass with worn edges, a stack of transparent tracing paper, and a neatly bound notebook. "Section Chief Wang, Director Zhou, it only takes three steps to determine whether I wrote this letter or not." His voice was calm and confident, showing no sign of panic at being falsely accused.
Zhou Jianguo leaned over to take a look and recognized the notebook as the one Lin Chen used to record technical parameters; the cover even had the steel mill's logo printed on it. "Lin Chen, just show us what evidence you have, don't beat around the bush." What he was most concerned about now was whether he could clear Lin Chen of suspicion as soon as possible, since the trial production of the military order couldn't be delayed.
Lin Chen first picked up the forged letter and pointed to the two characters "Lin Chen" at the bottom of the signature with a magnifying glass: "Section Chief Wang, look, the strokes of this signature are obviously sluggish and weak, and the left-falling stroke of the character 'Chen' is tilted to the right. But I have been holding a forging hammer and file for many years, and my finger strength is much greater than that of ordinary people. The strokes of the characters I write are strong and vigorous, and the left-falling stroke of the character 'Chen' has always been tilted to the left. This is a habit formed over many years, and it is impossible to imitate." As he spoke, he opened his notebook and pointed to the signature on it for the two of them to see. In comparison, the flaws of the forged signature were obvious at a glance.
Section Chief Wang took the magnifying glass and examined it carefully. He indeed found the difference between the two, but he was still somewhat suspicious: "Could it be that you deliberately changed your handwriting? After all, this kind of thing has happened before."
"That's where the second thing comes in." Lin Chen picked up a piece of transparent tracing paper, covered it over the signature on the forged letter, and lightly traced its outline with a pencil. Then he covered it over the signature in the notebook and traced it again. "Look at these two outlines. Apart from the similar shapes of the characters, the weight and spacing of the strokes are completely different. I also have the workshop material requisition forms and technical reports from the past six months here, all of which have my signature. You can compare them at will." He had anticipated such questions and had prepared all the documents with his signature in advance.
Zhou Jianguo quickly rummaged through the filing cabinet and found recent material requisition forms. Section Chief Wang placed the outline of the tracing paper on top for comparison and indeed found that the forged signature differed greatly in detail from Lin Chen's usual signature. "Then what about the 'forging worker' written as 'fitter' on the letter? Xu Damao said he copied it from your previous documents." Section Chief Wang changed the subject and raised another point of suspicion.
Lin Chen smiled upon hearing this and took out his work ID from his canvas bag: "Section Chief Wang, you see, my job has always been a forger, and it hasn't changed since the day I joined the factory. Xu Damao used to be a projectionist and rarely came to the workshop. He probably doesn't even know my job title, which is why he made such a basic mistake. Moreover, the precision forging group I'm in charge of has a strict registration process for all waste disposal, and it's absolutely impossible for it to be resold privately."
As soon as he finished speaking, the office door was pushed open, and Old Wang from the scrap yard walked in carrying a bulging cloth bag, his face full of anxiety: "Section Chief Wang, Director Zhou, I heard that someone is framing Master Lin for reselling scrap with me, so I came here to testify!" Old Wang was an honest man. Yesterday, Lin Chen told him that someone might cause trouble and that he must come to the factory today. He didn't expect that it would actually come in handy.
Old Wang opened the cloth bag, inside which was a thick stack of receipts and registers: "Look, this is the register for every time I went to the workshop to collect scrap. It has the signatures of Director Zhou and Master Lin, as well as the stamp of the factory's logistics department. We only collect substandard scrap iron slag, and the price per kilogram is in accordance with the national regulations. We haven't paid a penny more. How could we possibly trade fifty kilograms of precision scrap privately?" He turned to one of the pages, pointed to the record, and said, "Just yesterday, I collected twenty kilograms of scrap iron slag. It's all written clearly in the register."
Section Chief Wang took the register and carefully checked it. He found that the records were indeed complete and standardized, with multiple signatures confirming each transaction, making it impossible for any private resale to occur. He put down the register, his expression softening considerably: "Comrade Lin Chen, it seems we misunderstood you. However, Xu Damao said that Yi Zhonghai instigated this, and even produced half a grain coupon as evidence. What are your thoughts on this matter?"
Lin Chen pondered for a moment and said, "Section Chief Wang, I think it's best to have Master Yi come over and confront him. After all, words alone are not enough. Besides, I have a recording here that might clarify things." He took out the voice recorder he had made yesterday and pressed play. The recording first showed Yi Zhonghai instructing Xu Damao to forge letters, followed by Xu Damao's complaints about being arrested, and finally Yi Zhonghai's promise to intercede on his behalf.
After the recording finished playing, the office fell silent. Zhou Jianguo's face was extremely grim. He couldn't believe that his trusted senior colleague would instigate someone to frame a colleague. Section Chief Wang frowned and immediately decided, "Director Zhou, go and call Yi Zhonghai over. We'll confront him here."
When Yi Zhonghai received the notification, he was in the fitter's workshop instructing his apprentice on grinding parts. He was already panicking; ever since the news of Xu Damao's arrest came, he had been restless, almost grinding his fingers with the file. Hearing Zhou Jianguo call him to the office, he knew what was coming. He forced himself to remain calm, put down his tools, and followed Zhou Jianguo to the office.
Entering the office, Yi Zhonghai saw that Lao Wang and Lin Chen were both there. His eyes flickered for a moment, but he still put on the airs of a senior: "Section Chief Wang, Director Zhou, what can I do for you? I have some apprentices waiting for my guidance."
"Yi Zhonghai, what are you pretending for!" Section Chief Wang slammed the half-grain coupon on the table. "Xu Damao said this was a deposit you gave him, and that he forged a letter to frame Lin Chen. There's even a recording as evidence. You dare say you didn't do it?"
Yi Zhonghai's face turned deathly pale instantly. He hadn't expected Xu Damao to implicate him and even leave behind a recording as evidence. But being a level eight fitter who had spent decades in the factory, he quickly regained his composure: "Section Chief Wang, this is Xu Damao framing me! He was arrested for forging letters himself, and he's trying to drag me down with him. I've never seen these grain coupons!"
"Never seen it before?" Lin Chen suddenly spoke, his sharp gaze fixed on Yi Zhonghai. "Master Yi, didn't you buy a box of ink paste at the secondhand market last month? You know, the red cinnabar ink paste, with the words 'Huizhou Specialty' printed on the packaging. Xu Damao said the ink paste he used to forge letters was the one you gave him." When Lin Chen scanned Xu Damao's letters with the system yesterday, he discovered that the ink paste contained a unique cinnabar component. This kind of ink paste was rare at the time, and could only be occasionally bought at the secondhand market. And he just happened to see Yi Zhonghai go to the Gaoqiao Secondhand Market last month.
Yi Zhonghai's body stiffened visibly; he hadn't expected Lin Chen to know even such a detail. He had indeed bought inkpads at the flea market last month, intending to stamp the family account books. Later, Xu Damao asked him for some, so he gave him a small piece, never expecting it to become evidence. "I...I did buy inkpads, but it was for family use, it has nothing to do with Xu Damao!" he stammered, his voice already trembling.
Just then, the office door was pushed open again, and Sha Zhu walked in carrying a lunchbox, his face full of anger: "Uncle Yi, you're really something! In order for me to take care of you in your old age, you actually went and framed Lin Chen! If He Yushui hadn't told me, I would still be in the dark!" Sha Zhu learned about Yi Zhonghai's retirement plan from He Yushui yesterday, and also heard about Xu Damao's forged letters. He was so angry that he couldn't sleep well all night, and today he specially took leave to come to the factory to testify.
"Shazhu, don't talk nonsense!" Yi Zhonghai was anxious. Shazhu was the "retirement candidate" he valued most. If Shazhu misunderstood him, his retirement plan would be completely ruined.
"I'm talking nonsense?" Sha Zhu put the lunchbox on the table. "Didn't you tell me last month that Lin Chen stole my thunder and that I should have less contact with him in the future? Also, didn't you tell Qin Huairu to complain about being poor to me and ask for my food stamps? Aren't you doing all this just to make me owe you a favor so that you can take care of me in my old age?" Sha Zhu became more and more agitated as he spoke, revealing all of Yi Zhonghai's usual scheming.
Zhou Jianguo and Section Chief Wang were both stunned; they hadn't expected there to be so many hidden details behind this incident. Section Chief Wang looked at Yi Zhonghai and said sternly, "Yi Zhonghai, now that we have both witnesses and physical evidence, what else do you have to say? As an eighth-grade fitter, a senior technician, you actually instigated others to frame a colleague for personal gain. This behavior is outrageous!"
Yi Zhonghai knew he could no longer deny it. His legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to the ground. He had worked hard all his life, finally achieving the rank of eighth-grade fitter and earning the title of factory-level model worker. He had hoped to find a reliable person to support him in his old age and live out his days in peace, but he never expected that a moment of folly would lead him to this. "I...I was wrong..." his voice trembled with tears. "I was just afraid of being alone in my old age, so I made a mistake in a moment of folly. Please, organization, give me another chance..."
Seeing Yi Zhonghai's disheveled appearance, Section Chief Wang felt a pang of pity, but rules are rules: "Yi Zhonghai, your problem is serious. We will report it to the factory management for handling. Until the results are in, you will be suspended from your duties for reflection, and your eighth-grade fitter allowance will also be suspended." After saying that, he turned to Lin Chen, his tone softening considerably, "Comrade Lin Chen, I'm sorry you've been wronged. We will give you a fair explanation for this matter. The trial production of the military order cannot be delayed. You will lead the precision group to officially begin trial production tomorrow."
Lin Chen nodded: "Thank you, Section Chief Wang. I will definitely complete the task on time." He knew that although this matter had come to a temporary end, Yi Zhonghai would definitely not let it go, and he would need to be more careful in the days to come.
As Lin Chen stepped out of the office and reached the workshop entrance, he was surrounded by a group of workers. "Master Lin, are you alright? What did the factory say?" "It must be Yi Zhonghai's doing. People like him should be dealt with properly!" "Master Lin, don't worry, we all believe in you!" The workers chattered, their eyes full of concern and trust.
Lin Chen felt a warmth in his heart and said with a smile, "Thank you all for your concern. The factory has investigated and clarified that it was a misunderstanding. We will begin trial production of the military order tomorrow, and we still need everyone's joint efforts."
"No problem! Don't worry, Master Lin, we'll all listen to you!" the workers replied in unison. The estrangement that had arisen from Yi Zhonghai's instigation disappeared completely at this moment.
Liu Haizhong squeezed in, holding something wrapped in oiled paper: "Master Lin, these are walnuts I had someone buy from the countryside to help you improve your brain function. I was foolish before, always trying to manipulate you. If you ever need anything, just tell me, and I, Liu Haizhong, will never hesitate!" He was now completely convinced by Lin Chen. Not only was his skill superb, but his conduct was also much more upright than Yi Zhonghai's. Working for someone like him gave him peace of mind.
Lin Chen took the walnuts and said with a smile, "Master Liu, you're too kind. The past is the past. Guangtian's skills have improved very quickly recently, and I'll need your continued encouragement in the future."
Standing behind his father, Liu Guangtian was filled with excitement: "Master Lin, I will definitely learn well and never let you down!" He now had great respect for Lin Chen and secretly made up his mind to learn the skills from Lin Chen and make a name for himself in the future.
At lunchtime, Qin Huairu came to the workshop carrying a cloth bag. After finding Lin Chen, she handed the bag over: "Master Lin, these are insoles I made for you and your colleagues in the precision group. It's cold working in winter, so these will keep you warm. I used to listen to Uncle Yi and caused you a lot of trouble, so please don't take it to heart." The insoles in the bag were embroidered with neat stitches, showing that a lot of thought had been put into them.
Lin Chen was taken aback, not expecting Qin Huairu to specially bring insoles. He knew that Qin Huairu had previously schemed against him alongside Yi Zhonghai to support their three children. Now, seeing Yi Zhonghai's downfall and his gain of the factory's trust, she was taking the initiative to befriend him. "Thank you, Sister Jia, you're too kind." He took the cloth bag. "If your sewing stall has any difficulties, such as a shortage of fabric or customers, let me know. I know a few friends in fabric factories who might be able to help."
Qin Huairu was surprised by Lin Chen's generosity, and her eyes reddened. "Thank you, Master Lin. You are such a good person. If there is anything I can do to help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask." After saying that, she turned and hurriedly left the workshop, afraid that if she stayed any longer, her tears would fall.
In the afternoon, the factory's disciplinary actions were announced: Xu Damao forged a letter to frame a colleague, causing a serious impact, and was given a major demerit and transferred from the forging workshop to the logistics department to clean toilets; Yi Zhonghai instigated others to frame a colleague, and was suspended from his position as an eighth-grade fitter and his allowance, suspended from work for three months to reflect on his actions, write a written self-criticism, and publicly apologize at a factory-wide employee meeting; Lin Chen was innocent, and in view of his calmness and professionalism in this incident, the factory decided to give him a commendation and a cash reward of fifty yuan, and put him in full charge of the trial production of the military order.
When the news reached the courtyard, the entire place was in an uproar. Yan Bugui, in the front yard, was furiously calculating on his abacus, muttering, "Yi Zhonghai's really in deep trouble. His eighth-grade fitter's allowance is gone just like that; his retirement plans are completely ruined." His third son, Yan Jiekuang, came over and said, "Dad, Master Lin said if I want to learn newspaper drafting, I can go to the workshop to find him tomorrow." Yan Bugui's eyes lit up, and he quickly said, "Then you must study hard! Following Master Lin will definitely lead to a bright future!"
From Yi Zhonghai's home in the Intermediate People's Court came the sound of dishes shattering. Aunt Yi sat on the doorstep, wiping away tears, muttering, "What were you thinking! Why didn't you just enjoy a good life? You had to resort to those underhanded schemes. Now look what happened! Your reputation is ruined, your allowance is gone, who will take care of us in our old age?" Yi Zhonghai sat inside, his face ashen, not uttering a word, his heart filled with regret and resentment. He knew that after this incident, his reputation at the factory was completely destroyed, and Sha Zhu would certainly not listen to him like before. His dream of a comfortable retirement was likely shattered.
In the Jia family courtyard, Qin Huairu was sewing clothes for the children. Jia Dang, holding a coarse grain bun given to him by Lin Chen, said happily, "Mother, Master Lin is such a good person. Not only did he not blame us, but he also helped us find a source of fabric." Qin Huairu nodded and patted her daughter's head, "From now on, we will never get involved with Uncle Yi and the others again. We will focus on our sewing business and earn our living with our own hands." Jia Geng also lowered his head and said, "Mother, I will never steal again. I want to learn the trade from Master Lin." Qin Huairu looked at her son, a smile of relief appearing in her eyes.
When Lin Chen returned to the courtyard house, it was already evening. As soon as he entered the main courtyard, he saw Sha Zhu squatting at his door, holding a bottle of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) and a bag of pig's head meat. "Lin Chen, I was confused before. I was kept in the dark by Yi Zhonghai and misunderstood you. This bottle of liquor is for you, as an apology." Sha Zhu's face was full of guilt. He used to think Lin Chen was stealing his thunder and hadn't treated Lin Chen well. Now he realized that Lin Chen was the one truly worth befriending.
Lin Chen smiled and took the bottle of wine: "Shazhu, what's past is past, let's not talk about it. Come on, let's go inside and have a drink." He knew that although Shazhu was straightforward, he wasn't a bad person at heart. After this incident, their relationship had completely improved.
After entering the house, the two sat at the kang table, drinking and chatting. Sha Zhu said, "If Yi Zhonghai dares to scheme against you again, I'll be the first to punish him! And as for the Jia family, I won't be foolish enough to help them anymore. If Qin Huairu is really in trouble, I can help, but I can't let her think I'm easy to bully." Lin Chen nodded, "That's right. There should be a bottom line when helping others. You can't let your kindness be taken for granted."
Night fell, and Sha Zhu left, drunk. Lin Chen opened the system panel, looking at the 3500 points and the newly unlocked "Material Optimization" function, a smile appeared on his lips. He knew that although this matter was resolved, the struggle within the courtyard was far from over. Yi Zhonghai would certainly not let it go, and Xu Damao might also seek revenge. But he was no longer the Lin Chen of his past life, bullied by everyone. He had a system, skills, and more and more friends.
Moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating Lin Chen's face and reflecting his resolute gaze. He picked up the blueprints for military components on the table and began to study them carefully. Tomorrow was the first day of trial production for the military order, a crucial step not only for him to establish himself in the factory but also for changing his destiny.