Crime and Punishment Page #6

Can you get me some socks?

Mine are all wet.

- What's your name?

- Zhang.

- What's going on?

- It's no big deal.

- No big deal?

- Why's your face all red?

Just cold, I guess.

If it's no big deal,

why are the police here?

We deserve an explanation.

They were cutting down

trees on the mountain,

and planning to sell them.

- Did someone report them?

- Report them?

Hurry up.

What's going on?

Are they going to fine you?

I don't know yet.

I'll tell you when we get back.

Wait!

We'll be right back.

He said they'll be right back.

- Where are you going?

- Up the mountain.

Nothing to worry about.

What happened to your face?

What'd they do, beat you?

Maybe he broke the law,

but it's no reason to beat him!

That's just wrong.

They can't do that...

How far is it?

Man, I'm exhausted.

When we get back, you can call

your relatives about the money.

- Huh?

- Money to pay the fine.

My wife will have

the money when we get back.

We'll see if we can get

your fine reduced.

I already told my wife

to get the money.

- At least stay for lunch.

- No need.

You must be tired

after all this walking.

A meal won't make us less tired.

I just feel bad for putting you

to so much trouble.

When we get back, we'll tell

the captain about your situation

and see if he'll reduce the fine.

I just wanted to earn some cash,

but now I'm broke again.

So you won't do it again.

- You bet your life I won't.

- You wasted our time, too.

I wasted your time

and made my family worry.

F***, I never stole anything before.

Today's the 5th, market day.

I wanted to buy some presents.

So that was the plan?

I thought if I sold the wood,

I could make some money

and buy my kid some New Year's

presents at the market today.

You were going today?

And spending the night in town?

To buy your kid presents?

Yeah.

Any more trees?

Let's keep going.

Any more?

Is that all?

I barely made 4000 yuan this year.

I work hard all year round

to send my kid to school,

and we're still eating up

the family savings.

- At least you've got savings.

- What savings?

My parents had to support 4 sons.

I was lucky to afford a wife.

The house isn't big enough.

You saw it.

My dad lives in that little lean-to.

But what can you do?

An old man shouldn't have

to live like that.

This area's pretty poor.

There are laws

against beating people!

Look what you did to his face!

You're supposed to talk things out,

use reason, not violence!

You're supposed to enforce the law!

Isn't that against the law?

It's New Year,

and you bring them home like this!

We need to talk about this.

Even if they broke the law,

it's no excuse to hit them.

What are we going to do about this?

After all, it's New Year.

The police can't just

go around beating people!

Isn't there a law against that?

We already paid the fine.

Why can't we ride back with you?

Don't interfere

with police business.

We're not interfering!

If you're taking our men away,

we have the right to go along!

No, we're coming with you.

We're not just going to pay the fine

and let you leave.

Because the suspects were beaten

in violation of police regulations

and the supervising officers feared

the families might file a complaint,

the men were fined

a token amount of 300 yuan

and allowed to keep the lumber

they cut down.

"Our annual demobilization

is already in full force.

"Officer selection

and restructuring

"within the ranks

has been completed.

"The task at hand

is to ensure a smooth transition

"and promote stability

and continuity within the ranks.

"Ideological education

continues to be essential.

"Departing veterans are encouraged

to maintain a positive attitude.

"Brigade leaders

have gone into the field

"to speak to the departing veterans,

"listen sincerely to their opinions

"and help them make a smooth

transition to civilian life.

"In addition,

the brigade headquarters

"has issued a statement.

"The statement reaffirms

our commitment to protect and serve,

"secure our borders,

"carry on a glorious

military tradition

"and conduct ourselves in a manner

befitting the insignia we wear.

"All 16 departing soldiers

"have indicated their support

"by signing their names

to the statement.

"Officer and troop morale is high,

our objectives are clear.

"All ranks continue to do their duty

"with energy and enthusiasm."

Right now, the annual demobilization

of soldiers is our first priority.

I already spoke with some of you

this afternoon.

This is an organizational decision.

I trust that everyone

will respect this,

and maintain a positive attitude.

Although your time

in the army was brief,

it will help you prepare

for the challenges ahead

as you return to your hometowns

and help build the local economy.

Soldier, soldier, it's time to go

Soldier, soldier, it's time to go

Soldier, soldier, don't you grieve

For what used to be

Soldier, don't be this way

Say your farewells,

And shed your tears alone

Soldier, take your leave at ease

Behind you stands this army

Soldier, fare thee well

You'll never be forgotten here

Soldier, fare thee well

You'll always be remembered here...

That's how society is.

A lot of things aren't fair.

It's the truth

and I'm not afraid to say it.

If I had 50,000 to pay the bribe,

I know I'd get into the academy.

That's the truth, and you know it.

So why would you want

to stay in the army?

I'm just upset right now.

- You understand me, right?

- I understand.

But you've got to cheer up.

- How can I?

- It's not the end of the world!

It's just a phase.

I'm trying to understand myself.

But I know myself better

than anyone, trust me.

Someday you'll see.

Someday we'll meet up again

and I'll be fine, you'll see.

I know we've had our differences,

but I'll be fine, trust me.

I'm just drunk right now.

You're sober.

I know I'm making a fool of myself,

but I don't care.

That's the kind of guy I am.

Don't be stupid...

You're a kick-ass public speaker,

right?

Well, I think I am, too.

I wanted to test myself against you,

but I never got the chance.

That's not important.

It's what we experience that counts.

You've gained experience.

That's what matters.

I just want you to understand me.

It's like playing go.

If I think I'm losing

and just play defense, I'll win.

But if I'm overconfident,

I'll get careless.

That's what happened.

I got overconfident and lost.

I lost out, and it sucks.

It's different for you.

You went to college.

Junior high, high school, college.

I wanted to go to college, too.

If I got into the military academy,

I know I'd kick ass.

But I lost out, and lost everything.

What do you mean?

I hate it when you talk like that.

What have you lost?

You've gained valuable experience,

that's how you should look at it.

It's a benefit, not a loss.

It'll help you in the future,

whether in school, work or life.

Just because they didn't make you

an officer

doesn't mean you lost everything.

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