Fan Debiao, being an official, commanded some respect, and the old man watching the phone booth also put on airs. However, given that officials tend to protect one another, once they recognized Fan Debiao's status, they became quite courteous.

Fan Debiao sent Da Guoguo up to make the call while he engaged the old man in casual conversation to distract him.

"Say, Fan Debiao, what exactly is this place we're in?" Da Guoguo asked curiously.

"Just tell her you're from the construction team at Pusa Mountain; they'll know what that means," Fan Debiao replied casually, then continued his rambling chat with the old man: "This young brother here, he’s a Red Guard, came here for an inspection, and then managed to lose the route back. Luckily we have a phone booth right here, so he can call the Red Guards over by Chairman Mao's place, and they’ll immediately know the way back. Tell me, under Chairman Mao’s leadership, we truly are becoming more and more high-tech!"

"That’s the truth of it. Back in the day, just to relay a simple message, I hiked all the way from here to Yangjitun deep in the night. I don't know how many mountains I crossed, but I finally succeeded in delivering the message, protecting the safety of our great capital."

"Oh, I didn't realize you were such an old revolutionary! I wonder what kind of message it was that you delivered back then, something so vital to the capital’s security!"

"Back then, our company commander hadn't eaten meat for days, so he sent me to Yangjitun with a verbal message to have them send a few pigs over the next day. Think about it: if our commander couldn't eat meat, how could he command the army? Wouldn't the safety of our great capital then be under threat? It was only me who had the capability to run that far in the dead of night; anyone else would have surely slacked off." The old fellow praised his own glorious deeds while smacking his lips and puffing on the cigarette in his mouth.

"Alright, Fan Debiao, let's go. Chairman Mao taught us to conserve resources. I know what I need to know now, so there's no need to waste money on the phone call. We must answer the Party's call."

"En, fine, let's go. Hurry up." Fan Debiao stood up and bid the old man farewell. The old fellow was quite sentimental, asking Fan Debiao to come back and visit whenever he had the chance in the future.

If this old man knew that Fan Debiao's subordinate, Da Guoguo, was the head of a tomb-robbing syndicate, he would likely be furious enough to die.

"When can your subordinate come to get you? I can't let you stay here indefinitely; if you stay too long, they are bound to find out," Fan Debiao said, referring to the Red Guards when he mentioned 'they.'

"You don't need to worry about that. I know those little brats; even if they see me, I’ll take care of them and won’t leave any informants behind." Da Guoguo was ruthless and capable of anything, which did startle Liu Dashao a bit.

But in those times, whoever was the most ruthless lived the best.

Fan Debiao shared a kindred feeling: "Brother, you are very much like me when I was young. If I ever need your help in the future, you cannot refuse!"

"What are you saying? We’ve been through life and death together; I’m not going to let you wander aimlessly, am I? If you need anything, just give me a call. I’ll be waiting 24 hours for you to join our Pestilence Tomb-Robbing Group; you’d be third in command. By the way, Master Liu, why don't you consider joining us as an advisor?"

Liu Dashao politely declined with a smile: "Forget it, forget it. I'm not the material for that kind of work."

"Master Liu, stop being so modest. Honestly, your performance in the tomb was so profound that even we were a little overwhelmed. My subordinate certainly didn't die for nothing! Heh heh!" Da Guoguo glanced meaningfully at Liu Dashao, as if looking at a master craftsman. "That's not something an ordinary charlatan can accomplish. Compared to this brother, you must surely be hiding something from us. But we don't mind; everyone has a secret! Alright, enough nonsense. Let’s part ways here. I've thought about it—if we cause trouble, it will only bring embarrassment to Brother Fan. Also, I’m heading back to Hong Kong in a week. If you change your minds, feel free to contact me anytime."

Da Guoguo suddenly stopped walking and looked deeply at Fan Debiao and Liu Dashao as he spoke.

"Very well, since you’ve thought everything through so thoroughly, let’s bid farewell for now. If we have the chance in the future, we will certainly need each other!"

"Good, good, you’re straightforward! If there’s a chance later, we must have a good, hearty drink together. Here, take my card. If any of you need anything in the future, just call me." Da Guoguo fished two business cards out of his inner pocket. "Heh heh, learning from others, I spent thousands of silver dollars printing thousands of these things. Showing off a little!"

In those days, having your own business card printed meant you were an absolutely formidable and powerful figure. To be able to present one’s card for others to see was an incredibly glorious thing!

But Liu Dashao was puzzled; why would a tomb robber, engaging in work that shunned the light of day, bother with business cards?

After parting ways, Da Guoguo remained where he was, with some dry rations, planning to shelter in the mountain hollow for four or five days, while Fan Debiao and Liu Dashao returned to the construction site.

"Fan Debiao, where is that outsider named Da Guoguo? Why hasn't he returned?"

"That fellow is from down the mountain; we sent him back. The man is a bit slow in the head, so in exchange for beating up our guys, his wife slept with us. Both parties were quite willing, and we didn't refuse."

"Good for you, Fan Debiao! You had such a good time and didn't even call me! Have you forgotten our brotherhood!" The site supervisor emerged from the tent, bare-chested, his muscles gleaming under the sunlight.

The work shed at night appeared remarkably peaceful. Yet, there were certain matters that Liu Dashao still couldn't figure out.

Unable to find the answers, Liu Dashao simply stopped pondering and lived peacefully there for a few days.

This tranquility lasted until one day his girlfriend, Ma Xiaoyan, arrived from Xiushui Village, causing everyone immense envy. That evening, Fan Debiao deliberately cleared out a room for them, claiming it was special consideration.

The next morning, there were two maps at everyone's sleeping mat.

Even under Fan Debiao’s own bedding, there lay a map of China.

As for Su Yougui, he scrutinized his for a long time before cursing, "Damn it, why is mine a map of America?"

Ma Xiaoyan certainly brought Liu Dashao considerable prestige. Such a proper young woman was truly a rare sight in the countryside.

From then on, Liu Dashao's authority among the crowd grew even higher because he claimed that Ma Xiaoyan had an even more beautiful younger sister, one who surpassed Ma Xiaoyan herself.

Those eager to curry favor with Liu Dashao naturally multiplied.

However, only Fan Debiao knew this secret: Ma Xiaoyan did have a younger sister, but she was still in the belly of Ma Sandao’s newly married wife.

They spent several quiet nights like this until the fourth day when Liu Dashao suddenly realized Su Yougui was missing. In Fan Debiao’s bed, however, a letter remained. Liu Dashao curiously took the letter, examined it closely, and finally confirmed that the scoundrel Su Yougui had followed Da Guoguo. He was unwilling to stay here his whole life in mediocrity and was preparing to pursue that exciting life with Da Guoguo.

Liu Dashao offered no comment on this. If he wished to leave, then let him leave! For him, his departure represented a spirit that was hard to come by; perhaps his leaving was exactly what he truly desired.

Fan Debiao felt a measure of sadness over Su Yougui’s departure. He had been planning to promote this young man, yet he left in such a manner. Perhaps if he encountered him later on the revolutionary path, Su Yougui might become a stumbling block, forcing Fan Debiao to denounce him.

Even Da Guoguo—if he truly obstructed Fan Debiao’s path—would be shown no mercy.

Because in this red era where morality and rationality were abandoned, whoever dared to be bold lived better.

Fan Debiao said no more on the matter, merely instructing everyone to scatter and work. He appointed Liu Dashao as a foreman as well, a means of improving his status and living conditions.